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How should I talk about Religion with my Jehovah Witness sister? Vanity.
Me
| 5/04/2016
| Vanity
Posted on 05/04/2016 12:46:01 PM PDT by Zeneta
How should I talk about Religion with my Jehovah Witness sister?
I love my slightly older sister but I think/know she's gone nuts with her adherence to the Jehovah's Witnesses.
While I rarely talk or see her, we are deeply connected, most objective people would say we are estranged. I can't go that far. Regardless of circumstance, we have always been able to connect.
She has always been an "All or nothing" person, believing virtually anything and everything. While in school she excelled in math and computer programing but ran off to the Colorado Mountains to be a Ski Bunny and married my best friend. Had kids, got divorced and is now a Grandmother. She still spends hours on end standing on street corners handing out tracts for the Jehovah's Witnesses.
While I consider myself a Christian, I can't quote a single passage from the bible. I've read it, I understand it and I have accepted Christ as my Savior.
My Sister is coming to visit next week.
In a certain sense I want to undermine what I think is a cult.
At the same time I need to be respectful.
I have the feeling that any discussion that has me quoting passage's from the bible will be fruitless. There is no way I can win in a back and forth battle.
I don't know how I should handle this and I'm seeking advice.
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To: BRL
And the short history of the religion. Setting dates for the end and then claiming new knowledge from the holy spirit that the date was changed. Meanwhile, many lives were ruined. I saw it.
To: Elsie
Yes it’s apostasy to evenhanded a wedding or funeral at another church.
To: Rusty0604
“Read crisis of conscience.”
I’m not against reading it, but there’s nothing in Franz’s book I have not already heard in his interviews or in articles about him. I have read numerous books and articles that debunk the JWs fairly well.
183
posted on
06/08/2016 6:55:44 PM PDT
by
vladimir998
(Apparently I'm still living in your head rent free. At least now it isn't empty.)
To: Michael.SF.
I would say through the screen door next time she comes over, they seem to prefer that. Except on Halloween. That's the one night they don't go door to door - for obvious reasons.
I work with some Jehovah's Witnesses. Nice people. Hard working and honest. They never solicit in the workplace or hand out pamphlets. Which is good. Because that would be super annoying.
They are pretty somber people though. They don't celebrate any holidays, especially not their birthday. I was throwing a Christmas Party at work and they told me that could not participate. So I asked one of them if he would come if I gave him work to do. He was not amused. Not much of a sense of humor. They also have these weird dating rituals. Must have a chaperone or double-date with a married couple. It's complicated. Dating is strictly about finding a marriage partner. Very solemn and serious.
There is no "saving" them from this cult. Like alcoholism, they must decide on there own to leave the JW. Outside interference will only make them more determined to stay with JW.
That said, there are worse cults out there. I am not aware of anything bad about them. But the rules! There are hundreds and hundreds of rules they must follow. Not my cup of tea. But obviously they have appeal to those who wish to belong to a highly structured and well ordered community.
184
posted on
06/08/2016 7:06:52 PM PDT
by
SamAdams76
(Delegates So Far: Trump (1,536); Cruz (559); Rubio (165); Kasich (161)
To: Rusty0604
I think your phone messed you up here:
Yes its apostasy to evenhanded a wedding or funeral at another church. even attend; Right?
I attended a JW funeral once.
It was creepy.
185
posted on
06/09/2016 4:02:39 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: SamAdams76
But the rules! There are hundreds and hundreds of rules they must follow. I hear ya; Brother!
- Learn and obey all missionary rules.
- Keep your thoughts, words, and actions in harmony with the gospel message.
- Read only books, magazines, and other material authorized by the Church.
- Don't debate or argue.
- Center your mind on your mission.
- Dress conservatively. Elders: white shirts, conservative ties, and business suits. Sisters: conservative colors and skirts that cover your knees. No floor-length skirts or dresses.
- Cut your hair regularly.
- Keep your hair clean and neatly combed at all times in the approved style.
- Be neat and clean.
- Bathe frequently.
- Use deodorant.
- Polish your shoes.
- Iron your shirt and business suit.
- Arise at 6:30 A.M.
- Study for 2 hours every morning.
- Proselytize for 10 hours between 9:30 A.M. and 9:30 P.M.
