Anyone ever have this happen?

[piltdown_man]

The sign said no tresspassing. Case closed.

Besides, those people were trying to lure a person away from Christ’s church. Welcome them? Hardly.

If you read my second post, you might see that my point is that you may be being presented with an opportunity to do good work. This could be a great opportunity to defend your faith, maybe change a couple of minds, correct those people in their incorrect view of Catholics and Catholicism. If you read my second post, I also said that one can act in kindness “while still holding firm in our convictions” and not be lured away. And hey, it wasn’t me who told you to welcome them.

 

[josie_L]

And they spat on him, smit him, whipped him, put a thorny crown on him, mocked him, hung him, etc…

I know for a fact there were very few followers of Christ in his time than disbelievers.

He had every right to be annoyed, “no means no”, got it. So stop with the guilt-tripping.

 

[CWBetts]

He had every right to be annoyed, “no means no”, got it. So stop with the guilt-tripping.

annoyed yes, rude no

 

[josie_L]

annoyed yes, rude no

I rather think they were rude and he finally responded in kind. We are making much of a little matter. Let God judge him if he was wrong.

 

[Writer]

Say what you will sir/madam…

I do not go around peoples houses knocking on doors discussing my religion and my beliefs with pamphlets and such. I call that harassment and an intrusion!

If **I **want to learn the JW teachings, **I **will walk into their building and do so.

I understand what you’re saying. You obviously took great offense that those people took it upon themselves to not only to disregard your sign, but to try to “preach” their unholy lie to you in your own garden. Still, I have to make a comment or two, because your response reminds me of one I heard after my wife and I gave a presentation to a Catholic women’s group a few years ago.

After talking about our journey home from the Evangelical tradition to the Catholic Church, a woman came up to us in a reproachful manner. She explained that her father taught her the importance of not speaking about her faith with others–i.e. not witnessing, not sharing the Good News. While going door to door is probably not a particularly good method in the USA, we should remember that we’re not to hide the light, but to share it with our fellow man. If we only speak of God in church, we will honestly miss many, many important opportunities for healing and witnessing.

Just the other day, a co-worker disclosed a terrible personal struggle he was dealing with. When I mentioned that I’d keep him in our prayers, he admitted that he was a former Catholic. We discussed the Church for a time, and he agreed that it was time he came back to Church. If I had kept my mouth shut because I work for a governmental agency and discussion of one’s faith is frowned upon, this man might not have received the encouragement he needed to return home. We are tools in the hands of God, and it’s important that we remain useful to Him–whether inside or outside the parish doors.

Therefore, as you go, disciple people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit…

Matthew 28:19

Here are the closing words of the CCC written by Pope John Paul II. Good words for further meditation.

***I beseech the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Incarnate Word and Mother of the Church, to support with her powerful intercession the catechetical work of the entire Church on every level, at this time when she is called to a new effort of evangelization. May the light of the true faith free humanity from the ignorance and slavery of sin in order to lead it to the only freedom worthy of the name (cf. Jn 8:32): that of life in Jesus Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, here below and in the Kingdom of heaven, in the fullness of the blessed vision of God face to face (cf. 1 Cor 13:12; 2 Cor 5:6-8)!

---

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

A JW worth his salt won’t be caught posting here. JW’s don’t advocate much internet activity and even more so would be against posting on the enemy’s website. You are to be ‘babes to badness’ and having nothing to do with the filthy thing. On some boards I see active JWs posting but it is rare and would probably get a dressing down if congregation elders caught wind of this activity.
I was a JW long time ago (disassociated in 1991) but I remember it well.
I was approached while gardening a couple of weeks ago by 2 JW ladies. I just take it in stride. Not worth the trouble to be rude. Let them count their activity and they’ll be on their way.
I had some LDS missionaries come to my door a few months ago and probably freaked them out. I thought they were visiting me as a member (as I was up until May 2007) and they we just tracking. They were astonished at how much of the lingo I knew. Told them I was Catholic now, they asked a few questions and left without any agnst. Truth will come on God’s timetable - not ours… and he took his sweet time with me

That makes sense. Thank you for taking the time to answer.

God bless

 

[zaffiroborant]

By all means feel free to post. Just do it in a manner that does not glorify behavior that does not reflect well on Christ.

