# The Jehovahs Witlesses called today **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 29, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596 "2009-01-29T19:24:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/201 "2009-02-05T01:34:46Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I am not one of the posters ranting about JWs. They were a minor nuisance I haven’t had to deal with for years. But they did not take polite phrases like “I’m sorry I busy.” or “I have to go” or even “Please leave” very well back when I being bugged by them. It was nearly impossible to get them to leave politely and usually required rudeness, shutting the door on them or stepping out, locking up and jumping in my car to go elsewhere. I asked them please do not come back and they did within a few weeks or months. Maybe the JWs in NJ are more aggressive, I don’t know. I also know I have not encountered one at my door for a long time now and I am happy about it. So maybe the group has changed its methods. > > BTW: This happened in two different towns so it wasn’t just one group. Well, I apologize in their behalf. If you feel strongly about it, and they return, simply tell them that you wish to be put on the “Do Not Call List.” ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/202 "2009-02-05T01:40:48Z")
Must run now, and I don’t think I’ll have time to return to the thread. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/203 "2009-02-05T01:42:46Z")
> [@the raindog](#): > > Well, I apologize in their behalf. > > If you feel strongly about it, and they return, simply tell them that you wish to be put on the “Do Not Call List.” Thank you and I will try that. Hopefully I don’t have to worry about it any more. I haven’t since I lived in this house. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/204 "2009-02-05T01:44:35Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I am not one of the posters ranting about JWs. They were a minor nuisance I haven’t had to deal with for years. But they did not take polite phrases like “I’m sorry I busy.” or “I have to go” or even “Please leave” very well back when I being bugged by them. It was nearly impossible to get them to leave politely and usually required rudeness, shutting the door on them or stepping out, locking up and jumping in my car to go elsewhere. I asked them please do not come back and they did within a few weeks or months. Maybe the JWs in NJ are more aggressive, I don’t know. I also know I have not encountered one at my door for a long time now and I am happy about it. So maybe the JWs have changed their methods. > > BTW: This happened in two different towns so it wasn’t just one group. There’s always the hose. Seriously! Think how satisfying it would be. ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/205 "2009-02-05T01:46:33Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Thank you and I will try that. Hopefully I don’t have to worry about it any more. I haven’t since I lived in this house. Just PM me your address and we’ll fix that…😃 ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/206 "2009-02-05T01:48:12Z")
> [@the raindog](#): > > According to **dactylic hexameter** , they made _at least_ 37,000 friends last year in the US, although it’s clear you’re not one of them… I’m betting they pissed off more than 37 thousand people, so it was almost certainly a net loss. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/207 "2009-02-05T01:52:43Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > There’s always the hose. > > Seriously! Think how satisfying it would be. Well the expression on their faces the one time when I calmly came out, said hello and goodbye and jumped in my Camaro and rode off was pretty priceless. Apparently that was one trick they were not use to. ---
**Author:** ![PopeJewish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@PopeJewish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PopeJewish)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/208 "2009-02-05T02:35:18Z")
> [@AngelSoft](#): > > Maybe that’s the solution to all life’s ills. Cake. Or Brownies…hard decision…cake has frosting but…so does my favorite brownie recipe… But apparently it’s not in their budget. You’d think they’d have oodles stashed away from all they saved by not putting windows in their halls… budget schmudget, I want my brownies! And they best not be low-fat or so help me gods… ---
**Author:** ![AngelSoft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelsoft/32/440_2.png) [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/209 "2009-02-05T02:39:04Z")
> [@PopeJewish](#): > > budget schmudget, I want my brownies! And they best not be low-fat or so help me gods… Oh they could use low-fat, sugar free brownies as an illustration point! “See this brownie? It looks tasty doesn’t it? It smells tasty too. Go ahead…take a bite…tastes like shit doesn’t it? That brownie is you my friend. And that taste is the taste of epic fail that is your life. But we can change that. We can make your life into a yummy, gooey brownie.” ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/210 "2009-02-05T02:43:45Z")
> [@Estilicon](#): > > Endorsain, I was refering just to Mormoms, not all americans. I hope I haven’t offended you. I also forgot to say that while stupid they are VERY polite. Sorry I wasn’t clear, but I meant to say that I _was_ one of those Mormon (and American) missionaries bothering you in Argentina. But don’t worry, I’m not offended. I was only 19, so yes, I wasn’t too bright. And I probably woke you up on a Saturday morning. Sorry! Don’t worry, you didn’t miss much. ---
