Jehova's Wittnesses at my house

[Amethyst Rose]

It's 11:30 in the morning and I still haven't managed to get dressed, (I'm just in my robe). I was just contemplating putting a grumpy baby down for a nap when a soft knock came at the door. I rearranged my robe to make sure I wouldn't be flashing anyone and went to the door, leaving the baby behind on the floor.
I opened the door, and there was an older (50's? 60's?) woman on the front step, and another still standing on the side walk. They were both clutching bibles.

"Tammy?" The first woman asks.

"No, I'm Heather -- I just moved in," I say. Just then, the baby crawls up to me and I bend down and pick him up.

"Oh! And this is your...." says the woman.

"This is my son, Quintin." I finish for her.

"Well," the woman continues, "we're Jehova's Wittness. My name is _____ and this is ______. I have something that you may be interested in. We were going to drop it off for Tammy, because she also had a young family, and families just starting out are often interested in ideas of how to raise their children in...... with good values."

"That's true," I say, "but I'm really not interested. I'm very happy with my spiritual path."

"Oh, and what would that be?" The second woman asks. When I hesitate she says, "We talk with people from many different religions."

"I'm Pagan," I say. The woman on the step flinches. "I follow a nature oriented religion." The energies coming from them have just become very tense.

The second woman asks, "and does that hold a future for you?"

"Yes, it does." I say.

"Because the bible promises a good future for you." She continues. I nod. "How long have you been practicing this?" she asks.

"Since I was about 18, so almost 10 years now, " I say. "I didn't grow up in a very religious home, and when I found my path I felt like I had come home. It was like falling in love."

"Well," says the second woman, with something like mild approval, "we're all born with a spiritual need."

The first woman on the step says "Well, thank you for your time, " and they leave.

All in all a very reasonable conversation, except for the first woman didn't talk to me after she found out I was pagan. I got the feeling that the people who owned this house before me were Jehova's Wittness (they had crosses all over the house, and even left a cross in the bedroom for us). I'm hoping I didn't damage my standing in the community before I'd even established one. :)

[Tsuchimaru]

I think you did good. You politely stated your beliefs. :)

.....I can't wait for the day that they come to MY door....mehehehehehe.....

[Phoenix Blue]

I got the feeling that the people who owned this house before me were Jehova's Wittness (they had crosses all over the house, and even left a cross in the bedroom for us).

Not necessarily. We have Witnesses go through the entire neighborhood about once or twice a year, too. Normally the same ones. I've gotten to recognizing their cars, which all park on my end of the street.

[mara]

I was tempted to tell some JW's the same thing..but decided against it. I don't think that Jehova's witnesses "believe" in crosses..I remember reading something about that in one of their pamphlets. It seemed that they thought that Jesus was hung on a tree, not a cross..so the cross to them isn't a valid religious symbol..also, they may believe wearing a cross is a form of idolatry..It's been awhile since I read any of their pamphlets so i could be confused- but I don't think so.

[Amethyst Rose]

Not necessarily. We have Witnesses go through the entire neighborhood about once or twice a year, too. Normally the same ones. I've gotten to recognizing their cars, which all park on my end of the street.

I got the feeling because the woman was specifically dropping something off that the previous owner requested... at least that's what I thought. They knew her by name, anyway.

[Phoenix Blue]

I got the feeling because the woman was specifically dropping something off that the previous owner requested... at least that's what I thought. They knew her by name, anyway.
Oh, well, in that case, maybe so. :)


also, they may believe wearing a cross is a form of idolatry..It's been awhile since I read any of their pamphlets so i could be confused- but I don't think so.
They regard showing any devotion or swearing any oath to a symbol as idolatry. This includes their refusal to recite the US Pledge of Allegiance.

[Amethyst Rose]

I was tempted to tell some JW's the same thing..but decided against it. I don't think that Jehova's witnesses "believe" in crosses..I remember reading something about that in one of their pamphlets. It seemed that they thought that Jesus was hung on a tree, not a cross..so the cross to them isn't a valid religious symbol..also, they may believe wearing a cross is a form of idolatry..It's been awhile since I read any of their pamphlets so i could be confused- but I don't think so.


I'm not sure, I wondered about this too. I could definately be wrong about my feelings, maybe the previous owner just expressed an interest in the past. I do know that it's mormons who believe the cross is idolatry.

[Terestai]

Heh... I got chased by 15 of them a couple weeks ago! :eek: Good job standing your ground and holding firm!

