My husband has left Jehovah's Witnesses....and we are wondering how to handle his family that are all JW. I would love to hear how some have handled this. He is now nondenominational Christian...as am I...I was raised Catholic though, so I have family issues too, though no where near the amount he does.
2007-03-08 14:37:18 · 6 answers · asked by ~♥Anna♥~ 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Good point... I should add that his sister is a pioneer and his brother is studying to become an elder. I would love to be able to save them all but I don't know how easy it will be. It's sad, they are kinda brainwashed. When you challenge a doctrine, they spit out the same phrase. I know that they are good people and they truly believe that they are doing the right thing. That is what makes this so much harder.
2007-03-08 14:57:43 · update #1
He is disassociated, not disfellowshipped. I have HAD bible studies with them, and I am well aware of the difference. I don't understand why you think I would post the congregation name though. Of course i know it, but I'm not going to post it! Furthermore I welcome posts from both anti witnesses and witnesses. But I'm guessing that a current witness wouldn't want to tell me how to handle family members, so you've confused me there too. Were you under the impression that I was a JW asking how to handle a family member that left? Sorry for any confusion. I am just looking for as normal a life as possible and am curious as to how others dealt with this.
2007-03-08 16:37:03 · update #2
My brother in-law did this too, he just stays away as much a possible and does not bring up the subject and if it comes up he tells them that he has made his choice and to please except it and if they don't he and his family leaves, but he still tries to go to all family functions and stays as long as possible.
2007-03-08 14:46:50 · answer #1 · answered by Johnny 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If your husband was a witness, than you would know the difference between a disassociated witness and a disfellowshipped one. Than you would know how to word the question properly so as to sound like you know what you're talking about to anyone except anti-witnesses. I'm disfellowshipped, he's disassociated. Consider having a Bible study with them and you will learn the difference. I also notice like so many of you making these claims, you don't state the congregation name, which he would know. And no, they are not found on thew front of the Kingdom Halls, as each usually has four congregations.
2007-03-08 16:26:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
It depends on how strictly they follow their faith. If they are high within the congregation it would look hypocritical if they continued to associate with your family. My dad was an elder and the main reason they didn't want me to leave is because they said he could lose his appointment because if he can't witness effectively to his own child that he isn't qualified to lead the congregation. If they don't go much and don't have pioneers, elders or ministerial servants in the family it probably won't be a big deal. But it depends on congregation politics also. Those people love to get in everyone else's business.
2007-03-08 14:42:48 · answer #3 · answered by vicious_meliscious 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
First of all let me say that I totally admire and applaud your husband's courage in leaving the JW. I was never involved with this group but I have come accross several websites that provide moral and group support to former JW's. I saw these websites when I was researching and writing about Christianity's "cults and isms." I know that the JW church practice "shunning" of members who leave and I know how much that could hurt. Be strong. I will pray for you. God bless you heaps.
2007-03-08 14:47:59 · answer #4 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 4⤊ 3⤋
He can explain things earnestly, and will likely be scorned, but I think he must have thought this over before making his flight from the cult...
2007-03-08 14:43:39 · answer #5 · answered by Blitzpup 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A quick search gave me this website
http://exjw.meetup.com/
I am sure there are others. God Bless!!
2007-03-08 14:43:57 · answer #6 · answered by Yahoogirl 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