Jehovah Witness

[pjcsisabel]

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that all baptized members are already ministers. That’s why they encourage every member to preach their faith.

Nothing wrong with that. I think we Catholics should try our best to make our faith known to others or at least defend it.

 

[LaSalle]

Yes, I admire their zeal, they evangelize door to door with the sincere belief that they are trying to save people from damnation. Just a pity that they are so deluded.

 

[Dpoc41]

Yes, regarding the sympathy trick, I encountered this lately when I answered the door there was a young guy there who asked me was I concerned about whats happening in the world? I replied - “I’m a Roman Catholic”, to which he replied - oh its nice to meet someone who has a faith, before I could reply, A voice boomed “GOOD MORNING” from a man approaching my front gate with his arm around some old guy who was limping, and who looked as if he was at deaths door,:crutches: I was dumbfounded and stood looking with my mouth open and they just kept going past my house, the young guy just handed me a pamphlet and asked that I read it and left to go to the next house, no doubt to try the same there. :sad_bye:

 

[Adonia]

Last time they knocked on my door I invited them in. It was an older woman and younger initiate and they were both very nice and proper. The older woman started to preach and I asked if we could pray together first. She thought that was a good idea and we all took each others hand. So she started praying and I asked if I could pray instead. She agreed. So I stated the following.

*"Oh God please be with us as I attempt to show two of your lost sheep the folly of their ways, please be with me and give me the words to convince them that your son Jesus Christ truly is not the Angel Michael as they believe he was. * At that point they let go of my hands and began to approach the door to leave. I continued on praying " Lord please forgive them for misinterpreting your word and allow them to see the through for through you all things wrong can be made right". By this time they were gone.

They left a pamphlet on my steps and I took the time to read it. I also said another prayer for them as they moved on to the next house.

It was the best way I could foresee welcoming them into my house.

That was good! Never thought of going the instant prayer route.

 

[meltzerboy]

What do they believe?
What is the best approach when they come calling!?

**Dogknox **

A couple of times I invited them into my home because I wanted to find out what they believe. I found the discussion interesting and the man I spoke with was quite respectful. I explained to him I already believe in J-hovah (and that Jews use the word HaShem), and have no desire or need to be converted. He listened to me explain what Judaism is all about, and I think I might have converted HIM given a little more time. All in all, it was a pleasant experience although I’m not sure he was typical of most Witnesses.

 

[Tyuiop411]

The best course of action is to just ignore them when they ring. Because then they’ll mark your house as “interested” on their map and keep coming back.

But it isn’t always easy to ignore them the first time they come around, because unlike the Mormons they don’t wear a uniform. The first time they came around out here in the country I thought they just needed directions, since a lot of people stop at our house for directions because they think it looks “friendly”.

 

[mackbrislawn]

A couple of times I invited them into my home because I wanted to find out what they believe. I found the discussion interesting and the man I spoke with was quite respectful. I explained to him I already believe in J-hovah (and that Jews use the word HaShem), and have no desire or need to be converted. He listened to me explain what Judaism is all about, and I think I might have converted HIM given a little more time. All in all, it was a pleasant experience although I’m not sure he was typical of most Witnesses.

Interesting. What does the word HaShem mean? I have heard that Jews of today do not pronounce the name of God and that it is disrespectful if someone else tries to. Is that correct?

There is a Jehovah’s Witness in my town that came to my door, who is a convert from Reformed Judaism.

 

[meltzerboy]

Interesting. What does the word HaShem mean? I have heard that Jews of today do not pronounce the name of God and that it is disrespectful if someone else tries to. Is that correct?

There is a Jehovah’s Witness in my town that came to my door, who is a convert from Reformed Judaism.

