Knock! Knock!
By Genipher
@Genipher (5405)
United States
December 4, 2017 2:03pm CST
We had only officially owned our house for two days when we got our first Jehovah's Nuisance, I mean, Witness. 
I had been outside, trying to dig up some blackberry roots and dumping our compost, so I couldn't shake his hand...but we had a nice chat on the doorstep. The little kids bounced in and out of our conversation, happy to entertain the elderly gent. It wasn't long, however, before the baby had a blow-out and I had to send him on his way...
Honestly, my husband and I like talking to the JW's. We used to have a couple of old timers visit us in our last house. They'd come once a week for a Bible study and my husband would go over scripture with them.
They never did convince us to join their church and we never convinced them that some of their doctrine didn't line up with the Bible...but we still enjoyed their company.
I invited this JW to come back and visit while my husband was home. I figure they can crack open the Bible and have a healthy debate over the scriptures.
We'll see how long he puts up with us before the JW church "marks" our house and stops coming...
Do you have discussions with people that have opposing viewpoints in REAL life (as opposed to the interwebz, where you can argue in anonymity)?
Do you enjoy debating with others?
I had been outside, trying to dig up some blackberry roots and dumping our compost, so I couldn't shake his hand...but we had a nice chat on the doorstep. The little kids bounced in and out of our conversation, happy to entertain the elderly gent. It wasn't long, however, before the baby had a blow-out and I had to send him on his way...
Honestly, my husband and I like talking to the JW's. We used to have a couple of old timers visit us in our last house. They'd come once a week for a Bible study and my husband would go over scripture with them.
They never did convince us to join their church and we never convinced them that some of their doctrine didn't line up with the Bible...but we still enjoyed their company.
I invited this JW to come back and visit while my husband was home. I figure they can crack open the Bible and have a healthy debate over the scriptures.
We'll see how long he puts up with us before the JW church "marks" our house and stops coming...
Do you have discussions with people that have opposing viewpoints in REAL life (as opposed to the interwebz, where you can argue in anonymity)?
Do you enjoy debating with others?10 people like this
10 responses
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
4 Dec 17
As one of Jehovah's Witnesses I have been going door to door for some 47 years. We share the Good News of the kingdom with those that want to listen. It is a command from our Lord Jesus Christ and that is why we do it. That's what he did. How can we not do it?
John 15:10 (Easy-to-Read Version) 10 I have obeyed my Father’s commands, and he continues to love me. In the same way, if you obey my commands, I will continue to love you.
4 people like this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
4 Dec 17
@Genipher I could see that you are very kind and appreciate you receiving my brothers and sisters kindly. I did not take any offense. I just wanted to explain why we do it. If Jesus had not commanded us, believe me, I would not do it.
I, once, got a job selling products door to door and after a couple of hours I quit. I thought that I could do it, since I was used to going from door to door, but gave up fast and looked for another job.
Yes, many people believe that Jehovah and Jesus are the same person. We believe that Jehovah is the father and Jesus is the son and are different individuals.
We have no prophets. All the prophets are in the Bible. We have made mistakes in interpreting what the prophets have foretold on occasion. We never claimed we are prophets and we never claimed perfection. When we make a mistake, we go back to the Bible and try again to understand what the prophets are telling us and adjust our understanding. 
2 people like this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
4 Dec 17
@1hopefulman
My apologies, you're right. It's not so much that the organization has individual prophets but that the church prophesies. I was just reading how the Watchtower even admits to the fact that they've falsely prophesied "the end" or "Armageddon" since the 1880's.
It can be hard to do the things Jesus commanded us to do. Taking up my cross, daily? That's hard! And not being a "people person", I would have to really push myself to knock on doors and talk about Jesus. I know it's not ME people would be rejecting, but Him...but still, my pride and all that...
I wish I was stronger in that area.
I wish I was stronger in that area.1 person likes this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
4 Dec 17
I'm not bashing that at all. In fact, I envy how y'all put yourself out there and go door-to-door. I think most Christians are lax in that area. A bit too lukewarm, you know.
