I've just been witnessed

[ma2000]

Well, it's a new experience for me.
2 girls showed at my door asking me if I am pleased by the rulers of this country and if I believe that there will come a kingdom that will please me.
Then they've read me a verse from the Bible. I'm bad with numbers, but was something with the kingdom of God.
They gave a brochure and told me to read the Bible. They said that some other time they will tell me what is it with this kingdom of God.
They were Jehova's Witnesses.

I don't reall know anything about them. I am reading the info in wikipedia though.

[Jacob4707]

Yes, Jehovah's Witnesses always come in pears because their theology is fruity.

[nestoj]

Well, it's a new experience for me.
2 girls showed at my door asking me if I am pleased by the rulers of this country and if I believe that there will come a kingdom that will please me.
Then they've read me a verse from the Bible. I'm bad with numbers, but was something with the kingdom of God.
They gave a brochure and told me to read the Bible. They said that some other time they will tell me what is it with this kingdom of God.
They were Jehova's Witnesses.

I don't reall know anything about them. I am reading the info in wikipedia though.
Did they asked you something, or they just started their speach, like the traveling sailsman.

nestoj
God helps

[xristos.anesti]

Neoarians.

[ma2000]

Did they asked you something, or they just started their speach, like the traveling sailsman.

nestoj
God helps
They've asked if I am pleased with the rulers of Romania :)
And said something like: we have the solution. read this!

[ma2000]

So, what can you tell me about them? And what can I say to them?

[Dust and Ashes]

They've asked if I am pleased with the rulers of Romania :)
And said something like: we have the solution. read this!

Wow, are they trying to foment rebellion in the populace or something? Perhaps you shold alert the authorities. ;) J/K

As X.A said, they are neoarians. If you have a passable knowledge of NT Greek, you can usually shut them down pretty handily. They have their own translation of the Bible called the New World Translation that is altered to support their theology so keep your own Bible handy if they start quoting Scripture. Otherwise, they are usually very nice people.

[rusmeister]

I wouldn't even engage unless you know a LOT. Best just to politely no-thank-them and close the door.

[xristos.anesti]

Here are some articles on JW:

Article 1. Orthodox Source (http://www.roca.org/OA/91/91k.htm)

Article 2. Orthodox Source (Explore External Links also) (http://orthodoxwiki.org/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses)

Article 3. Heterodox Source (http://www.4truth.net/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=hiKXLbPNLrF&b=784547&ct=981309)

Their teaching with some eschatological innovations has been around for a while - even thought the JW do not have historical link with any of the Arians they do indeed have Arian "Christology". They are also iconoclasts, denouncers of Orthodox Ecclesiology and everything that such denouncement carries. They believe in soul sleep - a notion that after death there is nothing, soul does not exist but is a different word for life. They add and change the words in the Scriptures (as Dust and Ashes have said they have their own "translation" of the Bible - it is matter of public record that none of their "translators" knew Greek).

All in all, they are to be prayed for and treated with decency but use crossing and icons liberally - usually I make them tea (they do not drink coffee) and listen to them - it is like traveling back in time and listening to an Arian.

If you wish you can argue with them - if you do a decent job they will never come again - which is, maybe, not a thing to do, for they are just like all of us - souls searching for God and need not be treated with disrespect.

People abuse them and they are used to it - world is mean to them - if you treat them with respect and show them what Orthodoxy is all about through love and patience - who knows, you might have won a brother or a sister to the Lord.

I hate their theology, but they are souls, images of God - they are our brothers and sisters.

Many years.

[icxn]

So, what can you tell me about them? And what can I say to them?
The following conversation between a Jahovist named George and Elder Cleopa of Romania might help:

G: 'I am a witness to Jehovah who is in heaven.'

EC: 'Really? Do you recognize any military, political or Church authority?'

G 'No! Everything is Jehovah in heaven.'

There were a lot of people present. This was the first time I had any kind of discussion with a Jehovah Witness; he had been brought by his parents, but later others came from Botosani.

EC: 'What! Listen! Don't you submit to any kind of authority?'

G: No.

EC: 'Do you believe the New. Testament, the epistles of the great apostle Paul?'

G: 'Yes, I believe them. '

EC: 'OK, then open to Romans 13:1-8.'

He had a Bible in his pocket, but did not want to open it.

