Evangelizing Jehovah's Witnesses

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eschator83

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There are a number of things that I admire about the Witnesses who come to my door, although I deplore the system that has distorted their understanding of Scripture and faith.
I admire their knowledge of the Bible even as I acknowledge that their version contains distortion (I think I deplore the Message and most other modern English versions almost as much).
I am debating with myself about how much to attempt to evangelize them–I have made some moderate effort to explain the Trinity and to refute their teachings on the soul, hell, and participation in government.
Please comment on your experience, techniques, suggestions, or other advice.
 
I’ve been wondering the same thing. I am surrounded by them at work and it is interesting that whenever the topic of religion comes up, they just clam up.
 
eschator83 said:
There are a number of things that I admire about the Witnesses who come to my door, although I deplore the system that has distorted their understanding of Scripture and faith.
I admire their knowledge of the Bible even as I acknowledge that their version contains distortion (I think I deplore the Message and most other modern English versions almost as much).
I am debating with myself about how much to attempt to evangelize them–I have made some moderate effort to explain the Trinity and to refute their teachings on the soul, hell, and participation in government.
Please comment on your experience, techniques, suggestions, or other advice.
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They come to my house from time to time. I invite them in and listen to them. I was surprised that they accepted coffee. I was under the impression that some Cristian sects don’t do coffee, but what do I know about that anyway? I found that the ones who come to my house are really nice people. They seem to bring more each time. One time there was like six of them.

I don’t know about evangelizing them - that’s a Christian thing and we don’t do that in my faith. Personally I would leave them alone, as they have a path to God that probably works fine for them.

Your friend
Sufjon
 
Sufjon said:
Personally I would leave them alone, as they have a path to God that probably works fine for them.

Your friend
Sufjon
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Assuming that all paths lead to God, which is a very dangerous assumption.
 
I think establishing what you have in common before starting a debate is important. After that, simply ask them, from where the founder of their religion receive his authority, and who decided what makes up the canon on scripture? This has had a impact on converts to the Church that were JW’s.
 
T_More said:
I think establishing what you have in common before starting a debate is important. After that, simply ask them, from where the founder of their religion receive his authority, and who decided what makes up the canon on scripture? This has had a impact on converts to the Church that were JW’s.
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That sounds sensible to me… BTW, I am stealing your tagline, that is a good one.
 
Saint Padre Pio it must be recounted, loathed the influence of Jehovah’s Witnesses, identifying them as a dangerous cult.

One of their primary beliefs is that Jesus was actually a physical manifestation of Saint Michael the Archangel. So, knowing this, I think a good question might be to ask where that particular belief is found in the Bible. Since it isn’t found anywhere in the Bible, point to them what is, like John chapter 6 and the Holy Eucharist, where Jesus said that you must, “eat my flesh and drink my blood or you will not have life in you.” Gently point out how the Catholic Church still believes these words today.

There are several deviant beliefs the JWs hold, namely that only 144,000 will go to heaven, how the world will soon end (despite the many times the Watchtower Bible and Tract society, or their founder Charles Tayes Russell actually prophecied that it should already have ended in 1912, 1914, 1915, and 1975 and now lie that they never made these prophecies) and only JWs will be left on the earth, how blood transfusions are prohibited by Scripture, and so on.

Unfortunately, when measured against other religious groups or organizations, the JWs have consistently had the highest number of psychologically related illnesses due to stress. Much of it has to do with the message they preach, while quite a bit also has to do with how they preach it~~namely as unpaid door~to~door book salesman to the detriment of everything else in their lives. They must keep tallies of how many they have approached over a given period of time and if they don’t do this or don’t do enough of this, they are considered reprobate by their local Kingdom Hall. It’s a tough act, but it has made the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society one of the most prolific and lucrative publishers in the world today.
 