- Turn off your lights at 10:30 P.M.
- Exercise regularly.
- Write in your journal regularly.
- Follow the "Missionary Gospel Study Program" (31157) for your personal study.
- Regularly study the Missionary Guide and the Discussions.
- Attend Sunday priesthood or Relief Society meetings, Sunday School, and sacrament meeting.
- Attend the general session of Stake Conference.
- Attend general conference broadcasts if available.
- Avoid all other church meetings unless you have a special assignment or are brining an investigator.
- Proselytize as much as possible on weekends and holidays because this is when you'll find people home.
- End your preparation day at 6:00 P.M. and proselytize from 6:00 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.
- Wear your missionary uniform in public on preparation day while not engaged in recreational activities.
- Arise at 6:30 on preparation day and study for 2 hours from the approved books.
- Take care of your physical preparation for the week on preparation day: wash your clothes, clean your apartment, wash your car, get your haircut, and shop for groceries.
- Write to your parents every week on preparation day.
- Write less frequently to your siblings, friends, and acquaintances.
- Don't communicate with any friends or acquaintances that are within or close to your mission boundaries, except as a part of official mission business.
- Plan safe, wholesome, and uplifting activities for preparation day.
- Stay with your companion during all activities.
- Do not go on road trips.
- Do not leave your assigned area without permission
- Do not watch television.
- Do not view unauthorized videocassettes.
- Do not listen to the radio.
- Do not listen to unauthorized audiocassettes or CDs.
- Do not participate in musical groups.
- Do not participate in athletic teams.
- Do not sponsor athletic teams.
- Do not engage in contact sports.
- Do not engage in water sports.
- Do not engage in winter sports.
- Do not engage in motorcycling.
- Do not engage in horseback riding.
- Do not engage in mountain climbing.
- Do not embark on a private boat.
- Do not embark in a private airplane.
- Do not handle firearms.
- Do not handle explosives.
- Do not swim.
- Do not play full court basketball.
- Do not play basketball in leagues.
- Do not play basketball in tournaments.
- You may play half-court basketball.
- Never be alone.
- Seek advice from your mission president if your companion is "having difficulties".
- Be loyal to your companion.
- Ask your mission president for help if your companion doesnt obey the rules.
- Pray with your companion every day.
- Study with your companion every day.
- Plan your work with your companion every day.
- Take time at least once a week for companionship inventory.
- Seek to be one in spirit and purpose and help each other succeed.
- Always address your companion as Elder or Sister.
- Sleep in the same bedroom as your companion.
- Do not sleep in the same bed as your companion.
- Do not arise before your companion.
- Do not retire after your companion. (apparently, being together is more important than getting the correct amount of sleep that your unique body requires.)
- Frequently study with your companion the Missionary Guide section on companions.
- Never be alone with anyone of the opposite sex.
- Never associate inappropriately with anyone of the opposite sex (conversely, they don't mention whether or not it is against the rules to associate inappropriately with anyone of the same sex).
- Do not flirt.
- Do not date.
- Do not communicate via phone or letter with anyone of the opposite sex living within or near mission boundaries.
- Do not visit a single or divorced person of the opposite sex unless accompanied by a couple or another adult member of your sex.
- Try to teach single investigators in a members home or have missionaries of the same sex teach them.
- Always follow the above rules, even if the situation seems harmless.
- Use the commitment pattern to get referrals from members.
- Keep your dinner visits with member briefs and during the customary dinner hour in the area.
- Remember to say thank you to those who feed you.
- Visit members and nonmembers only at appropriate times.
- Do not counsel or give medical treatment.
- Do not stay in the homes of people when they are on vacation.
- Only write letters to family members and friends at home.
- Do not telephone parents
- Do not telephone relatives.
- Do not telephone friends.
- Do not telephone girlfriends.
- Contact your mission president in case of an emergency.
- Take problems and questions to your mission president.
- Do not write to the President of the Church or to other General Authorities. Letters from missionaries to General Authorities are referred back to the mission president
- Respect the customs, traditions, and property of the people who you are trying to convert.
- Obey all mission rules.
- Obey the laws of the land.
- Do not get involved in politics.
- Do not get involved in commercial activities.
