I just found out that my secretary is a Jehovah's Witness

[missypie]

I followed the thread about Jehovah's Witnesses a month or so ago, just becasue I was interested. I feel so silly that I never put it together that my secretary is a JW. She is Hispanic and I wrongfully assumed that she was Catholic (a steroetype, I know). I do remember, however, that she talked about her mom making tamales for Christmas...maybe her mom isn't JW. She also took the Friday before Christmas off...I assumed to make the holdiay weekend longer.

It explains so much...she always eats by herself...I guess that's the not mixing with non-JWs. I thought she was just extremely shy. She skipped the Thanksgiving pot-luck here at work and took a half day off on the day of the Christmas luncheon. Again, I just thought she was shy. Duh...I could have saved a lot of money on that very nice Christmas present I bought her.

I know that folks' religions are not technically relevant in the work force, but it would have helped me understand her better had I known. At least her birthday hasn't come around yet, so I won't embarrass myself or her by offering to take her to lunch.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Did she accept the Christmas present? WOW....what kind of JW is she? I know one, and she would never accept a Christmas gift.

 

[missypie]

Did she accept the Christmas present? WOW....what kind of JW is she? I know one, and she would never accept a Christmas gift.

Yes, she did accept the Christmas present. She and her husband are planning a trip to Italy next summer, so I gave her some nice travel books, maps, etc. Maybe if I would have gotten her something Christmas "themed" she would have declined it. I guess if it was me who was the JW, I would have made a reference to my church in casual conversation, to give me a clue that she didn't celebrate holidays.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

Maybe to her she didn't see the books and other travel related stuff as Christmas gifts and instead thought you were just giving them to her because of the trip.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Did she accept the Christmas present? WOW....what kind of JW is she? I know one, and she would never accept a Christmas gift.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Sorry to hear that your secretary has joined a cult.

At least she accepted the Christmas gift; there is some hope.

 

[txgirl]

Did she accept the Christmas present? WOW....what kind of JW is she? I know one, and she would never accept a Christmas gift.

DH has a co-worker who is JW and he refuses any and all gifts given to him at Christmas. Interesting that she didn't return them to you.

 

[Honu]

My assistant is JW. I gave her a gift, as usual. She accepted, as usual. I have a Jewish assistant as well. She also accepted her red & green wrapped gift. Maybe it makes difference that the one giving the gifts, me, is an atheist. Joe, I'm ever hopeful there is hope for you too, because there is too much hate and intolerance in this world. Happy Holidays.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

My assistant is JW. I gave her a gift, as usual. She accepted, as usual. I have a Jewish assistant as well. She also accepted her red & green wrapped gift. Maybe it makes difference that the one giving the gifts, me, is an atheist. Joe, I'm ever hopeful there is hope for you too, because there is too much hate and intolerance in this world. Happy Holidays.

I am so sad for anyone who believes the Gospel distortion of the JW "faith" and falls into their cult. Not a matter of hate and intolerance.

 

[txgirl]

Cult - A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader (as defined by dictionary.com)

The word cult is often received with such hostility, but the JW religion certainly seems extremist and they do live an unconventional lifestyle and their leadership is through the Watchtower Organization which is extremely authoritarian. Heavy research into this religion would cause anyone to have great concern, but you will be challenged in getting to the root of their true beliefs because they are well hidden from those who are not completely *committed*.

 

[Honu]

I am so sad for anyone who believes the Gospel distortion of the JW "faith" and falls into their cult. Not a matter of hate and intolerance.

It's wonderful that you've found such fulfillment in your faith, but other people feel the same way about their chosen paths and faiths.

Should they feel sad for you because you don't believe what they do?

We should all respect each others right to find our own way and live the way we choose.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

It's wonderful that you've found such fulfillment in your faith, but other people feel the same way about their chosen paths and faiths.

Should they feel sad for you because you don't believe what they do?

We should all respect each others right to find our own way and live the way we choose.

I respect people's right to choose their way.

However, some do not choose wisely -- and I feel sadness for them (not all paths or ways are equal).

 

[PixieDust32]

I followed the thread about Jehovah's Witnesses a month or so ago, just becasue I was interested. I feel so silly that I never put it together that my secretary is a JW. She is Hispanic and I wrongfully assumed that she was Catholic (a steroetype, I know). I do remember, however, that she talked about her mom making tamales for Christmas...maybe her mom isn't JW. She also took the Friday before Christmas off...I assumed to make the holdiay weekend longer.

It explains so much...she always eats by herself...I guess that's the not mixing with non-JWs. I thought she was just extremely shy. She skipped the Thanksgiving pot-luck here at work and took a half day off on the day of the Christmas luncheon. Again, I just thought she was shy. Duh...I could have saved a lot of money on that very nice Christmas present I bought her.

