jehovah witness

[Master Mason]

Sorry not sure what you mean.Jesus there was telling his followers not to be showing off about how they pray.God will hear your prayer done in private.




rich

he said that the Hypocrites do so in public

 

[Holly]

he said that the Hypocrites do so in public

Wouldn't that mean most Christians are hypocrites?

 

[LovinPooh]

I am interested in how many people in fact actually say 'okay, I'll drop all my beliefs and join your religion'???? Just wondering if all the effort of driving around and harassing people pays off???

As far as withholding blood from kids... if adults want to kill themselves... so be it. I cant believe that there isnt some kinda law making kids wards of the state when parents use religion to withhold treatment. I would love to know from the JWs here, if you saw your child dying, would you honestly say goodbye to them because of these 'beliefs'?
And do you think that we will go to hell, or we are selfish if we do?

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Heh, one of my DHs favorite lines from Blue Collar Comedy:

She said, "What will you do when these little boys come over?" I said, "I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'm gonna pull the young man in tight next to me so only he and I can hear the conversation. I'm gonna whisper in his ear. I'm gonna say, "Boy, look at me. You see that little girl there? That's my only little girl. She's my life. So if you have any thought about hugging or kissing, you remember these words: I got no problem going back to prison."

There have been several cases where the states have taken over the legal responsibility of children whose parents denied them lifesaving treatment (the two most recent that come to mind involve chemotherapy. One of the kids was named Abraham Starchild...go figure). It can and does happen. the one problem is that it takes time, so I'm not sure how it works in an emergency where time is of the essence.

 

[jcemom]

I am interested in how many people in fact actually say 'okay, I'll drop all my beliefs and join your religion'???? Just wondering if all the effort of driving around and harassing people pays off???

I've been wondering the same thing. While I'm sure there must be people out there somewhere who actually enjoy being visited, I don't personally know anyone who does. Everyone I know, religious and non religious alike, pretty much consider JW to be rather annoying. I'm not trying to offend anyone with that statement. I don't mean to imply that as people any of them are annoying. I just mean that neither I nor anyone else I know likes someone knocking on our door trying to convert us or preach to us or spread their beliefs in any way, shape or form. I don't mean that to be insulting, really I don't.

*I* don't go door to door telling you why you should 'turn' atheist.

And I'd guess that none of you are any more likely to 'convert' to atheism as I am to convert to JW.

Do many people really convert as the result of a knock on their door?

 

[Goobergal99]

I wish they would stop trying to predict the end of times as well...... I am really not sure why they have to wake me up to knock on my door and tell me either... if its coming, well then let me sleep!! I am certainly not going to prevent it

 

[LovinPooh]

I wish they would stop trying to predict the end of times as well...... I am really not sure why they have to wake me up to knock on my door and tell me either... if its coming, well then let me sleep!! I am certainly not going to prevent it

I just hope that the end of the world is after I get back from this WDW trip... I have a ton of $$$ wrapped up in it.

As far as medical goes.. I think if anything, you should be atleast 18 years of age before any religous beliefs can cause bodily harm.
I remember that story about the boy and the chemo.

 

[jimmiej]

Master Mason:

So because the Bible isn't specific about how to spread the gospel, you feel door to door is a mis-interpretation of Scripture? Sorry, doesn't make sense.

The other Scripture you posted is about prayer, not witnessing. Jesus clearly gave seperate instructions for each.

*I'm not JW, but I am Christian. I've participated in door to door witnessing & found it to be a less than ideal way to spread the Good News. Our church (Southern Baptist) primarily emphasizes developing relationships with family, friends, co-workers before broaching the subject. However, we should always be open to the Holy Spirit's leading us to say a word to someone we meet.

 

[richsilver]

Richsilver,

1) Can you explain to me where, in the original language, the word Jehovah appears in the Bible, and why it is insisted that that particular name be used, when in the Bible God has many names?

2) Can you explain why one of the principal people who translated the NWT version you use showed in a court of law that they didn't know enough Greek or Hebrew to translate a common phrase? And that being the case, can you explain why you think these people have enough knowledge about the original languages to even provide a correct translation? And given the fact that the particular NWT version you use has been shown by virtually all credible language scholars to NOT hold up to the original words, why you still insist on using it?

3) Can you explain why you DON'T believe that all can go to Heaven (even under your belief system), but only 144,000 - when the Bible seems to say quite differently otherwise?

4) Can you explain why you don't believe in a hell at all - when the Bible seems to say quite differently otherwise?

Just a little food for thought...

Jehovah's name can be found in many places in different bible translations.

A few in the King James Version at Exodus 6:3 Psalm 83:18 Isaiah 12:2 and 26:4.

I don't have any info on that case at all.My position is that as one of Jehovah's Witnesses I have faith that by the direction of Gods holy spirit the men that do the translations are constantly checking updating and verifying the authenticity of the New World Translation.