I do not appreciate people of any stripe who try to proselytize me. This comes from an extreme event in high school which involved members of a church bussed to the mall I worked at. This situation wound up with me getting 6 stitches in my hand and while it may have been an accident his behavior did not incline me to trust those who would “spread the Gospel” though it probably had the benefit of making me dig deeper into my Catholic faith.

I have 4 kids and on any given day I could have 4 (or more) kids in addition to my own, in my mind (from my experience) inviting people I don’t know into my home (behind closed doors) is irresponsible.

At home I don’t accept their advances, I have posted, rather large a no soliciting sign. If they ignore my sign (and so far only the JW’s and LDS have to my knowledge) they are not law abiding citizens and as such are unworthy of trust.

As to what is so hard about “no thank you I’m not interested” well it just doesn’t work for the above mentioned religions.

 

[kalt]

I do not appreciate people of any stripe who try to proselytize me. This comes from an extreme event in high school which involved members of a church bussed to the mall I worked at. This situation wound up with me getting 6 stitches in my hand and while it may have been an accident his behavior did not incline me to trust those who would “spread the Gospel” though it probably had the benefit of making me dig deeper into my Catholic faith.

I have 4 kids and on any given day I could have 4 (or more) kids in addition to my own, in my mind (from my experience) inviting people I don’t know into my home (behind closed doors) is irresponsible.

At home I don’t accept their advances, I have posted, rather large a no soliciting sign. If they ignore my sign (and so far only the JW’s and LDS have to my knowledge) they are not law abiding citizens and as such are unworthy of trust.

As to what is so hard about “no thank you I’m not interested” well it just doesn’t work for the above mentioned religions.

You tried to handle it in a polite way. They decided that they had the right to be there in the first place, and to insult your faith in the second.

You have every right to toss people off your property.

Anyone who tresspasses, refuses to hear a polite “No thank you.”, and continues to try to lure someone away from Christ’s church is certainly not doing God’s work.

You tried to be polite. They refused to hear it.

Maybe those here who are trying to make you feel guilty would be happier if you had called the police and charged those rude people with tresspassing and harrassment.

Maybe if you put up a NRA sign next to the No Tresspassing sign, the JWs will suddenly get their sight and sense back.

 

[mormonboy]

You tried to handle it in a polite way. They decided that they had the right to be there in the first place, and to insult your faith in the second.

You have every right to toss people off your property.

Anyone who tresspasses, refuses to hear a polite “No thank you.”, and continues to try to lure someone away from Christ’s church is certainly not doing God’s work.

You tried to be polite. They refused to hear it.

Maybe those here who are trying to make you feel guilty would be happier if you had called the police and charged those rude people with tresspassing and harrassment.

Maybe if you put up a NRA sign next to the No Tresspassing sign, the JWs will suddenly get their sight and sense back.

WWJD

 

[SD_Catholic]

WWJD

Well he might flip over their tables, call them broods of vipers, call them white washed tombs, and tell them that for everyone they convert they are adding a soul to hell (Matt 23)…or prhaps he would just stand up to them and tell them the truth without worrying how they would respond… I don’t know how he would respond since their weren’t JWs for almost 1800 years after Jesus, but I think we know that he didn’t try to make friends with hypocrites or those who spread a different message… he spoke the truth to those who would listen and had harsh words for those who tried to lead his sheep astray… so I’m guessing he would sternly warn them of their ways without inviting them in for donuts… or maybe invite them in for donuts but poke his finger in their chest as they enjoyed the sweet morsel.

SD

ps… I’m not that brave though… I just talk nice to them and tell them I’m Catholic and that I’m not interested

 

[mormonboy]

Well he might flip over their tables, call them broods of vipers, call them white washed tombs, and tell them that for everyone they convert they are adding a soul to hell (Matt 23)…or prhaps he would just stand up to them and tell them the truth without worrying how they would respond… I don’t know how he would respond since their weren’t JWs for almost 1800 years after Jesus, but I think we know that he didn’t try to make friends with hypocrites or those who spread a different message… he spoke the truth to those who would listen and had harsh words for those who tried to lead his sheep astray… so I’m guessing he would sternly warn them of their ways without inviting them in for donuts… or maybe invite them in for donuts but poke his finger in their chest as they enjoyed the sweet morsel.