The JW’s that go door to door are brave to do so. Their message has never been too clear when they have come to my door, however. The last time I had such visitors - about mid summer of 2010- there were two women. I was polite but firm in saying that while I appreciate their zeal, I am a devout Catholic and very firm in my faith. The spokeswoman immediately came back with “Do you ever read the Bible?” to which I replied, “Of course, every day for at least a half hour or so!”. She then became arguementative and got a somewhat sour look on her face, and said “Reeeeeeally!” In apparent disbelief! I am guessing quite new at her task…Anyway, then she said, well, I used to be catholic until I found out the truth…"which is where I told her that she was a victim of poor catechesis or else she would never have left the one true Church of Jesus Christ and invited her to come back in the am and she could go to church, attend Mass with me and meet Fr. Oliver. etc. Never did they return… but you cannot unhear the truth. So, speak up for Catholicism, regardless. We are responsible for the message we give only. How it is processed is not up to us.
 
I have one who comes by regularly and we have wonderful conversations. He is a good man but lost.

They are tough to evangelize for sure because of their religious system. The Watch tower Society is the only one that God speaks to directly giving them the only authority to accurately interpret scripture. They have many unbiblical doctrines even in their own sanitized version of scripture. Even when I share with him their scripture that clearly contradicts their doctrine, they rely on what the Watch Tower Society declares. If they veer from Watch Tower Society teaching they are in danger of being disfellowshipped and eternally lost. That being said it has made my faith stronger by forcing me to immerse myself in scripture codifying what and why I believe what I do.

They have a works based faith despite what they will tell you. As others have said here they never rest because they must continuously evangelize to be worthy of eternal life.

My primary strategy has been revealing the Deity of Christ and His equality with the Father in scripture. I never use personal attacks on him or his organization. I keep it friendly demonstrating the love of Christ and the truth of scripture. They usually travel in pairs and some that he has come with can be “difficult” to put it mildly. But I’m in it to the end as long as he is willing to come I’m willing to share the truth.
Blessings
 
There are many great resources that you can find regarding this topic. I have been talking with JW’s for years. I always use their own New World Translation when conversing about Scripture since we can show them our view from their book. They are brain washed and they follow directives that they are taught almost verbatim. They also are taught that this world is run by satan and anything taught to them that contradicts the teachings of the Watchtower is satanic. They will throw away any and all literature that we give them and even if they seem to hear what you are saying they almost always rewind to square one when you meet them again.

With this group we can only pray and leave the work to the Holy Spirit. Never quit talking with them since we are the Holy Spirit’s mouthpiece but do not expect great or immediate results. It can be quite frustrating at times and you had better brush up on Scripture as they are fundamentalists to the tenth degree.

They are good people looking through distorted glasses. Their fervency should be mirrored and admired. Pray for them. Their faith is nothing more than modern day Arianism and the Church eradicated that for centuries until it popped back up with Charles Taze Russell… teachccd
 
SteveVH said:
Assuming that all paths lead to God, which is a very dangerous assumption.
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I am of the opinion that there are many faith paths that can lead you away for a good long time. The routes they take are just more circuitous. I don’t interfere. Most people following such paths think they are taking the one and only true path. Insofar as it applies to them, I would say they are correct. No one else can walk it for them. It’s the one they have to take. In my estimation, the lowest path is the path that loves God for want of heaven or dread of hell. That is the one I see most often. Again, how ever low and self centered it is, it is still a path. It’s just the one they are capable of walking at the time.

Your friend
Sufjon
 
Sufjon said:
I am of the opinion that there are many faith paths that can lead you away for a good long time. The routes they take are just more circuitous. I don’t interfere. Most people following such paths think they are taking the one and only true path. Insofar as it applies to them, I would say they are correct. No one else can walk it for them. It’s the one they have to take. In my estimation, the lowest path is the path that loves God for want of heaven or dread of hell. That is the one I see most often. Again, how ever low and self centered it is, it is still a path. It’s just the one they are capable of walking at the time.

Your friend
Sufjon
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In Christianity we follow the person of Jesus Christ. He said that He is the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. We either believe Jesus or He is a liar or a lunatic. We know Him to be the Son of God and the Lord of Lords. So we know that there is only one path to God and that is through His Son, Jesus Christ. You do not have to believe in Christianity as did the many who walked away from Him. But if you do make it to heaven it was through the merits of Christ’s death on the cross whether you realize it or not… teachccd
 
I can’t say for those who converted to the JW faith, but I can speak of some cradle JW’s. I find them to be a very intellectually based people, it’s almost surprising that they have not committed a form of idolatry with their excessive reliance on reason. Cradle JW’s will never understand certain mysteries of the Faith which were revealed to us at the Council of Nicea, and which we repeat every Sunday both Catholic and Orthodox. I feel that with most of them all you can do is pray, and to let God’s Light shine through you. That is the only true witness, words are meaningless when it comes to individuals who will debate you over a single sentence and a refusal to let go of their various misconceptions.
 
