Something I read rather recently brought to mind something that happened some years ago. The following is a factual account. For several years a gentleman had been studying the Baha’i Faith. What his actual name is does not matter, but for simplicity let’s call him George. George had been married for about 12 years when he decided that he wanted to enroll as a Baha’i. However, his wife was completely against him doing so, although she agreed with Baha’i principles for the most part. Troubled and not knowing what to do, he consulted the Baha’i LSA (Local Spiritual Assembly) in his area to get advice. The advice that George was given was that his family unity was of prime importance. That what he should do is to continue to abide by Baha’i teachings and principles and just simply not enroll as a Baha’i. To the best of my knowledge, George is still many years later happily married and still lives by Baha’i principles, which according to Baha’i Scripture very much makes him a Baha’i. (Supporting Scripture cited below.)
As a Jehovah’s Witness, were it the Jehovah’s Witnesses that George wanted to join, what advice would you give him personally, what advice do you think that those in your local Kingdom Hall would offer, and what advice would that Governing Body have to give? Why do you think that advice would or would not be appropriate? This is not an attempt to put anyone on the spot, this is simply my trying to understand.
Thank you in advance for your answers, and peace unto all ...
***********
The True Bahá'í
"I have never heard of Bahá'u'lláh," said a young man. I have only recently read about this 106 movement, but I recognize the mission of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and desire to be a disciple. I have always believed in the brotherhood of man as the ultimate solvent of all our national and international difficulties."
"It makes no difference whether you have ever heard of Bahá'u'lláh or not," was the answer, "the man who lives the life according to the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh is already a Bahá'í. On the other hand a man may call himself a Bahá'í for fifty years and if he does not live the life he is not a Bahá'í. An ugly man may call himself handsome, but he deceives no one, and a black man may call himself white yet he deceives no one: not even himself!"
The Coming of Peace
"By what process" continued the questioner, "will this peace on earth be established? Will it come at once after a universal declaration of the Truth?"
"No, it will come about gradually," said 'Abdu'l-Bahá. "A plant that grows too quickly lasts but a short time. You are my family" and he looked about with a smile, "my new children! if a family lives in unison, great results are obtained. Widen the circle; when a city lives in intimate accord greater results will follow, and a continent that is fully united will likewise unite all other continents. Then will be the time of the greatest results, for all the inhabitants of the earth belong to one native land."
(Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 105)
Update:I am about to pick a Best Answer and because you can put only so many characters in the comment box provided for that, I thought I would add some here first. @Zebra, although you may have a bit of difficulty spelling lackadaisical, you are anything but linguistically lackadaisical and I for one very much appreciate that. Although I am a sesquipedalian and can easily spell that word without hesitation, there are some words that I am sometimes unsure if I am spelling properly and the spellchecker does not help any because even when I spell those words correctly, the spellchecker still says I have them wrong. For example, hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia (fear of the number 666). Although I almost always get it right, sometimes I have to go back to it a second time before I am sure. Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia (fear of exceptionally polysyllabic words — feaar of long words, in other words) is another one, and that one I am never quite sure that I have it right.
Update 3:I take issue with several things that you have said about Baha'is, although I can well understand why you might get that impression of us. I will at some future date explain better, but for now I will merely say that we are anything but lackadaisical about life, we are most definitely not without direction and we are quite confident that the world coming together in peace and unity is much, much closer than thousands of years from now. I would suggest that our grandchildren will look back at our time and wonder how we could have possibly been so violent, look at us as being perhaps as barbaric as we view the Roman gladiators who fought to the death just for the enjoyment of spectators.
Finally, thanks to one and all for your answers.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Just so everyone knows, I am answering and expressing myself purely from my heart, and what I have learned over decades of living and being one of Jehovah's Witnesses as well. I am not programmed in anyway, LOL! Ah...speaking of "Programmed". We are not gullible people. We have done our homework as far as making sure what is Truth. The Brothers (Org) have not set down Dogmatic rules like some religions do. Jehovah's people will go to the Bible for advice for all things. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17
Regarding your scenario....here is a scripture I thought of right away. Even though I would say when you first read it, the application may not be obvious: "Give or Pay Cesar's things to Cesar, God's things to God" Matthew 22:21. What this means is, we obey the laws of the land as much as possible to show ourselves responsible citizens. However, if it conflicts in any way, we disregard the law of the nations and go with Bible principles. We would want a Good Conscience. In other words, Our "worship" comes first over other issues. Jehovah deserves our worship!
