Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Philosophy/religion

Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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:
WorraLiberty · 07/04/2012 23:15

Oh right thanks rj it's all very confusing but I think I'm up to speed now Thanks

Until I think of something else Grin

AuntieMaggie · 07/04/2012 23:37

Lisa you sound lovely just like the other jws i have met who have never tried to covert me or displayed any cultish behaviour.

OP only by going can you get the answers you're looking for. I suspect that different groups are different like other religions.

calzone · 07/04/2012 23:44

People always seem to focus on the negative parts of JWs and not the positives.

It really makes me cross.

They are not a cult and you can leave at any time you like.

NarkedPuffin · 07/04/2012 23:53

Yes. Just a normal religion. Apart from that pesky blood thing.

BBQJuly · 08/04/2012 00:32

OP it's up to you to choose which churches you would like to visit.

You could go along with her but only on the premise that she also visits your choice of church.

CatPussWithACrownOfThorns · 08/04/2012 07:30

Narked. That person made his own choice. He stuck to his religious principles. What is wrong with that? Are you going to take away his human rights, because he is a JW?

CatPussWithACrownOfThorns · 08/04/2012 07:31

Narked. That person made his own choice. He stuck to his religious principles. What is wrong with that? Are you going to take away his human rights, because he is a JW?

AutumnSummers · 08/04/2012 08:00

CatPuss his right to die for his religion doesn't superceed other people's right to think that it's daft.

I won't support any faith that encourages people to put themselves in mortal danger and it very much my right not to.

TheHumancatapult · 08/04/2012 08:16

can I point out im not Jw and no intrest in ever being one

.But can say that Lisaasd is a very normal person and does not try to convert people she meets either she is Just who is she is

TheHumancatapult · 08/04/2012 08:17

autum,

but hopefully you can seprate the person from your dislike of the religion

AutumnSummers · 08/04/2012 08:22

TheHumanCatapult yes of-course. My basic mantra is that iif you're nice to me, I'll be nice to you.

TheHumancatapult · 08/04/2012 08:25

same as mine then Autumn

hairytaleofnewyork · 08/04/2012 08:43

If you go, but decide not to pursue it, be up front with your colleague and she won't pursue you. If you are vague she won't know you aren't interested. Politely say "thank you for taking me. It's not for me and I don't want to come again"

She will then back off.

lisad123 · 08/04/2012 08:51

Do we know each other human? Thank you nice to know I'm normal, was getting worried there for a minute Smile

Original poster
blobtobetter · 08/04/2012 09:00

My family aren't religious at all and neither are my friends - how does it work when you join JWs as an adult?

The old fashionedness would probably suit me but I don't know how I feel about joining a religion at all. I am just bobbing along as a general Christian at the moment and as much as I would like to be in a congregation of some sort I don't want to jump into something.

OP posts:
CatPussWithACrownOfThorns · 08/04/2012 09:03

Autumn, unfortunately, persecution goes hand in hand with religion. At least JWs have never made war on tortured anyone in the name of their religion.

Jambuttyyummy · 08/04/2012 09:09

Please don't worry that by attending one meeting you are jumping in or committing yourself to anything. I've been studying for several years now and have never felt pressurised to go at anything but my own pace.

It is not a cult. And believe me I was super sceptical before I was involved.

It's a great way to learn what the bible actually teaches. Daily reading of the actual bible is actively encouraged, despite what some may suggest.

Original poster
blobtobetter · 08/04/2012 09:11

I think they do home Bible studies - wouldn't work for me as my family would go crackers! But it is a nice idea.

OP posts:
TheHumancatapult · 08/04/2012 09:52

Lisa we do if I was to Mention I, drive *a big green beast you may make the link

NarkedPuffin · 08/04/2012 10:04

CatPuss, that person was a 15 year old boy. A child. Dead because of a pathetic interpretation of the bible taught by his religion.

TheHumancatapult · 08/04/2012 11:03

Narked I d

TheHumancatapult · 08/04/2012 11:08

At 15 they would Likely rule that he was able to make his own choice and understand consequences. remember the 13 yo that refused heart transplant agaist Drs wishesand court ruled she was able to make that choice ( and yes I know she did change her mind )

Ds has to consent now for medical treatments he hasas Drs feel he is mature enough to make that choice . They even told me that surgery could not go ahead unless he consented

Oh and to point out I'm not a jw also personally I disagree with their thoughts on blood transfusions when the dc are young enough not to make informed choice and at younger age yes I do feel that Drs should overrule

Codandchops · 08/04/2012 11:19

To get back to the OP - no YANBU to just go and see what it is about.

I was Confirmed last night into the Catholic church but I can still talk to the local JW's who call round sometimes. They know I am Catholic and believe in the Trinity. I know they do not believe in the Trinity but hopefully we can still find enough common ground to pray together. They have invited me to attend a meeting at their church (and yes I might well go as I am interested in how other paths celebrate) and have invited them to my church, I know they will NOT come to mine but vive la difference and all that.

In relation to the Trinity my feeling is that God, Jesus Christ and he Holy Spirit are all part of the same thing. Jesus is not God but part of God, just as an egg yolk is not the egg but part of it (or is that a terrible analogy)?

GinPalace · 08/04/2012 11:33

OP - I am amazed you would attend a meeting without knowing the fundamental beliefs of the group you are attending. Sounds very naive to me.

I could tell you some of the direct experiences I have had with JW people acting on their beliefs (and I don't just mean prospective visits to your home) but I would probably be accused of prejudice so I will save myself the flaming.

All I can say is that anyone not looking before they cross a road is asking for trouble. If you look into it and still think it is your thing, magic - if it is not you then have a good reason to tell your friend you are not interested. Currently you are just dithering in the middle.

Good luck.

hackmum · 08/04/2012 12:03

blobtobetter: "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."

And that sounds plausible to you? I mean, let's think about it: how likely is that really? Where did that idea come from? Which is more likely:

a. It came from God, who somehow passed this wisdom down to His chosen people (ie the JWs) or

b. A fallible human being made it up.

Incidentally, you can also ask the same question about the other hundreds of religions in existence, not to mention the thousands that have existed throughout human history, but as you're interested in JWs, apply it to that one first.

Swipe left for the next trending thread