Do Jehovah Witnesses Attend Funerals & Weddings?

[Guest Kurt]

 

Witnesses embrace both weddings and funerals.
 

Jehovah's Witnesses attend weddings and funerals except under certain circumstances. The Witnesses have nothing against weddings or funerals, but they do have strict religious beliefs that impel them to avoid certain activities and celebrations which, they believe, violate moral principles found in the Bible.
Jehovah's Witnesses don't celebrate some events, including birthdays and Christmas, that they say resemble paganism more than Christian belief. So some may conclude that the Witnesses are against weddings and funerals. But actually, the Witnesses attend weddings and funerals for essentially the same reasons that others do -- to pay respects to and support the family of the deceased, in the case of funerals; and to celebrate a couple's new life together as husband and wife, in the case of weddings.

Past Examples

The Witnesses base their reasons for attending weddings and funerals, as they do in other matters, on biblical principles and examples. They note that Jesus and his early disciples mourned the death of people, such as the famous Bible character Lazarus, at gatherings that essentially amounted to "funerals." And, Jesus and his followers also attended, according to the scriptural record, a wedding, at which Jesus performed his first miracle by turning water into wine.

Crises of Conscience

A Witness might not attend a wedding or a funeral if, for whatever reason, any ritual or service that the Witnesses consider "pagan" would take place. A pagan service or ritual, according to the Witnesses, would be anything that promotes ideas which go contrary to scriptural truth, such as the doctrine about people having immortal souls. A Jehovah's Witness is not forbidden, however, from attending a wedding or a funeral that occurs at a non-Witness service, such as at a Catholic cathedral, as long as he doesn't participate directly in the ceremony.

Deeper Meaning

When Jehovah's Witnesses attend funerals or weddings, they typically do so also out of respect for a higher power, whom they believe is the God who inspired the biblical writings -- Jehovah. They view a marriage as a union not only between a man and a woman, but a union also with God. A marriage for them, then, is viewed as a "threefold cord" -- a devotion that involves man, woman and God. At funerals, Witnesses always have in mind their belief in a future resurrection. The resurrection, they believe, will be a time when God resurrects the dead to life on earth. Those who've been resurrected on the earth will have to choose either to obey God or to do things their own way. Those who choose the former will receive everlasting life on a paradise earth, and those who choose the latter will receive eternal death -- they will never live again.

References

• JW.org Online Library: Joyful Weddings That Honor Jehovah
• JW.org Online Library: Weddings That Are Honorable in the Sight of God and Man
• JW.org Online LIbrary: Christian Funerals - Dignified, Modest and Pleasing to God
• JW.org Online Library: Frequently Asked Questions - How Are Jehovah's Witnesses Financed?
• JW.org Online Library: The Resurrection - A Teaching that Affects You
• YouVersion Bible: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
• JW.org: Who Was Your Founder?
• JW.org Online Library: Celebrations That Displease God?
• "Watchtwer" Magazine: May Dedicated Christians Attend Church Funerals of other Religious Organizations?; March 1970

Resources

• YouVersion Bible: John 11:14-35
• YouVersion Bible: John 2:1-11
• YouVersion Bible: Acts 24:15

About the Author

Aaron Charles began writing about "pragmatic art" in 2006 for an online arts journal based in Minneapolis, Minn. After working for telecom giant Comcast and traveling to Oregon, he's written business and technology articles for both online and print publications, including Salon.com and "The Portland Upside."

 

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[David Normand]

*** w07 11/15 p. 31 Questions From Readers ***
Questions From Readers
Is it proper for one of Jehovah’s Witnesses to attend the wedding of a non-Witness relative or acquaintance?
Weddings are joyous occasions, and it is understandable that a Christian would like to share in that joy. Of course, minors invited to attend should defer to their parents or guardians, who have the final say on the matter. (Ephesians 6:1-3) But what if a man who is not one of Jehovah’s Witnesses asks his Christian wife to accompany him to a church wedding? Her conscience might allow her to go merely as an observer determined not to share in any religious acts associated with the occasion.
Basically, then, whether to be present at a certain wedding or not is a matter for personal decision. However, each Christian should be aware of his accountability to Jehovah and ought to consider a number of Scriptural principles when making a decision about attending the wedding of a non-Witness.
Foremost on a Christian’s mind should be a desire to have God’s approval. Jesus said: “God is a Spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth.” (John 4:24) Thus, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not engage in interfaith activities, such as prayers, rituals, or ceremonies that are in conflict with Bible truth.—2 Corinthians 6:14-17.
A Christian recognizes that his or her decision could also affect others. If you decide to attend, will your relatives be offended if you do not fully participate in the wedding festivities? The potential effect on fellow believers also needs to be taken into account. (Romans 14:13) Even if you or other members of your household conclude that attending a non-Witness wedding does not pose a problem, could your spiritual brothers and sisters be adversely affected? Could it injure the conscience of some?
Wedding ceremonies involving non-Witness relatives can present challenging situations. What if you are asked to be a member of the bridal party? Or what if your mate is not a Witness and wants to participate fully? If the wedding is a civil ceremony conducted by a judge or a secular officer, attending it may involve little more than witnessing a legal proceeding.
However, a wedding ceremony held in a religious building or performed by a clergyman raises additional concerns. In order to follow your Bible-trained conscience and avoid compromising your religious convictions or doing something that might prove embarrassing to the wedding party, you may decide to refrain from attending. (Proverbs 22:3) You could spare your family and yourself much stress by explaining your Bible-based convictions beforehand, indicating to what extent you are willing to participate or perhaps suggesting an alternative course of action.
After carefully weighing all the factors, some Christians may decide that it would not be improper to attend a non-Witness wedding as a quiet observer. But if a Christian reasons that by being present, he might be tempted to compromise godly principles, he may conclude that the risk outweighs the possible benefits. If he decides not to attend the wedding but to go as an invited guest to the festivities held thereafter, he should be determined to “do all things for God’s glory.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) In making such decisions, “each one will carry his own load” of responsibility. (Galatians 6:5) Whatever you decide, therefore, remember that preserving a good conscience before Jehovah God is vital.
 

[David Normand]

What it really boils down to is your own conscience and how you believe Jehovah feels about the situation. We each have to carry our own load (Galatians 6:5) in this regard and it is not for us to criticize others for their choice. Some may choose to attend whereas others may not.