Mail Exchange with a JW Friend?

[the_phoenix]

Opinions welcome and greatly appreciated on the following situation:

I have a long-distance friend who has only recently admitted to me (via a mysterious non-committal e-mail link with no message) that she is a Jehovah’s Witness. At first we were Star Trek pen pals. When her health deteriorated to the point she could no longer write letters, I would call her on the phone. Later on, we moved to e-mail correspondence.

However, I ended up blocking her from sending me e-mail. Here’s why:

In e-mail, she would send me bizarre messages including an article attacking Mother Teresa (sent one Christmas Eve) a link to a conspiracy theory website (which looking back, is probably JW-sponsored somehow), a link to a page in the Farmer’s Almanac which lists “lucky days for taking baths, getting a haircut, etc.” (She claims she never sent me the link to the Farmer’s Almanac, but rather that the devil must have inspired a hacker to send it.) She would also ask me controversial political questions, tell me that it was “Very Important and Serious that I Answer in a LOT OF DETAIL With Exactly How I Felt” … only to have my carefully thought out e-mails either get a very abrupt acknowledgement, or simply get ignored and be left unanswered. (She claims the devil or some other malignant force must be stopping my e-mails from reaching her, and further claims that she is in fact the one who has been getting no response from me.)

Having spoken to her on the phone now and confronted her that I know she is a Jehovah’s Witness and why did she hide that from me for so many years, she apologized and appears to want our friendship to continue. Now here’s my question:

Since I’ve blocked her from sending me anymore e-mail (which I’ve told her quite plainly), she wants to know if she can write to me again by regular mail instead. What if I agree and she wants to send me Watchtower literature? What if I don’t agree to accept Watchtower publications and still want to send her a calendar at Christmas like I did last year?

Once long ago, she sent me by snail mail a tract condemning the so-called “idol worship” of people who have statues of Mary, other saints, and angels in their house. At the time, I just thought she was an ex-Catholic who had become a Fundamentalist Protestant and that the tract was Protestant along the lines of Jack Chick. I responded by depositing the tract in the garbage after reading it, calling her up, and explaining as charitably as I could why I had just thrown her tract in the garbage.

Any advice is welcome. I am open to remaining friends with this person if God wants me to, and have forgiven the deception about her true religious identity. That said, I want it completely understood that she must continue to thoroughly respect my loyalty to Catholicism.

Many thanks,

~~ the phoenix

 

[Lorrie]

I would say stay friends with this person, you never know how or when your friendship could lead her to becoming Catholic. I’m sure you feel betrayed by her concealing her religion all of these years AND by sending you that horrible literature, I would just simply let her know upfront that if she sends anymore of it that you will be disposing it without even taking a glance. In return I would send her loads of stuff about the Church, the Most Holy Virgin, all the Saints, etc. You never know, one little pamphlet could change her whole outlook on things.

 

[the_phoenix]

Dear Lorrie,

Thank you so much for your (name removed by moderator)ut. Your encouragement to maintain the friendship is heartening. Family members and a friend who have learned of my situation are just telling me to shrug her off and let the friendship peaceably fade away so that I’ll avoid any trouble. However, I would rather not give up so easily on someone who has to her credit been a listening and understanding ear to me for so long. Now That takes Patience!

My question still remains, and in fact, you’ve helped me clarify it. Okay. Now say I tell her up front that I absolutely refuse to accept her Watchtower literature mailed to my house. In that case, how can I expect her to accept my Catholic literature into her house? Or, are you saying that if she sends me Watchtower literature after I’ve refused, I should then afterward respond by sending Catholic literature?

~~ the phoenix

 

[MariaG]

the phoenix:

Dear Lorrie,

Thank you so much for your (name removed by moderator)ut. Your encouragement to maintain the friendship is heartening. Family members and a friend who have learned of my situation are just telling me to shrug her off and let the friendship peaceably fade away so that I’ll avoid any trouble. However, I would rather not give up so easily on someone who has to her credit been a listening and understanding ear to me for so long. Now That takes Patience!

My question still remains, and in fact, you’ve helped me clarify it. Okay. Now say I tell her up front that I absolutely refuse to accept her Watchtower literature mailed to my house. In that case, how can I expect her to accept my Catholic literature into her house? Or, are you saying that if she sends me Watchtower literature after I’ve refused, I should then afterward respond by sending Catholic literature?