EC: 'Open it, young man! Look, I have a Bible right there, but you open it, since you are the one who does not believe in any kind of authority."

G: 'No!'

Then his father said, 'Read it, son, read it! We brought you here so you could learn. '

EC: "I had already written a book with a chapter called The State in Biblical Understanding which explains why we pay taxes to the government, why we obey civil authorities and why we remember those in authority in our holy services. Finally, he opened his Bible and read, Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God.

EC: 'Did you hear that? Did you hear that, dear people? God sets authorities in place allover the face of the earth. It doesn't matter ifwe think they are good or bad. God has set them in power. Now, read the next verse! You don't want to? Read it, because the second verse will hit you even harder over the head since it says therefore, whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God. Now, wait a minute! Who is Jehovah?'

G: 'God.'

EC: 'Really? I also know that He is God, for we call Him God and Jehovah and Sabaoth and Jesus Christ. The Russians call Him 'Bozhe,' the English call Him 'God,' the Greeks call Him 'Theos,' the French call Him 'Dieu,' the Jews call him 'Jehovah' and we Romanians call Him 'Dumnezeu,' but they are all the same name for God.

Have you heard that Jehovah has established authority on earth? For there is no authority except from God. Did you hear that? And further on, what does it say? Whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God. So, Jehovah is God?'

G: 'Yes.'

EC: 'So you see that you are against Jehovah? You are not a Jehovist! You are the greatest anti-jehovist. You are the greatest antichrist, deceived by Satan! Now hold on, you are not getting away with just that! Read on further!

G: 'Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Owe no one anything. '

EC: 'Now, have you seen what the apostle orders? We have to give taxes and honor and be subject and pray for those in authority.'

"After I had said all that and given him the proof from Scripture, he approached me, said, 'Good day' and left without saying anything else because he was embarrassed at being proven wrong in front of so many people.

"After about three weeks, his parents came to me and said, 'Father, our son went to his job where there is a group of about twelve Jehovah Witnesses and used the Scripture verses that you showed him against their own teachings. '

"Brothers, these are antichrists. Do not follow them, for they are the forerunners of the antichrist and deny the divinity of Jesus Christ. The evangelist John, in chapter four of his first epistle says Every :pirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. This is the spirit of the antichrist. That is why he says, Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God because many false prophets have gone out into the world, and they seek to deceive men and lead them astray from the true Faith right into gehenna."

[Jacob4707]

Know your Faith.

Know your God.

They are non/anti-Trinitarian (the Son was the first Created Being; the Holy Spirit is a force).

Invite them in. Be gracious. After they sit down and you ascertain that they want to talk to you about God's Kingdom and Jesus and the Scriptures, tell them that you always precede such discussions with prayer, and then, since it's your home, you pray.

[I have heard/read that they respect the term "Almighty God" (because they believe that GOD is "Almighty God," and Jesus is "(a) god" or a "mighty god" (or so I've heard/read; just like there is a lot of disinformation put out about Orthodoxy by non-Orthodox, I suspect that some of the anti-JW literature is also erroneous), so somewhere at the beginning pray to or mention Almighty God to get their reverence and attention.]


I have not had the opportunity to talk with JWs since becoming Orthodox, but I would pray - out loud, slowly (but not obviously so) and clearly, so they can hear it:In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (+) (+ = cross yourself)Glory to You, our God, glory to You.O Heavenly King...Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal (+) ... 3xGlory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever... (+)All-holy Trinity (+) ...Lord, have mercy (3x)Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever... (+)Our Father (+) ...I believe in One God the Father Almighty (+) ...I.e., the usual opening prayers that one says whenever one prays.

If they are still there and haven't bolted for the door(!), you have now armed and protected yourself with the full armor of God (Ephesians 6) and are ready to keep the discussion focused on the Gospel and the things the Creed confesses.

Since they're in Romania, they are probably knowledgeable about Orthodoxy. If not, they'll think you're Catholic.

They probably believe that Constantine brought all the corruption into the Church. They likely have never heard of or read the Apostolic Fathers and don't know that Liturgy, the Eucharist as the real Body and Blood, Bishops, etc., go back to the times of the Apostles, and were not a later invention or imposition of the Romish Church.

