CONFUSED ABOUT RELIGION

Please don't think I am judging, stero typing or anything like that - I'm trying to understand and educate myself.

My family is not religious, but we do believe in Christanity. I recently found out that a VERY close family member has decided to become a Jehova Witness (sorry if I spelled it wrong.) My mother is devasted. Neither of us understand what the religion is really about, only that they don't speak of Jesus Christ (rather Michael?) and don't celebrate any holidays, birthdays, anniversary's, etc.

We love the holidays as a family and have many family traditions. She is devasted because her grandchildren are being forced into this and are very unhappy. It's killing her.

I'm trying to find out more about it and understand it to help her come to terms with it.

If anyone can help me, please provide some light whether on this post or by FM.

Thanks

Re: CONFUSED ABOUT RELIGION

This LINK seems very informative.

Re: CONFUSED ABOUT RELIGION

while i am not a Jehova's Witness (i am Roman Catholic) i have for the past 6 years been talking to and discussing the Bible with two particular women who have come to my house. i've come to a certain understanding of their faith from their literature and through our talks, but i am certainly not an expert on it.

they are fundamentally Christian. they call God "Jehovah" and believe the Bible shows the way that God intends for us to live our lives and what will eventually happen. they do believe that Jesus is the son of God, however they do not celebrate Christmas. they do celebrate Easter. their Bible is similar to the one i use although the wording may be different. they dont pray to Mary and believe that the rosary is superstitious. there arent any saints. they do evangelize and are very committed and believe strongly in their faith. they believe that when the final judgment comes that God will raise the just from the dead and the earth will be paradise.

while i have learned from these women and respect them, i've decided that our differences are enough to make me stop seeing them. i dont like the fact that they believe their faith is the one true faith and everyone else is wrong. i find that to be arrogant. they came to me in a time of crisis in my own faith and helped my through and for this i will always be grateful but my time with them is over.

they are good decent people, just different. i know its hard to accept this change. your family member may become very zealous because of their new-found faith and try to convert all they come in contact with. thats where boundaries need to be established. if they can respect your beliefs and you theirs it should work. everyone just needs to keep an open mind. i hope everything works out for all concerned.

Re: CONFUSED ABOUT RELIGION

I am familiar as I had once studied, as did a family member of mine. From what I remember (it has been over 10 years), as someone mentioned above, they do not celebrate christmas or easter as these holidays were originally pagan holidays (winter and spring solstice celebrations) that were adopted by the church later on. Birthdays are not celebrated as JW believe that birthday celebrations center around the importance of an individual, while the only one who should be celebrated is God. Holloween comes from "All Hollows Eve", which is about spiritism, which is against the religion. Also JW do not salute the flag (as that serves as an allegence to a "thing" that is not God), they do not serve on Juries (as there is only one true Judge...God. Although JW are taught to respect the laws here and are usually very law abiding), and do not receive blood transfusions (except platelets I believe). They believe that God originally created the earth and humans to serve him and populate the earth...in paradise. They believe that God's original plan has not changed, and if you serve God as the bible says to, you will be resurected after armagedon. The name Jehova is the hebrew name of God, and they call God by that name. They also go door to door to try to inform people about their religion and preach. Some people get turned off by that, but they try to follow the bible to the T and that is in there (pay witness). i can understand why the kids may have a hard time adjusting since the mainstream celebrate holidays, birthdays, etc. It's important, that with all religious differences, that the family try to respect the mom's decision and try to learn more about the religion. It will literally make it worse for all involved if the people in their lives are not accepting.

My personal experience is was overall a positive one. That being said, I did have issues with the "if you aren't in this religion, we can not associate". Not all are like this, but the people we associated with were. Otherwise the religion actually has some good points if you look at it with an open mind.

This also may be helpful
Link to more info

Message edited 10/14/2008 10:41:49 PM.