JW - Door knocking - how does it work?

[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

[maz]

What a thread.

There are always annoying, silly people no matter what religion/walk of life we are. Its how we process it and make it work for us that it appropriate.

I have had ladies of the JW faith come to my door and had breif chats with them...yes I was edgy at first but relaxed when they smiled and made me feel at ease. It was actually lovely to have someone come and say hello when I was going through hell with Mario and his Autism at the time...they never stayed for long... just a few moments but it was enough to break the sadness I had at the time. Then those lovely ladies left and were replaced with a couple were the man told me I had no idea and I must of been given my child as punishment for something I had done previously...it shatted me. Yes they were of the same faith but the wonderful work the previous 2 ladies had done had been blown down in one massive move by another.

I have since opted to place a No religious chat's sign up when I see 'walker's' no matter what religion. Once bitten twice shy

I also refuse to discuss my belief's to anyone who approaches my door..I have no need to justify them to a stranger, they are mine for a reason

[Mummato2]

Rouge your response was so true.

I don't personally believe that anyone has the right to continue to knock on my door when I've asked they don't because their religion tells them that they must persist in an attempt to catch me at a moment in my life where I'm going to be more open to their preaching.

It isn't about the individual that is knocking on my door, it's about the religion as a whole - I have known some gorgeous JW's that are genuinely concerned about those around them rather than just themselves......a rare quality in this day and age. But the JW way just doesn't appeal to me. It doesn't give me the right to be disrespectful or rude, it gives me the right to make a choice in my life as to what I choose to believe.

[Mummato2]

Well said Maz

And as an aside - I have really enjoyed reading this thread, it is so eye opening to gain a better understanding of what JW's believe and do and why!

[diannescruffy]

Oh Maz, that just breaks my heart, those hurtful words. It just goes to show how one bad apple can ruin the whole bunch. We are all humans and need to watch our tongue no matter what religion we are.

Regards,
Dianne

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Maz - I am truly horrified that you were told that, it's not even close to what we believe For the record, we believe that things like that are simply caused by human imperfection and the current imperfect world. Jehovah didn't create us to die, he didn't create us to be sick, it only happened after Adam & Eve sinned, because they were no longer perfect, and they passed on their imperfection to their children and so on, much like cooking a cake using a dented cake tin. I can offer no explanation for why you were told that, I have no reasoning, and I completely understand why you would choose not to put yourself in line for that again, but please know, it is NOT what we believe

Bath - I was raised as a JW, so I've been going witnessing for 25 years now. Obviously I don't remember it all, but it's definitely changed in the last 15 years, peoples reactions have changed. We find householders are much more polarised, it's either a definite yes or a very definite no. I've been dragged inside to discuss the Bible for hours, and I've been chased off properties and threatened with violence. Whereas when I was younger, most people would listen to our initial presentation, and a lot took the literature we presented, mostly just to be polite. These days we really need Jehovah's help to have the courage to go out and try to talk to people, thats for sure! But it's something we expect, and something that must occur before the current system end - and unfortunately, we know it is going to get MUCH worse. Definitely not for the faint of heart or faith!

Thank you everyone for being so respectful I really am happy to answer all questions, and don't worry, I won't turn up on your doorstep with an inflatable baptism pool

[Mummato2]

and don't worry, I won't turn up on your doorstep with an inflatable baptism pool

I actually chuckled at that thought

[Inanna]

Well Berenice I think you are an absolutely beautiful human Being for the kindness, patience & respect you have shown in this thread. I've always admired you - but that admiration has been increased enormously reading your responses to this thread. Thankyou

[Kazbah]

Thank you everyone for being so respectful I really am happy to answer all questions, and don't worry, I won't turn up on your doorstep with an inflatable baptism pool

I'm sorry, I'm totally irreverant, but in my neighbourhood with its high rates, you'd likely be welcomed in to stay and use the pool as a birthing pool!

But seriously - I think the different attitude is noticeable in all aspects of life, as people are encouraged to "stand up" for their rights - they aren't being encouraged to think of the other people they are interacting with.

Given there's been some feedback about "rude" or "intolerant" JWs knocking (Maz - I am shaking my head), Berenice, do you have any advice on how to encourage respectful discussion with them? Slamming a door isn't respectful, and nor is it turning the other cheek...

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Kazbah about the waterbirthing!

The only thing I can think of is simply to say outright that you're happy to have a respectful discussion, but you're not looking to convert and you won't tolerate being disrespected. I wouldn't be bothered if someone said that to me at the door, because we're always told to be respectful and meek - whereas if you do happen to have a 'rogue' JW, their reaction to the above comment would probably show whether or not they were inclined to being respectful. If it is an ongoing problem, you could always contact your local Kingdom Hall and explain your problem to one of the elders, they will be able to help. I truly truly hope that what these people have said is not what they intended to say, because it's hardly going to make people more willing to listen

Inanna - No words, just happy to help