[Avalon]

Heh... I got chased by 15 of them a couple weeks ago! :eek: Good job standing your ground and holding firm!
You...got...chased by them? :eyebrow:

[BlackHoodedCrow]

That happened to my mother when a JW caught wind that the family that lived on ____Street were Pagan. My Mother was polite but the women was quite mean. She even said to my Mother with me age 12 and my younger sister 5 standing right next to her (we were in the front yard when they came) Told my Mother that she was endangering her children's souls. Finally my Mom told her nicely to leave or she was going to call the police. There was another women with her but she never got out of the car. Probably afraid we would curse her or something. :meanface:

December

[Lilith79]

I'm glad they didn't give you too much of a headache. JW's can be so much fun *note sarcasm*. They really don't make a lot of sense to me...they believe that only so many people will get into heaven (I forget the number). They aren't even sure if they themselves (as individuals) will get in...yet they recruit more people to their church. This confuses me, why would you want to reduce your own chances????

I think they may have known the previous tenant because of how persistant they are. We had a JW coming to our house, when we lived with my mom, for the longest time. She'd always ask for Pat (my mom)...I think mom screwed up and gave the JW her name. And I was the one who always had to deal with this lady after her initial contact with my mom. :ahhhhhhh: Finally one day she never came back!

[Antoninus]

You...got...chased by them? :eyebrow:
Theyre an ardent bunch :D

The JWs have come to my door only once. They knocked and I opened the door. I was wearing sweatpants and I had a sword in my had because I was kinda swinging it around as a quasi-workout and I had music BLASTING. So I opened the door right as the song SCREAMED out "...DIG THROUGH THE DITCHES AND BURN THROUGH THE WITCHES AND SLAM IN THE BACK OF MY DRAGULA!!!!" They took a step back, said "Wrong house, sorry!"

[Tsuchimaru]

Theyre an ardent bunch :D

The JWs have come to my door only once. They knocked and I opened the door. I was wearing sweatpants and I had a sword in my had because I was kinda swinging it around as a quasi-workout and I had music BLASTING. So I opened the door right as the song SCREAMED out "...DIG THROUGH THE DITCHES AND BURN THROUGH THE WITCHES AND SLAM IN THE BACK OF MY DRAGULA!!!!" They took a step back, said "Wrong house, sorry!"

:lol:

[WitchJezebel]

I got the feeling that the people who owned this house before me were Jehova's Wittness (they had crosses all over the house, and even left a cross in the bedroom for us). I'm hoping I didn't damage my standing in the community before I'd even established one. :)

Nope, Jehovah's don't believe in crosses - when my Mom became one, all of the crosses in the house just *poofed*

I think you handled that very well, I have a hard time being 'snippy' with them now that my mother has become one. They've pretty much stopped coming to my house, my dog barks at anyone who comes too close.

[Terestai]

You...got...chased by them? :eyebrow:

Not exactly chased... but pursued! Followed. Hassled. And they had bikes! All with their bike helmets on, white shirts, black pants and black ties. Oh... maybe they were just Bible salesmen. But they did follow me through the apartment complex and I watched them all stop to see me going into my apartment, making mental note of where I lived. :G

What I need is stuff like my dad has - they don't even walk up to his house with the number of ancient and Pagan symbols he has carved! :lol:

[Shanti]

Theyre an ardent bunch :D

The JWs have come to my door only once. They knocked and I opened the door. I was wearing sweatpants and I had a sword in my had because I was kinda swinging it around as a quasi-workout and I had music BLASTING. So I opened the door right as the song SCREAMED out "...DIG THROUGH THE DITCHES AND BURN THROUGH THE WITCHES AND SLAM IN THE BACK OF MY DRAGULA!!!!" They took a step back, said "Wrong house, sorry!"
:rollingla

[SilverMaiden]

I get quite a few people recuriting for their churches in my subdivision too.

One thing that annoys me is, "No thank you, I'm not interested." isn't respected. It's always followed by "Well, did you..." etc.

It's not just church recuiters but sales people too that appear not to understand a polite "no" spoken the first time.

Maybe it's me but when someone says, "No thank you. I'm not interested." I believe them and respect their decision the first time they say it. I don't need to have it repeated. :lol:

[halfwaynowhere]

i dunno, it sounds like a scam or something... do you know for sure if Tammy was the name of the previous owner? because sometimes people will pretend that they are droping something off for somebody just as an excuse to try to rub their religion off on you. mormons are pretty funny, too when they go door to door. My mom told me that once when she was young, they came to her apartment door, and she was in the shower or something, so she answered the door naked. That kept them away!

[Amethyst Rose]

i dunno, it sounds like a scam or something... do you know for sure if Tammy was the name of the previous owner? because sometimes people will pretend that they are droping something off for somebody just as an excuse to try to rub their religion off on you.

Yes, that was her name. :)

[halfwaynowhere]

Not exactly chased... but pursued! Followed. Hassled. And they had bikes! All with their bike helmets on, white shirts, black pants and black ties. Oh... maybe they were just Bible salesmen. But they did follow me through the apartment complex and I watched them all stop to see me going into my apartment, making mental note of where I lived. :G


those would be mormons, not Jehova's Witnesses. They send their sons out on missions, which generally are to ride around on thier bikes (because cars are not practical for easy access) and try to convert people to their religion.

