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DEL.ICIO.US“Do these tract-toters get results?”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We should never be rude.
It’s not an endearing quality, kids pick up on it, and the Almighty frowns upon it.
But it’s so, so easy to lose sight of all that when you’re in the middle of sweeping the foyer, mopping the kitchen, laundry, trying to get to the gym and to church to help make 1,600 PB&J sandwiches for the homeless - and the doorbell rings.
At 10 o’clock on a Saturday morning.
Two female Jehovah’s Witnesses stood at the door. I don’t know what the they saw first - my face’s pained expression or the broom in hand.
I know very little about the religion’s tenets. I do know that Michael Jackson was - or still is - a convert, and that Prince - Mr. “Purple Rain” himself - has graced a list of famous adherents.
While attending UGA, I worked at a Piggly Wiggly alongside two practitioners. About all the high school teens ever said about the religion was that they didn’t celebrate Christmas, a worthy idea given the holiday’s paganistic, materialistic bent. (Some Gwinnett stores had Christmas decorations up last week.)
Aside from those little factoids, though, I’m clueless. The only other thing I know is that they go door-to-door to spread the gospel. And that’s what I found myself experiencing Saturday - in a frantic hurry, being hit upon, in no mood, really, to listen to a stranger or anybody else talk scripture.
Later, it got me to thinking about this practice of evangelizing, of canvassing neighborhoods door-to-door, handing out pamphlets. How deep is the word being spread going about it this way? I can’t imagine too many inviting responses from the people in the houses. Can’t be too welcoming.
People can be rude, said Tim Talsma, a Jehovah’s Witness since 1961. But mostly, they’re just indifferent.
“A lot of people say they believe in the Bible, but they don’t live by it anymore,” he told me. “You get some rude people, but ‘indifference’ is the best way to describe most people.”
Even if you hide behind the curtains, Talsma, of Cartersville, said the work of the practitioners holds merit.
“When people see us walking through a neighborhood or coming down the street, they know who we are,” he said. “God’s name has been brought to their minds.”
Sharon Watkins, pastor at Tucker First United Methodist Church - my church- inflects her sermons with self-revelations about shortcomings. Sometimes she lets out an “Ouch!” when she names an undesirable quirk or habit, something she knows is wrong, that she wants out of her life.
So I asked:
What’s the best response when someone knocks on the door to talk Bible, while you’re deep in the middle of sweeping, mopping, doing laundry, trying to get to the gym and eventually the church (I didn’t make it in time) to help make 1,600 PB&J sandwiches for the homeless?
“Remember, these people are sincere,” she told me, “or they wouldn’t be doing it. And respect the fact that they are witnessing. You owe them that courtesy.”
Even if you may not feel like giving it.
Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail rbadie@ajc.com.
Permalink | Comments (34) | Post your comment | Categories: Rick Badie
Comments
By Danny Haszard
November 6, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this
What is the message of Jehovah’s Witnesses that they feel is so important that they must personally deliver it to your door step?
Answer-The central CORE doctrine of the Watchtower/Jehovah’s Witnesses is that Jesus has already had his second coming in the year 1914.
The Watchtower’s Gospel “kingdom” is a man-made “different version”.(Gal.1:8)
By Danny Haszard
November 6, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
What is the message of Jehovah’s Witnesses that they feel is so important that they must personally deliver it to your door step?
Answer-The central CORE doctrine of the Watchtower/Jehovah’s Witnesses is that Jesus has already had his second coming in the year 1914.
The Watchtower’s Gospel “kingdom” is a man-made “different version”.(Gal.1:8)
By Danny Haszard
November 6, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
What is the message of Jehovah’s Witnesses that they feel is so important that they must personally deliver it to your door step?
Answer-The central CORE doctrine of the Watchtower/Jehovah’s Witnesses is that Jesus has already had his second coming in the year 1914.
The Watchtower’s Gospel “kingdom” is a man-made “different version”.(Gal.1:8)
By Nita
November 6, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this
The indifference that guy was talking about is actually the face (or facade) I choose to show them. Otherwise, if I were to be frank and show them how I really feel about their sales pitches, I would tell them to go jump in the lake of fire.
The whole point for them or any other sales/evangelist, is the conceited notion that I want what they have. If I don’t get it, then I’ll perish. That’s just plain rude and hateful, and has nothing to do with God.
By LilburnDazed
November 6, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this
Badie said one correct thing in that entire article - he is clueless. Christmas now has a paganistic bent? That would be more disturbing if it actually made any sense - what IS disturbing about it is that Badie is attempting to be controversial for no reason other than his content lacks substance.
