JW - Door knocking - how does it work?

[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

[Toomanytoomany]

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.

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.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

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? We quite clearly have a strong faith to which we are committed to the point that we are prepared to devote our entire lives to our church.

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!

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

My daughter is being actively encouraged to depend on her husband for financial support, and go door knocking instead.

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

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.

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!

[Toomanytoomany]

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.

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.

[Daytona's Mummy]

He told me that when he heard the knock at the door, he had been making himself a noose to hang himself, because he just couldn't cope any more. He ignored the knock the first time, but then they knocked again, so he answered it. He stood at the door talking to the JW's on the other side for 2 hours, asking questions and just talking about Jehovah. Even if that young man doesn't become a JW, it's absolutely amazing to realise the power the Bible can have for people, the comfort it can bring.

This is EXACTLY what happened to my mum! She was fully strung up and ready to go then she has told us kids that she said just 1 last prayer saying : God, if there is any hope for me at all, or any way my life can get better then this, then Please god stop me now" Then within seconds there was a knock at the door and it was a young 9yo brother (with an adult of cause) and I can't remember what is was that he has said to her but she says she was brought to tears and had her 1st study then & there. She continued to study with that same young brother who eventually has now become her circuit over see'er (can't spell) and thats now well over 40 odd years ago. If he haddn't knocked on her door that day, my sisters & I wouldn't exist today!

I remember having a conversation with a girl that told me that if I didn't become a JW and worship their way, door knock etc then I wouldn't be resurrected the day Jesus returns....apparently he will only resurrect the JW's.....I had a real problem with this because to me it seems that unless I throw myself into the JW life, including donations etc - I am putting myself and my family at risk of not being accepted by God when we die....

I was under the impression that EVERYONE who dies after Jesus did but before armageddon would be resurrected, and then are given the opportunity to make their choice for a period of time... is this right?

I was born into the religion but as a teenager had a bad experience and became VERY angry with them. At the time I was too young to understand alot of the beliefs but did understand ones I still hold dear to me now. I find now as an adult, the times witnesses have called on me, it has been perfect timing in regards to issues/problems I was having at the time. Even a few weeks ago I was so incredibly sick and had been fighting with DH about a very serious medical 'issue' with him that he wont go & get follow up tests for (ie:cancer) (subject for another thread) and I was truely at my witts end and so exhausted when witnesses knocked. I have met this couple (husband & wife) before and when I said I wasn't well & unable to chat today she offered to look after Daytona for a few hours to allow me to have a rest!! Ofcause I said no, but It just always amazes me how Jehovah works! and witnesses always show up right at the right time for me! (even when it's inconveinent)
I don't go to the meetings but I wish I did have the courage to cause I do find my life to be so peaceful when I do. And it's funny, I was just thinking about things today and now tonight I have stumbled across this thread! LOL. Maybe I should pull my finger out & go tomorrow!!

[Inanna]

As you all know I am not a Jw but I do believe each of our hearts hear a different spiritual beat. If yours is the JW's DM & it brings you peace in the midst of confusion I hope you can go. Big cuddles & I hope life starts to become easier.

[diannescruffy]

Daytona's Mummy thank you for sharing your very touching story. God knows our hearts and our needs and what a blessing for your mum that God sent help in her hour of need. I have been raised in the Christian faith and to my knowledge havn't brought a soul to Christ but through this thread it has tought me something about the work of JW's. Bringing others to Christ .

Regards,
Dianne

[meow]

I do believe each of our hearts hear a different spiritual beat.

This is how I feel too. I understand everyone is on their own path so I accept their beliefs.

Sure, I'd love to save everyone else from their delusions but I'm sure everyone else feels the same about wanting to save me from mine I had a good chat to my MIL about that actually. If I wasn't against going to people's homes and bothering them with a better way of life then I'd be out there door knocking too! I can see the appeal. So for that reason, if someone starts talking to me about religion I generally just tell them I already have my beliefs and smile and accept that they have theirs.