Can JW's attend Funerals for ex Jw's?

by ThomasCovenant 3 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  ThomasCovenant

  Hello

  There was a funeral for an ex elder recently. Out of about 150 attending the service only 5 JW's who weren't immediate family attended. This is because the ex elder was viewed as 'turning his back on Big J'. He was not disfellowshipped as far as I know but he was unofficially viewed as 'Apostate' for daring to speak the bleedin' obvious. He had stopped attending maybe 2 years ago but since then developed a fatal illness.

  I had aurguement with one of my relatives still in for not attending and showing support for the bereaved family. It appears all the years of friendship counted for nothing. I believe no JW's attended for fear of being seen attending. I know though that deep down some must have felt shame for not showing respect and support to the widow for a man who suffered greatly at the end of his life.

  Are there any guidelines in their literature as what to do in these circumstances.

  Thanks

  Thomas Covenant
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  luna2

  I think JWs can do just about anything...if they can square it with their conscience and are discreet. Most are so afraid to do something that "looks bad" that they don't have the moral courage to buck the Kingdumb Hall collective.

  Yah, the great and mighty Jah, ruler of the universe, is going to kill them forever for showing respect to the grieving family of an expatriot dub. What kind of god is this anyway, hm? Like James Thomas says...sounds like a tribal diety with identity issues.

  Anyway, I don't think they are so much worried about Jehooba as they are about their fellow puny dub humans. Kind of like high school and trying to impress the popular kids.
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  sass_my_frass

  Number one priority is always how you look to other witnesses, and number two is how witnesses look to non-witnesses (via a complex series of delusions about what non-witnesses believe re how humans should behave). Probably the only good that came from this is the widow realising what her 'friends' are worth. Poor love.
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  FairMind

  Yes they can, even if the funeral is in a church. In fact they can serve as pallbearers.