How are Jehovah's Witnesses perceived in your country?

[Lucilla]

I use to see a lot more JWs but not so much any more. I just tell them Im Chrsitian and alread have my faith
and take one of their booklets to read. They are always very nice but I guess they can seem a bother at times.
Im not offended by them. I feel The are trying to do what they feel is righ and good.


Michael wrote about his experience and seemed to enjoy visiting homes
and teaching Gods word to others. He was very into his faith

Just to interject a little humour -
I laughed so hard when i saw this Im sure he also experienced the same -

OH MY GEEZZZ!

And yes, maybe I feel some sort of sympathy for them because I can't stop thinking "wow, to think MJ actually did this"
And I'm not offended by them either. I don't think at all they are people who think you're stupid for not believing in what they believe.
I may be naive but I believe they do this simply to safe souls, I don't see that as harassing.

[JamesDean]

Here, they are not legally a sect, but many people think they are, and they are not very popular. One reason is door to door , the other reason is the "social exclusion" : not celebrating birthdays, or christmas, things like that.
For example, Christmas here is a not really a religious holiday anymore for most people, it's a family / friends gathering. A time to get together, offer gifts, etc.. that a lot of people celebrate, even if they are not practising catholics.

Not attending is seen by most people as something very sad, self exclusion, even selfish.

I saw it happen in a friends family, in which 2 persons became JW, and stopped attending birthday celebrations, christmas, etc.. The rest of the family doesn't accept it, they feel excluded, and are really sad about it. It has created a sort of rift within that family. They feel, and I agree with that, that a religion should not come betwen you and your friends or family. If it does, then things are going too far.

My aunt and uncle are Jehovahs witnesses, (and my mother a muslim for that matter) but we do have family celebrations and easter dinners at my grandmothers. but they have nothing to do with religion. we have the easter dinner a month or a week before the rest of the country, the invite is for the whole family to meet (and not an invite for easter) the dinner is traditional danish easter dinner, but we do not meet because its a holy time - NO we meet because we want us all to be together. In our family we have gatherrings to enjoy the family and to meet, never because its christian holidays (thought some of the invites are very close to holidays and the menues are alike) but what we all agree on with all our different religions (or lack of religion) is: We, as a family shall remember to meet, take care and be there for eachother - thats a fact that all religions embrace and we embrace love, no religion disagrees with that

[Severus Snape]

I wouldn't mind that one. He could leave whatever he wanted at my doorstep [just please nothing I would mistake as a threat from the mob, lol], and he could talk to me about what-uh-verrrrrr... <3

[CaptainEoLove85]

They're mostly seen as a nuisance. I don't agree with pushing your beliefs on anyone. If people want to look into it, they'd probably do that on their own, rather then let random strangers explain it to them. May have been different before the internet age though where you have access to anything you want to learn about. I admit, I feel more sympathetic about them once I learned Michael was a Jehovah's Witness. Yeah, if he stopped by my door (I'd probably see through his disguise) I'd have no problem inviting him in and having a long chat. By the end of our discussion he'll definitely have converted me to something.

[Severus Snape]

They're mostly seen as a nuisance. I don't agree with pushing your beliefs on anyone. If people want to look into it, they'd probably do that on their own, rather then let random strangers explain it to them. May have been different before the internet age though where you have access to anything you want to learn about. I admit, I feel more sympathetic about them once I learned Michael was a Jehovah's Witness. Yeah, if he stopped by my door (I'd probably see through his disguise) I'd have no problem inviting him in and having a long chat. By the end of our discussion he'll definitely have converted me to something.

Basically, yeah, the fact they (religious people in general, since JW are not the only ones who go door-to-door) think they have the right to come and talk to me about their beliefs without my inquiring on my property is annoying in itself. If I had any interest in it, I would seek their church out. I think the whole concept of going door-to-door trying to recruit/solicit people is invasive, especially with something like belief/religion/philosophy. Hell, I get annoyed when girl scouts or Avon people knock on my door and try to sell me stuff, but at least neither the Girl Scouts nor Avon ladies have suggested I will join a nice barbecue party upon my departure from this Earth (evangelicals) or that I'm somehow "not doing it right" when it comes to life. =P

Every day, I understand the people with the "beware of dog" signs more and more, lol.

And yes, that specific JW may convince me to give up a few things.

[T.N.A.]

^^Couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you!

PS: The picture of the girl from your avatar is really pretty.

[addictMJJ]

bonjours everyone!
I wanted just to explain why the witnesses of Jehovah make door has door considering it is what apparently disturbs you more with them and well will know that it is a duty which normally falls has any Christian who follows what is known as in the bible bus Jesus himself said as a Mathieu chapter 24 and verse 14:
Quotation:
“And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited ground, in testimony for all the nations; and then the end” and
also in Matthieu 28:19 will come - 20:

Quotation:
“Thus Go and make disciples of people among all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, their teacher to observe all that I ordered you. And, see, I am with you the every day until the completion of the system of things.”

