Jehover's Witness question

[Jas]

Hi,

If you r still around in this thread sunflowa I just have a question. We haven't had any visits yet at our new place but at our old place we have visits a few times.

Just after Noah was born (he was less than a week old) we even had a sign on the door saying welcome home Noah. Anyway Phil answered the door to some jw's ages later he was still talking so I came to see who was at the door. We both told them we attend a pentecostal church every week, usually sunday morning and night and we are Christians and we run our churches Children's Department (children's church etc) Anyway knowing how young Noah is (they asked and commented on the sign) and the fact that we already believe in Jesus and God etc but are not JW's they still continued to give us stuff and talk away for ages and invite us to their church etc. Is this the policy of JW's??? It's just that I feel as we already accept Jesus and God in our lives any futher info and talking beyond this point was an attempt to convert us or bring new members into the church. I was also annoyed by the length of the chat given the age of our baby (the chat was approx 30mins)

I know it was my right to ask them to leave however I feel that most people feel uncomfortable asking someone to leave.

I have to say that it is interesting to find out why jw's believe in door knocking as I certainly don't and I also have to say that I don't agree with that interpretation of the scripture but of course would defend you right to interpret it that way. I believe that the effect of door knocking is much lower than what putting the same amount of time into meaningful relationship with ppl and just being normal and letting your life and who you are speak rather than handing out books etc.

I don't mean that to be hurtful or argumentative just wanted to offer my opinion in a respectful wayiykwim

[Sammiejane]

I noticed this thread a little while ago and made me think of the JW's that come to our area.

I have no problem with them, and the particular woman that visits me is wonderful and very respectful.
there has been NO preaching, just short discussion, to the point of the message that they are bring/giving at that time (what ever is feature in the magazine) and thats it.

On morning on a weekend she came and could obviously see through the window that we were sitting down as a family for breakfast... she commented on it and said that she did want to keep me during family time. That was it, she offered me the magazine and then left.

Today she came and visited, i answered the door with MJ in my arms, she asked about how she was, noticed that she had a runny nose and asked if she was teething and gave her a big smile. She also mentioned the topic of the latest mag and then left it with me.

TBH, i couldnt consider adopting the JW faith as there are fundamental practices/beliefs that do not sit well with me, however i believe these people should be respected and also applauded for their faith and wanting to gently (as i have experienced) convert people and their incredible persistance

We have never broached the topic of converting, dont know if it will ever come it it. I dont always read the magazines, but i always take them and will always thank them for visiting and wish them a great day.

I think thats all that i wanted to say. Everyone is entitled to their own belief, i dont like God botherers (escuse the term aan i mean no offece to anyone) as in people that tell me what i must believe in or that i am doomed if i do not believe in something etc etc... i think that the JW's (or the ones in my area) have got a good balance of spreading the message, being persistant and friendly without being offensive or in your face.
I think that i am on 3-6mthly visits as MJ was born last time they visited... cant rememebr when thou.

[sunflowa_girlie]

Still here Jas

To be honest, it depends on how tactful the person in question is. I tend to be very sensitive, perhaps overly, to when people want to stop talking. I would be more like the sister in SJ's comment - just get to the point, and move on. I have been out witnessing with some people, and I'll be standing there wishing them to stop talking because the householder obviously isn't interested!

I've found that it also depends on the ethnicity of the person visiting you - nothing against anyone here, I have simply noticed that certain ethnic groups are less 'socially aware', probably because of the different attitudes in different countries.

As I've said, we in no way take it personally when people say they aren't interested - frankly, we'd all be basket cases if we did!

And I don't find your comments hurtful or argumentative at all - I'm just as interested in listening to others beliefs as I am talking about mine!

[Rosehip_Fairy]

Bec, if you ask them to send only women visitors to you, then they do! I only have female JWs visiting me, although I have met some of the chaps. But given your area I don't think men would accept your offer to come in anyway as it would look a bit suspect.

I think there are some really big differences between traditional Christianity and what the Bible does teach and it has been great to re-evaluate my faith with JWs and what I do believe. I don't agree with everything, as I have already stated, but it has helped me realise that I've been believing contradictory things all my life and figuring out what the Bible has to say on the subject, not just what the JWs (or the Anglicans) have to say.

I think it's really great the JWs let you evaluate your faith non-judgementally. Yes, they do believe what they are saying so they will put their PoV across, but never really pushing. I know full well if I came out with some of the questions to a vicar then I may not get such a loving reaction. But then, I'd get more understanding and sympathy with other questions from a vicar, so I guess it's good to have more than one source for Christian and Biblical discussion.

[sunflowa_girlie]

Originally Posted by Rosehip_Fairy

I'd get more understanding and sympathy with other questions from a vicar, so I guess it's good to have more than one source for Christian and Biblical discussion.

Can I ask what you mean by this? For informational and curiosity purposes - nothing evil, I promise! Hehehe

And I didn't know that - I've never been in the position of only women or only men going to a particular house. You ARE well researched!

[Rosehip_Fairy]

Well, for example, I believe that God has a purpose and a plan for each and every one of us - it's up to us if we stick to it though. God has already written His perfect plan for our lives on this earth. BUT we can mess it up and other people can mess it up and Satan can mess it up. We're never given more than we can handle. God knows us from before we are born, knows our personalities - wouldn't He love us enough to plan a good life for us?

BUT this PoV really upset the JWs I know.

I'd also be prayfully discussing which Uni DS wants to go to as he is older with God, DS and DH and if we include anyone else it would be a vicar given the JW stance on further education and going to Uni (as very much displayed in the September magazines - I wasn't aware of this previously).

Ummmm, anything else? Communion is another big one too.

BUT trinitarian questions I'd rather discuss with the JWs (having found no joy in that from Vicars, but then I've never been a strict trinitarian believer; since I was about 7-8 and able to reason on it I realised it just wouldn't work), same as questions on the next life.

[sunflowa_girlie]

Thanks for explaining Rosehip I love finding out what others believe!

I think you and I are going to have some interesting discussions!

[Rosehip_Fairy]

me too! That's why I started chatting to the JWs in the first place and agreed to a Bible study: I wanted to find out that it isn't really all space-aliens-from-Mars and killing children because you won't take them to hospital and... well, whatever I've heard I'm sure you've heard weirder LOL.

[hoobley]

Ryn to be honest i think it's because of my area that they DON'T send women out to knock. The guys they send are usually the older grandfatherly types, but you just never know in this area. I get kerb-crawled on my way home with DD in a pushchair! Um, yeah, i'm looking for business for me and my BABY! Disgusting. I just say "No, but i've taken your plates and i'm calling the police to let them know what you're doing so maybe you should consider a quiet night in tonight!" I can't wait to leave, can you tell.

Bx

[Rosehip_Fairy]

OK, maybe not to knock in general, but to call on you specifically?

And I hope you find a great house really soon and move out too. Sounds like a fabbo area.