HaShem means “The Name.” It is used in popular speech to refer to G-d. It is not a specific name since, for Jews, G-d has none. This is indeed a sign of respect and awe for the majesty of G-d. Although we attempt to describe G-d as omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, and benevolent, these are really anthropomorphic descriptions which G-d does not possess since He has no need to possess them. He is external to all human description and need. Reform Jews are said–mainly by (some) Orthodox Jews–to be most susceptible to Evangelists and proselytizers. This is because it is assumed Reform Jews have less knowledge about Judaism than Torah Jews, being they are less observant; and consequently they are also thought to be less committed and faithful to their religion. However, as a Reform Jew, I can say that the assumption they are less committed is not usually the case. They do have a different interpretation of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and the Torah; but those who study Judaism may be just as knowledgeable and committed as the most Orthodox Jews.

 

[richlo]

When they come to your door, how about having them read John 20: 28-29. It is when Thomas was doubting and then said, “My Lord and my God!” The JW’s NWT has the same words, but they don’t believe that Jesus is God. So ask them what Thomas means when he says those words. It sounds pretty clear to me. Plus Jesus responds by saying how lucky we are since we believe and haven’t seen him.

I can see how they can confuse a lot of people who don’t know their Catholic faith well. Study up on what the Church believes and the history of the early Church. They have some strange beliefs.

what they believe in what Thomas did was that he was so excited that he called on GOD (Jehovah) and Jesus at the same time, but its obvious he called Jesus this and being a JEW he would not believe in two GODs.

 

[mackbrislawn]

HaShem means “The Name.” It is used in popular speech to refer to G-d. It is not a specific name since, for Jews, G-d has none. This is indeed a sign of respect and awe for the majesty of G-d. Although we attempt to describe G-d as omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, and benevolent, these are really anthropomorphic descriptions which G-d does not possess since He has no need to possess them. He is external to all human description and need. Reform Jews are said–mainly by (some) Orthodox Jews–to be most susceptible to Evangelists and proselytizers. This is because it is assumed Reform Jews have less knowledge about Judaism than Torah Jews, being they are less observant; and consequently they are also thought to be less committed and faithful to their religion. However, as a Reform Jew, I can say that the assumption they are less committed is not usually the case. They do have a different interpretation of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and the Torah; but those who study Judaism may be just as knowledgeable and committed as the most Orthodox Jews.

Thanks!

 

[luvlyknits]

Dogknox, I was a JW for about 25 years. The statements made by these JW’s at your door are not surprising and pretty much reflect what the rank and file JW would say to you. There is so much ignorance of history that one cannot expect them to respond with anything other than what they fired back at you.

I know you probably don’t have access to this, but JW’s have a two volume Dictionary/Encyclopedia that they themsleves publish called “Insight on the Scriptures” (it used to be called “Aid to Bible Understanding”,you can find free PFD downloads online) that they use for reference material for subjects such as what you were discussing with them. Of course, the “history” presented in these publications are very biased and rudimentary. Under the section called “Canon” in volume 1, the book states that the canon of scripture was closed at the end of the 2nd century, but cites no source as evidence for this and expects the reader to take their word for it. They also name individuals such as Ignatius, Irenaeus, Polycarp, Justin Martyr and many others in this section (in a positive manner too), but don’t reveal who these men really were. It could be quite enlightening for them (it was for me, but I was searching) to see some of Ignatius quotes, for example, and show them how he names the Catholic Church in about 107 AD. Starting with history could plant a seed.

Something you could show as well:

“Catholic is the Anglicized (English) version of the Latin word Catholicus which is a Latinized version of the Greek word: καθολικη, transliterated into our alphabet as Katholikos. Katholikos means universal and is derived from kata (throughout) and holos (the whole).

In Acts 9:31, the Greek phrase: ekklesia kath olos, translated as “the church throughout all” (RSV) or “the church everywhere” (NCV), seems to me a likely origin of the phrase “the Catholic Church” (katholikos ekklesia) first documented in Ignatius of Antioch’s letter to the Smyraeans in A.D. 107.”

Acts 9:31 (RSV)
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Sama’ria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied.

So, you could show them that “Jehovah’s Witnesses” aren’t mentioned in the NT, but here we have this description and ask what they make of that.

