Why can't JW people attend Catholic funerals?

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses can attend Catholic funeral if they chose. Many will either chose not to attend or may attend without participating in the actual ceremony.

Many will view the ceremony as objectionable due to the teachings and customs sometimes attachted to such event.

The Governing Body have seen fit to address this topic.

Watchtower 2002 15th May Questions from Readers, Would it be advisable for a true Christian to attend a funeral or a wedding in a church?

'Our taking part in any form of false religion is displeasing to Jehovah and must be avoided. A church funeral is a religious service.... How unwise to expose oneself to such pressure!'

Each individual Jehovah's Witness when deciding for themselves would 'respond to the directions of the slave as we would to the voice of God' (W57 15th June p370).

Answer 2

Our Governing Body have seen fit to address this topic.Watchtower 2002 15th May Questions from Readers Would it be advisable for a true Christian to attend a funeral or a wedding in a church?

'Our taking part in any form of false religion is displeasing to Jehovah and must be avoided. A church funeral is a religious service.... How unwise to expose oneself to such pressure!'

Each individual Jehovah's Witness when deciding for themselves would 'respond to the directions of the slave as we would to the voice of God' (W57 15th June p370).

Note how the Society ask could a TRUE Christian attend.

The same article as mentioned above concludes with the following paragraph:"If the occasion involves a close fleshly relative, there may be additional family pressures. In any case, a Christian must carefully weigh all the factors involved. Under certain circumstances he or she may conclude that no difficulties would arise from attending a church funeral or wedding as an observer(bold italics mine). However, the circumstances may be such that by attending, the likely injury to one's own conscience or to that of others would outweigh the possible benefits of being present. Whatever the situation, the Christian should make sure that the decision will not interfere with his preserving a good conscience before God and men."

Answer 3

It depends on where the funeral is held for some of us. Some of us don't mind going into churches, mosques and synagogues, while some of us wouldn't set foot in any of those. It's a conscience decision for each and every one of us if we want to go to a funeral of someone who isn't a Witness.

Answer 4

Generally speaking, Jehovah's Witnesses do not participate in religious services that they view as unscriptural. For this reason, some witnesses may well chose not to go to a funeral in this type of church.

This would entirely be a matter of personal choice since the Jehovah's Witness faith does not dictate that a Witness cannot attend a funeral of a non-Witness should he or she choose to do so.

Answer 5

A true, baptized Witness will not attend a Catholic Funeral. Nor do they wear black to funerals, as it is a worldly thing to do.

Answer 6

Why cannot my sister attend our brothers funeral . I attended her sons wedding in the Kingdom hall?