As it says in the Bible: "Even the demons believe & shudder", as brought out in James 2:19. So mere "belief" is just the start when a person is thinking of actually worshiping the Creator. Even if the person is making a couple changes; this is good but just the beginning. We should put The Almighty God ahead of anyone or anything. Even those we love here on earth, such as a mate, a mother, father, daughter or son.
If a person is married to someone who is against what we believe, then yes, this will truly be a challenge! But, it can be done. I have heard of hundreds of cases and those that are on here saying negatives, if you notice, they Left Off serving the True God Jehovah! With my edit I saw 3 of them answer...I rest my case! :/
And too, I was thinking about how this man "George" could have handled it differently. Had he stood up for what he believed in, who is to say that he would not have won his wife over? It is true that she could see his example as far as his behavior But but by him not talking or studying the Scriptures, he has nothing to offer her, the family or anyone else. Therefore, the wife and others could conclude that his changes are from some sort of Psychology book. He would have truly Glorified Jehovah.
A lesson from the apostle Paul: He was brought up a Jewish Pharisee, educated and trained in the law of the sect. When he finally learned and accepted that Jesus was the promised Messiah, what did he do? “What things were gains to me, these I have considered loss on account of the Christ,” he said. He abandoned his former ways and became a devoted follower of Christ.—Philippians 3:5-7. T
A this point, this is where "urgency" comes into play. It seems like the Bahia's have a lack-a-dazical attitude about life. <<<sorry I can't spell. It seems that the Baha'i faith sees everything just coming together happily but it is not realistic that way. It reminds me of those Hippies in the 60's actually, hopeful people but without direction. How is it that thousands of years from now, we will all come together and get along? If that would be the case, why hasn't mankind done so in the 6,000 years on earth? Most people agree because of evidence in the world. There are still wars, hatred, perversion, and the list goes on. Brings us full circle to the fact of the matter: "It is not up to man to even direct his step" Jer. 10:23 AND the Bible’s admonition: “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs.”—Ps. 146:3.
This is comforting! If it were up to people (politicians & clergy), we would be totally stressed out!! And many are as we all well know.... not to mention, how do people REALLY come together on issues? Look at all the religions and political figures constantly debating about everything. Look right here on this forum and others that are similar and even more heated I might add.
Back to a person DOING God's Will...think about this:
Jas. 2:14, 26, RS: “What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.”
(A person does not earn salvation by his works. But anyone who has genuine faith will have works to go with it—works of obedience to the commands of God and Christ, works that demonstrate his faith and love. Without such works, his faith is dead.) I think the word "Demonstrate" is one to contemplate as well because it denotes action on our part.
BTW, I really like this question...And I have edited my answer and it is really too long, oopps! :)
Well I guess that is a fair question.
I will say this, Family unity is so important. However, it is not the most important thing.
One thing that has been made very clear from the scriptures is that your relationship with Jehovah is the most important thing you can have.
After that all other things come from him. So lets just say that you have a family issue? The bible offers so much counsel and direction on how a husband should treat his wife and kids, How a wife should treat her husband, How children should behave.
Thus when you do things Jehovah's way you get the best results.
But please understand that family is way mooore important than everything except. Your relationship with God.
That means in order to be a Jehovah's witness, you have to dedicate yourself. You can live by the principals, you can study, you can do everything, its not complete without dedication.
In fact Jesus said what effect serving Jehovah would have on some families
Matthew 10:34-36
Do not think I came to put peace upon the earth; I came to put, not peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to cause division, with a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a young wife against her mother-in-law. 36 Indeed, a man’s enemies will be persons of his own household
So your situation may keep peace, but it cause enmity with God. And according to God and Jesus that relation is more important.
Well the congregation would tell him that family unity is important bit should not be put above worship to God. If you really care for your family you would do what's best for them and what's best for them is to have a relationship with God and live by his standards. That includes attending the congregation meeting because the bible say not to forsake your gathering together.(heb.10:24,25) So the man should put a relationship with God ahead of anything and anyone. In the end everyone answers for themselves. If the man thought the that was the one true religion and the group that is truely serving God why would he hold back from joining just because his wife doesn't like it.Being apart of gods organization is a blessing and a means for salvation (1 john 2:17)so we would tell that man to not hold back even if there would be a division because Jesus foretold that that may happen to some families (Matt.10:35-37) We should never put a loved one over god. If we put him first he will make things better. -JW 15
It sounds like George's wife wears the pants in that marriage. It sounds like she controls him and probably gets her way about other things too. To keep the peace, he gives in.
I think that George should assert himself with her and tell her that he is a grown man and can make his own decisions.
