RE: my Jehovah Witness Mom says the rosary is idolatry- how would you respond?

[John_Russell_Jr]

Hi,

If you don’t mind being a bit confrontational. Tell your mom that Mary prophesied that ’ Henceforth all generations shall call me blessed" and that is what you do when you say the rosary. Have all generations of JW’s called Mary blessed? The Catholics have.

Yours in Jesus, Mary and Joseph

John

 

[Don_Hepler]

She told me that any visible “tokens” of Catholicism
(even crosses, my miraculous medal, etc.)
are all forms of idoplatry- and of course I do not
go along with that belief system at all…
She spotted my rosary in my purse
and got this wierd look in her eye
and exclaimed “Get that thing out of my house!
That is an idol”… i felt like a little girl being scolded
for getting caught with hands in the cookie jar-
Anyway, how would YOU respond?
Thanks!
~Dalonia/QUOTE) I am assuming that you have changed your belief system. And your mother is in pain because of your choice, and she will look for faults in your chosen belief system. Remember Mose, the Lord used his staff as a symbol of power, I sure would like to have that staff, look what he did with it. Your rosery is your staff. Remember Love conquers. your mother might be in pain for what ever reason. Jehovah Witness can never stay on one subject long enough to solve their so called belief system.
They are kind of fun to talk to, if they would stay on one subject long enough. The 144,000 they don’t even understand that truth, they are running around witnessing hoping to be included in the 144,000, when the gospel is for every creature, and Christ died for all man kind, I wonder if the 144,000 are just for the Black race? That would sure through a wrench in their thinking, and in their witnessing.

 

[AllSaints1631]

She told me that any visible “tokens” of Catholicism
(even crosses, my miraculous medal, etc.)
are all forms of idoplatry- and of course I do not
go along with that belief system at all…
She spotted my rosary in my purse
and got this wierd look in her eye
and exclaimed “Get that thing out of my house!
That is an idol”… i felt like a little girl being scolded
for getting caught with hands in the cookie jar-
Anyway, how would YOU respond?
Thanks!
~Dalonia

These are unproven and unfounded statements about a powerful and sincere prayer tool. In my experience, Jehovah’s Witnesses will expound upon the many things that they do not understand about other religions especially those of Catholicism. I don’t thnk a month goes by without Catholicism being ridiculed to some degree in their monthly publications. The sad thing is that their venom is over things that they improperly understand and then in turn distort to a grotesque degree.

 

[steve_b]

Having spent 1 & 1/2 years with the jws, many years ago, I am familar with their beliefs. [snip]

Just curious, how did you break away? Those that are in it, seem so thoroughly entrenched

 

[Frost]

She told me that any visible “tokens” of Catholicism
(even crosses, my miraculous medal, etc.)
are all forms of idoplatry- and of course I do not
go along with that belief system at all…
She spotted my rosary in my purse
and got this wierd look in her eye
and exclaimed “Get that thing out of my house!
That is an idol”… i felt like a little girl being scolded
for getting caught with hands in the cookie jar-
Anyway, how would YOU respond?
Thanks!
~Dalonia

I think I would be respectful towards her, but at the same time obedient to God. Catholics do not need a rosary to pray, so maybe I would keep the rosary out of the house (put in my locker at school/ work). Perhaps this sign of respect and love would make her feel better about Christianity and further down the road help her become a Christian.

I would on the other hand be very open about my beliefs, especially in going to church regularly, reading the bible and praying often. Perhaps you could read the bible together and discuss what you’ve read (without any magazines or books froom the Watchtower)?

Try to find common ground, show love and respect, but obey God when He demands it.

And pray for her.

I think perhaps this is a good piece of advice in your case, although it is written to wives, it may also speak to daughters:
1 Peter 3:1-2 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence

 

[swariffin]

I think I would be respectful towards her, but at the same time obedient to God. Catholics do not need a rosary to pray, so maybe I would keep the rosary out of the house (put in my locker at school/ work). Perhaps this sign of respect and love would make her feel better about Christianity and further down the road help her become a Christian.

I would on the other hand be very open about my beliefs, especially in going to church regularly, reading the bible and praying often. Perhaps you could read the bible together and discuss what you’ve read (without any magazines or books froom the Watchtower)?

Try to find common ground, show love and respect, but obey God when He demands it.

And pray for her.

I think perhaps this is a good piece of advice in your case, although it is written to wives, it may also speak to daughters:
1 Peter 3:1-2 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence

Dear Dalonia, Frost made some good points. Be patient and pray, and do not confront your mother. I was a JW before for a year (yes, JW also exist in Indonesia since the 80’s). The indoctrination almost happen everyday. No wonder they are usually closeminded. It will be difficult for you to convince a JW so much that Jesus himself may not be able to do so (just a hyperbole). Everytime you discuss an issue, a bible verse will come out. If you make a contra-argument, another will appear no matter how untrue their interpretations are.

 

[Don_Hepler]

These are unproven and unfounded statements about a powerful and sincere prayer tool. In my experience, Jehovah’s Witnesses will expound upon the many things that they do not understand about other religions especially those of Catholicism. I don’t thnk a month goes by without Catholicism being ridiculed to some degree in their monthly publications. The sad thing is that their venom is over things that they improperly understand and then in turn distort to a grotesque degree.

