JW - Door knocking - how does it work?

[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

[FabFiona]

I have strong memories of JW callers growing up. My parents are both Deaf and we would always get JW callers that were also Deaf or hearing but knew AUSLAN. My mum was very active in the Catholic Deaf community so I assume that's why we were called on. The first few times, Mum and Dad would always invite them in and have a chat. After that they stopped coming so I'm guessing they got a polite "thanks but no thanks." At the time I wondered how they knew to send Deaf people to our place. It seemed so smart to me (I was pretty young!).

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

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....

Sorry Mumma, I didn't read this right the first time - DM's right, the Bible shows that everyone who's ever died will be resurrected after Armaggeddon. Sorry, my mind was of in a completely different direction!

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.

I'm not sure if you'll see this response, but I'll post it anyway I'm sorry you feel that we/I am being presumptuous, we only preach to teach people about the Bible, as Jesus instructed us to do at Matthew 28:19, 20. Sometimes that leads people to open up to us in a way that we don't expect, as was DM's mothers experience, but it is not what normally happens. WRT 'not recognising an Anglican baptism', I am unfamiliar with what an Anglican baptism entails. We do not practice christening of babies/children, as they cannot understand what they are doing, perhaps that's what you're referring to? I am more than happy to discuss our religious differences, and explain our reasoning on each subject if you would like that. But for now, I just wanted to make clear that its not our intention to annoy or 'score dog collars', we only want to talk about Jehovah and His Kingdom

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 hadn't knocked on her door that day, my sisters & I wouldn't exist today!

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!!

DM, I've already PM'd you, but I wanted to thank you again for sharing your experience, it's truly beautiful It can certainly be challenging to be a JW when you're a teenager, being pulled in so many different directions - believe me, I've been there!

I have strong memories of JW callers growing up. My parents are both Deaf and we would always get JW callers that were also Deaf or hearing but knew AUSLAN. My mum was very active in the Catholic Deaf community so I assume that's why we were called on. The first few times, Mum and Dad would always invite them in and have a chat. After that they stopped coming so I'm guessing they got a polite "thanks but no thanks." At the time I wondered how they knew to send Deaf people to our place. It seemed so smart to me (I was pretty young!).

Haha, we do have a smart system in place At some point, JW's would have come to your door that DIDN'T understand AUSLAN, and they would have let their elders know about your parents. Then the elders would have arranged for someone understanding AUSLAN to visit your parents, to get over that language barrier. We do the same for all languages - for instance, if I were to go to a door and an Italian family lived there, I would refer it to the elders and someone from the Italian congregation would go back to that house from now on. No-one gets left out!

[Oorki Galoorki]

growing up any JWs who visited at my parents house had the door slammed in their face.
since starting my own christian walk i have become so much more accepting of others. we have had the same 2 people coming for well over a yr now on a tuesday at about 11am. I think because of moving to a new area i have been desperate to make friends the woman who comes(with im assuming her elderly father) is a beautiful person although i havent been here in about 8 months when she has come so i have not had the chance to invite her in for a cuppa.
although when i have discussed this with some friends from the church i attend they get very edgy and start sprouting off stuff about the JWs asking for money for the magazines and blah blah(as you can tell i just smiled and nodded letting it go out the other ear) I dont understand the angst between christian faiths and JWs.. im happy to chat to people about any thing god included

[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.

[Heaven]

I have lived in this house for 2 years now and never had a JW visit!!

I actually like them! LOL. Only bc I like learning about any religion. Although I'm not interested in joining so I'd probably just waste their time.

Great thread!!

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Lol Heaven - as far as me and most JWs are concerned, any time spent talking about Jehovah and the bible is not wasted

[AwesomeFoursome]

Last time they came I said I'm Catholic and they left. Maybe they thought I couldn't be saved .

We have a sign now which says. No we do NOT want Austar. No we do NOT want to change electricity company. And No we do NOT want to change religion.