Using funerals to recruit members (page 3)

cult classic

Yeah the witness funerals are a trip! I've had 3 elderly and 1 middle aged relative die over the past 3 years. And we have been so angry at how the talk is all about the witness beliefs regarding death and the resurrection hope. It always ends with "if there is anyone in the audience who would like to know more speak with a witness after this service....yadda yadda yadda" they are such idiots.

On the flip side we went to a presbyterian relative's funeral on my husband's side and the sermon was so encouraging and straightforward with scriptures from the Psalms. I'm in a state of major disbelief regarding the bible right now, but I did leave there comforted and relaxed.

Cult Classic

Broken Promises

I agree with CC about Protestant funerals. An aunt died several years ago, who had been a JW convert but left but stayed interested in the Bible. Her funeral service was held at a Protestant church, and several of her favorite scriptures were read, as well as some of her family getting up and talking about her as a person. Although I’m now agnostic, the service was very comforting and I actually learnt a few things about her as a person!

And chasing up potential recruits from those who attended the JW’s funeral is not cool. Very tacky.

Quillsky

Oh God, the graveyard field service thing, so sad and awful.

That I was ever part of this sleazy cult.

ziddina

I remember some pioneer sisters [who weren't able to get out and about due to health issues] who would peruse the obituaries in the newspapers and write 'witnessing' letters - along with the occasional tract - to the grieving families...

But running up to people visiting gravesites? Over-the-top intrusive!!!

Zid

Darth plaugeis

A Friend of mine told me my daughter wrote her a letter after reading her family member died in the newspaper. My daughter didn't know I was Friends with this person, but they responded how obscene it was, worried about a stranger, but she had nothing to do with her own flesh and blood. She said that showed nothing but a lack of love and how dare she preach about love when her own Father was alive and had nothing to do with him. I felt numb...... my own daughter worried about a stranger and wanted nothing to do with me. Praise Jah, Hey Jehovah, FUCK YOU, YOU ASSHOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

voodoo lady

They dehumanise the individual for the sake of their own agenda, giving no credit to the individual's personality whatsoever.

At my dad's funeral I wasn't mentioned (I'm a love child from his affair with my mother). All his other children (who he had with his wife) were mentioned.

The elder who gave the "talk" likened it to "steering a ship through dangerous waters." I presume he meant it was tricky not to touch on unsavoury topics like love affairs in case he "stumbled" anyone. However, the love affair was a part of his life, as was I, and there are surely eloquent enough ways to speak of a loving daughter without giving torrid details about his affair.

They made him sound like he had not an ounce of personality. I found it difficult to be there as a nobody who couldn't simply put a rose on his coffin as did all his (other) children and grandchildren. I was profoundly uncomfortable, especially since it was in essence a public talk. If "non-believers" knew of the conditional wayin which family (and friendships) are regarded, I doubt there would be any conversions from their attempted funeral recruitment.

Using funerals to recruit members