Can a relationship between a Jehovah's Witness and a Baptist work?

Answer 1

• Yes ! If only they will follow Jesus' first and greatest commandment "Love thy neighbor as thyself" and do away with their blind-allegiance to their denomination. Matthew 22:38 This is the first and great commandment. 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

• The Bible says to "Marry only in the Lord". Jehovah's Witnesses marry only in their faith.

• Yes, but always trust in God

• The relationship will shatter into a million pieces. unless the Witness decides that it can work out, and keep it together. We are commanded to marry only in the Lord, hence, most Witnesses do well to marry Witnesses only.

• No. Jehovah Witness people do not believe that Jesus saves (this is comletely false, and not based on any facts and contradicts with the next sentence), or that He is God. They see Jesus as God's son and the saviour. They may claim that they are Christians but they are not since they do not believe in the Trinity ("Christian": Professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.The American Heritage® Dictionary). You have to believe in Christ as God in order to call yourself a Christian (notice the 'Christ' in 'Christian') (unsubstantiated opinion not based on the Bible).Your relationship will fail if you are a truly devoted Christian, because the difference in belief is so huge. Obey the Lord and only date Christians. You will help each other grow better spiritually,and its pleasing to God most importantly.

Answer 2

That must depend on the nature of the relationship (friendship? marriage?) and how serious the two are, regarding their faith.

The two belief systems are quite irreconciliable in many aspects, some minor and some very important, regarding:

* the Trinity * Jesus (Son of God, or a 'perfect human' who became a god) * salvation * eternal life (or complete annihilation) * authorised versions of the Bible Naturally, that doesn't rule out contact between people.

FROM A JEHOVAH'S WITNESS The situation will determine the answer. Is this a case where two people are married, and one of them converts from being a Catholic to being one of Jehovah's Witnesses? In that case, the one who is newly converted to JW's will be continually reminded through talks and publications to do their utmost to be a good and kind husband or wife, showing needed respect and consideration for the feelings and needs of their mate at all times. If the new Jehovah's Witness is applying all the counsel that they recieve, then the chances for success in the marriage will be greatly increased. But at no time is success guaranteed. The two will have difficulties beyond the comprehesion of people who have never faced that situation. For a JW, their whole way of life is different, and their views on every religious practice, including holidays, will change. Is this a case where two single people are interested in getting involved with each other and one is a JW and the other a Catholic? First of all, being a Jehovah's Witness is not like being a Catholic. I know many Catholics who don't go to mass, don't go to church, but they still are considered Catholics. With Jehovah's Witnesses on the other hand, simply going to the Kingdom Hall does not make one a JW. Neither does having parents who are JW's make that person a JW. In fact, saying, "I am a Jehovah's Witness" does not make one a JW. In order to BE a JW, a person must be active in the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses and applying the cousel that is given. If a person is actually a Jehovah's Witness, they will not be getting involved with a person of another religion. The Bible says at 2 Corintians 6:14, "Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers." We take that cousel from the Bible very seriously, and we understand that to include situations where we may get involved in relationships with a person of the opposite sex who is of another religion. If this person is truly a Jehovah's Witness, they will not go against this Bible mandate. Truly being one of Jehovah's Witnesses affects the daily life of a person. It is not just a religion, but it is a way of life. It is for good reason that the JW is couseled to not be involved with non-Witnesses in a relationship of this nature. For one thing, the Catholic and the JW will have compleley different religious beliefs that can cause issues for both parties. Jehovah's Witnesses do not engage in interfaith practices, so if someone is a Jehovah's Witness, they will not attend a cathedral, engage in mass, eucharist, or any other Cathlolic practice. Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas, Easter, birthdays, or any other practice that they view as pagan in origin. They do not vote, join the military, go to war, salute the flag, or any other practice that they view as nationaistic, and thus giving honor to another god other than the GOD of heaven. They do not venerate the cross, statues of Mary, possess St. Christopher medialions, or any other practice that they view as idolatry. The Catholic in the relationship will no doubt want the JW to join him or her in celebrations and religious practices that will violate the conscience of the Jehovah's Witness. It will be awkward for both, since on one hand, the Witness will feel uncomfortable trying to explain to the non-Witness why they won't be joining in, and the non-Witness will probably have a very hard time understanding why, and then when the two families get involved, this just adds several layers to the whole problem. I am saying all this from person experience. When I studied and became a JW, my wife at that time was a Baptist. When a Jehovah's Witness, who is trying to do what they believe deep in their hearts is pleasing to GOD, is married to or involved with a non-Witness, this is one of the most difficult issues you can imagine in a relationship on so many levels.

From someone who isn't a JW or a Catholic: Maybe you could both join a Bible class, and explore the differences and similarities. Take this as an opportunity to understand that human knowledge is flawed, and to seriously study what God is saying, not people -- you need to know what other people think, people who agree and those who disagree with your beliefs, to know their arguments and counter-arguments, and what the Bible really says about them. RELATED QUESTION http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_a_man_who_is_a_Jehovah's_Witness_marry_a_Catholic_woman&updated=1&waNoAnsSet=2