She is flying out to visit and she wants to go to my Temple and asked if I would join her at her service. I strongly believe in wearing my Kippa inside a place of God. On or Off in her church?
2007-12-18 17:51:16 · 19 answers · asked by HALLALJPAA 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You should do as your conscience dictates. However, you can cover your head with any headcovering; it need not be specifically a kippah.
My rabbi wears a kippah all the time. However, when out in public and not wishing to draw attention to himself, he'll wear a sharp-looking Indiana-Jones hat instead.
If you're a woman, you can wear a snazzy little hat and it will look like a fashion-statement. After all, the meaning of it is between you and G-d anyway.
However, out of consideration for her feelings, I suggest you discuss this question with your friend in advance. As we reiterate every Yom Kippur, we cannot square ourselves with G-d until we have squared ourselves with our fellow human beings.
2007-12-18 18:50:20 · answer #1 · answered by SheyneinNH 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is hard to believe that an active Jehovah's Witness would want to go to a religious ceremony unless someone close to him (mostly relatives) dies or gets married etc. The Jehovah's Witness might choose to be present but he will NOT participate to any religious ritual.
Let's consider what 3 young Hebrews (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) made when king Nebuchadnezzar commanded that all people should worship an image of gold. They refused to bow down before it.
"At that time the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the police magistrates and all the administrators of the jurisdictional districts were assembling themselves for the inauguration of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up, and they were standing in front of the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And the herald was crying out loudly: “To you it is being said, O peoples, national groups and languages, that at the time that you hear the sound of the horn, the pipe, the zither, the triangular harp, the stringed instrument, the bagpipe and all sorts of musical instruments, you fall down and worship the image of gold that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. And whoever does not fall down and worship will at the same moment be thrown into the burning fiery furnace.” -- Daniel 3:3-6
"There exist certain Jews whom you appointed over the administration of the jurisdictional district of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; these able-bodied men have paid no regard to you, O king, they are not serving your own gods, and the image of gold that you have set up they are not worshiping.”" -- Daniel 3:12
"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego answered, and they were saying to the king: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we are under no necessity in this regard to say back a word to you. If it is to be, our God whom we are serving is able to rescue us. Out of the burning fiery furnace and out of your hand, O king, he will rescue [us]. But if not, let it become known to you, O king, that your gods are not the ones we are serving, and the image of gold that you have set up we will not worship.”" -- Daniel 3:16-18
All people are welcomed to the Kingdom Hall (no matter what race, religion or culture they might have) of course as long as they wear decent clothes. This does not include "bikini" as an answerer above me said in a sarcastic way.
http://www.watchtower.org/e/rq/article_14.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/e/jt/article_09.htm
2007-12-19 05:58:04 · answer #2 · answered by Alex 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a fellow Jew, I can say without bias that you should not wear your kippa in her church. It is a symbol of disrespect as a guest in someone else's sacred place of worship. No on is forcing you to follow their customs, just be mindful and respectful of them.
Think of it like this: would you want a Christian walking into a service at your temple eating ribs while drinking some milk?
2007-12-19 02:03:05 · answer #3 · answered by David M 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
When I'm visiting a place of worship, I try to observe the customs of the congregation I'm visiting. Wearing a kippa is probably not the custom when visiting a Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall. A safe bet in both religious and secular settings is to do as the locals do. If you have questions, ask ahead of time.
2007-12-19 01:57:27 · answer #4 · answered by solarius 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Do you truly believe that you both serve the same God (Yahweh)? If so, wear your Kippa. If not, then don't as it is not a place of God.
2007-12-19 01:55:22 · answer #5 · answered by Sidewinder 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Do not let anyone change how you believe in God. Keep it on if that is how you feel... the bible tells us that our conscience is our last defense against satan. so if you believe strongly in wearing you kippa then wear it. If they don't like it they need to find the really meaning of love of Christ
2007-12-19 01:55:57 · answer #6 · answered by godwhiteknight 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
i think that it is a great idea for you to experience your friends religion, as long as she is happy for you to know it but continue with your own and vice versa. what a great learning opportunity and an chance to better understand each other. i am sure if you go to her church they won't mind if you wear your Kippa, ask.
i hope that it all goes well
good luck.
2007-12-19 02:01:11 · answer #7 · answered by ari 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is a book called "How to be a Perfect Stranger". It talks about how to act in churches of various religions.
I think you should wear it, I doubt the JW will get upset.
2007-12-19 01:55:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Since she's visiting and apparently you are friends, I think it's great and an opportunity for a Cultural Exchange..Read up on The Jehovah's Witnesseses and other religions.....
Be yourself and remain true to your own beliefs.
2007-12-19 01:55:36 · answer #9 · answered by ShadowCat 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
JW's will be happy to have you join their service in your own attire. You could wear a Gonzo costume or a bikini and they would treat you the same.
2007-12-19 01:58:59 · answer #10 · answered by Jojos Mom 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