By Danny Haszard
November 6, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
WHY DOOR TO DOOR?
The reason the watchtower corporation orders their Jehovah’s witnesses members to intrude door to door is because in the beginning their leader Joseph Rutherford (who himself never went door to door) knew that this cold-calling tactic would get them recognition and “persecution” as pesky.
If they can get “persecuted” by this annoyance then he can say they are ‘persecuted for Jesus’
By Bite Reward
November 6, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
My dogs love the Jehovah’s Witnesses. They find them delicious!
By Brock
November 6, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this
I think the Paganistic bent comment was simply a recognition that the Christians essentially co-opted the pagan winter solstice festival by declaring Christmas to be at the same time. Is there a Christmas tree mentioned in the Bible? Many scholars think Jesus was born in September.
But as to the topic, I’m as indifferent as can be. It must be frustrating for these people and the Mormons to go around and never get a convert. Such a waste of manpower; think of all the good they could do on real missionary work that might bring converts as a byproduct. Still, these people are usually respectful, so they don’t bother me. I respect what they’re trying to do, even if in the end it’s a fool’s errand.
By Candy P.
November 6, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
The pastor is right. There is no harm in being kind to people who are sincere, even if the doctrine they preach is false. But, take that kindness a step further and show them the way of true salvation. The best way to show them the difference? Point out 2 Corinthians 11:3, 4, where the Apostle Paul speaks about how the devil deceives with “other gospels” and “other Christs” that are different from the ones preached by he and the other apostles. Ask the JW where any apostle anywhere ever stated that Jesus is Michael the Arch-angel and show them that, since they did not, this passage fits the message they preach. Also point out that Scripture tells us that calling upon the name of the Lord saves us—but you have to have the RIGHT Lord—the Jesus of the Bible, not the Watchtower Jesus.
By PropMin
November 6, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this
The Watchtower isn’t REALLY concerned with Bible conversation; they are ultimately concerned with convincing YOU that the Watchtower/Jehovah’s Witnesses are “Gods Organization” and that you should follow “it”.
They are making disciples for the Watchtower; not for Jesus.
http://propmin.blogspot.com/20071027_archive.html
By Brummie Mike
November 6, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this
Dannyboy Haszard is this repetion for emphasis?
By Danny Haszard
November 6, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this
Learn more http://www.dannyhaszard.com
By Bruce Wilcox
November 6, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this
I can always spare a few minutes for the Jehovah’s Witnesse’s, they’re sincere and always polite. I give them far more respect than I do TV evangelist’s or the mega churches. When you think about it, isn’t that the way the word was spread way back when, the personal touch?
I do not believe in any organized religion, but if I were a Pagan I would be ticked at the church for stealing all my holidays.
By Truthseeker
November 7, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this
1914 ??
Ever notice that Jehovah’s Witnesses apologist defenders ( including all those who LIE and deny & say they are not a JW so they give their ‘objective unbiased’ on what sincere good folks JW’s are)
Will almost NEVER tackle the falsehood of their main doctrine of Jesus second coming in 1914.
By Ben Hinton
November 7, 2007 4:59 AM | Link to this
I’m a JW and regularly go from door to door as well as speak to people in a variety of places.
The reason I (and in fact we) do it is simple. Jesus also did this preaching and teaching work and he told his followers to go and do the same (Matt 28:19,20). The Good News about the Kingdom of God was the message back then, and it is the same message now. It is the same Kingdom that Jesus taught us to pray for in the Lords prayer and the one by which will realize benefits for all mankind on earth. Isn’t that something to shout about?
Jesus said that this Good News needs to preached to the ‘entire earth’. I really don’t see many (if any) other people/churches taking up this global challenge.
By Truthseeker
November 7, 2007 6:42 AM | Link to this
(Ben Hinton said- “Jesus said that this Good News needs to preached to the ‘entire earth’. I really don’t see many (if any) other people/churches taking up this global challenge.”)
You are NOT preaching the true gospel you solicit intrude trespass to make sales of watchtower literature,solicit ‘donations’ and to RECRUIT for your watchtower sect.
The other Christin religions do LOTS of fine works.
By Ben Hinton
November 7, 2007 7:38 AM | Link to this
Truthseeker,
I wasn’t suggesting that others don’t do fine works. There are many sincere people in the world doing great things! I expect you too are one of these.
