by wordlywife 20 Replies latest jw friends
Hi all. Been a while since I've been here. Just wondering, my JW husband attended a funeral at a catholic church with me, and I thought perhaps this was frowned upon? Have any of you former JW's ever gone to ANY service in a CHURCH before? It totally shocked me that he went with me.
Thanks-
Worldly Wife
I am sure Blondie or someone will post the WT reference before I get to it.
Yes, you can go to a funeral in a church, it is a conscience matter.
The act is frowned upon, true, but it is not attending a church service and it is not
WRONG.
I, as an elder, went to a couple of them. Weddings are not the same.
Can a JW attend a wedding elsewhere?
A quote was easy to find, and apparently, both funerals and weddings in a church are extremely frowned upon, but still not against ALL bible principles
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w02 5/15 p. 28 Questions From Readers***Questions
From ReadersWould
it be advisable for a true Christian to attend a funeral or a wedding in a church?Our taking part in any form of false religion is displeasing to Jehovah and must be avoided. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17; Revelation 18:4) A church funeral is a religious service that likely involves a sermon advocating such unscriptural ideas as the immortality of the soul and a heavenly reward for all good people. It may also include such practices as making the sign of the cross and joining in prayer with the priest or minister. Prayers and other religious exercises contrary to Bible teaching may also be a part of a religious wedding ceremony held in a church or elsewhere. Being in a group where everyone else is engaging in a false religious act, a Christian may find it difficult to resist the pressure to join in. How unwise to expose oneself to such pressure!
What if a Christian feels obligated to attend a funeral or a wedding held in a church? An unbelieving husband, for example, may urge his Christian wife to be with him on such an occasion. Could she join him as a quiet observer? Out of regard for her husband’s wishes, the wife may decide to go with him, being determined not to share in any religious ceremonies. On the other hand, she may decide not to go, reasoning that the emotional pressure of the circumstances could prove to be too much for her, perhaps causing her to compromise godly principles. The decision would be hers to make. She definitely would want to be settled in her heart, having a clean conscience.—1 Timothy 1:19.
In any case, it would be to her advantage to explain to her husband that she could not conscientiously share in any religious ceremonies or join in the singing of hymns or bow her head when prayer is offered. On the basis of her explanation, he may conclude that his wife’s presence could give rise to a situation that might be unpleasant to him. He may choose to go alone out of love for his wife, respect for her beliefs, or a desire to avoid any embarrassment. But if he insists that she go with him, she might go as a mere observer.
Not to be overlooked is the effect our attending a service in a religious building might have on fellow believers. Could it injure the conscience of some? Might their resistance to avoid engaging in idolatry be weakened? "Make sure of the more important things," admonishes the apostle Paul, "so that you may be flawless and not be stumbling others up to the day of Christ."—Philippians 1:10.
If the occasion involves a close fleshly relative, there may be additional family pressures. In any case, a Christian must carefully weigh all the factors involved. Under certain circumstances he or she may conclude that no difficulties would arise from attending a church funeral or wedding as an observer. However, the circumstances may be such that by attending, the likely injury to one’s own conscience or to that of others would outweigh the possible benefits of being present. Whatever the situation, the Christian should make sure that the decision will not interfere with his preserving a good conscience before God and men.
I went to the Catholic church for my dad's funeral when I was a JW, and my JW wife and mom came too. The elders knew, and no one said anything about it to us.
W
From the quote above (I plan to use it for family weddings and funerals) I think the key would be not to tell any other JW's.
If they found out, refer to the article. Funerals, especially, are a time to support a friend or family member.
I've been to non jw services but was told its ok so long as you don't participate in the hymns etc (which must have made me look a completely insensitive cow!), my elder f-in-l was asked to participate in a non jw funeral, i think he had been studying, but he told the family he would'nt as it would be 'interfaith'
Sorry, but I am really upset over this. My JW nephew, niece and her kids all stood right
beside the door (inside) the Catholic church during their father's funeral (my brother). What
the crap conscience did they follow? Now I realize they actually did have a choice, but
choose to stand like fools and make whatever statement they thought they made. This
is hard to take, 6 years later!
What is more amazing is that this was for the father of my former spouse. Amazing. He is usually so "by the book" or by the 'tower, if you will. Thanks for your comments.
WW
Given my experience, let me say to you ww that maybe your husband's eyes were opened a bit
by the love that was no doubt shown at the funeral. I'm glad for you that he went and hope some
little seeds of doubt start growing!