FYI - Don't even think that you'll have a chance of convincing them, or getting them to read what you recommend they read. They won't. They always travel in pairs because that way the "older" one can make sure the younger one isn't swayed by what you might say, or starts to have doubts. They'll make an exit if you start winning the discussion. The best you can hope to do is share the truth, and hope that somehow you've made a dent or crack in their brainwashing which will eventually, by other Christians doing the same, cause them to begin doubting the Watchtower organization. Or you can pray for them and any needs they and/or their family members might have. I remember reading a book by a former JW who became a Christian because the prayers for healing from a Christian had results, contrary to what the JW organization had taught them.

[Shubunkin]

That is all good. In my experience, the JWs that I've talked to do not vote, but they pay their taxes and do jury duty. They will not salute the flag or do the pledge of allegiance.

That last time they came to my door I informed them I was now Orthodox Christian, and they couldn't say a word. So I closed the door on them.

[Guineverelyndy]

Should you lose your mind and decide to become a JW (I'm just kidding, of course), make sure to throw yourself a gigantic birthday party right beforehand as you'll never have another! You'll have to throw away your crosses too, since the JWs believed that Jesus was impaled on a stake, not nailed to a cross.

[Shubunkin]

Should you lose your mind and decide to become a JW (I'm just kidding, of course), make sure to throw yourself a gigantic birthday party right beforehand as you'll never have another! You'll have to throw away your crosses too, since the JWs believed that Jesus was impaled on a stake, not nailed to a cross.
OH yes, and I have pointed out to the JWs that the method the Romans used on everyone else was a cross, or crucifix (remember "Crucify him!" shouted by the Jews) ... but they switched to a stake at the last moment just for Christ, and then resumed after that with a cross as the method of crucifixion? I think not!

[Mysterium_Fidei]

I usually let them in my house, if they're not freaking out by the time they get to the front door (I have a huge Vatican Flag hanging outside, and a big statue of Our Lady).

The ones I've talked to were very sincere, sweet old ladies. I didn't try to argue with them, or question them about their beliefs. We informed them that we were Catholic only as they were leaving. They get the cold shoulder so often, that I think treating them nicely might be the best way to show them what our faith means to us.

They seemed to approve of us as "fellow believers" because of our willingness to talk about God and our knowledge of the Bible. We invited them to come back the next time they were in the neighborhood, but they haven't come back yet.

[buzuxi02]

Usually they start off with the question:

"Do you know what the real name of God is?"

They will say Jehovah, the hebrew OT name, which is actually faulty. To translate the tetragrammaton into a 3 syllable word is totally inappropriate. It is a two syllable word, one that is irrelevant at that as well.

[Jacob4707]

Usually they start off with the question:

"Do you know what the real name of God is?"

It's Mister Mxyzptlk, isn't it?

My comeback to that is: None of the New Testament authors had ANY PROBLEM referring to YHWH as Theos or Kyrios. None of them. Not even Jesus in the words the Gospel writers recorded Him saying. If there was something magical or special or holy about calling Him YHWH or Jehovah or Yah or whatever, why did none of the people in the NT do this?

Maybe the JWs already have a response for this; I don't know.

[EmperorConstantine]

I find that the best way to repel people who think they know all is to do this:

-listen.
-question what they believe
-stomp them into the ground using the words of wisdom of Fr. Vasily.;)


Ok ok, first two things are serious. Third part: show how they are in error.

[Tsarina]

I've was always told to do myself a favor and shut the door on them, because these guys do nothing but put stink in our heads.

[Thekla]

... and if you really can't shut the door, I've been told they can visit no more than 3 times. And this has been my experience.

But say the Jesus prayer :)

[EmperorConstantine]

True story.

A friend of mine was visited by a Witness. Her dad walks up to the door and *fib alert! fib alert!* invited them to the animal sacrifice they were supposedly having out back.

The JWs and Mormons never stopped by again.


A few years ago, I was ambushed by two JWs upon getting off the bus. They gave me some pamphlet. I read it later, and laughed.:D

[Thekla]

My brother lived in Denmark about 20 years ago. The Danes would say "one could always pick out the JWs. They were the only people in DK wearing neckties".

Makes it easy to know who your visitors are :)

[ma2000]

It's Mister Mxyzptlk, isn't it?


:D

Thank you all for your answers! I won't probably be at home the next time anyway :)

[Ioan cel Nou]

:D

Thank you all for your answers! I won't probably be at home the next time anyway :)
That's about the only way you'll get rid of them. I've jhad them trying to witness to me through the letter box in our front door when I was a kid!

