My Jehovah's Witness Father Called:

[MrZetterlund]

My biological father called and wanted to spend time with me (not this weekend, but the next) and spend some time at a football game. I said ok, I’ll go. And (I’m not even joking) he said “Oh and, hey, bring your uniform cuz we’re goin to church.” Uniform? He explained to me to “just dress nicely” He reminded me that it was a Jehovah’s Witness Church (really important for some reason) and I just had to ask, “What’s the difference from Jehovah’s Witness and every other denomination?”
And he responded “well, you see, all these other denominations think that they can just sin and sin and sin and sin and sin, and come to church and are forgiven.”
I said, “Om… I don’t think that’s what the Bible teaches.” And he said, “Well that’s just it, they don’t follow the Bible!” I said, “I think the goal of every denomination is to follow the Bible.” And then some how he got into a story of a giant Bible conspiracy to remove the word “Jehovah” from the Bible and replace it with “Lord” or “God.” And finally, after I win another argument with almost no effort he says, “Well, I’ll have you talk with some of the preachers at the meeting. Church. I don’t call it church cause that’s what everyone else calls it.”
← Me.

So, I look forward to it.

Thoghts & comments, Jehovah Bless.

 

[kalt]

Honor your father.

 

[Rence]

Be careful, they’re trained to mess up people. I wouldn’t go myself. But I pray that God watches over you and protects you. You know that he’s really not supposed to associate with you since you’re a non-JW, and further, he’s not supposed to talk to you about religious matters. So you know they’re prepared for your reception.

And don’t make fun of your Dad, it’s very unchristian. When your Dad is wrong, of course, correct him but do so charitably and the way Christ did it please. And don’t gloat about it

Though, I wonder: if you were able to win your arguments with him such that he had to refer you to someone else in his community, why not put some effort into converting your father?

 

[adstrinity]

How old are you (i.e., are you emancipated?)

Were you raised a JW or did your dad convert?..is there a thread that explains all this?

 

[aspirant]

Be careful, they’re trained to mess up people.

If they don’t know you’re not a JW, they won’t really bother you, in my experience. You just sit there for a pretty boring gathering.

 

[MrZetterlund]

Be careful, they’re trained to mess up people. I wouldn’t go myself. But I pray that God watches over you and protects you. You know that he’s really not supposed to associate with you since you’re a non-JW, and further, he’s not supposed to talk to you about religious matters. So you know they’re prepared for your reception.

And don’t make fun of your Dad, it’s very unchristian. When your Dad is wrong, of course, correct him but do so charitably and the way Christ did it please. And don’t gloat about it

Though, I wonder: if you were able to win your arguments with him such that he had to refer you to someone else in his community, why not put some effort into converting your father?

Ok, that first paragraph is sort of scary.

I’ll be good to him. I always am, but burst out laughing after we’re done talking.

I have considered perhaps converting him, but I don’t know if JW’s teachings are threatening with one’s relationship w/h Christ. Guess I’ll find out next weekend.

Honor your father.

lol, you’re right… I should honor him, but he’s just soooo funny.

How old are you (i.e., are you emancipated?)

Were you raised a JW or did your dad convert?..is there a thread that explains all this?

I’m sixteen. (dunno what “emancipated” means)

Well my dad was raised JW. He quit religion and became atheist for a while. Had a drinking problem, never worked and beat my mom, parents got divorced, still has a drinking problem, lost his house and slept in his boss’ office, still has a drinking problem, ows my mom 16 1/2 years of child support, lives with another aunt of his now, (and I’m guessing, still has a drinking problem.) But I’ve noticed lately that my relationship with Christ has been bringing my loved ones closer to Him as well. My family started going to church, and I think my bio-father wants to turn to Christ as well. Of course, he reminds me that if he’d return to any religion, it’d be the JW religion.

 

[Heavens_Flowers]

Question:at the end of op it says Jehovah bless, are you already a jw? I’m saying a prayer for you and your family

Our father,
Who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth
As it is in heaven
Give us this day
Our daily bread, and forgive us of our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.

 

[T_More]

It sounds like you and your father have not been in each others lives much, but I would agree with the others, show him honor.

