Did you as a JW...

by startingover 10 Replies latest jw friends

  • startingover
    startingover

    think you were above the law when it came to trespassing? I began thinking about this after reading about Danny Haszard's pepper spray incident. (I was too late to see the video BTW)

    Not too long ago I took a couple of young JW men to a local lake for some fun on my boat. On the hills surrounding the lake are some secluded homesites, accessible by a single road, which always says "Private Property, No Trespassing" where the drive meets the highway. One of the guys with me was in the congregation that worked the territory where these homes were. Sitting in the boat on the lake and looking up at these secluded homes, he related how he had, while out in service, disregarded the signs and went up the driveway to preach to the homeowner. When they reached the property, they were met by a man who was very upset they were there, and he told them that he was going to the house to get his gun and that if they were still there when he returned, they would get shot. The JW guy was more or less bragging about his actions, and thought he had done the right thing trying to reach the guy with his message.

    Thinking back, I suppose I had the same feeling as a JW. Although I knew a sign like that meant I wasn't welcome, and was breaking the law, I probably would have disregarded it because of all the mind control I was subject to, I would have felt that since I had this all important message, I was above the law. However, on the other hand, when I wasn't in a reaching out mode, I would have welcomed the sign as it was a good excuse to skip the house.

    Anyone else?

  • megsmomma
    megsmomma

    When the society said to basically disobey the No Trespassing signs at your own risk...I being thoroughly brainwashed took it to mee something similar to their phrase "it's a conscience matter". In other words....I felt like if I was really a good JW and doing all I could...I would ignore the sign to try to save someone....even if it did mean my own death. STUPID CULT

  • purplesofa
    purplesofa

    I never was in a car group that disregarded No Trespassing signs. Mostly seen in the rurals of Arkansas and the Hill country of Texas, we just did not mess with landowners requests. the territory I have worked is full of hunters and esp in Texas these people had alot of money and wanted their privacy.

    I myself, would have been in fear of being shot or eaten by a wild animal!!!!

    I am still in awe that these men even knocked on Danny's door as the counsel for us was to pass those places by, we did, however, leave literature at the gate.

    purps

  • Gopher
    Gopher

    If a person was on a "DO NOT CALL" list, I did not call.

    If a property said "No trespassing" I left it alone, mainly out of fear.

    If a sign said "No soliciting / peddling", I would knock and hope to be able to explain we were just there to talk and not to make any profit (how little I knew about the WT Society's vast wealth). If someone there didn't want to talk, I figured they wouldn't answer.

  • jaguarbass
    jaguarbass

    The Wac Tower Society makes people think God is on their side. Then they feel they are invincible. Kind of like some people get when they drink alcohol.

  • tula
    tula

    I just had a really wild thought.

    On the trespassing thread, one poster commented that it was obvious that the JWs at Dannys door were clueless about who he was or that they had done anything wrong.

    Could it be that these JWs were new to field service in that area and someone else put them up to going to Danny's door as an "iniation" unbeknownst to them?

    Has that ever happened to anyone in field service?

    Did anyone ever "dare" you to go to a certain home because of trespass signs, dogs, reputation of person, etc. etc.?

    Startingover, I am not trying to hijack here, or change the subject. I would just like more in-depth answers to your questions. Thank you.

  • brunnhilde
    brunnhilde

    I always viewed No Trespassing signs as an excellent and valid excuse for not going to someone's house!

    brunn

  • Gopher
    Gopher
    Did anyone ever "dare" you to go to a certain home because of trespass signs, dogs, reputation of person, etc. etc.?

    Such dares would be unlikely for older men such as those JW's in the video.

  • wha happened?
    wha happened?

    I own an apartment bldg and it has no trespassing signs, I warn JW's when they approach

  • WTWizard
    WTWizard

    Even though (in some states) it is legal to shoot someone who trespasses on your property with a prominently posted "No Trespassing" sign, I generally do not recommend this approach. What I do recommend is that, if the Witlesses show up despite a No Trespassing sign, to call the cops. At the least you have them for criminal trespass. If they walk onto an enclosed porch without the householder's permission and despite a No Trespassing sign (very common in my area), then you can nail them for breaking and entering.

    I don't know what the sentence for a burglary charge would be. However, the Witlesses might find out if they walk onto an enclosed porch with a No Trespassing sign. And I would imagine it to be a felony. That is not a good thing to be publicly embarrassed as Jehovah's Burglars.

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