Jehovah's Witnesses

I had an interesting experience today! We were doing school when the doorbell rang. Right away, chaos reigned, lol! The dog started barking and running to the door, all three kids jumped up from two different rooms where they WERE doing school, I'm telling them to all SIT DOWN, it wasn't for THEM, while trying to get to the door and instruct Rachael to grab the dog and put it out back, lol!

Anyway, it was a JW. I can't remember the last time I had one talk to me, but I DO remember that once they get started, it's almost impossible to get rid of them without being rude. Of course, my VERY OBEDIENT :roll: children are right there behind me. I tell them to get back to their schoolwork, while taking the paper from the lady. I honestly thought at first it was a political flyer, except she also had a Bible with her. She handed me the paper, and just about RAN from there! I'm curious if she just assumed I was a Christian, since it was obvious I was a HS'er. I sure got the impression she wanted NOTHING to do with my household, though! LOL!

 

Funny Jackie! Maybe she just took pity that it would be too difficult to talk to you!

 

maybe she was homeschooled.

 

I have had a surge of JW's lately. Once when I answered the door and woman started with her spill...my dd heard it. Olivia ran to get my Bible and then handed it to me. She wanted me to refute what the lady was saying. Which I did at first but then grew very tired of the conversation. I normally don't EVER converse with JW's or Mormans when they come a knocking. However, this lady started out with her speech immediately. I made the unfortunate mistake of answering a question she asked. lol. Oh well. My dog scared away the last few.

 

Sometimes I am so happy to live on base. Door to door stuff like that is illegal.
For the record I don't like ANY strangers ringing my door bell. It scares me because of how much time I spend alone without my Husband.

 

We have a lot of Mormon boys come around. I usually am very nice and just give them something from the freezer, sounds silly but I have several Mormon friends who have told me how they live on very little $ so I always feel badly for them, especially in this weather up here. How funny that she got the clue right away! Lucky you did not have to go rounds with her!

 

That's funny, cuz we had a couple Morman guys come to our house yesterday! My ds13 answered the door right away, and I came up behind him. I HAD to talk with them, cuz the door was wide open, but they were actually very nice, and ended the discussion in not too long. I'm always worried it will go a long time too, especially during school time, when my kids are FINALLY getting something done! At least they're doing a work they feel called to do! I just told them I'm happy with my religion and beliefs, and these guys accepted that and didn't try to convince me otherwise.

 

You know, I think I much rather get a JW at my door than some of these other idiots that come up and try selling junk.:roll: The AT&T (phone company) guy was the worst. I even told him if he comes back that I'll have to get my lawyer (he would NOT leave). Then he said it's his right to come back. I'm like, EXCUSE ME?! You are trespassing on private property bub and if you come back I WILL get someone on your tail! It is MY right to tell you to get off my property!:x That was not a pleasant experience.

Even though I am not a JW, they do preach the Bible, God, and Jesus. It's just a different mor extreme view of it. Usually I tell them I am a Christian and really don't "need" to talk to them, but I will take their pamphlets as a kind gesture. They usually are pretty polite then and less pushy...maybe because I am telling them I don't need to be 'saved' by them?

I did have one Mormon guy come to our door once. He was respectful too after I said I was a Christian. Actually, I find that you can get some pretty intersting discussion from talking to them about religion and the different views.

 

There is a "story" in dh family that years ago, one of his uncles answered the door to a JW in his underwear and a shotgun!:shock: Needless to say, they NEVER had a JW call on them again! When a JW comes around, I usually say (with the homeschool and babysitting rucus going on behind me!) I automatically tell them "no thanks--we are Catholic and love it!!:angel: "
Blessings,
Shawna

 

I wasn't going to tell this but after reading Shawna's story I couldn't resist. One year we had several JWs come by. It got to be about every two weeks. I finally asked them to stop coming because it was getting crazy. One day they came and I was at the store. Freddy heard the door and went to answer it and saw through a little window who it was. He had been going to just crack the door and let whoever was there know he couldn't talk right then but oh no, he opened the door and stood there dripping wet in just a towel as if he hadn't known it was them. They didn't come back for a while after that. We had a family move across the street from us who were Jehovah's Witnesses and their little boy kept asking me if I wanted to have a tuddy with his parents. I said no I don't think so. He looked so surprised and kept asking me if I wanted to have a tuddy with his mom and dad. The kid was about 4 and a half at the time. I was so confused and I kept telling him I didn't know what a tuddy was. He seemed to be getting upset so I started talking about something else and he dropped it. A couple of days later he asked me if I wanted to see his pider. He showed me a jar with a SPIDER in it. I couldn't help but start laughing. A tuddy turned out to be a Bible STUDY. The kid just couldn't say his S's yet. I still get a kick out of that one. Beth

