|
Post by jh62 on Jul 21, 2007 10:12:01 GMT -5
I was wondering if there are other families like mine, who seem to be divided by those who "profess" and those who don't. For a little background here, I come from a large family. About half "profess" and half don't. My mother belonged to the church, but my father didn't until just a couple years before his death. At family reunions, get-togethers, etc., I've noticed that the family actually divides into two groups...those who profess, and those who don't. I professed for about 14 yrs., but would never have been considered a "strong saint". I didn't dress right all the time, or wear my hair right, etc.
Anyway, all of the cousins (my nieces, nephews, and my kids) got along well when they were young, but as they grew older, the professing kids seemed to ostrasize (sp?) the non-professing cousins. Does this happen to other families?
I heard on a documentary show one time that this happens in many strict religions, so I imagine it's not limited to the 2x2's.
Just wondering about other's experiences with this.....
|
|
|
Post by kissing cousin on Jul 21, 2007 10:56:12 GMT -5
It absolutly happens. As a nonprofessing person, I am left out of the loop so to speak. It's as tho they don't want to share any news about people I've known all my life too - e.g.: someone passes away, or is sick or has a baby, etc........THE only news that is ever shared is WHO professed, or if the workers were visiting. - otherwise, I'm very left out.
|
|
|
Post by Calvin on Jul 21, 2007 11:01:28 GMT -5
Not at all. Our extended family has about half professing and half not. At our get togethers, you might be able to tell the 2x2 women by the hairstyle and lack of make-up, but that is about it. Everyone gets along great and mixes. No divide at all.
|
|
|
Post by wondering on Jul 21, 2007 11:06:30 GMT -5
Not at all. Our extended family has about half professing and half not. At our get togethers, you might be able to tell the 2x2 women by the hairstyle and lack of make-up, but that is about it. Everyone gets along great and mixes. No divide at all. Are your family members considered borderline saints or a bit worldly by the more hearty or hary of saints and workers? Are your family members exclusivists, excluding any outside the workers' church of being children of God?
|
|
|
Post by Calvin on Jul 21, 2007 11:38:59 GMT -5
Not at all. Our extended family has about half professing and half not. At our get togethers, you might be able to tell the 2x2 women by the hairstyle and lack of make-up, but that is about it. Everyone gets along great and mixes. No divide at all. Are your family members considered borderline saints or a bit worldly by the more hearty or hary of saints and workers? Are your family members exclusivists, excluding any outside the workers' church of being children of God? Although I think this "borderline or heary" saints thing is a bit judgmental, I would hazard a guess to say that my mom is considered a strong saint by those who think in those terms. I'm not sure what the perception of my dad is... he is a lot different than the years where he struggled with some demons. He is very consistent now. My grandpa is an elder and I'm sure that he is considered a great saint by those who think like that. He treats everyone the same... 2x2 or not. I think he'd find this whole post absurd and wonder why anyone would do otherwise. A long time ago, I asked my mom if anyone outside the 2x2 faith gets into heaven. Her answer was, "God knows the hearts of everyone." I did not press further but I remember at the time thinking that she believed that 2x2's are not the only ones who can be saved.
|
|
|
Post by jh62 on Jul 21, 2007 12:17:55 GMT -5
That's wonderful your family is that way, Calvin. I just don't think all families are like yours.
Why would your grandfather find this post absurd?
Also, I always wonder why some professing people find it hard to just simply say "yes" when asked if they think people outside the 2x2's can be saved.
|
|
|
Post by withopeneyes (Mandy) on Jul 21, 2007 12:40:50 GMT -5
My mom believes that only those within the 2x2s will be saved, and even then, only a select few of them will be saved. She kept saying that a worker once said at convention that it was likely only a handful of those gathered would be saved in the end. So, first, you have to be 2x2, and then you have to qualify within the 2x2, then I suppose heaven will be fairly empty.
On to the original subject, there are very, very, very few on my moms side of the family that dont profess, unless you reach out to the extended-extended family. At family reunions, no one seems to distance themselves out at all.
My dad's sister does not profess, and when they come to visit, we've always all gotten along great. No matter the religious belief, we're family.
However, behind the scenes, there is a slight division. I suppose that's only natural since we're considered to be deceived and lost. Over time, I'm sure it'll wear off, but because we've been out for a little less than a year, it's still very much a big deal to talk about behind our backs.
|
|
|
Post by CherieKropp on Jul 21, 2007 12:41:50 GMT -5
In my paternal family, there were 6 children and the parents and all the kids professed except one son/bro. Everyone got along very well, reunions were fun, but we never quite knew what to say to the brothers family. But we made an effort. I'm sure they still felt "odd." However, the women would all wear skirts, when I'm sure they didn't usually. Now, several of us grandchildren do not profess, nor do our children, and the division is more pronounced. I think they just don't know what to say to us (nor we to them!). It doesn't help that we all live a distance from each other. The last time I attended, I did NOT wear a skirt!
