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Original poster

To just go to a jehovahs witness meeting?

796 replies

blobtobetter · 07/04/2012 21:05

One of the older women at work is a Jehovah's Witness. I don't really know what they are but they don't like blood or birthdays. I thought they were just another type of Christian but apparently not.

She keeps asking me to go to a meeting and I keep putting her off. Thinking now that I should just go once and then never again!?

It sounds really shallow but I wouldn't want to give up Christmas!!

Part of me wonders what it would be like. Would they be over friendly? Would they be distant as I am a heathen type? Can't imagine it really.

OP posts:
AtLongLast · 07/04/2012 21:48

I managed to unwittingly attend a jw meeting yrs ago. It was held at the home of the 'leader' & I don't remember how friendly or otherwise it was. My over-riding memory is of it being 'primary English comprehension lesson'. Read aloud from a passage 'Jesus had a ham sarnie for lunch' followed by the 'leader' asking what Jesus had for lunch. Cue lots of chin-scratching before some brave soul offered the answer. Twas cringeworthy though no different to my memories of CoE Sunday school.

Most bizarre was the conversation I (a science graduate) had with the leader guy about evolution. He dismissed the whole concept based on the fact it was unlikely that his rocking chair would evolve into something more complex. Scary.

Original poster
blobtobetter · 07/04/2012 21:48

Lisad123 - is it really controlled? Reading the link it says things like questioning and independent thought are discouraged as is mixing with non-JWs other than when converting. And that they are not encouraged to read the Bible alone?

Also is the JW Bible a lot different to other versions?

OP posts:
AChickenCalledKorma · 07/04/2012 21:48

"sort of like a community where people live their faith all the time not just on Sundays. Kind of like how I would have imagined church in the old days."

Why do you think church was only like that in the old days? My (Methodist) church is like that now. And so are most of the other churches I know of. If you haven't found one yet, do keep trying. But be wary of organisations that make it difficult to leave or discourage you from relationships with non members.

CatPussWithACrownOfThorns · 07/04/2012 21:49

I felt more pressure when I attended a pampered chef monthly meeting as he guest of a friend!

lisad123 · 07/04/2012 21:53

Take any bible along, they are all pretty much the same, ours is no different. I spent a great evening with my family and friends last night who are not JW.
You are always welcome to question anything and research your stuff, there is no point in blind faith, it doesn't work. Dh spent years studying before he became a JW. He needed to be sure for himself, and so took his time.

BonnieBumble · 07/04/2012 21:54

"I felt more pressured when I attended a pampered chef evening" Grin

I can believe that. It took me 2 years to get rid of a woman who was trying to "convert" me!

lisad123 · 07/04/2012 21:55

And you are encouraged to read your bible yourself and as a family. There is also no "leader" in the normal religious type. A group share the responsibility as no one man should make decisions for all. Hth

Beaneey · 07/04/2012 21:55

They believe that only 144,000 souls will get into heaven.

Pretty sure there are more than 144,000 Jehovas in the world.

lisad123 · 07/04/2012 21:58

Yes there are over 7 million as of this year. The rest will live on earth.

Original poster
blobtobetter · 07/04/2012 21:58

She explained the 144,000 thing to me as she said it is something people always question (I had no idea what she was talking about) and she said the those 144,000 go to heaven and make the decisions and all the other JWs are on a sort of paradise version of earth being watched over from heaven.

OP posts:
ohdearwhatdoidonow · 07/04/2012 21:58

So the blood thing is a personal choice?
So you can pick and choose the bits you like?
Sounds pretty much like every other religion.

Mrbojangles1 · 07/04/2012 22:00

Also they don't vote and don't get involed in politics

Black people and women died to get the vote and people in countries are still dying for the right to self determination

BonnieBumble · 07/04/2012 22:00

Lisa, Do you actually believe that 144,000 souls will go to Heaven and the rest will live on earth?

Mrbojangles1 · 07/04/2012 22:01

lisad123 apart from when you are in kingdom hall when only men are allowed to preach

NarkedPuffin · 07/04/2012 22:01

If she 'keeps asking (you)' to go to a meeting, what do you think she'll be like if you do go to one? Is it not just likely to encourage her?

Original poster
blobtobetter · 07/04/2012 22:03

Wonder if they believe in the Bible literally - like the earth was created in 7 days and all that.

She is just so sure of her faith and God and what she should be doing. Must be a great feeling.

OP posts:
Aribura · 07/04/2012 22:08

Considering they take "do not eat blood" to mean "do not get a blood transfusion even if you are dying", I think it's pretty safe to assume so.

IllegitimateGruffaloChild · 07/04/2012 22:09

I had a horrible experience with a CofE group at uni. I went to a few meetings/church. It wasn't for me. I said very politely that I wasn't going to continue coming.

I had a horrid note posted to me telling me it wasn't up to me to decide... I'll go to hell etc etc.

I thought that by going and listening the choice would be mine - apparently not!

Luckily I wasn't vulnerable. My friends read the note and said I should take it to the police. I just ignored it and moved on.

It's killed any chance of 'believing' I ever had.

On the flip side, I work in a hospital. I have treated some JWs. They have been lovely, and had a great network on discharge from us.

My point is - think wisely. Sometimes it's not the religion, it's the people behind it that can make or break your experience.

IllegitimateGruffaloChild · 07/04/2012 22:10

Agree with NarkedPuffin - think of future relationships.

It doesn't sound like it'll end well.

Aribura · 07/04/2012 22:10

See all the JW I know are lovely. But I know that if I joined their religion but then changed my mind, on the command of the Watchtower organisation, they would break all contact with me. So deep down I can't let myself get too close to them. Even if they are friendly.

Aribura · 07/04/2012 22:11

(Not because I would ever join, because basically I don't consider you a friend if you would do that.)

ohdearwhatdoidonow · 07/04/2012 22:13

But that's my issue with it Religion is the people! All I'd these people interpreting the word of God which was really just the word of another man deciding what he thought Gods word was.

For me it's about control, power and money. It's the root of a lot if the worlds ill's.

And before anyone says it's "man" not God creating death and pain. What merciful God would ever allow such atrocities to happen in "his name".

ImperialBlether · 07/04/2012 22:15

OP, you sound very naive. Sorry to be blunt. Please don't go to a JW as they will pounce on you and never let you go.

Would you go to any other cult and think you could harmlessly sit and observe for an hour?

IllegitimateGruffaloChild · 07/04/2012 22:16

I know a couple of people who have left JW actually. Horrible as their family disowned them.

Xmas alone anyone?

Aribura · 07/04/2012 22:18

Beats no Christmas, IMO... Grin

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