that one isn't dealing with Christians when dealing with the WTBTS but you're still dealing with people, very devoted and sincere.

That reminds me of the Mormon controversy in the Protestant blogisphere of a few years ago.

My purpose in posting this wasn't to debate theology. (Heaven knows I do enough of that and quite openly on my blog). My purpose was to show a coming together and a pleasantness DESPITE our differences.

I'm not going to complain about Candy Brauer's mistreatment of Catholics and then turn around and do that to another group. If they want to call themselves Christians that's their right to self-identify that way. Doesn't mean I won't debate them, but I think everyone has the right to self-identify as they wish, even erroneously.
Elena | Homepage | 06.12.07 - 5:37 pm | #

I'm not suggesting anything, just correcting your comment about being bound as Christians and Sisters. I thought you'd be interested in knowing what the Church taught about it. Having been involved with the WTBTS for several years I was taken back by the Church's stance on wether they were even Christian, which they're not. I eventually left my study with them to become Catholic 4 years ago. If they come by my place we still offer to let them come inside from the heat of the day and offer them a drink. But having felt the bitterness of what it must be like to be disfellowshipped I do think it's important to note that one isn't dealing with Christians when dealing with the WTBTS but you're still dealing with people, very devoted and sincere.
nicollette | Homepage | 06.12.07 - 4:42 pm | #

Um, so Nicollete are you suggesting that I should have focused on our differences, challenged her toe-to-toe instead of just visiting with her?
Elena | Homepage | 06.12.07 - 3:41 pm | #

Unfortunatley Jehovah's Witnesses aren't Christians, they aren't validly baptized. The Church declared their baptism invalid along with the LDS baptisms. If you don't believe in the Trinity you can't be validly baptized. Here's a snipet taken from an article by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe:
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES:
An affirmative decision was granted in such a case because of lack of proper form and intention
on the part of the ministers. It appears that the Jehovah's Witnesses are fundamentalists,
Unitarians. The Divinity of Christ is explicitly denied, as is the existence of the Holy Spirit as a
person. In the ceremony of baptism there is a discourse. It is really a symbol of dedication
rather than baptism. The person enters the water, but his name is not called out. No words or formula are pronounced while the person is submerged or immersed in the water. If matter and form are valid, the intention of the minister is to baptize the person into the Jehovah's Witness sect, thereby not intending that the person be baptized in the name of the triune God. This is evident since the Divinity of Christ and the personality of the Holy Spirit are denied. These latter refer simply to a power exerted by Jehoveh, who alone is God. Invalid.
http://www.archdiocesesantafe.or...on/ Baptisms.pdf
nicollette | Homepage | 06.12.07 - 11:49 am | #

"They'll be back" Said in my best Arnie voice.
I will gladly admit that when I was very lonely in my small apartment with my newborn- the JW were the only ones to visit. They gladly sat with me for an hour or so- talking the Word. I knew that they knew that there was no conversion at that house- but there was God.
Anonymous | 06.12.07 - 11:18 am | #

WONDERFUL post my friend. If only all folks from different walks of life would realise what you said "That bound us as Christians and sisters." Amen & amen!
Kayla | Homepage | 06.11.07 - 10:47 pm | #