Have your Jehovah Witness parents stopped communicating with you because you chose not to become a Witness?

Question

If an adult child of a Jehovah Witness, does not drink, smoke, or participate in any behavior that is illegal or immoral, but has chosen a different Christian denomination, is it common for the parents to stop communicating with that adult child? Or does it depend on the parents? What does their organization advise? Is there ever any reason for Jehovah Witness parents to stop communicating with their children, as long as that child does not interfere with their religion, or push their beliefs on to them?

Sunpekes this question is not concerning adult children who were ever baptized or disfellowshipped. The question is simply about adult children who have Jehovah Witness parents.

p.s. Also, why would you as a Jehovah Witness quote and compare yourself to Islam?

Answer 1

Dear Ori,

My mother became a Watchtower Witness before I was born. My dad - Praise the LORD - raised my siblings and I in his Protestant church.

I think it really depends on the parents. I've seen changes through the years with Mom. For many years she and I used to butt heads a lot but that is no longer the case I am happy to say. We talk every week mostly about family which is a huge relief.

Many years ago I lived temporarily near another jw relative who would only come to visit me if she could do her book studies with me. I didn't have a car and was very lonely so I allowed it. If I needed something I could call and ask but I was always the one who had to initiate phone calls.

With some phone calls or emails from certain relatives it sure does seem to me that the only purpose of the communication is to be able to write something on their time sheet. It seems like they want to tell me some atrocious story that they heard in the news so they can get a non-jw reaction because they are on their way to the Hall and need to be able to quote a Woman-on-the-street.

Welcome to Yahoo Answers by the way. I hope you'll be around for awhile but that means answering more questions than you ask.

Edit: I forgot to mention that my jw relatives do speak to me because I never became a jw. However they do NOT speak about the relatives who became jws and LEFT. They have made it clear to me that they do not want to hear anything about those relatives either, not even their names.

Answer 2

A Jehovah's Witness Christian who chooses to stop all communication with his or her offspring cannot pretend to do so for religious reasons.

Jehovah's Witnesses even teach that a faithful Witness would conscientiously communicate with relatives regarding family matters (even if the relative was "disfellowshipped" or "disassociated"; see KM 8/2002 p4).

But such "family business" is different from socializing. Jehovah's Witnesses tend to be selective in their choice of association, and tend to avoid those who have proven themselves to be "bad association". Likely, that would include those who speak unfavorably about one's religion.

(1 Corinthians 15:33) Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.

(2 Peter 2:2-3) On account of these the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively. Also, with covetousness they will exploit you with counterfeit words.

Answer 3

People who are disfellowshipped have committed sins that they will not refrain from. The disfellowshipping is a means used by early church fathers to keep the congregation clean.
Much the same as washing a dirty floor.
Those who have been dropped from our christian organization can clean up their ways and be welcomed back.
It doesn't have to remain permanent.
Check out our website for further details.
Some who saw the light and came back have gone on to become overseers and wonderful teachers.
Not talking with one who has shamed themselves is better than harming them. As Islam does. We forgive and forget.

Answer 4

Well I can tell you that my parents have tried to always stand behind me and my Brothers. My oldest brother is currently involved in allot of um UnChristian things. We still care for him but cannot spend allot of time with him as he is a major downer spiritually. We try to remember the Bible principles. We of course love him and do offer some assistance when needed but cannot do things to contribute to the various activites. Every parent must choose how they act as Christians/Parents/Humans.

Answer 5

My brother does drink and my mother still talks to him. He never was baptized. I guess it does depend on the parents. If he is constantly criticizing the witnesses, than they may not want to associated with him.

She talks to me and I'm disfellowshipped.

Answer 6

family is family. if they are not talking to you, I would ask why. we are told we can talk to family even if they choose not become a Jehovah Witness. Jehovah wants us to worship him because we love and want to be a witness for him.

Answer 7

You people really don't know a thing about Jehovah's Witnesses. I talk to my children frequently, my parents, and other relatives, we just don't get together on worldly holidays or birthdays and if they don't want to, we don't talk about spiritual matters. You people really need to learn the truth about us and stop getting God upset even more with you for bad mouthing us.

Answer 8

I'm ebullient when ANY false prophet recognizes he isn't going to get anywhere with me! Means I did me homework!

Answer 9

yes my jehova witness parents did that and my muslims parents did that too

Answer 10

shunning is part of the teachings of the JW cult. Faithful members are not allowed to deal with anyone that leaves the cult lest they be shunned themselves... mom and dad didn't teach you that?