jevovahs witness?

Question

I have studied alittle with my wife, who is a witness, but while i agree, and would like to believe in alot of there teachings, i dont think i could ever agree with everything. I also believe they tend to be to strict and controling, to the point of family membors turning on each other.
I think the message of paradise on earth is a wonderful and beautiful idea, but i get the impression they wont welcome my views on other details. Any advice or experiance?

I am not trying to bash them, everyone i have meet are really nice, i just dont agree.

also, i belive in alot of what i have learned, but cant get around somethings, can i find a middle ground, will i be able to enjoy the meeting without preasure?

thanks for everyone who took a minute to respond.

Answer 1

Yes.

There are actually millions of persons like this questioner, who recognize in Jehovah's Witnesses many bible truths and Christian practices that are unique to the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. Such ones are more than welcome to attend the meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses and enjoy regular association with their congregations, even if they hesitate to dedicate themselves or become baptized (even for years or decades). Some have nicknamed these quasi-adherent "Jehovah's Bystanders".

Interestingly, Jehovah's Witnesses' own statistics count about 1 million active Witnesses in the United States alone, but about 2 million associate themselves by meeting attendance. Secular surveys generally note that about 1% (or 3 million) Americans identify themselves with Jehovah's Witnesses. In summary:
...1 million practice
...2 million attend
...3 million identify

Clearly, there are many who identify themselves as Jehovah's Witnesses while having little or no formal connection with the religion. This questioner is to be commended for seeking information about Jehovah's Witness beliefs, but should be cautioned that such information may be of limited use in understanding a family which is only tangentially committed to the faith.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20050508/article_01.htm
http://jw-media.org/beliefs/membership.htm
http://jw-media.org/people/index.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20060401/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_08.htm

Answer 2

I am a witness, we r a loving brotherhood, we r not to strict or controlling many people think that. People should be open to attend the kingdom hall and gatherings with Witnesses. You will see that we r normal people like everyone else. the only difference is we r no part of this world. Meaning we do not look toward the authorities of this system, only Jehovah, but we do respect every ones religious beliefs. We just want people to get a better understanding of the bible, and to let people know we r living in the last days, and pretty soon god will do away with this system of things, and bring a new paradise for use to enjoy forever. Just contine to study with your wife and soon your eyes will be open, and you will not have any doubts. Please attend the meetings and if you have more questions just ask your wife or the elders in the congregation . I will pray for you hope to see you in the new system

Answer 3

It was hard to accept somethings for me in the beginning, but as time went on and I acquired more knowledge and understanding, the things I didn't understand suddenly made sense.
My daughter was just baptized in June after being gone for 12 years. She has questions and wonders because she lacks knowledge, trust and experience that all comes with time.
I was afraid I would somehow be disfellowshiped for doing something wrong, and that held me back from baptism.
But I trusted in Jehovah, I got baptized and as the years rolled by, I understood that to be disfellowshiped from the Organization, it would be because I had committed a gross sin against Jehovah and was unrepentant.
Now after 28 years of faithful service, I have made mistakes, I have had to be disciplined at times, but I can tell you for a fact...It was the best decision I have every made and I have only 1 regret, and I share this with my daughter...we should have done it sooner than later.

Answer 4

You may want to research thoroughly the areas that you don't agree with. There are some gray areas where the light is not as bright as it could be, but I'm sure that time will bring a resolution to the rightness or wrong of the interpretations.

Answer 5

I studied with them, and although there are a lot of checks and balances to keep the organization from becoming too controlling, I can't agree with the shunning. That is entirely un-christian, and I haven't found any scriptural evidence to support it, and the examples that Witnesses gave me were weak. In my opinion, it s a flaw of the Organization being more concerned in the image that it presents than living in accordance with Jehovah's will. My recommendation would be to remain an associate, but refrain from being baptized unless you really do want to put Jehovah first-under the rules of the Watchtower Societies structure. They only shun if you make the commitment to Jehovah through baptism, and then fail to keep the commitment. That is how serious the commitment is. Other than that, I do think that they have the most accurate interpretation of what the Bible teaches and I kept an objective viewpoint through the entire study, so it is a scientific judgment, not an emotional one that makes me say that. I don't see myself joining them, but I give them an A+ for an organized religion. And for any one who is seeking truth, I would recommend a bible study.
Please continue to give your views and opinions. They are accepting of and expect people to question them. Being trained in sociology and anthropology, I often questioned them. They were tolerant of my questions, (and I asked respectfully-not to rattle their cages) and they do expect some tough discussions. So please, before you make any commitment, ask every question that you have. They would worry about your motives anyway if you just accepted everything blindly and did not ask the hard questions.

Answer 6

we are not strict. we come and go just like anyone else. please visit a kingdom hall with your wife and see what witnesses are all about. people on here who know nothing about us or who turned there back on Jehovah will tell you lies about us. we are not controlling. yes we do have five meetings during the week, but if you cannot make them because of the weather or you are sick or something came up. that is fine. we should be there but sometimes things just come up. please keep up with your studies and see what a loving Father Jehovah God is. the more you study the more you will get closer to Jehovah and his son Jesus Christ. I was brought up jewish and became a Jehovah Witness with my late husband in 1990 and I am not sorry. now we have a worldwide brother and sisterhood. if you want more information on the witness see the website at www.watchtower.org

Answer 7

Same here. I didn't agree with everything at first. I found that Prayer, and getting to know alot of brothers and sisters help.
Ask elders,or mature brothers and sisters.I personally think you need to give it some time, and prayer is the best helper. Wish you the best! And that fact that you are studying with your wife is great! =] Keep it up!

Answer 8

Hi, i am a witness, and it's ok to feel the way you feel. After all it is a way of life and it is good to be sure of what you really want, I say go ahead and share your views and personal thoughts. Beacuse if you don't then you won't really be happy. Just be 100% honest!Good luck!

Answer 9

Be patient, give it some time. It's normal not to 'get' everything at once. Get used to drinking the milk before you try eating the steak. :) It also never hurts to pray for understanding, discernment and wisdom before studying.

Answer 10

if you are not violating any principles in the bible it is open to suggestion it is okey but of course something against the bible then Sorry but is not negotiable, you have to be more specific about the topic.