I would ask him why he feels this religion is right and the others wrong. Don’t belittle or degrade him. Talk with him, and don’t try to slam dunk him in one conversation. I could give you all the reasons in the world from their own version of the bible why they are in error, but I’m not sure this would be such a good idea in the beginning. Talk about things that are righteous and true, and not focus so much on what’s wrong. You’re trying to gain him, don’t try to make it a “conversion” session all at once. If he truly believes in JW teachings, it will take some patience and time. If not, you’ll have a much easier time and know the right time to introduce some scripture and history. Hope this helps.

 

[MrZetterlund]

Question:at the end of op it says Jehovah bless, are you already a jw? I’m saying a prayer for you and your family

Our father,
Who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth
As it is in heaven
Give us this day
Our daily bread, and forgive us of our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.

Thank you, but I’m not JW, I just find it funny how he stresses the use of the name “Jehovah.”

It sounds like you and your father have not been in each others lives much, but I would agree with the others, show him honor.

I would ask him why he feels this religion is right and the others wrong. Don’t belittle or degrade him. Talk with him, and don’t try to slam dunk him in one conversation. I could give you all the reasons in the world from their own version of the bible why they are in error, but I’m not sure this would be such a good idea in the beginning. Talk about things that are righteous and true, and not focus so much on what’s wrong. You’re trying to gain him, don’t try to make it a “conversion” session all at once. If he truly believes in JW teachings, it will take some patience and time. If not, you’ll have a much easier time and know the right time to introduce some scripture and history. Hope this helps.

Very good idea. I think, however, I gave the viewers the impression that I’m trying to 1+ him in an argument. I just say a sentence and he struggles to combat it. I’m very tollorant, reguardless.

 

[Rolltide]

He explained to me to “just dress nicely” He reminded me that it was a Jehovah’s Witness Church (really important for some reason) and I just had to ask, “What’s the difference from Jehovah’s Witness and every other denomination?”

Are you aware of all the differences between the Jehovah’s Witnesses and other Christian denominations? Jehovah’s Witnesses aren’t even Trinitarian. In other words, they deny that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are equal to and the same as God. In JW belief, Jesus is actually the earthly incarnation of the Archangel Michael, and the Holy Spirit is just God’s “active force”, but not a separate being or part of a Trinity.

They are HUGELY different from other Christian denominations…

 

[yellowbird]

Please know that if your Dad was raised a JW, it is going to be very difficult to get him to see the error of his ways… and trust me when I say that practically NOTHING the JWs believe is what the early Christians believed, or even what the Bible teaches. They have to twist verses and change words to get the Bible to support their views. It’s messed up.

But your Dad - if his family were JWs he was brainwashed at a very early age & I can totally understand why he thinks it’s the true religion. Pray for him - but I wouldn’t argue with him… as someone else said - they are trained to respond and more often than not, they can out argue people. I think it’s AWESOME that you want to lead him to Christ… despite the troubles you had growing up with your Dad, it sounds like you’re a great kid. I’m going to pray for you & him - that your visit goes well even if you have to waste two hours of it in a Kingdom Hall.

 

[kalt]

Responding, though I think the story in the OP is bogus.

Ridiculing your father is public is not honoring him.

 

[jw2lds2catholic]

Responding, though I think the story in the OP is bogus.

Ridiculing your father is public is not honoring him.

Cut the kid some slack - he’s sixteen and sounds llike this bio-dad wasn’t in the picture the whole time, if at all. Maybe laughter is the way he copes?

 

[kalt]

Cut the kid some slack - he’s sixteen and sounds llike this bio-dad wasn’t in the picture the whole time, if at all. Maybe laughter is the way he copes?

I could be wrong, but this feels like a teen game.

 

[MrZetterlund]

Are you aware of all the differences between the Jehovah’s Witnesses and other Christian denominations? Jehovah’s Witnesses aren’t even Trinitarian. In other words, they deny that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are equal to and the same as God. In JW belief, Jesus is actually the earthly incarnation of the Archangel Michael, and the Holy Spirit is just God’s “active force”, but not a separate being or part of a Trinity.

They are HUGELY different from other Christian denominations…

Oh my… I wasn’t aware of all this. I would probaly tear that place to shreds if I heard that in the middle of a sermon…

I’ll see what I can do.

