does anybody know if the children of jehovas witness families are allowed to socialise with kids who are not jehovas witnesses ?we have a family next door with 4 really nice kids, but whenever any of the kids on the block ask them to join in the fun, they just won't. don't like to ask the parents if its just what they do. my sister thinks that they are not allowed to mix outside of the faith...anyone know thanks
2007-06-11 06:45:29 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jehovah's Witnesses do not socialize with disfellowshipped or disassociated former Witnesses. Otherwise, they just try to be careful.
(1 Corinthians 15:33) Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.
Most Witnesses will welcome the opportunity to socialize with their neighbors, but they will always prefer to spend time with persons of good character. If a particular Witness family seems to keep to itself, it might be neighborly for the questioner to assure the parents that she respects their beliefs and hopes to support the goal of raising children in a wholesome environment.
A few Witness families have made the personal decision to avoid television and video games altogether, but these decisions are entirely conscientious (related to conscience rather than religion) and reflect a minority opinion among Jehovah's Witnesses.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20050722a/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19970601/article_02.htm
2007-06-12 07:24:17 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ask me. My mother became one of Jehovah's Witnesses when I was about 4 years old. Because of what she had learned from the Bible about "bad association," I was not allowed to attend birthday parties, or celebrate the holidays. Did I like that? No. But was I deprived of a loving family that we all need? No, again. I had 2 loving parents that brought me up in a loving environment that has contributed to the person I am today. As an adult now, I understand completely why I was not allowed to "have fun." Doing things God's way is not easy when it seems like everyone else is doing something else. I appreciate the up bring I got from my parents.
It's a funny thing that if Jehovah's Witnesses do not participate in certain activities, they are frowned upon. But religions like the Amish who are isolationists are considered righteous. Go figure.
2007-06-11 07:00:24 · answer #2 · answered by LineDancer 7 · 9⤊ 1⤋
Depends on the parents. I had JW friends when I was at school. One family allowed their kids to socialise outside of school, the others didn't.
2007-06-11 07:42:15 · answer #3 · answered by Sarah K 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Well its a matter of personal choice not something that is promoted through the faith..
When I was a kid, my parents, who are Jehovah Witnesses, allowed me to associate with the other kids in my neighbor hood, but when it came to celebrating Holidays such as Christmas, Halloween, etc. I did not participate but other events and such I did participate...
Now of course as the witness kid gets older especially when he/she reaches their teens they are encouraged to be aware of their associations with those who do not share the faith because of the things that can easily be influenced into their minds...
Not saying that all people are bad but you know for yourself when you were growing up you needed to watch with who you associated with because if you hanged out with the wrong crowd you will fare badly, and you knew this i'm sure...
Same goes for us, so don't confuse us with the Omish, we are just as normal as everyone else in the world, we all have the same problems and go through the same stresses of life, sometimes more stressful than others, but over all we are no different then the majority...
The only difference with us and other people who do not share our faith is that we uphold the Bibles authority when it comes to immoral things and practices that the Bibles condems
But since you live next to a Witness family there is no harm in just going over and asking them some questions because when I was little my best friend was not a Witness and his mother invited me to her Christmas party, but when I turned it down she wanted to know why so she asked my mother and my mother explained to her why and that was that, she did not convert her she just simply explained our stand in the matter thats all, so don't be afraid in asking a Jehovah's Witness about matters that you have concerns about...
2007-06-11 07:03:02 · answer #4 · answered by Whistle 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
One of my friends is a JW and she's allowed to mix with me (im a Christian.) But she's not allowed to go to anything at my church and she doesnt do RE in school. But outside of explicitly religious situations she's allowed. I thnk a lot depends on the parents..
God bless
2007-06-11 10:43:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You cannot get into trouble for associating with those who do not share your faith but 1 corinthians 15 v33 is quoted in the publications as a reminder of the principles we should be mindful of.
Certainly it is preferred that they Witness children would not be spending too much time with their friends who do not share their love for god, his word, his principles and his way of thinking. I seek out like minded people who share my habits.
The children are amking a choice not to join in. they must have at least one reason but it is not that they are told you cannot or you will burn in hell
2007-06-11 11:47:52 · answer #6 · answered by djfjedi1976 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
No, they are told that anyone not in their faith is a "bad association that will spoil useful habits." That they are "part of this wicked system of things" and that Jehovah wants them to hate what is evil and they are not allowed to be friends with nonbelievers. They are expected to be courteous and always smile at or be polite to anyone they meet though.
2007-06-11 23:30:09 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Why don't you ask a Jehovah's Witness this question?
There are many on here & they're not difficult to spot.
Or better still... ask the parents next door
2007-06-11 07:04:29 · answer #8 · answered by Purple.Diamond 3 · 5⤊ 2⤋
I work with a lady who is a JW, their religion doesn't disallow them from socializing with other kids, so if they don't than maybe it is just their parents rule, but not the organizations.
2007-06-11 06:49:18 · answer #9 · answered by bjspack 2 · 11⤊ 0⤋
Most JW's I've come across have encouraged their children to socialize. It is a very missionary-oriented church and that is the best way to convert people.
2007-06-11 07:05:18 · answer #10 · answered by Senator John McClain 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