JW's visiting -- who is evangelizing whom?

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My apologies for the typo (did I really type in JV’s?); I shoulda put JW’s or “witnesses” or something else 😃

For all of you who are interested, the website where I have been talking to this JW is 1up.com, and you’ll have to become a member of the site in order to view the discussion between the JV and me.

As for his lovely tidbit regarding the bishops having “war prayers” for the nazis, I’ll probably just tell him about Pope Pius and how he saved over half a million Jews from the concentration camps…not to mention all of the Catholic priests who died in Auchwitz, etc. (St. Maxilmillian Kolbe, perhaps?) It doesn’t make sense that all these priests died if the bishops were so keen on praying for the nazis!

Anyway, he might have said something else by now, because I haven’t been online for 2 or 3 days! I’ll keep you all posted…
 
Hi Andy,

Maybe rather than going round & round trying to debate who’s religion is right and who’s is wrong, you can share what God & specifically JESUS mean to you.

When I was a JW, I had all the scriptures memorized that I would use to defend my beliefs - I had responses that I had practiced over & over again… I was armed & ready for a good debate with someone just like you (and I’d win just about everytime 😉 )

But I could never answer the question, “What does Jesus mean to **you **personally?” How has knowing how much God LOVES you changed your life? Do you feel that He LOVES you unconditionally more than you could ever know - that He knows you with all of your faults and still loves you more than the most loving Father in the world ever could? What does it mean to you to be a Child of God?

For me, being a JW meant always working to please Jehovah. And I don’t mean being obedient - I mean WORKING - out in service - leading Bible Studies - doing my Watchtower homework - always being prepared & ready to defend my faith. And if I ever failed, I felt that I was NOT living up to Jehovah’s requirements. I didn’t consider myself His Child - ever. To me, Jehovah was a stern judge who could cast me aside in a snap. His love for me was totally conditional - and it was very difficult to measure up.

I would bet money that the JW you are conversing with feels the same way? So my suggestion would be to share YOUR feelings about God. Maybe… just maybe… it will plant a seed or two that you have something… something so wonderful (grace) that he does not.
And when you’re done talking to him, pray that the Holy Spirit will do just that.
Blessings to you! Way to go for standing up for YOUR faith!
CM
 
Man, even when I correct myself, I still type “JV” instead of “JW!”

I’m going to have to practice my typing a bit…
 
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Finex:
i have a question? are the JWs allowed to come to Church with us?
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I would have said no way… when I was a JW I would not have gone to even a wedding in a church - espeically a Catholic Church. Although we have a poster, Jaded who goes with her boyfriend on occasion to his Catholic Church so maybe times have changed with the Witnesses?

Jaded, if you see this… is it OK for Jehovah’s Witnesses to go to other churches just as visitors?
 
carol marie:
I would have said no way… when I was a JW I would not have gone to even a wedding in a church - espeically a Catholic Church. Although we have a poster, Jaded who goes with her boyfriend on occasion to his Catholic Church so maybe times have changed with the Witnesses?

Jaded, if you see this… is it OK for Jehovah’s Witnesses to go to other churches just as visitors?
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Hey!
Probably not. Don’t quote me on it. I haven’t bothered to officially ask. I go because showing I’m willing to go makes my relationship work and that is important to me.

If you were out of curiosity to a regular mass I’d say the answer is “no way”. If you’re going to a wedding or funeral, it’s perfectly acceptable. My mom and I have done it many times and when my grammy died the elders from my hall (the equivalent of priests or ministers) came to the funeral to support our family. No problems with that, just with going to the mass.
 
Jaded – I have questions for you but am unsure if you’ll respond or think I am head hunting you. Do I ask them? If so how? In a new thread? What?
 
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b_justb:
Jaded – I have questions for you but am unsure if you’ll respond or think I am head hunting you. Do I ask them? If so how? In a new thread? What?
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Not to sound like a b**ch, but as a former JW I don’t know what kind of questions you could have for me.

I have no interest in discussing religion beyond the “what do you do at holidays?” and “experiences out in service” posts. I’ve learned my lesson. lol. So I guess you could start a new thread, but I have no idea what we could possibly discuss of value. I’m not interested in converting to Catholocism.
 
