My husband was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, my self as a non denominational christian....?

Question

We started our marriage together under the premise that we would find something together that we BOTH agreed on. (He's not baptized). Well, after we were married, his mother started pushing him really hard, and so we compromised and I started going to the kingdom hall to keep the peace in our home. Before I got too involved I decided out the blue to Google them. (we had been going to the kingdom hall for a few months at the time). Needless to say I was beyond shocked and dismayed over what I read. So, naturally I tried to show my husband, but he didn't want to read it! I was like you've go to be kidding me, you look up everything else on the net, why won't you read this?! So, finally I got him to sit down and watch a documentary about them, and he looked at sites that were non biased or condeseding but just pointed out facts (i.e this site formerly known as quotes.watchtower.ca) But I still have a hard time getting through his mind sets, and our children are caught in the middle. Help

I DO NOT "believe everything I read off the internet"! What am I 6? My research didn't stop there, it began there. Again w/ unbiased sites, stictly reading things from their own mags. Then off to the library, watched documentaries, asked my inlaws ({witnesses}, ?'s, concerns), bought older watchtower mags from ebay, etc. Since then I've been attending, church (with the children most times), sometimes it's a tug of war. I'm not saying that the JW's I come in contact with are bad or anything, quite the contrary. Does this mean I think it's right? I don't drink, fornicate, gamble, etc "that I really don't want to give up", yes I like the "pagan originated" holidays, but through research found out that wedding cakes, wedding rings, etc also have pagan origins. Many Doctrinal concerns that I have. MOST IMPORT, am I'm not willing to posbly. sacrifice my children's lives over misinterp. of blood script? Esp. since "he came so that we may have life" I respect everyone's right to worship.

Answer 1

"But shun empty speeches that violate what is holy... their word will spread like gangrene." - 2 Timothy 2:16,17


In context...
(2 Timothy 2:14-19) Keep reminding [fellow Christians] of these things, charging them before God as witness, not to fight about words, a thing of no usefulness at all because it overturns those listening. 15 Do your utmost to present yourself approved to God, a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of the truth aright. 16 But shun empty speeches that violate what is holy; for they will advance to more and more ungodliness, 17 and their word will spread like gangrene. Hy·me·nae′us and Phi·le′tus are of that number. 18 These very [men] have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred; and they are subverting the faith of some. 19 For all that, the solid foundation of God stays standing, having this seal: “Jehovah knows those who belong to him,” and: “Let everyone naming the name of Jehovah renounce unrighteousness.”



Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_13.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/pr/index.htm?article=article_04.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/na/index.htm?article=article_04.htm

Answer 2

U said u went to the Hall for a few mths., 2 Pe1:19
Did the friends seem unfriendly?Jo13:35
The site u went to obviously was to turn ppl away from Jehovah 1Tim4:1.
Is that what u want 4 urself & ur children, to turn away from the one true God? Prov 4; 5:1,2.
Of course he wouldn't read it,it was made by apostates-Prov 11:9. U said u went, to keep peace in ur home. It's not the best reason to go, but it is a good thing that u want peace in ur home Prov15:17. It shows where ur heart is.
Do more research, as to if what is being said,taught & referred to in the scriptures @ the Kingdom Hall holds true.Use any Bible u feel comfortable w/. Use more then 1 Bible, to get a better understanding-make sure @Php1:10.

When u 1st met ur husband,did he seem to u as a good man, a hard worker (some1 that would provide well 4 u & ur children),1 w/ upstanding morals, 1 that would love,honor & cherish his wife? Does he treat the children w/ loving-kindness? Is he a respectful man? Something attracted u to him...u married him. And u said he was brought up in the truth. Do u not want ur children to be like their earthly Father?
Don't listen to all that would have u tear ur family asunder Ge2:24 & Matt19:4-6,9.That is exactly what the devil wants, & does;he attacks and destroys the human family.
I came into the truth after 9 yrs., w/ my current husband, we weren't married @ that time.We have 3 children, I taught them all,all the truths that I came to love in the Scriptures.My husband didn't mind my teaching them, just that he wanted his time w/ me.So, I made adjustments, as to time frame etc..
I applied what I was taught,obey my husband, God comes 1st,teach the children the way for them to walk.I know full well just how hard it is, I almost always include in my prayers those w/ unbelieving mates.I Do Know Fully, that sword that is in the home, when 1 is & 1 isn't in the truth. I'm still learning everyday, 2 b a better wife...My husband Loves That. We have a relatively happy home (i say relatively,cuz we still live in the world). We r still together,still in love w/ each other, after 21 yrs., & married 11. He still is not in the truth, and still love each other..in fact more so now, then 20 1/2 yrs ago.
And we've been "through things", raised 3 children,have 2 grands now,started our own business, just celebrated our 11th Anniversary; next mth.,we celebrate our 21st Anniversary.
If it is truth u want,earnestly.Seek it out,ask Jehovah for help He will help u. Educate & Inform urself.
The scriptures say that if 1 is believing & 1 not, as long as u 2 can be acceptable to that, u don't have to get a divorce. Ask ur husband, to help u get All ur Q's ready, Then sit w/ an elder & ask him. Or an elders wife, if u'd b more comfortable w/ a woman. I say to do it in this manner, cuz I've been 'married' 26 years!!(married twice) ;~),
ya know what I mean?
U can get some assistance from him, no problem. But, ur Q's...have a 3rd person. Then u can talk w/ ur hubby later.U do trust him,don't u?
I will continue to keep all those w/ 1blv'ing/1not in a marriage, in my prayers, this includes u and ur family.

