Jehovah's Witnesses Responding to Obituaries in the Newspaper

[Kitty_Chan]

My grandma used to grab some change she had by her night stand when she answered the door. This was back in the day when they held the awake magaizine. Anyway she would watch their hands while they talked and about one minute into the conversation when Grandma had the chance, she would grab the mag then push the change into their hand and then immediately shut the door while they were still talking.

I often wonder what ever they thought of her? She always bought the magazine but wasnt very talkative.

she said after they really wanted to sell the magazine so I guess it was her way of getting them off the doorstep.

 

[jschwehm]

I am curious Jeff. Do they have any idea how revolting and disgusting such a tactic is? Have they no shame?

I do not think so. I have even been to funerals where the elder really makes the funeral talk into a recruitment speech with tracts available and everything. In addition, it is quite common for this to be done by their pioneer ministers since they can count their time spent in writing the letters in their monthly report to their congregation elders.

try to drag them in. I figure the more time I can burn, the less time they can spend on the vulnerable

This is awesome PapaSquash. Keep up the good work.

Jeff S.
www.catholicxjw.com

 

[Jaypeeto3]

I was a JW back in the early 80s (active), and I don’t remember this type of thing being done by members of the congregation in general.

I know that we had one woman, who was paralyzed except for her hands, who used to write letters to people whose names she got out of the phone book. That was her way of witnessing to people.

This writing people who’ve just had loved ones die is a new one to me, but then again, I’ve been out for quite a long time.

Jaypeeto3 (aka Jaypeeto4)

 

[catoblue]

"My aunt died last week and . . . We have received two sympathy notes from Jehovah’s Witnesses . . . "

What a loving, Christian thing to do! I imagine Jesus would have done the same thing if he could not have visited in person.

 

[b_justb]

"My aunt died last week and . . . We have received two sympathy notes from Jehovah’s Witnesses . . . "

What a loving, Christian thing to do! I imagine Jesus would have done the same thing if he could not have visited in person.

It would be a loving and Christian thing to do if there were no ulterior motives involved. I, as well as others on this forum, am a former Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW) and know that the acts of contacting the survivors of recent deaths has nothing to do with being compassionate to the grieving and everything to do with attempting to manipulate the feelings of a person that is in a delicate emotional state so as to bolster enrolment in the JW organization. This being the case; it doesn’t make the action loving and Christ like, it makes it hideous and cult like.

 

[jack_hawkins]

I think the best thing to do would be to contact your local newspaper/other media outlet - the subsequent bad publicity might make them think again?
In some ways their dedication must be admired, and our own lack of it considered.

 

[b_justb]

I think the best thing to do would be to contact your local newspaper/other media outlet - the subsequent bad publicity might make them think again?
In some ways their dedication must be admired, and our own lack of it considered.

I have heard similar sentiments of admiring JW dedication. This to me is the same as admiring the dedication of a suicide bomber. Poppycock! Bullocks! I do not admire the thought process of anyone that advances the cult mentality. I do not admire the dedication of people whose mission in life is to drag as many people to hell as they can. Revulsion is the emotion I feel, not admiration.

 

[jack_hawkins]

I have heard similar sentiments of admiring JW dedication. This to me is the same as admiring the dedication of a suicide bomber. Poppycock! Bullocks! I do not admire the thought process of anyone that advances the cult mentality. I do not admire the dedication of people whose mission in life is to drag as many people to hell as they can. Revulsion is the emotion I feel, not admiration.

well obviously I am not admiring the end to which their efforts are going, but at least they have the courage of their convictions unlike many Christians

 

[b_justb]

well obviously I am not admiring the end to which their efforts are going, but at least they have the courage of their convictions unlike many Christians

“unlike many Christians” What?

Shall I rant, or will you recant before I do?

 

[jack_hawkins]

what’s to recant?
do most Christians put as much effort into evangelism as JWs put into proselytism? NO!
I know I certainly don’t

 

[catsrus]

originally posted by** jack hawkins**
do most Christians put as much effort into evangelism as JWs put into proselytism? NO!

That’s because they MUST or they are forced out of their "organization.
There is no such thing as a “witness” who doesn’t “witness”.
Keep in mind also that they’re going door to door is ALL that is required - because they have to turn in a “timesheet”.
I know FOR A FACT, that behind closed doors, many (not all, certainly) are not living what they preach.

