JW - Door knocking - how does it work?

[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

[Kazbah]

I'm finding it very interesting that this thread keeps threatening to go off onto a slanging match ... and then I read wonderful posts about acceptance.

I keep thinking back to a news story I read a couple of months ago - Australian "Angel" Saves Lives at Suicide Spot - CBS News - and feel that the vision of door knockers that I'm being offered matches this story.

OG - I think a lot of the angst comes from lack of understanding and education - unfortunately to many, religion is something they don't *want* to be educated in, and yet argue against. Just my 2c there

[diannescruffy]

Totally agree Kaz, it's so lovely to hear all these positive stories.

Regards,
Dianne

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Oh man, I'm on such a spiritual high from this thread - your experiences (the good ones!) and just the whole conversation is just so lovely!