Can a Catholic go to a Jehovah's Witnesses church?

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses regard any religion that is different from the ideas that they have adopted from the Bible as the work of Satan. They do not accept Christ as Lord, but as the Son of God, and believe that the Trinity is also a pagan idea and the work of the devil. Whether or not they 'like' Catholics (or any Christian denomination) I do not know, although in my experience in dealing with JWs they tend to confuse what they see as a 'sin' with the 'sinner', contrary to what Jesus taught. In other words, occasionally they have judged me as a person rather than the orthodox Christian beliefs that I hold. What is certain. however, is that they do not 'like' (in fact they regard as evil) the Trinitarian beliefs that the orthodox church (of all denominations) holds and has held since Christianity was founded.

ANSWER FROM ONE OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSESThe question asked was regarding the feelings of Jehovah's witnesses. It seems logical then that only one of Jehovah's Witnesses can rightly express how they FEEL about someone or something. Logically one witness cannot express the feeling of all witnesses, but as one of Jehovah's Witnesses I can express how I personally feel about Catholics.

Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that all humans have value and worth in the eyes of God. Indeed, since the Bible says that God has given his precious son in ransom for mankind, all humanity takes on added value. We are taught therefore, not only to treat all people with respect but to actually show love for all humans. That is why, for example, during World War Two, when individuals of the SAME religion were willing to go to war and kill their FELLOW BELIEVERS from other countries, Jehovah's Witnesses refused to do so, many even sacrificing their own lives rather than killing Catholics (or protestants or Muslims or Jews, etc., etc., etc.).

While it is true, Jehovah's Witnesses do not agree with many of the TEACHINGS of the Catholic church, Jehovah's Witness are taught to view the INDIVIDUALS therein with love (as does the Creator and his son), and treat them accordingly. So, to answer the question: 'How do I feel about Catholic's?' - I feel the same way as Christ did about all people; that they are my "neighbours," (see Luke 10) and I treat them as such, trying to show love and kindness at all times and being ready to help my Catholic friends, family and neighbours in any way I can, be that physically, emotionally, or spiritually. See also Acts 10:34,35, which shows that a true Christian should be impartial.

FURTHER FROM ANOTHER JWJesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves. (Luke 10:27) Jesus even said at Luke 6:27, 28 "...Continue to love your enemies, to do good to those hating you, to bless those cursing you, to pray for those who are insulting you."

While our Catholic neighbors are certainly not our "enemies" as we see it, it shows how far reaching this love needs to be. While Catholics and protestant religions were deeply involved in severely persecuting and even killing Jehovah's Witnesses in Nazi Germany, and now are involved in severe persecution of JW's in many of the Baltic states in Europe and other places, we are taught that each and every person in the world, including these very ones who are persecuting us, are potential disciples and need to hear the good news of the Kingdom with Jesus Christ as king. So we continue to preach to these ones without letup.

In storm ravaged areas of the world, when JW relief workers go in to repair homes and property, they do not hold back from helping others regardless of religion. See John 13:34,35 and Galatians 6:9,10.

A recent experience that I had heard about was a man in Galveston, Texas, USA, after the recent hurricane, who saw the roof of his Jehovah's Witness neighbor's home being repaired by a team of workers, asked how much it would cost to have his own damaged roof covered as well. One of the workers explained they were all volunteer workers from the local congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses repairing the homes of their fellow witnesses, but they would be very happy to repair this man's home as well - free of charge. The man explained that he was a Catholic, and no one from his church had come to help him at all. The man's roof was taken care of that day, and without any charge for materials or labor.

We love our neighbors, whether they are Catholic, Baptist, or whatever. We demonstrate that love in practical ways, and the most practical way we feel that we can help is by the Kingdom preaching work that Jesus commanded his followers to do. (Matthew 24:14; Matthew 28:19,20)

Answer 2

Jehovah's Witnesses welcome people of all faith and have no problem with Catholics attending their meetings (church). Last year over 10 million non-witnesses attended the Jehovah's Witnesses annual memorial service of Christ's death and their public talk (given in most countries on the weekends) often address topics of interest to people that do not share their faith.

Catholic leaders would probably discourage the objective observation of a JWs service depending on their individual stand on the matter. Whereas Witness leaders absolutely discourage the objective observation of any other religious service on the grounds that interfaith of any sort is a sharing in the works of Satan.

Catholic View:

A Catholic could attend such a service but not as a participant. Also, it could not take the place of a Catholic's obligation to assist at Mass on Sundays.