I would always just go into a discussion how 'Jehovah' and 'Jesus' never existed and they are blaspheming the original names of Joshua (pronounced Yahshua) and YHVH (pronounced Yo-vah) and go through all the mis-transliterations to the names we have today. Get some pretty funny responses

Originally posted by Daedalu
Most of them are just trying to do what they think is right, so I can not be to hard on them for doing what they do

Yep, but everyone thinks what they are doing is right. Suicide bombers, abortion clinic bombers, Mao, Stalin, Hitler, I could literally list everyone, all do the wrong things for the right reasons.

Most of them are pretty well meaning, most of them are pretty normal people who try and do the right things. They can get on your nerves, but hey, save your energy for giving jerks a hard time, not nice people.

What is scary is that they recruit very vulnerable people, they leech money and have massive resources. They are probably headed by Illumintists at the very top. Anyone reading their scriptural research has to be impressed though, its quite well refined. As the end of the world thing/ascendtion thing goes though, it ties in well with other religions and cultures.

I was raised a JW. I'll make a long story short: my mom was one - she got into it after she married my dad. He never was one, and for this reason, I had a semi-normal childhood. There was very little about it that was really "normal" - other than the grounding in reality I got from my dad.

I AM NOT, NOR HAVE I EVER CONSIDERED MYSELF A JW. I "grew a pair" at age 16 (1987) and left. My dad backed me up - which he would have done at any time in my life I had decided to outwardly protest. But it would've broken my mother's heart and they very likely would've divorced over it. I was trying to do what many JW kids attempt to do, and kind of gradually slip away after turning 18. I almost made it, but I remember saying something about making this short.

I will share a bit of info about the JWs, that, to their credit, should be useful to you.

If you just ask (or tell - if that suits your personality better) them not to return to your house, they will add your address to a list and do their best to respect your wishes. You can question them about their 'DNC' policy and any of them - including the 8-year-olds - should be able to tell you what I just did. I'm sure there will be folks here with stories about being harassed by relentless JWs who kept coming back after being asked not to. And I'm sure that has happened, but it is STRICTLY not their policy to do so.

I was forced to go 'house-to-house' at least once a week from pretty much 3 years old until I was almost 17. In several different cities, multiple 'congregations'. And EVERY TIME, the 'elder' in charge would make sure that everyone involved had lists of the addresses in the area that they had been asked not to return to.

That being said, I NEVER felt right about what I was being taught - as far back as 4 years old, but I can tell you about many qualities of my personality that I consider to be virtues - that I got from being taught what is mostly just a very literal interpretation of scripture.

Yeah. Long story short. Typical Teratoma. I will tell you this: They don't believe in "Hell" or any kind of everlasting torment. They would not question someone about whether they were going to heaven, because they believe that only 144,000 people (within their own organization) are heaven-bound. They believe that everyone who dies BEFORE Armageddon will be resurrected and given another chance to serve god for 1000 years, but everyone destroyed BY Armageddon will be gone forever. And that it will not come until they've been able to canvas their message to every single living human - royal blue-blood to disease-ridden refugee - and those humans make a conscious choice to "serve Jehovah" - or not. At the end of that thousand years, "perfect" conditions of humanity and the planet will be restored, blah blah blah.

I will field any questions anyone here might have - not offering to discuss the bible - but about that organization, and/or my experience with it.


[edit - grammar/spelling]

[edit on 6/18/2009 by Teratoma]

I enjoy inviting them to sit on the front porch, (don't want to invite them in teh house-vampire like compulsions) then tell them I wish to ask questions, and break out the trusty large family bible, open it to any spot and start asking questions from random verses, unfortunately they usually don't have an answer that matches my question at which point I just start muttering in a sing song like way and they seem to have more important things to do like LEAVE

I did have 1 interesting converstaion once though and I think I may have caused them to leave the JW religion as they could not answer the question I posed and I could with the very next verse. They were really interested in the fact that the bible flat states that you should questin your church ad read and study the scripture yourself without somone interpreting for you. I hope I save someone that day

I usually go out and start watering, whoops sorry I got you with the hose, now beat it!

Originally posted by weedwhacker

Invite them in to watch Monty Python

First off, I'm active JW. Secondly, thanks for the funny video! Never gets old, always loved Monty Python... (FYI, it is about the hypocrisy of the zealous pharisees and how blind the jews were concerning God's law - e.g. why would Jehova want us to know him, but punish us for uttering his name??)

Originally posted by purplemonkeydishwasher

The marching band of that no one listens to.

Nicely put! So was Noah's family, 40 years of ridicule and harassment, but he remained steadfast...