~~ the phoenix

I would accept the watch tower literature and go over it in detail with her. But only if she agrees to first do the same with you with some CA tracts. I wouldn’t do books at this point, just trade small snippets with each other.

It is very important for her to agree to first go over something with you. She probably won’t do it, because it is against their rules to look at any info not from JW, but it is also the reason you need to get her to look at your stuff first so she can’t back out on the deal.

There are some good resources on how to reach JW using their own watch tower mag. One was like showing them where in the watch tower it claimed to be a prophet, watch tower made prophecy that did not come true, and watch tower says we must walk away from false prophets.

JMHO.

God Bless,
Maria

 

[Lorrie]

the phoenix:

Dear Lorrie,

Thank you so much for your (name removed by moderator)ut. Your encouragement to maintain the friendship is heartening. Family members and a friend who have learned of my situation are just telling me to shrug her off and let the friendship peaceably fade away so that I’ll avoid any trouble. However, I would rather not give up so easily on someone who has to her credit been a listening and understanding ear to me for so long. Now That takes Patience!

My question still remains, and in fact, you’ve helped me clarify it. Okay. Now say I tell her up front that I absolutely refuse to accept her Watchtower literature mailed to my house. In that case, how can I expect her to accept my Catholic literature into her house? Or, are you saying that if she sends me Watchtower literature after I’ve refused, I should then afterward respond by sending Catholic literature?

~~ the phoenix

You’re welcome (for the thank you). I was meaning the latter (which is in bold print), but now that I’ve read MariaG’s response that actually sounds like a better idea. I think as long as your faith is solid, which it appears to be, then there shouldn’t be a problem receiving the literature, no matter how vile it is. Fair is only fair, if she has the guts to try and convert you with trash then you should try to convert her with the truth.

And I understand what you mean about not wanting to let the friendship go, especially since its been so meaningful over the past some odd years. I just wonder if she feels the same way about it (meaning the importance of it). I can’t help but think that a good friend would respect boundaries. I mean, yeah, show the Watch Tower stuff to me once, but if I say that I don’t want to keep receiving it from you then that’s what I expect. After receiving it again I would naturally get offended. BUT I still stand by my first post to you, I would stay friends because that’s what Jesus would do. And as I also said, you never know what positive impact your being Catholic might have on her.

 

[Catholic_Dude]

I would first email a exJW turned Catholic who is on these forums at jschwehm@catholicxjw.com

Im not exJW but if I were you I would accept those books and magazines and stuff but I would NOT tell her she had to accept Catholic stuff in return. Id bet that there would be a few talking points in each magazine where you talk about what you have in common and also JW teachings in that current magazine issue that you find odd and show her Scriptural evidence why its wrong. First look to your own Bible, but be sure to show her the passage from the JW version NWT Bible, which you can find on the JW homepage for free online.

Also I would not bring up older issues of the magazine eg like the ones talking about false “predictions” by the JWs.

 

[the_phoenix]

This post includes personal answers to MariaG, Lorrie, and CatholicDude. There is also someone who has been extremely helpful in private messages whom I would love to give credit to with a public acknowledgement, if such would be welcome … Each and every one of you has my abundant thanks and may God bless you for your advice.

Dear MariaG:

Yes, what you say makes good sense in its fairness of an honest exchange of information rather than a one-sided “dish-it-out-but-can’t-take-it” situation. Part of my question has to do with “trust but verify”. She’s already made the claim that the devil (either on his own or through his hacker minions) has prevented her from receiving the e-mails I’ve sent to her presenting my viewpoint. She could just as easily claim that the devil is preventing the post office from delivering to her any Catholic Answers tracts that I send, by “losing things in the mail” or something. In which case, I could send out the information twice, or else read it to her over the telephone, and let her know about this contingency plan up front.

Dear Lorrie:

Like you, I am now questioning the past motivations my JW friend has had towards our relationship, as well as what she may have in store for the future. She’s expressed interest in still having me board a plane to visit her out of state, and has “graciously” informed me that her elders, who wish to meet me at the Kingdom Hall, will … “allow” … me to attend any church I choose while I’m down visiting Florida. I quickly set her straight that I will fight anyone who attempts to keep me from Catholic Mass on Sunday, and that her elders have absolutely no say in my decisions. Meanwhile, I am very much aware that when I expressed interest in traveling to meet her in person, it was under deceptive circumstances, so really I am under no obligation to visit her in the first place. I just don’t have the kind of money for airplane tickets and hotels to take a trip based on behind-the-scenes mental manipulation and a highly questionable relationship that may in fact not be a friendship after all. That said, you wisely remind me in your post to look to Jesus when it comes to discernment and decisions. I’ve already months ago offered this friendship as a sacrifice to Jesus for Him to dispose of as He wishes … whether to keep it going, or to take it away.

