Ok…..so I’ve lived in my house for 5 years. I have not once gotten a visit or tract since living here. Well, Saturday at 10:00, I finally got a visit. Two groups, 1 group per side of the street. They were placing the new “Truth” tract. I actually got a woman I knew from when I was growing up, I went to school with her children. She is a lovely person, but highly indoctrinated and shuns her one DF’d child. Sad. I mentioned another JW lives on the block, but I did not know them. She informed me he was an Elder at another congregation. I was astounded…..an Elder lives on my block (has the crappiest, most unkempt house in the neighbourhood by the way) and I’ve never gotten a visit from them, even when my parents died. Real Christian love, huh??
She rang, I answered, and she did a very quick presentation. I side-stepped outside and talked a bit as I walked down my driveway to collect the newspaper. She commented on how much she liked my wife’s scarecrow, whole pumpkins (ornamental/seasonal not Halloween carved) and fall wreath my wife had put out. She made the comment that she wished she had time to do things like that, but that she works full time. I immediately saw through this, (too many meetings anyone?) and replied that my wife ALSO works full-time, and has plenty of time to decorate the house. My house is awesome; did I mention I don’t live in some trailer park like a pauper? I found it amusing that she liked the wreath; wreaths have pagan origins you know!!! At this point, I decided to let her have both barrels. They came to my house professing to have the truth, now she was going to listen to what I had to say, period! She had mentioned her belief in the Paradise Earth, etc….and I flat out asked her to show me the words “Paradise Earth” in the bible…..it’s not there! The bible mentions God creating a “new heavens and new earth” but doesn’t say everyone is stuck there exclusively. I then asked her to tell me where the Great Crowd was standing in Revelations, as I mentioned they were before the throne of God, and she grasped and accidentally said they were the 144,000!!! Hahahaa!! I said, “NO…..the 144,000 are the anointed remnant, the “Little Flock,” NOT the Great Crowd or the Other Sheep.” She looked perplexed. Next, I asked her if the truth was what it was when I was a child....that being that the generation that saw 1914 would not perish? Without letting her answer, I said it’s not is it, so how is it truth? I then asked her why the truth had changed, and I then flat out told her that not only I, but she as well shouldn’t be standing here having this conversation..…that I was PROMISED that the New Order/ New System would be here long before I’d grow up, marry, have a house, career, etc….and yet, here we are?!?!? Still here, still out knocking on doors. I told her I felt duped and lied too, completely deceived by the org. She said she remembered those same promises being told to her as a child, and even having those same FEELINGS, but that she believes Jehovah will set things right in time. I said, “You mean like organ transplants and Millions Now Living Will Never Die” Guess what – they’re dead! My whole family is dead!!” I told her my mother died after an organ transplant, but that she would have been disfellowshipped before 1980. I asked her if she thought the people before 1980 had made a sacrifice, been a martyr. She said, “Yes, I guess so.” I stated, “Oh really? Do you think Jehovah wants people to sacrifice themselves in this way, only to have the organ doctrine change later on? What did Jesus say God respected more, Mercy, or sacrifice?” She again stated that she felt she was doing right by following God’s Earthly leadership that he put in charge. This nauseated me. I asked her, “What about following Jesus? Only he is the truth, the life, the way.” Then I said, “Oh that’s right, Jesus isn’t your mediator, the Governing Body/144,000 are.” She said, “No Jesus is my mediator, I follow the council of the GB, even if I don’t always agree with it.” I was floored…..but she was down for the count. I corrected her flawed reasoning by telling her outright that no, Jesus was NOT her mediator, the 144,000/Governing Body were her mediator, The Greater Moses, etc, and I could prove it with the WT CD. She again stammered around like a drunk. I then used this logic: if this is God’s Organization that Jesus appointed to do his work, then why aren’t they doing it? I asked her to name me one single orphanage, soup kitchen, hospital, or retirement community that the JW’s owned and ran. After all, Jesus said two of the simplest and kindest acts of love you could show would be to take care of widows and orphans. I told her the WT owned about a billion dollars worth of real estate and holdings all around the globe, what are they doing with it??? I then emphasized “a billion dollars”. I said, “They have a billion dollars in holdings, but yet have the audacity to keep hitting you all up for more money, and yet give nothing in return in the form of real, true physical help….and, seeing as how no one’s allowed to get an education, it’s even harder for you?” I used the reasoning that Jesus yes- fed people spiritually, but also helped them PHYSICALLY. He multiplied the fish, bread, turned water to wine, etc….fed people, healed them. What was the WT doing???? How are they helping people? She had no responses, and looked aghast at this line of questioning and reasoning. She actually made the comment, “This is some of the same stuff -------- (her DF’d child my age) used to say and ask me.” Hahahaha! How good is that line??? So, her child woke up and started using their brain (was DF’d for living with, then marrying a very nice “worldly” person), and she can see I use mine too. At this point, she was really trying to end the conversation and leave to catch up with her group. She was looking at the ground really…..in total defeat. She didn’t really have any credible or logical answers to my questions, didn’t open a bible to support anything she said, even though I was able to cite examples of scripture (from memory) to back up what I was saying.
By this time, I had rolled up the “Truth” brochure into a small tube and was holding it - nervous habit that I couldn’t help. Before she left, I made her understand my position by telling her that I was not mad at Jehovah, Jesus, etc……I am bitter at the WT Society for telling me lies, leaving me with a false sense of hope, abandoning me and my family in our greatest time of need, etc. I also told her it was nice to see her again, but that I felt sorry for her having to be out in the cold doing this after all of the lies I had seen transpire in my short lifetime, and even more in hers.
I didn’t yell, get angry, etc…..but I sure did give this poor woman both barrels of “truth.” There is no question in my mind she is thinking about what I said. Did I mention she works for a local school district as a lunch lady and janitor? Bet as a young teenager she never thought she’d be doing that in 2008 at age 50, huh???