I totally agree, but even Jesus spit upon the ground and made a clay and placed it upon the blind mans eyes, that wasn’t needed either or for him to tell the man to bath in the water, that really wasn’t needed either I am sure, and the rosery probably isn’t needed, but Christ did it and so does the young lady with her rosery We always want to be right don’t we. What ever we say is the gospel, let me ask a question, why is there so many churches in the world today, all claiming to be right, all having the truth, or claiming we are true because we are the oldest. Look at the different beliefs in GOD, or the trinity, some say low here some say low there. They testifiy of Christ So what is the real problem with these churches??? Do you all have a answer? To claim the we are truth because we use the name Jehovah, or we are true because we worship on the seventh Day, or we are the oldest, or we have the most members. Or we like John the Baptist and we baptize completely underwater, so we’ll lets call our church after him. Or I want to get married so I am going to form my own church and the list goes on. So what is the truth? And how do you know which is God is not of confusion. However I think Satan has blinded people and have created many religions, to deceive many.

 

[BibleSteve]

I’m not sure why anyone would think the current use of the cross and rosary constituted idolatry.

I mean just because people bow to the cross, kiss it, hang it around their neck and hold it in their hand as they pray… what’s the big deal?

For that matter, if Jesus had been put to death by being stabbed to death with a knife… what would be the big deal if people hung a knife around their neck, kissed the knife… bowed their head when the knife came down the aisle, and made a little beaded knife thing to hold in their hands as the repeated various prayers over and over.

I don’t see why anyone might think this was idolatry…

 

[SerenaHC]

The rosary is the prayer of the Gospel. Your mother probably has a little book that she uses every day called the Daily Text. It has a scripture for the day and then a short article about that scripture applying it to modern life.

If it comes up again, you can tell your mother that your rosary is like her daily text. Just like she has a certain scripture to read each day, the rosary follows different scripture readings each day. Just like she is to read the Bible verse, read the commentary, and meditate on it prayerfully, the rosary is used as a Bible-aid to help you memorize the scriptures in the New Testament relating to the life of Jesus, apply them in your daily life, and meditate on them prayerfully.

The rosary is the Catholic version of the Daily Text. Your mother does not idolize the Daily Text. It is a tool to help her grow in her faith. So is your rosary. Maybe that illustration will help your mother understand that the rosary is actually an aid to learning the Bible and to prayer, not an end in and of itself. In JW lingo, it is a Bible study aid.

The best book I’ve read on the JW’s was Answering Jehovah’s Witnesses by Jason Evert. An easy read and very clear.

I was a JW for 25 years. I’ve been joyfully Catholic since 2003!

 

[swariffin]

I’m not sure why anyone would think the current use of the cross and rosary constituted idolatry.

I mean just because people bow to the cross, kiss it, hang it around their neck and hold it in their hand as they pray… what’s the big deal?

For that matter, if Jesus had been put to death by being stabbed to death with a knife… what would be the big deal if people hung a knife around their neck, kissed the knife… bowed their head when the knife came down the aisle, and made a little beaded knife thing to hold in their hands as the repeated various prayers over and over.

I don’t see why anyone might think this was idolatry…

Dear BibleSteve,

Out of many things, I would agree with you for this one. My son broke my statue of Jesus, and felt guilty so much that he was afraid that Jesus would punish him. I told him that was just a statue, and we can always go and buy a new one. After several occations that he was doing good on his exams, I told him that Jesus did not angry with him, and still help him during the exam. Breaking a statue, hung a rosary around the neck is not idolatry. I don’t even bow to Jesus statue in my living room either. For sure, Jesus was not killed by a knife, and your story about the knife would be different, though.

 

[Rolltide]

I always find it amusing when I point out to JWs that wearing a wedding ring (which many are allowed to do) was originally a pagan custom predating the Romans. Sometimes they don’t have a response for that one…

 

[adrift]

:whacky:

This thread was started in 04 and the OP has not posted since 04.

I hope she is well and that she was able to respond to her mother.

 

[mkarzon]

BTW, just in case you haven’t noticed:

This forum is a great place to visit if you have JW friends or family members.

 

[Don_Hepler]

BTW, just in case you haven’t noticed:

This forum is a great place to visit if you have JW friends or family members.

