I'm Catholic. I've been Catholic all my life, and I'm pretty sure that I plan to be Catholic til the rest of my life.
I have a friend who's a Jehovah's Witness.
And I was talking to her about how my week just totally/completely sucked. I was also talking to her about how my faith in God is swaying a little bit.
Then she says something on the lines of...
"Well, I was just thinking... and my other friend who goes to my Hall suggested the same thing. I mean, it seems like you're unhappy with it (Catholicism) so can I tell you about my religion? I won't be preach-y but just tell you about it. I'm not telling you to convert, but just to listen. We can answer all the questions you had about the Bible and how some people are translating the Bible wrong..."
Something to that effect.
I have been told that Jehova's Witness have a tendency to be cult-ish? correct me if i'm wrong.
So. What should I do?
Because I'm not interested into converting at all.
2007-11-29 14:49:01 · 22 answers · asked by whatever21 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
And it seems like she's been thinking about "telling me about it" for a long time...
And I absolutly dislike people who persuade others into what they believe is right.
but she's still a very good friend of mine...
2007-11-29 14:50:41 · update #1
I told her that I wasn't interested...
but she keeps on bringing it up time from time...
2007-11-29 14:56:32 · update #2
Witnesses are "cultish". They follow standard cult criteria, such as:
excommunicating and shunning people
Believing only they have truth
Believing the leaders are in direct communication with God
Teaching all non-witnesses will soon be destroyed
To understand why Jehovah's Witnesses do not have truth see jwfacts.com
2007-12-03 14:17:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You know ...
What struck me most about your details was not the actions of your JW friend (who is, after all, just doing what JWs do) but the fact that you've been having a bad week and your faith in God was wavering. Are you saying that if things are going great for you, you're cool with God but when life throws you a few curveballs you have a problem with Him? Or is your wavering faith the reason you're having a tough time?
Either way -- and even if the two things aren't related, just both happening at once -- wouldn't it make more sense to dig into your *own* beliefs a little deeper than perhaps you've been doing all along? Because faith is what gets us through the tough times, if we're grounded solidly enough in it. But in order to do that, you need be sure of what you believe.
If your parish has an RCIA class for converts, try dropping in one evening. (It's not at all unusual for people who are already Catholic to sit in on a class or two -- to brush up on some things they didn't quite retain in CCD or PSR, or for other reasons.) You can just sit and listen, or ask questions, whatever feels comfortable. Many parishes also have Bible study groups; find out if yours does, grab your Bible and go.
Most of us go through periods when we feel rather "dry" faith-wise, and also times when we're not exactly on speaking terms with God -- the barriers are usually of our own making, but still discouraging. But if you're Catholic, everything you need to rekindle and deepen your faith is right there in front of you.
As for your friend ... you could thank her for her concern and tell her you're seeking the answers you need within your own Church.
2007-11-30 00:28:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Any time an individual comes along and says everyone else is wrong - I have the only translation of the Bible that is right so follow me - be very careful! Investigate very thoroughly before you get more involved. A simple no thank you or I am not interested should be enough.
2007-11-29 22:59:08 · answer #3 · answered by mtgranny 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right, they ARE a cult. Tell her you simply have NO intentions of converting. Tell her you were just venting about your bad week. Express your faith in the Catholic church. Tell her you're going to pray for God to give you strength. I recommend you seriously do so! Then you will feel no sway. Its normal, though. The devil is after the righteous. The JW's have their own translation, the New World Translation. Now that's a mistranslation, if I ever read one! Besides, it conveniently backs up all their doctrine. Sound odd? Say, I enjoy your friendship. Let's just keep it that way. Good Luck! God Bless!
2007-11-29 23:02:11 · answer #4 · answered by paula r 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The main reason Jehovah's Witnesses try and share their beliefs is because they want to share what makes them happy, what guides their life, etc. I admire their faith honestly. I wish I had it myself. What's the harm in listening? I can promise you that religion is in no way a cult. It is a group of faithful dedicated individuals. Just think of it this way - if you found something that changed your life completely and made you happier, wouldn't you share it with the people you care about?
2007-12-03 04:31:56 · answer #5 · answered by nifer_doodle 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tricky.
Perhaps just reassure her that you value her friendship and perhaps she misunderstood your troubles in life for your troubles in faith. Next step is to seek out support from different friends or the Bible and find answers to the questions you ask.
I dont know the exact passage, but it does say something about hands and feet being part of the same body. Let it go, but if she keeps it up personally I'd find it annoying and borderline inappropriate/offensive.
2007-11-29 22:54:26 · answer #6 · answered by Juicy Fruit 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People continue to change their minds.
One of the most faithful brothers I know, once told the Witnesses to get off his front porch and never come back.
Today he is serving as an elder.
Being a Jehovah's Witnesses is not what we do, but
it is
Who we are.
Having said this, Since you do not want to convert, the best thing you can do is 'NOTHING'.
Enjoy the bible discussion and go on with your friendship.
She is not going to force you to anything you don't want to do.
.
2007-11-30 08:30:55 · answer #7 · answered by TeeM 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
By telling people your swaying in your faith makes people want to share their own faith with you, in order to help you threw. This doesn't mean she's trying to secretly convert you, but if your mind is that closed to any open discussions about God, then maybe you should avoid the conversations in the first place.
2007-11-29 22:56:30 · answer #8 · answered by Lynda G 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You say you're not interested in converting at all, so tell her! If she's such a good friend, she should understand. If she doesn't understand, then she's not really respecting you and isn't that good of a friend, right?
The leap from Catholicism to JW is pretty big - I doubt she understands your system of belief, she's just taking advantage of a time when you're uncertain. (JMO)
Just be honest with her and thank her for her concern but since you're not interested in converting, you'd just like to leave it at that.
I hope that helps!
2007-11-29 22:55:27 · answer #9 · answered by Damaris 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
she is just concerned like a good friend is.
and JW are NOT a cult.
if ur not interested in converting, then just say....im not really interested in converting.
but maybe u can ask her something bibelish or something. not to make a debate..but just something u dont know about JW. and she can tell u and then that will be that. u will be satisfied for not converting and she will be satisfied just by telling you what they believe.
2007-11-29 23:14:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