Alright, well i will try to sum this up in a short manner. Basically I met a guy who is the same age as me on my campus. We seemed to connect right away, and had a lot of things in common. He told me he was a Jehovah Witness, and I had no problem with that at all. As months went on our relationship seemed to get closer then one day he dropped the bomb on me that we could never go out together or be seen in public together with his friends, or family (who are also Jehovah's.) I was upset at this because it seemed like he was hiding me the whole time, and i guess emotions are involved now so it's gotten harder to say goodbye. He told me we can't even remain friends. Could someone who knows about this religion shed some light for me? I can't seem to get over this. It just seems unfair to call me out because im not the same religion as someone else. Help!
2007-04-09 08:49:51 · 11 answers · asked by N 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Unfortunately, one of the definitions of a cult is if the organization controls members in a way that limits social interaction.
I am not given to prejudice, but you asked and this is the answer.
This unfortunate young man has been indoctrinated to believe that only JW's are saved, and that unless you conform, they will not be social with you. (much like "shunning").
Blessings to you - if you would like my opinion, you are best off to take him at his word, and break off relations with him. There isn't any use arguing with the situation. Move on and blessings to you dear - I know what you are going through.
2007-04-09 08:59:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
"Jehovah" is the personal name of Almighty God, the Sovereign of the Universe, the Creator. "Jehovah" translates the Hebrew Tetragrammaton into English, and is to be used with reverence and respect.
It is a terrible insult and blasphemy against God to misuse the personal name of the Almighty as a reference to any human. An adherent among Jehovah's Witnesses is most certainly not "a Jehovah" but rather is "a Witness". Several adherents are not "Jehovahs" but rather are "Witnesses".
(Deuteronomy 6:4) Jehovah our God is one Jehovah
Sadly, such disrespect for the Heavenly Father and bigotry against His people communicates the actual feelings of this so-called "questioner". This disrespect should be expected by true Christians in this time of the end, and it actually helps identify Jehovah's Witnesses as Christ's true disciples:
(John 15:19) If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.
(Luke 6:22) Happy are you whenever men hate you, and whenever they exclude you and reproach you and cast out your name as wicked for the sake of the Son of man.
(1 Peter 4:4) Because you do not continue running with them in this course to the same low sink of debauchery, they are puzzled and go on speaking abusively of you.
(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.
It seems signficant that the relatively small religion of Jehovah's Witnesses are the ones best known for their worldwide preaching work. Yet Jesus commanded that ALL who would call themselves "Christian" perform this public work:
(Matthew 28:19,20) Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/
http://watchtower.org/e/20030301/
http://watchtower.org/e/20020401/
2007-04-10 05:06:08 · answer #2 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grassley doesn't really say "where" Obama is messing up or what Obama doesn't understand... for the most part, he's gotten everything passed he has tried to pass... with the exception of closing Gitmo... and health care is rough waters, but that never will be an easy battle... he seems to be more effective than most presidents... so relatively...
2016-05-21 01:01:02 · answer #3 · answered by velda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The life of a JEHOVAH'S WITNESS is no "paradise on earth". References are included so that you can check for accuracy.
Watchtower Membership
will affect you!
SOCIALLY
The Watchtower forbids:
Association with non-JW family and friends (Watchtower 2/15/60 p. 112)
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Voting and defending your country (United in Worship of the Only True God 1983 p. 166)
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Frequenting "discos and dance halls" (Watchtower 1/15/83 p. 22)
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Self-defense courses (Pay attention to Yourselves and All the flock 1981 p. 150)
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Playing chess (Awake! 3/22/73 p. 12-14)
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Attending weddings and funerals of "non-JW friends and family", allowed but STRONGLY discouraged! (Watchtower 12/15/74 p. 766-767 & 3/15/70 p. 191-192)
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The life of a JW child is even more controlled. In order to help enforce the Watchtower rules at school, the Watchtower published a booklet titled, "Schools and Jehovah's Witnesses."
