J
jmm08
Guest
A bit of background first. I am White, my wife is Black and we were married 15 calendar years ago – in Virginia. My RCIA class finished five years ago. When we married, race was still quite a concern at least for my parents. Another similar couple at our Baptist Church (predominantly Black congregation) married around the same time, and the White parents of the bride did not accept the Black groom – and as a result he tried to kill himself but failed at that. They appear to be a happy family at this time and have children. We also have children in our family.
Due to my life circumstances, I frequently do not notice the color of somebody’s skin if they are Black or White. But I do notice Hispanics and other races – so pray for me I may still have some attitudes (for sure).
I do consider my wife to be a better Christian than myself. She has done things that are quite amazing but that would be another story.
I know that when Jehovah’s witnesses knock at the door, it can be an Christian opportunity to show love. And that although their religion is a cult, we are still commanded to love one another (with wisdom of course).
Years ago – perhaps as long as ten years ago – a Black (and dark-skinned) Jehovah’s Witness woman knocked at the door. My wife answered and was polite and has received the literature and talked with her for many years. Of course if anything like that happened and I answer the door I have no time for anyone. My wife has even gone to the Kingdom Hall a few times (something I did not approve of).
Yesterday some Jehovah’s Witnesses came by and my wife again answered the door. I didn’t come to the door at first but had my attitude for sure. My wife told me it is the husband of the Jehovah’s Witnesses woman who had come by for years (but hadn’t recently). She died from a stroke recently. And it was her husband and some others at the door. I came to the door and briefly peeked out and saw the young people with a crying old man. I had my attitude towards Jehovah’s Witnesses and simply went back upstairs.
My wife found out about the details (funeral or memorial service next Saturday). And today I thought back and asked “he was fairly light skinned wasn’t he?”. My wife told me, no he was a White man. The woman who died was in her mid-seventies and apparently they had been married for nearly 50 years.
That puts me in my spot. 50 years ago if a Black married a White in Virginia they would have been arrested and jailed (and not for less than a year). Times were much much different back then. So they must have married and lived somewhere else (where it was permitted). But even then elsewhere it would have been an enormous challenge.
There are few Christians (regardless of denomination) who will go door-to-door or make effort to spread the gospel message. Among Catholics, I haven’t personally met many either – except possibly some in the Legion of Mary. Yet these Jehovah’s Witnesses often do seriously attempt to help others by visiting them.
Now I am seriously contemplating going along with my wife next Saturday to the Kingdom Hall. Out of very serious respect for this couple, and regret that I had not been hospitable in the least nor can I say I remember saying any prayers for this woman while she was alive.
jmm08
Due to my life circumstances, I frequently do not notice the color of somebody’s skin if they are Black or White. But I do notice Hispanics and other races – so pray for me I may still have some attitudes (for sure).
I do consider my wife to be a better Christian than myself. She has done things that are quite amazing but that would be another story.
I know that when Jehovah’s witnesses knock at the door, it can be an Christian opportunity to show love. And that although their religion is a cult, we are still commanded to love one another (with wisdom of course).
Years ago – perhaps as long as ten years ago – a Black (and dark-skinned) Jehovah’s Witness woman knocked at the door. My wife answered and was polite and has received the literature and talked with her for many years. Of course if anything like that happened and I answer the door I have no time for anyone. My wife has even gone to the Kingdom Hall a few times (something I did not approve of).
Yesterday some Jehovah’s Witnesses came by and my wife again answered the door. I didn’t come to the door at first but had my attitude for sure. My wife told me it is the husband of the Jehovah’s Witnesses woman who had come by for years (but hadn’t recently). She died from a stroke recently. And it was her husband and some others at the door. I came to the door and briefly peeked out and saw the young people with a crying old man. I had my attitude towards Jehovah’s Witnesses and simply went back upstairs.
My wife found out about the details (funeral or memorial service next Saturday). And today I thought back and asked “he was fairly light skinned wasn’t he?”. My wife told me, no he was a White man. The woman who died was in her mid-seventies and apparently they had been married for nearly 50 years.
That puts me in my spot. 50 years ago if a Black married a White in Virginia they would have been arrested and jailed (and not for less than a year). Times were much much different back then. So they must have married and lived somewhere else (where it was permitted). But even then elsewhere it would have been an enormous challenge.
There are few Christians (regardless of denomination) who will go door-to-door or make effort to spread the gospel message. Among Catholics, I haven’t personally met many either – except possibly some in the Legion of Mary. Yet these Jehovah’s Witnesses often do seriously attempt to help others by visiting them.
Now I am seriously contemplating going along with my wife next Saturday to the Kingdom Hall. Out of very serious respect for this couple, and regret that I had not been hospitable in the least nor can I say I remember saying any prayers for this woman while she was alive.
jmm08