Venus and Serena Williams' Parents Divorce
The parents of the famous tennis sisters Venus and Serena Williams have completed their divorce according to the Associated Press (you can read the news item below). The tennis sisters were raised as Jehovah’s Witnesses by their mother. They were also home-schooled by her. The father is as far as I know not a Witness and is only interested in their tennis careers.
The girls seem to follow the religion of their mother: “Thanks to my god, Jehovah,” Serena exclaimed this year (2002) after winning the French and Wimbledon back to back.
The Associated Press
Wednesday, October 30, 2002; 1:47 PM
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. –– The parents of Venus and Serena Williams have completed their divorce.
The divorce won’t affect the advisory roles Richard and Oracene Williams play in their daughters’ tennis careers, Raymone Bain, a publicist for Oracene and Serena Williams, said Tuesday.
The settlement was a no-fault divorce, Bain said, but financial terms were kept private. The case was filed in state circuit court.
The couple married in 1980 and separated about 18 months ago, Bain said. He said the sisters and their parents will continue to live in Palm Beach Gardens.
“I was very honest with our children that a reconciliation would not happen,” Oracene Williams said in a statement. “They’ve accepted our divorce and love us, as we both love them. Richard and I will continue to work together for the good of our girls, and I truly wish him well.”
Williams, who began grooming his daughters as preschoolers to become tennis stars and is still their coach, declined to comment.
Mrs. Williams, who plans to revert to her maiden name, Price, also has been influential in her daughters’ careers.
Serena and Venus have won four Grand Slam titles apiece. Serena has won the past three majors and is ranked No. 1 in the world.
Hi, If you call them directly all they soulhd need to know is what state you are in. A lot about your rate is dependent on the individual state policies and regulations. That is what they need to give you a quote as far as I know and I assume the rest of the info is indeed so they can send you junk mail etc (could be wrong though). Check out the company I listed below. They have by far the best rates I have ever heard of and If you call can give you a quote in about 5 minutes. Good luck,
Thanks for the good writeup. It in truth used to be a enjoyment account it. Look complex to more brought agreeable from you! However, how can we keep in touch?
Pour avoir été témoin de Jéhovah, et ayant subi la dictature de la Watch Tower, les soeurs Williams ne manquent pas d’audace pour oser prétendre faire ce que le Watch Tower demande……. elles ne sont certes pas coupables, mais endoctrinées et la WT ne dit rien car……. il y a de l’argent à la clé.
Triste quand on sait ce que prône la WT alors que la bible dit tout à fait le contraire.
Que Jésus Christ, non reconnu par la WT comme le sauveur, remette les choses en place et une fois pour toute réduise à néant les doctrines totalement fausses de cette société Tour de garde.
J’ai quitté la Watch Tower car j’ai trouvé dans la vraie bible et non pas celle de la WT, fausse, j’ai trouvé la paix par Jésus-Christ.
Cordialement
The girls seem to follow the religion of their mother:
@Wildcat
Don’t worry I once also lost a lengthly post, it’s pretty frustrating, what I now do is type it in word and then paste it here. This also helps with the spelling.
Cheers,
Markus
PS To be honest your long post would not have budged me an iota, I am very set in my belief of reilgion being nothing but poison.
@Markus
Well Markus I did just replied to your comment…it was a pretty good closer i wrote a paragraph…unfortunately..i just spent 1 hour of typing your reply and i go down to submit and it’s lost. my laptop started over on it’s own, without me knowing it..so im not about to rethink ans retype all that. But this is my last post..because you are clearly not interested..instead you are arguing. So im not wasting anymore of my time with this.
And yes I answered your questions in that post as well…idk what happened to it…but I am pretty angry now that it didn’t post as I clicked submit.
@Wildcat
I know those scriptures very well thank you.
You are the one who has not responded to my reasons for there not being a creator.
Typical of the JW, can tell me anything in the Bible as they see it, ask a question about the dinasaurs and the subject gets changed.
Cheers,
Markus
@Markus
and I quote from scriptures, u didnt read them nor answered my question, or even asked about their meaning!
@Markus
okay, markus now that explains it, so you were a JW as you said many years, so when did that happen and why did you leave? Sound like you lost belief or faith and got tired of something you thought would never come true. And since you say I didn’t answer your question, that is correct after reading my replies…i find myself ranting rather than listening and simply answer for you. So next time I will….But for now it’s too late it’s 3:03am and I will do this tomorrow if im not too tired from work after 8pm. But keep in mind Man did not create the earth, GOD did along with his Son Jesus Christ. Genesis 1:1-In [the] beginning God created the heavens and the earth
@Wildcat
As I recall, you invited me explain to you why I think a creator does not exist.