That is such wonderful information!!! I just had some stop by the other day and did not feel too prepared. Living in Utah I have preparing myself for the Mormons not JWs I told them that I was aware of what their church taught and what their magazine teaches and that I do not want their version of the bible because I have my own that I read quite often and then thanked them. After they left I was so upset with myself because I had no idea of what to say to them and I was completely unprepared. If they come again now I will at least have a starting point! I have been studying up on the JWs and Mormons both a lot more and also how to defend the basics of the Catholic faith using the bible. Hopefully, next time no matter what religion comes knocking on my door I will be more prepared!

 

[Tyuiop411]

That is such wonderful information!!! I just had some stop by the other day and did not feel too prepared. Living in Utah I have preparing myself for the Mormons not JWs I told them that I was aware of what their church taught and what their magazine teaches and that I do not want their version of the bible because I have my own that I read quite often and then thanked them. After they left I was so upset with myself because I had no idea of what to say to them and I was completely unprepared. If they come again now I will at least have a starting point! I have been studying up on the JWs and Mormons both a lot more and also how to defend the basics of the Catholic faith using the bible. Hopefully, next time no matter what religion comes knocking on my door I will be more prepared!

I have to agree that the JW’s have helped me to strengthen my faith. I never answer the door but they always leave their literature at the door and I usually use if for bathroom reading. I remember they actually praised Catholics in one article (shocking I know!) for producing translations that used Yahweh.

However, I have never encountered Mormon missionaries surprisingly. One thing we do have is a lot of Baptist ladies that come around to invite people to VBS, but they when they see the statues of the BVM and Saint Joseph at our door they usually turn right around (I witnessed this once and thought it was quite funny).

 

[Cat_Herder]

[BIBLEDRB]Revelation 1:7-8[/BIBLEDRB]

He who is coming, He who is Almighty, and He who was pierced are one and the same.

Game over. Insert coin to continue.

 

[GEddie]

[BIBLEDRB]Revelation 1:7-8[/BIBLEDRB]

He who is coming, He who is Almighty, and He who was pierced are one and the same.

Game over. Insert coin to continue.

ICXC NIKA

 

[mackbrislawn]

“Catholic is the Anglicized (English) version of the Latin word Catholicus which is a Latinized version of the Greek word: καθολικη, transliterated into our alphabet as Katholikos. Katholikos means universal and is derived from kata (throughout) and holos (the whole).

In Acts 9:31, the Greek phrase: ekklesia kath olos, translated as “the church throughout all” (RSV) or “the church everywhere” (NCV), seems to me a likely origin of the phrase “the Catholic Church” (katholikos ekklesia) first documented in Ignatius of Antioch’s letter to the Smyraeans in A.D. 107.”

Acts 9:31 (RSV)
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Sama’ria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied.

So, you could show them that “Jehovah’s Witnesses” aren’t mentioned in the NT, but here we have this description and ask what they make of that.

This is fascinating information, something I had not known before and should be useful for the Catholic apologist.

The JW’s Kingdom Interlinear Greek translation has “ecclesia down whole” as its literal translation of the three words at Acts 9:31. So “kath,” kappa, alpha, theta is translated “down” and “olos”, omicron, lambda, nu, sigma, as whole. This way they avoid the meaning kath as whole, but as down instead.

However, even though they claim “kath” is “down,” they do translate it into English as “the congregation throughout the whole of Judea…”

What do you think?

 

[T_More]

This is fascinating information, something I had not known before and should be useful for the Catholic apologist.

The JW’s Kingdom Interlinear Greek translation has “ecclesia down whole” as its literal translation of the three words at Acts 9:31. So “kath,” kappa, alpha, theta is translated “down” and “olos”, omicron, lambda, nu, sigma, as whole. This way they avoid the meaning kath as whole, but as down instead.

However, even though they claim “kath” is “down,” they do translate it into English as “the congregation throughout the whole of Judea…”

What do you think?