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The Watchtower forbids you and your children from:
Holidays, Birthdays, Christmas, Easter,
Halloween, All Saints Day, New Years,
Valentines Day, May Day,
Mother's Day = Mother worship,
National holidays, Organized sports,
Cheerleading, Homecoming Queen,
Dances, School clubs and plays,
Blood and other donations, School elections,
Singing the National Anthem,
and Saluting the Flag.
(School and Jehovah's Witnesses 1983 p. 13-25)
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Watchtower Membership
will affect your
FAMILY
Shunning
This cruel policy dictates that if someone leaves the Watchtower, JW's must "quit mixing in company" and "never receive him into your home or say a greeting to him." JW's are instructed to HATE former members and cannot show pity to them, even if they are family! JW's can't even pray for a disfellowshipped person. (Watch-tower 11/1/94 p. 21, 4/15/91 p. 30, 10/1/93 p.19 & 6/15/71 p. 383)\
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Disfellowshipping Offenses
Listed among serious moral offenses (murder, adultery, etc.) are trivial "sins" that JWís can be disfellowshipped, and consequently shunned, for committing: Celebrating holidays, Interfaith activities, Working for a religious organization, Owning religious pictures or images, Accepting blood transfusions, Gambling, Non-neutral activities, and Smoking tobacco. (Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock 1977 p. 57-59)
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Having Children
During WWII (believed by the Watchtower to be the final battle of Armageddon) JW's were "counseled" to refrain from having children. (Children 1941 p. 312) Many JW's continue to follow this advice today, believing that Armageddon is "just around the corner."
2007-04-09 18:53:49 · answer #4 · answered by Freedom 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Being friends is one thing, but dating means he's ready to seek a wife. Remember, witnesses don't date around, just for the sake of it. They also don't do the other things that follow in its wake, sleeping around. That's why dating is only done in groups of like minded people. Do you know, or care, what the Bible says about dating?
I'm going to mark this question, as there are repeated postings in here the witnesses are not allowed to go to college.
2007-04-09 15:52:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
My dear,
I can't believe this man did this to u!I'll tell u one thing, a very religious man is not a good thing at all!U have to be at first place all the time,and honeslty this man that u had a relationship with ,he is just kind of ashame of u not sharing the same religion!Just leave him and the memory about him goes away!he doesn't deserve anything else
2007-04-09 09:01:36 · answer #6 · answered by Babydol 1 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Your male friend put himself and you in an awkward position.
The fault is we are human and are attracted to the opposite sex no matter what our relgion is.You must be a very nice person but the facts are our religion only allows dating when you are seeking a marriage mate.Perhaps hes not ready for such a commitment to you or any other girl at this time.Why dont you look at our religion and see for yourself what makes him so nice to be around. who knows what could happen. maybe you will accept Jesus as your savior as he has.
ps we are not a cult anyone can come to our meetings.
2007-04-09 14:50:56 · answer #7 · answered by gary d 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Gee I am sorry to hear what happened to you, it is really ashame when something like that comes between people in love...And I was reading what the others said, and I had no idea the JW was like that, I knew I didn't believe in their ways but all the other is new to me...he may have had feelings for you and it scared him because he knew what was going to happen and he didn't want to carry it any further..I really hope the best for you, and I will be praying that God will open this guys eyes to see something is very worng with JW..God Bless
2007-04-09 11:23:53 · answer #8 · answered by sara 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I agree with RamJet,
The Jehovah Witnesses are an extremely exclusive cult. Any infiltration by an outsider could expose what they really teach at their Kingdom Halls. They are not the only one. Many cults are like this. They believe that if you do not adhere to their custom-made doctrine based on their custom-translated bible, then you are unsaved, and unsaved people are shunned from their midst.
2007-04-09 09:34:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
JWs are not permitted to do what he was doing... he knew he was in violation from the begining... you are better off free of any contact with that cult... The JWs would have shuned him...even his family would have, if they are good JWs, if he had gotten serious with you and then married out sid the cult...count yourself lucky an move on with your life...
2007-04-09 08:55:35 · answer #10 · answered by idahomike2 6 · 2⤊ 5⤋