 

I politely tell them that, though I appreciate the sentiment behind what they are doing and why they are doing it, I am a Christian and the doctrines they teach are against scripture.

The JW's use the Lighthouse as a higher authority than the Bible, it is a false prophet with unbiblical teachings, and the Mormons have some REEEEEEaly interesting beliefs in their cult. I simply point the errors quickly out, let them know that they will not convince me. Smile and wave goodbye. They do not keep going very often after they realize you will not be swayed.

I have put a tape inside the pockets of some Mormon bicyclists that gave them some truth. I hope they found it later and listened.

 

geesh, I'm glad people have thier opinions here, and glad you are sharing them, but do you think you are being a tad judgemental? Plus you are certianally ailenating any one out there that is not Christian. I believe some members of the board may be Jahovah's witnesses If it were me I wouldn't feel very welcome here now.

 

I was starting to think the same thing Amy. When it comes down to it, we still have the same faith in God and Jesus. Isn't that all that should matter? Sure some may have some more radical views, but there are people who go to every church that have radical views as well. I could start picking on some denominations too for their extra doctrine and different beliefs...but I wont.

 

You could be right. I suppose this is not particularly a Fundamentallist Christian forum. It is rather a homeschooling forum. I will keep my comments based as such.

I apologise. There are so many here that I was speaking as if it were.

 

Actually, though, I just read at the top that this is a place to discuss Christian issues. Since Christian issues involve the issues concerning followers of Christ and His teachings in God's Word, this would seem appropriate to this board?

This happens to be a big one.

It is important for you to study the JW and Mormon beliefs for you to understand that they do NOT believe the same foundational doctrines about salvation that we do.

I am not going to bash them, because that is not how I feel about treating people. I do not treat them badly, nor am I unkind when I speak to them. Nor did I speak derogatorily about them in my post. They really do have interesting beliefs, way out there, if you study them. And those in the higher eschalons of mormonism do not even tell the lower entry level people the beliefs until they have been in it for a great many years. No one hardly would join if they did.

Talk about judging them is irrelevant. I am not judging the people, I am judging what they say about the truth of God's Word.

What they teach about salvation is contrary to God's word, and it should be examined and judged in the light of scripture.

Many times in scripture we are called to judge others. The most often used scripture people often call on to decry judging is misused. The verse that states, "Judge not, lest ye shall be judged." Is not an all inclusive statement about any type of judging.

It was rather a specific statement directed at hypocrites, namely the Pharisees, who were busy condemning the 'common' people of minute sins when they themselves did not hold to their own teachings. Christ was telling them that to whatever standards they held others to, they would be held accountable.

On the other hand, New Testament believers are called to judge the actions, statements, and behaviours of one another and of the world on a routine basis. Tolerance of untruth is not a teaching given by Christ.

Anyway, if I misunderstood the premise of this forum, I will be happy to withdraw these type of posts. I am not here to cause trouble, nor would Christ want me to speak up where the words were not welcome.

It just concerns me when Christians do not understand the difference between Christianity and JW/Mormonism. Yes, there are a few similarities, but only enough to fool people into thinking they have found the truth. If you do not know the person you are speaking to has not found the truth - then how could you give them truth?

That's what worries me. They need to know Christ, as their only way to salvation. We've got to be able to tell them.

Hope you understand.

 

This is so RIGHT ON! This board is for Christian Issues. This is a Christian Issue, is it not? I don't think anyone said anything that could be construed as bashing. Bashing is not defined as expressing different opinions or pointing out where a group of people are trying to use God's Word to mislead. The Mormans and the JW's do NOT believe in Jesus as the Christian do. Simple fact. I would not consider it bashing if a Buddest told me I would never reach Nirvana. I think it is essential that Christians are not confused by those who claim to know God yet do not adhere to the Word as the highest authority. And if one does agree or adhere to Mormon or JW ideals, then my opinion to that one would be meaningless. That person would see me as wrong. I would not be offended.