IMO, having someone at your door who wants to speak about faith matters is a perfect opportunity for us as followers of Christ to hone our evangelization skills :D. Its a beatiful set up: you have complete control of the conversation and can sharpen your skills in giving a witness of your own. Obiously, these people care about their own salvation so what better opportunity to speak about Our Lord and Saviour? The key is to make your own points and not be drawn to where they would like you to be led. Stick to your own points. Practice makes perfect!
 
Sufjon said:
I am of the opinion that there are many faith paths that can lead you away for a good long time. The routes they take are just more circuitous. I don’t interfere. Most people following such paths think they are taking the one and only true path. Insofar as it applies to them, I would say they are correct. No one else can walk it for them. It’s the one they have to take. In my estimation, the lowest path is the path that loves God for want of heaven or dread of hell. That is the one I see most often. Again, how ever low and self centered it is, it is still a path. It’s just the one they are capable of walking at the time.

Your friend
Sufjon
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The path the Witnesses follow is rocky and difficult. Why do they follow it? Because they believe there is no other path. When they realize their path is also going nowhere, they ask, “But where else is there to go?” They have been taught that all other paths, all other religions, and in particular the religion they may have had previously, are false and of the devil. That’s one of the first things you learn when beginning a Watchtower study, is that everything else is wrong!

That’s why Witnesses cling to their path, not because they like it, or that it is for them, or that it is taking them anywhere, but that they simply do not believe there is another path. All other apparent paths are a “delusion and a snare,” to quote a past Watchtower.

Does their path lead to God? Maybe for a few, they find God, in spite of the Watchtower.
Actually, as it happens, there is a large turnover rate among the Witnesses. Many do realize their path is a dead end, and they leave. But to where? Unfortunately, for too many of them, they leave to nowhere, to the wilderness. They come to realize the Watchtower is false, but because they were so thoroughly convinced by the Witnesses that everything else is wrong, they now cannot believe there is any truth. So they turn away from seeking God. Certainly He can’t be found in the churches!

But, luckily, not all of them end up in the wilderness–a lot of them who leave do stumble upon a right path. There are quite a few active support groups for ex-JW’s, both Catholic groups and Evangelical groups.
 
Sherry_G said:
The JW’s that go door to door are brave to do so. Their message has never been too clear when they have come to my door, however. The last time I had such visitors - about mid summer of 2010- there were two women. I was polite but firm in saying that while I appreciate their zeal, I am a devout Catholic and very firm in my faith. The spokeswoman immediately came back with “Do you ever read the Bible?” to which I replied, “Of course, every day for at least a half hour or so!”. She then became arguementative and got a somewhat sour look on her face, and said “Reeeeeeally!” In apparent disbelief! I am guessing quite new at her task…Anyway, then she said, well, I used to be catholic until I found out the truth…"which is where I told her that she was a victim of poor catechesis or else she would never have left the one true Church of Jesus Christ and invited her to come back in the am and she could go to church, attend Mass with me and meet Fr. Oliver. etc. Never did they return… but you cannot unhear the truth. So, speak up for Catholicism, regardless. We are responsible for the message we give only. How it is processed is not up to us.
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Sherry,

It isn’t really that they are brave to go knocking on doors. This is a requirement that if refused can result in being disfellowshipped. They have to keep careful track of which doors they have knocked on and the result of the visit, address by address. They carry maps of the neighborhoods they are working in order to facilitate their documentation. They then must turn in a monthly report which eventually makes its way to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society in New York. If one is disfellowshipped, they are then shunned by friends and even family. This is the cult aspect of this organization. Tow the line or life as you know it will never be the same. For anyone raised as a JW, this places incredible pressure, not just to knock on doors, but to never convert to another religion.
 