**Author:** ![PopeJewish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@PopeJewish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PopeJewish)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/211 "2009-02-05T02:47:03Z")
> [@AngelSoft](#): > > Oh they could use low-fat, sugar free brownies as an illustration point! > > “See this brownie? It looks tasty doesn’t it? It smells tasty too. Go ahead…take a bite…tastes like shit doesn’t it? That brownie is you my friend. And that taste is the taste of epic fail that is your life. But we can change that. We can make your life into a yummy, gooey brownie.” that would make me angry. POPEJEWISH SMASH! besides, I’d only covert if I could be a yummy, goeey brownie with nuts 😃 ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/212 "2009-02-05T03:16:32Z")
> [@the raindog](#): > > They do take your feelings seriously, however. If you didn’t want them to visit your home any longer you can tell them that and they will respect it. In 1984 my dad was dead for 8 minutes. He received a number of blood transfusions. In 1988 he had complications from his death. He received more blood transfusions. The neighbours knew about it - they were a kind, generous bunch who brought over food, care packages, well wishes, and a little brass bell that my dad was supposed to ring when my mother, my brother or I were supposed to bring him something. That is, all the neighbours except for the Jehovah’s Witness woman who lived next door. Instead she brought over a large amount of literature detailing how receiving a blood transfusion was a sin, and my father had put his immortal soul in danger (or some other nonsense). The items were disposed of. My mother told her not to bring that garbage to the house again. She ignored her and brought her hateful literature again. And again. Finally, my father who was somewhat on the mend by now, threatened to shoot her with his gun. (He didn’t actually own a gun at the time, but she left us alone anyway). I have no idea if this woman’s behaviour is indicative of the entire religion, or if she is just a big, fat cunt; however, to this day when I’m walking my dog I make sure he shits on the lawn of the JW temple down the street and don’t clean it up. I realize this makes me an immature, petty cow. But it’s really, really satisfying. ---
**Author:** ![AngelSoft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelsoft/32/440_2.png) [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/213 "2009-02-05T03:34:38Z")
> [@PopeJewish](#): > > that would make me angry. POPEJEWISH SMASH! besides, I’d only covert if I could be a yummy, goeey brownie with nuts 😃 Nuts…? NUTS? THAT my friend is blasphemy! Nuts do not belong anywhere near ooey gooey brownies! The only thing that belong in brownies are chocolate chips! And icing on top! ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/214 "2009-02-05T03:45:51Z")
> [@AngelSoft](#): > > Nuts…? NUTS? THAT my friend is blasphemy! Nuts do not belong anywhere near ooey gooey brownies! The only thing that belong in brownies are chocolate chips! And icing on top! You are condemned to an eternity in hell for rejecting nuts. And putting icing on top of brownies? Apostate! Get thee behind me, Brownie Killer. I think we can take from **alice’s** post (and others here) that there are dicks in every religion. JWs are not exempt from this. ---
**Author:** ![AngelSoft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelsoft/32/440_2.png) [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/215 "2009-02-05T05:29:02Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > You are condemned to an eternity in hell for rejecting nuts. And putting icing on top of brownies? Apostate! Get thee behind me, Brownie Killer. > > I think we can take from **alice’s** post (and others here) that there are dicks in every religion. JWs are not exempt from this. You have not experienced the joy of Triple Chocolate Peppermint brownies my friend. Get double fudge brownies and top them with peppermint icing (vanilla icing with peppermint extract) and drizzle melted dark chocolate over that. Pure heaven. Any religion that can promise me an eternity of eating those has got an easy convert! And yes, there are dicks in every religion. But most of them have the common decency not to bug me at home 😛 ---
**Author:** ![PopeJewish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@PopeJewish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PopeJewish)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/216 "2009-02-05T05:47:28Z")
> [@AngelSoft](#): > > Nuts…? NUTS? THAT my friend is blasphemy! Nuts do not belong anywhere near ooey gooey brownies! The only thing that belong in brownies are chocolate chips! And icing on top! was going for the “I’m a man, I have nuts” sorta angle there. Sorry, I’m at work and my kids were testing all day. I’m BORED > [@AngelSoft](#): > > You have not experienced the joy of Triple Chocolate Peppermint brownies my friend. Get double fudge brownies and top them with peppermint icing (vanilla icing with peppermint extract) and drizzle melted dark chocolate over that. Pure heaven. Any religion that can promise me an eternity of eating those has got an easy convert! > > And yes, there are dicks in every religion. But most of them have the common decency not to bug me at home 😛 PEPPERMINT brownies?! You’re dead to me ETA: hmmm, perhaps this is why the jehovies don’t bring brownies. Then instead of theological discussions about their religion they’d be dragged into philosophical discussions about their brownies… Still, I’d be much more willing to talk with brownie in my stomach than with anger in my… face? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/217 "2009-02-05T06:23:31Z")
