He never has went to church, but now these people in suits show up every couple weeks and he hands them cash. I understand seeking god in old age, but after reading the wiki article on this religion I wonder if they are milking grandpa's savings. Would they just take anything he gives them? Would they promise him things (afterlife/god/forgiveness) in return for money?
check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/jehovah's_w...
what should I do?
I did not make this up. Im not over there all the time, but I was there once when they came over and because I was there they went out to the woodshed to talk. I accidentally saw through the kitchen window as he handed them some bills from his wallet.
These people are legit church reps, but does that mean they won't take all his money? He is WWII vet on SS with parkinsons. I love him, but I feel it would be disrepectful to say anything. He/we have never discussed god in any conversation ever.
2006-09-10 19:36:27 · 14 answers · asked by blinky doodles 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have a dear friend who is a JW....although I am not of that religious bent.....no religious affilliation at all. I can assure you...legit JW's DO NOT accept money from non members....they are not supposed to.....EVER.
I would suggest you tell your parents and request that they find out which "hall" these people visiting him belong to...if in fact they actually do or not. If not, I would encourage your parents to have them prosecuted under the law for fraud.
Have your parents sit and talk with papa about their/your concerns; not in an accusing way but with genuine love and with information in hand about JW's.
2006-09-10 19:49:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anna C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How do you know that the people coming in suits are Jehovah's Witnesses? No true witness would ever "milk" off of an elderly man's savings. Jehovah's Witnesses do not even demand donations, something that most churches do. Any donation give to the work that Jehovah's Witnesses do has to be absolutely given upon free will. Jehovah's Witnesses do not promise salvation to anyone or say that donations "buy good graces from God." Perhaps your grandfather wishes to give a donation but why it is secretive is beyond me. I would question more, not if Jehovah's Witnesses are milking your Grandfather dry, but if they are truly witnesses.
Perhaps you should have a discussion with your Grandfather about your concerns. Respectfully approach the situation and let him know that you are merely questioning his actions because you are worried about his well being.
2006-09-12 04:33:36 · answer #2 · answered by Erin S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard of JWs taking money from anyone.
If you've never talked with Gramps about God, then maybe it's time you did. Lots of times, as people get older, they begin to feel as if nobody needs them any more, and they become desparately lonely. When this happens, they are a perfect target for scam artists.
Perhaps Gramps' family needs to start paying more attention to him. Yeah, I know...old folks are a pain in the a s s....but guess what? One day in the not-so-distant future, you will BE one of those pains!
Spend some time making Gramps feel needed and special now, while you can. He'll be gone soon enough, and you can get back to the really important stuff in your life, like playing golf or watching football, or going hunting or fishing with the guys....
2006-09-10 20:06:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly Andres,
The first thing that you should do, if you have deep concern for your grandpa is to communicate with him. There is nothing wrong with a sincere question in regards to him speaking with Jehovah's Witnesses. I'm sure he will let you know without any hesitation, as long as you are sincere about it.
Jehovah's Witnesses do accept voluntary contribution for our worldwide work that we do. (For our magazines and publication that we offer.) So, the exchange that you saw, I'm sure was for that. As far as promising him things...... we do nothing like that. We don't do the whole "Sprinkle Holy Water,"- "Miracle networking"- type thing to make people give us money. That's not us at ALL!
Any money Jehovah's Witnesses recieve while going from door-to-door preaching, all goes to help print and ship Bible literature.
So, please by all means for the first-time have a conversation about God with your grandpa, O.K?
2006-09-10 20:04:16 · answer #4 · answered by Zee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well first of all, how much money are we talking about? Maybe he enjoys the company and the visits and feels a few bucks are worth it. Could he be lonely? If that's all it is then that's ok. Maybe you could hook him up with some groups for the elderly or activities, or spend more time with him.
However, if he's giving them significant amounts of money and he definitely can't afford it and you feel he's being taken advantage of you need to have someone speak to him about it. Does he live with anyone else, a wife or a caretaker? Or is he alone? You need to speak to him, or if you're not comfortable, have an older relative he respects speak to him. It's sad, but the elderly are often taken advantage of by telemarketers and door to door salesman and such because they are plain lonely and isolated and maybe a little confused.
.
2006-09-10 19:43:17 · answer #5 · answered by BabyRN 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think you should talk to your grandfather about this and see what he really thinks or why he is doing it.
It is his money and he has every right to do what he wants with the money. maybe you should show him the info you have and just let him know you are concerned. Ask him what his beliefs are? get to know him.
If you think he isn't able to make sound decisions for himself you should get your parents involved.
Or you could contact the jehovahs and demand that they don't ever come by your grand fathers place again if you think they are milking him. sometimes people need being protected when they get older.
2006-09-10 19:41:41 · answer #6 · answered by knowitall 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My uncle and aunt is a Jehovah Witness and he would never take money of people. I would talk to him about it and talk to the Kingdom Hall where these people come from to find out why he is giving them money. He maybe buying the magazines of them?
2006-09-10 19:40:11 · answer #7 · answered by http://hogshead.pokerknave.com/ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy him a dog, a Dobermann or something and train him to growl on some people... like jehovah witnesses. I think that should help. If there´s a fence so the dog can be in the frontyard it´d be better.
2006-09-10 19:46:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Does he otherwise seem to be of sound mind? If so, you can and should do nothing: it is his money, and he may dispose of it as he pleases. Only if he seems to be putting himself at risk by waste or otherwise can you do anything, and that would be to get a court to appoint a conservator.
2006-09-10 19:53:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He should his money to the Sierra Club, The March of Dimes, or The United Way. Then he would really be helping people!
2006-09-10 19:38:55 · answer #10 · answered by Mere Mortal 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