Hi all,
New here. Looks like a good place to get info and share ideas.
O.k. my first question:
I am a Christian. Never been a JW but interested in trying to better understand these people and reach them. Have spent a lot of time researching the religion (since early 90's), spoke to lots of witnesses, read/have a lot of literature, etc. But have never been to one of their memorials.
As the memorial is coming up next week I intend on going and have even made contact with some Witnesses in a Hall where they don't know me. My primary reason for going is to just observe really but if an opportunity for debate arises later that may be a possibility.
Problems for me -
1. As a Christian I think that the way the emblems are passed by everyone amounts to systematic rejection of Christ's work. I do not want to sit there and have to pass bread and wine to the person next to me. I think that this is blasphemous really seeing as Christ died for all and Corinthians says DO THIS in rememberance of me.
In fact, I have heard that in the early years of the church there were heretical/gnostic type groups that conciousely blasphemed Christ by refusing the bread and wine. Have been unable to document this from a source though so if anyone can reference such a thing it would be a help.
2. So, should a Christian partake at such an event? Even if I did I would feel that, on the other hand, it is being party to something that is not right on the whole.
I spoke to a JW i know over the phone today briefly about these concerns and asked if i could sort of step out at the moment the bread and wine is passed around and he said it would be ok. Not sure how practical that will be though.
Anyway, any suggestions appreciated.