SD

ps… I’m not that brave though… I just talk nice to them and tell them I’m Catholic and that I’m not interested

My mom actually just told me of some jdubs who came to the house and she just shewed them off… I kind of scolded her because she didn’t even offer them water or something. I know how hard it really is to get treated in a rude manner. I have been spit on and screamed at like never before as a missionary. Granted I was probably disturbing people. People are busy. I still have some memories of bad treatments that I cannot forget.

In reply to your comment, Jesus might have done that, he was bold in his rebukes. For some reason the 2nd greatest commandment comes to mind.

 

[zaffiroborant]

My mom actually just told me of some jdubs who came to the house and she just shewed them off… I kind of scolded her because she didn’t even offer them water or something. I know how hard it really is to get treated in a rude manner. I have been spit on and screamed at like never before as a missionary. Granted I was probably disturbing people. People are busy. I still have some memories of bad treatments that I cannot forget.

In reply to your comment, Jesus might have done that, he was bold in his rebukes. For some reason the 2nd greatest commandment comes to mind.

“jdubs” strikes me as disrespectful at the very least you could capitalize it.

 

[SD_Catholic]

My mom actually just told me of some jdubs who came to the house and she just shewed them off… I kind of scolded her because she didn’t even offer them water or something. I know how hard it really is to get treated in a rude manner. I have been spit on and screamed at like never before as a missionary. Granted I was probably disturbing people. People are busy. I still have some memories of bad treatments that I cannot forget.

In reply to your comment, Jesus might have done that, he was bold in his rebukes. For some reason the 2nd greatest commandment comes to mind.

I’m sorry for the way you’ve been treated, no human deserves that kind of treatment.

On the 2nd greatest commandment… I understand your point, I thought of that also… which is how I treated the ones that stopped by… but you asked what Jesus would do, and that was my honest thoughts on it… I’m not as brave as him either

SD

 

[mormonboy]

I’m sorry for the way you’ve been treated, no human deserves that kind of treatment.

On the 2nd greatest commandment… I understand your point, I thought of that also… which is how I treated the ones that stopped by… but you asked what Jesus would do, and that was my honest thoughts on it… I’m not as brave as him either

SD

I am not asking for your sympathy, I am saying having gone throught the treatment, I have since changed my attitude towards people at my door step.

On a lighter note, I agree fully the Jdubs are a little bit too pushy.

 

[Jon_Hus]

The sign said no tresspassing. Case closed.

Besides, those people were trying to lure a person away from Christ’s church. Welcome them? Hardly.

If you are so certain that you are a member of Christ’s church, then you missed a golden opportunity to add to the number by showing Christian love and knowledge of the Holy. I therefore re-open the case. Problem is my friend is that you will have to discuss true faith with a Jdub from the Bible and I suspect this might be problematic. So the next best thing, I guess is get all uppidy.

 

[SD_Catholic]

If you are so certain that you are a member of Christ’s church, then you missed a golden opportunity to add to the number by showing Christian love and knowledge of the Holy. I therefore re-open the case. Problem is my friend is that you will have to discuss true faith with a Jdub from the Bible and I suspect this might be problematic. So the next best thing, I guess is get all uppidy.

Who’s Bible, and why do you think it would be a problem… aside from the fact that first of all they probably wouldn’t “listen” to you, and secondly I’m sure it’s not in their list of “to dos” to sit down and discuss Biblical theology with a Catholic… and from what I hear any time they feel threatened by the conversation the meeting is no longer… either by their determination or that of an elder.

SD

 

[Jon_Hus]

Who’s Bible, and why do you think it would be a problem… aside from the fact that first of all they probably wouldn’t “listen” to you, and secondly I’m sure it’s not in their list of “to dos” to sit down and discuss Biblical theology with a Catholic… and from what I hear any time they feel threatened by the conversation the meeting is no longer… either by their determination or that of an elder.

SD

Very good question SD Catholic. It is true that the Jdubs have tinkered with the Holy Writ. However, if you are willing to engage in meaningful discussion with them, the thing to do for you would to be take out your trusty old New American Bible or better yet The New Jerusalem Bible and use that. When differences come up in the text then you could (if you are interested in meaningful conversation) ask the dub to prove his translation is correct and yours is wrong. This is why the New Jerusalem Bible (assuming you have the unabridged version) is so valuable because it has so many translators notes and as a bonus uses the word Jehovah for God the Father in the OT.

