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

[Disney1fan2002]

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.

Yes, that is fine. But, my friend's sister COULD NOT go to his wedding because he got married in a Catholic Church. She is not allowed to step foot in another Church???? I wonder if she would be able to go to funeral's. I think I will ask him.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

And you wonder why she didn't tell you she was a Jehovah's Witness? Unless I am specifically asked in the workplace, I don't go around saying what I am or what I believe. It's not really anyone's business.

 

[caitycaity]

And you wonder why she didn't tell you she was a Jehovah's Witness? Unless I am specifically asked in the workplace, I don't go around saying what I am or what I believe. It's not really anyone's business.

i was going to say the same thing. i NEVER discuss religion in the workplace. i know there are some that i work for that would discriminate against me. yes, religion is supposedly protected, but do you know how hard it is to prove that someone's attitude has changed towards you because they found out your religious preferences?

having non-mainstream religious believes can be very difficult in the workplace (speaking from personal experience). it's nice to say that people should follow their beliefs to a tee and not compromise, but people often have to be practical. having a job is more important to me than being true to my beliefs. there have been times when i told white lies or did things i was uncomfortable with in the workplace rather than face religious discrimination. if people think that makes me a sell-out, so be it.

i don't blame her at all. i can really empathize.

 

[txgirl]

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.

I would think the criteria to meet the definition would have to be all or most of the ones listed (authoritarian leadership, false teachings, living in an unconventional manner)

I would agree that the Catholic Church has authoritarian leadership, but I don't think that in itself would meet the definition.

 

[CathrynRose]

And you wonder why she didn't tell you she was a Jehovah's Witness? Unless I am specifically asked in the workplace, I don't go around saying what I am or what I believe. It's not really anyone's business.

No, but every company I have worked for there has been a Jehovah's Witness there, and all of them made it very clear from day 1 - they did not want their name on the "birthday list" not would they partake in any holiday festivities.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

No, but every company I have worked for there has been a Jehovah's Witness there, and all of them made it very clear from day 1 - they did not want their name on the "birthday list" not would they partake in any holiday festivities.

Not every company has a birthday list. And some people don't feel the need to explain why they don't participate in certain things. And really it is nobody's business.

 

[missypie]

And you wonder why she didn't tell you she was a Jehovah's Witness? Unless I am specifically asked in the workplace, I don't go around saying what I am or what I believe. It's not really anyone's business.

We do a lot of things in the office to try to make things more "fun" and collegial, and many of them involve parties and get togethers of some sort, so that folks will get to know each other, socialize, etc. We have monthly birthday celebrations, a pot-luck the Thursday before Thanksgiving, a swanky staff appreciation (Christmas) luncheon in December, etc. etc. We have a beautiful, newly remodeled employee break room with a big flat screen TV to encourage folks to eat together. It seems like it would be a lot easier to casually let people know you're JW than having to make excuses to not attend things, take a half day off the day of the big luncheon, etc.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

We do a lot of things in the office to try to make things more "fun" and collegial, and many of them involve parties and get togethers of some sort, so that folks will get to know each other, socialize, etc. We have monthly birthday celebrations, a pot-luck the Thursday before Thanksgiving, a swanky staff appreciation (Christmas) luncheon in December, etc. etc. We have a beautiful, newly remodeled employee break room with a big flat screen TV to encourage folks to eat together. It seems like it would be a lot easier to casually let people know you're JW than having to make excuses to not attend things, take a half day off the day of the big luncheon, etc.

Really, missypie? Read some of the posts on this thread about JW's being a cult. Perhaps that is why she keeps her beliefs to herself. I can't blame her.

 

[txgirl]

I think it's important to understand why being a Jehovah's Witness might be a concern for some people. We have close friends who are active with JW and were in a serious car accident about 3 years ago (Valentine's Day-their anniversary)

They were out for a date to celebrate (they are allowed to celebrate marriage and the birth of a baby because these are mentioned in the bible). The accident was serious so both were rushed to the hospital. Her injuries were worse than his and she died. She left behind a 7 year old son and a 10 year daughter. Because of the JW teachings the blood she needed was refused and she bled to death.

This is one of the teachings that is both sad and dangerous. To say that it's none of someone's business is fine when what you believe is not quite so extreme. This religion is different than most people understand and has far reaching consequences for those involved.

 

[missypie]

Really, missypie? Read some of the posts on this thread about JW's being a cult. Perhaps that is why she keeps her beliefs to herself. I can't blame her.

What's funny is that everyone's sterotype of a JW is of the person who knocks on your door and won't leave you alone until he or she tells you all about their faith. (Remember the SNL "Land Shark" skit?) Because of that stereotype, I find it interesting that I've been in daily contact with a JW and NOT known...guess she doesn't care if I'm one of the 144,000 or not...

