Jehovah's Witness?

Question

I have become close friends with a Jehovah's Witness. I, personally am not religious and feel whatever someone wants to believe is their choice. I was reading some of the rules of Jehovah's Witnesses and one states that you can not be friends with anyone who is not a JW. Can someone explain the reasoning behind this. (my friend is on vacation otherwise I'd ask him)

Answer 1

Fear of spiritual contamination. Don't take it personally.

Answer 2

Attention Hot did not answer the Question again - obfuscation and misdirection by JWs here on this question.

The fact is that the organization does not mind if a person talks to non JWs if there is an opportunity to witness to them.

Family is the same - Like above answer - there is no chance that one of the responders would return to the heretical and disproven doctrines of the JWs and having separated self from the JWs the family will have little or no contact.

Family that are receptive or some such are convert-able....

Same goes for "friends". They are not friends but may be friendly and helpful - but friends no - not as you understand friendship.

The "ORGANIZATION" that is the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society does not approve of non JW friends.

They have no idea whether there is an angel at the table but you can bet there are many demons among the "rank and file " and at least one elder per congregation is so influenced.

Answer 3

The organization does not "forbid" friendship with non-JW's. HOWEVER!!! It is "recommended" that all "worldly" association be limited and used (NOTE USED!!!) as an aid to helping those worldly friends be led into the organization.
IF you consider this person a close friend, and IF this person considers YOU a close friend, ask yourself.......What close friendship activities have we engaged in? Do you go to the movies together? Probably not, because then your friend would be "violating" a principle of not becoming unevenly yoked with unbelievers, and would get counseled for this by an elder or 2.
The first rule of any organization that claims, as does the JW, that they alone are the way to salvation for they alone have the truth, is to cut all unnecessary ties with "unbelievers"
There understanding of "unbeliever" is quite different that most Christians. To other Christians it is not a denominational difference, but an unbeliever is someone simply that does not believe in God, Jesus, salvation, heaven, etc..However, to a JW an unbeliever is someone or anyone who is NOT A JW, whether they believe in God, Jesus, salvation,heaven etc, or not.

Test your friendship out to see if she does infact count you as a close friend. Try to do 'friend" things together. IF she says no ty, then he does not consider you as close a friend as you consider him. If he is a JW, and he does accept your offer, then you, my friend, should realize that he is a "weak" JW (in their eyes) and he will be counseled to leave you alone as you will be considered as ungodly association.

Answer 4

From experience here... I remember when I was an active teenaged Jehovah's Witness if I had a "worldly friend" (one who was not a JW), I'd try to convince her to bible study with me. The hope was she'd become a JW. If that never materialized, the friendship was not supposed to advance because they had the opportunity to join, but passed it up, which meant the "friend" was opposed. We were not supposed to associate with those who opposed us.

What was really fun was when their parents forbade it. Oh the joy of being a young witness.

Answer 5

I also had a friend who's a JW and she did try to convert me. I got to know her in Russia when I was on vacation there, she's from the Netherlands and invited me to her home in Amsterdam. At that point I didn't know yet that she's a JW. But when I was there she tried to convert me. I have no scary stories to tell, I mean she just started to preach to me just like I have also experienced it from members of other denominations. There were usually a couple of kids from the neighborhood at her home who were all also JW's. One time we watched a film together that was made by the Watchtower society for JW kids, titled something like "How to make friends". We watched it in English, so I understood what was said in it. It was about a JW family who moves on and the girl comes to a new school where the others are not JWs. And in the film it's portrayed as if all non-JWs were really immoral people. The people in her new school immediately try to make a match between her and some guy who is obviously not serious with her. They also take drugs, mock her faith and try to bring her away from it. After the guy tries to seduce her in his car in a forest at night she says stop, demands him to drive her home what he does, then she goes back to her parents and repents, they blame her and say that only JWs could be her true friends and all others would lead her morally astray. So that's the idea behind it I think. I mean I think they are afraid that their members, particularly kids, might turn away from the Watchtower society if they make friends with others.

And if they make friends with others, like this Dutch woman I told you about did with me, I think it has to be for the purpose of converting others.

