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
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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
Registered User
Maz - I am truly horrified that you were told that, it's not even close to what we believeFor 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 respectfulI really am happy to answer all questions, and don't worry, I won't turn up on your doorstep with an inflatable baptism pool
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and don't worry, I won't turn up on your doorstep with an inflatable baptism poolI actually chuckled at that thought
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
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I'm sorry, I'm totally irreverant, but in my neighbourhood with its highThank you everyone for being so respectfulrates, 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...
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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
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But see, I shouldn't even have to say that. In my own home. At my own door. With a big "VICARAGE" sign on it. And I'm not happy to have any discussion at all, respectful or otherwise - I'm just not interested. And if I get any response to, "Sorry, not interested, God bless you and have a lovely day" other than a polite goodbye, I'm probably not going to hold myself back from sounding a bit rude.
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.
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LOL, we only get points for trying, the title the person holds is irrelevant - I would witness to the Pope if I had access to him!See, I just don't get the point of that. What is someone trying to achieve who comes knocking on the vicarage door? I don't mean to be rude, but do you get points or something if you score a dog collar?
A few years ago, I was talking to a man, and he was telling me how he became a JW. He was on a train one day, and noticed that the man next to him was wearing a suit, and reading the Bible. The young man was interested, because he was learning about the Bible at the time, so they chatted all the way to the brothers destination. The young man wanted the brother to come and visit him at his residence, so he gave the brother his address and they made an appointment for that evening. When the brother arrived, he found that the address the young man had given him was a seminary! Long story short, the young man was studying to be a priest, and regularly received visits from this brother. Within a month he had left the seminary, and he is now also a baptised brother, along with his wife and two teenage children.
You will no doubt know of the scripture in Matthew, 'Happy is he that is conscious of his spiritual need!' Everyone has a spiritual need, no matter what their background is, or where they are in life. For that young man, he was very aware of his own spiritual need, and tried to feed it by becoming a priest, but it didn't make sense to him. When he spoke to that brother on the train, he 'saw clearly that this was It, what I had been searching for' (his own words to me).
I am not saying this is true for you or your husband, just explaining why it won't stop us
We are all encouraged to keep our lives simple, and see if we can make room in our own lives for fulltime ministry. Jehovah knows that we are not all capable of the same things - He has given us differents personal talents. If your daughter and her husband are financially secure enough for her to join the fulltime ministry, that's wonderful! If she doesn't need to work, but decides she doesn't want to be a fulltime minister, that's alright as well! The main point I'm trying to bring out is that we are ALL encouraged towards fulltime ministry, but we are all given the choice, and the final decision rests with us. Reluctant worship is not worship
Perhaps a sign near your front door, requesting 'No Religious Callers' would help? Personally, if I'm at a door and someone says they're not interested but continues to stand there, I might push gently to continue the conversation, maybe by asking for their thoughts on a particular topic. A lot of the time people will join in the conversation, and I've had some wonderful discussions. Yes, sometimes they will tell me they are really not interested, and then begin closing the door, at which point I will wish them a good day/weekend. But its necessary to read the moment, and the person, and decide for ourselves. Sometimes people say they're not interested because that's what they've always said, that's what they've grown up hearing their parents say. Sometimes a topic is brought up that hits close to home, and they are eager to talk about Jehovah's view. So many things to think about when you're at a strangers door!
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And that's why I (clearly) go to church. It's just so *presumptuous*, to think that I will want to open up to you, a complete stranger, about my spiritual needs. And also, given that JW's do not accept the validity of *my* beliefs (as it has been explained to me - for instance, the JWs don't recognise an Anglican baptism, is that right?) the idea that I would want to be witnessed to by someone who was showing that kind of inherent disrespect... Well, I'm going to bow out of this conversation now because I'm not going to change anyone's mind. But it has all at least reassured me that my annoyance is well founded.
Oh, and thanks for the advice on vocation. I'm pretty familiar with the concept, though. My husband is in full time ministry and I work full time for the church.
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