What Michael did besides during years (I does not learn you anything)

For my part in France the government does not recognize any religions and secularity is of setting.
As regards the inhabitants I think that they are accustomed has to see Jw coming on their premises and some are listen and are curious about the message which is delivered to them when has D " different they indifferent or are aggravated .................with L.O.V.E

[respect77]

Basically, yeah, the fact they (religious people in general, since JW are not the only ones who go door-to-door) think they have the right to come and talk to me about their beliefs without my inquiring on my property is annoying in itself. If I had any interest in it, I would seek their church out. I think the whole concept of going door-to-door trying to recruit/solicit people is invasive, especially with something like belief/religion/philosophy. Hell, I get annoyed when girl scouts or Avon people knock on my door and try to sell me stuff, but at least neither the Girl Scouts nor Avon ladies have suggested I will join a nice barbecue party upon my departure from this Earth (evangelicals) or that I'm somehow "not doing it right" when it comes to life. =P

Every day, I understand the people with the "beware of dog" signs more and more, lol.

And yes, that specific JW may convince me to give up a few things.

This.

[MJJ7777]

Well if the problem is that you don't want them to come to your door, you can tell them and they will note never to come back...that is how its usually and supposed to be handled.

If you're hiding and you won't open the door they will assume you aren't home and feel obligated to try again just to make sure that in sharing this message they won't miss one precious life, the fact that they have returned more than once shows you a glimpse of just how valuable that one door, that one life is to them...but yeah if it really bothers you , you should tell them face to face and they will know to wash their hands clean knowing they fulfilled their end of the assignment. It ends there and its really up to you after that point wether you decide to accept it or not, no one should make that decision for you nor force you to.

What they are doing is simply carrying out one of the most important commands in the New Testament and as followers of Christ, they are obligated to carry his assignment out really out of love for their neighbors,just as Jesus did and commanded his followers to continue doing...they could be out doing other things like being concerned about their own little lives and problems and doing fun activities instead of walking the hot sun or cold weather just to get a million doors slammed in their faces but hey its okay lol.

If I were an outsider of the faith, I , for one, would be a happy citizen to know that the one person that used their time to knock on my door and countless others on that particular morning or evening with the sole purpose of sharing their faith and hope for a better future,however inconvenient, is one less I have to worry about using their time to commit crime and hurt others.

Again if it bothers you or anyone else for that matter...Just let them know face to face, they won't bite lol.

[respect77]

bonjours everyone!
I wanted just to explain why the witnesses of Jehovah make door has door considering it is what apparently disturbs you more with them and well will know that it is a duty which normally falls has any Christian who follows what is known as in the bible bus Jesus himself said as a Mathieu chapter 24 and verse 14:
Quotation:
“And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited ground, in testimony for all the nations; and then the end” and
also in Matthieu 28:19 will come - 20:

Quotation:
“Thus Go and make disciples of people among all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, their teacher to observe all that I ordered you. And, see, I am with you the every day until the completion of the system of things.”

What Michael did besides during years (I does not learn you anything)

For my part in France the government does not recognize any religions and secularity is of setting.
As regards the inhabitants I think that they are accustomed has to see Jw coming on their premises and some are listen and are curious about the message which is delivered to them when has D " different they indifferent or are aggravated .................with L.O.V.E

While the Bible is authority for Christians and JWs, it is not for other people. I understand that they only do what their Bible orders them to do, but that's their problem. I still consider this behaviour invasive, no matter if it's the Bible that orders them to do it. It is invasive to knock on the doors of strangers telling them they are sinners, sorry.

My experience with JWs was in a bus stop about a year ago. I was reading waiting for the bus and there came a JWs woman and she saw I was busy with something else (reading), yet she started to proselytize. I made it clear to her that I'm not interested and I want to keep reading on my book, but she would not leave me alone. I regard this as invasive, no matter what the Bible says to them. Of course, I also had the usual door-to-door experience with JWs.

[MJJ7777]

While the Bible is authority for Christians and JWs, it is not for other people. I understand that they only do what their Bible orders them to do, but that's their problem. I still consider this behaviour invasive, no matter if it's the Bible that orders them to do it. It is invasive to knock on the doors of strangers telling them they are sinners, sorry.

My experience with JWs was in a bus stop about a year ago. I was reading waiting for the bus and there came a JWs woman and she saw I was busy with something else (reading), yet she started to proselytize. I made it clear to her that I'm not interested and I want to keep reading on my book, but she would not leave me alone. I regard this as invasive, no matter what the Bible says to them. Of course, I also had the usual door-to-door experience with JWs.

Hmmm...So a JW came and knocked on your door just to tell you you are a sinner? JWs know very well that we are all sinners (imperfect), including themselves so I don't know how that makes any sense really. Hmm...Trust me thats not how its done...
I'm also hearing JW's tell people they will burn in hell, problem is JWs don't believe in hell, so where is this stuff coming from??? Does one person say one thing and everyone runs off with the same phrase? Either that or you are confusing JWs with other religions.

There are alot of misconceptions and false information in the mix here and I see they will only persist in the future.
Either way I'm sure Jesus was seen as a nuisance and interruption wherever he carried his message back in his day, his followers can only expect the same if not worse. JW's have a history of being strong and resilient against taunts and persecution. Wherever they are percieved badly, well what can they do about it? That has definitely not succeeded in stopping them.
If they come across favorable responses they will be overjoyed, if they are taunted,humiliated and persecuted for the message, they will again rejoice.

