Jehovah's Witnesses and going door to door

[CeelosDeznos]

Do unresponsive homes eventually get “taken off the list”, so to speak? Most members of the local congregation probably know the same uninterested people live in this house as did thirty-five years ago, and since we’ve never shown any interest, I can’t help but wonder if they’ve simply stopped trying to convert us. Once again, we have no interest in converting, so certainly won’t be seeking contact with anyone.

Having grown up and had a family member (no blood relation) who constantly tried to have me converted as a child, I actually went out in their field service and know quite a lot about it.

No house or person really gets off their call lists permanently. Even if this is requested, the house is noted in a record attached to the territory card for a limited time. It may be six months, a year, but then the household is visited again.

Why? The Witnesses reason that circumstances change. Different people may answer the door who have interest in their message. Oddly enough, the Witnesses do consider that tragedy often opens a door to them getting an ear from some who previously did not listen.

But you cannot stop them from coming again, ever, at least in most countries. They have won the right to canvass all territories in most countries, so legally they can enter property that even has posted signs that read “no trespassing” and not be charged for breaking the law. They rarely push things that far, mind you, but the technicalities of the laws they have fought for make it so that they can keep coming back after a reasonable time has passed according to their calculations despite any demands you make of them to stop coming back.

However in Western societies the measurement of the efficacy of their door-to-door efforts over the past century has produced stalemates in countries like the United States. Practically no growth or even minus numbers are being reported in some territories.

They have closed all their major printed facilities around the world just recently and laid off the majority of their headquarters staff at all major branches. They have stopped producing large amounts of printed literature and, even though the sales of e-books have never taken off and the sales of hard copy religious books and Bible have soared since 2000, they now limit their production of slimmed down written messages for a world that they believe has Kindles and iPads at the ready to read their e-literature (even though the majority of the world is still too poor to afford such contraptions as a means to read).

Their New World a Translation, though released in 1950, barely has 300 million printings by 2015 compared to the United Bible Studies which distributes 500 million Bible every year, still printing tracts, brochures and other religious books too as the demand for such printed materials has never been greater in contrast to what is happening to the Watchtower.

The Witnesses are currently using streaming video as a means to get their message out. They are concentrating on preparing their members for being persecuted by police forces around the world by publishing pictures and videos of what they believe their life will soon be like being forced to go underground and live in basements and bunkers. Their recent summer conventions highlighted this as their imminent expectations, and no new printed literature has been released this year.

 

[Kielbasi]

Our municipality offers “no soliciting” signs for front doors to residents. Their ordinance on solicitation covers JWs and other proselytizing efforts, so if they ignored the sign, they could be in trouble.

If you live in the United States, those kinds of local ordinances aren’t enforceable against the JW’s, the 1st Amendment and all that. Going door to door is just these folks practicing their religion.

Watchtower v Village of Stratton made it to the Supreme Court and was decided in favor of JW’s, I don’t think that the sign would intimidate them.

 

[Kielbasi]

Do unresponsive homes eventually get “taken off the list”, so to speak? Most members of the local congregation probably know the same uninterested people live in this house as did thirty-five years ago, and since we’ve never shown any interest, I can’t help but wonder if they’ve simply stopped trying to convert us…

I don’t know the procedures of the JW as to which houses to canvass.

But they know that people move or die all the time, and the unresponsive people who lived at 124 Elm St. a few years ago, may no longer be there.

 

[Liturgy_Geek_1]

I invite anyone in who comes to discuss religion. I agree that it is a matter of charity. They step into a living room chock full of statues (The Trinity, Our Lord Jesus, Our Lady of Fatima, and the list goes on) and religious pictures (Ecce Homo, etc.). If that doesn’t help them to Buy The Big Clue, I will talk with them. I enjoy it when evangelicals come around because I used to be one (went to an evangelical Bible college).

Once, I had a Mormon really curious about Catholicism. His evangelization partner intervened and got him out of my house fast!

