are jw the most dispised religion by the public?

by mP 28 Replies latest jw friends

  • WTWizard
    WTWizard

    At present, Muslims seem to get the brunt of the hatred in most Christian countries. But, if you think the witlesses get lots of persecution, just try going on Christian missionary work in northern Nigeria where three of their churches were blown up by Muslims that felt harassed and threatened by the religion. Christians in general are perceived as destroyers of all other faiths, including indigenous religions (they merely want to pull off another Dark Ages). This is what makes them so hated.

    Then, when Muslims fight back (they are not much better), they are perceived as terrorists, and that the whole world will be forced into Sharia Law. It is only the minority of Muslims, the ones that force their way into power, that actually support Sharia Law. They are also responsible for why Islam is so bad--core Islam merely instructs people to do good works in the name of Allah, which is a far cry from what most people are taught.

    Between those two groups, they are both far more despised than the witlesses who are seen as another cult that is a nuisance. Getting disrupted on a Saturday morning, while not fun, is better than getting your church blown up or your whole way of life destroyed under threat of getting kidnapped or burned at the stake.

    Also, if you think the witlesses are despised, try going into the Bible Belt with a message of Satanism. As the darkness (Christianity) despises the light (independent thinking, so common among agnostics, atheists, and Devil worshipers), Christians feel the need to protect their fragile faith and close out Satanists. They do this by censoring Satanic materials including those involving mere independent thinking and harmless rituals. Even groups that do not practice animal sacrifice are persecuted--if you are outside the Bible Belt, it isn't as bad. But, within a Bible Belt, people that are openly atheist or Devil worshipers are persecuted worse than the witlesses.

  • darth frosty
    darth frosty

    If you think about it JW's are really ignored.

    The one thing that kinda made them hated was the whole waking people up at 10am on a sat or sun morning ;-/

    Now they are ignored because the 'field ministry' has lost its luster and in this day and age people are working weekends and not home. Contrast this to 20 30 yrs ago when weekends were sacred and cherished.

  • Black Sheep
    Black Sheep

    In the circles I move in, the general consensus seems to be that they are just another harmless Christian religion.

    That only proves that the whitewash is layed on pretty thick around here.

  • Phizzy
    Phizzy

    Here in the U.K people generally really do not like the Jw's, they like Muslims less. It is a shame that the bad press generated by extremist Muslims reflects on all members of the religion, and the public lump them all together.

    Now the JW's deserve to be lumped all together, as they are so united, goose-stepping together, they are all extremists.

    Only joking, I think the old adage "He who generalise generally lies" applies here. But JW's are not popular.

    I think the informed public despise any religion or ideology that causes harm.

  • cantleave
    cantleave

    I think JW's are ridiculed but not despised. They are in fact only percieved as annoying because they knock on people's door on weekends, the blood doctrine makes people angry, I think that is understandable and not celbrating BD's Xmas and other holidays makes them appear kookie.

  • moshe
    moshe

    JWs could do a lot to heal thy image, if they provided a public charity in their community. They can do a quick build KH , but no quick build Habitat for Humanity house? People are not stupid, when it comes to sizing up the character of a religion and it's members.

  • keyser soze
    keyser soze

    I'm sure they like to think that they are. But it's not even close to the Muslims. I would venture to guess there are more people that hate Catholics and Jews, as well. Certainly the anti-Catholic rhetoric in their own publications is as powerful as anything JWs may experience.

  • Band on the Run
    Band on the Run

    My elementary school classmates knew I was the other. We did not attend Catholic services. When the school said the Lord's Prayer every morning, I did not cross myself. There were only two Protestants in my class. Flag salute at the height of the Cold War was brutal. It hurt. As an adult, I don't believe they despised me. Their parents raised them to accept the norm in our immediate neighborhood which was not the American norm anyway.

    Westboro Baptist Church, Scientology, other cults such as Jim JOnes and Manson. Mormons.

    A lot depends on where you live. Mormons are rare in the EAst. People who lived in the Utah area are full of rage about their political power.

    My impression is that JWs are comic relief. People love to make fun of the door to door imposition on people. B/c of illness I had to interview therapists. I was shocked when I mentioned briefly that I was raised a JW, they interrupted me and said they could not treat me. They had seen too much. Besides, therapy would just be a waste of time. I had to assure them that I was born-in and moved on decades ago.

    The blood doctrine, esp. parents trying to let their children die, may ignite passions.

    It might be nicer to be despised than ridiculed as an utter joke. No one takes them seriously, except for therapists.

  • simon17
    simon17

    In my experience I think JW's are like the quiet awkward kid who sits alone at lunch in middle school. He's generally nice to people and so everyone feels a little bit sorry for him, but not enough to really go over and sit with him.

  • mouthy
    mouthy

    Simon17..... I have to agree with you. My Daughter Melanie used to come home from school real sad.
    everyone knew she had to stand outside the door for prayers ,& couldnt stand at the saluting of the flag
    couldnt join in the sports ,she didnt preach at all at school,but came with me every Sat door to door,
    met lots of her school kids at the door-she was so embrassed ...She did come to know the TRUTH!!!
    When she married an unbeliever ,but CAME to know Christ before she died( Cancer.)at 43 yrs old.
    Imagine the guilt I felt knowing I ruined her life~by teaching her lies.

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