at the Temple and I offered to go to Her services. Will I encounter any problems at Kindom Hall? Locked in a closet until I accept Jesus as the Messiah? Do you think I should not tell anyone at my Temple her religion, so she does not get bombarded with questions that would make her uncomfortable? Please help! If your Jewish or JW would you let me know if I am getting an answer from someone in the religion? Others please comment freely but respectfully. Thank you in advance!
2007-12-19 05:01:09 · 23 answers · asked by HALLALJPAA 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Will you encounter problems at the Kingdom Hall? Likely no.
They don't do the "accept Jesus as your Savior" bit.
However, yes, they are an evangelical group and if you go on Sunday, the public sermon is geared towards converting non believers and boosting the morale of the beleivers.
I don't know the people in your congregation. My first reaction is that it's no one's business what religion your friend is, however, if you think that it might help for them to know ahead of time, so be it.
As with any religion, keep an open mind, but not so open yer brains fall out ;)
Have fun with your friend this summer and enjoy her company.
edited to add:
Vot Arnyx has made a point I do think you should consider.
Jehovah's WItnesses are NOT permitted to attend religious services. They will be either disfellowshipped or reproved.
Support her decision to visit your temple, and show her an unconditional love that she would not find within her own congregation.
Debbie isn't being completely honest here:
An unbaptized JW would be marked for going to other places of worship.
I have seen it happen.
As well, Sunday public talks are geared for The Public and conversion. They basically say "Our way is right, everyone else is wrong and will die at Armageddon."
Also...
JW youths are strongly discouraged from ever spending more time than usual with "worldly" youths.
This is why, JW youths do not engage in most extra curricular activities.
I was raised a JW. There are 3 elders in family, I was raised a JW as were most of my friends.
And I can tell you right now, that if the people in the congregation were to ever find out that any of us were attending services elsewhere, we would have been marked as being bad association.
If this girls friends at the Kingdom Hall find out she has attended church services elsewhere, it is more than likely families in her congregation would consider her family spiritually weak.
2007-12-19 05:27:25 · answer #1 · answered by Mathair 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Those who are unbaptized can go wherever they want.
Even if baptized, the elders will simply ask if they are REALLY interested in another religion. If not, nothing is done.
They will not harass you when visiting.
MANY young ones attend each others services in JW faith and many are raised in 2 or more religions until they make their own choice.
There are many young ones in my cong. who have stayed all night with those of other faiths and visited their services and then the non-JW visited the Kingdom Hall.
Young ones HAVE to make their own choice.
Also, Bible studies who are adults keep visiting and questioning other religious leaders and meetings until they are satisfied. Often when a member calls their preacher to discuss church beliefs, there is a JW sitting by asking them to do so to make sure for themselves their church REALLY believes this or that doctrine especially the trinity.
The Sunday meeting is basic Bible teaching. May be on marriage, on sex before marriage, on the faithfulness of an Old Testament prophet like Abraham.
The only time they actively offer studies at meetings are during the 1) Memorial of Christ's death 2) the special talk on Sunday that follows it by a week or so.
An unbaptized publisher might be marked, but not someone just around or interested in JWs and what not. Many people attend the Kingdom Hall and their own church until the time they decide to be an unbaptized publisher.
Debbie
2007-12-19 08:07:34 · answer #2 · answered by debbiepittman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am glad that you two are sharing your beliefs with each other. I had a friend who was a JW and I did spend a great deal of time around her and her family. No one tried to actively convert me. There were no closet locking sessions. One cousin did grill me a little, but it was more confused curiosity than anything else. He didn't understand how I could be agnostic when in his point of view there was so much "proof" to the contrary.
I think that if you are nervous about going you should just ask your friend what their community is like. I do not think she would set you up for anything like them actively trying to recruit you, but ask her if you are worried.
As far as telling them at your Temple goes, it really depends on the people at your Temple. You know them. Do you think they will try to play 20 questions with her or do you think they will just be nice to her and let her experience your services for herself?
On a side note, the only time I have ever heard of someone being locked in for conversion, it was my friend who visited a Southern Baptist church... And it was more of an interrogation room than a closet.
2007-12-19 05:11:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
i grew up a JW, i think that you might avoid telling anyone her religion in your temple since sometimes people dont fully understand, but the kingdom hall is a nice place to go and you will not get bombarded with questions or will they try to convert you. some of the more pushy JW will just invite you to come again and you can just say thank you without committing yourself.
2007-12-19 05:07:03 · answer #4 · answered by ELLAMIA 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
No mature JW would go to a temple service, unless it was to attend a funeral or a wedding as a non-participating observer.
People are warmly welcomed at the Kingdom Hall.
2007-12-19 05:09:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Well I'm not sure if this will help, two of my friends are JW... actually I think my ex was too. but anyway my friends are not very happy with their religions. one celebrates holidays and the other wants to.
I think you will be alright I you think the people will be kind and not bother your friend too much then tell them. Or just not tell them unless they ask.
My friend is always asked silly questions about being a JW and they don't seem to bother her. if yours is that way it should be ok
2007-12-19 05:07:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Wow! I would have to tell you to take her to service. She wants to go so she knows what she is in for. And it would be better for her to open her mind to different religions. Just stay with her and tell her in advance that if anyone asks her different questions to say she is of different religion but came to service to sit with her friend. You.
2007-12-19 05:06:32 · answer #7 · answered by joseph j 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Let me reverse the question. When your friend attends sabbath at your temple, will you lock her in a closet, or subject her to any intimidation?
No? I thought not. Then why would you expect such barbaric treatment from your friend when you visit her place of worship?
Grow up, young lady, before you say something stupid to your friend and ruin everything.
2007-12-19 05:09:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I believe religion is a choice, and it's a wonderful thing that you and your friend can share it together without having negative differences. Don't let narrow-minded people intimidate you, you walk tall and proud, I give you a thumbs up, enjoy the service.
2007-12-19 05:08:13 · answer #9 · answered by shears 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I think that as long as you don't make it a big deal, nobody else will. My friend is an Orthodox Cristian and I am a conservative Jew. She came to my services without a problem.
2007-12-19 05:04:42 · answer #10 · answered by Meip Meip 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