[Rockprincess]

I'm not sure, I wondered about this too. I could definately be wrong about my feelings, maybe the previous owner just expressed an interest in the past. I do know that it's mormons who believe the cross is idolatry.
That's not true, Am. Mormons use the cross just the same as most mainstream christian groups.

[RhiannynWildseed]

I get quite a few people recuriting for their churches in my subdivision too.

One thing that annoys me is, "No thank you, I'm not interested." isn't respected. It's always followed by "Well, did you..." etc.

It's not just church recuiters but sales people too that appear not to understand a polite "no" spoken the first time.

Maybe it's me but when someone says, "No thank you. I'm not interested." I believe them and respect their decision the first time they say it. I don't need to have it repeated. :lol:

Ditto. We had recruiters for a vacation bible school at my house about two weeks ago. I answered the door in a black slip dress with my pentacle around my neck. There was a woman, prolly in her late 40s, and two teenage girls holding bibles. Of course my 5 yr old son is always at the door when someone knocks, so they were like "Do you have children....oh, yes you do!" (This instantly put me on guard.) Then they started touting their vacation bible school of the whatever-whatever tabernacle. I'm trying to get a no in somewhere, but they just keep chattering about their bible school. Finally I get in a no, and then they are still trying to convince me. Finally it took my husband (who was laying on the couch watching tv in bikini briefs no less :lol: shoulda had him answer the door!) piping up with "WE'RE PAGAN!" to make them leave.

Good thing is I live halfway down the street in my subdivision. If I see a vehicle pull up at the end of the lane and people pour out, I shut and lock my door. It's just better altogether if we pretend no one is home.

Rhiannyn

[Gwenhwyfar]

Ohhhh man, have I had a problem with JW's. A year or so ago I got a knock at the door and found the sweetest looking elderly lady Iv ever seen, with magazine in hand. She told me who she was, and why she was calling on me. Well I started to say Im not interested and she asked if she could trouble me for a glass of water ( it was extreamly hot out) so I said of course and went to get her some, when I turned around from the sink she was in my shoe room so I asked her if she wanted to sit down, she did...well my boyfriend had some fun with her, I made small talk...I mentioned that I knew some JW's in elementry school with the last name Lloyd, I let her read to me from her bible or whatever and sent her on her way, thinking I wouldnt see her again as I mentioned I was Pagan. One week later she shows up again with a lady, shes like this is _____ Lloyd, my old friend from schools gramma!! Well I couldnt be rude, so I made small talk with them but when they asked to come in I said Id rather not, Im quite busy. So they left, one week later the same 2 show up with a 3rd lady, the 3rd lady looked eirly familiar, well Florance(the original) is like do you remember ______, she taught you to read when you were in grade 3!! Well Im like holy crap this is getting weird, make small talk, dont let them in...one week later the 3 show up with a guy my age, and hes like, Hi, long time no see, and Im like, do I know you, and he says, yes, we went to grades 1-6 together....and we did! he was the kid who always had a snotty nose. lol....well I was creeped out so I moved, now when JW,s come to my door Im very abrupt and propably seem flustered, but just say "NO, BEAT IT!"...Im glad you got rid of them easier than I did!

[TWILIGHTSKY]

Theyre an ardent bunch :D

The JWs have come to my door only once. They knocked and I opened the door. I was wearing sweatpants and I had a sword in my had because I was kinda swinging it around as a quasi-workout and I had music BLASTING. So I opened the door right as the song SCREAMED out "...DIG THROUGH THE DITCHES AND BURN THROUGH THE WITCHES AND SLAM IN THE BACK OF MY DRAGULA!!!!" They took a step back, said "Wrong house, sorry!"
:rollingla

My boyfriend's long-ago ex girlfriend's mother is a JW, and she always loved Jeff. Well, one day she and another stopped in on a mission, so of course he let them in to visit. She started with the normal how are you, etc., then soon shifted to the bible. She asked if we had a bible, and Jeff was like, yeah, Amber, where's our bible?

I said "right here"... but it wasn't."Oh, I know, it's there".... Nope. Finally I found it up on a high shelf and blew this huge dustcloud off of it. I said,"Man lightning's going to strike here isn't it?" To lighten the mood a bit... ah well, they didn't come pushing their religion again!

