Jehover's Witness question

[sunflowa_girlie]

Originally Posted by briggsy's girl

as a kid, i was out delivering catalogues with my brother, and in one day, the SAME people stopped us three times and just wouldn't leave us alone. now, we were 10 and 12 - there is no WAY we should have been "ambushed" - at that age, you're not mature enough to make decisions about your religious beliefs and they shouldn't have stopped us at all

I completely agree with you BG, that shouldn't have happened. I know it used to happen, but we have since been instructed not to speak to children under at least 16 years without parental consent. Obviously we can't ask everyone their age, and I have gotten caught a few times asking very young looking women if I can speak to their Mum only to find they ARE the mum! But we are definitely supposed to put in the effort to speak only to adults - I often get told 'Mum and Dad are asleep', to which I say someone will visit them later.

Your point about not being mature enough to make decisions is completely true - this is also why we don't practice christenings (just as a side point).

[Kate07]

Originally Posted by sunflowa_girlie

We understand that we are going to get abused and even persecuted sometimes, but we have to keep looking for the people who want to listen to our message.

However, if someone tells you politely that they are not interested, and you still visit once a year, i don't think this is appropriate and it is this kind of thing that leads people to feel the need to get nasty to get their message through that they are not interested.

[Lulu2]

I dont mind saying 'no thanks' once a year - its the silly bloody telco fools that are FAR worse!

[Dee]

I dont understand why any people feel the need to visit peoples houses like that, be it religious groups, sales people etc. Drop something in the letterbox and if people are interested have them call to arrange to speak with someone.

I don't like strange people turning up on the doorstep. Unfortunatley in this day and age you can't trust straangers, and for a female to be home alone or home with kids esspecially it can be quite threatening to have a stranger knock on your door and be expected to answer it. Who knows who it could be??

[sunflowa_girlie]

Originally Posted by Kate07

However, if someone tells you politely that they are not interested, and you still visit once a year, i don't think this is appropriate and it is this kind of thing that leads people to feel the need to get nasty to get their message through that they are not interested.

As I said before, we have to visit once a year, in case you have moved on. Different people have different views, and its only fair to give everyone the chance, rather than ignoring a house because 10 years ago the people who lived there didn't want to us to visit.

Think about it this way: There's a bush fire near your house, and the Police warn you and your neighbours to leave because there is imminent danger. Inevitably there will be someone who chooses to stay in their home, and thats fine. But the Police will continue to warn them of the danger, because they can't just sit by and watch it happen. The Police don't care that this person has already said no, they're gonna warn them again anyway, and they'll keep warning until the last second, just in case THIS time the householder decides to leave. Would you view that as inappropriate?

I don't want this discussion to get out of hand - I was simply answering aussienic's initial question, and trying to share our insight. I understand that some people don't like what we do, but I am not going to apologise for doing what I feel is the right thing to do.

If you have any further views or questions Kate07, please feel free to PM me

[aussienic]

SG: I felt things were stating to get a little narky so I just want to say thank you for answering my original question.. I really appreciate the time you have taken you answer us..

I think I will just have to grown some boys things and say to them that thank you but I am not interested..

[HollyM]

I also admire the dedication of JW's but I am also one of those people who are not interested as I have my own faith but I also find it hard to be abrupt and say "NO THANKS!" *close door* So the few times they have come to our door I would get my Grandma (she lives with us) to go and chat to them. She is VERY religious. She could talk to them for an hour honest - both parties going back and forth discussing their faiths! After that, they never came back. I think my Grandma was actually getting pushy with them!

[sunflowa_girlie]

Rofl HollyM

[Shellsbells]

I kind of recon, power to you if thats how you want to spend your weekends.
I get how some may find it intrusive and i sometimes feel a little bad for the kids who have to go door knocking with their folks. But hey its a free country and I guess there are worse things you could do to your kids.
I kind of admire people who are prepared to live the way their religion dictates. Seems to me we are all too happy to celebrate the "fun stuff" eg santa and the easter bunny but without the boring church every sunday part.
I try to remember this when the JW's come knocking at my door. Cause although religion is really not my thing, they really mean no harm.

