In a Norwegian local newspaper, a reader is being quite pissed off because some Jehovah's Witnesses “accidentally” showed up at her door just after her husband died.
Apparently she is aware of such “coincidences” occurring before in the district to the extent that she don’t think it is a coincidence at all. Of course the local Jehovah's Witness “spokesman” denies any such “organized” effort on the part of Jehovah's Witnesses. They do not read Obituaries to collect names, he claims.
So what do you have to say folks? I know there is a vast knowledge about Jehovah's Witness life out there. Here is what the Watchtower CD Rom has to say about it:
*** w67 6/1 345 Letters-Not Outdated ***
The minister soon found that, since she had made the original call, he had received a letter from a Witness who obtained his name and address from the obituary column in the newspaper. Though the man was a stranger to her, she had written a kind letter explaining the Bible’s glorious hope of a resurrection. The man concluded that surely he ought to look into an organization that would take the time to go from door to door and to write letters of comfort to people*** w56 11/15 688 Preaching by Writing Letters ***
At one of the Society’s Bethel homes a brother, close to eighty years old, unable to climb stairs because of heart trouble, sends letters of comfort together with literature to those whose addresses appear in the obituary column because of having lost a loved one.
*** km 1/70 8 Presenting the Good News-By Letter ***
3 Many in the congregation know that this sister has had good success in witnessing by mail. So they give her names and addresses of individuals to whom they would like her to write. She writes to individuals that she and other publishers have met in the hospital. One brother met a businessman who lived in another part of the country. This man showed interest in the truth. So the brother gave his name and address to this sister, who continued to develop the interest by mail. Some names she gets from the obituary column.
*** yb71 248 Country Reports (Part Two) ***
Can elderly people participate in the ministry? Consider this example: A sister who is eighty-eight years of age could no longer go from house to house and manifested concern about how to share regularly in the service. It was suggested that she use the obituary column in the newspaper and write letters to bereaved families. This she did.
Some times one wonders if it is at all possible for Watchtower “spokesmen” to open their mouth without uttering a lie. But of course, that’s the only way to keep the “truth” true, by lying through your teeth. After all the “truth” is worth lying for, isn’t it?
As some of you know the Watchtower Society has even made a special brochure to recruit grieving people which can be preyed upon at their most vulnerable moments.
What better time to introduce them to the sick realms of la-la land, with the Watchtower brand of insane superstition.
*** km 7/96 4 Imitate Jehovah by Genuinely Caring for Others ***
4 Here is an approach that might be used in offering the brochure “When Someone You Love Dies.” Show its cover and say:
“Today we are sharing this brochure that has brought comfort and hope to millions of people who have lost loved ones in death. Have you ever wondered what hope there is for the dead? [Allow for response.] The Bible clearly states God’s promise of a resurrection.” Read John 5:28, 29. Open the brochure and comment on the points made in the last paragraph on page 28 and the first paragraph on page 31. Show the accompanying illustrations. Offer the brochure. You can prepare the way for a return visit by asking, “How can we be sure that eventually death will be completely eliminated?”
5 Where you placed the brochure “When Someone You Love Dies,” you may want to use this presentation on the return visit:
“When we spoke before, we discussed the wonderful hope of a resurrection. The brochure I left you explains why we can be sure that eventually death will be completely eliminated. Did you not find God’s promises comforting and reassuring?” Allow for response. Then turn to page 31 in the brochure, and read the second and third paragraphs, along with Revelation 21:1-4. Highlight the prospect we have of enjoying life without ever dying. Depending on the interest shown and the circumstances at the moment, you may offer a Bible study in the Knowledge book or ask another question to open the way for the next return visit.
As you can see it doesn’t seem to be such an unknown phenomenon as the Watchtower “spokesman” will have the public believe. What is your take?
Norm.