I, unfortunately have only had one chance to discuss things with a JW since becoming Orthodox and I fluffed it. I'd dearly love to take my grandfather's (not Orthodox but certainly devout) example and calmly discuss the errors of their faith with them, but this one JW (yes, alone, strange hey?) had been consistently coming round to our house when I wasn't there (and couldn't be expected to be there) and leaving material in, I think, Russian. You see, my wife's tactic for dealing with unwanted callers is to feign ignorance of English and this guy heard an eastern accent, probably saw some icons and assumed Russian (or at least a language written in Cyrillic).

My wife shrugged it off and merely joked about an Englishman evangelising a Romanian with sectarian literature written in Russian whereas I got quite angry that the man was willing to take advantage of my wife when I wasn't there. One day I was at home when he came around (he consistently came around on weekdays in office hours, but for some reason I forget, I was off work that day). I'm afraid that I lost my rag, said some rather uncharitable things about his attempting to lure my wife into heresy and he never came back. Nor have I ever had a visit from the JWs since, though I think that must be coincidence as we no longer live at that address.

James

[Anhelyna]

We have a better one that that :)

My inlaws built this house and joined to it at the time was a slightly bigger one belonging to the ' high heid yin ' of the local JWs . We were plagued for a long time by the local doorstepping JWs.

Eventually Father-in-Law got fed up and approached next door neighbour and said words to the effect of ' call your dogs off or I'll tell folk about your Baptismal pool '

Well incredibly enough - it worked ! :D Said Baptismal pool was his swimming pool [ not at all usual in the UK in 1959 ] , was an outside one , no cover , no heating [ in Scotland !!!! ] and had steps going into it which were very wide and shallow . Pool was just over 6 foot at it's deepest . We never ever saw it being used :P


Oh - should also add that since then [ 1970ish ] we have had no visits :D

[Dewi Sant]

We have a better one that that :)

My inlaws built this house and joined to it at the time was a slightly bigger one belonging to the ' high heid yin ' of the local JWs . We were plagued for a long time by the local doorstepping JWs.

Eventually Father-in-Law got fed up and approached next door neighbour and said words to the effect of ' call your dogs off or I'll tell folk about your Baptismal pool '

Well incredibly enough - it worked ! :D Said Baptismal pool was his swimming pool [ not at all usual in the UK in 1959 ] , was an outside one , no cover , no heating [ in Scotland !!!! ] and had steps going into it which were very wide and shallow . Pool was just over 6 foot at it's deepest . We never ever saw it being used :P


Oh - should also add that since then [ 1970ish ] we have had no visits :D


At the moment, the UK IS a swimming pool!

My back garden is so swamped I would have to get under the water to get to the plants.

Fortunatly I worked on the front garden in time to edge the lawn and create large enough ditches round the flowebeds.

It's quite funny to see the rose in the centre of the front garden on it's own little island.
This isn't the recent flooding, we didn't get affected by that, but rather, we've been having so much rainfall recently


Myself, I just told some evangelicals "I'm Orthodox", and they marched off in the opposite direction ^_^

[Anhelyna]

that was certainly handy :D

Our weather hasn't been that bad - we aren't actually swimming - but I would like some decent weather for the Monastery trip .

[nikolayalexandroff]

Well, it's a new experience for me.
2 girls showed at my door asking me if I am pleased by the rulers of this country and if I believe that there will come a kingdom that will please me.
Then they've read me a verse from the Bible. I'm bad with numbers, but was something with the kingdom of God.
They gave a brochure and told me to read the Bible. They said that some other time they will tell me what is it with this kingdom of God.
They were Jehova's Witnesses.

I don't reall know anything about them. I am reading the info in wikipedia though.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/119541/jehovah_witness_suicide.html
http://www.culthelp.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1014&Itemid=15
Cult Help and Information - Personal Stories of Ex-cult Members (http://www.culthelp.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=11&id=78&Itemid=15)

[cobweb]

The JWs rarely give me any trouble. The only thing they did that annoyed me was showing up at my door at 9 am Christmas morning.

It is the LDS and the Protestants that just won't go away even when I try to politely refuse.

Of course my husband just stands there politely and nods his head no matter who it is. Usually I have to come rescue him.