Back in Nazi Germany, Unlike the Jews who had no choice but to await suffering and death, JWs were given the choice and chance to renounce their faith and Biblically based beliefs of political neutrality that stood in stark opposition to the Nazi regime's policies and orders, to escape concentration camps and death sentences and soon even Hitler realized not torture or even death could intimidate this group of people into renouncing what they believed to be right.

They were perceived unfavorably during the Nazi regime too but they knew life didn't end with Hitler and his regime and so they fought for what was RIGHT in accordance with the knowledge gained from biblical based beliefs. In spite of everything, this faith has been preserved right down to today.

Being perceived negatively is expected, don't worry for them...

[ginvid]

^^Very true. After I posted that Witnesses do not even believe in a burning hell, people still proceeded to post and say some Witness came up to them and said that to them which shows that they are clearly not being truthful in what they say are trying to spread their biased ideas even if it is a flat out lie. It is something any Witness comes across quite frequently. When a friend of a friend of a cousin of a brother of a sister of a grandparent of a person who is a Witness spreads something untrue and everyone else is very quick to jump on the bandwagon and continue spreading the same untruths. They persist in it even when told otherwise.

The point of the matter is, people hear what they want to hear and no matter how much you correct them, they are quite content reveling in their misinformation, exxagerating their experience, and in some cases flat out lying.

[Severus Snape]

Well if the problem is that you don't want them to come to your door, you can tell them and they will note never to come back...that is how its usually and supposed to be handled.

If you're hiding and you won't open the door they will assume you aren't home and feel obligated to try again just to make sure that in sharing this message they won't miss one precious life, the fact that they have returned more than once shows you a glimpse of just how valuable that one door, that one life is to them...but yeah if it really bothers you , you should tell them face to face and they will know to wash their hands clean knowing they fulfilled their end of the assignment. It ends there and its really up to you after that point wether you decide to accept it or not, no one should make that decision for you nor force you to.

What they are doing is simply carrying out one of the most important commands in the New Testament and as followers of Christ, they are obligated to carry his assignment out really out of love for their neighbors,just as Jesus did and commanded his followers to continue doing...they could be out doing other things like being concerned about their own little lives and problems and doing fun activities instead of walking the hot sun or cold weather just to get a million doors slammed in their faces but hey its okay lol.

If I were an outsider of the faith, I , for one, would be a happy citizen to know that the one person that used their time to knock on my door and countless others on that particular morning or evening with the sole purpose of sharing their faith and hope for a better future,however inconvenient, is one less I have to worry about using their time to commit crime and hurt others.

Again if it bothers you or anyone else for that matter...Just let them know face to face, they won't bite lol.

Well, the thing is... I really shouldn't have to tell them anything. Telling each visiting religious I don't care about what they have to say takes time and energy out of my day--time and energy I will never get back. I think people should be able to preach whatever they want, but keep private citizen property and time out of it. That's what a church is for--to go and preach the message of whateverulike for anyone who gives a fig to hear it. And even if you tell -one- group to never come back, another one comes, and it goes on ad infinitum. So while you may never see the one group you told never to return to the Pridelands again, others make an appearance and the whole thing goes on ad infinitum. And then there are the evangelists, who also like to go door-to-door and litter public space with tracts, etc.

I think those are the two least favourite religious people anywhere only because they really go out of their way to badger others.

Also, I'd like to add, the commandment in question was written in the times of Christ, when there was no Internet. We have the Internet now. They should modernize and preach high and low unto their virtual neighbours. The Message will reach a far larger audience there than door-to-door invasion.

[respect77]

If they come across favorable responses they will be overjoyed, if they are taunted,humiliated and persecuted for the message, they will again rejoice.

Persecuted? I don't see any persecution in criticizing their proselytize tactics. To have an opposing opinion to theirs or criticize their practices is no persecution. Especially when it's they who invade me in my private space, uninvited. Religious people have a funny sense of entitlement.

[respect77]

^^Very true. After I posted that Witnesses do not even believe in a burning hell, people still proceeded to post and say some Witness came up to them and said that to them which shows that they are clearly not being truthful in what they say are trying to spread their biased ideas even if it is a flat out lie. It is something any Witness comes across quite frequently. When a friend of a friend of a cousin of a brother of a sister of a grandparent of a person who is a Witness spreads something untrue and everyone else is very quick to jump on the bandwagon and continue spreading the same untruths. They persist in it even when told otherwise.

The point of the matter is, people hear what they want to hear and no matter how much you correct them, they are quite content reveling in their misinformation, exxagerating their experience, and in some cases flat out lying.

I hope you realize that I never said anything about burning in hell, so MJJ7777's argument - at least in response to my post - was a straw-man argument.

Edit: And as I scanned through this thread now I haven't seen anybody actually claiming JWs told him they will burn in hell. People brought up the issue in connection with proselytizing religious tactics in general. So careful with calling people liars.