Unfortunately this isn’t the forum for a discussion on doctrine although I’d be happy to give you reasons why our beliefs are what they are. No doubt you have spoken to JW’s before on these things. However, let me know if you want to do that. I’m frequently challeneged on my beliefs and am often called to re-examine them and I welcome opportunities to do that as it’s important to check things out for ourselves and not to just follow tradtions or popular opinion.
Back to the ministry…. BTW, we don’t sell anything and we don’t ask for donations - just to clear that up.
The thing is, that whatever good deeds people are doing, they should be doing anyway since we should ‘love our neighbour as ourselves’. But the ministry work - actively going out any spreading the message about Gods Kingdom was a command from Jesus that all Christians should do.
By jim d
November 7, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
JW or Sothern Babtists?
Makes little difference to me they’ve both disrupted my Saturday afternoon naps. I’ve found with the JW that simply explaining you belong to another christian faith and wishing them a good day usually allows one to return to such importsnt tasks as napping. With the SB’s, I’ve found they generally want to pray with you before leaving, which if you are familar with how devout these folks are, you’ll understand this practice also allows one to get back to napping pretty quickly. :-)
By Truthseeker
November 7, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
By Ben Hinton -“”Back to the ministry…. BTW, we don’t sell anything and we don’t ask for donations - just to clear that up.”“
My response: You LIE your mission is to get the Watchtower literature (placed) put into the potential recruits hands THEN you always state BTW ‘this worldwide work is supported by voluntary DONATIONS would you like to DONATE to this work..
Once you lovebomb the new family of recruits,they are goaded and ‘encouraged’ to ‘give it all to jehovah’s organization’ $$$$$
You Jehovah’s Witnesses lie & manipulate in a psychopathic fashion.
By Sandy_C
November 7, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
My father was a southern baptist minister and his tactic with the Jehovah’s Witnesses that came to our home was to invite them in, offer them a cold drink and sit down and discuss the bible with them. Whenever they discussed their beliefs, he would flip to a verse in the Bible that clearly contradicted what they had been taught was the “truth” and ask them to explain the contradiction. They would leave confused and then return with an elder from their church. My Dad would have the same discussion with him/her. Eventually, because my father was sowing so much “confusion” among their converts to the point that some of them had left the JW’s, the JW’s forbid their church members to come to our house anymore due to the “dangers” of reading and discussing the Bible with my father vs. adhering to the JW’s interpretation of the scriptures.
We live in a society of free speech and the JW’s have the right to talk about their religion if they want to. I have many, many problems with the JW’s religion as I have seen families split apart by divorce when one spouse becomes a JW and the other spouse resists. I have seen the JW church pressure a new convert to separate themselves from non-believers even if that non-believer is a husband or wife and there are children involved. However, even if I don’t agree with their beliefs or their tactics, I’ll stand up for their right to their beliefs and the their freedom to preach those beliefs to others.
By Ben Hinton
November 7, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
Truthseeker,
Yes, if someone asks how it is financed we say it’s supported by ‘voluntary contributions’ (as it is) but not ‘would you like to donate to this work?’. In fact, in my experience, the large majority of people who choose to read the magazines etc don’t contribute a penny. If what you mentioned has been your experience then the person who said that is evidently getting it a bit wrong - as people do from time to time!
Anyway, you seemed to have missed most of the purpose of my previous comment and it looks like you just want to cause an argument. However, my offer is still open if you would like to communicate in a less hostile fashion.
I wish you well in your study of God’s Word and your seeking of the truth.
By ahermitt
November 7, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
frankly, am sick of people ringing my door bell for any reason. Recently, a JW group rang my door bell and began reading Revelations to my son without so much as an introduction. I had to get out of the shower and ask them to leave. When I went outside to confront them for addressing a child they were completely unapologetic.
Apathy is the best they will get for me.. I don’t approve of the tactics.
By LB
November 7, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
I just plain out don’t answer the door if I’m not expecting them or it’s someone I don’t recognize. I hear of too many cases where people answer the door and get robbed and shot.
Nothing personal, I just don’t take chances in my neighborhood. As for JWs, some of the nicest people I know are JWs, we just don’t discuss religion.
By Bruce Wilcox
November 7, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this
Sandy, are you saying that your father a southern baptist minister toyed with the JW’s because the southern baptist’s interpretation of the Bible is the only correct one?
Wonder why I do not believe in organized religions?