[fay]

LOLOLOL!
:nyah:
thats really funny!
ive never had trouble with jehovas witnesses myself, but my sister did.i think i feel sorrier for those who are christians. as if you continually repeat that you're pagan they may just think that you'll be damned eternally (fun! dont you think? :nyah: ) but if you're christian then they keep going "well its not so different, just better" type thing. thats what they said to my sister anyways.
i dunno. i think that everyones religion is equally valid and right for certain people, my only niggler are those that try to convert! jw just vaguely irritate me.
blessed be

[Tzhebee]

JW don't stop by our house...probably because my SO's Gramma is one! :lol:

But we had Mormon's stopping by for a while. They were always very polite. One gal in particular. She would come by about once a week, sing songs with my kids and "debate" religion with me....she knew I was Pagan and we would poke hole's in each other's "spirituality". But it was very good-natured. She was sent off to another town, and we haven't seen the Mormon's since.

Except 8 months after she left, she stopped by one night. She was done with her mission and in town for the day. She had promised my kids a "song book" and she stopped by to deliver it...one she hand-wrote and decorated with very "pagan" symbols on it.

[Shugo]

They knocked and I opened the door. I was wearing sweatpants and I had a sword in my had because I was kinda swinging it around as a quasi-workout and I had music BLASTING. So I opened the door right as the song SCREAMED out "...DIG THROUGH THE DITCHES AND BURN THROUGH THE WITCHES AND SLAM IN THE BACK OF MY DRAGULA!!!!" They took a step back, said "Wrong house, sorry!"

:D That has got to be the funniest thing I've ever heard!:D
I love that song by the way.

[Amethyst Rose]

That's not true, Am. Mormons use the cross just the same as most mainstream christian groups.

Odd...I had a Mormon friend tell me that they don't use the cross because it's a "graven image".

[Bec_W]

Not necessarily. We have Witnesses go through the entire neighborhood about once or twice a year, too. Normally the same ones. I've gotten to recognizing their cars, which all park on my end of the street.

If you take magazines they concider that to be a "call back" if they get a very positive response from the magazines (or if you've taken the study guides) they'll call back more often or attempt to set up a bible study.

Generally speaking, each congregation has a territory that takes about six months to work. So generally speaking you'll see them twice a year.

Jehovah's Witnesses (I always go to type witchnesses) work in pairs for safety reasons, by they take it in turns to talk at the door, so it's more likely the second women stopped talking because it wasn't her turn. The other thing is, it doesn't really matter if your a pagan or a devote catholic, to a JW if your not "in the truth" your not going to paradise anyway.

They wouldn't concider you a call back of any kind, but you'll probably see them again in about six months. If you ask them not to call again they'll mark your address as a "do not call" and they wont bother you again.

Bec - who would never have been a Jehovah's Witness in a former life, noooo never :halohead:

[Faerwolf]

I think you handled the situation like a true pagan. And i am surprised at how well they responded. Good for you.

[Amethyst Rose]

Jehovah's Witnesses (I always go to type witchnesses) work in pairs for safety reasons, by they take it in turns to talk at the door, so it's more likely the second women stopped talking because it wasn't her turn.

I don't think that's what it was. It was the woman who knocked on the door in the first place, and who was doing all the talking before I said I was a pagan, who then stopped talking to me. The woman standing on the sidewalk took over after that. She also didn't have as strong of a reaction to my religion as the first woman, who visably flinched when I said I was pagan.

[Equinox]

mara wrote:


It seemed that they thought that Jesus was hung on a tree, not a cross..so the cross to them isn't a valid religious symbol..also, they may believe wearing a cross is a form of idolatry..It's been awhile since I read any of their pamphlets so i could be confused- but I don't think so.


Mara is not confused, she is correct. My sister is JW, and I've discussed this with her. I think it is plausible that it wasn't a cross, but it is hard to say based on the evidence (though if I had to guess I think I'd go with "yes, it was a cross"). Not that it matters to me.

[Bec_W]

I don't think that's what it was. It was the woman who knocked on the door in the first place, and who was doing all the talking before I said I was a pagan, who then stopped talking to me. The woman standing on the sidewalk took over after that. She also didn't have as strong of a reaction to my religion as the first woman, who visably flinched when I said I was pagan.

Another possibility is that the women who knocked was an "unbaptised publisher" which means they've only just finished their bible study course and don't have much experience Witnessing, so she was easily thrown when you said you were pagan. She probably got in trouble later.

Equinox, based on what evidence?

[Amethyst Rose]

That's interesting Bec. How is it you know so much about the JWs? :)

[Bec_W]

I used to be one :)

[zakzekezedd]

hmmm...for some reason, the Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and other groups out witnessing seem to pass over my house (could it be the bit about "unwelcome guests and intruders" in my protection work?). Most of the individuals I've had come to the door in the past have been quite polite. They ask if they can leave some literature with me, and occasionally if they can pray for me. I tell them "Thank you" and that's that. They are doing what their faith calls on them to do, and as long as they aren't obnoxious or trying to cram their ideas down my throat I've always been willing to give them a few minutes of my time.

