I've been told that if a Jahovas witness is on your doorstep, that it isn't assault to splash water on them?

Question

I live in Chicago and was told that this is an interesting way to get rid of JWs.

Answer 1

The abuse described in this so-called "question" is criminal assault in almost every jurisdiction in America. Perhaps half of Jehovah's Witnesses would file charges against the perpetrator.

Householders considering such an attack should perhaps research their state's "hate crimes" legislation, which can double or triple the penalties. Also, regardless of the criminal charges, the victim would have a very large opening for a civil lawsuit.

Why even consider such a crime of bigotry against a peaceful minister? Interestingly, such "hatred" should be expected by true Christians in this time of the end, and it actually helps identify Jehovah's Witnesses as Christ's true disciples:
http://jw-media.org/newsroom/human_rights.htm

(John 15:19) If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.

(Luke 6:22) Happy are you whenever men hate you, and whenever they exclude you and reproach you and cast out your name as wicked for the sake of the Son of man.

(1 Peter 4:4) Because you do not continue running with them in this course to the same low sink of debauchery, they are puzzled and go on speaking abusively of you.

(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.

It seems signficant that the relatively small religion of Jehovah's Witnesses are the ones best known for their worldwide preaching work. Yet Jesus commanded that ALL who would call themselves "Christian" perform this public work:

(Matthew 28:19,20) Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/library/jt/index.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20030301/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20020401/article_01.htm

Answer 2

I can tell you for sure that dropping water balloons on people IS considered a criminal offense, and you WILL get hauled into court for it (if someone complains). Why would you resort to these sorts of petty measures? Open the door, tell them FIRMLY that you are not interested, and threaten to call the police if they are so persistent that they make you feel trapped. Assaulting them with eggs, water balloons, and vinegar is extremely juvenile and would accomplish nothing but getting you in trouble. Putting up a sign is a good idea too. I'm not impressed by the additional details you added... you're not a bad-*** just because you harass door-to-door solicitors and are "skinny as a rail with piercings up the wazoo." Yeah, good for you. Try to be a good human being instead. If you want to be respected, you can't go through life with that attitude.

Answer 3

It would be the lowest type of assault, which is Class C Assault, or Assault by Contact as it is otherwise known, the type of assault that by definition means making contact with another which the person knows the other will find offensive. You could probably get a ticket if the witness is willing to take you to court, but watch out though, because even if getting the ticket might be worth it to you, remember that you can also be booked for a class C offense, so if you do it, you'd be taking your chances of going to jail for the night.

Answer 4

To answer your question -- wehther it's assault (criminal) would be a difficult question and would depend upon the law of your state. My guess is that any physical contact may be assault, if you indended that physical contact.

On the civil side, the tort of battery is any "harmful or offensive touching" that is done with intent. NOrmally, using a surrogate (such as water) instead of your hands still qualifies. However, in today's overly litigious society, most people get laughed out of court if they actually bring a claim like this. (They'd be entitled to nominal damages at most ($1.00), and it would be highly unlikely that a court or a jury would award punitive damages.)
But be careful that you're just splashing water. When you injure someone because they're a member of a protected class (racial, ethnic, religious minority) you're getting awfully close to the line of hate crimes. And then the punishment goes up quickly (and can involve the feds.) Once again, probably not to worry if you just throw water (which, I agree, is nasty and degrading) but say, should you throw the glass, you might be in for a world of pain.

Answer 5

I was raised as a Jehovahs Witness and I am not a practicing one now.I have what they call fallen from the religion.Best way to keep witnesses off your doorstep is to get a sign that says no soliciting which you can get at walmart etc,and put that on your door.They are not allowed to go to houses with those signs on their doors.Most will not go to your door and if they do,then you also have legal grounds to keep them away.That was an area of the religion I did not agree with,people are at home and want to relax and not be bothered.I know its irritating but some of them have children with them.Try to be nice.

And yes throwing water on them is assault,you can get fined and possibly sued but highly unlikely since witnesses dont stir up things in court.

Answer 6

I can tell you one thing: DON'T DO IT. You CAN and probably WILL be charged with some mismeanor offense and/or fined or something like that. Just tell them to go away and never to bother you again; you do not have to be polite to those that annoy you.

The building where I live has a sign that says "Door-to-door solicitation, whether religious and/or commerical in nature, is strictly forbidden in this building." They STILL come around and tell us that the superintendent gave them permission... yet they don't know the superintendent's apartment or his name! So, I escort them out of the building and inform them that they are trespassing and are liable to be brought up on charges... they still persist and insist on pestering the tenants here.

Answer 7

I can't say it would be assault but it may fall under some other category. Unruely conduct, etc. If you went around splashing water on everyone you would undoubtedly get in trouble for something.

Not to mention it's an extremely disrespectful thing to do... to anyone. I do find them very VERY annoying but would never degrade someone enough to throw water on them.

If you ask them not to come to your house anymore they won't. It's as simple as that. Sure, you make them feel bad or whatever beause they think they're doing you a favor (gag)... but it's that or listen to them preach at you every week. I generally tell my kids to be quiet and wait until they leave and evertually they stop coming around. That has worked for me most of the time since I don't have the guts to tell them not to come around anymore. I just ignore them.

Answer 8

I got pestered by these people on two occasions on the same day. i told them i was`nt interested the firt time and they went on their way, the second time i was real busy and had, had about enough, so i opened the door in a partially undressed state with my " old fella" in plain view, they looked me up and down and vanished without a word. I`ve not had another visit in about eight or nine years. Harsh but ultmately fair, i believe.

Answer 9

Anything to get them away from my door. They woke me up at 8:00 a.m. this Sunday morning. They try handed me a watchtower magazine and I told them I worshipped Satan and was not interested. You should have seen the look on their faces. Of course I am kidding, but they did not know that.

Answer 10

I think it is against the law in Tennessee to splash water on Jehova witnesses unless you can prove that you were trying to babtise them. I have trouble getting their foot out of my door.