Jehovah's Witnesses at my door

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Thank you everyone - I’ve read all your answers very carefully and will do some more research as well (although I’m beginning to find the errors to be quite irritating).

I still hope they don’t come back, but I’ll be brave and attempt to rebut if they do.

I’m feeling a bit star-struck that John Martignoni answered my post! :o
 
I NEVER try to hide from the JW’s…but they don’t come calling often. I’ve been in my current residence for 3 years and they haven’t come yet…not that I’m inviting them…maybe the book bags I have mounted as trophies and the shredded Watchtowers on my stoop keep them away…

But seriously…when they’ve come in the past I’ve engaged them at various levels depending on the amount of free time I had and my mood.

If you decide to re-engage these folks keep it short, simply, and stick to one or two points.

For some reason reading this post reminded me of the time I went to visit my cousin in another state. Apparently she’d gotten herself roped into a bible study (which…of course…used a book and not the bible…I think it was the Revelation book) at any rate, I discussed the issues with her and she asked me to sit in on the study the next day. By the end the ladies left early and never returned…small victory.

My parent’s neighbor told me one of the coolest sights they’d ever seen was me following the local JW pioneer down the sidewalk…bible in hand…and her doing her best to get to her vehicle and get away. I was home for a funeral…she came calling…I met her at the door bible in hand…and started quoting scripture and expounding doctrine for her…she never returned to the neighborhood.
 
I really didn’t do this on purpose, but I was cleaning house, and had just taken down our crucifix by the door with a rosary and palm leaves and was dusting it off when the doorbell rang.

I happened to have my Gregorian Chant CD playing and when I answered the door I was holding up the crucifix.

The two ladies took one look and ran to their car scattering their Watchtower info. along the way.

That was six years ago, and so far no one from the JW’s have been back.🤷
 
My parent’s neighbor told me one of the coolest sights they’d ever seen was me following the local JW pioneer down the sidewalk…bible in hand…and her doing her best to get to her vehicle and get away. I was home for a funeral…she came calling…I met her at the door bible in hand…and started quoting scripture and expounding doctrine for her…she never returned to the neighborhood.
That’s awesome. 🙂
 
I’m feeling a bit star-struck that John Martignoni answered my post! :o
No need to feel that way. I know the guy personally, and he can be a real pain in the tuchus at times…just ask his wife…she’ll tell ya.
 
They could even return tomorrow since they do not believe in the 4th of July, either.
They are likely to knock on a lot of doors on July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, etc. They do not celebrate holidays, but instead look upon them as a time where more people are at home, rather than at work. They take advantage of your being at home with family.

Also, my bride often tells me that flags and statues and other items don’t really keep them away, it just tells them which approach to take (or perhaps avoid).

Telling them that you are Catholic and will hold to your beliefs may have them go away for a time, but they will be back eventually (hoping that it is a time when you are more vulnerable).

Slamming a door reinforces the Watchtower teachings in their minds. If you can, have them in and plant a seed to two of your own. Just be sure not to play their game! (And don’t let them tell you what the Catholic Church teaches! They get a lot from the Catholic Encyclopedia and nothing from the CCC!)

Peace!
 
As well as preparing yourself with research and information, this advice is worth following:
They always come in a group of 2 or more. Is there any problem with you having another person with you? Maybe you have another friend who is willing and able to support you by being there.
If you want to continue the debate, get them to make an appointment for the next one and have someone there with you. The reason for coming in twos is that one can listen and think up some answers while the other ‘debates’ - in your case, one can also be praying for guidance. No matter how well prepared you are and how well you listen, it helps to have someone there to listen for inconsistencies and points that can be made. (Think about the difference between going for a job interview with just one person or one with two or more interviewers!)

This had me :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
I really didn’t do this on purpose, but I was cleaning house, and had just taken down our crucifix by the door with a rosary and palm leaves and was dusting it off when the doorbell rang.

I happened to have my Gregorian Chant CD playing and when I answered the door I was holding up the crucifix.

The two ladies took one look and ran to their car scattering their Watchtower info. along the way.

That was six years ago, and so far no one from the JW’s have been back.🤷
 
Saw the JW’s on the fourth in the neighborhood. Nothing and no one at my door.
 
Admonsta, when I was one of those JW’s at a Catholic’s door, what impressed me most was kindness and a calm, confident peace. I remember one woman telling me how close she felt to God and how much she enjoyed her Catholic faith, and she was so kind to us. I would never admit it at the time, but it made me stop and think. If I may suggest, if they return, try to keep the discussion to one topic, and not too long, so that the conversation does not become confused and exhausting. Looking back I really appreciate people who took the time to gently help me think about things, doing more good for me than either of us could know at the time. I hope you have a similar good effect on your JW visitors.
 
Gal 1: 7b: there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an Angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema.