There is no way, shape or form that I would let a spouse stop me from attending meetings. If I were to worship at home it would be hard to stay built up spiritually without the companionship of the brothers and sisters.
Some opposers would even try to throw out our books and prevent us from reading them around the house.
My mother did all she could to stop me as a teen. I had to hide my books from her and put up with verbal abuse for attending Sunday meetings with my dad.
It is decades later and I have to some extent forgiven her but not totally. If I think about it I still feel a twinge of anger because she never admitted she was wrong and tried to control me as an adult too. Not about the same issues but she never changed her personality.
The Bible says that a person's enemies would be members of their own homes and that mothers would be against sons, etc. It doesn't say "Give in to keep the peace."
I do think that the believing spouse should show general respect and try to win over their mate.
Speaking as a JW married to a non-JW. We have been married for 24 years. I have been raised as a JW and left, married my spouse, and came back. Anyway, we did have some challenges about our differences in the religion. He did his background check via internet and thought we were a cult. The elders in my congregation knew that I was having problems with my husband not wanting me to continue and not having my children go to the meetings either. The advice I was given by the elders and other sisters in my situation?
The apostle Peter admonished Christian wives: “Be in subjection to your own husbands, in order that, if any are not obedient to the word, they may be won without a word through the conduct of their wives.” (1 Pet. 3:1)
At no time, and I am being honest, no time did any suggest we divorce. Our marriage had a rocky moment and I was the one that brought it up with my husband - if divorce you want we can go there, but I am not giving up my faith. A month later, ALL abusive speech stopped. He became more appeasing to the fact that I continue to progress spiritually. Now he helps my son get dress for the meetings. Now he allows me to have my literature around the house. Now he lets me attend the meetings and go out in service peacefully. Albeit it took 15 years, but we finally got there. I guess I should add here that I love my husband dearly. I took a gamble of seeing if he wanted a divorce but I am so glad he opted not!
That scripture proved to be true. He is not fully convinced, but he knows how much I love Jehovah and the truth about his word the bible. He sees how following bible principles I am an honest person, I am a good wife and mother. He does not have to worry about adultery or me hanging out with the gals at happy hour, he sees me as a good example for my children. Why? Because I am accountable to Jehovah and I am happy the way I have lived my life with having a clean conscience.
It is unfortunate that others did not trust in Jehovah's word and stand their ground. Okay - they may feel it is because they did their research and felt it was a cult, BUT I too researched and each "slander" that my husband through at me about our faith, I found it to not be supported when I compared it to God's word and followed by reasoning.
So each experience is different. Each elder or whomever is different. If an elder told me to get a divorce, I would most likely had shown him that scripture. See that comes with knowing your bible and know your God. If it don't seem reasonable:
Hebrews 5:12 "“have their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong."
How do you train your perceptive powers to distinguish both right and wrong (regardless who is telling you)? Know your scriptures, which means you will know Jehovah God and you will then know how to make sound decisions. AND Pray.
@Sasi - REALLY? You are worried about labels? Everyone labels. You will forgo the good advice but can't get past being labeled. You need to have a just about another inch or two of layered skin.
3 words for you.
Adam and Eve
Had Adam chose Jehovah over Eve we wouldn't be in this mess.
That is HUGE for me.
Imperfect person over the one that MADE ALL THIS (arm sweeps to the vast heavens and life giver)
over an imperfect person?
The law hangs on TWO things.
LOVE Jehovah
THEN
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR as yourself.
Your spouse being your closest neighbor.
In fact you cannot have privileges in the Kingdom Hall if you don't have love for or mistreat your spouse.
There are plenty of folks that come to the Kingdom Halls with unbelieving spouses,
not many of them will tell you it is easy but the scriptures do say, if they are content
to stay with you that is a good thing.
I am in a similar position. I want to leave the jehovahs witnesses but can not due to their disfellowshipping and shunning policies. I want to leave because they lied to me and conned me into
Thinking it was the truth. I was baptized as a CHILD and believed with my whole heart.
Then I started to question when they changed a major doctrine.
As the lies about the organization started unravelling I was numb, angry and felt how dare they hold me captive.
If I leave I loose everyone, especially worse if I leave because I state their doctrines are wrong, it would classify me as an apostate, the worst stigma you could possibly have as a Jw.
The watchtower does not allow dissidents, so I have to live a lie.
I can not freely attend another church If i wanted, I have to nod and agree with all of their teachings to fellow family members.