[Lisa]

SG - Thanks so much for your insight into JW's and the witnessing. Not many people do understand what it is all about.
Lulu2 - I will have to keep an eye out for that doco.

[Kate07]

I appreciate you explaining your point of view. And i hope that you may also have been interested to hear from others.

Originally Posted by sunflowa_girlie

Think about it this way: There's a bush fire near your house, and the Police warn you and your neighbours to leave because there is imminent danger. Inevitably there will be someone who chooses to stay in their home, and thats fine. But the Police will continue to warn them of the danger, because they can't just sit by and watch it happen. The Police don't care that this person has already said no, they're gonna warn them again anyway, and they'll keep warning until the last second, just in case THIS time the householder decides to leave. Would you view that as inappropriate?

Actually, i do live in a bush fire prone area, and once the danger is imminent, it is no longer safe to leave your house. That is why they advertise that you must make your fire plan, and if your plan is to leave, then leave early. If you don't leave early, you have to be ready to stay and protect your house.

If the police keep coming around urging people to leave as the fire approaches, both police and residents are in danger. That's why they advise residents of the danger and let them make their own decisions, based on their own circumstances.

[sunflowa_girlie]

Originally Posted by Lulu2

I saw a wonderful doco on JW a few months ago. It really gave alot of insight and information, especially on the door to door thing.
If they repeat the doco (think it was SBS), I'll let you know, its worth watching.

This doco is called 'Knocking' and you can buy it from ABC shops. I found it fascinating as well - despite being fairly well known, there's a LOT of weird stories about JW's, so it was refreshing to have the story told correctly. I think people also appreciated both sides being shown, with the grandmother who wasn't a JW telling her experience of when her daughter became a JW.

[Rosehip_Fairy]

I have a LOT of respect for the JWs - the abuse they receive is huge for what they do, and they're nicer than the sales reps (and easier to get rid of). They're actually doing worthwhile work too, unlike the sales reps. DH, on the other hand, hates anyone who knocks on doors so is very abrupt with people like that (in fact, I have to peep out to see who's here before I ask DH to answer the door!).

But I do feel bad when we're having a chat (and yup, I not only invite them in but make cake and coffee!) and I really disagree. Because I can't agree with some of their teachings but I do feel a bit bad about it; if they were from a religion that wasn't Christian then I'd not have that problem.

[SaraJane]

Just wanted to say thanks to sunflowa for answering everyone's questions!! I've learnt a lot reading this thread!

[sunflowa_girlie]

Originally Posted by Rosehip_Fairy

But I do feel bad when we're having a chat (and yup, I not only invite them in but make cake and coffee!) and I really disagree.

Gee, wish you lived around here!!

[sunflowa_girlie]

Originally Posted by SaraJane

Just wanted to say thanks to sunflowa for answering everyone's questions!! I've learnt a lot reading this thread!

No problem - I hear some very strange stories about what JW's supposedly believe, so I'm happy to show that we're (almost) normal!

[hoobley]

What makes me saddest is that in my area all the JW's who call are middle-aged men and i'm too SCARED to answer the door! On the few occasions i have, they were always really friendly, but i live in an area where prostitutes work and there are a LOT of dodgy men around at all hours of the day. I'm a single mum with a little girl. It's sad but unless i'm expecting a visitor i NEVER answer my door to someone i don't recognise. I kind of know this is a fallacy because really a rapist or murderer could as easily get a postie's uniform as a stack of leaflets, but still...

If a JW woman or a couple came i WOULD let them in for coffee and a chat! I'm not looking for spiritual input, but people are people, and you never know WHO you might meet. Stranger things than faith have thrown people together into life-long friendships!

You can get signs for the front door - my mum had one when she was ill and unable to be up and down to the door. It said something like "We are not seeking goods, services or religious instruction. Thankyou for treating our decision with respect. Please close the gate as you leave." We lived just up the road from where the annual JW convention was, and still never got callers after putting up the sign.

Bx

[PhyllisV]

That is my strategy also. :-)