When I was still an atheist, the favorite tactic of the local Protestant Churches was to use my children against me. One Church went as far as to give literature to my 4 year old (to make sure his mommy reads this) in front of me after I politely refused. Another group cornered me against the front of my house while I was holding my youngest (after I made the mistake of telling them that I was an atheist when they refused to leave when I said that I wasn't interested). They started in with pleas of "How can you be a mother and an atheist? You are damning your baby."

The last one that came around (after I had been attending a GOARCH Church for a while) tried to tell me that their Church was based on "other ancient teachings of Jesus Christ" and that this was what Christianity was like in the times of the Bible. After that I lost my cool a little bit. :sigh:

[SeraphimSarov]

Another group cornered me against the front of my house while I was holding my youngest (after I made the mistake of telling them that I was an atheist when they refused to leave when I said that I wasn't interested). They started in with pleas of "How can you be a mother and an atheist? You are damning your baby."

I'd have been calling the police.

[Mysterium_Fidei]

They came by again this morning, and here is what happened:

My mother and I invited them in, and I offered them something to drink. We both thanked them for coming by, and told them we enjoyed reading their tract from week before last on the importance of "Ethnic Harmony".

The head of the group gave us another magazine discussing the Immortality of the Soul. They asked us if we believed the soul was immortal, and I kindly explained that we did. They offered a couple verses from Scripture to support their view. I have a copy of their Bible, and used it to explain we viewed the verses differently. I briefly mentioned our belief in the Communion of Saints. They became slightly nervous, so I backed off and began discussing some things we all believed in (the importance of Scripture, evangelism, ect...)

They became more comfortable. When they were about to leave, I thanked them for their tract, and promised I would read it. I told them I would enjoy discussing it the next time they came by, and let them know that despite important doctrinal disagreements I appreciated their courage and fervor.

Then, I broke out the Catechism, and using verses from their own Bible I've prepared a quick and easy refutation for the next time they visit. Mwahaha. ;)

[Andrew21091]

We haven't had JWs around here where I live. I guess thats because I live in a private condo neighborhood but before I moved to the condo, we got them at least once a month at my old house.

[Macarius]

There are two marvelous ways to make JW's uncomfortable, if that is your goal.

1st: Break out John 1, but make certain you know your Koine Greek. "And the Word was God" they will argue should be translated "And the Word was a God" because of the lack of a definite article in front of "Theos" (where that article is present in the rest of the passage). This is not at all correct. The way the sentence is worded, Theos is emphasized, and the definite article in front of it would have equated the Word as identical to the God it was "with" earlier in the passage. It is absent to differentiate Word from God as mentioned prior, but the sentance, translated literally, would read "And GOD the Word was." God is deeply emphasized. The whole point of the sentence is to argue the divinity of the word. Inserting an indefinite article (as their translation does) weakens the emphasis which the Apostle John placed.

You can also back this translation up by argument from other works by John (for example, the first epistle of John which calls the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ONE explicitly), or other passages from John's Gospel (which explicitly state that Christ was claiming equality with God, which is why the Pharisees didn't like Him).

2) Ask them why every time one of their leaders predicts the second coming of Christ they are wrong. This has happened 4 times. They've DEFINITIVELY predicted the date (the last one was 1974 - we're still waiting). :P

[ma2000]

There are two marvelous ways to make JW's uncomfortable, if that is your goal.

1st: Break out John 1, but make certain you know your Koine Greek. "And the Word was God" they will argue should be translated "And the Word was a God" because of the lack of a definite article in front of "Theos" (where that article is present in the rest of the passage). This is not at all correct. The way the sentence is worded, Theos is emphasized, and the definite article in front of it would have equated the Word as identical to the God it was "with" earlier in the passage. It is absent to differentiate Word from God as mentioned prior, but the sentance, translated literally, would read "And GOD the Word was." God is deeply emphasized. The whole point of the sentence is to argue the divinity of the word. Inserting an indefinite article (as their translation does) weakens the emphasis which the Apostle John placed.

You can also back this translation up by argument from other works by John (for example, the first epistle of John which calls the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ONE explicitly), or other passages from John's Gospel (which explicitly state that Christ was claiming equality with God, which is why the Pharisees didn't like Him).

