JW-how would you handle you children going to a church with their "other" parent?

Well my dear, an unbaptised publisher says it all. They will KNOW the difference. He is still the HEAD. So if they are told to go, they must. But they don't have to listen. Or if they do listen, they could look up the scripture in the Bible, then really tear it apart when they get home with the TRUTH. They KNOW the truth if are unbaptised publishers, they will know the lie when they hear it. Only the TRUTH RINGS CLEAR, right! So just pray together, have them pray before they go in to the Church "together" w/out Dad. And then call you when they come out and do a little "report" like, on what wasn't told right! Make it FUN to show up the preacher WRONG. See how you can turn it around so easily :) On the otherhand, if they are strong enough, they can just stand up to him on their own and just say NO, we don't want to go. But I think the other way is much more easier for all. You should also do research on the CD ROM. This will bring you much help. Don't you have one? If not GET ONE ASAP. Best Wishes and Fishes == AussieDiver

I'm not a witness, but I do study with them; I would say, you really have to let your children make the decision and CALM down. I don't think one Sunday or two will harm any child spiritually. Just hope and pray that you've instilled in them your certain beliefs and they will continue to apply them to their own lives. Also, the greatest gift Jehovah gave us was the freedom to choose. And it is anyone else's right to believe in something different than you, and you and your husband need to accept that. At least they are taking them to a church instead of an R-rated movie or let them play violent games on the computer. Make sure to talk to your children as well when they get home about the things they were taught about in the other church on Sunday and how that differs from what the Bible teaches. You could actually use this to your favor, if you work it right.

Prayer, and a nice conversation when they return as to what they learned. There is a time and place for fun, but learning the truth about Jehovah is a different setting. If they are old enough to understand then mabe you can also reason that with them. Compare what we do at the Kingdom Hall with what they may have done at the church. Mabe the ex JW will wake up and see the children's lives are at risk and go back to where they really belong. Not a good situation at all.

You'd do more harm than good if you tried to prevent them from going, I think.

Ask them what they learnt, and if necessary show them what the Bible says about it, without directly saying "They told you a lie". That way the child will learn to check things in the Bible before believing them.

Of course the candies and games will play a part, but you can step up your own love and care for the child.

Do not give them any leverage to say "Your Mommy won't let you have this or that because of her religion"

And keep on praying to Jehovah. Children have been taken away to camps and foster families before but came out fine.

EDIT: It reminds Vot of the time when Vot was studying the Bible. Two little girls of about 8-9 years old were sitting by the road chatting. As I passed them, I overheard one say;

"Ha! They showed our Church on TV yesterday, they don't even show your church on TV!"

(Vot knew that that "Church" was Catholic, Mom had been watching the program too)

The other girl said;

"Yeah- they show you on TV but you still don't teach what the Bible says like we do at the Kingdom Hall!"

Vot couldn't help smiling....

I can sympathize with you.

The sad fact is, other religions offer nothing but candy, cake and games....why do think they offer such bribes instead of a Bible study and a lengthy examination of their churches teachings to see if it is Bible or pagan, etc.

Children are told NOT to take candy and such (or follow puppies, etc) when strangers come up to them....yet many people are willing to hand their kids over to these strangers if they are religious or Sunday School teachers.

Just encourage them and help them to see the difference. That is all you can do.

Believe me, they won't hear much. I never did in church...in fact, you don't even hear much in seminary schools....many do not even cover the trinity doctrine...just Bible stories and such that there is likely to be little to disagree with.

Churches tend to want their message to be palatable to all who come in so even sexual immorality and hellfire are not preached anymore in most. Marketing is the slant, hence the prizes.

Debbie

Aussiediver had a good response. This is a small thing compared to our German young being taken off to Nazi youth camps and see how they did there. How faithfully they stood. Go for it and prepare them!

Difficult situation to be in.

All i can say is be ready to help the children with loving explanations form your bible.

Ask them what they learned and lovingly show them how it is wrong with simple explanations remember children can be very perceptive even at a young age.

What ever you do , do not run down the other parent or their beliefs but encourage them to love their other parent but question what they are taught.

Show them what God teaches & let them work it out for themselves.

I don't know if this is good advice but it is what i would do if i had the same chalegen

What will happen to your " Children " if they go to a Church ?

No, criticism. Just a Question.

Well, how come nonbelievers are always welcome to come see what goes on at the KH but it's NOT okay for THEM to see what goes on at other churches ....ultimately it is their decision as to what religion they chose as adults? Scared for your babies?....I'm scared for them too sweetheart!!!!! I speak from experience...talk to them 15 years from now!

calm down lady, your brainwashing your kids and hurting them by saying the other church is rong