 

[Ad_Gentes]

And then some how he got into a story of a giant Bible conspiracy to remove the word “Jehovah” from the Bible and replace it with “Lord” or “God.”

The Watch Tower Society, which is part of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, has been criticized for their New World Translation of the Bible, the only one the use, for containing texts that are biased in favor of some of their believes and practices. In other words, while there are many translations of the Bible (and some are better than others), their translation is particularly believed to be flawed. They also refused to reveal the names and academic credentials of all the translators of their Bible.

As a side note, God’s name in the Hebrew Bible appears as יהוה (YHWH). Jews were not allowed to pronounce the name of God in fear of profaning it. Instead, when they read Scriptures, they would substitute YHWH with אֲדֹנָי (Adonai), which means Lord, or אֱלֹהִים (Elohim), which means God. In addition, the original Hebrew did not contain vowels; vowels were added later. YEHOVAH (Jehovah) is not the best pronunciation of the proper name of God as given in the Old Testament of the Bible (YHWH). YAHWE**H **would be a better pronunciation.

This, my friend, is the “giant Bible conspiracy” that all Christians, except for Jehovah’s Witnesses are guilty of. Then again, Jehovah’s Witnesses are not really Christians since Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and part of the Trinity of the one true God. They believe that Christ was a “creation” of God, so Jesus cannot be God. They also believe that Michael the Archangel and Jesus Christ are one and the same. Christians obviously disagree with this.

 

[MrZetterlund]

The Watch Tower Society, which is part of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, has been criticized for their New World Translation of the Bible, the only one the use, for containing texts that are biased in favor of some of their believes and practices. In other words, while there are many translations of the Bible (and some are better than others), their translation is particularly believed to be flawed. They also refused to reveal the names and academic credentials of all the translators of their Bible.

As a side note, God’s name in the Hebrew Bible appears as יהוה (YHWH). Jews were not allowed to pronounce the name of God in fear of profaning it. Instead, when they read Scriptures, they would substitute YHWH with אֲדֹנָי (Adonai), which means Lord, or אֱלֹהִים (Elohim), which means God. In addition, the original Hebrew did not contain vowels; vowels were added later. YEHOVAH (Jehovah) is not the best pronunciation of the proper name of God as given in the Old Testament of the Bible (YHWH). YAHWE**H **would be a better pronunciation.

This, my friend, is the “giant Bible conspiracy” that all Christians, except for Jehovah’s Witnesses are guilty of. Then again, Jehovah’s Witnesses are not really Christians since Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and part of the Trinity of the one true God. They believe that Christ was a “creation” of God, so Jesus cannot be God. They also believe that Michael the Archangel and Jesus Christ are one and the same. Christians obviously disagree with this.

Wow, I’ve learned something new today (scholarly too.) These guys surpass the Mormons!

 

[Bill_Pick]

My biological father called and wanted to spend time with me (not this weekend, but the next) and spend some time at a football game. I said ok, I’ll go. And (I’m not even joking) he said “Oh and, hey, bring your uniform cuz we’re goin to church.” Uniform? He explained to me to “just dress nicely” He reminded me that it was a Jehovah’s Witness Church (really important for some reason) and I just had to ask, “What’s the difference from Jehovah’s Witness and every other denomination?”
And he responded “well, you see, all these other denominations think that they can just sin and sin and sin and sin and sin, and come to church and are forgiven.”
I said, “Om… I don’t think that’s what the Bible teaches.” And he said, “Well that’s just it, they don’t follow the Bible!” I said, “I think the goal of every denomination is to follow the Bible.” And then some how he got into a story of a giant Bible conspiracy to remove the word “Jehovah” from the Bible and replace it with “Lord” or “God.” And finally, after I win another argument with almost no effort he says, “Well, I’ll have you talk with some of the preachers at the meeting. Church. I don’t call it church cause that’s what everyone else calls it.”
← Me.

So, I look forward to it.

Thoghts & comments, Jehovah Bless.

