Lucy in the sky with diamonds.
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.
I didn't understand it myself before and I would never be rude to them when they came to the door but now - well I really admire their commitment and it seems they just wanna share the joy they have found themselves.
If they repeat the doco (think it was SBS), I'll let you know, its worth watching.
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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.
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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.
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Just wanted to say thanks to sunflowa for answering everyone's questions!! I've learnt a lot reading this thread!
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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!
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
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Gee, wish you lived around here!!
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