Dear Catholic Dude:

J. Schwehm has himself beaten us both to the punch! He kindly took it upon himself to contact me via private message on another forum where most people seemed afraid to touch my predicament with a ten-foot pole. He’s firstly encouraged me to remain friends, and secondly has gone ahead and placed my Florida friend on the prayer list at his website.

You offer an alternative viewpoint to the others here, which is fine and very welcome, because I will definitely be prayerfully considering ALL viewpoints expressed in this thread. Up until now, I have in fact been pretty much taking your approach. Since I wasn’t aware that the religious material I was being presented with was JW, I haven’t turned it down but have simply agreed during phone conversations with what we had in common, and politely but firmly disagreed with her on what differed from Vatican teaching.

~~ the phoenix

 

[Jaded27]

Wow, you guys are way more forgiving than I would be. . .and I’m a JW! lol.

It seems odd that she would hide something that’s supposedly such a huge part of her life from a friend, but if you can get over that I guess it’s not a huge deal in the long run.

The only thing that bothers me is that she sends you odd things through email. I feel the need to point out that she sounds like more of the “old school” JW types. . .the ones who shove their foot in your door out in service if you’re trying to shut the door. . . the ones who say anyone who’s not a JW will die some horrible death and the only way to save yourself is to become one. . .that type of person.

It would bother me too that she asks you long drawn out questionaires and then doesn’t respond to them.

I am not saying to cut off all contact with this person, but I would be cautious. I am always wary when I see someone who says they are one of Jehovah’s Witnesses acting in this manner. All they do is drive people towards the stereotype of JWs - that we’re all psycho bible pushers and don’t have a thought in our heads that is our own. That is not the case and I would hate for you to get that impression from your friend.

What people don’t realize sometimes is that when your religion is important to you (as it is to most of you on here and to me) you are representing your religion every single day of your life, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. You are examples to me of Catholics and I am trying to be a good example of a JW to all of you. This person does not sound like they are behaving in a very christian manner. Just be wary is all I ask. . . .

 

[the_phoenix]

Dear Jaded27:

One reason for my Florida friend to have hidden her belief system from me could be that she’s virtually bedridden with congenital heart problems. I get the idea that the more her health deteriorated, the more her circle of friends abandoned her. When I first met her (well, through snail mail and phone calls), she was out and about, very active, tremendously popular. She made quite a name for herself in Star Trek fandom at one time, even had science fiction convention pictures posted on the internet, and sent me some pictures of her and her family in their award winning costumes. Those days are gone. A good day now is a day without pain … and there aren’t any of those.

Her medical condition is a big reason why I’m spending so much time trying to figure out how to talk to her without upsetting her.

I believe her on the seriousness of her heart disease, the ultimate proof having been when I called her in the hospital, the nurse transferred my call to her room, and I could hear hospital machines and noises in the background.

She also is not a typical JW in that she seems to prefer one political party and its worldview over another. We have actually argued worse over politics than over religion.

Your advice to be cautious and wary is highly appreciated, Jaded27. And your saying “It would bother me too that she asks you long drawn out questionaires and then doesn’t respond to them” is a relief to hear.

I also enjoy hearing your philosophical reminder that each of us represents our religion every day of our lives by our very actions and choices.

~~ the phoenix

 

[Jaded27]

the phoenix:

. She made quite a name for herself in Star Trek fandom at one time, even had science fiction convention pictures posted on the internet, and sent me some pictures of her and her family in their award winning costumes.

Hm, wonder if I’ve heard of her. . . I’m a huge Trekkie.
the phoenix:

Her medical condition is a big reason why I’m spending so much time trying to figure out how to talk to her without upsetting her.

I’m glad you’re trying to help your friend when others won’t.
the phoenix:

I also enjoy hearing your philosophical reminder that each of us represents our religion every day of our lives by our very actions and choices.