2) Ask them why every time one of their leaders predicts the second coming of Christ they are wrong. This has happened 4 times. They've DEFINITIVELY predicted the date (the last one was 1974 - we're still waiting). :P
:)

The brochure they gave me said somethimg about 1914

[EmperorConstantine]

This priest's mother I know was visited by three JWs. They "enlightened" them about Orthodoxy for about an hour.

They had never head the word "Orthodoxy" until that point.

[buzuxi02]

delete

[buzuxi02]

:)

The brochure they gave me said somethimg about 1914
1914, THAT IS SOOOOO FUNNY!.

Thats the second time the JW falsely predicted the end of the world!! They have predicted the end of the world no less than three times.

When 1914 came and went many left the group, so they invented the lie that Jesus had indeed returned in 1914, but he is "invisible" only communicating with the leaders of the JW from their headquarters in brooklyn ,new york. hahahahahah


That they are an american invention of the 1890's with theur "watchtower" headquarters in brooklyn is enough not to take these wackos seriously.

[MichaelArchangelos]

Neoarians.

Actually, Arians were far better. They "only" rejected the eterinty of the Son. Whereas JWs are Arians + Protestants + Annoying.

Their founder, Charles Taze Russell, said Jesus would come back in 1874 and that the world would end. Then his followers said it was 1914, then 1925, and then it was definitely going to be1975. We're still waiting for it....

They deny the immortality of the soul and don't believe in hell. They think that Jehovah will annihilate all non-JWs at Armageddon, and that the JWs will live forever in an earthly paradise. According to their theology, only the 144,000 mentioned in the Book of Revelation will be in heaven. This means that only 144,000 Jewish male virgins will be in heaven. According to this interpretation, then St. Peter, who was married, won't be in heaven, neither will the Holy Theotokos, who was female, nor will Charles Taze Russell, who wasn't Jewish.

I've tried debating with them, when they have their stall at the university market days, but I never get anywhere with them. They are thoroughly indoctrinated with their false theology, and even a priest would have a hard time converting them.

The bottom line is: stay away from them. If they come to your door, either ignore them or just tell them you aren't interested. Believe me, it's safer this way.

[Lisa0315]

So, what can you tell me about them? And what can I say to them?

JW's are rampant in Southern USA. May I tell you what I do? I don't want to interject if it is not allowed, and I have not yet read your rules. :wave:

Lisa

[orthodoxy]

My house has a big red X on it so they dont visit much....I think I like a good debate so I am well prepared if they come by....

of course it is best to be respectful and welcoming....

kyril

[Hoankan]

They are annoying. My mothers house gets hit by them at least once a year. Before my move to Japan, I got good at spotting them and hidding under the window before they saw me (imagine a 6' tall guy curling up in the fetal position to get away from JWs).

Then I come to Japan and what do I get? Japanese JWs which is even worse because no matter how much you say you don't want to speak to them, they always assume there is a problem with translation and come back with an English speaker and you have to repeat.

I actually miss the Mormons visiting. They're at least polite and easy to talk with.

[ma2000]

JW's are rampant in Southern USA. May I tell you what I do? I don't want to interject if it is not allowed, and I have not yet read your rules. :wave:

Lisa

:D

So what do you do? Bring in the shotgun or the sniper?

[MichaelArchangelos]

I like Billy Connolly's way to get rid of them myself, but I think it's a bit too rude to mention on this forum.

My father's friend told us once that he made the mistake of inviting either JWs or Mormons (I can't remember which ones) into his house. He had to threaten to call the police before they would leave.

[Lisa0315]

:D

So what do you do? Bring in the shotgun or the sniper?

I have to go to court this morning for my husband's worker's comp hearing. Pray for us. The owner owes us many dollars but is refusing to sign the court order.

When we get back, I will tell y'all what I do with JW's.

Lisa

[Sothron]

My father will open the door and invite them and then proceed to browbeat them with Scripture until *they* give up and leave. I personally do not even open the doors. I do not want to listen to their heresies.

[Mary of Bethany]

I have to go to court this morning for my husband's worker's comp hearing. Pray for us. The owner owes us many dollars but is refusing to sign the court order.

When we get back, I will tell y'all what I do with JW's.

Lisa

Prayers for you! I hope it goes well.

Mary

[Lisa0315]

Thanks Mary!