[Equinox]

Bec W wrote:
Equinox, based on what evidence?

Always a good question to ask.

I read up on both sides of the debate a few years ago. The greek words used by Paul and the gospels are a bit ambiguous - while most of our Bibles say "cross" the words used could mean that or "stake". Historical records show that Romans did execute a lot of criminals on literal crosses, though the nails would go through the wrist, and the convict would only have to carry the crossbeam to a permanent upright outside of town. Some were tied up instead of nailed too. The catholic tradition of a cross is some evidence, because the early use of the cross did overlap a little with Roman rule. However, much of the early Christian symbols found archologically aren't crosses, but instead are fish or sun-god type symbols.

I don't remember all the details each way. I remember thinking "OK, I roughly put my guess at about a 70% probability it was a cross, 20% that it was a stake, and 10 % other (such as "not executed" or "Jesus didn't really exist" or "executed some other way")". Just a rough guess a while ago about something that really didn't matter to me spiritually.

It's always good to ask about the evidence though. Do you have other evidence?

have a fun day-

[Antoninus]

The Mormons around here are PUSHY. Theyve come to my house once or twice and I havent had too much of a problem with them but I was at my friend Ashley's house and they knocked on the door. Ashley told them that we werent interested and they just kept...advancing on her, they'd talk for a minnute then scoot a little closer to the door, talk a minnute or two then scoot closer. She had to frickin slam the door in thier faces so they wouldnt crowd her back into her own house.

[lythadancer]

In my 8 years at my address, i have only had 1 visit.It is most likely because we live on a rural state rt. my husband talked to them and made me stay inside. I guess the guy was nice- but isn't that a "hook"?- Our neighbors across the street are JW and have hinted at my husband that they know something of my faith. They, thaknfully, haven't brought it up directly.
I think you handled it well. It is their faith and they have the right... I just wish it did not involvigoing door to door.
There is a farm out here that ha sa harvest free festival. The kids have fun but we satay away from the corn maze.... It is a lore to get you out in the middle of a corn field so you can hear about how jesus died for your sins and if you do not follow him you'll go to hell. nice,huh? That is by far the worst experiance- far worse than snide remarks or fliers left on my car.

[Bec_W]

It's always good to ask about the evidence though. Do you have other evidence?


Nothing further to yours (it was a looooong time ago), except whats in my bible and we all know how far "but the bible says..." will get you :lol: I think the idea that Jesus was executed upon a stake rather then a cross is also partly due to the translation of the Old Testiment in which it's translated at "tree". As far as I'm aware they don't reference actually being put to death by being nailed or tied to a tree, but rather once a criminal has been put to death his body is strung up in a tree outside the city limits.

[WolfWonderess]

*shifty eyes* Wow...I guess I'm a rarity.

I've *never* been visited by Mormans, Jehovah's Witnesses, or any other religious group.

Just by elementary schoolers trying to sell me candy. XD

[DarkDancer]

Mmmmmm....candy......

Er, I mean, my mom had a deal with this J.W. lady who used to come to outr house, she'd happy take her literature, if the lady never came in... ;)

Haven't seen her since my mom died.

[Aine of the Fae]

JW's don't come to my house. Ever. I don't have the faintest idea why. :devil:

[StormChaser]

jahova's witnesses because they are the least hypocritical brach of Christianity I have yet to come across. I don't like being solicited to a religion, but I do honor that when they come to my door they are doing as their religion requests of them- and that is respectable.

~Sarah

[Desdemona]

I used to be one :)
I used to date one. After being with me for a while, he lost interest in being a JW. :smoke:

[dreamingshaman]

I dont have trouble with jehovahs witnesses or mormons anymore, mostly because the Jehovahs witness for our street was one of my sisters friends mothers and she forbade rebecca to come anywhere near my house because i was pagan. Evidently the word spread and we havent been bothered since. As for mormons we always get the male ones and i find the easiest way to move them along is to hit on them. I know i know its a touch silly and makes me sound like a total whore lol but it gets results.

[Equinox]

Hitting on them!?!? :veryweird :veryweird


That's HILARIOUS!!

At first I thought "Darn, I can't use that, I'm a guy......"

Then I thought "hold on........" :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil:

I'll try hitting on them. I bet that'll move them along even faster than being hit on by a woman!!! :rollingla

[soilsigh aingeal]

I haven't seen a Jehova's Wittness at my house for a very long time.

[Hærfest Leah]

You handled it very well, you didn't try to hide your faith and thats good.