Tell Your father that you are a Christian and ask him to read Johm1"1 and then read it from his bible,and ask where he got his bible,and who was it that put it together,and then ask where his bible is from,the JW bible is the most corrupt bible in the world

 

[Heavens_Flowers]

This was on CAF under faith answers
It said questions to ask a JW to start them thinking, about the truth

Do the houses have electricity? Where is the power plant? Who works at the power plant? Who works at the copper mine to mine the copper to make the electric wire. Of course, a copper mine is not such a pretty sight as what is in your picture. But it has to be somewhere.

The people are wearing shoes right? Made of what? I assume leather. Who has the job of skinning animals and tanning hides?

Are there glass windows in the houses? What about mirrors? Who works in the glass factory?

The houses appear to be made of wood. And they are not log cabins. So there has to be a lumber mill somewhere, with the machinery to mill the wood. This means metal has to be produced. In fact, it implies existing steel production. So where is the smelter? Who works in the iron mines and steel mills? I think most people would agree that there are many problems in the world and that some of the problems are getting worse. Sometimes though, when people discuss the state of things, they do so lacking any solid historical framework for what they say. For example, it is common to hear people decry the increase of crime and violence in our society. This is a very real problem. There are many people alive today who can remember a time when they felt safe on the streets at night or leaving their doors unlocked, but no more. For these people, (and I am one) there is the subjective experience of crime getting worse. But this is only in the context of my own lifetime or in the context of this century. If we look at the whole sweep of the history of western civilization we see something different. We live in relatively safe times compared to many others in history. It is only the significant amount of security which we had because of living in an extraordinarily Christian America during the 18th and 19th centuries that we view such things as robbery, roving gangs of thugs on the streets, and violence against women as so terribly unusual. It is true that there are more hungry people than ever, and more unemployed, there are simply more people. You would have to check the statistics by percentages to know if the problem is truly worsening. As with the food shortages, the problem of drinkable water for the earth’s poor is really a problem of development. Think about it, where do people have water to drink and food to eat? It is in the developed countries. Economic development is needed in the poorer countries so the basic needs of the people can be met. This is why so many of the Christian missions to developing countries are concerned with providing the materials and training which will encourage education and economic development. What kind of missions programs does your church do?
There are many Christians engaged in feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, aiding the sick and providing housing for the homeless. They do this in obedience to Christ. Habitat for Humanity is a good example of this. So are the Good Samaritan centers in so many communities that provide emergency food and other necessities, as well as Crisis Pregnancy Centers which prevent abortions and give assistance to young women in desperate circumstances. I can’t help but think that this is an approach to the problems of the world which is much more beneficial than spending the resources and time to print and distribute literature bemoaning the problem. What has your church done for the community?I don’t have a problem believing that we are living in the last days. Every generation of Christians has believed this. As long as we don’t make the fatal mistake of setting dates for the end of the world, it is in harmony with Jesus’ instructions to his disciples to be living in eager expectation of his return. And I do!

hope this helps!

 

[Bill_Pick]

The Watch Tower Society, which is part of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, has been criticized for their New World Translation of the Bible, the only one the use, for containing texts that are biased in favor of some of their believes and practices. In other words, while there are many translations of the Bible (and some are better than others), their translation is particularly believed to be flawed. They also refused to reveal the names and academic credentials of all the translators of their Bible.

As a side note, God’s name in the Hebrew Bible appears as יהוה (YHWH). Jews were not allowed to pronounce the name of God in fear of profaning it. Instead, when they read Scriptures, they would substitute YHWH with אֲדֹנָי (Adonai), which means Lord, or אֱלֹהִים (Elohim), which means God. In addition, the original Hebrew did not contain vowels; vowels were added later. YEHOVAH (Jehovah) is not the best pronunciation of the proper name of God as given in the Old Testament of the Bible (YHWH). YAHWE**H **would be a better pronunciation.

This, my friend, is the “giant Bible conspiracy” that all Christians, except for Jehovah’s Witnesses are guilty of. Then again, Jehovah’s Witnesses are not really Christians since Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and part of the Trinity of the one true God. They believe that Christ was a “creation” of God, so Jesus cannot be God. They also believe that Michael the Archangel and Jesus Christ are one and the same. Christians obviously disagree with this.

The JW are a cult and have the most corrupt bible in the world