I wonder if JW's really ARE subject to more discrimination than other "minority" religions in the "outside world." My DD is friends with a Mormon girl, and she certainly doesn't hide it. Although I live down here in the Bible belt, there are plenty of Jewish people at the law firm, and they don't hide it. There probably is a reason she's quiet about it, but I don't know if it's fear of disicrimination, or if it really is a cult.

 

[declansdad]

I would think the criteria to meet the definition would have to be all or most of the ones listed (authoritarian leadership, false teachings, living in an unconventional manner)

I would agree that the Catholic Church has authoritarian leadership, but I don't think that in itself would meet the definition.

I agree that you would have to meet at least most of the criteria listed in the definition. The problem I have is that the definition is written from a christian point of view. People who believe in a faith that is considered non-christian (Judiasm for example) could make the same argument that other faiths live an unconventional lifestyle.

 

[txgirl]

I agree that you would have to meet at least most of the criteria listed in the definition. The problem I have is that the definition is written from a christian point of view. People who believe in a faith that is considered non-christian (Judiasm for example) could make the same argument that other faiths live an unconventional lifestyle.

Read my post about our friends.

I guess I would say that the refusal of blood when medically necessary would seem unconventional by the majority whether they be people of faith or not.

 

[missypie]

What is also interesting is her taking extra time off around holidays (we got the 26th off for the Christmas holiday since Christmas was on a Sunday; she took Friday the 23rd off, too, to make it a 4 day weekend.) She has also taken extra time off around other holidays.

In contrast, the Jewish folks in the firm have always made it clear that if there is an emergency and someone needs to work over Christmas, they are available. I don't know if anyone has ever taken them up on this, but it's a nice gesture.

One of my partners was desparate for secretarial assistance over Christmas weekend. It sure would have been nice if she had stepped up to the plate (would have made double overtime $$$, too!)

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Read my post about our friends.

I guess I would say that the refusal of blood when medically necessary would seem unconventional by the majority whether they be people of faith or not.

That is your friends' choice. I am sure they realize the consequences. I am sorry for the pain you have been through. But what does it have to do with revealing one's beliefs in the workplace?

 

[Miss Jasmine]

What is also interesting is her taking extra time off around holidays (we got the 26th off for the Christmas holiday since Christmas was on a Sunday; she took Friday the 23rd off, too, to make it a 4 day weekend.) She has also taken extra time off around other holidays.

In contrast, the Jewish folks in the firm have always made it clear that if there is an emergency and someone needs to work over Christmas, they are available. I don't know if anyone has ever taken them up on this, but it's a nice gesture.

One of my partners was desparate for secretarial assistance over Christmas weekend. It sure would have been nice if she had stepped up to the plate (would have made double overtime $$$, too!)

Why should she have to step up to the plate just because she has different beliefs? That is like saying because someone doesn't have kids they should work.

 

[txgirl]

That is your friends' choice. I am sure they realize the consequences. I am sorry for the pain you have been through. But what does it have to do with revealing one's beliefs in the workplace?

I suppose it doesn't have anything to do with the revealing of one's beliefs. I know that our friend never makes his faith known at work as he and DH work closely together and DH often tells others in the office around the holidays so they won't make a big stink over it (they are all men and not too informed about anything besides the game the day before ) so they might offend our friend. He and DH have had lots of conversations about it and we love them so there is no hate or judgement, only concern.

I was really just trying to relate the concern for this group of people and why it is perceived so negatively and with such confusion.

 

[txgirl]

That is like saying because someone doesn't have kids they should work.

Hey Miss Jasmine, now that's another thread! It didn't go over too well either.

 

[declansdad]

Read my post about our friends.

I guess I would say that the refusal of blood when medically necessary would seem unconventional by the majority whether they be people of faith or not.

I am not saying that I disagree with you. I have a hard time believing that someone would refuse medical treatment as well. I don't believe that we would have medical treament if someone or something didn't want us to have it.

What I am trying to say is that to the JW, our belief in allowing a blood transfusion may seem unconventional and not sanctioned by God. Most religions have interpreted the Bible in different ways. That is why we have so many different faiths.

Just because one group is different and tries to follow a strict set of beliefs doesn't make them a cult.

 

[laura001]

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.

I don't know much about JW at all but have had two separate occasions of being with a JW.
One was when I was in University and I shared a ride(I drove) and a couple of classes with a devout JW, she was fine and there was not a problem with her mixing with me, we went out on a few occasions and ate together on a regular basis.

My son is in high school and one of his best friends is JW (again very devout, he is even doing the year away when finished high school), this boy has many friends that are not JW and spends plenty of time with all of us. He is in the band at school, as is his younger brother, and even at Christmas they take part in the band as they travel from school to school with their Christmas program.

 

[txgirl]

Just because one group is different and tries to follow a strict set of beliefs doesn't make them a cult.

I agree. I got the definition from dictionary.com and found it compelling. What does make a group of religious believers a cult?