~~ the phoenix

Thanks. I try to live by that. Some days are harder than others. lol.

 

[Marilena]

First off, did she tell you point blank that she is in fact a JW?
If she was a TRUE JW, believe me, she would never write you.
She would not be allowed to. I know that for a fact because Iam
a former JW. She doesn’t sound like a true blue JW. Maybe one
who is not truly into their religion. A true Witness would never
write a Catholic, they would only associate with you if you were
going to their hall. or studying with them. Jehovah’s Witnesses say this: “Bad associations spoil useful habits”. Therefore, it struck me as wierd that she’d write you. Being the fact that she has, she is not a true one. JW’s would never hide their identity, as a matter of fact, they are quite proud of it. They believe to hide their identity would be tantamount to what we consider as blasphemy, and denying God. I think you should consider maybe avoiding this person, this person does not sound to me as being upfront and truthful. Sending you strange letters strikes me as flat out creepy! What you do with this situation is your business, but if it was me, I’d leave it alone. God bless you!
the phoenix:

Opinions welcome and greatly appreciated on the following situation:

I have a long-distance friend who has only recently admitted to me (via a mysterious non-committal e-mail link with no message) that she is a Jehovah’s Witness. At first we were Star Trek pen pals. When her health deteriorated to the point she could no longer write letters, I would call her on the phone. Later on, we moved to e-mail correspondence.

However, I ended up blocking her from sending me e-mail. Here’s why:

In e-mail, she would send me bizarre messages including an article attacking Mother Teresa (sent one Christmas Eve) a link to a conspiracy theory website (which looking back, is probably JW-sponsored somehow), a link to a page in the Farmer’s Almanac which lists “lucky days for taking baths, getting a haircut, etc.” (She claims she never sent me the link to the Farmer’s Almanac, but rather that the devil must have inspired a hacker to send it.) She would also ask me controversial political questions, tell me that it was “Very Important and Serious that I Answer in a LOT OF DETAIL With Exactly How I Felt” … only to have my carefully thought out e-mails either get a very abrupt acknowledgement, or simply get ignored and be left unanswered. (She claims the devil or some other malignant force must be stopping my e-mails from reaching her, and further claims that she is in fact the one who has been getting no response from me.)

Having spoken to her on the phone now and confronted her that I know she is a Jehovah’s Witness and why did she hide that from me for so many years, she apologized and appears to want our friendship to continue. Now here’s my question:

Since I’ve blocked her from sending me anymore e-mail (which I’ve told her quite plainly), she wants to know if she can write to me again by regular mail instead. What if I agree and she wants to send me Watchtower literature? What if I don’t agree to accept Watchtower publications and still want to send her a calendar at Christmas like I did last year?

Once long ago, she sent me by snail mail a tract condemning the so-called “idol worship” of people who have statues of Mary, other saints, and angels in their house. At the time, I just thought she was an ex-Catholic who had become a Fundamentalist Protestant and that the tract was Protestant along the lines of Jack Chick. I responded by depositing the tract in the garbage after reading it, calling her up, and explaining as charitably as I could why I had just thrown her tract in the garbage.

Any advice is welcome. I am open to remaining friends with this person if God wants me to, and have forgiven the deception about her true religious identity. That said, I want it completely understood that she must continue to thoroughly respect my loyalty to Catholicism.

Many thanks,

~~ the phoenix

 

[the_phoenix]

Personal replies to Jaded27 and Marilena in this post.

Jaded27:

Thanks for your comments regarding my continued support of my Florida friend. My simply being aware of her being in need would be enough of a reason to help in what way I could, prayer being the best. Beyond that, anyone who’s been as patient and long-suffering as she has in being there to listen for me for as many years as she has definitely deserves some good in return.

Marilena:

No, in fact, she did not tell me point blank that she is a JW. I received an e-mail which consisted only of a link to a JW website one day … the e-mail had no message to the effect of “Dear phoenix … from your Florida friend,” and in fact the subject line of the message had been left blank. So at first I totally disregarded the message as possibly being the work of a hacker who had accessed her e-mail account by back door phishing or a virus, or as a possible retaliation “crank e-mail” for my having voted for a presidential candidate to whom she was opposed. She only finally admitted to being a JW when I asked point blank during a phone call.