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Jaded27:
Not to sound like a b**ch, but as a former JW I don’t know what kind of questions you could have for me.

I have no interest in discussing religion beyond the “what do you do at holidays?” and “experiences out in service” posts. I’ve learned my lesson. lol. So I guess you could start a new thread, but I have no idea what we could possibly discuss of value. I’m not interested in converting to Catholocism.
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Well, I know you don’t want to sound like your being ugly to me and I don’t want to sound like I am being ugly to you. My questions are more about your situation with you being engaged to be married to a Catholic. Just from what little bit I’ve seen from your posts it seems that you are engaged. But I didn’t see where you all are planning to be married. In the local KH? At a local CC? By a JP? Can I abbreviate anything else?
 
engaged. getting married at fiancee’s church.
I don’t think I CAN get married at a KH. . .
since my FI is Catholic and not a JW.
We have a meeting with his priest tomorrow night.
I guess you can start a thread if you want to discuss a JW marrying a Catholic but I wouldn’t wnt it to get ugly. Some people feel really strongly about it. So do I - we’re doing what’s best for us. We’ve discussed all implications and have decided living without each other due to religion is nonsense. We’ll be much happier together than apart.
Aside from that, start a thread if you want. . . lol
 
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Jaded27:
Not to sound like a b**ch, but as a former JW I don’t know what kind of questions you could have for me.

I have no interest in discussing religion beyond the “what do you do at holidays?” and “experiences out in service” posts. I’ve learned my lesson. lol. So I guess you could start a new thread, but I have no idea what we could possibly discuss of value. I’m not interested in converting to Catholocism.
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If your not interested in coverting to Catholicism, you must be at least partially interested in it, or you wouldn’t be here. :o Also, it is not recommended amongst jw’s that they go to other churches considering what they
believe about them. I have never heard of it being “perfectly ok” because it isn’t. They would never allow it or tolerate it amongst their followers. It would be considered to be a grave sin. Also, I do not intend to cause hard feelings, but I want people to know the truth about that organization, and not to send mixed messages. jw’s would never set foot inside a church. not for any reason whatsoever. If you find that hard to believe, ask the WTB&TS. Ask any jw on the street, ask the elders at any local kindgom hall. They will all say the same thing. Not. That is what I have been told and taught when I was a jw. It is not acceptable according to them to associate with “worldly people”, especially in a
setting that would be a church. They say “bad associations spoil useful habits” This is a fact:
a jw cannot attend another Church (Spiritual Fornication)
 
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Marilena:
If your not interested in coverting to Catholicism, you must be at least partially interested in it, or you wouldn’t be here.
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Yes, I am interested. I’m interested in the religion because my FI belongs to it and I originally came here to get answers about what we would have to go through to get an annullment for me from my previous marriage. Doesn’t mean I want to convert.
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Marilena:
Also, I do not intend to cause hard feelings, but I want people to know the truth about that organization, and not to send mixed messages. jw’s would never set foot inside a church. not for any reason whatsoever. If you find that hard to believe, ask the WTB&TS. Ask any jw on the street, ask the elders at any local kindgom hall. They will all say the same thing.
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I don’t remember the original context of what this is being taken from as this hasn’t been posted in since September. But you’re right, you’re not supposed to go to church on a regular basis and go to mass or something. However, going into a church for weddings or a funeral is perfectly acceptable and spreading the propaganda that it isn’t is not fair to those JWs who know it is and are trying to tell the truth about their religion.

TRUST ME - going to church for those occasions is perfectly acceptable! 👍
 
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Jaded27:
Yes, I am interested. I’m interested in the religion because my FI belongs to it and I originally came here to get answers about what we would have to go through to get an annullment for me from my previous marriage. Doesn’t mean I want to convert.

I don’t remember the original context of what this is being taken from as this hasn’t been posted in since September. But you’re right, you’re not supposed to go to church on a regular basis and go to mass or something. However, going into a church for weddings or a funeral is perfectly acceptable and spreading the propaganda that it isn’t is not fair to those JWs who know it is and are trying to tell the truth about their religion.