A few other helpful things to keep in mind:

1. Stay away from theology and practices that are not found in the Bible (anything that uses tradition to justify).
2. Know what the WT teaches and why.
3. Know what the Bible teaches. Don’t use the deutero-cononicals.
4. Be sure of your faith (and knowledgable) so that you are not threatened by the conversation either. I’m not pointing fingers my friend but a fair reading of threads in this forum indicates that this is a problem Catholics have also. They will only know that you are Catholic if you tell them. Responses like “I already have my religion” or “there is only one true church and it is…” will end the discussion and this is what you might want but if you are interested in showing Christian love that would not be the way to go in my estimation.
5. Most important, stay on one (1) topic and don’t stray. If you stray, it will turn into “Bible Hopscotch” and this is where the Jdub will wipe up the floor with the average Catholic and “mainline” protestant.

A really good book to read to get inside the head of the witnesses is titled Chrisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz. It can be found used on Amazon.com or Alibris.com or ebay. Franz was the nephew of one of the past presidents of the WT and served on the Governing Board of the society for 9 years before getting ex-communicated. There is something of value for everyone to learn in this book not just questioning JWs or folks interested in cults.

 

[kalt]

If you are so certain that you are a member of Christ’s church, then you missed a golden opportunity to add to the number by showing Christian love and knowledge of the Holy. I therefore re-open the case. Problem is my friend is that you will have to discuss true faith with a Jdub from the Bible and I suspect this might be problematic. So the next best thing, I guess is get all uppidy.

The JWs aren’t interested in hearing about Catholicism, so I missed no such opportunity. They are there only to convert others.

I’m surprised that everyone doesn’t know that. You must never have had one of these pesky ones at your door.

Looking at the Bible a problem? Not to a Catholic, A JW? Well, they don’t want to look at the whole of the Bible, and they certainly don’t want to put the little pieces they pluck out back into context.

As I said in an earlier post, there is nothing worthy of debate.

I am a Catholic, and I’m not interested in their conversion attempts. The strength of my faith and my steadfast refusal to hear their bunk against it, is my witness.

 

[kalt]

Very good question SD Catholic. It is true that the Jdubs have tinkered with the Holy Writ. However, if you are willing to engage in meaningful discussion with them, the thing to do for you would to be take out your trusty old New American Bible or better yet The New Jerusalem Bible and use that. When differences come up in the text then you could (if you are interested in meaningful conversation) ask the dub to prove his translation is correct and yours is wrong. This is why the New Jerusalem Bible (assuming you have the unabridged version) is so valuable because it has so many translators notes and as a bonus uses the word Jehovah for God the Father in the OT.

A few other helpful things to keep in mind:

1. Stay away from theology and practices that are not found in the Bible (anything that uses tradition to justify).
2. Know what the WT teaches and why.
3. Know what the Bible teaches. Don’t use the deutero-cononicals.
4. Be sure of your faith (and knowledgable) so that you are not threatened by the conversation either. I’m not pointing fingers my friend but a fair reading of threads in this forum indicates that this is a problem Catholics have also. They will only know that you are Catholic if you tell them. Responses like “I already have my religion” or “there is only one true church and it is…” will end the discussion and this is what you might want but if you are interested in showing Christian love that would not be the way to go in my estimation.
5. Most important, stay on one (1) topic and don’t stray. If you stray, it will turn into “Bible Hopscotch” and this is where the Jdub will wipe up the floor with the average Catholic and “mainline” protestant.

A really good book to read to get inside the head of the witnesses is titled Chrisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz. It can be found used on Amazon.com or Alibris.com or ebay. Franz was the nephew of one of the past presidents of the WT and served on the Governing Board of the society for 9 years before getting ex-communicated. There is something of value for everyone to learn in this book not just questioning JWs or folks interested in cults.

Don’t use the **whole **Bible? Why not? If the JWs want to debate with me, they will have to get a copy of the correct Bible and study it. If not, they will not be prepared. That will be their problem. Their loss.

 

[kalt]

WWJD

Hmmm WWJD to someone who breaks the law and tries to lure people away from his Church?

I guess we can only look at the Bible to see what he did. He would chastise those people.

Jesus was accepting and kind to the sinners who repented. To those who refused to follow him and who actively rallied against his teachings, he dealt somewhat harshly.