Jehovah's Witnesses

Mormons never came to your door?

Same thing.

Since I just woke up I'm not gonna butcher a post for the research forum. But I will definitely come back and give my two cents.

Answer the door with no pants, and maybe no boxers. Gut out in a way to small wife beater, twirling your finger in your belly button. Let them talk, and when the time is right take your hand out of your bely button, lift it to your face, sniff. Going 'yep' nod 'yeah' you give the finger a taste. Presto no more Jehovah's Witnesses.

PS Prince is a Jehovah's Witness, think how awesome it would be to see him come knock on your door.

See, I am convinced that most people have no idea what they really believe. They are just annoyed by them. They don't care. So no one really knows what's going on.

So far, I am right.

I'm sorry but was I talking about Mormons?

I didn't think so. I put this here for a reason.

It's not that I don't care and annoyed by Jehovah's Witnesses, I don't care and annoyed by every religion.

I'm just bitter because I really want to know. Sorry.

So are most people. I was just curious if people knew what they believed. Most people I talk to about it have no idea. I usually get the "I heard they don't celebrate holidays" thing. It's just that I'm just figuring out all the extreme cult like qualities they have and a curious trend of mental illness that runs in their groups. Mainly paranoid schizophrenia. So imagine the fun I am having with my family tree right now. I'm just freaking out about how it's getting over-looked. It all has to do with a character I am developing.

There was one nice little old black lady that came to my door on a Sunday. I was in the middle of a workout, so I answered the door all sweaty, and she kind of did a doubletake and shoved a watchtower in my hand and went on her way.

That was months ago, and now there are a gang of three that have roamed our neighborhood these past couple of weeks. I may even answer the door this time...

i was raised southern baptist and still attend a southern baptist church regularly...it's a bible preaching kinda church...on the few occasions i've had with jehovah's witnesses, i kindly tell them no thank you...but usually that is not enough and i get agitated, however, i am never rude...

My wife was one of Jehovah's Witnesses when we started seeing each other. Unfortunately, the fact that I'm "worldly" meant that we couldn't get approval from her church when we started dating. Her parents wouldn't even let me come into the house at first. I went to a few of their services (I think they call them "meetings") just to get her family off my back a little bit.

Being raised Southern Baptist, I'm used to red-faced preachers who huff and puff for an hour trying to scare you into comin' on down to the altar at the end and "gettin' saved." The Witness meetings were strange because they were much more business-like affairs. Question-and-answer portions followed by study of the newest issue of the Watchtower. To me it felt like they were training a church full of door to door salesmen. But I have to admit, if you're into the whole Christianity trip, there's is pretty much the most literal and faithful version going.

Being agnostic, I don't really have a dog in the fight one way or another, but they are right about some things. Christmas, birthday celebrations, etc. all have pagan roots. If you're actually gonna try to live as the disciples did, it's easy to understand why those things would be verboten.

So ultimately, me and the missus moved in together. Folks down at the Kingdom Hall caught wind of it, and started leaving ominous messages on our answering machine about how she needed to contact them before they "took action." She did not contact them, and was ultimately "disfellowshipped", which is sorta their version of excommunication. Now that we're married, she could go back if she wanted, but a few years away have shown her how narrow-minded their view of the world and morality was, and she's long since lost interest in that organization. (Thankfully!)

As far as their whole bangin' on doors thing... I think it's annoying, but I understand where they're coming from. The bible does say to be fishers of men. That's all they're doing is trying to spread the word. Ya gotta at least give 'em credit for putting their money where their mouth is. I don't see many of the Baptists I was raised around doing community works on their days off.

On a different note, there were more than your standard number of people in the church who were completely bent, repressed, and skeezy fuckers. I think it's because their rules are so strict, that it forces people into these weird, pervy inner lives. There were several people there who had molested children in the congregation and the families of the victims and the perpetrators slid it under the rug, because they believe in handling all disputes through their "elders" instead of law enforcement or lawsuits. This group of "elders" are sorta like church deacons. In theory, they are there to counsel people, mediate disputes, and dole out punishments. But, they're more like a pack of sleazy old geezers who spread rumors about people after taking their counsel in private. Classy. Very classy.