On the OT, message is not meant to intimidate, but to wake up. God will ultimately judge every individual according to one's heart, not whether he/she is affiliated with JW:s, or not. True, Matthew 24:14 states, message will be preached all over the world, but countless individuals will never even hear the message - so it is about the choice everyone has already made in his/her heart; do I want to serve my creator, or not (even outright deny his existance)
The signs are all around you, just look outside, or the universe as whole - the complexity is inconceivable. Look at the world and what is happening to it. Take heed, humble your heart and reach out for Jehova, He has promised not to abandon a single soul who cries out for him!

Revelation 22:17 "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

[edit on 20-6-2009 by Deadpan]

[edit on 20-6-2009 by Deadpan]

My sis and I had a garage sale a few weeks ago. Several JW's were the first to arrive. They were very nice, left us the same brochure and chatted for a while. Never had them slip anything under the door, nor have I ever encountered any rude, pushy or intimidating JWs. Just a nice group of folks doing what their religion requires of them. And a heck of a lot more pleasant than some folks that have come to the door soliciting this or that!

Well I've been getting these on a weekly basis for years now in fact it's the exact same thing. Just a propaganda tool used to bring more people to their calling. Not saying it's incorrect data just saying it's just propaganda at this point.

I can clearly remember being heartbroken when I was a kid that the world was going to end the year I was to graduate high school. It really did shake me up as a little kid, no time for a family, college or anything adult. Good thing they were wrong....again!

I simply tell them I am not interested and to please stop coming to my house. I lived in a building and they rang every doorbell trying to get inside, I would NEVER let them in and told them every other weekend when they would show up to STOP ringing my bell. I moved now so who cares. I am hoping this complex does not allow solicitation but I also know that does not stop them.

Nice people, crazy religion.

Originally posted by PowerSlave
This is nothing new for the JW's. They have been handing out this stuff forever.

Yeah, I used to work with just the nicest guy who was a JW. He was always going on about this and how I was going to hell. He was genuinely concerned for me and was always trying to get me to come to meetings at their Hall.

Almost like AmWay, ermm I mean Quixtar.

They can be pretty persistent, but they really believe it and wouldn't harm a fly.



[edit on 20/6/2009 by kosmicjack]

I had a friend who converted to Jehovah's Witnesses...or was it just Mormon? they claim to be different ya know... Anyway when he first got started with them he was all excited and used to tell me stories like how they believed the US was going to be attacked and how their people would sweep down out of the mountains and chase the invaders out...

to that end he was taking firearms training and they have this deal where they have to keep a years worth of food in the house at all times...

well that part isn't such a bad idea anyway and I guess the church provides some food????

now the only other thing I know about them is here in the western US there are a few large mines that are pretty much controlled by them... I once applied for job at what is now the OCI trona mine...had a starting pay of over $50 an hour... They were happy to see someone with my professional licenses and training... then came that fateful question... "What ward do you belong too"? the fact that I didn't know what they meant by "Ward" Meant I would never get that job nor would anyone else who didn't know...

JW's have been preaching the end since i was a kid.

I wouldnt mind, but they think THEY are the only ones that will be saved.

Originally posted by dgtempe

I wouldnt mind, but they think THEY are the only ones that will be saved.

Well, looking at the morality (or lack) of the modern, "civilized" society, I sometimes think how can anyone survive at all, the spiritual pressure today is enormous to say at least. It is so easy to succumb to selfishness and pride, the two things that will destroy the careless'.
Strength comes from unity, but personal perceverance is what will get us through individually. The are many, many people who are decent and loving but are too burdened to even listen - you can't blame them and neither will Jehovah. He understands your heart better than yourself

Just having arrived from the aforementioned convention, and I must say that it was refreshing, as allways. It gave strength to 'fight the good fight' and continue to tell others willing to listen about the coming Kingdom of everlasting peace...

P.S. Witnesses will respect your wishes, so if you feel disturbed, it is best to inform this directly to avoid confusion. By all means we don't wan't to harass anyone, we are just trying to reach as many as we can. And on that note, those who say we're just recruiting/after money, I ask: why would we do that? JWs are working 100% voluntarily and every member can get literature, Bibles, DVDs, attend Bible studies, etc, etc. for FREE. Considering worldwide, most people are pretty low income and can't even contribute monetarily, I would say this should then be the worst "scheme" - ever.

Matthew 6:32,33
"For all these are the [material] things the nations are eagerly pursuing. For your heavenly Father knows you need all these things. Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you".

We are a Nation of MANY religions and of non believers. Freedom of Religion and Freedom FROM Religion.

Originally posted by wyleecoyote
Time to put up the no tresspassing signs and get yourself a big dog.
If that doesn't work answer the door naked and invite them in for coffee and chat, that works everytime.

I give you star for this. Made me laugh out loud for a few minutes XD
Thanks!


[edit on 21-6-2009 by ParavengeR]