I sent you but only a few reasons. You did not address even one of these reasons, expecially one which I think would be rather important, this being what the Earth looks like especially as viewed by a deity who allegedly created it. Seeing that the said many descriptions view the Eath as medieval man would have viewed it, I am led to the only logical conclusion that Bible was written by medieval men.
Instead of addressing any of my reasons you carry on regardless, into a discussion of what you think (or better what you have been told) of what Matt 24 really says.
Here is what Matt 24 really is about, feel free to print this out and discuss it with your elders, but I can tell you right here and now will be councilled for reading Apostate material and not even one Elder shall look at it, try it and see. I was a JW for too many years to know that this is what will happen.
1. Jesus had left the Temple and was going on His way, when His disciples came and called His attention to the Temple buildings, and how wondeous thay are.
2. “You see all these?” He replied; “in solemn truth I tell you that there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be pulled down.”
3. Afterwards He was on the Mount of Olives and was seated there when the disciples came to Him, apart from the others, and said, “Tell us when this will be; and what will be the sign of your Coming and of the Close of the Age?”
Jesus is being questioned by, and is responding to, his Apostles, and no one else here in this 24th chapter of Matthew. The text goes out of its way to communicate this. This is not an envelope addressed “Occupant” but rather addressed specifically “To The Apostles”. The entire discourse shows the message was for the First Century Apostles, and not concerned with people living thousands of years in the future. Do you not agree?
4. “Take care that no one misleads you,” answered Jesus;
“You” = First Century Apostles
The warnings are to the First Century Apostles, and NOT to people millions of years distant.
5.”for many will come assuming my name and saying `I am the Christ;’ and they will mislead many.
6. And before long you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. Do not be alarmed, for such things must be; but the End is not yet.
“Before Long” = Soon
The “before long” is reinforced in the Greek by the word “mello” meaning, “to be on the point of doing or suffering something”.
7.For nation will rise in arms against nation, kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
8. But all these miseries are but like the early pains of childbirth.
“Pains of Childbirth” = Soon
Again, no room for thousands of years. This was all due- and soon.
Again, Jesus is talking to the “YOU” of the First Century Apostles, and not to every Tom, Dick and Harry since then.
10. Then will many stumble and fall, and they will betray one another and hate one another.
11. Many false prophets will rise up and lead multitudes astray;
12. and because of the prevalent disregard of God’s law the love of the great majority will grow cold;
Apostasy Fulfilled in First Century
“The Apostasy” was a daily fact of First Century church life. Judas Iscariot, and Ananias & Sapphira were apostates near the beginning of the Christian era, and toward the end of the First Century, 1st John 2:18 records the then current existence of not one, but many, “anti-Christs”. Paul even names some apostates
“For Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me… Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds… he has vigorously opposed our teaching.” (2nd Timothy 4:10-1 5)
13. but those who stand firm to the End shall be saved.
“Stand Firm To End” = Within Lifetime
This is just one of several places within the New Testament where it is indicated that the Second Coming is something these Apostles (and others of that century) could, if they “stood firm”, hope to see within their lifetime.
Other references are: Heb. 3:6, 14; Rev. 2:25,26 etc. The “shall be saved” is not the “instant-karma” salvation Televangelists hawk on their gaudy TV shows, but rather being saved from the destruction that was due to take place upon the Earth when the excrement hit the fan during Biblegod’s “days of vengeance” (Lk 21:22) at the Second Coming.
14.And this Good News of the Kingdom shall be proclaimed throughout the whole world to set the evidence before all the Gentiles; and then the End will come.
Gospel ® Whole Earth: 1st Century Also
The New Testament claims that well before the 1st Century ended the entire world had ALREADY been evangelized with the gospel. Examine the following two verses for confirmation of this claim:
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”
(Rm 10: 17,18 RSV)
The gospel… has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
(Col. 1:23 NIV)
15. “When you have seen (to use the language of the Prophet Daniel) the `Abomination of Desolation’, standing in the Holy Place” –let the reader observe those words–
“Holy Place” = First Century Temple
In case no one noticed, there hasn’t been a temple of Jehovah to “stand in” since the Jewish temple got razed in 70 AD. Once again, this points to a 1st Century era.
17. let him who is on the roof not go down to fetch what is in his house;
18. nor let him who is outside the city stay to pick up his outer garment.