Frankly, the entire organization seemed like the kind of thing you'd have to be a little desperate to sign onto unless you were raised in it.

What type of experiences are you looking for?

Interactions when they are at your door?
Ex-members?
Living with them?
Growing up under their teachings?
Scandals?

Just wanting to know what you were looking for - seems to be plenty of that type of material out there on the InterWeb.

Is you character one?

I've had a few encounters, mostly whilst living in London. The people that came to the door were mostly very polite, and just wanted to chat. The last time someone called was when I lived in Whitechapel, and we were pretty much the only house on the street that weren't Muslim. Doubt they had much luck there.

The Watchtower seems very old fashioned, especially the illustrations. The magazine usually went in the bin, but now and then we'd put some of the pictures on our fridge.

It would be interesting to know, statistic-wise, how many people a year actually convert through an initial door-to-door visit.

PS. Things I've heard (misconceptions, no doubt):

- You cannot sleep with your feet facing the door as the devil will 'get you' (God I feel like a fool writing that)

- The women usually clean houses for a living

- No presents, no parties

All I know about Jehovahs is from that great movie: A Perfect World.

I've invited Jehovahs in to have a glass of water and use the facilities. They usually decline, but a few have accepted the offer and seemed genuinely grateful to be treated decently. I usually cut them off by saying I'm jewish or buddist (I'm neither) because I've found they won't push if someone already having a religion and being happy with it. So, I lie.

I have a friend who was raised as one and now his GF is one and wants him to "Get Baptized" because apparently you have to choose to do so after accepting the faith. Since he has a history with this and wants to marry her I wouldn't think it would be an issue but he is hesitating. Plus he has weird views like telling me I listen to satanic music. Its funny cause I have seen this guy do so many drugs and go on drinking binges, but when it comes to music and lifestyle apparently I'm a heathen. I get little clues to the religion here and there. Like they are not allowed to celebrate any Holidays including Christmas because it has something to do with worshiping false idols (I'm probably wrong about this though). I just feel bad for the kids cause it seems like they lose out on my favorite Holiday, Halloween(Samhain,Fall Equinox)

I couldn't be a Jehova's Witness, wasn't there the day of the accident.

It's funny, because they are in every town, more or less, to some degree, and apparently based on the answers above (sans a few), we don't know anything about what they believe, or how they live. Is this by design?

I've engaged them at the door and tried to get into a conversation about spirituality, higher powers, etc., but only seem to get the basic take-the-Watchtower-and-come-to-a-meeting reaction from them.

While I am an athiest, I do care about what they believe from a psycological level. I am always curious when people believe anything that isn't grounded in reason because it is a window into how others have used power to manipulate.

That's what I was getting at. That most people don't know what they believe. I was just curious to see what people thought they might believe.

I don't know very much at all about Jehovah's Witnesses. I remember once reading some of The Watchtower after some ladies came to our door handing them out, specifically an article about how a particular 'natural wonder' was proof of God's creation. That was some time ago, when I first started university, and I just remember thinking, "This is ridiculous. There's absolutely no referencing here!" I also remember, when I was much younger, a friend of mine telling me that her friend couldn't celebrate Christmas because she was a Jehovah's Witness and we were both astounded by that fact. Apart from what my parents had said to me in the past, basically deeming it a 'weird cult' along with a whole bunch of religious minorities, that kind of made me decide that I thought the whole thing was silly.

Since then, I can't say I have researched it any further, even though I'd be interested to. I haven't really heard a clear explanation of what Jehovah's Witnesses believe... Or maybe this is just because I haven't been listening hard enough. I do think a lot of religious minorities tend to get confused by people who aren't part of them, especially Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses, where I live.