We got an invite in the mail to the local Baptist church and so I e-mailed them and told them thanks but we won't be attenting because we are Pagan, wished them a wonderful day and thats basically it. The pastor wrote back with the thanks for the RSVP and all was peachy. Our realitor had them send it to us becasue she used to stop by and invite us to that churches ( her church) services. I never told her we're pagan cause I was new but figured that after 3 invites and we never showed up that shed get the hint that we weren't interested but I guess the pastor told her about my e-mail because I haven't heard from her since. She even stopped calling to see how we were, ask about our daughter and invite me to lunch so I guess that meas she doesn't like Pagans. LOL

[Viviane]

Not exactly chased... but pursued! Followed. Hassled. And they had bikes! All with their bike helmets on, white shirts, black pants and black ties. Oh... maybe they were just Bible salesmen. But they did follow me through the apartment complex and I watched them all stop to see me going into my apartment, making mental note of where I lived. :G

What I need is stuff like my dad has - they don't even walk up to his house with the number of ancient and Pagan symbols he has carved! :lol:

That sounds more like mormons. They dress like that and will follow and harass people. One of my old friends had an ex boyfriend sic them on her and they came over once a week to harass her about being catholic and not mormon.

[NivekDrgnMage]

JW's don't come to my house. Ever. I don't have the faintest idea why. :devil:

They don't show up at mine either....But I think it maybe because my Wife use to have 125lb Doberman and answered the door with him on a leash....but mabe its someother reason ;)

[nekura]

my town has at least one of every church and maybe two of some in a town that is not even 2 miles by 2 miles

i am still in high school and those people are brain washed almost every day i get "why arn't you this why arn't you that" and "well this is a great religion it belives or you will go to hell if you don't"and "oh you should come by the church bla bla bla bla bla" from kids and teachers and we get almost viseted by mormons but they kinda just stay away on our front walk untill they get tired our 2 great danes that are between 120/170 pounds

[Penguin]

Years ago when I lived in a development they came by and I wound up having a very nice older lady come by once a week for "bible study" for a while. It turns out I don't agree with their beliefs. But I had to find out what their beliefs are before I knew that. I totally support anyone's right to have any religion they choose, it's just those who try to cram their's down my throat that piss me off.
Where we live now I haven't seen any in years. Maybe because not in a development? Maybe because of 4 dogs? Maybe there aren't any around here? Maybe I learned what I needed to from them already?

[Elise]

JW's come to our door about once every 2-3 years ..(There's about 160,000 people in our city) The last time they came by I just told them I was perfectly happy with my religion .. and at the time I was a Traditional Christian.. I'll tell them the same thing the next time they ask, though if they ask, "what religion is that?" I'll be honest.. My younger sister was in a foster home years ago for about 3 yrs where her foster parents were Jehovah's witnesses.. She told me quite a bit about it, then I had a friend years ago that was a JW.. I don't agree with their beliefs, but they are their beliefs and I'll respect them.. Never had a Mormon ome to my door, maybe they got wind that I used to be an RLDS member (not by choice)

[DonovanJoseph]

I think you did good. You politely stated your beliefs. :)

.....I can't wait for the day that they come to MY door....mehehehehehe.....

my feelings exaclty :yayah:

[Strawberry Bounce]

You handled that well. I have yet to turn a JW down. I always accept their literature. I always pretend to be interested. My grandmother was a JW, so she would send her friends to our house. My mom told them she was not interested but they always come back.

[Djiril]

It seemed that they thought that Jesus was hung on a tree, not a cross..
Interesting! Wouldn't that bring him a step closer to Odin?

[WynterWynd]

I think you handled that in a very polite and dignified manner.

I wish the JW that had been 'pestering' us had taken the news so graciously and just left us alone. We had to threaten them with trespass charges to get them to quit coming around all the time (we found out since its a private road, we could get them for trespassing :p ) I know it wasn't a very nice thing to tell them, but neither was showing up on my doorstep at 7am on a Saturday either.

[Bec_W]

I swear things much be so different in the States!!

[WynterWynd]

I think that its just the simple fact....that to a JW (or any door knocking pest) 'No, I'm not interested.' .......falls on deaf ears. I think they hear 'Come Back At a Later Time and I'll Be More Than Happy to Talk With You':rolleyes:

If they would just take the hint the first time, maybe they wouldn't be so frowned apon by most people (I'm one of the frowners)

We have a 'new group' of them knocking on doors latley...and I know its going to take the same threat (delivered by my husband...because apearantly, I'm just a fluffy-girl......who would possibly listen to me:mad: ) before they quit coming around again. I think I'm entitled to my privacy in my home...I don't go knocking on their door inviting them to invoke the spirits with me (that may not be a bad idea:devil: )

I've even gone so far as to have a sign next to my front door that said 'No soliciting, religous or otherwise'.....but apearantly these people were never taught to read.......

[Bec_W]

Instead of saying "I'm not interested" add "and please don't call again". They should add you to a list of people never to call on.

