| Author | Message | ||
     ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 4602 Registered: 5-2001  |
We knew a JW growing up (her husband worked for my dad) and she would come to our house on Christmas and thanksgiving and help in the kitchen since they did not celebrate these holidays. Sometimes she brought her kids who were just younger than my sisters and I. SHe loved to see us and I always looked forward to seeing her and laughing with her. I liked her a lot. So when they come to my door, I just say, We already have a church. And they ask which one. And then we chat for about 30 seconds. And then they ask if they can leave some material, and I say Sure. It's really not so painful. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 2545 Registered: 9-2003  |
I don't have a problem with them going around as they do, or any religious persons doing so. I've never found them pushy. Personally, aside from web sites as a source of info, I don't mind religious or political people stopping by. In fact, I think it's a reasonable approach for candidates for local office (including the BOE!) or religious/cause people. We see Sierra club types once and awhile, and similar. I figure it shows committment. I'd feel the same if they were Catholic, or Jewish or B'hai. Much rather this than phone calls. I loathe phone soliciation of any kind. | ||
| LilLB Citizen Username: Lillb Post Number: 1427 Registered: 10-2002  |
I don't think that people's annoyance of the JW's visits have anything to do with intolerance of other people's religions as some are suggesting here. It's just annoying to be interrupted on a regular basis in your home for something that you don't want - plain and simple. How is getting annoyed by the JWs interruption any different than being annoyed by telemarketers? Same thing in my book. | ||
| 3ringale Citizen Username: Threeringale Post Number: 116 Registered: 1-2006 |
One time, I handed a JW a New Testament printed in Greek and asked for clarification on a point of grammar. He examined it carefully, gave it back, and said he would have to check with his elders back at the Kingdom Hall. I never saw him again. Cheers | ||
| Joe R. Citizen Username: Ragnatela Post Number: 342 Registered: 6-2004 |
Telemarketers? I don't know about you but they call me at least four times a day every day. I don't know where everyone grew up, but ever since I can remember, a few times a year, the Witnesses ring the doorbells. This is not a big deal. Don't answer the door bell if you don't want to. They're a far cry from telemarketers. They never asked me for money. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 2547 Registered: 9-2003 |
Agree, LiLB. But also agree with Joe R. I don't see the JW's all that often, but survey/sales people dog my phone frequently. I hate that. And while I can reach out to, say, town council members or board of ed members or the religious, I think it's fine when they convas. Where I used to live, and both bodies were assigned to districts/wards, and some protestand types, they did. Seemed a good way to stay in touch and to solicit votes, er new believers. | ||
| LilLB Citizen Username: Lillb Post Number: 1428 Registered: 10-2002 |
See, the thing is, I'm less frequently annoyed by telemarketers because I'm not home when they call, so for me, the JW visits are more frequent than telemarketers because they occur on the weekends when I am around. Regardless, As someone else posted early, a simple no thanks ends the interaction, so it's really not that big of a deal - it's not something that happens on a daily basis. I was just making the point that it's not religious intolerance, but simple annoyance of being interrupted for something that they don't want that causes people to react the way they do to their visits, and to me, that's the same way I feel if I get interrupted by a telemarketer who is selling something I don't want -- neither event happens often, so it's not the end of the world, they're just the same type of annoyance to me. | ||
| optimyst Citizen Username: Optimyst Post Number: 147 Registered: 6-2001 |
This really works ! Tell them to please take you off their list and they skip your house from then on. I tried it on the advice of a friend and I never heard from then until about 12 yrs later, so I told them again and am back on the list of "don't go there". | ||
| SO Ref Citizen Username: So_refugee Post Number: 1642 Registered: 2-2005  |
For a point of reference, who would turn away or be annoyed with a Girl Scout selling cookies door-to-door? Unfortunately, this doesn't happen anymore because of the threat of whackjobs in society; however, this does not seem to deter JWs or Sierra Clubbers. Damned adults without cookies!!! | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4912 Registered: 9-2001  |
"I asked them to do some backyard work for me." In all my years we never had a problem with them. My step daughter also has always had wonderful experiences. These young people always seem ready to lend a helping hand, in the yard, in the house, and with the kids... | ||
| eb1154 Citizen Username: Eb1154 Post Number: 481 Registered: 5-2001 |
I just tell them that I didn't see Jehovah's accident, therefore, I can't "in good faith" be a witness.  My biggest problem is that they usually ring my bell at about 8:30 on a Saturday morning after I was out until 3a.m. the night before. If they wanted to save me they should have preached to me before I went out Friday night. I usually end the conversation with " If you'll excuse me now, I have to go pray to the porcelain god." Eric | ||
| las Citizen Username: Las Post Number: 1390 Registered: 10-2003 |
I always feel so bad for people who have to ring my bell - I'm sure it's not something they enjoy and it just breaks my heart that they face rejection after rejection. I break out my kindest voice, smile and say, "I'm not comfortable talking about my religion, but thank you for stopping by. Be safe," and I retreat. These are people just like you and me. They're not fanatical, they're not killing in the name of their lord, they're just doing what their religious community has asked of them to keep the numbers up. | ||