But there are some major issues I have with that religious organization. Namely, that Jesus and God are not one. John chapter 1 and many other verses in the holy scriptures say otherwise. Add that to the fact that the JW prophets have proven to be wrong over and over and over again, well, I tend to doubt that they are the "one true religion". Sorry.
Hubby and I always welcome the JW's to stay and chat. If I hadn't had dirty hands, a poopy baby, and a homechurch potluck to get ready for, I would have invited him in for a longer discussion. 
2 people like this
@buenavida (9984)
• Sweden
5 Dec 17
Wooww, how interesting.. nice to read your thoughts.. I have known the witnesses since I was 7 years old, but at about 14 I was invited to study the Bible with them.. since then I have learned so many things, I would not know otherwise.
I learned about the original languages that the Bible was written in -Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, and how those who can translate them, get the much clearer understanding of what the Holy Scriptures really teach.. That is why JW have learned so much, because they are humble enough to adjust what they believe, when they get more knowledge..
As there are many misunderstandings, and questions about their beliefs, I would recommend everyone to read answers to their questions about the witnesses..
Thank you for this interesting discussion..
What Jehovah’s Witnesses believe: religion, ministry, beliefs and practices, community work and organization. Answers to frequently asked questions.
3 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
4 Dec 17
I don't debate with the JW's but I have had some good conversations with them. =)
3 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
6 Dec 17
I like sharing opinions and viewpoints but I usually would avoid debating. I've realized that many times debates would turn into arguments so I'd rather stay away from debating with others.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78871)
• East Tawas, Michigan
4 Dec 17
Jehovah Witnesses visited Jay's home, on Christmas morning. I think that's pretty nervy of them, to interfere with a Christian holiday!
2 people like this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
4 Dec 17
They seem to have a good sense of nerves. I know we're supposed to, "Go out into all the world and preach the gospel" but I tend to be a chicken when it comes to that mandate. I've always been rather envious of the JW's ability to put themselves out there...even if much of their doctrine is incorrect.
As an aside, they don't celebrate Christmas so perhaps they didn't think about what day it was? We don't celebrate (for other reasons--we're not JW's) and there have been times I've gone to run errands on the 25th and been confused as to why the stores were closed. It's easy to forget when you don't celebrate a certain holiday.
3 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78871)
• East Tawas, Michigan
4 Dec 17
@Genipher We didn't celebrate Christmas for a few years, because of the mockery it is, to the Lord Jesus Christ! Almost everyone celebrates Christmas, yet they don't believe in him:( It has become a big money haul in, for most stores.
3 people like this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
4 Dec 17
@kobesbuddy
We celebrate the feasts that Jesus did and that still apply. For example, Jesus was our Passover lamb. So when we celebrate the Passover, we remember his sacrifice. Bunnies and colored eggs are a nod to the goddess Ishtar, not Jesus.
Same with Christmas. It dwells in Pagan roots. So we refrain.
However, we remember the verse in Romans 14:5 that says, "One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind."
We have Christian friends that use the 25th as a day to glorify Jesus. We don't think they're doomed to an eternity in hell for indulging in presents and cookies, just as they don't gripe at us for not celebrating.
2 people like this
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
5 Dec 17
We have amicable relations with the local Jehovah's Witnesses here. I see them at work regularly because they come often for a cup of coffee. They do visit our home during the summer when the road is passable. It took them a long time to find our place though. We are a little remote.
2 people like this
@JESSY3236 (20038)
• United States
5 Dec 17
I have some come to my house too. But I don't debate with them. They didn't convince me to join their church.
2 people like this
@Hannihar (130213)
• Israel
23 Feb 18
They used to leave material outside our door. I find them very annoying and I am so sick of them trying to convert Jews all the time. We have every right to practice our religion in peace and nobody trying to tell us to what we should not should not be. I was born a Jew and I live in the Jewish country and happy to live here and will be a Jew the rest of my life.