[Green Gnome]

The JWs have come to my door only once. They knocked and I opened the door. I was wearing sweatpants and I had a sword in my had because I was kinda swinging it around as a quasi-workout and I had music BLASTING. So I opened the door right as the song SCREAMED out "...DIG THROUGH THE DITCHES AND BURN THROUGH THE WITCHES AND SLAM IN THE BACK OF MY DRAGULA!!!!" They took a step back, said "Wrong house, sorry!"
Love that song! Must try that if they come here sometime too.. :D

We don't get mormons and JW's much at all.. Maybe once in 2-5 years.. This summer one pair of mormons were about to come to my home but my dad just said that we're not interested and they kept walking.. :)

[Empress Stillnight]

Evidentally, the former tenant was what the JWs refer to as a "return visit"-someone who responded favorably on an initial "call." The JWs are an evangelizing religion.

The former tenant was not JW herself, as JWs view the cross as an idolatrous, Pagan symbol. They also reason that hanging a cross around one's neck or displaying it in one's house would be like hanging the murder weapon used on a person around one's neck or displaying it in one's house.

JWs also do not celebrate holidays, due to their Pagan and/or nationalistic origins (not even birthdays).

Almost all JWs and those who are serious about associating with them go door to door and tell people about their religion (although verbal comittment to this and actually doing it varies by the individual, lol). They call this "field service." They try to get people to study the Bible, usually via various types of literature that they produce.They view the Bible as the word of God and the authority for all matters in their lives.

Their ministry is very organised and systematic-they believe that they have been comissioned by God (whom they call Jehovah) to preach to everyone possible on this earth and to try and convert them to worship of Jehovah,"the only true God" (Jesus is viewed by them to be Jehovah's son, and their reigning king, who after he fulfills his mission given to him by Jehovah, will hand all ruling authority back to his father. JWs do not believe in the trinity).

They believe that once this work is complete (and Jehovah decides when the work is completed), Jehovah will bring about Armageddon, and all of the people on earth (with whatever exceptions Jehovah chooses) who are not associated with Jehovah's Witnesses will die. Then those who have been faithful to Jehovah who have died will be resurrected by him to a paradise earth, where all will serve Jehovah as the rightful sovreign forever.JWs believe that hell is the common grave of mankind, not a place of eternal torture.

If any interest is shown when a person is initially called on, the JWs will continue to come back periodically (usually every two weeks or so, sometimes more often-it's called a "return visit" now) and place literature with the person and endeavor to have conversations with them on various topics. Most JWs attend a weekly "Theocratic Ministry School" where they learn how to preach and debate doctrinal points, and practice their preaching skills.

If you tell them not call back again, they will place your name an address on something called a "Do not call list" and your name and address will be noted on their territory maps. You will not generally be called on regularly (unless by mistake) if you are a "Do Not Call", but will probably still recieve an annual visit from some more experienced members of the congregation-usually the elders.The visits are usually in the spring, around Easter, but they will often keep calling on you until they get hold of you somehow.

Within the last few years, they had a magazine that discussed the tenants of witchcraft and earth-based religions. It was fairly balanced, at least as balanced as the JWs ever get, seeing as they believe their religion is "The Truth" and that all other religions are influenced by Satan the Devil and designed to distract humans from worshipping Jehovah "with spirit and truth". So, reaction from various Witnesses to your mention of being Pagan will vary. Some may leave immediately in horror (I've only seen this on a couple of occasions-once when a lady said she was a worshipper of Satan), some may act uncomfortable and continue with their discussion, and some may not care at all. But no sincere JW believes that the Pagan path is a viable choice of spirituality,or any other path except the one they offer.

The JWs are a very authoritarian religion. The "Governing Body" is viewed as the final authority on all matters of faith. No dissent is tolerated, and JWs are not free to read and study the literature of other religions. Dissenters who are baptised members of the faith are "disfellowshipped" or "disassociated" . The Governing Body intructs members of the religion to shun disfellowshipped and disassociated members of the faith, until they "repent".Officially, baptised members who feel they no longer believe what the JWs teach, cannot just leave (although many quietly do). They must "disassociate" themselves, or get "disfellowshipped" by sinning or breaking a well established rule. Thus, their former friends, and often their own family members will shun them.

For anyone interested, you can learn more about the JWs here:
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/default.ashx

This site is not the official JW site. It's a site run by an ex-JW. The JWs have an official site, and you may want to check that one out, too.