| Eats Shoots & Leaves Citizen Username: Mfpark Post Number: 3157 Registered: 9-2001  |
Las--well put. When I was a teenager, I invited some Witnesses into our house to have a discussion about their religion. I was curious, and they were really nice people. We had a great time--some good discussion about God and faith. When my mom came home from work to see us hanging out in the living room going over their literature, she was not thrilled. The look on her face was priceless. These days I take Las's approach--I respect their faith and it really costs me nothing to politely say I am not interested. In fact, I am somewhat jealous that I do not have a similar capacity for faith. It works for them, and it does not hurt me or anyone else (other than having to answer the door once in a while). | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 7060 Registered: 5-2001  |
It's kind of hard not to answer the door when they keep ringing the friggin' bell. Once I was up on a ladder, cleaning the gutters. A bunch of them circled me around the bottom and asked if they could talk to me. I said "does this really look like it's a good time for me"? I grew up in an area where there were not many Jews. I spent my formative years having "believers" try to convert me because "I was a good person who shouldn't have to go to hell". So, while I am never rude to the ones who come on to my property and ring my doorbell, I admit to having a particular loathing for people who approach others about their faith. If and when I want to learn about other faiths or explore a new direction for myself, I will approach someone of that faith and ask if it is OK. I think that it is presumptuous as hell to assume that I am not part of a particular group because no one ever rang my doorbell and "educated" me. Why would anyone assume that I need to be part of their faith unless they held no respect for other faiths? Telemarketers get their own special brush off. Politicians, depends on how pushy they are. They are not trying to change who I am, they are there to explain their position and gain my support so that I will vote for them. I have a vested interest, since whomever wins the election will influence my government and society. So, yes. I see a huge difference in religious orders and others. But, none of them are greeted very warmly when they disrupt a meal or a weekend morning. | ||
| Lydia Supporter Username: Lydial Post Number: 1733 Registered: 5-2001 |
I'm with TomR - How many people who deride the Jehovah's Witnesses are Christian/Muslim/Jewish? Jehovah's Witnesses are a Christian group who are waiting for the Second Coming and beleive they won't go to heaven if they don't spread the word. That's a pretty heavy load if you're a JW. Greenetree - I agree the JW's don't think any other faiths are viable, but that's what the devout in most religions believe. The JW's are super hardline against homosexuality, divorce and abortion -- if I wanted to get into it with them I suppose I'd start there. Instead I just ask them to just skip my house - so far so good - maybe 2 or 3 times in 7 years they've rung my bell. | ||
| ML Supporter Username: Ml1 Post Number: 2963 Registered: 5-2002  |
I think you guys need to lighten up. we poke fun at the Witnesses only because they insist on knocking on our doors. if they didn't I would never give them a second thought. and honestly, I give them the nohero response. I'm surprised any of you are taking our "recommendations" seriously. did you really believe I ask the JW folks to explain Michael Jackson to me?  | ||
| gemini Citizen Username: Gemini Post Number: 427 Registered: 6-2001 |
I'm just impressed the Greenie does her own gutters!! | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 7065 Registered: 5-2001 |
it was several years ago..... | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 6080 Registered: 12-2001  |
Case...get educated about mormon's ok? That was incredibly rude of you to say. | ||
| Gregor Samsa Citizen Username: Oldsctls67 Post Number: 470 Registered: 11-2002  |
YEs, Mormons officially outlawed polygamy in the 1890's. I highly doubt any Mormons that would be ringing doorbells anywhere would be polygamists. There are tons of these offshoot sects all over the west that still practice it... | ||
| BGS Citizen Username: Bgs Post Number: 818 Registered: 10-2003 |
Composer John- Did they actually ask you for a donation or did they offer you a copy of their publication Watchtower or any informational booklets? BGS | ||
| finnegan Supporter Username: Finnegan Post Number: 311 Registered: 6-2001 |
It helps me to think of it this way: the Witnesses are just one group among hundreds who think YOU and me both are going to suffer eternal damnation because we believe something different than they do. They are the only ones who care enough about us non-believers (in JW "doctrine") to seek us out and try to prevent our going to hell. Appreciate their motives, and be grateful all the other people who think we're going to be damned aren't knocking at the door! | ||
| composerjohn Citizen Username: Composerjohn Post Number: 796 Registered: 8-2004  |
Yes, they asked for a donation. They said something like "would you like to make a donation - any amount is appreciated." I obviously said no. | ||
| Mr. Big Poppa Citizen Username: Big_poppa Post Number: 548 Registered: 7-2004  |
Religion is usually a very personal topic. To invade the privacy of someone's home to discuss a personal belief is much much different from selling girl scout cookies (unless they are out of thin mints in which case it becomes VERY personal). That is also why they differ from telemarketers (also, you can see the phone number and not answer or simply hang up, whereas it is tougher to ignore the JWs at your door). That is why people usually hate having to deal with the JWs making housecalls. | ||
| MichaelaM Citizen Username: Mayquene Post Number: 140 Registered: 1-2004  |