As for being a true blue JW, it could well be she isn’t. I would guess that due to her poor health, she probably does not attend the Kingdom Hall all that often. Although … maybe she’s been writing down somewhere in a notepad how much time we’ve talked on the phone and counts that as study sessions, because she does make a point of reading Bible verses during every phone call, or attempting to tell me how bad the world is (which I then tend to counter with either optimism or examples of how I as a Catholic deal with world problems).

You mention the word “creepy” and I definitely agree that is the perfect adjective that describes my feelings regarding some of what’s gone on. You are also correct that she has not been upfront or truthful about her identity, which if she truly considered me a good friend, would have been confided to me years ago. That said, as for avoiding her, I’ve prepared myself long ago to go on without her friendship if that’s what I have to do for the good of my soul … and/or the good of her soul. At the same time, if there’s an opportunity for any good to come of my remaining in contact, then I’m willing to keep the lines of communication open, at least over the telephone. At least that will help better direct my prayer!

Thank you and God bless,

~~ the phoenix

 

[Jaded27]

Marilena,
I would agree with you that this friend sounds creepy in the way she sends cryptic messages and such.
however, I am a JW also and I can say with certainty that though things may have been different when you were one, there is no reason why if two people were friends tehy would not write each other letters. all my life (23 years) I have had friends who are of all religions and have never been in trouble or looked down on for it.
So simply her writing to a catholic may not mean much.

 

[Marilena]

Your a JW posting in a Catholic forum? If your elders knew you
were doing this, I am quite sure you’d be politely reprimanded.
Does not your Bible state. " bad associations spoil useful habits"
as well, since you know Iam an ex JW, your not even supposed
to be talking to me. I find it rather odd that you decided to do so?
Iam not coming down on you by any means, but just find it odd
that you’d speak with an ex JW ( which is forbidden in your belief )
and come to a Catholic forum. All I can say to you, is you have
a right to freedom of speech and association. Its your choice if
you excercise that right or not. Seems to me like you have done
so by being here, and by talking to me. I do appreciate your
post for sure. God bless you, and keep you well.

Marilena

 

[Chris_LaRock]

the phoenix:

Opinions welcome and greatly appreciated on the following situation:

I have a long-distance friend who has only recently admitted to me (via a mysterious non-committal e-mail link with no message) that she is a Jehovah’s Witness. At first we were Star Trek pen pals. When her health deteriorated to the point she could no longer write letters, I would call her on the phone. Later on, we moved to e-mail correspondence.

However, I ended up blocking her from sending me e-mail. Here’s why:

In e-mail, she would send me bizarre messages including an article attacking Mother Teresa (sent one Christmas Eve) a link to a conspiracy theory website (which looking back, is probably JW-sponsored somehow), a link to a page in the Farmer’s Almanac which lists “lucky days for taking baths, getting a haircut, etc.” (She claims she never sent me the link to the Farmer’s Almanac, but rather that the devil must have inspired a hacker to send it.) She would also ask me controversial political questions, tell me that it was “Very Important and Serious that I Answer in a LOT OF DETAIL With Exactly How I Felt” … only to have my carefully thought out e-mails either get a very abrupt acknowledgement, or simply get ignored and be left unanswered. (She claims the devil or some other malignant force must be stopping my e-mails from reaching her, and further claims that she is in fact the one who has been getting no response from me.)

Having spoken to her on the phone now and confronted her that I know she is a Jehovah’s Witness and why did she hide that from me for so many years, she apologized and appears to want our friendship to continue. Now here’s my question:

Since I’ve blocked her from sending me anymore e-mail (which I’ve told her quite plainly), she wants to know if she can write to me again by regular mail instead. What if I agree and she wants to send me Watchtower literature? What if I don’t agree to accept Watchtower publications and still want to send her a calendar at Christmas like I did last year?

Once long ago, she sent me by snail mail a tract condemning the so-called “idol worship” of people who have statues of Mary, other saints, and angels in their house. At the time, I just thought she was an ex-Catholic who had become a Fundamentalist Protestant and that the tract was Protestant along the lines of Jack Chick. I responded by depositing the tract in the garbage after reading it, calling her up, and explaining as charitably as I could why I had just thrown her tract in the garbage.

Any advice is welcome. I am open to remaining friends with this person if God wants me to, and have forgiven the deception about her true religious identity. That said, I want it completely understood that she must continue to thoroughly respect my loyalty to Catholicism.