TRUST ME - going to church for those occasions is perfectly acceptable! 👍
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See this link:

jwfiles.com/no-dealings.htm#other-religions

Also see this, and look to where it says a Christian
should not have part of interfaith movements, and be “separate” from the world:

watchtower.org/library/jt/article_03.htm
 
Sorry, I don’t just go to links and search for info. You’re more than welcome to quote things here, but I don’t search through stuff.
 
Also, I am not here to debate stuff. I am currently a JW and know that I have been allowed MANY times to go to churches for special occasions. Perhaps it is a conscience matter?
I don’t wish to argue this. If that’s what you believe then fine. There is no use in discussing it.
 
Also, I did just visit this website just to see what was up and it’s not an official JW website. It says “become a Jehovah’s Witness and you CAN’T…”
This is obviously an anti-JW website and no Witness would ever read anything from it and take it seriously. Provide me stuff straight from the watchtower that says we definitely cannot go to church for weddings…
I don’t look at anti-JW websites. Well, the few times I have I’ve regretted it because they are just angry people who are out to spread lies.
 
Well, I spoke with a jw and they told me no witness would ever set foot into a church for a wedding or a funeral. They gave this to back up what they believe about it from the NWT:

2 Corinthians 6:15 ( right the end of the chapter )
That comes directly from them, and not me.

Also 1 Corinthians 15:33 (from the NWT)
find this out for yourselves. It is what they believe
and they told it directly to me, it is not lies, nor is it
propaganda.

Witnesses they told me may go to a funeral home,
ext but not in a church. They would never attend
any wedding ceremony at any church whatsoever.
 
Greetings Jaded!
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Jaded27:
Provide me stuff straight from the watchtower that says we definitely cannot go to church for weddings…
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*** w02 5/15 p. 28 Questions From Readers ***

Questions From Readers

Would it be advisable for a true Christian to attend a funeral or a wedding in a church?

Our taking part in any form of false religion is displeasing to Jehovah and must be avoided. (2*Corinthians 6:14-17; Revelation 18:4) A church funeral is a religious service that likely involves a sermon advocating such unscriptural ideas as the immortality of the soul and a heavenly reward for all good people. It may also include such practices as making the sign of the cross and joining in prayer with the priest or minister. Prayers and other religious exercises contrary to Bible teaching may also be a part of a religious wedding ceremony held in a church or elsewhere. Being in a group where everyone else is engaging in a false religious act, a Christian may find it difficult to resist the pressure to join in. How unwise to expose oneself to such pressure!

What if a Christian feels obligated to attend a funeral or a wedding held in a church? An unbelieving husband, for example, may urge his Christian wife to be with him on such an occasion. Could she join him as a quiet observer? Out of regard for her husband’s wishes, the wife may decide to go with him, being determined not to share in any religious ceremonies. On the other hand, she may decide not to go, reasoning that the emotional pressure of the circumstances could prove to be too much for her, perhaps causing her to compromise godly principles. The decision would be hers to make. She definitely would want to be settled in her heart, having a clean conscience.—1*Timothy 1:19.

In any case, it would be to her advantage to explain to her husband that she could not conscientiously share in any religious ceremonies or join in the singing of hymns or bow her head when prayer is offered. On the basis of her explanation, he may conclude that his wife’s presence could give rise to a situation that might be unpleasant to him. He may choose to go alone out of love for his wife, respect for her beliefs, or a desire to avoid any embarrassment. But if he insists that she go with him, she might go as a mere observer.​

The watchtower articles are run through a legal filter so as to leave everything to ‘conscience’, so you almost never find ANYTHING that says that you definitely cannot do something(they have a very slick Legal Dept). However, for our catholic friends, it is fair to mention that active JW read into these articles a different meaning than what appears to the casual non-JW reader. For a JW to attend another religious ceremony would likely get them a visit to the ‘back-room’ (disciplinary meeting) for being ‘spiritually weak’.

PS: the watchtower reference code means Watchtower, May 15, 2002 issue. Witness-speak takes some getting used to. 😛
 
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