by PierreDelEclin 19 Replies latest jw friends
I wouldn't be angry with the majority of the Witnesses. It's the Society who's behind them teaching them. Most Witnesses are just doing what they are told to do and what's to be expected of them.
You should use that time and try and open a friendly debate. Point out a few things that may open their eyes...
I think the premise for the door to door ministry came from the Acts of Apostles. I remember sitting through one of the pep rallies to go get em at the doors but was only studying and not a dub either.
Sorry PierreDelEclin ... the domain name is my fault.
It started off with the intention of being for everyone but it seems JWs aren't capable of defending their faith (either that or none of them are online) so you're saddled with us 'ex' JWs I'm afraid.
We've all done "knocking on doors" and hated every minute of it!
Hello Aztec,
I had grown up with several Jehova's Witness friends. Always had questions for them, why they coudln't attend a birthday party or exchange gifts or many other things. Most of them genuinely seemed ashamed of it, especially around the holiday season. When Christmas parties went on at school, they couldn't attend. They stayed home. Halloween was totally out of the question too. I can remember years ago when a young girl and older woman(both witnesses) came to my house. I listened, trying to see what drove these people to supress that natural shyness about trying to convince strangers to join from reading a pamphlet. My mother, a rather fiesty Italian lady decided to run them off screaming we were Catholic. Certian memories never go away I suppose.
Also, why are they called Jehova's Wtinesses? Used to always ask them what they witnessed, and why they call God Jehova. Most never seemed to want to address the question and tried to change the subject. Maybe you and others can "educate" me of why things are different? Never hurts to know.
Pierre
Pierre,
I can't remember exactly where the name Jehovah came from. It is not used exclusivly by the JW's though. It has something to do with YHWH and Yahweh if I remember correctly. It's been awhile since I actively associated. (Can you tell?) As far as birthdays and holidays their reasons for not celebrating are strictly biblical. The holidays I understand because they have very obvious pagan origins. Birthdays they don't celebrate because of two stories in the bible. In both of these instances someone dies at a birthday celebration. Somehow they stretched this out to mean that noone should celebrate birthdays. Very little of their reasoning is logical.
Good for your Italian Catholic momma! I find that hilarious! You should know that they abhor Catholicism with a passion even referring to it as the whore of Babylon. There isn't much open-mindedness in the JW way of life.
~Aztec
Merry Christmas, Pierre. Welcome to the forum. We love having the input of someone who was never a JW. Thanks for showing up today.
When it comes to "organized" religion, JW's have the organized part down better than organized crime. There is a definite pecking order, lots of propaganda speeches and pep talks to keep the rank & file from getting off track. Some of the reasons JW's would give you for going from door to door probably would be something like love of neighbor, to sound the warning of the end/Armageddon, zeal for "the truth," or something similar. The truth is that JW's are watched and spied upon by one another and are under tremendous pressure to distribute literature and conduct so-called Bible studies to make new converts. Most of them are just like you, and, if they were honest with themselves, would rather do just about anything but knock on doors and intrude on people's family celebrations.
Many of us here were brought up as JW's while others were sucked in at a low point in our lives or because we did not feel connected with others in a positive way. The JW's give people a cause, something greater than themselves to devote themselves to. (See The True Believer by Eric Hoffer).
Try to be kind to the JW's. They're lost, with all of their hopes tied up in a corrupt organization. But while being kind, don't hesitate to plant some doubt in their minds about what they're doing.
Regards,
SandraC
Hi there, and welcome!!!
You might be very surprised to find that the majority "here" are on your side. We don't advocate the propaganda of the JW. But, since most of us "were" JW's, or are seriously questioning things via this site, we will be happy to have discussions with you, answer questions, etc. We know, better than anyone else what it means to be a JW.
The doctrines of the JW cult are very complex. First, learn what it is that they really believe and teach. Knowledge is wisdom...and protection against religious dogma of the cultish kind.
By the way, Merry Christmas!!
Welcome Pierre. I am surprised that the JWs you have encountered, can't explain something as basic as their name as a religion and the rationale for it. They must be a dumber lot than they were in my day. Why shoot, I have be out of the religion for fourty years, and I could still stop at your door and explain it. The name Jehovah is an english version of the pronounciation of God's name, though other pronounciations could be used, such as Yawah. In hebrew, God's name is YHWh, and is referred to as the tetragramiton. It is found throughout the Old Testement. In hebrew writing vowels are not used, so the vowels have to be guessed at, hence there is some ambiguity as to spelling and pronounciation. By their name, JWs are not implying that they have seen God. Their name implys that they should be busy proclaiming God's name so others will become aware of it and of Jehovah's teaching. Regarding the going door to door, they quote a scripture at Acts 20:20.
The name Jehovah ,came from a catholic monk..many yrs ago.
lol...lb.. im with u. thats all i need. ill promise to stop.