Besides all of that, I do not think this conversation got out of hand. I also think it is not miscatorgorized as it does relate to Christianity. I think as long as we don't get out of hand, there is no reason to be afraid to express a particular point of view.

 

JW consider themselves Christians and followers of Christ, just so you know. This may be a part for "Christian Issues" but who is to say that it's only for us traditional types of Christians? Plus, don't you think by judging others that is not being very Christian-like? This may be for Christian issues, but it doesn't mean we are given full reign to judge other people and we still need to humble ourselves. There is giving an opinion, but there is also such a thing as using a soft tongue! For example...calling Mormon's a "cult". Do you really think God wants us to use such harsh tones?

There are many doctrines of other churches that I don't agree with at all...like certain denominations, Catholic and Lutheran for example. I could call them ridiculous and "out there", but that would not be using a soft tongue. Just because I choose to go to a Bible church doesn't mean that I have to right to judge others who don't and it doesn't mean others are lessened in their faith because they don't as well. We aren't talking about Satanism or Buddism or another religion that worships a false God. We are talking about other faiths that have that same love of God and Jesus but just see things differently than us traditional Christians, and for us to judge them I believe is completely wrong!

 

we as christains are not to judge that is true. We are also to "test" to see that other doctrines align with the bible.
I do admire JW & Mormons because they have a huge desire to spread their beliefs. How many of us christains are as dedicated??
This is a christian issues board true but this is also a forum based on supporting others who homeschool. We certainly don't want to say anything to make someone feel unwelcome or give them anything bad to say about christains.

 

I agree this board is not only for those who believe in the blood of Christ as the means of salvation. Yet, it is for us also...so we can express opinions in a Godly fashion. Godly being the key. We need to bridle the tongue as scripture tells us. Yet, I don't feel that was violated here. And yet again, if someone else feels it was than those feelings should be respected.

I also see no offense in pointing out that JW's doctrine does not follow the very scripture they claim to believe in. In fact, I think that is essential to understand. If they used the Lighthouse or some other book than the bible solely, I would not be offended by their beliefs one bit. If they prayed to frogs, I would not give a hoot. However, I am the one offended by the JW's. They do not believe that Jesus is divine but merely an immortal spirit person. They believe Jesus is inferior to God. They believe salvation is attained through works. They do not believe in a trinity. They believe only 144,000 will rule with Christ in the end. They believe the soul ceases to exist after death. They do not believe in a literal Hell. All of these views I got directly from JW tracks, by the way.

Sure they have the right to believe whatever they want. But I have a right to uphold what I KNOW the bible says about the deity of Christ and the method of salvation. And besides, the bible is pretty harsh on false prophets. They simply misinterpret the Word of God to the point that salvation as defined in the Word is no longer attianable.

I don't believe my language is harsh, just simple truth. I am never rude to a Morman or a JW. I love them as much as any other creation of God. I just feel they have seriously misinterpreted the Word. We are not talking about weather to dance or not. We are talking about salvation....eternity. I only speak out against thier doctrine because I think it will lead others down the wrong path. They misrepresent Jesus----how than is salvation possible? I just find it heartbreaking. My tone is not haughty or ugly but one of righteous indignation toward anyone who claims to love Jesus yet does not honor His deity. My tone is also one of saddness for so many being misled. I honestly think they are doing what they believe is right. I will say the ones I met have always conducted themselves nicely and were never rude or offensive.

I just hate it when Jesus is misrepresented. I think the consequences of that last and eternity for some. I don't know, I see it from both points of view. I would hate for anyone to be led astray from Jesus by a Christian expressing their veiws on another person's beliefs also. Yet, if those beliefs harm the cause of Christ.....UGH. Maybe the time and place for such debates is not here and not now. I still just can't help but feel nothing that was posted was offensive.

 

When a JW came to my door once, she asked me, "Where are the people who go to your church? I never see any Baptists going door to door witnessing?" That hit home. I do admire them for that. I guess if we don't want Jesus to be misrepresented then we (I) need to get myself out there! Good Point!