We had this "recruiting service overseer" that took the members to the cemetaries on Memorial Day. They actually approached people at gravesites with their "tracts" and brochures. I just said NO WAY when asked if I would go, but he made me promise not to badmouth the idea.
Using funerals to recruit members
by keyser soze 25 Replies latest jw friends
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undercover
Haven't heard of signing the registry and then being called on...but I have seen literture handed out at funerals. I've done it, though I'm embarrased to admit such.
A JW that was an old family friend died. What was interesting was that this man was fairly well known outside the JW community. Before becoming a JW he had made a name for himself in a particular sport and had been remembered by fans of that sport for the rest of his life. He was a minor celebrity in certain circles, so to speak.
The funeral was attended by more 'worldly' people than by JWs. The media reported on it even. The talk was your typical JW funeral talk. Little said about the man, next to nothing said about his career before becoming a JW...but lots of info on the resurrection and paradise earth.
And here's the embarrassing part...for me anyway... I was asked to stand at the entrance to the cemetary where everyone would be parking their cars to attend the graveside service (after the official funeral). Me and another MS stood at the entrance and handed out JW literature to anyone we didn't recognize as a JW. At the time I thought I was actually accomplishing something....now I'm embarrassed to admit that I ever did anything so stupidly cultish...
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rockmehardplace
i once interviewed for a job selling cemetary plots. part of the job was at the funeral of the deceased, we would get a copy of the register book and then visit those as well as visit neighbors of where the person lived and talk to them about plots.
imagine that, jws are selling a place to live when you die.
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Gayle
Went to a JW funeral last month to support an ex-JW friend. There was a registry book to sign your name. Signed my name but gave no address. Also, during the song and prayer, I held hands with my husband. I guess that's offensive to them. So there!
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sir82
You think that's bad - an old CO of mine used to get a car group of people to go to the cemetary and lurk. When they saw someone walking away from a gravesite, a pair would be sent to intercept them and "offer some comfort".
This was in my "true believer" days, but even when fully indoctrinated, teh thought of doing that turned my stomach.
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serenitynow!
lol @ outlaw!
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keyser soze
It may well come to that, outlaw.
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Dagney
Wow...that's a new one. Heard about working cemetaries, but not a guest registry. How clever they are...and yes, an RV out of it.
I'm wondering, their big purpose is to give a witness of that "bright new world paradise" to non JW's attending a JW funeral. Does anybody know if that carrot ever worked?
My guess is that they are delusional in their belief that they are offering something anybody in their right mind would want.
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keyser soze
Heard about working cemetaries, but not a guest registry.
In fairness, there could be more to the story. It's possible his wife had spoken with some JWs at the funeral, and they had somehow interpreted it as interest. Maybe they got her address off the registry for that reason. It still seems rather tacky and shameless.