The info I posted was taken from another poster on this froum, but I can’t remember who. I can’t take any credit for it, I simply remember the info he or she posted and posted it.

I have the 1969 and 1985 Interlinear’s, so I’ll check out what you posted, but that doesn’t surprise me in the least. They have been twisting scripture to suit their purposes ever since the New World Translation was published.

 

[ajcstr]

They have their own Bible, they don’t believe in everything our Bible contains.
The best approach, really, is just to not answer the door.
This is why, as others have said, they never come alone. It’s not for security reasons, it’s because two or three can overwhelm you with their "facts’ easier than one can.
The last thing they want is to get into a debate with you about your Catholicism vs their beliefs.
If you must answer the door, just say, thank you, I’m Catholic, and that will usually end that.
As they leave, they might look at you as if to say, gee, how can anyone so seemingly nice not want to know our “truth”?

I ALWAYS engage them. I had one of them come back with her husband because he used to be Catholic. Last Sunday I talked to them for an hour. It IS pretty frustrating, but there is always that chance I will plant a seed. I figure I will never “outverse” them, I try from the angle that they believe Christianity went aspostate in like the 1st or 2nd century. I ask them:

If I have the writings of people who knew the apostles and studied under them, why should I not believe them?

Who translated your Bible and why is it so different from every other Bible?

Why would I believe that 1800 years of Christianity is wrong but Charles Russel was right?

Why do you reject the council of Nicea that decided on the divinity of Jesus yet accept the books of the New Testament which were determined by later councils?

If the Word was “a” god, why is he not a false god?

I also pull out my Bible and go over some of the differences with them.

I always invite them to come back. The last group came back 3 or 4 times then gave up.

Next I am going to ask then why they take the 144,000 of Revelation literally but not “he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him”

I also want to see how many times the word church is used in the NT because when i told them Jesus came to start a Church rather than give us a book and that seemed to take them off guard. “what do you mean a Church?”

They have an advantage because they are trained and they are very driven and for the most part nice people. But I try and just disrupt them a little. The bottom line I guess if you believe Satan has taken over everything but your group, its an uphill battle to be sure. But people DO leave them, you never know.

 

[mackbrislawn]

I ALWAYS engage them. I had one of them come back with her husband because he used to be Catholic. Last Sunday I talked to them for an hour. It IS pretty frustrating, but there is always that chance I will plant a seed. I figure I will never “outverse” them, I try from the angle that they believe Christianity went aspostate in like the 1st or 2nd century. I ask them:

If I have the writings of people who knew the apostles and studied under them, why should I not believe them?

Who translated your Bible and why is it so different from every other Bible?

Why would I believe that 1800 years of Christianity is wrong but Charles Russel was right?

Why do you reject the council of Nicea that decided on the divinity of Jesus yet accept the books of the New Testament which were determined by later councils?

If the Word was “a” god, why is he not a false god?

I also pull out my Bible and go over some of the differences with them.

I always invite them to come back. The last group came back 3 or 4 times then gave up.

Next I am going to ask then why they take the 144,000 of Revelation literally but not “he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him”

I also want to see how many times the word church is used in the NT because when i told them Jesus came to start a Church rather than give us a book and that seemed to take them off guard. “what do you mean a Church?”

They have an advantage because they are trained and they are very driven and for the most part nice people. But I try and just disrupt them a little. The bottom line I guess if you believe Satan has taken over everything but your group, its an uphill battle to be sure. But people DO leave them, you never know.

I always talk to them too. You know the right questions to ask!

Yes, people do leave them, and their turnover rate is surprisingly high, given how firm they seem in their beliefs.

Witnesses are always judging one another, so when they go from door to door as a pair, each Witness has to put up a good front for the other. A single Witness would be more likely to engage in a genuine sharing of ideas with the person they are talking to than two Witnesses together would. Each has to uphold Watchtower doctrine for the benefit of the other Witness. They report on one another; or to put it another way, they snitch on each other.