I can’t believe how brainwashed these people are, just spouting off the old company lines with ease, not citing the bible or even getting it out, etc. When I was growing up in the 1980’s, we used to have our bibles out, no matter what other literature we were distributing. This was because we truly used it. What are they doing now? It’s like a bombing raid; just fly over, drop the bomb of “truth” and leave quickly before the householder can even ask a question. I invited her in several times, offering to get her hot chocolate and warm up. She refused, and that was before I had stepped outside and let loose with how I really felt. What kind of preaching work has this become? I saw the others across the street doing the same thing, about a 10 second promo for their literature/tract, and then just leave the householder stunned or looking it over without any time to ask a question. Just c’mon on down to ol’ Kingdom Hall for a good dose of brainwashing if you’re interested.
My parents would not recognize this religion, and my father has not even been dead a decade yet. I’ve been reading these sites since about 2001, and I’m nowhere near as well versed in the bible as I should be, nor as much as a lot of you are, yet I was able to make a lifetime member nearly twice my age punch drunk with defeat when I confronted them. I mean, she honestly slumped away. I honestly thought it would be harder to prove my points, but this woman didn’t really offer any defense at all, none from the bible even. Maybe she was thinking about my points while I was stating them, or maybe the 1+1 of my saying exactly what her DF’d child had told her was making her brain light up like a pinball machine? I can only hope.
To be honest, I thought the experiences I read on here sometimes were a little exaggerated or maybe dumbed down a little, but I’ll tell you all, the above is exactly the way it happened, and it makes me now totally believe the experiences at the door that are told on here.
Door Experience: Just got my first tract & visit in 5 years from local JWs
by WingCommander 9 Replies latest jw experiences
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WingCommander
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hillbilly
I found one of the new tracts in a restroom....Bison, OK.... those JW's really do get to the "ends of the earth".... I am a little afraid now... if they got to Bison the "work" may well be "finished".
~Hill
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Double Edge
“This is some of the same stuff -------- (her DF’d child my age) used to say and ask me.” Hahahaha! How good is that line??? So, her child woke up and started using their brain
I'm sure your whole conversation made her really think, but the above line is what I believe will "eat" at her. Ignoring her child in what in her mind could very well be a lie; and for what? I would think if she focuses on it too much it will be devistating, therefore, she will probably do what most people do to not feel that pain and decide in her mind that you are delusional, not her. Sad.
Great job on your part, very interesting.
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BabaYaga
Well done, Wing Commander.
Wow, it's weird... I just realized that I like hearing experiences from the other side of the door more than I liked hearing them before. Hope she lets this sink in. -
jamiebowers
I can’t believe how brainwashed these people are, just spouting off the old company lines with ease, not citing the bible or even getting it out, etc. When I was growing up in the 1980’s, we used to have our bibles out, no matter what other literature we were distributing. This was because we truly used it. What are they doing now? It’s like a bombing raid; just fly over, drop the bomb of “truth” and leave quickly before the householder can even ask a question. I invited her in several times, offering to get her hot chocolate and warm up. She refused, and that was before I had stepped outside and let loose with how I really felt. What kind of preaching work has this become? I saw the others across the street doing the same thing, about a 10 second promo for their literature/tract, and then just leave the householder stunned or looking it over without any time to ask a question. Just c’mon on down to ol’ Kingdom Hall for a good dose of brainwashing if you’re interested.
We will be in this house six years next month that is in an entirely different state from where I was a jw and was df'd. And my last name is different. My husband found old mags on the porch once in that whole time. I've worked at home for the past four years and not once had a jw at my door. Anyway, from your experience as well as many I've read about here or saw on YouTube, I think the WTB&TS is resorting to what I like to call Walmart witnessing. Walmart's philosphy is that it's better to sell lots of stuff at low prices rather than just a few big, expensive items. It seems the message of the jws is now the same. Spread the word to as many as you can, but don't bother with any meaningful discussions or presentations.
Good job, btw. You very well may be responsible for a mother and child reunion in that woman's case.
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garybuss
I'd rather talk to a believing Jehovah's Witnesses any day than go to a comedy show. The Witness is much funnier.
The only reason I can think that a person would be a Witness on purpose is they like the regimen of meetings study and service . . . it sure can't be for the food. -
halcyon
>I think the WTB&TS is resorting to what I like to call Walmart witnessing. Walmart's philosphy is that it's better to sell lots of stuff at low prices rather than just a few big, expensive items. It seems the message of the jws is now the same. Spread the word to as many as you can, but don't bother with any meaningful discussions or presentations.
This is pretty much the last thought I had which cinched my departure. When I saw that service meetings were just sales meetings, "hide behind the literature and let it do the talking for you" ... it was nothing like the religion I had grown up in. This is when I finally glimpsed the frail little man behind the curtain and realized I needed to stop attending what was becoming a huge waste of time. -
no more kool aid
Wow, that poor woman reminds me of myself a year ago. I would not have known how to respond to you because all I knew was what was spoon fed to me by the society and didn't have time to think beyond my own nose. You sure gave her a lot to think about. Flipper had a similar post yesterday and I wondered if he made it into her call book. I think you bypassed it and went straight to the "do not call" list, you might get too many people thinking. Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall of the car when they start discussing their experinces that morning and how what you said will be interpreted?
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megaflower
Excellent, well done!!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your experience. I do hope she thinks about her relationship or I should say her lack of relationship with her child. It is so sad that people allow the WTS to destroy families. I was one of those people whose family was torn a part but we have worked very hard and Iam happy to say I have my family back.
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Sarah Smiles
Hmm, perhaps we should have tracts ready for them?
Good Job!