 

[b_justb]

what’s to recant?
do most Christians put as much effort into evangelism as JWs put into proselytism? NO!

I am asking you to reconsider your statement of “but at least they (JW) have the courage of their convictions unlike many Christians.”

How do you know the convictions of any person other than yourself? How is it possible for you in good conscience to make this statement since it is impossible for you to know the convictions of any other person other than yourself? If you would like to amend your statement to say you admire them because you know you have fallen short in standing in your own convictions then please say so. But to demean “many Christians” because you deem them not to be acting on their conviction, that you don’t know, or could ever know, is ludicrous.

Think about what you are putting forward. Is this what you really think? That you are the arbitrator of Christian conviction. That if people don’t evangelize every minute of the day as you would see them do it, then they lack conviction? Do I really need to go into how poorly thought-out that is?

 

[jack_hawkins]

I am asking you to reconsider your statement of “but at least they (JW) have the courage of their convictions unlike many Christians.”

How do you know the convictions of any person other than yourself? How is it possible for you in good conscience to make this statement since it is impossible for you to know the convictions of any other person other than yourself? If you would like to amend your statement to say you admire them because you know you have fallen short in standing in your own convictions then please say so. But to demean “many Christians” because you deem them not to be acting on their conviction, that you don’t know, is ludicrous.

Think about what you are putting forward. Is this what you really think? That you are the arbitrator of Christian conviction. That is people don’t evangelize every minute of the day then they lack conviction? Do I really need to go into how poorly thought-out that is?

I am not commenting on the convictions at all, just the actions springing from them. I think you misunderstand what the expression means. It is a valid observation and I stand by it.

 

[LSK]

Why is everyone ducking these people? They have come to my house a couple of times. I take their propoganda and thank them, haven’t had time to see them yet. But one day I will have them in and 'splain to them why they should be RC!

Peace.

I did that - once - and the woman became so enraged at me that she stomped out the door, turned around and yelled “Don’t you DARE pray for ME”.

too late…I already did…

 

[Chris_LaRock]

It would be a loving and Christian thing to do if there were no ulterior motives involved. I, as well as others on this forum, am a former Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW) and know that the acts of contacting the survivors of recent deaths has nothing to do with being compassionate to the grieving and everything to do with attempting to manipulate the feelings of a person that is in a delicate emotional state so as to bolster enrolment in the JW organization. This being the case; it doesn’t make the action loving and Christ like, it makes it hideous and cult like.

Amen!

 

[cestusdei]

I am tempted to read the obits daily and write to JW’s who have lost a loved one. I would tell them their loved one has not ceased to exist and that they can reach heaven rather then have to wait for “paradise earth.” I wonder what kind of reaction I would get?

 

[DB_AND_ALI]

I think the best thing to do would be to contact your local newspaper/other media outlet - the subsequent bad publicity might make them think again?
In some ways their dedication must be admired, and our own lack of it considered.

This will definately work…these folks are paranoid about receiving any ‘bad press’ ! If you ever want to read an informative book on a dear soul that ‘escaped’ from the JW’S , then i can recommend : HELD CAPTIVE BY THE WATCHTOWER-SET FREE BY CHRIST…BY SUSAN THORNE. Highly recommended and chilling at times…but Jesus intervened just as it seemed all was lost !!!

 

[xmydreamsfadex]

My Brother-in-loves best friend did the best ever encounter with the JW’s.

They knocked on the door and he welcomed them in. Called the wife to come to the kitchen and they got out cookies and drinks. Then they all sat at the table.

The friend said we should pray before we eat, then started out something like Oh Blessed Jesus, Heavely Father and continued on for probably 5 minutes.

When he and his wife opened their eyes, the Jw’s had left.

my wife and i invited them in one day and got some cookies and tea out and when we all sat down i asked “so what can you tell me about the Blessed Virgin Mother?” and they quickly just handed me their Awake and Watchtower (which i didn’t take) and excused themselves.

 

[Chris_LaRock]

Catholicism scares them. Hang a few crucifixes.

 

[Kitty_Chan]

my wife and i invited them in one day and got some cookies and tea out and when we all sat down i asked “so what can you tell me about the Blessed Virgin Mother?” and they quickly just handed me their Awake and Watchtower (which i didn’t take) and excused themselves.

good to see it works !