Advice.

[Robert]

Well my best friend is a Jehovah's witness and has invited me to his baptism at the MEN arena a week tomorrow. The thing is I'm having second thoughts about going. I just don't feel comfortable with it. The only problem is that it's obviously very big for him and I don't want to let him down while it's such a big occasion for him. Does anyone have any advice? I'm in a real quandary here

[Mike Fishcake]

Depends how sympathetic to their principles you are. How uneasy do you feel about it? Just a bit nervous or brain-wracking PH3AR?

[Moonshade]

Ouch, it sounds like you've got a situation...
It's hard when something like that happens, I mean if you don't feel comfortable with it maybe you should try to explain this to your friend. If I may ask, why is it making you uncomfortable? I would also feel quite uncomfortable, since I don't really believe in that kind of things and finds it a bit scary..don't like religious stuff at all, but if others believe in it, sure. I would feel as if I didn't really belong there...like I was being disrepectful to those who actually believes in this.

I don't know if this is your issue too, but whatever it may be..I think you should try to talk to your friend. After discussing this, if he really wants you there maybe you two could discuss some options..maybe you sitting in the back (I don't know how this stuff works.....) or maybe you could wait outside and then congratulate him.

But sure, sometimes one has to make some sacrifices for your friends/loved ones...they'll eventually do the same for you another time. And who knows, after talking about it, maybe you won't feel as uncomfortable as before.

Good Luck! *Hugs*

-- Moon

[Robert]

Well - I'm not interested in their beliefs. I'm nervous...but as I've said I'm not interested in their beliefs it's more doing something for my best mate...even if it's just going to watch.

Thanks moonshade - yes, I guess it's just a bit weird as I don't participate in the faith/beliefs what ever. Ah damnit............. :E

[Moonshade]

Aww, honey...I guess that is tricky! But if you are very nervous maybe you could take someone else with you, another friend you two have in common. You'll survive it, I'm sure..and I wish you the best of luck!!

-- Moon

[Taz]

Go along. You don't have to become a Jehovah's Witness yourself. As long as you respect the decisions your friend has made then there's no reason to fear anything. As a Muslim, i've been invited to churches to attend the weddings of several friends and I throughly enjoyed the experience and appreciated that my friends took the trouble to invite me to their special occasion and made allowances for that fact that I didn't follow their faith. It didn't make me feel uncomfortable at all.

Go along and enjoy the day, for your friends sake as well!

[Robert]

Ok, I suppose I'd better go. Now I've got to get some new shoes and a new shirt and tie

Being a student the only suit like thing I have is a tuxedo which I bought for my leavers ball

[Mike Fishcake]

If you're still unsure on what to do, put a suit on, carry a briefcase and knock on all the doors in your neighbourhood so you can talk to the residents about it.

[Robert]

lol, that's cruel

[Nick]

Slip on a skull-cap and roll-up saying 'Oi Fey' a lot. Then pull out an eye glass and examine everyone's jewelery up close... they LOVE that kinda thing!

[rox0r]

I was a Jehovah's Witness for about 15 years so I'll add my tuppence here.

You shouldn't feel awkward at all about going to a baptism, but be warned you might encounter their 'sales pitch'. I'm not saying they'll do a timeshare sales session on you, more that you should be aware that awkward questions might arise that you may or may not feel your friend will want to hear you answer.

On the other hand they may just not pay any attention to you at all. Either way if you don't feel comfartable with it, tell your friend. Wtinesses are generally placid and understanding people.

(I am a disassociated Witness by the way, I left because I questioned the views and ethics of the religion and the elders viewed me as a problem. My mother was a Witness and I knew that if I was disfellowshipped it would be very awkward due to their restrictive rules on disfellowshipped persons)

[Robert]

Well if they ask awkward questions then I just won't answer them. Anyway - I'm going for my friend. What should I expect the day to be like rox0r?

[shelley bda]

Hope you have a lovely time, i'm glad your going as it will mean a lot to your friend that your experiencing his culture.

I'll never forget being invited to my friends little boys birthday party, which happened to coincide with Ramadan so it was a double celebration ( they are Muslim ) and it was fantastic! all of their relations had travelled from all over the country to be there, 200 people all in,
and the women prepared the food while the men chatted and organised children and drinks, i remember lots of loud music and dancing, it was great for my boys to be given the oppurtunity to experience and learn about different cultures too

[rox0r]

Varies, depending on the venue and amount being baptised.

This is a massive one in Sydney http://www.mediavr.com/baptism.htm

It's a fairly subdued affair though, not exactly a big old knees-up with a sing-song. TBH I reckon you will either be intrigued by it or more likely bored to tears.

[Robert]

It's being held at the MEN arena in manchester. That should give you an idea of the size of it.

Will it last the whole day?

[rox0r]

Ah, in that case it most likely will as that's probably a baptism as part of a convention. You'd be wise to ask if it is a convention or not as they go on all day and really are tedious, especially if you have no interest. Expect a good amount of 'talks' (akin to sermons) and wotnot.