By David Lopez
November 7, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this
Like Jesus and the apostles, Jehovah’s Christian Witnesses believe in preaching the good news of the kingdom. (Luke 4:43; Matt. 4:23, Acts 8:12; 19: 8; 28:23,31) Part of the Christian Congregation’s commission is to teach everything that Jesus taught, and to make disciples. (Matt. 28:18, 19) Witnessing about good news of the Kingdom is something Jesus said would happen in the last days, during his presence. In Matt. 24:14 it says “that this good news (gospel) of the Kingdom will be preached for a witness”. Matt. chapter 24, beginning with verse 3, contains an answer by Jesus as to what would be the sign of his PRESENCE, and coming of a new system of things [or new age or new world]. Many Bible translations render the greek word parousia as “coming” but the more correct rendering is presence. (see for example Jay Greens Interlinear Bible - in the interlinear reading at Matt. 24:3; also Young’s Literal Translation of the Holy Bible at Matt. 24:3). So Jesus was answering a question regarding his presence. He mentioned among other things, that there would be international wars, earthquakes, famines, epidemics, all occurring at the same time. (Luke 21, Mark 13) It is interesting that many other religious groups and independent Bible scholars believe that the events since World War I fulfill what Jesus was predicting. (Even historians agree that 1914 is a marked year, introducing an age of violence, war,fear, etc)Most, however, say that is only points to Jesus coming soon. However, Witnesses point out that the Greek word means presence, and therefore, Jesus has been present in a special way since 1914, having been given kingly power and “ruling in midst of his enemies”. (Ps. 110:1, 2) He will however, come (Gk erknonomia) to render judgment at the end of his presence, making his presence known to everyone. However, then he will usher in the Kingdom of God, which will convert the earth to paradise, and death and sickness will be no more. (Isa. 11:6-9; Ps. 37:10,11,29; Isa 65:17-25; Rev. 21:3-4). One of the sign of the last days is that the goods news of the Kingdom, the message taught by Jesus, will be preached all over the world. That is being done by the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Mark 13:10)
By Truthseeker
November 7, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this
Longwinded Post above By David Lopez —”“However, Witnesses point out that the Greek word means presence, and therefore, Jesus has been present in a special way since 1914, having been given kingly power and “ruling in midst of his enemies”“
This is Watchtower cult 1914 gospel of gobbledygook Jesus did not have a ‘presence’ a ‘return’ a ‘invisible enthronement’ in 1914.
1914 dating comes from William Miller and measurements of the great pyramid this is the pagan occult roots of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
This really is blaspheme for the Watchtower to continue to mislead,with their 1914 invisible emperor’s new clothes
By Bruce Wilcox
November 7, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this
The “pagan occult roots”? Truthseeker you do not have a clue of what you’re talking about.
By Truthseeker
November 8, 2007 12:40 AM | Link to this
Thousands of pages up on* Watchtower Jehovah pagan occult * keyword search
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=utf8&oe=utf8&q=jehovah+watchtower+pagan+occult
Dig in
By Bruce Wilcox
November 8, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
Walking on water, miracle or witchcraft, the dark occult? Who came first the pagans or the bible and why did christians steal all the good pagan holidays? How can anyone attack anothers beliefs when they cannot defend their own?
I look at religions like the old sixties expressions, “Whatever turns you on” and “If it feels good, do it”.
By Bruce Wilcox
November 8, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
Walking on water, miracle or witchcraft, the dark occult? Who came first the pagans or the bible and why did christians steal all the good pagan holidays? How can anyone attack anothers beliefs when they cannot defend their own?
I look at religions like the old sixties expressions, “Whatever turns you on” and “If it feels good, do it”.
By marz
November 8, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
Mr. Badie, Thank you for your Article ~ My comment is this: “The TRUTH is out there and it’s up to each and everyone of us to find It! there’s no excuse it is not hiding it’s in plain sight Can you SEE IT Now”? One thing about the Truth it has Love for One Another. Thank you
By Cathorsec
November 12, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
I would like to ask a question to all these people who are indifferent and/or hide from the message we bring as Jehovah’s Witnesses - What would you do if it was Jesus at your door? Would you know it was him and welcome him in, or chase him away and call him crazy? We are just following what Jesus told us to do. (Matt. 28:19,20) Think about it. From a Jehovah’s Witness of many years.
By ahermitt
November 14, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
After the incident I mentioned earlier, my son asked how he would know if he should open the door or not. He did not feel it was polite to ignore a religious group. I told him that if one of his parents were not available to open the door she should not open it, but if it where Christ at the door, he would probably go ahead and walk through it so there would be no question.
By Beth
November 20, 2007 7:08 AM | Link to this
Jehovah’s Witnesses are an arrogant self promoting cult from the get-go they will not take NO for an answer.
Don’t let them recruit your loved ones,think of David Koresh & Jim Jones!