|
|
| Venus Williams at Olympics (2000) |
Venus and Serena Williams as Jehovah's Witnesses
SYDNEY -- "Unstoppable Venus Williams laughed off the suggestion she had nothing left to achieve in tennis after adding an Olympic gold medal to her growing list of triumphs." [NBC Olympics.com]
The fact that Venus (and her sister Serena) are both active Jehovah's
Witnesses participating in the Olympics has provoked an interesting reaction
from the organization. None at all. So while many Witnesses cheer for Venus,
they know deep in their hearts that they would be subject to judicial procedures
for much lesser offenses. And when Venus stood on the podium to receive the gold
medal to the tune of the American national anthem, she became a different kind
of pioneer than to which we are accustomed. Based on Venus' and Serena's own
words and actions, the answer is yes. She was asked in a recent interview
what her involvement is with Jehovah's Witnesses.
It is apparent that Venus is one of the best tennis players ever, and the
best in the world today. That she is one of Jehovah's Witnesses makes that even
more remarkable. by Obed back to African/American Issues
A usual matter of contention among Witnesses is whether the Williams sisters are
actually Jehovah's Witnesses or not. Their mother certainly is one of us, and
has been for years. The father certainly is not. (He often takes cigarrette
breaks during the sister's matches.)
quote:
Venus Williams: Well, we believe -- it's just like tennis. You can't just go
once a month and expect your game to be on top. You have to reiterate
everything. We believe in good association, association with fellow Witnesses,
not becoming too involved with people that don't have the same beliefs and
same values that we do. We go to meetings three times a week. They encourage
us. You learn there, you learn more, just continue learning until you get a
better understanding of things. I guess you are aware that we do
house-to-house witnessing. I can't do that at all because I'm on the road.
Getting more popular, I don't know if I can go house-to-house. I'm thinking
about that.