I know that folks' religions are not technically relevant in the work force, but it would have helped me understand her better had I known. At least her birthday hasn't come around yet, so I won't embarrass myself or her by offering to take her to lunch.

I have JW's friends and there is nothing wrong with "mixing" or hang out other people, they go to picnics like company picnics, they go on vacation, they just don't celebrate birthdays, Christmas o any other "pagan" holiday to them.
Baby shower, house warming, stuff like that is ok.

I respect JW's as well as any other Religion.

 

[missypie]

I have JW's friends and there is nothing wrong with "mixing" or hang out other people, they go to picnics like company picnics, they go on vacation, they just don't celebrate birthdays, Christmas o any other "pagan" holiday to them.
Baby shower, house warming, stuff like that is ok.

I respect JW's as well as any other Religion.

Here is what I read online about "mixing":

Have No Dealings With Apostates
Watchtower 3/15/1986, pages 12-14
"Do Not Be Quickly Shaken From Your Reason'

Have No Dealings With Apostates..."When a fellow human tells us, 'Do not read this' or, 'Do not listen to that,' we may be tempted to ignore his advice. But remember, in this case Jehovah is the One who tells us in his Word what to do. And what does he say about apostates? "Avoid them" (Romans 16:17, 18); "quit mixing in company with" them (1 Corinthians 5:11); and "never receive [them] into your homes or say a greeting to [them]" (2 John 9, 10). These are emphatic words, clear directions. (Watchtower 3/15/1986, page 13)

As with any religion, I'm sure some folks adhere to the "rules" more strictly than others.

 

[bananiem]

I was at a school/parent meeting once when a student came in to ask his Mom if he oculd do the assignment they were doing in class. It was a poem for Mom's for Mother's Day. She said "No, not if you are going to give it to me for Mother's Day, but if you want to just write a poem for me I would LOVE that."
I tend to agree with the poster who said she may have thought it was just a gift of travel books, not necessarily a holiday gift.
She may also be afraid to NOT accept a gift in case it would jeopardize her job.

 

[missypie]

I tend to agree with the poster who said she may have thought it was just a gift of travel books, not necessarily a holiday gift.
She may also be afraid to NOT accept a gift in case it would jeopardize her job.

I think she's just interpreting the "rules" in her own way. The person who told me she was a JW said that when two of her former bosses tried to take her to lunch for her birthday, she declined, but said that she would accept a gift certificate to a restaurant!

 

[LauraR]

I think she's just interpreting the "rules" in her own way. The person who told me she was a JW said that when two of her former bosses tried to take her to lunch for her birthday, she declined, but said that she would accept a gift certificate to a restaurant!

I don't get it. Why would celebrating a birthday be considered "pagan" but as others have mentioned, having a baby shower would be O.K? I don't really see how a birthday is religiously oriented.

 

[MNmom2]

DH has a co-worker who is JW and he refuses any and all gifts given to him at Christmas. Interesting that she didn't return them to you.

ITA! I have a JW friend and she wouldn't consider accepting a Christmas gift, but sometimes they try to put a 'spin' on it to make it acceptable rather than miss out. She would take days off at Thanksgiving and have turkey with her family, but they'd say they weren't celebrating Thansgiving - just hanging out with family and having turkey. Her dd cannot accept birthday treats at school no matter what though. If the candy is associated with someone's bday she has to decline - no acceptions. But, if a child just brings a treat on a 'random' day she can have it.

 

[MNmom2]

I think she's just interpreting the "rules" in her own way. The person who told me she was a JW said that when two of her former bosses tried to take her to lunch for her birthday, she declined, but said that she would accept a gift certificate to a restaurant!

ITA!! My friend will try to put a spin on it so she doesn't miss out on something free.

Another odd thing - JW do not vote and cannot hold an elected position. However, my friend is treasurer of our PTO - she weasled it so no one voted, but she was 'given' the position or just took it over for another friend who was moving. Seems hypocritical and like the rules are sometimes bent to her advantage. jmo

I'd love to talk with another JW to get some of this stuf clarified. Another is - they don't believe in our government, won't honor the flag, won't vote for anything, BUT they'll take advantage of food stamps, free health insurance, etc. Hello - who is providing/making those things possible??

 

[declansdad]

Cult - A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader (as defined by dictionary.com)

The word cult is often received with such hostility, but the JW religion certainly seems extremist and they do live an unconventional lifestyle and their leadership is through the Watchtower Organization which is extremely authoritarian. Heavy research into this religion would cause anyone to have great concern, but you will be challenged in getting to the root of their true beliefs because they are well hidden from those who are not completely *committed*.

Just curious, but how is any religion's leadership any more or less authoritarian than others? For example, the Catholic Church is headed by the Pope and the Church of England is headed by the Arch Bishop of Canterbury. Both of the positions are usually authoritarian.