It was Gods original purpose for humans to live on a paradise Earth forever.
Did you ever wonder why we fight so hard to stay alive here on Earth.God grants favor to 144,000 to rule with Christ in heaven.They will need someone to rule over.Psalm 37:29 shows that people will reside on the Earth forever.

The word hell is translated from sheol and hades which were the common grave.Ecclesiastes 9:5 and 10 provide good insight into this.



rich

 

[Goobergal99]

All this bible speak is giving me a migraine

 

[Master Mason]

Master Mason:

So because the Bible isn't specific about how to spread the gospel, you feel door to door is a mis-interpretation of Scripture? Sorry, doesn't make sense.

The other Scripture you posted is about prayer, not witnessing. Jesus clearly gave seperate instructions for each.

*I'm not JW, but I am Christian. I've participated in door to door witnessing & found it to be a less than ideal way to spread the Good News. Our church (Southern Baptist) primarily emphasizes developing relationships with family, friends, co-workers before broaching the subject. However, we should always be open to the Holy Spirit's leading us to say a word to someone we meet.

I'm saying that it was stated that Jesus told them to go door to door, but that is not born out by what is actually stated in the Bible.

I am saying that the prohibition on Blood is based in the old laws, but yet the bible tells us we are released from the old laws because of the life of Jesus.

I am saying that no one has the right, to come to my door and disturb me at home, inorder to tell me that I and my beliefs are wrong.

That's what I am saying.

 

[Mahnahmahnah]

All this bible speak is giving me a migraine

Just go like this -

It'll make you feel better

 

[Goobergal99]

I am irritated by anyone trying to save my soul.... I don't want to be saved, so leave me alone! If I wanted to be preached to, I would go to church, I don't so GO AWAY!!!

And take your brochures with you, they are killing the trees in the physical world, the one's I depend on for oxygen so I can breathe while I am alive

 

[Holly]

All this bible speak is giving me a migraine

Ouch.


I was hesitant to come in this thread myself. I heard a rumor that religion is contagious.

 

[Goobergal99]

I just hope that the end of the world is after I get back from this WDW trip... I have a ton of $$$ wrapped up in it.

.

You and me both

 

[Goobergal99]

Ouch.


I was hesitant to come in this thread myself. I heard a rumor that religion is contagious.

fortunately for me, I never caught the virus

 

[GoofyWaterCoaster]

Ouch.


I was hesitant to come in this thread myself. I heard a rumor that religion is contagious.

Me too

 

[jimmiej]

I'm saying that it was stated that Jesus told them to go door to door, but that is not born out by what is actually stated in the Bible.

Door to door is the way they have chosen. There is nothing in Scripture that prohibits that. Saying that is the only Scriptural way would be incorrect.

I am saying that the prohibition on Blood is based in the old laws, but yet the bible tells us we are released from the old laws because of the life of Jesus.

Agreed.

I am saying that no one has the right, to come to my door and disturb me at home, inorder to tell me that I and my beliefs are wrong.

That's what I am saying.

Eh, debatable IMO.

I usually don't answer the door, but if I do, I tell them me & my family are born-again Christians & serve the Lord at a local church here in town. I refuse to take their Watchtower.

 

[Chipmunk89]

I'm sure I will not find the right words to express my thoughts but I'll give it a try.

Jehovahs Witnesses believe that there is one God,Jehovah who is the universal sovereign and deserves our worship.He created all things.Jesus was his first creation and is his firstborn son.

When Jehovah created the Earth he did so with the purpose of having the original humans live on it forever under his direction.When Adam and Eve listened to Satan and sinned against him,Jehovah put in place his purpose to get us humans back to living on a paradise Earth forever.

This was accomplished when his son Jesus gave his earthly life in sacrifice for Adam's sin.Gods Kingdom with Jesus Christ as head will take over and bring mankind back to perfection with the prospect of everlasting life.

The Bible is the word of Jehovah given with Holy Spirit to men to write down for our instruction.

This is what we believe in short.This is the basis for all other things.

It is a way of life and takes faith to believe.Now some will say we're crazy for believing this way but it makes sense to me.

As for the OP's experience,all I can say is that we are all human and some have less tact than others.Older ones seem to be more direct in their manner.That said you should only have to say you don't want to talk.Sorry.

We have a commission from Jesus to tell others about Gods Kingdom and door to door is how Jesus himself said to do this.

Let's say you just went out and had the absolute best meal you've ever had.You loved it.Would you keep it to yourself or would you tell your family and friends about it.Now maybe most of your friends don't like that type of food.Ok but you told them about it.One friend however was dissatisfied with the food he's had lately.Now he knows where to go to try it.
Some time has passed now and you ask some of your friends again if they have tried this new food.Most say na just don't like that.But one says you know I've had some bad experiences with the food around here lately and I think I'll give it a try.

