is this right?

Question

this girl's parents i no are "strong" jehovah's witnesses. they force there"religion" on her. i understand that you would want your child to share your belifs but is it right to force it on her? its basically to the point where they will litteraly disown her. i dont feel this is right as a Christian i feel that wanting a relationship with the Lord should be a personal choice. please any comments will be much appriciated thank you and God bless

she's 16, but not stupid. and knows what choices to make, but this is her family im talking about

i see some people are taking the question wrong, im not saying let them grow up w/o religion. i was saying that once there mature enough to understand the decision being made. God gave up free will, if wanted people to be forced in to worshiping him he would have just made us robots. another person responded saying i was an anti-Christian. this person is crazy and needs to work on there comprehention skills. ill pray for you

Answer 1

I agree with you, but I know this is not uncommon in the JW.

The Ol' Hippie Jesus Freak
Grace, Peace, Hope and Love
Peg

Answer 2

If the girls parents were faithful Catholics or Jews or Methodists, and they took it as their duty to raise their child in their religion, would you look at this the same way?

How many kids felt like Catechism was forced on them? My husband is one of many who were so disgusted by the forced religion he hasn't stepped back in a church since he was 18.

Jehovahs Witness parents take their childrens religious education as one of the highest priorities. They study the Bible daily, and raise pretty darn good kids from what I have seen in our community. She can do her own thing once she is on her own, but while living at her parents house, their rules rule.

I am a Christian, who has studied with many different religions, and find that Jehovahs Witnesses are one of the most misunderstood groups of peaceful, Bible based learners who really do believe that Gods Will for them is to go out and spread the word of God and Jesus. They have traditional families, and volunteer for nearly all their work. Before you judge the parents, ask what the girl is really rebelling about....does she wish her parents would let her have premarital sex? Does she want to party and get drunk instead of going to Bible study? Does she want to learn about other religions? One of the best books I recieved from the JW's who visit me is about all the religions of the world, and it is a part of their study.

When someone who is a baptized JW rebels in a way that is very against Bible principles, they are shunned for a time from the church and family. They still love her, but believe this hard line is necessary for the young person to really learn which is the right way.

Answer 3

The key issue is that she is 16 and under her father's roof - dad is in charge. Compare this to a father who wants there 16-yr-old to help them do bad things to another or instructs them to ruin their life. Also consider not being party to the intrusion of *any* family where the headship has a loving relationship with God. They will "disown" her...look at your words is it possible that you want to own her? You cannot make this call unless you witness it coming out of her parents mouth. What it states in our Bible it states in thier Bible concerning parenting. Her parents are in charge...problem with that? No, I am not Jehovah Witness but I can tell you I'd much rather socialize with them then someone that has made the choice to B corrupted by an addiction to control others or enjoy attacking people for no reason. If you are a Christian you should know that 16 being brought up to love the Lord is being parented not harassed. Consider studying Ephesians once again. Is it possible that if these parents knew of your wishes they would remind their daughter Ephesions 6:11 when conversing with you?

By example and in referance to a post concerning this question:

One of the posts I read advised to call social services - that is ludicrous. But it also unveils the truth about how people think about cps and once again backs up the interferance of family. I've witnessed courts/cps trashing religion out ... the Baptist religion as a matter of fact by a Catholic Judge who no more behaves like a Christian than a child preditor. In fact, since what comes around goes around I think him and cps are a large part of the reason so many homes are for sale in that town and also the reason why he has a negative public reputation & it may even be a state-wide issue with cps.

Answer 4

JW's are all about force, intimidation and control because they think they "have it". They don't even want their members to visit or honor any of their relatives or celebrate birthdays and have no religious pictures or so many dumb things. They don't believe in heaven or hell like the Bible teaches, but make hell for their members and is rediculous and has nothing to do with the love of God.
She needs to pray, but they can disown you but they can't even quote one true verse from the Bible because they have a group of men living who write their "stuff" and they even have their own Bible that isn't like the real Bible. It's all made up and I know what I am talking about. They say they alone can understand the word of God. I have some family members who are OUT of that junk and they have told us all how crazy and brain-washing this cult is.

Answer 5

Most Christian countries enjoy religious freedom but in some churches, the members of the families don't enjoy that freedom. When this girl grow up, she can find a way to make the choice, especially when he will marry someone of a different religious belief.

Answer 6

really any decision to follow a religion can only be made on a personal basis

Are you a born again Christian? All you can do for your friend is pray for her and share the truth of scripture with her. When she is old enough to make decisions for herself, hopefully you can share the truth of God's word with her.

Answer 7

Look. Her parents are trying to raise her according to what they think is the right way to be. Yes, it's right for them to do that.

Being how I am not a Jehovah's Witness, I wouldn't like it, but I would hopefully understand that my parents were only trying to do what they thought was right. I could totally rebel after I left the house.

She can argue with them, but only when she thought that it would do good. This should make her better at explaining what it is that she believes.

Answer 8

I agree with you 100% of the way your journey with Christ is yours and yours alone. No one or no thing should get in the way of this. I would advise your friend to do her research and go with her heart. A christian is guiding and loving and never judging, remember to guide her to God's purpose for her, not to push her on it. It will turn out as God intended. And though we all wish all could be believers in our Lord some are just not, nor will they ever be.

Answer 9

It's part of continuing the legacy...
Personally, the religion in my family is all messed up haha. My father was a Roman Catholic, mother was BORN a roman catholic but everyone has their own beliefs, but we are free in that way.. very easy going about it (but then again most portuguese people are)... i think its not right but i can see where her parents are coming from.

Answer 10

Did you have a choice? If you are a x-ian, you probably had your parents telling you that god is watching you all the time, he is all knowing etc. etc. They probably also told you that if you don't follow their religion, christianity, then you are going to burn in hell for all eternity for ever and ever. How much of a choice did you have?

Answer 11

In a way you are right.

First of all, she will not be any better or worse off if they are successful in converting her to JW. It is a cult and totally ficticious. This is a serious problem.

Secondly, as far as a relationship with the Lord being a personal choice you are correct. However, we must be vigilant in warning people about the consequences of their choice. This is not a game. Don't just sit back and see what happens. Get involved!

~Neeva