Old Enough To Make One's Own Decisions In Life

OLD ENOUGH TO MAKE ONE'S OWN DECISIONS IN LIFE

"Daksha Patel was born in Kenya to Hindu parents, and she herself was a devout Hindu. But when she studied the Bible with Witnesses in Wolverhampton, England, she realized that she was learning the truth. When old enough to make her own decisions in life, she got baptized and then became a pioneer. She and her husband, Ashok, now serve as members of the London Bethel family. In connection with that service, they have traveled to India, Nepal, and Pakistan to help with translation of Bible literature." - Yearbook 2000, pages 135-136 (Britain, 'From Varied Backgrounds')

"The way in which some young ones have responded to Bible truth has brought special pleasure to others. Robina Owler and her husband, Sydney, who are pioneers in the Dundee area of Scotland, have found special pleasure in the progress made by Paul Kearns, who began to come to their home for Bible studies when he was 12 years old. The truth quickly took hold in his heart, but because his father forbade further studies, Paul waited until he was older and was attending college in Aberdeen before he continued his Bible study. He made rapid progress. After baptism, he set pioneering as a goal. In 1992 he attended the Ministerial Training School. While serving as an elder in Sheffield, he applied himself to learn Spanish, and in 1998 he was assigned to missionary service in Panama." - Yearbook 2000, pages 143-144 (Britain, 'Rejoicing in the Blessing of Jehovah')

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"If a young person is forbidden by his father (or his mother) to study the Bible or to associate with Jehovah’s Christian witnesses, is he obligated to obey in these matters?" - Watch. 1 November 1973, page 671

This was a question posed in a Watchtower "Questions from readers" article back in 1973. While acknowledging the need for children to obey their parents, the article indicates that this is a relative obedience. It uses the illustration of government law showing children can be accountable for doing wrong things by stating:

"Even the law of the land places a certain responsibility on children in this regard. It may hold a child accountable for committing a crime at the direction of the father."

What is the point of this illustration? The article goes on to explain:

"Similarly, the law of God does not excuse children for lawless acts merely on the basis of their being minors."

Next, the example of small boys showing "gross disrespect for the prophet Elisha" is given to show that just because someone is young that does not necessarily absolve them of responsibility. If you have read the Bible account at 2 Kings 2:23-24 you will know how the story ends in the tearing to pieces of forty children at the paws of two she-bears! The illustration is given to show that even though their disrespect "may have been the attitude of their parents toward Elisha" this was not an excuse for not receiving divine punishment. This was because "Jehovah God holds children accountable for knowingly violating his commands."

According to the article a believing parent (presumably meaning a JW in this context) should, in spite of the objections of their spouse, teach their children "the divine will", and that as children grow older they become responsible to God for doing what they "know to be right" including "matters relating to true worship." The reasoning continues that if people want to be pleasing to God they must study the Bible, "assemble with fellow believers" as well as preaching "Bible truth" to others. Following on from there the article concludes with some very interesting advice:

(1) "If parents demand that their children cease all association with Jehovah’s witnesses, the children will have to decide what they are going to do on the basis of what they know to be right."

(2) "Jehovah’s witnesses have no responsibility to turn children away from their Kingdom Halls because parents may not want them to attend meetings there."

So, rather than respecting the rights of a father to prevent his child from associating with people whom he wishes his child not to associate, for whatever reason that may be (including any concern over who exactly might be in contact with his child and what influence they may be having on his child), the matter is left up to the child to decide whether or not to obey.

Well, it was a long time ago since that article first appeared, but I personally have not found any later articles which specifically change this view. If someone knows anything to the contrary, please post a comment here with a reference to the relevant place within the publications of JWs. However, if this view and the policies it endorses are still current, I have to say that fact makes me very concerned for any children who may choose to disobey a parent in the way described.

Imagine having your child disobey you and put himself where he does not have your oversight and protection, spending time in the company of people you may know little or nothing about. This is not said to throw a bad light on JWs in general. However, we must not be naive about this world and acknowledge the fact that some evil people are attracted to places and circumstances in which they can have access to young ones, and especially those who are vulnerable because of not having their parents with them. Therefore, it is not wrong for parents to be vigilant where their children's safety is concerned. In my view it is not for others to try to take the place of a child's parents in deciding with whom in particular that child must associate in order to be approved of God.

Old Enough To Make One's Own Decisions In Life

JWB

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