Col 2: 18 *Let no man seduce you, willing in humility and religion of Angels, walking in the things which he hath not seen, in vain puffed up by the sense of his flesh,

Heb 1: 5 For, to which of the Angels hath he said at any time: *Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again: *I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

6 And again, when he introduceth the first begotten into the world, he saith: *And let all the Angels of God adore him.

7 And to the Angels indeed he saith: *He that maketh his Angels, spirits: and his ministers, a flame of fire.

Heb 1:
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them, who shall receive the inheritance of salvation?____________________

Heb 1: 1 God having spoken at different times and in many ways, in times past, to the fathers, by the prophets: last of all,

2 In these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world:

3 *Who being the splendour of his glory, and the figure of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, making purgation of sins, sitteth on the right hand of the majesty on high:

4 Being made so much better than the Angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they.

Phil 2: 6 Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery, to be himself equal to God:

7 But debased himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in shape found as a man.

8 *He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above every name:

10 *That in the name of Jesus, every knee should bow of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth;

Col 2 : 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead corporally:

Heb 1: 8 But to the Son: *Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of justice is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

9 Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: therefore, God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy partners.

10 And: *Thou in the beginning, O Lord, hast found the earth: and the heavens are the works of thy hands.

11 They shall perish, but thou shalt continue: and they shall all grow old as a garment:

12 And as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: but thou art the self-same, and thy years shall not fail.

Col : 16 *For in him were all things created in heaven, and on earth, visible, and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and in him:

17 And he is before all, and by him all things consist.

1 Cor 8 : 5 For although there be that are called gods, either in heaven or on earth (for there are many gods, and many lords);

6 Yet to us there is but one God, the Father; of whom are all things, and we unto him: and one Lord Jesus Christ: by whom are all things, and we by him.

7 But the knowledge is not in all.

2 Pet: 1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there shall be lying teachers among you, who shall bring in sects of perdition, and deny the Lord who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their luxuries, through whom the way of truth shall be blasphemed:

3 And through covetousness with feigned words they shall make merchandise of you:

2 thes: 1 And we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our gathering together unto him:

2 That you be not easily moved from your sense, nor be terrified, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by epistle, as sent from us, as if the day of the Lord were at hand.

3 *Let no man deceive you by any means:

2 Jon: 7 For many seducers are gone out into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh: this is a seducer and an antichrist.

8 Look to yourselves, that you lose not the things which you have wrought: but that you may receive a full reward.

9 Every one who recedeth, and continueth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God: he that continueth in the doctrine, he hath both the Father and the Son.

10 If any man come to you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into the house, nor say to him, Hail.

Heb 13: 8 Jesus Christ yesterday, and to-day; and the same for ever.

9 Be not led away with various and strange doctrines. For it is best to establish the heart with grace, not with meats: which have not profited those that walk in them.
 
As well as preparing yourself with research and information, this advice is worth following:
If you want to continue the debate, get them to make an appointment for the next one and have someone there with you. **The reason for coming in twos is that one can listen and think up some answers while the other ‘debates’ **- in your case, one can also be praying for guidance. No matter how well prepared you are and how well you listen, it helps to have someone there to listen for inconsistencies and points that can be made. (Think about the difference between going for a job interview with just one person or one with two or more interviewers!)
It is good advice to have someone there with you, especially if they are well versed in apologetics. I would suggest not looking at it as a ‘debate’. Debate is their strong point. Their goal is to plant the seed of doubt. Make it your goal to be the planter! Ask questions that you know the answer to! (Those are the only questions that any ‘good’ attorney would ask!)

They do proceed in twos for support as stated, but also for protection. One person alone may succumb to the argument of an informed host, but the JW cannot agree to anything not taught by the WTBTS if there is another there. (for the result would be being publicly reproved or disfellowshipped.) Supervision so to speak!

Peace!
 
My dad always offered them some juice and then said we weren’t interested. Probably a good way to react to them.

Edit: He probably did those actions in the reverse order, now that I think about it.
 
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Also, my bride often tells me that flags and statues and other items don’t really keep them away, it just tells them which approach to take (or perhaps avoid).
How about book bags hung around the porch like deer heads with shredded Watchtower magazines strewn about the yard?
 
My dad always offered them some juice and then said we weren’t interested. Probably a good way to react to them.

Edit: He probably did those actions in the reverse order, now that I think about it.
My dad did this with the local Mormon missionaries. Several years ago during the summer the LDS missionaries stopped by…it was HOT outside…Dad had them in for lemonade. He quickly assured them he had no interest in their religion and the conversation devolved into talk about racing. My dad is not only a racing enthusiast but served on a pit crew for several indy cars. These guys came back once a week for the rest of their mission and never once brought up religion…but loved talking racing and guns with Dad. Pretty cool.
 
I never know how to tell JWs from Mormons. When they came to our door, my dad would stand on the porch and talk to them. Once they realize that you are Biblically literate and thereby immune to their message, they leave you alone.
 
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