 

[Rosebud77]

WHen I was a child in urban England my other trained me to suddenly shout from the kitchen when they arrived, "MUM! IT’S BURNING! " It worked a treat… Even living way out in the Irish boonies is no protection… And I always get the better of them fast after a few diffcuilt enocounters… They came up here once and only once… a mile long winding up and down private dirt track can be great even though I yell JERONIMO! when I get to the gate …

 

[Padres1969]

If you live in the United States, those kinds of local ordinances aren’t enforceable against the JW’s, the 1st Amendment and all that. Going door to door is just these folks practicing their religion.

Watchtower v Village of Stratton made it to the Supreme Court and was decided in favor of JW’s, I don’t think that the sign would intimidate them.

Yeah from what I’ve gathered “No Solicitation” signs and ordinances do not apply to religious groups due to the first amendment and WATCHTOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC., et al. v. VILLAGE OF STRATTON et al. Namely since they’re not engaging in commercial speech.

However from what I gather of other court cases, “No Trespassing” signs, fences enclosing a yard (particularly locked fences), “No JW/Mormon signs”, or notice given to their local meeting hall/stake, do apply to them and they can and have been arrested for trespass in those instances and civilly liable for any damages.

 

[Pepband_Mom]

Wow you get enough JW’s and Mormons at your house to warrant having a binder? I think I’ve had one JW pair show up on my doorstep once at an apartment I lived at about 7 years ago but that’s about it. I had Mormons a couple of times when I lived near the San Diego LDS Temple (which was unusual as my understanding was when they built the temple part of the agreement that allowed it was that they agreed to not proselytize our neighborhood ) and I think once at my current place if I remember correctly.

Those missionaries I get in my neck of the woods these days tend to be Evangelical Christians more than anything else from what are typically non-denominational churches (typically from the Baptist or Pentecostal family).

 

[Pepband_Mom]

Worked for an LDS Dr late 70;s to 90’s & heard Mormon speak that whole time. Went to Christian bookstore bought & devoured books. Tired of being twisting into a doctrinal pretzel. Catholics working there converted. This brought me back to the faith; later studied with an informal young adult group hosted by the Jesuits & started dealing with New Age infecting our local Archdiocese. Eventually, 25 years later, things have settled down there. Whew!!!

Moved home, married became Pepband Mom (not as much time for apologetics but still keep up on it). Started working with wonderful JW lady. We debated for years! Funny, she now works for our Diocese @ a healthcare facility, LOVES her job! The Lord has a great sense of humor! She sees the good that we do & comments about what a great place it is to work & that must force her think about what her local Kingdom Hall says about the RCC.

Accumulated 6 x 6 feet of Theology books over 35 years, 1/4 of them apologetics, sects, cults & have been finding a happy home for them past 5 years, have a ways to go. Keeping the best of the best & put the great documentation in my little binder. Bone up it every few months or so. Memory is going Major downsizing is good! Besides so much info on IN & don’t need to keep paper/books.

JW’s come about 3x year, LDS 1x year, See New Age almost daily on Facebook.

 

[jlhargus]

Yes they do. I always gave them a “run for their money”. And if one would mention they “used” to be Catholic, I gave them a strong emphases on the Holy Eucharist. They finally quit coming around and my neighbor once overheard them saying “they don’t go to the house across the street.” I’m the only house across the street. God Bless, Memaw

Like your post. God bless.

 

[CeelosDeznos]

While each should follow their own conscience in this, I would suggest that where the Jehovah’s Witnesses insist on making repeat visits that may be unwelcome, to consider their actions as carving out a special ministry given from God to you.

If they knock on my door, they are knocking on the door of a Roman Catholic, and all that should entail. I endeavor to be mindful of the Scriptural direction: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.”–1 Peter 3:15.

Instead of seeing this as an opportunity to scare them away, I want to show them what it means to knock on the door of a Catholic home. I want them to feel welcome. I am ready to share with them my hope, my faith, and my Christian love. I want it to be attracting, not repellent. If any notes are going to be taken down about my door, it is that any Witness who comes to my home should be prepared for a kindly welcome, a friendly face, and a conversation that will include my offering them one of the new NAB pocket Gospels, a rosary, and offering to help them learn more about why they should consider becoming Catholic.