I have friends of all religious faiths, thank you, I find the minds of the race of people, most interesting. Their foundation is based on a 2000 year old record the bible, unto which they base their action and life and beliefs upon. Yet they all contend with the understanding of it, to each other. One book does not witness to the other if it is true, Mathew does not claim the writing of James and so forth. They argue over that which does not pertain to their salvation. which church is right, I would like to see some more educated questions that does not pertain to the milk of your teachings. I find people talk in circles, and are only interested in talking rather than teaching truths. 144,000 doesn’t interest me, nor does it pertain to my salvation, but the Savior does. I am interested in power to raise the dead, heal the sick, the Holy Ghost, Baptism of Fire, how to bring Christ into your life so you can stand before him and learn from the master himself. I am interested in opening the heavens commune with the great ones of the past, to know Abraham and Moses and to learn what they knew, and to be instructed as they were by the administering angels. I want to understand how the earth was organized, I want to see the wonders of God, I want communion with the Church of the First Born. I want to see Christ in everyone that I look upon, to see true light in there eyes. I want to see the past, present and future, I want to see children healed of their sickness, that has come upon them, because of man made diseases to make profit for themselves and to put a child under bondage to them. I want to understand perfect faith how it works, what makes it work, and how to call upon it. I want the pure love of Christ to flow from my heart, I want to know the path that will exalt me into his present, for I know that God is not a respecter of persons. I want to learn how the law of God works and how to apply them. I know that what I want to know cannot come from mortal man, for he is already confused. I have learned much already, but I hunger for more, I know that you must cleanse this temple of clay, and greater light shall be yours. I am looking for the further light and knowledge that Father promise to send us. God bless in your search

 

[SerenaHC]

I have friends of all religious faiths, thank you, I find the minds of the race of people, most interesting… I find people talk in circles, and are only interested in talking rather than teaching truths. 144,000 doesn’t interest me, nor does it pertain to my salvation, but the Savior does.

The 144,000 may not interest you, but it COULD pertain to your salvation. All of this “talking” is about teaching truth! Part of our responsibility as christians is to help lead others to Christ, particularly those who have been led astray. So if you have a working knowledge of why the JW doctrine about the 144,000 anointed ones is completely misguided, you may be able to get into a real discussion with a JW and perhaps get him to think and look more closely at what he’s being told to believe. Any JW who learns to think for himself eventually ceases to be a JW. Taking care of these poor people who are being led like lambs to the slaughter definitely pertains to your salvation, when you give an accounting to Christ about what you’ve done with the knowledge you’ve been given.

Just some food for thought. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

 

[bpbasilphx]

Point out to her that she is the real idolater, as she’s worshipping a deity made up out of her own head that does NOT correspond to the real Jehovah Jesus of the Bible.

It may not be externalized into a tangible form, like a statue, but God is not fooled by mere externals.

That’s what I would do. Seize the upper hand and moral high ground. Don’t let her try to claim it.

 

[BigJ73]

Dalonia, The folks on here have given you wonderful answers. I don’t have much more to add as they have hit the nail on the head. I would if I were you go and purchase a copy of a book called Answering Jehova’s Witnesses - by Jason Evert. I only got 1/2 way through the book and was FILLED with information on how to talk to them and answer their contradictions. You’ll also find a VERY detailed history of the leaders of the false faith and their not-so-pure backgrounds (Charles Taze Russell was a known fraud of his time in fact.) Not one of them have any real training in Theology and the first guy got his training from 7th day adventist congregation - with is a little screwed up itself.

Then, keep your rosary with you always. Pray for her. And get a copy of the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. Pray that each day as well.

Blessings…

Jason

 

[AgnosTheist]

She told me that any visible “tokens” of Catholicism
(even crosses, my miraculous medal, etc.)
are all forms of idoplatry- and of course I do not
go along with that belief system at all…
She spotted my rosary in my purse
and got this wierd look in her eye
and exclaimed “Get that thing out of my house!
That is an idol”… i felt like a little girl being scolded
for getting caught with hands in the cookie jar-
Anyway, how would YOU respond?
Thanks!
~Dalonia

well its her house. you have 3 options:

1. Say good bye and leave for good.
2. Get out. Put your rosary in your car and make sure your car is parked on the street. And come back into her house. (if you dont have a car, hide it under a bush on the street or something ).
3. Escalate the issue by arguing with your mother while refusing to leave until you are completely satisfied that you have explained that you are not an idolater. This is more fun. Round 1: FIGHT!

 

[swariffin]

1. Escalate the issue by arguing with your mother while refusing to leave until you are completely satisfied that you have explained that you are not an idolater. This is more fun. Round 1: FIGHT!

Dear Agnos,

I think that you are kidding. We don’t know how old Delonia is, and how independent she is to make her own living. We cannot see her got kicked out of the house and living in the street can we? I don’t believe that her case requires some sort of martyrdoom behavior let alone for a “Jihad” (borrowing the term from our muslim friends).

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

She told me that any visible “tokens” of Catholicism
(even crosses, my miraculous medal, etc.)
are all forms of idoplatry- and of course I do not
go along with that belief system at all…
She spotted my rosary in my purse
and got this wierd look in her eye
and exclaimed “Get that thing out of my house!
That is an idol”… i felt like a little girl being scolded
for getting caught with hands in the cookie jar-
Anyway, how would YOU respond?
Thanks!
~Dalonia

If visibility is a problem - where does that leave the Bible ? Or the works of the various JW teachers, including Russell & Rutherford ?​

It is inconsistent to reject all the visible, material, man-made objects used by Catholics, while holding on to the Bible - for that is one of them. It is a far important token of Catholicism than the rosary - yet those who condemn Catholicism do so by using the Bible. JWS are particularly inconsistent in this,because they condemn all other forms of Christianity as satanic - so why are they using a book greatly valued by servants of satan ?