Awful WTBTS " infomercial " funeral service talk

by RULES & REGULATIONS 28 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  RULES & REGULATIONS

  w77 6/1 pp. 346-347 Mourning and Funerals—For Whom? ***

  A FUNERAL OR MEMORIAL SERVICE?

  Some have thought that a funeral is for the purpose of eulogizing the deceased, for the purpose of speaking well of such a one and giving him what is known as a "good death." But is this correct? Remember that Jehovah God permitted the nation of Israel to weep over Nadab and Abihu, the two sons of Aaron who perished because they offered illegitimate fire—although their immediate family was forbidden to mourn them.—Lev. 10:1-7.

  .....As a rule death causes mourning. In particular, it is comforting to hear a discussion on Jehovah’s marvelous attributes, especially his great love in providing his Son as a ransom so that mankind can have the hope of everlasting life. Aside from personal expressions that they may feel impelled to make, those in attendance bring comfort to the bereaved by their very presence.

  There is also the matter of giving a witness to Bible truths.Usually a funeral is attended by neighbors, acquaintances, business associates and relatives, who may not be believers. All these stand to benefit from a funeral or memorial service at which a discourse is given presenting the Bible view as to the condition of the dead, why men die and the hope of a resurrection. Because of such fine purposes being served, it seems that a Christian minister could see his way clear to conduct the funeral of a Witness’ unbelieving relative—or even of one who, in a condition of extreme despondency or mental derangement, had taken his own life. And fellow Christians could extend comfort to the bereaved Witness by attending.

  And further, when a service is held for a deceased faithful servant of Jehovah God, the occasion could well be used to note that one’s integrity-keeping course in spite of all manner of obstacles. (2 Sam. 1:26) True, as Mark Anthony said in his famed funeral oration: "I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him."

  I haven't been to any meetings in over 3 years. I will no longer go inside a Kingdom Hall for any weddings or attend funeral talks. They only benefit the WTBTS as an "infomercial'' to recruit new members.

  My wife and I attended a funeral Saturday for a wonderful friend of my family . His family and my family have been friends for over 40 years. He was a wonderful family man and was respected by all members of the congregation.

  The family of the deceased decided to have a funeral talk at his one day wake since he was going to be cremated the next day. The funeral talk was for 7: 30 p.m. I had no choice but to stay and listen since we arrived around 7:00 p.m. to pay our condolences to the family.

  The funeral talk started off with where he was born, how he met his wife and what year they married, names of his children, and what year he was baptised. That ran for about 5 minutes. The last 25 minutes were about how he become a Jehovah's Witness, what his favorite scriptures were, how he served as an Elder and how all his children were Jehovah's Witnesses.

  They did not euligize the deceased. They used it as an '' infomercial " for the benefit of the WTBTS. Shame on them for using this sad occasion for the benefit of recruiting. Anyone there in attendance that wasn't a Jehovah's Witness should shudder at what came from this awful and shameful talk.
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  Darth Fader The Sequel

  I have been going to JW funerals and weddings my entire life. I HATE THEM!!!!!! For all the reasons stated above. Further proof this is just a cult religion created to support a once powerful publishing company and now has been transformed into a real estate company. Members cannot even die and be mourned without spending the majority of the time promoting the cult.
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  William Penwell

  As I stated in the post I started, if their goal was to attract new recruits, all it did was turn off the outsiders. People are not stupid and see it for what it is a cheap info commercial to get new members.
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  RULES & REGULATIONS

  Darth Fader said:

  Members cannot even die and be mourned without spending the majority of the time promoting the cult.

  It would have been nice to hear who his parents were, how many brothers and sisters he had, what kind of employment he had throughout his whole life, where he lived and moved to and anything else to make him stand out and show that he was an individual and not just a church member.
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  Darth Fader The Sequel

  I think I remember reading somewhere that if a JW elder is going to give the memorial talk then they are *required* to use the WT outline (maybe someone else can confirm this?).

  I can remember being at a "worldly person's" memorial. It was held at the deceased person's home in the garden. All of the deceased person's family were JW's. A relative elder gave the talk using the JW outline. Many of the deceased person's "worldly" friends were also in attendance. They sat through the drivel respectfully (albeit bewildered, knowing that the deceased was NOT a believer in anything JW whatsoever). Once the talk was over a particularly close friend of the deceased stood up and invited anyone in attendance to share recollections, stories, or say some words about the deceased. The elder who gave the talk quickly squashed those efforts and clumsily said that the "service was over" and dismissed everyone. I WAS MORTIFIED!!!!!!!!!!

  Thankfully, the "worldly friends" that were summarily dismissed immediately broke into song all together (probably 20 of them) and sang "Amazing Grace" right there in the faces of the pompous JWs' as they filed away.

  What an embarrassing display of self-righteousness by these JW's.
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  freddo

  Times have changed round here - when I go to a jw funeral we get a reasonable eulogy most times. Maybe a bit about what Billy Stiff'n'dead "believed" but not much.
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  steve2

  My half-in-half-out JW uncle had his funeral service at a funeral home a few years ago because the local elders were divided on whether he should have his memorial at the kingdom hall. What a lucky break, man!

  Away from the strictures of the kingdom hall, he had an absolutely lovely farewell, with even his JW siblings - my mother included - speaking spontaneously about him. Afterwards, there was so much comment about what a refreshing memorial it was. Meanwhile, the suckers who have their funerals at kingdom halls are sidelined for an opportunity to promote the organization.
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  William Penwell

  The elder who gave the talk quickly squashed those efforts and clumsily said that the "service was over" and dismissed everyone. I WAS MORTIFIED!!!!!!!!!!

  This is just another example of their self-righteous arrogance. It was not in one of their Kingdum Halls, then what is the harm. Not like they were doing devil worshipping or anything like that.

  Away from the strictures of the kingdom hall, he had an absolutely lovely farewell, with even his JW siblings - my mother included - speaking spontaneously about him.

  The best JW memorial I attended was one at a funeral home. They actually had a slide presentation to honor the diseased.
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  joe134cd

  I had an uber dub pioneer aunt comment to me about a wordly funeral she attended of a bible student. "you know (with a look of disgust on her face) they must of only spent 5 or 10 minutes talking about the person and the rest of the time was taken up with the church". Just hit me like a bus that comment. WOMEN OPEN YOUR EYES!!!!!! Of course I never said anything.
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  Gregor

  I have been to many JW funerals/memorials. My Grandparents, aunts and uncles. They are shabby affairs that do not recognize the deceased except in passing. Dissapointing as an occasion to recognize the individual you loved.