Preparing to debate or looking forward to trying to “prove them wrong” is definitely not going to be on my list, and I want them to really notice how different this makes me from others they meet who do not accept their message. I also want them to feel that despite the negativity they are probably receiving from the other homes they visit, they are always welcome even if they don’t want to become Catholic. In a world that always tells them to “no,” I want them to always find someone behind a Catholic door who at least appreciates them as on a personal level and respects their love for the Bible.

 

[jane_doe]

While each should follow their own conscience in this, I would suggest that where the Jehovah’s Witnesses insist on making repeat visits that may be unwelcome, to consider their actions as carving out a special ministry given from God to you.

If they knock on my door, they are knocking on the door of a Roman Catholic, and all that should entail. I endeavor to be mindful of the Scriptural direction: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.”–1 Peter 3:15.

Instead of seeing this as an opportunity to scare them away, I want to show them what it means to knock on the door of a Catholic home. I want them to feel welcome. I am ready to share with them my hope, my faith, and my Christian love. I want it to be attracting, not repellent. If any notes are going to be taken down about my door, it is that any Witness who comes to my home should be prepared for a kindly welcome, a friendly face, and a conversation that will include my offering them one of the new NAB pocket Gospels, a rosary, and offering to help them learn more about why they should consider becoming Catholic.

Preparing to debate or looking forward to trying to “prove them wrong” is definitely not going to be on my list, and I want them to really notice how different this makes me from others they meet who do not accept their message. I also want them to feel that despite the negativity they are probably receiving from the other homes they visit, they are always welcome even if they don’t want to become Catholic. In a world that always tells them to “no,” I want them to always find someone behind a Catholic door who at least appreciates them as on a personal level and respects their love for the Bible.

 

[Marie5890]

In the community I live in, it’s posted in a variety of places that solicitation is prohibited, and both JW and LDS missionaries respect those postings, gratefully.

The JW’s do send letters in the mail and make robo calls, however. I just throw away the letters and ignore the robo calls.

The LDS missionaries, I simply don’t know what kind of practices they have these days when it comes to tracting. I never see them anywhere, and there is a ward in the next town over from mine.

 

[ichabode]

Do unresponsive homes eventually get “taken off the list”,

You could always tell them you have been shunned by the Kingdom Hall, and then they won’t touch you with a ten foot pole.

 

[Miriam1947]

Hi there.

I can answer from personal experience!

We keep calling on every house, regardless of past interest.
People move house, or develop an interest in spiritual things later on, or come up with a question they want answered, so we keep offering free Bible studies.

Only if someone specifically instructs us to stop coming to their house, or there is a really unpleasant householder who gets angry and shouts abuse would we stop calling.
Even then, the elders in the congregation are supposed to call each year or so to check if the request is still valid.

We are trying to contact everyone. Matthew 24:14, Matthew 28:19,20.

They stopped coming to my house when I told them I could never join a religion which shuns those who leave.

 

[Padres1969]

You could always tell them you have been shunned by the Kingdom Hall, and then they won’t touch you with a ten foot pole.

https://i.memecaptain.com/gend_images/WuQaTQ.jpg

Sorry this is what I think of every time I hear the word “shun”.

 

[ajcstr]

I want to show them what it means to knock on the door of a Catholic home. I want them to feel welcome. I am ready to share with them my hope, my faith, and my Christian love. I want it to be attracting, not repellent. If any notes are going to be taken down about my door, it is that any Witness who comes to my home should be prepared for a kindly welcome, a friendly face, and a conversation that will include my offering them one of the new NAB pocket Gospels, a rosary, and offering to help them learn more about why they should consider becoming Catholic.