19. And alas for the women who at that time are with child or have infants!
20.”But pray that your flight may not be in winter, nor on the Sabbath;
21. for it will be a time of great suffering, such as never has been from the beginning of the world till now, and assuredly never will be again.
These phrases “those who are in Judaea” and “on a Sabbath” are a big hint that in location, this scenario is placed in the Israel of yesteryear. Another clue is the mentioning of people being up on roofs, indicates the flat roofs that were common back then during the First Century. These HINTS hint of First Century Israel, and NOT modern day Los Angeles or Tokyo. where there is no Sabbath.
22.And if those days had not been cut short, no one would escape; but for the sake of God’s own People those days will be cut short.
I hope that modern theologians are not the ones allowed to define the word “short” in this verse. If so, the suffering may last for thousands of years!!!
23.”If at that time any one should say to you, `See, here is the Christ!’ or `Here!’ give no credence to it.
2. For there will rise up false Christs and false prophets, displaying wonderful signs and prodigies, so as to deceive, were it possible, even God’s own People.
25. Remember, I have forewarned you.
“Remember” = Alive = First Century
Jesus couldn’t ask these people to stop in the middle of all these future disasters to remember what he had told them years in their past, unless they would yet be alive in the midst of all these future disasters.
26 If therefore they should say to you, `See, He is in the Desert!’ do not go out there: or `See, He is indoors in the room!’ do not believe it.
27.For just as the lightning flashes in the east and is seen to the very west, so will be the Coming of the Son of Man.
As with all things Christians many of them preterist did that Jesus did return, however he returned in an “invisible” returning in 70 AD, and that’s why everybody missed it.
The wording of Matthew, however, seems to contradict this belief. Matthew implies that if you were facing west- maybe toward where the sun just “set” an hour ago, and lightning strikes in the east, even miles behind your back, you can not help but see the entire sky light up. Likewise, Jesus is saying that his return will be so obvious and visible, that even if you weren’t looking for it, you couldn’t help but see it. Thus groups that have advocated an invisible “Second Coming” of Jesus do so in contradiction to what Jesus himself taught. The reason Jesus’ return was not noticed in the First Century (or in 1914) is not because it was invisible, but rather because it never happened.
I’ll leave it now, I think this might be enough to make you think, but as I know the modern fundamentalist well, being a Christian or a raving mad suicidal muslim, you/they will never understand how they were brainwashed as innocent young children.
Cheers,
Markus
Please give me audience for a few minutes before you receive a reply from Markus. It would be wise of you and any person to investigate anything you can get your hands on concerning something as serious as this religion. It is only natural and prudent of any group to put forth just what is good, wonderful, and best to promote the message. That is good salesmanship. It is when you start to investigate all the history that is not being shared that exposes the truth and that truth exposes all the dirt that should be shared before one makes the choice to become a JW.
If you do not have a bible that is published before the WT bible that you use was printed, allow me to share a website with you that has many editions that you can use to compare with what you have. It is blueletterbible.org and you will be able to compare and I suggest that you read the entire book of Galatians. If you don’t get it the first time, read it again. That book speaks to anyone who has the audacity to change and maketheir own religion. If that one book does not cause you to stop and think, then you may be too far gone to be helped.
I take great comfort in Gal. 3:26-29 and you can close yourselves off from me and the many who believe and do our best every day to live like Christ. He will make the decision as to what happens to all of you who have become our judges and juries. @Wildcat
OH and the BOLD LETTERS are not yelling, I am not yelling at you Markus, those are just HIGHLIGHTS of my POINTS, like you would if you were to study a book. Didn’t mean to yell.