...I don't think it's silly anymore, by the way. I know next to nothing about it.

I always wonder why their Kingdom Halls never have any windows.

My response to your question comes from a lifetime of experience...

First, many of their Kingdom Halls do have windows.... but that design is usually found in the older buildings. Second, understand that they view these places as simply a practical meeting house to study the bible and then go home... nothing more.

So, the 'no window' thing has two key benefits - one practical, one psychological.

As you may (or may not) know they often build their houses of worship in what they term as a "quick build"... after the land has been purchased and cleared, a design is drawn up, utilities are run in, building materials are delivered, and a foundation slab of concrete is poured. They are now prepped and ready to add the physical structure.

But since most of the work (if not all) is done by volunteer labor and volunteer donations, they strive to knock it out as quickly and as economically as possible. Carpenters may start framing the building on a Thursday night with electricians and plumbers right behind them... and their religious services might be held in a completed building 72 hours later as the roofers finish or the carpet is being installed.

The point being, windows = time. A flat wall can be framed out, lifted, sheet-rocked, taped and painted. Done.

But if that wall has windows... wood must be measured and cut, windows installed, sheet-rock must be cut... plus the added burden to the crews doing the taping, the wood trim around each window, the curtains and blinds, the painting or wallpaper, etc...

You get the idea... suddenly a 'quick build' becomes a not-so-quick build. It would add time to these volunteer workers, more weekends away from their families... and it would add cost.

Plus there is this additional yet critical fact... windows during services = distraction. It's too easy to stare at the trees and the grass and imagine what you'd really rather be doing at that very moment instead of listening to a discourse on a particular scriptural doctrine. A windowless room can't stop your mind from wandering... but it is another benefit to help keep the congregation 'focused'.

I hope that helped to answer your window question.

(Now this is the part where my brother will print out this post, get out his colored highlighters, and report back about my 'apostate' ways. Oh well... shit happens.)

Thanks for the comprehensive answer, it was pretty much what I had expected, but I didn't realise the volunteer labour thing.

I haven't posted on here in forever, usually because i have nothing useful to contribute. But this topic i kind of have some insight on. I am/was a Jehovah's Witness, i haven't attended the meetings for about a year now.

I was actually going to say, i provided no real insight in that post. But i guess im in the same boat as Jessica.Sue, im trying to see how everyone else views them because they kind of keep you closed off from people not in the religion.

We view them exactly the same way as we do Mormons only, instead of grim young boys ringing our bells while we are attempting to change lightbulbs, eat lunch, masturbate, or watch Jeopardy, we get dour old ladies.

I find the idea of waiting for the return of Christ based on when some folks decided it would happen to be... odd. Especially when they keep being proven wrong over and over. I have never had a Jehovah's Witness come to my door, I'm not sure there are many around here. If one did come there is no telling what I would do. Last time the Mormon's came I happened to be outside and I told them I was a heathen and challenged their beliefs. I was in a particularly cheeky mood that day.

My Sociology teacher once told me that Jehovah's Witnesses have the highest abuse rates, higher then the catholic church. But because it isn't as popular as other churchs, it doesnt get much publicity.

What have they been proven wrong about over and over??

OP, I'm sorry about your family life. I'm sorry that you feel that way but I can assure you that not all congregations are like that. I find a lot of truth in what they say. Especially about family life, birthdays/holidays, and roles we should play in marriage.

They do have "get-togethers". Shoot, we even had a super bowl party with wine and beer. We didn't over indulge but we enjoyed it. I think in the old day Jehovah witnesses were a bit pushy and they did seem to try and push their views on you. But over the last decade I have really seen them relax. If you don't want to listen, they will understand. Most people.

I actually want to start studying again. My grandparents are Jehovah Wittnesses and I was always brought up around the truth.

They're interesting folks. I've always been impressed by their stong belief. I mean no matter what people do or say they still don't stop visiting them.