But if the watchtower knew what I was doing they would disfellowship me instantly for rebelling, I would loose all contact with my father and mother and siblings,my partner who is a Jw will be affected, he will be told that Jehovah's organization comes first, that any outings by other JWs only he can be invited and not me which causes a split, eg if his family have a family BBQ I will not be able to attend.
This would tear the family apart.
All because I got baptized as a little person, then grew up and found out what I was believing was not true and all I want to do is leave.
Ps my partner has also started to wake up and research independently. He has been questioning the changes but can not freely express them because of loosing all loved ones. He is more mellow and happy to just prod along, I am more passionate and want watchtower to be held accountable and exposed.
Edit:
It's sad to see people who will do such horrible things because of religion.
Shunning a child or family member is not loving, so many have committed suicides.
Frankly the JWs quote scriptures to back this up, this is all good but they do this under the assumption that they are Gods only true religion, a pretty big statement and a very conceited one.
A Jw will say to their studies to leave their former religion to join them, eg the catholic faith don't practice shunning because they are not Gods chosen organization. We do it because we are chosen.
Now once the lies unravel about the watchtower you investigate them further and realise it's a cult technique.
Cults say they have the truth, cults say God chose them, cults say if you leave them you leave God,
What audacity they have to say that on behalf of God.
Mic addressed the line of reasoning that I thought of after reading your question, and I wanted to just add the cross-reference to that passage at Matt. 10:34,35:
Luke 12:51-53 Do YOU imagine I came to give peace on the earth? No, indeed, I tell YOU, but rather division. 52 For from now on there will be five in one house divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against [her] mother, mother-in-law against [her] daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against [her] mother-in-law.”
This information is not coming from the Jehovah's Witness organization, Governing Body, or the elders, it is coming directly from the Bible! This is supposed to be the authority for ALL Christians.
Acts 5:29 In answer Peter and the [other] apostles said: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.
I am taking it as you are asking if he should get baptized into the Jw faith if your mate does not support you?
Cultivating peace in a household calls for trust in Jehovah and insight into the feelings of unbelieving family members. (Prov. 16:20) Even new Bible students can show discernment in this regard. Some unbelieving husbands or wives may not object to having their mate study the Bible. They may even acknowledge that this could be good for the family. Others, however, may manifest hostility. Esther, who is now a Witness, admits that she reacted in “pure anger” when her husband began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. “I either threw out his literature or burned it,” she says. Howard, who at first opposed his wife’s Bible study, remarks: “Many husbands are afraid that their wives are being tricked into joining a religious sect. A husband may not know how to react to this supposed threat and may become antagonistic.”
A Bible student whose mate is opposed should be helped to see that he does not have to discontinue his Bible study. Often he will be able to resolve matters by being mild-tempered and showing respect for his unbelieving mate. (1 Pet. 3:15) Howard says, “I am so grateful that my wife stayed calm and did not overreact!” His wife explains: “Howard demanded that I give up studying the Bible. He said that I was being brainwashed. Instead of arguing, I said that he could be right, but I also told him that I could not honestly see how. So I asked him to read the book I was studying. He did so and could not disagree with what it said. This deeply affected him.” It is good to remember that unbelieving spouses may feel abandoned or threatened when their mate leaves to participate in Christian activities, but loving reassurances can go a long way in allaying such feelings. The apostle Paul advises Christians not to leave a marriage partner just because that individual is an unbeliever. (Read 1 Corinthians 7:12-16.) Keeping in mind the possibility that an unbelieving marriage mate may become a Christian can help a believer to maintain his or her happiness although living in a divided household. The apostle Peter provided inspired counsel for Christian wives living in religiously divided households. “Be in subjection to your own husbands,” he wrote, “in order that, if any are not obedient to the word, they may be won without a word through the conduct of their wives, because of having been eyewitnesses of your chaste conduct together with deep respect.” (1 Pet. 3:1, 2) A wife may be able to win her husband over to true worship by being in subjection and showing deep respect for him, even if he treats her harshly. Likewise, a believing husband should conduct himself in a godly way and be a loving head of the household despite any opposition he may encounter from his unbelieving wife.—1 Pet. 3:7-9.
@The lady who said she married a Witness.... you are absolutely wrong when you think our elders encourage anyone to leave their mates. We apply the Bible's counsel and view marriage as sacred. If a marriage falls apart it is not usually because the Witness did not try and save the marriage.
@Gava, told it as it is, the family becomes secondary to Jehovah, kill your child by denying a blood transfusion, shun your mother that gave you one of her kidneys if she says one word against the cult, never speak to your children again if they refuse to continue to worship Jehovah..........
God is LOVE
JW is HATE.