Posts by ebby

20

friend of mine with dilemma

by burnthepig in

jw
friends

a good friend of mine has a coworker who is a witness.

they have a good working relationship and are somewhat of friends, at least in that arena.

today at work this woman told my friend that she had something important to discuss, that could not be talked about at work.

Just to clear things up, the JW who has asked me to meet with her is not my supervisor. I have been to lunch with my supervisor (who is also a JW) many times, and we have had many pleasant conversations about superficial things, always skirting issues such as politics and religion. I don't think he would have made it to the level of district supervisor in a state agency if he had made a habit of witnessing to coworkers. The JW that I am referring to is in a different department than me, but her office is close to mine, and we see each other frequently at work.

Should I tell her that I am close friends with a former JW?

I see your point, by the way, about avoiding a religious debate concerning Lutheranism. I don't know my bible well enough, in all honesty, to be able to point out rebuttals.

20

friend of mine with dilemma

by burnthepig in

jw
friends

a good friend of mine has a coworker who is a witness.

they have a good working relationship and are somewhat of friends, at least in that arena.

today at work this woman told my friend that she had something important to discuss, that could not be talked about at work.

ebby

Hi everyone...it's me, the friend with the dilemma. I appreciate all of your advice and comments.

Not only is this coworker of mine a JW, but one of my supervisors is as well! They are everywhere I turn, lol...(In his defense, however, he has never said a word to me about his faith, other than short answers such as "I don't vote for religious reasons".)

I think that the suggestion of asking whether this meeting is intended to discuss religion is a good one. I am a Lutheran, and my ex-husband (with whom I maintain a good friendship) is in the Lutheran seminary, so I am quite familiar with Lutheran theology and am very comfortable in my own faith, although I don't really attend church regularly. If she makes any attempts to witness to me, I could turn the tables on her and begin telling her how wonderful the Lutheran faith is. I am told that most JW's close up shop quickly when someone starts trying to sell religion on them...they apparently can dish it out but can't take it.

Someone else recommended that I just explain that I respect her religious views and ask that she show me the same respect in turn. Any ideas on whether that might work?

Again, I appreciate all of your responses!