This is how I can think to compare our ministry.We think we have something great and are trying to share it with everyone.No Witness wants to make anyone feel bad at all.Trying for the opposite.

It's very hard for most to go up to a strangers door,knock and in the best case speak when you're maybe not the best speaker.Or the worst case.....

I just had a young man come to my door selling some things.He was so nervous he could hardly get out what he wanted to say.That was only for cookies and candy.(I did get a cup he had)

Of course we believe what we have is great and want to share with our friends.

Just a little more on some of the things that have come up through the thread.

Money was brought up a couple of times.Everything is done on a donation basis.There are no percentages or anything like that.We do not charge for bible study or literature.All work done on our meeting places and worldwide work is voluntary donation.

As far as blood goes.We are to "abstain from blood".It boils down to our faith here.We will not accept blood tranfusions.Anything else humanly possible to do including for some,transplants.Just not life blood.

As parents we have the responsibility before Jehovah for our children until they can make a dedication to him themselves or are old enough to be on their own.We believe the universal sovereign has the power to bring us back to life in the future if we die.I will tell you that I love my wife and children very much.If one of them died from bloodloss I would be devestated.But there is where the faith part comes in.I know that they will be in Jehovah's memory and he will bring them back at his time.

One last thing since I know this is very long.

My hope is to live forever on a paradise earth.I do not think I will go to heaven.The 144,000 humans that are given the prize of heavenly life will rule with Christ over the Earth.The rest of humanity will be here on Earth.

It is so hard to type what is in our thoughts sometimes so if anything said in the thread has hurt or bothered some please try to remember this.

Some will think I'm crazy,dangerous,bad or many other things but you know I just think I'm a normal guy.I have the same problems everyone else has.I just have a different way of life that makes sense to me.


Thanks for reading
rich

Comparing your religion to a food critic isn't the best way to sell your religion.

I quoted a shirt... if you can't handle it... then don't read my posts I am not Catholic.. I am a recovering catholic just for the record

I saw your quote in someone else quote, but I can't find the original quote. Did it get poofed?

Our church (Southern Baptist) primarily emphasizes developing relationships with family, friends, co-workers before broaching the subject. However, we should always be open to the Holy Spirit's leading us to say a word to someone we meet.

Sooooo, you're saying you build false "friendships" with people just so you can "broach" the subject. But if you don't have the time to build a "friendship", the holy spirit just has you bother a stranger?

All this bible speak is giving me a migraine

Good thing you're an atheist and can take medicine for it!


Originally Posted by Master Mason
I am saying that no one has the right, to come to my door and disturb me at home, inorder to tell me that I and my beliefs are wrong.

Eh, debatable IMO.

How is this even debatable? Do you think it's okay for me to go to your house and tell you you are being duped, and that your beliefs are wrong?

 

[MySong]

You said "When they come to the door, I just tell them I'm Catholic... that usually scares them off", so I took that to mean you were Catholic. Since you aren't I'm sorry I stand corrected. It doesn't really matter what religion you may or not be, I still respectfully ask you to stop making fun of them.

I know this wasn't addressed to me (I haven't even posted on the thread!) but I would like to respond if you don't mind.

I will personally stop making fun of JW and Mormons when they do two things. First, when they stop banging on my door 4-5 times a week. Making fun of them is the only thing that spares me from knocking them senseless for disrupting my work (I work from home) over and over and over again. I have actually had two different religious groups banging on my door in the same day. They seem to think those of us out here in the country need to find their God more than most. Nothing gives me more pleasure than working on difficult code and having the Mormons knocking at my door...for the hundredth time. My making fun of them is the only way to control my temper. If I don't laugh at the situation, I'm going to get angry.

Second, I will stop making fun of them when they learn the decency to say, "I believe" instead of telling me "how it really is." That pisses of me so badly I see all kinds of red. Whenever I discuss my spiritual beliefs with another person, I always say, "I believe" and I never say, "this is how it is." To state one's beliefs as "this is how it really is" is the same thing as telling the other person that they are wrong for believing what they believe. That is arrogant, obnoxious and as far as I'm concerned, anybody who discusses religion in that manner is not worthy of respect and in fact they deserve ridicule for their profound lack of manners. For the record, I find JW to be far, far, far more polite in that way. We get JW perhaps 3-4 times a year, so at least it isn't overkill, you know what I mean? We get the Mormons almost daily. That is overkill, an invasion of my privacy, and deserves nothing but contempt.

In other words, when they stop coming to my door and acting like an ***, I'll stop making fun of them...but not a nanosecond sooner.

I'm not a mean person. I have a tremendous respect for other people's beliefs. However, when they fail to respect mine, I have nothing kind or nice to say about them. If it were a few times a year, I could live with that, but the constant disruption is infuriating.