Empress
Who was JW for twenty years

[Amethyst Rose]

Thanks Empress! That was really informative. :)

[Old Witch]

I rid myself of JWs a few years back by threatening to feed them to my dog, Dax......That worked for a while, but alas, after a couple of years, they came back......So, I first hollered through my door( and over my dogs barking) stand back, because of the dogs....They hollered back, could you put them up, I hollered back, no I can't control them ( I can, but.....).They didn't leave so I opened the door, my screen was locked, but Apache, my Australian Cattle Dog, can open the bottom of the screen just enough to squeeze through. Well, being a "heeler", she chased them down the driveway, snapping at their heels all the way. When they exited the yard, she came back up the driveway, smiling really big and proud of herself. I didn't have the heart to scold her, she was so proud of herself.......and besides. she did good!! So I've since put a latch on the bottom of the screen to keep Apache from "answering " the door again....But for some reason the Witnesses haven't been back. I can't imagine why........... :whatgives

[Hærfest Leah]

I rid myself of JWs a few years back by threatening to feed them to my dog, Dax......That worked for a while, but alas, after a couple of years, they came back......So, I first hollered through my door( and over my dogs barking) stand back, because of the dogs....They hollered back, could you put them up, I hollered back, no I can't control them ( I can, but.....).They didn't leave so I opened the door, my screen was locked, but Apache, my Australian Cattle Dog, can open the bottom of the screen just enough to squeeze through. Well, being a "heeler", she chased them down the driveway, snapping at their heels all the way. When they exited the yard, she came back up the driveway, smiling really big and proud of herself. I didn't have the heart to scold her, she was so proud of herself.......and besides. she did good!! So I've since put a latch on the bottom of the screen to keep Apache from "answering " the door again....But for some reason the Witnesses haven't been back. I can't imagine why........... :whatgives

Oh thats just good. LOL Good dog.

[TWILIGHTSKY]

I rid myself of JWs a few years back by threatening to feed them to my dog, Dax......That worked for a while, but alas, after a couple of years, they came back......So, I first hollered through my door( and over my dogs barking) stand back, because of the dogs....They hollered back, could you put them up, I hollered back, no I can't control them ( I can, but.....).They didn't leave so I opened the door, my screen was locked, but Apache, my Australian Cattle Dog, can open the bottom of the screen just enough to squeeze through. Well, being a "heeler", she chased them down the driveway, snapping at their heels all the way. When they exited the yard, she came back up the driveway, smiling really big and proud of herself. I didn't have the heart to scold her, she was so proud of herself.......and besides. she did good!! So I've since put a latch on the bottom of the screen to keep Apache from "answering " the door again....But for some reason the Witnesses haven't been back. I can't imagine why........... :whatgives
LOL :seehearsp

[Empress Stillnight]

You're welcome Amethyst.

When you add "Please don't call again," you need to be a little assertive about it. If you say something along the lines of "add me to your do not call list" you will probably get another call, due to the fact that various persons have caught on to this and often a bunch of people in the community will start saying that, or have been told by former JWs about the do not call list.JWs will feel that you may have been misinformed about JWs, and that it is their duty to ascertain whether or not there is an objection that you have that they can overcome with a little explanation.

By all means, if you don't want them to come back, don't get into a discussion with them about WHY you don't want them to come back, lol, unless you are prepared to get a little militant about it (they are trained to try and reason with you if you say this). Just repeat yourself like a broken record.

Just so ya know-the reason why they keep trying is because they feel they honestly have found the true religion, and if they don't make a concerted effort to try and talk everyone into joining it, they will be bloodguilty for not doing so in the eyes of Jehovah, not to mention, the "householder" will lose their life if they don't listen.

Not all of them are really zealous about it. A large number will just leave when you say you are not interested.But there are zealous exceptions to the rule, especially amongst those who are "pioneers," as full time ministers are called.

LOL Old Witch. The congregations in your area must not have a "dog whisperer"-a seasoned, zealous person who can calmly handle the most snarling beasties at the door (those big book bags make a great shield, lol). They don't call them dog whisperes, btw-that'd be way too Pagan;)

Hi Bec-W:) Nice to meet ya.

[WynterWynd]

Thanks Empress, great info!:)
The next time the knock on my door, I'll go for the firm "Add me to your Don't Call On List;) And if that doesn't work....I'll sig the hubby on them again, since they seem to listen to him:rolleyes:

Our like to hit right when the kids have gone back to school, Hallowe'en, Yule/Xams time, Ostara, and then again just before the summer. I guess I just have seasonal pests.:p

[Annyka]

I think it is funny. I actually enjoy chatting to people of other faiths, provided they don't do it when I am busy. A few months ago, I got a call from a lovely lady who was JW. She gave me her little pamphlet things and was the first person from JW who told me that they were JW (usually they just say they are passing around some pamphlets and give me 2 pamphlets with the less religious looking one on top and then leave). She asked me if it was ok for her to come back on a weekly basis to have a chat and I said yes. We then arranged what day/time would be best (a tuesday late morning) and I am yet to see her come back. Since then my availability has changed (so it must have been about 5 months ago).

Dunno, maybe my Rottweiller scared her a little?