- Do not give any information about the area.
- Respect the customs and cultures of those who you are trying to convert to your own customs and culture.
- Respect the beliefs, practices, and sites of other religions.
- Do not say or write anything bad about the political and cultural circumstances where you serve.
- Do not become involved in adoption proceedings.
- Do not suggest or encourage emigration. (This rule is a bit ironic, given the now-defunct doctrine of gathering the believers to Zion)
- Be courteous.
- Provide community service.
- Do not provide community service that isnt approved by your mission president.
- Do not provide more than 4 hours a week of community service.
- Do not provide community service during the evening, weekend or holidaysthose are peek proselytizing times.
- Your mission president must approve your housing.
- Keep your housing unit clean.
- Do not live with single or divorced people of the opposite sex.
- Do not live where the spouse is frequently absent.
- Your living unit must have a private bath and entrance.
- You may occasionally fast for a special reason, but generally the monthly fast is sufficient.
- Do not fast longer than 24 hours at a time.
- Do not ask friends, relatives, and members to join in special fasts for investigators.
- Maintain your health.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Sleep from 10:30 to 6:30.
- Follow the approved exercise program.
- Keep your body, clothes, dishes, linens, towels and housing unit clean.
- Dispose of your garbage properly and promptly.
- Follow the safety rules for all of your stuff.
- Seek medical care if you are in an accident or become sick.
- Be immunized.
- Spend your money only on things relating to your mission.
- Budget your money carefully.
- Keep a record of what you spend.
- Do not spend more than your companion.
- Do not loan money.
- Do not borrow money.
- Keep a reserve fund of $50 to $100 at all times for transfers.
- Pay your bills before leaving an area.
- Pay cash for all resale literature and supplies ordered from the mission office.
- Do not waste money on souvenirs.
- Do not waste money on unnecessary items.
- Be a frugal photographer.
- Do not accumulate excess baggage.
- Obey custom laws and regulations.
- Pay fast offerings each fast Sunday to the bishop or branch president where you serve.
- Pay tithing on outside sources of income (i.e. interest) to your home bishop or branch president.
- Evaluate your funds a few months before the end of your mission. If you have more than you need, ask that less be sent so that you can return home without excess money.
- Do not drive without a license.
- Drive only Church-owned vehicles.
- Do not drive members cars.
- Do not drive nonmembers cars.
- Do not give rides to members or investigators in Church-owned cars.
- Use cars only on approved mission business.
- Use cars only within the assigned geographical area.
- Be conscious of safety at all times.
- Drive defensively.
- Wear your seat belt.
- Pray for the Lords protection while driving.
- If your companion is driving, assist him or her.
- Do not tamper with the vehicles odometer.
- Know bicycle safety rules.
- Use extreme caution on your bicycle.
- Do not ride your bicycle after dark.
- Do not ride your bicycle in heavy traffic.
- Do not ride your bicycle in adverse weather conditions.
- Go directly to your new area when transferred.
- Find your new companion without delay when transferred.
- Have a maximum of two suitcases and a briefcase.
186
posted on
06/09/2016 4:04:37 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Elsie
Yes, auto fill in. I forget to check what my tablet decided to write sometimes.
To: Zeneta
Growing up as a child two of my best friends from the neighborhood were children of fanatical Jehovah Witness parents.
Every year while we celebrated Christmas, Easter, Birthdays, even Halloween, while we got gifts, presents, candy these two kids got NOTHING and did NOTHING.
When i was around 16 the oldest decided that he was going to have a impromptu Christmas party for us friends up in his bedroom.
The mother instantly knew something was wrong, she started banging on the door violently.
My friend told us to ignore it.
I started to worry.
TheN the father came home...
He started to bash on the door.
My friend finally opened the door,a HUGE argument ensued with the dad eventually flying backwards down the staircase.
That was our cue to get the F out of there!
I will NEVER forget that memory and what those two kids went through trying to grow up in a otherwise normal American neighborhood.
When they come knocking i now politely tell them to SCREW.
Good luck with your sister but i fear that you will be of no help...
Those people are absolute FANATICS.
188
posted on
06/15/2016 12:12:15 PM PDT
by
mowowie
(Press 2 for Deportation)
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