Again the REAL OFFICIAL SITE of JW’s are: watchtower.org It’s the only REAL SITE with REAL HAPPENINGS of PEOPLE AROUND THE ENTIRE GLOBE…YES THE GLOBE…Matt 24:14 and this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations and then the end will come
@Markus
Sorry for the delayed reply. I hear you! And clearly understand why u state what you stated. Sounds like you once put your trust in a man of his word, when in indeed he was following God’s word. It is God who we shall look too, not man…we are imperfect and can not promise what our creator and his son can…Now I can see how it’s difficult and easy to say well….it’s been centuries now….the world isn’t going to end like it’s prophesyed to be. Here that’s losing faith in God’s word, which many first century christians failed at. But the I will use the bible in any of my replies…it’s not my words…it is God’s whose has a name…Jehovah Ps. 83:18 “that people may know, that you, whose name is Jehovah, You alone are the Most High over all the earth”. And in reply to your timeline of dates…Jehovah states at 2Peter 3:9-Jehovah is not slow respecting his promis, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance” Eventhough it has been many years and millenias ago up until now…it seems only fair to given into…”okay nothing happened, I’m paranoid…so this is the way the world is going to be and I would rather go out living my life to the full rather than live in paranoia” That is the attitude of most people and that is natural. I was the same as you. I had to seriously dig deep and find out and convince myself. What makes this belief more truthful than any other. And I found that out, by researching from the earliest age of 10 and was finally convinced the REAL TRUTH by 17. But I not going to rant about that. What the issue here is FINDING the TRUTH and not waiting on MAN. Our focus should be on the REAL GOD, and Him and his SON Jesus Christ promises for our future. Jesus said to his disciples when they asked of his coming. Jesus stated that there will be signs. Those signs are found at 2Tim 3:1-5 these these have been happening for many years, but even more so now than before. We are living in the last days of this system. The earth isnt going anywhere. Ps37:11,29 the meek ones themselves will possess the earth and they will indeed find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace, 29; the righteous themselves will possess the earth and they will reside forever upon it.
That’s proof that the earth will stand and people are to inhabit it. There’s also Daniels words of wisdom at Dan. 2:44-In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put and end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to time indefinite” So what do you think Daniel is saying to us here?
@Wildcat
We all had the idea of a grand creator indoctrinated into us when we were young and vulnerable. With the help of various religions and the Bible we never really stood a chance.
All Christian’s beliefs are based on the Bible. When I started studies in and around this grand book, certain flaws became apparent.
The Earth is not a mere 6000 years old. It is certainly not flat, or a round disc like shape as described in Isaiah 44. It is loaded with contradictions. The Old Testament is full of atrocities commanded by the grand creator most of which make Adolf Hitler and Yosif or Joseph Stalin look like teddy bears.
The myth of Adam and Eve has been plagiarized from earlier Mesopotamian writings. This myth is the basis of Christian teaching. Adam sins and therefore all his children have catching up to do. Every little innocent child born on this planet has to die because of Adam’s actions? Is this dictator type teachings of a raving lunatic what you wish to believe? Be my guest, but pardon me if I excuse myself from this.
Your particular choice of Christianity is based on the teachings of Charles Russell, a breakaway Adventist. He predicted the end of the world or Armageddon in 1874 later revised to 1914, calculations were based on the burial chambers position in relation to the great pyramid. A stance now kept very quiet but nevertheless was reputed by the later Watchtower hierocracy, who continued to predict dates (all failing dismally) of Armageddon: 1914, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1941, 1975 to mention a few.
One would think and the key word here is ‘think’ that by now there should not be even one JW left. Fact is this cult still marches on regardless. It is over 6 million strong and sells or nowadays asks donations for their infamous magazines the ‘Watchtower’ and ‘Awake’. No wonder the WTBTS is a multi billion dollar institute, who despite Armageddon supposedly coming any day now, invests in more property.
The JW’s have many enemies within Christianity because of ridiculous policies past and present, inoculations against deadly diseases were banned, most present day JW don’t know this. Blood transfusions are still very much frowned upon. Is this religion the ‘Truth’? The few of many examples I have given should make you think. Not a chance! Fundamentalist religionists never have, nor never will.
The Pope in his bullet-proof Popemobile goes to Africa and teaches a vast Catholic audience that condoms will make the AIDS epidemic worse, and should not be used!
And some folk still somehow respect this rediculous zealot.
All religion is easy to disprove, as is evolution but at least evolution is honest, it does not promise you anything, does not threaten anyone, and should any person find a fossil of a rabbit in the dinosaur age, it will admits its faults, unlike the insanity of the invisible being watching you every day and judging you,
not only on your deeds and thoughts but even your dreams.
This is a tiny fraction of evidences why I believe a grand creator does not exist,
lets hear your case.
Cheers,
Markus
@Wildcat
Why our/a grand creator does not exist. Will have to take a rain check on this too busy now sorry but sit tight, you will be enlightened soon.
Markus
@Markus
Why would you think Our Grand Creator wouldn’t exist? Enlighten me!
