Question for Jehovah's Witnesses?

Question

A respectable Jehovah’s Witness recommended that I attend a Kingdom Hall. Considering I agree with some Jehovah’s Witness doctrines, such as what is commonly called “soul sleep,” this doesn’t seem like it is such a bad idea. On the other hand, there are many things the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach (or have taught) that I disagree with, especially when it comes to eschatology (I’m a partial-preterist). So my question to you Jehovah’s Witnesses is this: would the average Jehovah’s Witness congregation mind a more mainstream Christian regularly attending their congregation? Would they accept a non-denominational Christian or would they require him to convert to their own denomination? Can anyone give me some information on this?

The reason I ask is because I have heard stories of Jehovah’s Witnesses converting to more mainstream Christian denominations and being disowned by their families and local congregations.

Answer 1

Actually, Jehovah's Witnesses could also be considered "partial-preterists" in the sense that they believe many of the prophecies of Revelation have already been fulfilled. With regard to so-called "soul sleep", Jehovah's Witnesses do believe that a typical dead person has no consciousness until "Judgment Day", but they believe that "the soul" is dead and thus is not merely "unconscious".


Any respectful person is welcome to attend the congregation meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses. A person can attend meetings for years or decades without ever becoming a Jehovah's Witnesses, and may even qualify to give student talks and/or share in their formal ministry. Unless he becomes baptized, this person of good will can choose to end his formal association with Jehovah's Witnesses at any time without any possibility that he could be disfellowshipped or treated as a disfellowshipped person.

Learn more:
http://jw-media.org/people/worship.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_14.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_11.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_08.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20000601/
http://watchtower.org/e/20020815/
http://watchtower.org/e/20040608/article_03.htm

Answer 2

My Wife and I are Jehovah's Witnesses and we were baptized in August 1996.

We are so happy.

We accepted a free home Bible study and we started attending the meetings at the Kingdom Hall. Once we studied with them from the Bible we knew for a fact that we had found the truth.

No one is forced to become a Jehovah's Witness. Alot of the stories you might here come from people that don't really know or understand Jehovah's Witnesses.

We always tell people to ask active Jehovah's Witnesses about what they believe. And that's exactly what you did, thank you very much.

As you have noticed so many people have answered who are not Jehovah's Witnesses or at one time were and left.

It's amazing how so many people try to keep people from learning the truth and post bad comments about us. But this is not surprising because if this was not the truth we would come to nothing.

But we are known all over the world and we are known for the love we have for one another and others.

We look forward to seeing you at the Kingdom Hall.

Nice talking to you.

Agape.

Answer 3

All are welcome to attend the meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses. As someone has noted above, many attending the meetings are not JWs (i.e they are not baptized). Sometimes the majority in attendance might be visitors.

As in any scenario in life, the more you associate with a group of like-minded ones, the more you learn from them. Thus, if after sometime you feel you want to live the life of a JW, you YOURSELF would ask to get baptised. No one can truthfully say they were forced to get baptized, it's not a spur-of-the-moment decision and no one gets dragged by the collar to the baptism pool.

"Shunning" is actually a requirement as pointed out in the scriptures. Look at it this way- we all know that fornication is forbidden in the Bible. Every JW knows that, and knows exactly where it say so in the Bible. So if after acquiring such knowledge, a person shows that they suddenly feel the Bible is wrong in that aspect, and that they want to live an immoral life- the remaining JWs do not want to develop that attitude, and seek to keep their association clean.

The person is put out because they do not want to repent, and JWs will not have further spiritual association with that individual. (It's up to family members to decide how much they will limit normal family association with a disfellowshipped relative).

Answer 4

You will always be welcome in any Kingdom Hall. Becoming a true Christian (a Jehovah's Witness) truly comes from the heart. It all starts with learning the truth and the truth is in the Bible, the word of God. Nobody tries to convert you because you have the free will that Jehovah God has given you to make that decision, but once you have learned the truth, you will have a change of heart, and because of your love for Jehovah, you do what pleases him.

Answer 5

Hello,
My name is Quincy and i am one of Jehovahs Witness'. The main goal we try to reach individuals such as yourself is to find your true self. Do you feel like something is missing in your life and that your searching for a sense of peace in this world. We do not convert any individuals but we have them find the truth out for themselves. All we will simply do is show you the door, but it is up to you whether or not you wanna open it. We will not shove you into anything or convert you to do anything. Nobody likes to be told what to do in this world and thats just human nature. I was not converted as one of Jehovah Witness and i can truly say that i have a sense of peace in my life. at Matt 4: 3-9 Jesus gives a parable that might answer some questions about false religions versus the true religion. Jesus personally explains the example at Matt 4: 14-20. He puts the situation into simpler terms there. If you have any questions or anything email me personally. ill be glad to help out any way i can

Answer 6

Everyone is welcome.

It can only be your decision to convert, or make a dedication to serve Jehovah. There is no time frame or time limit. That is something that has to come from your heart.

Only those who are baptized who are unrepentantly practice a sin are disfellowshipped from the congregation. This is done to keep the congregation clean. 2 Cor. 5: 9-13
Disfellowshipped means to not fellowship. So any contact would be on a need to basis, family matters, business, emergencies. No socializing, going to dinner and movie etc... Anyone disfellowshipped is still welcome at the meetings, if the repent and clean up their life, they can be reinstated back in the congregation. And are welcome back with open arms.

Answer 7

Ok I am not a Jehovah Witnesses. But I did grow up in the church. Anyone can attend the meetings. I have never meet someone that was disowned by their family. However you can be dis fellowship, but that only happens if you have been baptized. When a person is dis fellowship they can still go to the meetings but they are not allowed to participate and other people in the congregation are not really suppose to socialize with them. And they don't dis fellowship people very often. My sister was dis fellowship and my mother has not disowned her.

I don't know if I helped. If you really want to go but have concerns then talk to the Jehovah Witness you know. I am sure they would be able to answer your question.

Oh also I left the congregation and nobody disowned me. Every time I see anyone from that congregation they speak to me like I never left. Also I know some people said that you have to "prove" yourself. I went their from birth until I was 17 and I never felt that I had to be baptized

Answer 8

If you would like to attend the kingdom Hall, then go. You do not have to "convert" to attend. Some people choose to and others dont. Thats purely up to them. There are many people attending a Kingdom Hall on any given day that ARENT Jehovahs Witnesses. Some people are studying with Witnesses, some are merely curious as to what the religion is all about.

Feel free to contact your local Kingdom Hall if you have questions.

Answer 9

We aren't going to make you get baptized if you regularly come to the meetings. Baptism is serious business between you and Jehovah God and shouldn't be decided on lightly.One should make that choice after a careful study of the Scriptures and a heart-felt dedication to doing God's will. Regular visitors are common.

Please, do visit a local congregation near you. We don't bite! LOL

Answer 10

I was raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses and got out of the religion a few yrs ago. They will invite you and say that you do not need to convert. They will welcome you with open arms... but at the same time, they will be entering ideas in your mind and will be trying to slowly convert you. They believe that it is their way or no way and that they have the only true religion.

I would not attend unless you are truly interested in joining that religion and adapting to their ways. Another thing that they do not tell you until it's too late is that once you are "baptized" into that religion, the only way out is to be shunned by your friends and family who are still in the religion. Trust me, I've been there... my friends and family are still in and I am shunned because I chose to leave that religion. In short, NO, they are not truly open to modern christians.