My name is Kevin Shelton. My wife is a Jehovah's Witness. My two children are Jehovah's Witnesses. However, I am not. Our son is 13 years old and is trying to start a relationship with a girl who is 13 years old. The girl is not a Jehovah's Witness.
That is the basic facts. Here is the rest of the story. Our son told us (My wife and I) that he met a girl and she likes him and he likes her. My wife is dead set against it only because the girl is not a Jehovah's witness. The girl's parents (who are also not Jehovah's Witnesses) met my son (with me (the father) present. The girl's parents hold to almost the exact (almost word for word) the values, guiding principles of parenting, disciplining, love of family that both me and my wife do. If there was ever a cause for joy that my son had found a girl that was being raised in the same values and would would be a "match made in heaven" this one is it.(the one between my son and the girl).
My wife and I had a very heated argument. The argument has continued. Now about 5-6 years ago I was in the process of doing bible studies, learning about Jehovah and JWs, attending meetings, conventions and memorials. Until, that is to say, I went to a meeting at a Kingdom Hall one night when the Circuit Overseer (I think that was his title) spoke there. He said, and I quote: "...There is only two people who you should have a relationship with. Jehovah God and ONLY other Jehovah's Witnesses."The congregation applauded at that time.
I immediately got up and walked out to the car. I waited for the meeting to finish and my wife and kids got in and I drove home. The next day I called the elder I was having a bible study with and stopped that. When asked why, I told him that the circuit overseer was wrong. There are many path's to Jehovah. Just because some people prefer to take another path does not make them any less deserving JWs. We had a long discussion. I felt firm in my conviction. I prayed and prayed about this for a long time.
THEN. Just a few weeks ago when my children were on ZOOM, doing a meeting, memorial or something like that, the same thing was said again. That a Jehovah's Witness can only have a relationship with another Jehovah's Witness. I guess this reaffirmed my wife's conviction even stronger which is the cause of the heated debate between me, my son, the girl he likes. and my wife.
So I am asking the community here (Cannot find anything on JW.ORG about this, except vague references to marriage. ) where in the bible (I have looked, my wife has looked) that this perception of only allowing Jehovah's Witnesses to have any personal relationships with anyone except Jehovah's Witnesses. Doesn't that violate even the most basic values that JW have. Teach people about the "TRUTH". Develop relationships and introduce them to Jehovah, through whatever means Jehovah provides?
I would love to have a one on one conversation with an Anointed One, Elder, Deacon, priest, preacher, Leader from Bethel about this. My wife and I are not speaking to each other and this has put a considerable strain on our 14 year marriage.
v/r
Kevin Shelton
Hope to hear from you soon.
May the Lord Jehovah through his son Jesus Christ bless you and guide us to coming to a quick resolution.
