JW - Door knocking - how does it work?

[Bathsheba]

For what it's worth I have never had my faith challenged by a JW. They have knocked on my door, offered me a copy of their magazine, The Tower i think, and pointed out to me the names and phone numbers that I can contact if I'd like to discuss issues of faith. That's pretty much it... probably because I had a crying baby and I said I was busy

I assume that there must be more fervent members of JW out there but I guess if every faith was judged by their most fervent then nearly all faith sytems could be held up for criticism in terms of pushiness.

[Kazbah]

I assume that there must be more fervent members of JW out there but I guess if every faith was judged by their most fervent then nearly all faith sytems could be held up for criticism in terms of pushiness.

I have had friends who are JW - and one who was so mild we didn't know his church until he passed. I think to this day that he didn't volunteer that part of his personal life to us due to the general attitude of our members.

Every group, organisation, business and religion is judged on every representation of itself. If all one knows of a religion is an argument and disrespect shown to your own beliefs, then it is easy to generalise. My parents' house is often visited by a family group who visit in the heat of a Brisbane summer and walk the streets with their young children - my father believes these people are committing acts of abuse against their children, and now will not answer the door to them or others, unless it is to offer them water and shelter from the heat. While in my parents' house, I have had my beliefs judged through the clothing I wear by religious door-knockers - and this does not bode well for my personal views of what they are representing.

Berenice - thankyou for sharing your views and insights.

Sopdet - I am sorry you are experiencing this disrespect from visitors to your door.

DS - great thread, it is something I have wondered for a while.

Bath - you are a very lucky lady with your visitors.

I enjoy a good discussion about belief systems, and find a debate worthy when my sparring partner is educated and listens, and replies to my PoV and not to their pre-conceived ideas.

[*Beema*]

This has been a really interesting read, thankyou Berenice for sharing things from your perspective

We used have the JW's visit our farm, and they were the only people who ever came to the front door, the step was over 1/2m high and we always had to hunt for the key to even open the door

But my question is we would always get a carload to come out and visit, but it was always the children sent to our door to spread the word, not once did the elders in the car ever come.... is there a reason why it was done this way or was it just perhaps how they chose to do it in our area?

We did know on occassion when they were coming as one of our neighbouring farmers would call to tell us, and we had hidden from them on occasion but it didn't matter how many times my mum told them we were not interested (Baptised Anglican but were attending the local uniting Church, so we had our own path as such), they would keep comng back, which is why we hid.....

TIA xxoo

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

You're 100% right BG

Beema - there wouldn't be a specific reason as to why it was always the younger ones. The only thing I can think of, since you were on a farm, is they were doing 'rural witnessing', and often you can be stuck in the car for ages before getting to the next house. It was probably just a coincidence that it was always the kids that got out at your place, they were probably the ones whining the most

The reason we keep coming back if someone says they're not interested but doesn't specifically ask us not to come again is that attitudes/circumstances/householders change. The magazines that we most often present are released monthly, always with different topics - what appeals to one person may not appeal to the next. Many times people have said for years that they're not interested, only to have something drastic change in their lives, and they get to a place where they want to ask questions, and they become more conscious of their own spiritual need.

[Bathsheba]

Just before I say goodnight I just wanted to thank Berenice again for answering these questions with such grace. Personally I don't mind my own faith being challenged, infact I welcome it, but I still don't think it's right to assume that everyone welcomes challenge especially on a forum where words can come across quite harsh.

You've been an admirable ambassador for the JW faith Berenice and while, like TooMany and others "There will be no conversion on my behalf anytime soon" I will always defend any faith that I feel is alligned to Love and Light. Also, like Inanna I am saddened when any faith is the brunt of jokes and stero-types (as the JW sometimes are).

Maybe I, like Kazbah mentioned, have "been lucky" not to encounter pushiness on my doorstep but I guess i also have never felt any more annoyed by a JW than any other salesperson and find it relatively easy to say "thanks but no thanks". Slamming of doors and hosing, I think IS unnecessary. I don't like unsolicited calls, as I have said, but maybe if an unsolicited call just saves one life then maybe it's worth it afterall *thinking aloud now* But I do think that people (myself included) have to be careful that their annoyance at being disturbed doesn't outweigh the "crime" of disturbance IYKWIM. At what point does the rudeness of the occupant - in response to being disturbed - outweigh the rudeness of doorknocking? Maybe that's the question we have to ask ourselves?

Thanks for a thought provoking discussion Dianne!

[*Beema*]

Thanks Berenice for answering

[~Kaz~]

What an interesting thread. Thanks Berenice for taking the time to answer all the questions so eloquently.

The reason we keep coming back if someone says they're not interested but doesn't specifically ask us not to come again is that attitudes/circumstances/householders change. The magazines that we most often present are released monthly, always with different topics - what appeals to one person may not appeal to the next. Many times people have said for years that they're not interested, only to have something drastic change in their lives, and they get to a place where they want to ask questions, and they become more conscious of their own spiritual need.

The repeated calling on the same houses even though people say they aren't interested is something I've never understood (and I admit it annoyed me). But now I totally get the JW point of view and understand what might motivate them to do this.

[Muffy]

Wow great thread!

I had a lovely JW couple come to my door back in Feb, yep i did show some interest and yes they did come back quite a few times!
I didnt mind though, they were lovely people and always remembered the kids names!.. although i was a little uncomfortable at the fact they spent alot of time talking about the 'no sex before marriage' when they knew i was a single mum to 2 kids.
But anyway, after a few visits i told them that i appreciated them coming back to speak to me but i didnt think that it was a path id like to take and they respected that!

[Rouge]

I try not to take offence to any faiths. I don't expect anyone to automatically understand or believe what I do, and just because they might not understand doesn't make them ignorant or means they are attacking me personally. And I think there are gentle and polite ways to explain that without being forthright and offensive. We have Jehovas Witness' here all the time I am just polite and say no thank you, it doesn't matter what you believe if you're not interested you're not interested. I can't hardly expect them to remember my house especially when a lot of the people that visit are different. At the end of the day whatever faith a person is we are all made of the same flesh and blood, and if we expect tolerance from others then I think we should offer it up freely ourselves. If someone is rude to you then sure speak your mind or stand your ground but if not you are only causing more grief for yourself. I think if we automatically think that the world is out to get us, or that people are ignorant or any assumptions it is no different than the backlash we receive ourselves for who we are, how we act or what we believe. I don't believe having an issue with a religion means you need to have issues with those that follow it or vice versa, having an issue with a select few followers means the whole religion and their followers should be tarnished the same way.

Hate begets hate. And you don't need to be passive and lie down to be kicked to show love and understanding.

/goes back to the corner to make daisy chains and sing folk music

But seriously though, being that angry over an assumption can't be good for your health

Good question though dianne and Berenice thank you for taking the time to respond