> [@the raindog](#): > > Both our culture and our laws hold the expression of free speech sacrosanct. I agree, but unfortunately you’re mixing up legality and ethics. Something can be completely legal and still be unethical. I agree the witnessing is legal and should be. My question was about ethics. > [@](#): > > However, if someone says “I’m not interested” that is not an indication of how they may feel in the future. They really have no interest in tricking anyone. if someone simply says, “I’m not interested, and don’t want anyone else coming back in the future” they’ll respect that. But the person’s feelings can change in the future even if they say “I don’t want anyone else coming back.” So why take that literally while continuing to visit people who close the door without thinking to say “don’t come back next year either?” Anyway it’s not as if nobody could find the Jehovah’s Witnesses if they decided to look for them. ---
**Author:** ![terrymiff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@terrymiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terrymiff)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/218 "2009-02-05T10:18:17Z")
Kevin Bloody Wilson is an Australian comic who seems to be on a personal crusade to offend just about anyone in the world. The strange thing is that he does it all to music. The link below is to his payback to the god-botherers that come around at the least convenient time. NSFW. Definitely not PC on so many counts. Listen at your own peril. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJynygnjMC0) Feel free to ask for translation on various Australianisms. ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/219 "2009-02-05T12:26:47Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I agree, but unfortunately you’re mixing up legality and ethics. Something can be completely legal and still be unethical. I agree the witnessing is legal and should be. My question was about ethics. > But the person’s feelings can change in the future even if they say “I don’t want anyone else coming back.” So why take that literally while continuing to visit people who close the door without thinking to say “don’t come back next year either?” Anyway it’s not as if nobody could find the Jehovah’s Witnesses if they decided to look for them. So far, we haven’t distinguished between the legal and ethical aspects. IMV, we’d be poorer if not just the JWs, but the Democratic/Republican party, Greenpeace, and a host of others were required on an ethical basis to refrain from ever contacting you because you were not interested _today._ (not to mention the fact that commerce depends on such interactions) And, you’ve noted that people’s mind \*do \*change. As I’ve stated, ad nauseum, those people do not consider a 2 minute interaction after a full year as “unethical” at all. I submit that if the JWs are acting unethically by your definition, so are many other organizations, many, many of which have policies that show much less restraint than JWs. If in fact you are less annoyed at the[relative] persistence of the NPR canvassers (et al!) than the JWs, than I would suggest it has less to do with ethics than your personal taste. Our society is healthier and more dynamic because of the freedom we have to exchange ideas and pursue worthy causes. Even from an ethical viewpoint, this requires that I hear robo-calls from Obama, McCain (and for some reason recently Newt Gingrich) if I wish to have the freedom to talk to someone this morning about Jesus Christ. Rather than rail at Mr. Gingrich’s insensitivity, I participate in our freedoms by politely telling them, “no thanks.” ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596/220 "2009-02-05T12:53:25Z")
> [@the raindog](#): > > So far, we haven’t distinguished between the legal and ethical aspects. I have. > [@](#): > > IMV, we’d be poorer if not just the JWs, but the Democratic/Republican party, Greenpeace, and a host of others were required on an ethical basis to refrain from ever contacting you because you were not interested _today._ I disagree. I think most people would experience a tiny bit less annoyance in their lives. I don’t live in a swing state, so I have little experience with getting repeated robocalls from politicians, but by most reports they’re irritating and inconvenient. And then there’s telemarketing: why do you think the No-Call List was created? > [@](#): > > And, you’ve noted that people’s mind \*do \*change. Yes, the JWs gained 37,000 converts after knocking on millions of doors. These people could have found the JW temple on their own, of course. I think the numbers bear out my contention that it’s not an effective way to gain members. > [@](#): > > As I’ve stated, ad nauseum, those people do not consider a 2 minute interaction after a full year as “unethical” at all. And this proves what? I’ve said more than once that it’s a minor inconvenience and not a big deal. > [@](#): > > I submit that if the JWs are acting unethically by your definition, so are many other organizations, many, many of which have policies that show much less restraint than JWs. I didn’t say JWs were the worst. They aren’t. On the other hand, the other businesses aren’t offering salvation, they’re trying to sell cable. So aren’t the JWs perhaps supposed to be held to a higher standard than “we’ll try again in a year because he didn’t say ‘never?’” > [@](#): > > Our society is healthier and more dynamic because of the freedom we have to exchange ideas and pursue worthy causes. I haven’t proposed taking away anyone’s freedom. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jehovahs-witlesses-called-today/483596.md?page=12)