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Question
QUESTION: i am planning to marry a jw girl soon and my question is are the family allowed to come to the reception if we marry in the church?
ANSWER: Hi Jonas,
Technically, yes, a Jehovah's Witness can choose to attend a wedding reception, even if it is at a church. However, many, maybe most, Jehovah's Witnesses will choose not to attend on a church grounds. If the reception is held away from the church it will be more likely that the JW family will feel free to attend.
Congratulations and best wishes!
RJ
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Mr Robert Jones, yeah the reception is away from church and yet her family may not attend. And how do i convince my girlfriend to convince her family to attend, are they going to be disciplined for attending?
Hi Jonas,
That her family may not attend is not about you and your soon-to-be bride. The parents are likely displeased that their daughter is marrying "outside the truth" as it is said. They don't like it one bit. It's not you. They feel that they have to take a stand and to show that they are faithful and not in support of marrying "worldly people."
Aside from all that, if you have a nice relationship with the parents, you might ask them personally, politely, and let them know how much it would mean to you both if they would attend. Maybe if only for pictures for a few minutes. I am sure that they are torn at some level about all this. A kind move on your part might break the ice. I do not think that they would be disciplined for attending. Attending would be viewed by other JWs as somewhat "worldly" but they wouldn't be in any trouble for it.
RJ
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Answers by Expert:
Robert Jones
Expertise
I survived 1975. I hope to explain, not defend, the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses. I intend to answer questions accurately as believed by Jehovah's Witnesses. Not interested in debates. I have no interest in persuading someone or convincing someone about my personal beliefs.
Was one of Jehovah's Witnesses for 32 years, from 1968 to 2000. Was an elder the last 13 years, WT Study Conductor, Congregation Secretary, Book Study Conductor, and occasional Pioneer. Never "irregular" or "inactive" as the labels go. I have not been reproved or disfellowshipped. I no longer attend meetings or practice the religion.
Experience
From 1968 to 1999 I embraced and promoted everything coming from the "Faithful and Discreet Slave." I accepted changes as "new light" coming from Jehovah through his visible organization.
I believe in universal truths such as kindness, humility, charity, and love. I do not believe that God selected any one people (the Jews for example) to receive a special message or blessing. I do not believe that there are ancient writings that need to be accepted and other ancient writings that need to be rejected. Neither do I believe that one religion has it all right while other religions are therefore wrong. I believe it is a delusion for one group of humans to claim that "God chose us and therefore God did not choose you." I consider spirituality to be a very personal effort that each person must discover for themselves.
Education/Credentials
Degree in Computer Programming. Not applicable here.
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