SteveVH said:
Sherry,

It isn’t really that they are brave to go knocking on doors. This is a requirement that if refused can result in being disfellowshipped.
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I have never heard of this. Are you quite sure?

James
 
teachccd said:
In Christianity we follow the person of Jesus Christ. He said that He is the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. We either believe Jesus or He is a liar or a lunatic. We know Him to be the Son of God and the Lord of Lords. So we know that there is only one path to God and that is through His Son, Jesus Christ. You do not have to believe in Christianity as did the many who walked away from Him. But if you do make it to heaven it was through the merits of Christ’s death on the cross whether you realize it or not… teachccd
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Hi TeachCCD:

You wrote: In Christianity we follow the person of Jesus Christ.

**My thoughts on that: **Yes, I know.

**You said: **He said that He is the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.

My thoughts on that: The Christ Consciousness within Jesus is the way the truth and the life. The Christ consciousness is within you as well. No one comes to the father except through the Christ Consciousness. My conviction on that is that this means that you must awaken the Christ Consciousness within yourself to realize the Father. That is done by doing what your signature says “Be still and know that I am God.” It sounds very simple, but it’s really quite a difficult task. It cannot be done for you or on your behalf. You can hang incarnations of God on crosses every week, but until that is seen, it is of little avail.

**You wrote: **We either believe Jesus or He is a liar or a lunatic.

My thoughts on that: I believe Him. The fact that His works and deeds may be presented most often through the lens of over-simplification or even obfuscation doesn’t make Jesus a liar or a lunatic. He is beyond that. His life and love were like a light from a lamp. One person may sit beneath the light and use it to read scriptures, while another might create forgeries under the same light. This has no effect on the light. It shines equally on this thing and that. That sort of love is unconditional. What is conditional is what you give back or don’t give back.

You wrote**: **We know Him to be the Son of God and the Lord of Lords. So we know that there is only one path to God and that is through His Son, Jesus Christ.

**My thoughts on that: **Yes, I spoke of that conviction and it’s corresponding path in my original post. I understand this creates a profound sense of urgency to evangelize in the minds of its adherents.

You wrote: You do not have to believe in Christianity as did the many who walked away from Him.

My thoughts on that: You can only walk so far from that which is both here and there.

You wrote: But if you do make it to heaven it was through the merits of Christ’s death on the cross whether you realize it or not.

**My thoughts on that: **
I will not be making it to the place called heaven. It is inside me and all around me, and because of this, I don’t perceive that there is anyplace I need place to go. A journey to a place that is within you is a journey that requires being right here, right now. That’s why the psalms told you to “be still.” That is how “I am” is encountered. This is not an easy thing to do. He can’t be encountered on the level of the intellect. You have to give that up. If you are still, He can sit a little closer to you each day. After that you have a bond. It’s no longer conditional. There are no more terms or conditions like “if you save me, I will follow you” or “if you follow me, I will save you.” That is not real love.

Your friend,
Sufjon
 
Sufjon,

The Church has a completely different understanding of everything you just said. I would often think though, that if everything were simply as you explained it then St. Thomas would not have been martyred while starting the Malankara Church, some who later became Syriac Jacobites and some Catholics in communion with Rome.

The idea of the Christ consciousness, is evident Nestorianism saying that Jesus is made up of two persons (1) the man, and (2) the Christ. We believe that Jesus is made up of two natures, one completely divine and one completely human that are fused into one person. This teaching is called the hypostatic union, and clearly affirms his manhood and his Deity.

You can not even say that Christ was born as a man, and only later became Christ when the Holy Spirit descended upon him at his baptism in the Jordan. That teaching too has also been condemned by the Church, and we know that what she speaks must be true for she has sit at the very feet of Jesus Christ himself and bears witness to the direct succession of the Apostles who were the chelas or disciples of Christ.

Truth is still truth, whether any of us choose to hold onto it or not. A heresy is still heresy, no matter how many believe it. It should be noted that a heresy, is nothing more than a choice to believe something that is not correct doctrine, and correct worship. We know what is incorrect through ecumenical councils, when Peter speaks as Bishop of Rome, and when the other Bishops reach a consensus.

Much love,
Andrew
 
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