Many thanks,

~~ the phoenix

Send her Catholic literature to share your faith. When she gets mad, just tell her she did the same to you first.

 

[Mamamull]

Jaded,
I lost a friend because she couldn’t convert me to be a JW. She told me that since I didn’t/wouldn’t convert she could no longer have any contact with me.

She was nice enought to try to take advantage of the death of my daughter to evangelize me. Nice timing! Like I wanted to trash the religion I had because God called my child home to Him?

It seems that you are not the average JW. How do find time to be a Trekkie and make your meetings and do all the reading that is required? Seems like that would preclude much time for television.
Just my take on things.

Thanks,

 

[Jaded27]

Mamamull:

It seems that you are not the average JW. How do find time to be a Trekkie and make your meetings and do all the reading that is required? Seems like that would preclude much time for television.
Just my take on things.

Thanks,

I’d like to think I’m not the average Jw since, from what I hear from most people, the average one is pushy and un-liked. I’ll take “not average” any day.

Well, how do you find time to go to chuch and. . . .read a book, raise your family, go to work? That’s all being a sci-fi fan is to me. I prioritize my life and fit in everything where I can. Work and religion come first and then the rest of it. My FI and I are both into the star trek/star wars thing (that’s how we met) so it makes it easier.

I’ve never met another Jehovah’s Witness in the 501st (star wars club). They must think they don’t have time for it or something.Which is too bad since we raise money for children’s charities and star wars is a fairly innocent thing. . .

anyway, yea, I guess I’m not average, but I find no problem juggling my occasional sci-fi events with three meetings a week, work, and family/pet life. It’s a hugely fun thing to do in your spare time and I totally love helping out all the kids (we raise money for children’s charities and go to hospitals and stuff). Wouldn’t miss it.

 

[Marilena]

I have never seen or heard of any JW rasing money for childrens charities! They would consider that getting involved in worldly
affairs. Since when have they bought an MRI or PET or CAT scanner? Or raised money on TV? Or anywhere else for that
manner? News to me. As a matter of fact, I can tell you in my
years as a JW, that would never happen! They would volunteer their services free to help other JW’s, but to directly get involved with raising money for childrens charities? I don’t think so. That would be a shocker! .Can you provide me with legitimate proof?
I’d like to see it! Iam not misled believe me! Not at all. I will ask a
JW if they donate, chances are the answer will be NO. That’s a fact. they help out their own in disasters, and may or may not help out worldy people, if they do, they will use that for a chance to evangelize. I know the quirks, and am not fooled at all.

Marilena

Jaded27:

I’d like to think I’m not the average Jw since, from what I hear from most people, the average one is pushy and un-liked. I’ll take “not average” any day.

Well, how do you find time to go to chuch and. . . .read a book, raise your family, go to work? That’s all being a sci-fi fan is to me. I prioritize my life and fit in everything where I can. Work and religion come first and then the rest of it. My FI and I are both into the star trek/star wars thing (that’s how we met) so it makes it easier.

I’ve never met another Jehovah’s Witness in the 501st (star wars club). They must think they don’t have time for it or something.Which is too bad since we raise money for children’s charities and star wars is a fairly innocent thing. . .

anyway, yea, I guess I’m not average, but I find no problem juggling my occasional sci-fi events with three meetings a week, work, and family/pet life. It’s a hugely fun thing to do in your spare time and I totally love helping out all the kids (we raise money for children’s charities and go to hospitals and stuff). Wouldn’t miss it.

 

[Jaded27]

Marilena:

Provide me proof from the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society as to exactly what “charities” they donate to. I’d like to know
for my self. I might call and ask. Anyone wanting to know can
call the WTB&TS in Brooklyn, NY.

I never said we donated to a specific charity all together, but JWs have no problem giving extra money to charity - the jar in the gas station for kids, fund raisers, stuff like that. I totally agree that when you donate money at the kingdom hall, that should be kept seperate from your personal preference of a charity. But we donate on our own time.

 

[Marilena]

Jw’s usually as a rule will not even donate to a jar sitting there.
That would be wordly of them. Would it not? I have never ever
seen or heard of any witness donating in a public jar in a store
or otherwise. No good upstanding JW would ever do it. Simply
ask them why. I have no problem if they donate to a fund, but it is extremely unheard of. Iam only trying to say here that as former witness, it would be uncharacteristic of any witness to donate to
anything other than the WTB&TS.