Family lore has it that when my father was small, my grandmother invited a pair of JWs in the house when the came to the door. She, a devout Catholic, began talking about the Virgin Mary. Well, one had to convince the other to leave or who knows, he might have become Catholic! (Dad, I hope I haven't confused details of the story.) This doesn't solve anybody's dilemma, but it's amusing.  | ||
| Case Citizen Username: Case Post Number: 1330 Registered: 2-2005 |
Duncan, Sorry I was rude to the two strangers that decided it was appropriate to knock on my door and try to 'sell' me their religion - gosh, you're right! I should have invited them in so that they could tell me their views... my loss. Shall I get educated on Mormons? Let's see - Joseph Smith was visited by an angel and given golden plates (that no one else saw) and translated them into English to create the book of Mormon. Apparently Joseph was hanging out with this angel pretty regularly, so that he could learn God's wishes and become his prophet. Good so far? Later, John the Baptist showed up and baptized both Joseph and his translation buddy... after which they ordained each other as priests. I'm not sure how many 14 year old girls Joseph Smith married after this... there may have only been one or two amongst his 30 wives. This DOES sound rather contrived, doesn't it? Then again, maybe I should just have more faith! Hmmm... I wonder if there's a church of scientology around here someplace? | ||
| Peter J. Watts Citizen Username: Peter_watts Post Number: 8 Registered: 3-2006 |
I think I saw a Mormon the other day. Are they in the area? Those fundamentalist ones are the real wackos but I think they only come as far east as Texas. | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 1084 Registered: 7-2004  |
Peter, Fairly infrequently different groups of mormons have sprung up in South Orange to do some recruiting. They walk around with coupons for free bibles and try to preach. They used to love to hang around outside the town hall deli in the park area. I haven't seen them around for a while, I guess we were overdue for another visit. | ||
| AntoninaKC Citizen Username: Antoninakc Post Number: 236 Registered: 5-2005  |
Hmm. I've never had JWs come to my door. Reading this thread was pretty entertaining! | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11062 Registered: 5-2001 |
It takes about ten seconds to tell someone at your door that you are not interested. I really don't see the big deal here. And remember the Latter Day Saints are opening a church on Springfield Avenue. By all accounts they made concessions to the Town when they didn't have to such as a cash contribution and not inforcing the no liquor sales statue near religious establishments. My usual answer to Mormon missionaries is that I love there organization (very few professional ministers), but am really fond of booze, tobacco and cafeine. | ||
| Crazy_quilter Citizen Username: Crazy_quilter Post Number: 238 Registered: 2-2005 |
Isn't there a Mormon tabernacle on Springfield ave? or one being built? | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 13227 Registered: 1-2003  |
I am under the impression that the Jehovah's Witnesses are different from the Mormons, yet it seems people are speaking of the two groups as if they are one. Why am I confused? | ||
| Peter J. Watts Citizen Username: Peter_watts Post Number: 9 Registered: 3-2006 |
Yes, they are different. The similarity is they both knock on doors. Mayor, did the Mormons hanging out at town hall deli have something to do with its closing? | ||
| breal Citizen Username: Breal Post Number: 792 Registered: 6-2002 |
If you've opened the door, but have not yet spoken, a good thing to do is to pretend you are deaf. Start doing some fake sign language. They usually just hand you a brochure and go. | ||
| WendyP Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 3422 Registered: 12-2004  |
Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are two different religions. I have never had a Mormon knock on my door. When the JW's do, I ignore them. I have a very good friend who is Mormon and she is one of the most decent human beings I know, very devoted to her church and her faith, and she never once tried to convert me, although was very happy to answer my questions and supply me with materials when I expressed an interest in learning more. None of her many friends, who were all equally as nice and decent as she and her husband, ever tried to convert me either. There is a Mormon Church planned for Springfield Avenue, right next to the site of the new police department. The LDS church fought long and hard to get a space in Maplewood, and did make the concessions mentioned by someone else here. Apparently, they had a very hard time getting approval. But, when the town turned around and begged for some of the property the LDS church was finally able to purchase, the church did not hesitate to come to an agreement. | ||
| Josh Holtz Citizen Username: Jholtz Post Number: 354 Registered: 4-2004 |
I am currently reading a book by Jon Krakauer called Under the Banner of Heaven. It is about Mormon Fundamentalists - fascinating. I believe Mormon is the fastest growing religion in the US. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 13236 Registered: 1-2003 |
No, I think it's Islam. | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 2863 Registered: 9-2002  |
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/46226 | ||
| Case Citizen Username: Case Post Number: 1333 Registered: 2-2005 |
All I know is that these wacko religions based on nonsense are really annoying to us Scientologists. | ||
| Gregor Samsa Citizen Username: Oldsctls67 Post Number: 477 Registered: 11-2002 |
Josh-that book should be required reading. It was quite informative and a real eye-opener for me! It shows how far out there some of these offshoot groups are, and how bogus some of the original tenets of Mormanism are...IMHO Joseph Smith was nothing more thatn a huckster. |