Answer 3

Apostates are the ones who will spread lies about Jehovah's Witnesses, which is what you read, but apostates are not only from the Jehovah's Witness organization.
If you want to see some more apostate info on other religions try looking up catholic apostates, jewish apostates, muslim apostates, baptist apostates. You will find that they will all bash their former religion. They are angry people who decided to go against what they were taught and refuse to change their bad behavior.
Jehovah's Witnesses, as you probably know, do not become baptized until they have studied the bible and know what is the right course and what is the wrong. So, when someone leaves, after saying "I agree with what I'm being taught and I will live my life accordingly" they become angry because other Jehovah's Witnesses do not want to be around them.

Say you had a friend who promised to always be your friend and then decided to go totally against that promise.Then on top of that started to belittle and lie about you and your friends and their beliefs, would you want to have anything to do with them?
Please don't become one of those types of people. They are nasty and try to break relationships apart. They are not writing those lies to help you rather they're putting those lies on the net to harm you and your family.
As was said before, the elders would happily sit down with you and answer any question you may have- using the bible. Apostates just spread LIES. They have no biblical support for what they are saying. Have you noticed in a lot of the answers you've gotten there has been mention of divorce? Did you ask about divorce? I don't see you asking about divorce. Apostates do that. Their idea is divide and conquer. They are disgusting and want only to harm you and your family, as you can see.

Answer 4

People can put anything on the Internet, and do. You learn more about Jehovah's Witnesses by actually being among them. They are not perfect (no human beings are), but Witnesses have one objective in life: to serve Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ. Everything we do revolves around that.

People who oppose Jehovah's Witnesses, and ex-Witnesses, have a field day on the Internet, all too happy to air their complaints that things are not done their way. This is nothing new. Murmurers, complainers, those who campaign for their own doctrines and those who attempt to cause division are all mentioned in the New Testament -- and condemned there.

There is a PBS video about Jehovah's Witnesses called "Knocking" that is scheduled to be shown in May. Also, the video is available for purchase from the site listed below.

I suggest that you and your husband get this video, or see it as a family when it comes on TV. The producer is not one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and the video is an eye-opening, honest, unbiased look at Jehovah's Witnesses.

Please note that Jesus said that his followers would be hated because they taught the truth. Chrisitianity is not about a religious popularity contest. It is a narrow and cramped road, but it does lead to life. (Matthew 5:11, 12; 7:13, 14)

http://www.knocking.org/

Answer 5

How many other religions did you also google to learn what people oppose to them have posted? Do you really believe that the Watchtower forcible impregnates 8 year old girls to increase their numbers? That was a claim posted in here about them today.

If you want to believe in all the negative claims made, than why would you even want your husband to be around you children at all. With a little research, you will learn that the majority of men sexually attracted to their children, and are either now molesting them or will be. Over 80% of divorced and single fathers are accused of sexual abuse of their children at some point. If there is a claim, than it must be true.

Twenty years I've been working with falsely accused men, and I can tell you just how easy it is to make up phony claims. Think it would be any less so for a corporation like the Watchtower.

One thing to also remember, what is there to gain from any of this. Unlike other churches, those serving on the governing board, as District or Circuit Servants, Overseers, and elders do so without pay and for relative short period of times. They are not lifetime positions with good incomes and benefits. One of the current District Servants in California was a window washer when I was young.

Humans only promote falsehoods when there is something to gain personally and financially. There is no such gain here. And unlike other religions, the Watchtower books are fully open for examination and see where the money goes.

Answer 6

While we should all be willing to do research about our beliefs, sad to say, the Net while at times usefull is NOT THE place to go. You can look up most any subject and find "shocking" information about it. You said you had been attending the Hall for months. Consider, if how you felt during those months. If you have questions and concerns, instead of trying to get through his mind sets, ask questions. See if he has answers for you. Trying to brow beat someone rarely, if ever, works. Sadly, Religion is often a hot button issue.

You both have the right to train your children in the ways of your beliefs. Clearly if you feel differently there will be differences in how you feel about things. Just remember, while there is NOTHING with saying you feel a certain way, to train the children to RESPECT both of you and yours opinions.

