if anyone is awake I need a quote or quotes about going into a church.

by PaNiCAtTaCk 5 Replies latest jw friends

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  PaNiCAtTaCk

  We are to have a family reunion soon and I was asking my cousins If they were going. They said probably not because they heard it would be in a building that was part of the Babtist Church. Im at work so I cant research it but I need quotes to email him saying that it would be up to his conscience. I know theres been parts usually along the lines of attendinga funeral, wedding in a church. Please help me if you are awake. Thanks in advance
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  freedom96

  I know that there are Awake articles about it being up to your concience in going into a church for a wedding. So if you can do that, then who knows. It did caution though, if you were a member of the wedding party, that you would not want to partake in any of their pagon customs.

  But, back to your question, it did say it was a concience matter. I remember reading before attending a friends wedding back in 1988, so it had to be before that. I think it may have been in the Questions from the Readers.
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  PaNiCAtTaCk

  I really need quotes copied and pasted so I can email them tonight. I know this is alot of trouble I was just hoping someone would have quick access to them.
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  imfreeimfree

  Questions

  From Readers May 15 2002 pg 28

  Would

  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.

  Hope this helps.

  David
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  PaNiCAtTaCk

  Thanks that what I needed!
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  potleg

  Isn't it dumb, The R&F are uneasy about a reunion in part of a church but the GB felt it was OK to go inside the UN building, get a library card and agree to become a NGO. Do you see the fear factor at work...?