Okay, here is how I handle JW's. I always ask them if they believe that only 144,000 people will go to heaven. They say, "Yes" and try to get into more. Then, I tell them, "Well, if only 144,000 are going to Heaven, the apostles probably had that many converts themselves. So I guess we are all out! Why are you working so hard?" Before they can say another word, I thank them and shut the door.

Then, there is my mother's method...^_^

I remember one time when I was a kid, some JW's came to our house. My Mom got her Bible and stood in the driveway arguing with them from Scripture. My brother, our German Shepherd and I were listening on the screened in porch. One of the JW's raised their voice and shook their finger in my mother's face, and that was IT! Our German Shepherd jumped through the screen, made a huge hole in it, but I tell you one thing, the JW's NEVER returned to our house again! EVER!

So, get yourself a German Shepherd. They have the best doctrine of all! ^_^

Lisa

[Hoankan]

No wonder my mom hasn't gotten JWs since I left for Japan! After I left she got four giant Airedales

[Lisa0315]

No wonder my mom hasn't gotten JWs since I left for Japan! After I left she got four giant Airedales

Yep! Dogs have the best doctrine of all. Love Your Master, Obey Your Master, Protect Your Master at risk of your own life.

Lisa

[Jacob4707]

I like Billy Connolly's way to get rid of them myself, but I think it's a bit too rude to mention on this forum.

My father's friend told us once that he made the mistake of inviting either JWs or Mormons (I can't remember which ones) into his house. He had to threaten to call the police before they would leave.

Well, one can always excuse oneself to go to the bathroom and never come back.

Or, there is always the King David ploy:

I Samuel 21:10 That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. 11 But the servants of Achish said to him, "Isn't this David, the king of the land? Isn't he the one they sing about in their dances:
" 'Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands'?"
12 David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath. 13 So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard.
14 Achish said to his servants, "Look at the man! He is insane! Why bring him to me? 15 Am I so short of madmen that you have to bring this fellow here to carry on like this in front of me? Must this man come into my house?"
1 Samuel 22: 1 David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

[Shubunkin]

I have a similar dog story. I have told this here on this forum, so my apologies to those who have read this before, but there are others here who probably missed it. Here it is:

One day, I had a knock on the door from a homeless guy. He was asking for donations for a local charity that feeds the homeless. He was polite enough, even though a bit scruffy looking. My Border Collie mix (47 pounds of pure huff) licked his hand, and followed him out to the sidewalk, because he liked him so much. I had to call the dog back inside.

Next day, two JWs came to the door. Of course my faithful Border Collie accompanied me to the door. They started their nonsense, and my dog began to growl, first a low sound, and it increased as they continued. They never returned after that.

[Ioan cel Nou]

One (yes, just one) turned up at my door last night - of all the weird coincidences. Unfortunately I have a really bad cold and wasn't actually inclined to go into long discussions, not that he gave me a chance. He said something like he wanted to share some things from the Bible with me and I said we were already quite religious. He responded with something like 'Oh?'. I replied, 'Yes we're Orthodox' and I practically couldn't see him for dust! Strange, never before have I found getting rid of a JW so painless.

James

[Anhelyna]

Gracious

That was incredibly easy.

I really can't remember when I was last doorstepped by one - the swimming pool/ 'Baptismal pool ' thing seems to be still working about 20 years on.

Even the Mormons aren't quite as bad as they used to be , for frequent visits

[Ioan cel Nou]

Gracious

That was incredibly easy.

I really can't remember when I was last doorstepped by one - the swimming pool/ 'Baptismal pool ' thing seems to be still working about 20 years on.

Even the Mormons aren't quite as bad as they used to be , for frequent visits
I've only ever been approached by Mormons twice and never at home. Are they more common up there because I thought it was more of a US thing?

My experience with Mormons has been getting stopped in the street once in Frankfurt (but that's in the US zone of Germany so it didn't surprise me much) and once in Barnsley, where they assumed that not being interested in their church meant not being religious (which I swifgtly disabused them of). From those, admittedly sparse experiences, I would class Mormons as being friendlier, more polite and less persistent than JWs usually are, though no less deluded.