In my husband's paternal family, there were 8 children, and his family was the only one who professed. Tiffs often occurred at that family's reunions but there didn't seem to be a division between professing and non-pro--. This family didn't hear the workers until the children were all adults and most were married. The mom/dad professed and one son & family (my husbands parents).
Maybe the feeling of division has to do with who is in majority--the professing or non-professing?? I noticed at a friend's (non-professing) wedding lately that the people who knew the groom hardly intermingled with the people who knew the bride. I have heard that few professing mingle with outsiders at weddings either.
There is probably some group dynamic involved here...anyone have knowledge of that angle?
|
|
|
Post by withopeneyes (Mandy) on Jul 21, 2007 12:44:28 GMT -5
When I look at our family, I don't think the division is between those who have NEVER gone to meetings or professed and those who do profess, rather it is more between those who are now "exes" and those who continue to go to meetings.
|
|
|
Post by happy on Jul 21, 2007 13:37:17 GMT -5
The problem is perspective, according to what I've experienced. Sure, there is a division that is painful for both sides. Both sides feel it is the other and neither side can figure out a way to come to common ground. The professing side pities the exes and the exes pity the professing relatives...it seems to me to be a merry go round that makes us all dizzy and sick after a while. Unfortunately, I worry that to many time we get off the merry go round and head in opposite directions. I wish there was a solution that was quick and painless.
|
|
|
Post by Calvin on Jul 21, 2007 18:03:54 GMT -5
That's wonderful your family is that way, Calvin. I just don't think all families are like yours. I'm sure that is true. But lots of families have "differences" and "favorites" and those that they do not wish to be around. Maybe it isn't all about 2x2'ism. For instance, I like most of my wife's relatives but there are a couple of them who like to tell immature, dirty jokes. I'm not easily offended, but it is just the junior high nature of it all that bothers me. So sometimes it might not be the separation due to being a certain religion but to the underlying belief system that controls some behaviors. Why would your grandfather find this post absurd? I think he'd find it hard to believe that family would treat other family members differently based on their religious belief. Also, I always wonder why some professing people find it hard to just simply say "yes" when asked if they think people outside the 2x2's can be saved. I think the reason my mom says that is she feels it would be awfully presumptious of her to even begin to think that a human could judge who is saved. Only one has that kind of power and wisdom.
|
|
|
Post by Calvin on Jul 21, 2007 18:05:40 GMT -5
Whoops, sure screwed up the HTML in that last post. Try again:
That's wonderful your family is that way, Calvin. I just don't think all families are like yours.
I'm sure that is true. But lots of families have "differences" and "favorites" and those that they do not wish to be around. Maybe it isn't all about 2x2'ism. For instance, I like most of my wife's relatives but there are a couple of them who like to tell immature, dirty jokes. I'm not easily offended, but it is just the junior high nature of it all that bothers me. So sometimes it might not be the separation due to being a certain religion but to the underlying belief system that controls some behaviors.
Why would your grandfather find this post absurd?
I think he'd find it hard to believe that family would treat other family members differently based on their religious belief.
Also, I always wonder why some professing people find it hard to just simply say "yes" when asked if they think people outside the 2x2's can be saved.
I think the reason my mom says that is she feels it would be awfully presumptious of her to even begin to think that a human could judge who is saved. Only one has that kind of power and wisdom.
|
|
|
Post by jh62unlogged on Jul 21, 2007 19:01:24 GMT -5
You may be right, Calvin. It may be more personal preferences guided by an underlying belief system that controls behaviour. However, no one in my family is big on telling dirty jokes, etc., either, even the ones who don't profess. I find that kind of behaviour distasteful too. I think it's wonderful your mother feels that way, and I'm very happy there are some in the 2x2's who feel that way. My mother is the same way. She's a little more open-minded than some of her kids. She's even gone as far as to tell me she believes there will be many saved in many different churches.
|
|
|
Post by Ron Hall on Jul 21, 2007 19:49:24 GMT -5
Our family is divided into about 3rds. One third professing, one third strong in another popular religion and one third not into anything.
At annual get-to-gathers the meal prayer is usually sung and alternates between each religion. Someone writes out the words to the prayer and copies are available before the meal.
Other than that, religion and politics aren't part of the gathering. We enjoy each other and feel the day is a benefit to all.
It is good to be serious, but not good to be serious about myself.
|
|