When I was a kid they had been visiting us regularly quite often for some time- until they tried to convince my dad about something and he said he didn't wan't to see them again. I remember I was given a children Bible and for some mysterious reason I was so impressed by it- as my parents are atheists, they said to me all the time that I could choose a religion when I grow up.

I've always been wondering what is that makes people so strong and so convinced.

And I happen to browse through Watchtower from time to time (they're everywhere). I have to admit- some topics are quite interesting. But I never find answers in these articles.

Watchtower is interesting, namely because it never gives any reference points for any of the science, statistics, research or expert opinions on any of the claims it makes, except of course if the reference is a bible verse.

It is always "one study shows that blah blah blah..." with no actual study sited or credentials given for said unsited study.

I read watchtower ocassionally these days for comedy.

I did two years of weekly "bible study" with a witness lady back in my early twenties. I did the first one as a favor to a friend basically (she was into them, exploring the religion, and had known the lady I ended up studying with since childhood) After the first session with this lady I agreed to a second and then third out of politeness, I'm a pretty big pushover a lot of the time, then from there out I kept meeting with her because I liked her, most of our "studies" would end up being one to two hour coffee breaks with the conversation digressing to mostly anything but what she was meant to be teaching me, she always brought it back around to the watchtower and bible stuff by the last twenty minutes before she had to leave. One thing we did talk about a lot though, was not the religion of her church, but the customs, the rules over you life if you belonged to them.

To get to the point, she ended up being disfellowshiped, shunned, and wasn't allowed to continue visiting me. I found this out from the replacements the church sent to me.

I called her and found out that whatever it was she had been doing to get her self shunned she had been doing for about seven years and then was found out, she would never say exactly what it was she was shunned for though. She said she wasn't allowed to continue with any of her studies with anyone, even if a real relationship or friendship had been formed, the only contact she was allowed to have was with her husband. Her husband was the only person allowed to speak to her or for her to speak to, in order for her to be back in the grace of the church she was to submit under his guidence, and be held accountable to him and her church elders to admit her guilt and humble herself, she was to continue going to church services every week but no one, even her own family members or closest friends within the church, were allowed to acknowledge her presence in any way or speak to her or question why they were not allowed to see her right in front of them under the threat of being shunned themselves.

She was cut off in everyway from everyone but her husband, even her own sister could not attempt to acknowledge that she was standing right in front of her, as the case may be, and she was not allowed to make any gesture in any way to try to get anyone to see her.

They made her invisible in her own life under the threat of making it even worse in the form of kicking her completely out and not even being allowed to so much as see the people in her life at all.

I tried very hard to convince her to visit me, to try to give her something of human contact and friendship. Since I wasn't a member of the church I was under no rule and neither was she to stop our friendship. She said she would ask her husband for permission to vist me or at least talk on the phone once and a while. She was very tearful and I never heard from her again.

Her replacements told me they did not know why she was shunned, no one did except her husband and the church elders or leaders, they only knew she was shunned and they were not allowed to question it or speak to her until further notice, then they hunkered down to business about converting me, even moved me on to the "advanced book" instead of the watchtower. I promptly ended the the meetings.

They have incorrectly predicted the end of the world at least 4 times over the last 200 years, the most recent being 1975.

from what I have read here and found out from my grandmother who used to be a jehovah's witness, they seem to encompass the best and worst of religion. What I was told by my grandmother is that there are several levels as far as your place in the church is concerned. Those levels are dictated mostly by your monetary contributions to the church which I find, frankly, pretty fucked up. Also, I've heard they believe only 144,000 people will be allowed into heaven. I was never aware that heaven had a capacity ceiling.
However, the "best" that they encompass would have to be sticking to their beliefs and their fellowship. I live in Alabama and have seen many Kingdom Halls around smaller towns. The fact that there are so many would have to mean that they actually value each other intrinsically, which is more than I can say for a lot of "christians" I've interacted with.