James

[Anhelyna]

Well we do have a group near us - and plenty of young, clean , tie wearing , very polite young American men are seen going around in pairs. :)

Yes - actually there are quite a lot of them here. I have always found them to be reasonable - if you say you attend Church and are content and make it plain you are not going to discuss with them - they'll go way peacefully

[Jacob4707]

I have a similar dog story. I have told this here on this forum, so my apologies to those who have read this before, but there are others here who probably missed it. Here it is:

One day, I had a knock on the door from a homeless guy. He was asking for donations for a local charity that feeds the homeless. He was polite enough, even though a bit scruffy looking. My Border Collie mix (47 pounds of pure huff) licked his hand, and followed him out to the sidewalk, because he liked him so much. I had to call the dog back inside.

Next day, two JWs came to the door. Of course my faithful Border Collie accompanied me to the door. They started their nonsense, and my dog began to growl, first a low sound, and it increased as they continued. They never returned after that.

Yes, I've heard that dogs can detect the presence of spirits, whether good or evil. Maybe they even see demons. :)

[Matrona]

He said something like he wanted to share some things from the Bible with me and I said we were already quite religious. He responded with something like 'Oh?'. I replied, 'Yes we're Orthodox' and I practically couldn't see him for dust! Strange, never before have I found getting rid of a JW so painless.

^_^

I've noticed that JW's and Mormon missionaries never seem to want to approach me. They've always skipped over my house, even after someone actually gave them my family's address and asked them to have missionaries visit. :eek: I have some prominent scarring on my face, and I always wondered if they maybe mistook it for the Mark of Cain or something. :D

[Anhelyna]

Well - I should not have opened my mouth :(

My husband got witnessed today , and wthin 2 mins the 2 elderly ladies were walking away .

Weh I asked him how he had managed that his reply was

" OH - I just told him that the Ukrainian Church ruled this house "

And they went ?!?!?!

[Lisa0315]

^_^

I've noticed that JW's and Mormon missionaries never seem to want to approach me. They've always skipped over my house, even after someone actually gave them my family's address and asked them to have missionaries visit. :eek: I have some prominent scarring on my face, and I always wondered if they maybe mistook it for the Mark of Cain or something. :D

Oh, too funny! ^_^

My husband has massive scarring from his accident last year. I will let HIM answer the door next time!

Lisa

[ma2000]

I've been "witnessed" again.
When I said it's not likely I'll see them again, it's because I'm not staying in Bucharest this summer and my roomate is at work most of the day.
Yesterday, I came to Bucharest with some business. When I entered the door, I saw 2 JW in the livingroom with my roomate. They were looking for me and he let them in because he thought they knew me.
They were in the middle of a "discussion" that lasted for about 2 hours....
I couldn't answer all of their teachings, especially because they knew well they verses, but they didn't have any effect on me. On their way out, I shared them some anti - Sola Scriptura arguments that made them silent. But I'm not going to see them again.
I went to church to talk to Father about it this morning, but he wasn't there. :(
On my way back, I saw 2 JW (the same that first came to "witness" me) comming from the direction of the building I'm staying in. Talk about wierd!

[Macarius]

I've been "witnessed" again.
When I said it's not likely I'll see them again, it's because I'm not staying in Bucharest this summer and my roomate is at work most of the day.
Yesterday, I came to Bucharest with some business. When I entered the door, I saw 2 JW in the livingroom with my roomate. They were looking for me and he let them in because he thought they knew me.
They were in the middle of a "discussion" that lasted for about 2 hours....
I couldn't answer all of their teachings, especially because they knew well they verses, but they didn't have any effect on me. On their way out, I shared them some anti - Sola Scriptura arguments that made them silent. But I'm not going to see them again.
I went to church to talk to Father about it this morning, but he wasn't there. :(
On my way back, I saw 2 JW (the same that first came to "witness" me) comming from the direction of the building I'm staying in. Talk about wierd!
What verses gave you pause?

[ma2000]

I don't actually remember.. but they did come up with verses.... of course that I interpreted them different than them, but I couldn't make them believe me.
For example they said that Jesus was a god, just like Moses was a god. And they broght a verse from the Old Testament where it said that Moses was made god to Egipt. They said that that verse should be taken literally, I didn't agree. And so on.

[Prawnik]

I had my godfather and his sister over when we got witnessed. Marinka knows the Bible extremely well, and managed to keep the JWs in knots for two hours. She doesn't know JW history, so I added such as I could.

They were pretty angry with her by the time they left. I had a roaring headache, but Marinka managed to keep them from molesting anyone else's faith for two solid hours.