@Jennifer
You are right Jennifer, I agree with you. I don’t know why celebrities or anyone that is financially successful and have been raised under the knowledge of our creator jehovah, always thank him for success that has nothing to do with God’s will at 1 Tim.2:4-for all sorts of men to come to an accurate knowledge of the truth
Sorry I just saw that. Didn’t mean to call you a “M” person. But I would love for you and the other JW that commented strongly on this matter to email me. I don’t get out much and want to meet new JW friends to get to know. I didn’t know if any would even be or comment on things such as these. So if you have a FB or twitter page or email account that we can meet and introduce ourselves on. Please let me know! And Please do not play with me as if you are just to meet me. I have dealt with that situation before, and had to be nasty to those persons to stop lying and close off contacts with them. So I will know if you are are not. I have a way of questioning that only JW’s would know the answers too. So if you are that is great and would love to meet you electronically of course…at first until I know you are real. And if you are not. Don’t bother!! I want waste your time if you don’t waste mine.
Wow, I know I am late reading these…but I couldn’t help but read about everyone thoughts on the girls religion choice. I’m in complete agreement with the “M” person that stated, the sisters shouldn’t thank Our Creator for their success. She is right! And JW’s can divorce if it applies to the biblical reasons of the head of household not supporting the family at all period, fornication, and adultery, also if their is serious abuse on these accounts a JW can divorce. But the main reason is Adultery! But if your marriage undergoes physical abuse constantly, you can talk with the elders of the congregation and get advice and suggestions of the clear from the New York branch watchtower society. There is only one true site, actually three. But watchtower.org shows the other two official site to the bottom of the page.
You are right, Jehovah shouldn’t be thanked for another worldly game.@Jennifer
@Jennifer
Jehovah does not exist silly girl. Get used to the idea.
Cheers,
Markus
Jehovah should not be thanked for a worldly game win, it has no spiritual aspects, he didn’t help her win. Also why was she running around court after winning a game waving a flag?.JW’s are neutral to politics and earthly government’s. And this website is not sanctioned by the Society of JW’s.The only one is (www.watchtower.org) if you have any questions about JW’s.
Jehovah should not be thanked for a worldly game win, it has no spiritual aspects, he didn’t help her win. Also why was she running around court after winning a game waving a flag?.JW’s are neutral to politics and earthly government’s.
@m dear m, PETRA is a great woman and she is full of clients. being Babylon in the Flesh she utters profanities against God. she will meet with the just retribution.
@petra
i wasnt finish i also want to mention that my family loves watching the sisters playing tennis and the other tennis players…its too one of our family actvities that we do as recreation together
@petra
I DO APOLOGIZE IF I MADE AN OFFENSIVE COMMENT TO YOU MA’AM THATS NOT MY INTENTION…AGAIN I ASK FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS IF THATS WHAT I DID I MEANT NO HARM
@OM’s Lawyer
she sounds like a young fan of the two young ladies…anyway i was told they were witnesses and i even heard one of them say years ago after winning a tournment ‘i give thasnks to jehovah’..but even if they still in the truth or not..they will have fans who respect them..i just hope they remeber always the respect we should have for our father
Hi I am doing a report on you two and so far you 2 r so cool but I cant seem to find what your moms name is. I cant wait to lear more about you 2 pleas right bake thankyou.
The girls seem to follow the religion of their mother:
@otto marconi
There is a saying that goes, “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”.
Venus and Serena are NOT practicing JW’s, not even sure if they are baptized.
Am very sorry that your parents had divorced but never give up your dreams but always your dad or your mom will always both love you
hello serena williams i am 11 years old i look up to you when i get big am going to be shust like you
I’m one of JW and it upsets me greatly that these people affiliate their bad decision making with their religion.I hope they clarify the fact that divorce us only acceptable if one partner is unfaithful and commited aldutery. I hope one day people will be able to differentiate on the religion and personal choices
Hey u girls how are u doing i hope you live a very long time so i will be able to see you when i grow up.
I know i’m really late now i hope do what you girls do best which is playing Pro-Tennis.
I hope your ankle gets better i might be late because i don’t watch T.V. that much so good luck with that ankle.
Leaving their faith is not biblical grounds for divorce. Adultery is.
because one of them usually the one that is asked for a divorce has violated the only biblically acceptable reason for a divorce he or she has commited adultery.
John,
thanks for the update. I guess you knew my point. I don’t know all the ins and outs to be perfectly honest. All I know is that my friend are JW and would not get a divorce even though they have absolutly nothing in common and barly speak to one another.
So, its neither here nor there really. But thanks anyway.
Colette
Collette,
This is not completly true. A JW CAN divorce under various circumstances. Adultery is the only way they can RE-MARRY after divorce. This is quite different.
According to their understanding.
John
Goyau,
There is only one instance that the JW’s can divorce and that is according you biblical law and that is cheating.
Or possibly one has left the faith and there for that is grounds for divorce also.
Colette