Do jehovah witness believe in Jesus figurines and religious pictures in homes?

Answer 1

There are two parts to this answer. In theory, a family may have a religious picture in their homes, and it can even include an image of Jesus. However, that image must not be what can be described as a Pagan depiction, such as Jesus as a white man with light hair and blue eyes.

Additionally, the permission is with the proviso that it is not used for any part of worship or performing service to it, (physical rituals such as bowing, genuflecting, praying or even burning incense, etc).

The matter of the cross is considered part of a Pagan Idol and is not permitted. The actual symbol of the Cross upon which Christ is depicted is historically inaccurate. In reality, later scientific and archaeological historians suggest Christ died upon a single pole, as was the custom then. In the Louvre, in Paris France, there is a Greek statue depicting the image of Christ dying on such a pole or torture stake, which was often used at that time in Pagan rituals.

As a clergyman, I occasionally need to take an extremely adaptive stance, when celebrating a funeral for a family who is mixed Anglo-Catholic and Jehovah Witnesses. This requires removing the cross from the altar and any other 'idols.'

Because I know what the true intent of the funeral celebration will be, I can be adaptive enough to do this for the benefit of the family. However, I only do it when a family presents to me, far in advance, such as our first bereavement visit, that they are facing an emotional challenge over the fact that half of the deceased's children are JW's and the other half Church of England, etc.

The stress experienced by the family who have arranged the funeral can often be palpable and I try to assuage any of this stress by finding ways to accommodate their needs and minimise their anxieties.

The next challenge is me. I, standing at the lectern, wearing a dog collar and vestments, are said to scream to the JW's that I'm actually Satan! ...or something to that effect. So, again, in the interest of meeting the spiritual needs of a balanced group of desperate faiths, I offer to even not wear vestments or my dog collar. Again, I know what the service represents and the family who recognise the extents I'm going to, finally begin to experience less anxiety. It allows them to focus more on their loved one and the bereavement of family and friends.

Once this happens, the majority of JW's I've encountered have been willing to enter the chapel. However, I have had occasion where some absolutely refuse to even look at me, much less attend a service where I am the celebrant. In those cases I can only feel pity for them. Their inability to be even remotely as adaptive as I have tried to be perpetuates the assertions that the JW's are only a cult with misguided views. This indeed can become tragic, especially when children are involved who wish to pay respects to their mother or grandmother, but are under the instruction of an Elder who prohibits their attendance. It can have far-reaching consequences later in life and build resentment and emotional trauma for the child.

If the deceased had requested a JW service, then I would never consider being the celebrant and I would have gently referred the family who contacted me to one of the local leaders in my address book. Alternatively, if the deceased listed themselves as anything other than JW, I have both a spiritual and moral obligation to honour this.

Finally, I would add that the act of a JW possibly wearing a crucifix around their necks would be conceptually quite rare, only from the perspective that it contravenes JW teachings. Of the many JW's I have shared time with, I have found them all to be polite and respectful, with only a select few who seemed incapable of offering me the same respect I extended to them. Perhaps this may be an element of the numerous diverse opinions that surround the JW's.