OK, here's what happened. I disassociated myself about 7 years ago and it is pretty much common knowledge to all I know. We were supposed to go to a huge BBQ tomorrow at a friends house, some JW, some not. My brother/sister-in-law were not invited because they have done bad things to other family members. They got mad and started calling everyone telling them not to come because I will be there. From there, the entire BBQ got cancelled because of me. It ticks me off because my brother-in-law cheated on his wife and everyone knows it but swept it under the rug. His mother-in-law smokes and no one says anything. Has anyone else seen this kind of hyposcrisy as well? I don't even bring up religion and have never wronged any of these people, but because I decided to leave a church, it is still dictating what I can do and where I can go. Just wondering if anyone else had any similar experiences. Thanks!
2007-06-29 01:54:00 · 8 answers · asked by Elphaba 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Stop feeling as if it is "because of you" because it's not.
You stated that "they got mad and started calling everyone..."
So it is because of "they" NOT you!
You go on and do as you see fit and believe and stop being anxious over hypocritical family members. You see the hypocrisy, unfortunately, they do not.
Call up the non-jw members and invite them to your house for a BBQ, let the jw members of your family know they are invited also--just not the "they" who stirred up the mess.
Luckily my family is my tolerant minded and have chosen to associate with me. We just don't talk about spiritual topics.
I am sorry that there is such drama in your family. Distance yourself from that drama and stop letting it affect your peace of mind.
Best of luck to you.
2007-06-29 03:07:35 · answer #1 · answered by Carol D 5 · 4⤊ 4⤋
It's definetly a matter of conscience and personal decision. Regardless of the many allegations, rumors, beliefs concerning MJ, the fact remains that no one REALLY knows all the details. Obvisously some of his music may not be appropiate, but that applies to EVERY other artist as well. I think muscially MJ is a genius and I love alot of his old music. Enjoying his music does not involve 'supporting' him as 'non-Witness. Many people enjoy music of other artist, who are not JW's. To say that ALL his music is bad because he is not a witness, would principally constitute a 'rule' that would apply to EVERY artist whether they are JW's or not. Luther Vandross has MANY beautiful songs, but he also has Christmas songs...obviously there is choice to be made. It would be totally different if MJ was intentionally making 'non-Witness' music in order to persuade others. Also its difficult to determine if he REALLY had a full understanding of the truth, or what motivated him to distance himself from the organization etc. What makes a song potentially harmful is its contents. Some of MJ's songs are simply about dancing, love and other common things. The Society has not and likely will not ever say 'don't listen to MJ's music'. But likely, just as always they will give the principle, show the potential dangers, and the benefits, then leave up to our bible trained conscience to decide. Personally, I love MJ's music, do I think he is a role model to follow?, ofcourse not! BUT, that would apply to EVERY artist just the same.
2016-05-18 21:34:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is time for you to look into the past of the WBTS...This kind of inconsistent garbage is so com on I cant tell you....Good for you for leaving....The sad part is it will probably get worse for you because someone is going to require that you be disfellowshipped.
there is great support out there for you ....Have faith...don't make the mistake of throwing the baby out with the bath water and turn your back on God.
You can e mail me and there are allot of really helpful people here for support...God Bless you...
www.silentlambs.org www.freeminds.org...also Christian Research institute has some fabulous literature.........First off though I would get rid of that New World Translation and get a good accurate Bible (The NWT was translated by people with no knowledge of the dead languages/ accurate Hebrew or Greek>)
2007-06-29 02:59:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Not quite this severe but......
When I first got saved, I went to a pentecostal church. As I grew in the Lord, I began to see things that didn't quite line up with the Scriptures......so I made the decision to leave and go to a baptist church....where I found true, biblical teaching.
Well, every time I ran into an old friend from that church....it's as if they didn't want to be seen with me. Like it was high school all over again. There was an element of fear there. Most of them believed that I lost my salvation..........which I know according to Scripture.....CANNOT happen for the true believer.
Just because I left their church.....they treated it as if I left the kingdom of heaven.
So silly......I forgive them.
2007-06-29 01:59:29 · answer #4 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Sadly, millions of Jehovah's Witness around the globe are imperfect. Some may have moments of hypocrisy, pettiness, weakness, or even marital infidelity. When they are repentant, their sins are "covered" by love and Christ's ransom sacrifice.
But Jehovah's Witnesses are actually quite famous for not tolerating repeated willful unrepentant sin. When a person is unrepentant of serious sin, or formally rejects the truth of God's Word the bible, he is disfellowshipped or disassociated from the congregation. He is treated in accord with well-established bible principles (see Scriptures below).
It seems that this questioner wants such bible principles to apply to everyone but herself. There is a word for that (see Romans 12:9).
(1 Peter 2:1) Put away all badness and all deceitfulness and hypocrisy and envies and all sorts of backbiting
Former Witnesses who are disfellowshipped or disassociated are typically treated in accord with the Scriptural pattern explained in these Scriptures:
(1 Corinthians 5:11-13) Quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. ...Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.
(Titus 3:10) As for a man that promotes a sect, reject him after a first and a second admonition
(Romans 16:17) Now I exhort you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them.
(2 Thessalonians 3:6) Now we are giving you orders, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition you received from us.
(2 Thessalonians 3:14) But if anyone is not obedient to our word through this letter, keep this one marked, stop associating with him, that he may become ashamed.
(2 John 10) If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him.
(Matthew 18:17) If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations
Becoming baptized as a Jehovah's Witness is not a trivial step. At a minimum, a student must demonstrate months of regular meeting attendance and public ministry, then must himself express the desire to be baptized. The candidate then spends hours answering hundreds of bible questions wherein he expresses both a clear understanding and personal conviction regarding Jehovah's Witness teachings in at least three separate interviews with three different elders. The candidate must vocally agree to be baptized in front of hundreds or thousands of eyewitnesses, and must be publicly immersed in water. This is not a momentary emotional decision by an unreasoning child. Dedication as a Witness required hard work and determination at the time.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/19880415/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19970101/article_01.htm
2007-06-29 02:00:40 · answer #5 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I am not a JW, but an old friend was and she was shunned too. They would do immoral things to "talk" to her and some how that was right in their eyes. I don't understand it, but this seems to hold true in a lot of religions.
At the end of the day, all you are left with are your own values and beliefs system. When we die, we die alone and we only have ourselves to answer for the things we do. So in my opinion, I say not to worry about them. They have to go to bed with themselves and live with the things they do. Stay true to yourself.
2007-06-29 02:03:29 · answer #6 · answered by shoegal0675 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Not as such, but I have gotten the "cold shoulder" and not been invited to things. But I am not a JW. I have heard of these things happening. It is too bad, as this kind of thing isn't the love of Jesus. There would have been many better ways of handling this.
2007-06-29 02:01:01 · answer #7 · answered by RB 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
well first off hopefully you did not write a letter of disassociation.. if so, you are telling everyone that is a JW you are as good as DF'd .. so being with you would have the same result... if you didnt and just fell away ... then its the inherited judgmental mentality so prevalent in the religion
2014-07-22 01:33:18 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