My husband and I (ages 22 and 23) are pregnant with our first child. My husband was raised as a Jehova's Witness, and I was raised in a laid-back Christian, but non-church-going family. My family loves God and we pray every day and celebrate Christmas and other religious holiday's, etc. Jehova's Witnesses, however, do not believe in celebrating ANYTHING- no birthdays, and absolutely no holidays. My husband has not been to the Kingdom Hall ("church" for Jehova's Witnesses) in a few years but he wants us to start going now, and wants the baby to be raised as a Witness. I have mixed feelings about this and do not want my child to never experience Christmas or celebrating his/her birthday. Not to mention it would be a complete lifestyle change for myself, because Witnesses have TONS of stipulations they live by. I don't know if I want to do this because I'm not sure I share the same beliefs as them. Someone plese help with advice?!
2007-11-02 03:18:45 · 41 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Begin by studying with Jehovah's Witnesses.
2007-11-02 05:05:47 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Don't teach your child anything about religion; just about how to live a fulfilling life without interfere with other peoples' happiness. If your child asks about God and religions tell them about all the different religions in the world and how they should respect each and everyone's believe. Then, in time, you child will reach an age where he/she will be able to decide what they want to believe in. Dont force anything on your child; its unethical even though people have been doing this since the beginning of time. About the holidays and traditions, maybe cycle every now and then or talk to your husband about it. Hopefully you guys will be able to work something out and if you can't, why would you marry a selfish, self-centered man like that?
2007-11-02 08:18:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it's for this very reason that most religions push their members to marry within their own beliefs. Too late for that now...so, why is your husband now deciding to go back to his group after this absence? It's not fair for him to just up and 'decide' this on his own. He is aware of your beliefs and that they differ from his. I would agree with some of the others on this forum and say that they need to be raised as free thinkers. If you are a Christian you should be able to teach by example anyway. For me, watching how a good Christian acts in every day life is the best teaching anyway. Make sure they know you are a Christian..let them attend service. Your husband could do the same...but I don't think there are many 'laid' back LW's. They make it a full time job, so, you will have to be careful. I would not start them young...because they are going to be confused.
2007-11-02 03:29:10 · answer #3 · answered by snowbunny 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
JW is a cult..their theology is not of the bible...
you are unequally yoked and this will cause problems...your husband for the sake of the marriage and the child/ children must get his biblical education straightened out now....
ask your family for Biblical help and support....
since your husband is "outside" the true teachings of Christianity"...this aspect of being the spiritual head of the house is incorrect at the present time...
allowing him to lead when he is confused by JW teaching could lead further down the wrong path....as the wife and mother you must lead until he gets his spiritual heart corrected....
2007-11-02 03:31:04 · answer #4 · answered by coffee_pot12 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Do not raise your child in a religion if you can not agree. Raise them with the Bible (since both of your Religions use the Bible as a base) and teaching them stories from the Bible and idea's from the Bible. When they are old enough they will then have a basis for how to study the Bible and when people speak of Bible stories, they will have the ability to understand and make up their own choice.
Most kids who are forced to go to church grow up to resent the church anyway. It is better to share your belief with them and let them decide when they are old enough.
2007-11-02 03:25:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Please forgive me if I seem harsh, but the time to make a decision about this was before you were married. Didn't you both discuss this? If so, what did you agree to at that time? If you married without having made a firm decision, you've shot your marriage in the foot.
As you know, JWs teach that Jesus was not God in the flesh, which is a blasphemy. We are saved by grace as a result of believing the Gospel -- and believing that Jesus was God is an integral part of that Gospel. Permitting your child to be indoctrinated with the JW teaching on this issue is tantamount to sending your child to Hell. So now you're stuck and there is no easy answer. In all likelihood, your husband will have to tolerate your bringing the child to your church as well and being taught two different viewpoints. Once s/he is old enough, s/he will have to make a decision.
EDIT: Baptist, I couldn't disagree with you more. Women are to follow their own husbands in all things -- EXCEPT if the husband commands them to do something unscriptural. In that case, the woman is to follow God, NOT a sinning man.
2007-11-02 03:27:08 · answer #6 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 4⤊ 4⤋
Hold off on the religious indoctrination until the child actually gains the capacity for abstract thought, expose the child to a wide range of religions and philosophies and let the child make their own decision.
2007-11-02 03:24:48 · answer #7 · answered by Subconsciousless 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You should Probably teach him to be a free thinker. And raise him unbiased. Dont lean one way or the other. Then when he grows up let him decide what he wants. We do not have enough free thinkers out there. Almost everyone was raised to think and Believe a certain way. Why cant people think and decide for themselves what is real or fake to them? Decipher good from bad as they see it?
2007-11-02 03:23:45 · answer #8 · answered by Kevin C 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sorry to say but what a nightmare! This is something that should always be discussed before having children.
I would be with you on this - no ramming religion down your childs throat or yours for that matter!!!
I was always led to believe a child takes a mothers religion.
I would stand my ground although i can see it causing severe problems.
I dont think very much of JW religion, and i have saw it at work with others.
What happens if your child needed a blood transfusion (life or death)?
Good luck, children love birthdays and xmases, i could not deprive them of that.
Sorry if negative but just my views.
Good luck!
2007-11-02 03:29:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well this is a good reason why we are not supposed to marry "outside our religioin" if you will. But anyway since it happened, the man is the head of the household, God says this. Being christian is hard to say this, but I believe he should be the "boss" on this one.......oh hurts. Want I want to say is that no you should be in control over this, but I don't believe God thinks that way? Although on the other hand that doesn't mean you can't express your beliefs on your child. There should defintely be a thing like you go to his church one sunday, and than find yourself a baptist or non-denominational church to go to the next. I am not saying in any means be just his way because we know there religion is false. But you do have to obey him, but also the man is supposed to love his wife just as Christ loves the church, and that was giving His life for it.
Keep your kids out of Christmas, and Easter (Christ's ressurection, not the bunny) I would say no. He/She must be informed on this, but remember it if your child wants to know the saving grace of God than "it" will find it. Very iffy subject though, tuff situation your in, I will pray for you right now, and I hope God will work in you, and your husbands heart.
2007-11-02 03:29:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Run like the wind! JW's are a bunch of whackos!!!!! Do you want your child to never have a birthday or celebrate Christmas? Wow, what a great life he or she will have. Did you think about this before you decided to have a child with him??????????
2007-11-02 07:37:51 · answer #11 · answered by Dr. Freak 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