Preparing to debate or looking forward to trying to “prove them wrong” is definitely not going to be on my list, and I want them to really notice how different this makes me from others they meet who do not accept their message. I also want them to feel that despite the negativity they are probably receiving from the other homes they visit, they are always welcome even if they don’t want to become Catholic. In a world that always tells them to “no,” I want them to always find someone behind a Catholic door who at least appreciates them as on a personal level and respects their love for the Bible.

From a book I read “Can I get a Witness?”

“In all my days of taking the KW Kingdom message to the streets, I rarely ever met anyone at the door who identified themselves as a christian and cared to share the Gospel of Jesus with me or my friends and family. My question then and now is, Can I get a witness?”

The author, Brian Garcia is a former JW and he asks this question because he prays that some household will be able to plant a seed in his family members that will eventually pull then out as he was pulled out.

The kindle edition of his book is $2.99 on amazon and I found it a pretty good read:

amazon.com/Witness-Understand-Free-Jehovahs-Witnesses-ebook/dp/B00FGUOGSG

 

[fisherman_carl]

It was a dark and stormy night. No. JK. Not long after I had moved into a house, one Saturday morning, had just got out of bed. I am not a morning person and to my surprise I heard someone knocking on the door. Since I was passing by there anyway I groggoliy looked through the peephole to see who it was. To my surprise there were men in suits, women in dresses and little children all dressed up like they were going to a formal event. The one guy had a bible in his hand. And it dawned on me who they were. There i was standing in my pj’s, hair uncombed. Needless to say I did not open the door.

 

[twf]

I don’t know if the JWs here still go door to door. For the last couple years, I’ve seen them set up on street corners or at train stations quietly standing off to the side with a full stand of literature. They don’t hassle anyone. You are welcome to approach them for information or a booklet. This seems a much more effective approach to me.

 

[CeelosDeznos]

I don’t know if the JWs here still go door to door. For the last couple years, I’ve seen them set up on street corners or at train stations quietly standing off to the side with a full stand of literature. They don’t hassle anyone. You are welcome to approach them for information or a booklet. This seems a much more effective approach to me.

This new form of “cart” or “metropolitan” witnessing, as they are calling it, is partially due to changing circumstances facing the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Fewer people are at home and many have definitely complained that they feel harassed by home visits from the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Thus this form of activity has been added to their preaching activity.

However their door-to-door activity has not stopped, but it has diminished greatly. In countries like the United States there has been no significant growth of new members converting to their religion. The majority of newly converted/baptized members consist of children who are raised by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Unfortunately the largest numbers of those leaving their religion are also made up of children raised as Jehovah’s Witnesses. And the army of Witnesses who used to visit you once a month or more are either too old to do it or, unfortunately (despite being told that it would never happen to them), have died.

Add to this that the Jehovah’s Witnesses did not expect the world to be here in 2014 with themselves still in it. For a half of a century they preached that God would end this world (except for the Witnesses) before people who were old enough to understand the events of World War I in 1914 passed away in death. When that did not happen, confusion and disappointment set in, and the religion has not been the same dazzling preaching machine it once was since.

This has contributed to a stalemate among them with large numbers leaving and donations dropping so severely that around 90% of volunteer workers at all world branches had to be let go. The Watchtower has virtually stopped printing hard copies of literature and almost exclusively distributes only electronic publications (despite the fact that e-book sales have dropped worldwide while sales of printed religious literature, especially Bibles, has soared). The last few years have also seen their leadership introduce a plethora of new changes in doctrine, and major changes are still ahead. It is the last days of the Worldwide Church of God all over again, except the fuzziness of mind is now happening to the Witnesses. Like it happened among the WCG after Armstrong passed away, there is vast confusion among the JWs now with strong and sometimes venemous denial over what is happening from others who refuse to see the writing on the wall. All this is contributing to less and less time spent by Witnesses in participating in home visits.

 

[fisherman_carl]

You could always tell them you have been shunned by the Kingdom Hall, and then they won’t touch you with a ten foot pole.

Maybe I’ve been watching too much Star Trek lately, but I keep seeing Klingon Hall when I read that.