I find this JW behaviour disrespectful

by Bumble Bee 28 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Jim_TX

  This is an interesting thread...

  Whenever I visit my aunt - who is 96 yrs old, she always prays at mealtime. I do not pray anymore - haven't for many many years. But, out of respect, I will bow my head and remain silent as she says her prayer.

  She will try - from time to time - and ask ME to say the prayer. I decline - as I have told her in the past that I do not do that anymore.

  She will politely smile, and say her prayer. (Although, I have jokingly told my girlfriend that someday I may accept and say the only prayer I remember... "Over the lips, and through the gums... look out stomach, here it comes. Amen.")

  On occassion, there will be a lot of relatives gather together at her home for a meal. Everyone there comes from different faiths (we're not talking JWs here). Mormons, pentecostal, etc. During the prayers (usually said by my cousin's husband - who are mormons), everyone bows their heads respectfully.

  I feel that it is a 'manners' thing.

  Yes, when I was a JW - I remember those who would not bow their heads at prayers given by 'heathens'. JWs obviously never learned manners.

  Regards,

  Jim TX

  P.S. These are my observations. Yours may vary.
• 

  grissom6471

  Scully,

  If you are an atheist, what are you doing here? This

  is a site for Jehovah's Witnesses, not faithless ones.
• 

  AuldSoul

  I always said amen with any prayer I agreed with. Were JWs not supposed to do that? (<-- sorry to sound clueless, but I missed the whole "No mediator" thing, too.)

  I never figured I had any place determining which prayers God does and does not hear, that was supposed to be someone else's job. So long as I agreed with it, I said so.

  Respectfully,
  AuldSoul
• 

  funkyderek

  grissom6471:

  If you are an atheist, what are you doing here? This

  is a site for Jehovah's Witnesses, not faithless ones.

  You're mistaken. This is not a Kingdom Hall. As it says at the top of the page, everyone is welcome here.

  So, welcome

  I don't see it as disrespectful not to participate in religious activity. As long as one is quiet and unobtrusive, that is a personal choice. As an atheist, I have attended church ceremonies, and my personal line is that I will stand and sit as appropriate, but I will not kneel. I will not pray or sing songs of praise to a god I don't believe in, and despite the occasional awkwardness I will not receive communion that I do not respect and am not entitled to.
• 

  LittleToe

  Derek: As with Undercover, I think your actions are respectful and would have no quarrel with them. It seems to me that you've gone an extra mile. Grissom:
  You have an unusual manner of displaying your "faith". Are you sure you have some? Nonetheless, welcome. Stick around and learn a few things, like genuine compassion
• 

  gumby

  Post 17 of 17 since 16-Dec-05

  Scully, If you are an atheist, what are you doing here? This is a site for Jehovah's Witnesses, not faithless ones .

  Grissom.....you've been here 6 months and you STILL think this is an exclusive JW site? Wake up.

  Gumby
• 

  Big Tex

  No he knows what this site is about. Just stirring the pot instead of having the courage to actually stand up for his "beliefs".
• 

  Jim_TX

  "This is a site for Jehovah's Witnesses, not faithless ones."

  (I know I'll probably regret even acknowledging this individual...)

  If you re-read the title at the top, it says...

  "Jehovahs-Witness Discussion forum"

  Since when do you need to be a Jehovah's Witness to discuss Jehovah's witnesses?

  Regards,

  Jim TX
• 

  Bumble Bee

  someone who claims to be a Christian, hearing a Christian prayer, you've gotta wonder, huh?

  I have absolutly no problem with those that do not pray anymore not wanting to participate. But that certainly is not the case with my mother and sister, active JW's. I like the way Little Toe said it quoted above. If it was a JW that said the prayer there would have been no problem.

  The problem is that JW's believe that theirs are the only prayers heard, and even then you have to be a JW in good standing to have your prayers heard. I don't have access to a WT CD but I know there was an article on this point several years ago.

  BB