Answer 6

First off, it's not a 'rule' but certainly a warning. Much like the warning the Israelites received from God concerning associating with the pagan peoples of the lands they were traveling though. Then later we read: “Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits. Wake up to soberness in a righteous way and do not practice sin, for some are without knowledge of God.” (1 Cor. 15:33, 34) Why share the thoughts of those who have no knowledge of God and no concern about it?—Phil. 3:18, 19.

I also was a friend of a woman who was studying with the Witnesses. Her oldest daughter was already one, and a pioneer. At no time during our friendship did either of them try to CONVERT me. In fact, until one day on a road trip to an antique mall, I never knew they were JW. Then during the course of conversation something Scriptural came up, I was raised lutheran. We began discussing different things. My reaction was scoffing at first, but I was curious. I'd always ran Witnesses off my porch before. Now here I was with women I trusted and respected.

I asked for one of the books which I then went through with my own Bible, KJV, and an old one. I was astonished at the clarification I got. The light came on and I saw the truth. I've never looked back since. I was baptized in 2004. And, FYI, I still have a great relationship with my NON witness family. The people who say that we can't are lying.

Don't let those here with (hidden) agendas rule your head. Ask your friend when he comes back. Honesty and forthrightness are good traits to have. Asking here, then not asking him would be wrong.

Answer 7

My mother is a Jehovah's witness and that is "sort of true". There are recommendations within the religion, but certainly not required. There is no reason that she would not be allowed to be friends. The religion thinks that hanging out with people that are more like you will keep you in the faith and not encourage you to do bad things. I think they feel that If you are friends with people like yourself with the same beliefs, it will be better for you.

Answer 8

I have relatives who are Jehovah's Witness's and they are allowed to be friends with non-believers. The ones who are disfellowshipped are the ones they are not allowed to associate with. However, if you are friends (or a relative) with a Jehovah's Witness, eventually they will try to convert you. I try to avoid discussion about religion around them. But I love them dearly. I have my own beliefs.

Answer 9

There is no hard or fast rules for such things. If one were a criminal, such friendship would be easy to avoid but, a good person's friendship is different.

We have friendships with many people, some JWs, some not. We follow the Bible's council to be friendly and reasonable with all men (or women).

Most of the answers here are from ignorance and show it. We are mostly normal, no crazy rituals or going into fits of frenzy. We simply believe that to be a true Christian, one must follow what the Bible says to do and avoid. That is what Jesus did.

The Bible does say, "Bad associations spoil useful habits." That would be associations that attempt to keep us away from our spiritual jobs or duties. Most people would not do this out of respect so there is no problem.

Answer 10

first place we cannot change your religion. that is up to you and Jehovah God. second, if we where in a cult we would be living all together. and worshiping a man. we worship Jehovah God. third. people who turned there back on Jehovah love to slander us. they learned about Jehovah and loved him, now because they turned there back, all of a sudden we are brainwashed and a cult. Jehovah is going to deal with them. I have several friends that are not Jehovah Witnesses and they have not been converted

Answer 11

Watchtower quotes:

"Granted, true Christians do not assume that a person is indecent or immoral simply because he or she is not a fellow believer. But when it comes to forming close bonds, there is reason to be cautious."

"Even godless people may manifest fine qualities. But if you choose them as your close friends, your thinking, faith, and conduct will be affected."

"True, people who are not fellow believers may be responsible, decent, and caring. Yet, they do not have the motivation that you have to build on such qualities and to persevere in marriage as the years go by."

One Characteristic of a Cult:
ISOLATION: Information control is practiced where members of the group are not allowed or discouraged to have contact with outside family members, other ministries or Christians that could influence them. This is done to prevent information that may expose what is going on internally. They cut off or denigrate outside sources of information, especially if it is critical of the group. One is not allowed to read or converse with those who say these things or was once part of the group and left for whatever circumstances. Ties are severed with former friends and family and the circle becomes tighter as the only people you are exposed to are them. One reads only their books and are discouraged or forbidden to read other books especially if one opposes their views.

Draw your own conclusions.

***Achtung, your dishonesty is bringing reproach upon your organization. Be careful that you do not stumble others.