Hi, Deadly Nightlight.
I actually have a question for you (being that you are a JW)
If you don’t mind, I would like to IM or email you. Let me know.
Thanks, JD
It’s a rare missionary indeed who is phased by that reference. Trust me, they’ve seen it a million times, they’ll see it a million times again, and they’re prepared to answer. It’s hardly effective.
I like Mormon Missionaries. It might have something to do with growing up in Utah and when I was younger, all the older boys I had crushes on would go off to their missions and they were so handsome and adult in their clean shirts and ties and it was always such a big deal…anyway, I think missionaries are hot. I always try to be nice to them if they knock on the door, even though I’m an atheist now. I’m right at the age where the boys I went to school with are on their missions now, and I’d like to think that people are being friendly to them so I just remember that they’re somebody’s son (or daughter), far away from home, doing what they think is the right thing…
Maybe I’m getting to be a softy in my old age. heh.
But you also have to remember, they are human version of spam.
Some people can’t stand spam,…
I’m thinkin’ you’d be in for a world of pain, Deadly.
I doubt it. All he would have to do is tell me to stop IMing or emailing him, and I would!
But whatever.
In defense of JD, it’s not her intention to berate or proselytize anybody. She’s been engaged in a study of comparative religion and she’s legitimately just trying to inform herself. I’ve been helping her some, via email. She really just wants to ask questions. So, Deadly, you won’t be walking into a trap or anything. JD’s not going to attack you.
Sure Jersey. I think my email is in my profile. I am not much for debating my religious beliefs, however, I can tell you what exactly I do believe. Even though I am most closely aligned with the JW faith, they have a few beliefs that I am not absolutley sure about. I was lucky. My parents, who are also JW’s, told me not to believe what they did just because they did, but believe because I have searched out the truth for myself. They never pressured me too much.
All In all, I get the occasional JW at my door,(people from out of town usually), and if I ran into the behavior that the OP did, I would not hesitate to call the Kingdom Hall. The JW in the OP makes us all look bad. Of course I think I must be the only person who gets Catholics, and Mormons, and Baptists at my door. shrug
Well done, Jersey. That’s a truly admirable approach. Give old Diogenes a rigorous interrogation!
I’ll take DtC’s word for it and offer you my apologies, JD.
The beliefs of JWs are a belief system; and as such an individual has the freedom to choose whether to participate, or even to listen, to their proseltyzing.
Reading through this thread I was struck by a couple things. First, it’s probably worth clearling up a few of the things thrown out as semi-facts:
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There is no “policy” against “witnessing” at one’s workplace. In fact JWs are encouraged to share their faith at work in appropriate ways and at appropriate times. They would be sensitive to “stealing time” and would use both tact and discretion. They would also be sensitive to perceived harrassment. (more on this later)
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It would be EXTREMELY unusual to see JWs at your (residential) front door (in the USA anyway) at 8:00 a.m. Between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. would typically be the earliest you would see them in a residential neighborhood. In urban areas you may see them downtown on streetcorners as early as 7:00 a.m. (I’m NOT saying that they weren’t there at 8:00 a.m. that day; just that it would be very unusual. You didn’t take some creative license in recording the time to make the story more interesting and more sinsister would you?..)
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There is no “point system” that has them earning cool points in heaven. In fact, the overwhelming amount of JWs don’t believe they will go to heaven. (or a burning hell for that matter)
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There is a protocal in place for those who feel strongly that they don’t want JWs to call on them. Their address is placed on a “Do not call” list for 1 year. Every morning that list is reviewed for the particular neighborhood that they will be working in. Do JWs occasionally screw up and call on a home that has stated they wish to not be contacted? yep. But every effort is made to respect the wished of people in the community. JWs will follow up in one year to see if the homeowner still feels the same way. If so, the name is kept on the list. If you feel strongly about this, call the local kingdom hall and tell them you wish not to be contacted. It’s simple and easier than running down the street with a sword. (But less fun in the re-telling…)
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JWs don’t “reject” anyone. OTOH, they’re not in the community to engage in debates. Nor are they any more keen on the idea of being riduculed. If you’re interested in a debate, you’re not likely going to find many JW takers.
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JWs are not forcing anything on anyone. (Any more than the onslaught of political ads we’ll be subjected to in the coming months) Theirs is a belief system. That’s it folks. No different on those who espouse strong views on the war in Iraq, abortion, politics etc etc. (And none of those topics are discussed on the company dime?..) If their views are particularly objectionable because it’s on your front steps, see item 4 above for some relief.
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JWs aren’t “selling” anything. Nor are JWs profiting individually one single red cent. The literature is available without charge if there is sincere interest. It is a fact that the cost of supporting their ministry costs money. Donations help support the work. If you choose to listen to their message there is NO obligation to contribute.
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There is prohibition on JWs playing musical instruments. (??)
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JWs consider themselves Christians. They are less concerned with the collective weight, tradition and doctrinal opinion of those Christian religions which seek to put Jesus on par with Jehovah as part of a Trinity than what the Bible has to say on the matter. They are quite able to make a primae facia case (from the bible) to support that belief. You may choose to believe otherwise. Cool! But it’s another thing entirely to say that they’re not Christian because you believe differently.
Exactly. There is nothing christians are better at than following their own rules.
Once, when I was a kid, my brother had a friend over who was wearing a t-shirt that said something to the effect of “And God said insert some version of Maxwell’s equations here and there was light.”
I don’t know what exactly the equation was, but it did send a couple of Yahweh’s Witnesses packing in a big hurry. Or were they Elohim’s Witnesses? I get the two mixed up.
Yeah, I’ve been woken by them and resented it. I think my current reply would be, “Look, I go to Vineyard (local church with many daughter congregations), and I know why I go there and why I’m not JW, and I’m going to save us a some time here. Bye.” [close door]
This may be an old thread… but I can’t resist putting in my two cents worth:
When I lived in Ca, I had some JWs come to the door and , as I listened blurry-eyed and half asleep, they expounded on their spiel, culminating in " so, would you be interested in attending this Saturday?"
For once in my misbegotten life I had the perfect come back:
" Saturday? hmm let me look at my calender"
~glances at calender next to door~
Oh! Saturday! I’d really like to, but that’s the day my coven is sacrificing an infant and a virgin to Satan. Would next week be ok ? "
~ looks innocent and receptive~
The pair of them looked like fish out of water; their mouths gaped open, they made some non-word sounds, then turned and left without a word.
Never had JWs come back.
~bows~
justanoldvet, please don’t bump years-old threads. If you want to continue an old discussion, start a new thread and post a link in the OP.