Answer 7

Jehovah's Witnesses are the most hated, persecuted and ridiculed religion.They are constantly having lies and propaganda spread about them.Your husband was wise to decline to watch whatever rubbish you eventually forced him to watch.
Jesus Christ warned that his disciples would be hated just as he,himself was hated.So as Jehovah's Witnesses we know we have the truth of God's Word and the animosity toward us only strengthens our resolve to continue doing the work Jesus assigned us...."Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations....teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you....."Matt28:19,20.
So instead of 'googling'and seeking information through Satans system,why not look at the organisation for answers.We have a marvelous big book that details the history of Jehovahs Witnesses called "Jehovahs Witnesses,Proclaimers of God's Kingdom".We also have videos on the organisation.There is nothing to fear.I used to be a Catholic and know that being part of Jehovah's earthly organisation is where we should be.
You are not doing your marriage and family any favors by watching and listening to the propaganda out there.
Did you not feel the love and warmth in the Kingdom Hall?Did not what you heard make sense to you?Why dont you embrace what you have a priviledge to be part of instead of looking for faults - because there are none.Jehovahs organisation is clean and honest.Any wrongdoing is dealt with to protect the rest of the organisation.The only wrong is listening to what apostates and satans system have to say.Please give your husband some credit and trust him.

Answer 8

the one thing to look for is love-- John 13:35

I have yet to find an organization that is perfect, but JWs are the closest to following the Bible and the example of Jesus and they do have a greater love in their Kingdom Halls than I have found in any other major religion, and I have been a part of or at least looked carefully into *all* major belief systems this world has to offer over the past 20+ years

when satan wanted to decieve Eve, how did he do it? by planting seeds of doubt

that is exactly what those websites against JWs are doing!

I look at the people;

the ex-JWs seem so bitter and hateful and live their lives just to tear down *one* specific organization. You never see the ex-JWs critisize any other organization. You never see them join any other organization. It's really freaky how consumed with negativity and hate they are. So what are Christians supposed to do with hateful people?
Hebrews 12:5,6
1 Corinthians 5:11-13
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
Hebrews 10:26,27
Matthew 18:15-17
1 Timothy 5:20
Matthew 10:34-37


But the active JWs are quite the opposite! Sure they have interpreted Bible Scriptures incorrectly in the past; they are imperfect, so what? They are good, loving Christians who even though they are totally imperfect, they try with all their might to live up to the loving example of Christ.

I have been a part of some and studied *all* of the "major" belief systems in this world from Atheism to Evolutionism to Existentialism over the past 20+ years (yeah, I'm an old fart)

So far in my studies, the JWs are the closest organization I have found to the genuine spirit of Bible truth. So if you believe the Bible is truly the Word of God and actually think it's better to serve God than to fabricate a god that's convenient or conforms to your way of life, then JWs are the closest to pure worship.

The only thing I should caution you about is that they are an organization of imperfect human beings and they have made mistakes in the past and I'll bet dollars to donuts they'll make mistakes until God's Kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven.

Love is the answer

agape!

Answer 9

Let me add in a couple of extra thoughts here.

When you read negative things about us, always remember Jesus' words at Matthew 5:11, 12 - "“Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake."

Here Jesus showed that those who try to live by Godly requirements would be lyingly spoken against. This has always been the way with true Christianity, even back in the first century. This can be seen from the principal men of the Jews said to the apostle Paul:

"But we think it proper to hear from you what your thoughts are, for truly as regards this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”

Also see:
Luke 6:22;
John 15:19;
1 Peter 4:4.

Answer 10

You mean to tell me that if you "googled" ANY religion, you wouldn't find negative things about them! Let's get real here. I know many JW's and let me tell you, some of the married ones don't ALWAYS have a spouse who is baptized, so don't mislead others into thinking that YOU personally are being pressured by them to become a Witness. Yes, that would be the ideal way for the sake of couples who have children, to raise their family united and not divided in their spiritual matters. You were looking for reasons to not want to become a Witness, and that's fine, it has to be a personal decision, but please realize that maybe YOU just don't want to actually DO what is required of a person who seriously WANTS to dedicate their life to Jehovah and serve HIM wholeheartedly. If your husband is such a bad guy, you can always do what the world would in this situation, divorce him, screw your kids up emotionally & mentally, and go on with your own life, so you can choose a religion that doesn't require so much effort, and will tolerate any and every bad behavior you can think of. And there are plenty of those, you don't have look very far.

Answer 11

I am sorry to hear of your plight, and do hope you are able to get your husband to break free from his indoctrination. The best book by far that I can recommend is Releasing the Bonds by Steven Hassan. He is one of the leading cult experts and shows how all cults use similar techniques of mind control, how to slowly open the minds of loved ones, and that there is always hope.

Lifton lists 8 indicators of cult mind control, research done on communist brainwashers, all 8 are prevelant within the Watchtower Society. One of the classic ones is that each cult says that only they have truth, and their form of truth must not be questioned. (Ironic when considering that the "truth" of the groups such as JWs change constantly.)

If you have not read jwfacts.com yet I would recommend it as there are many simply presented points and questions. You should ask your husband a simple thought provoking question occasionally and leave it at that. No need to argue over it. Eventually it will sink in and at some point it will probably all click with your husband.

Two things to give you hope are that JWs have one of the highest turnovers of any religion, and that each year more and more are leaving. As 1914 becomes increasingly irrelevant the number leaving will ever increase.

In the meantime I do hope you can find common ground and your love for your husband can carry you through. I know many JWs that have been successfully married to people of other religions. When I was a child one of the best marriages in my congregation was between a JW sister and her wonderful nonbelieving husband.