I want to know how to get Jehova's Witness's to stop coming to my house all the time, but in a way that wouldn't be rude. I'm Jewish, I have a mezuzah on my door frame which is overtly jewish, and I believe that I've told them that I am Jewish on multiple occasions. I would think they would get the hint by now, but it hasn't worked.
2007-04-02 11:18:10 · 16 answers · asked by Ambrielle 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Zero- why would I tell them that I'm Lutheran?
Hannah J Paul- everytime one comes to my house they have no idea what my mezuza is and always ask what it means.
2007-04-02 11:34:15 · update #1
Hi. First let me say that while I have heard of Mezuzah's I probably wouldn't recognize it right away and so would probably ask. Also THANK YOU for wanting to be polite. It amazes me the number of people on here who suggest such outlandishly rude things. There are a number of possible reasons for why they come back. My parents knew a brother who would stop and talk with almost everyone in one neighborhood. He was convinced they were all interested. My parents knew him as Mr. or Brother Link as he was somewhat aged. All of the people in that neighborhood knew him as Bob. Most didn't mind as they knew he could not conceive of someone as nice as them not wanting to learn more about the Bible. So it might be the same with you, though the case with Brother Link was extreme as, dare I say, most of us are a bit more observant.
It could be that when you and they talk, they see your saying you are Jewish, not as a sign of no interest, but as a sign of wanting to compare notes. It could also be that there is some miscommunication about your feelings.
My suggestion is to firmly/kindly explain you don't want to talk, period Please if you do not want to read the Watchtower, then don't accept it, as this sends us a mixed message.
If all else fails you can always contact your local congregation and explain that you really do not want to be called on. Someone will still stop by around once a year, as we all have changes of opinion/you may have moved.
Hope this helps:)
PS Thanks again for being polite. Questioners on here who are polite and really want an answer are a delite, and people in the ministry, whether interested or not, that are polite are a true pleasure.
2007-04-04 04:52:00 · answer #1 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Jehovah's Witnesses thoroughly enjoy speaking with Jews. The fact that you have a mezuzah on your door intrigues them all the more because they know what it means. Jehovah's Witnesses have a great appreciation for the loving relationship of Jews and God spoken of in the Bible. They also adore the Hebrew Scriptures.
Did you know that the Jews were entrusted with the sacred pronouncements of God? Did you know that the Jews were given the responsibility to record the entire Bible? The Greek part too? Jehovah's Witnesses read this all the time in Romans 3:1. There, it speaks of the superiority of the Jew and the fact that they were entrusted with this responsibility. So this is part of why we truly enjoy speaking with you. However . . .
If you truly wish to have them refrain from calling on you (I did not wish to use the term "get rid of" as that makes them sound a bit like vermin and they are, after all, God's creation too), then open your door, tell them politely that you are not interested at all and ask them to place you on their do-not-call list. They will make a note of your address and alert all others in the congregation. You should not be called upon for about a year, at least.
I hope this helps you.
Hannah J Paul
2007-04-02 18:28:15 · answer #2 · answered by Hannah J Paul 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
They probably do not know what a mezuzah is. If they know you are Jewish they might be all the more determined to convert you. A couple of years ago I was getting repeat visits from the JWs. I just had to be very firm with them that I was happy with my own church and I was not interested in theirs. I refused to accept their literature. After awhile they got the message. Be polite, but be persistent that you do not want them to come back. Or, every time you receive a visit, you could invite them to come to Temple with you. That might work. Good luck.
2007-04-02 18:36:39 · answer #3 · answered by Mr Wisdom 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
At times, a question such as this will elicit dozens and dozens of elaborate schemes to spare a householder an unwanted conversation with Jehovah's Witness door-to-door ministers.
All such schemes are a complete and utter waste of time!
Many of your neighbors have figured it out, and it's really quite simple:
1. Open the door
2. Smile (optional)
3. Ask "Jehovah's Witness?"
4. Receive affirmation
5. Say, "Thank you, but I'm not interested"
6. Gently close the door (slamming is rude, but your prerogative)
Please recognize that Jehovah's Witnesses are not primarily interested in converts, but in working to obey Jesus' command to preach (Matt 24:14; Matt 28:19,20).
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_04.htm
http://jw-media.org/people/ministry.htm
2007-04-04 17:29:45 · answer #4 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I would think the mezuzah would be a decent no soliciting sign, if you will, but, to repost my previous post on the issue:
Be respectful to them, say, "Thank you, but I'm not interested," and shut the door. If you get the chance, tell them where the nearest public bathroom is. If they look like they're not having a good time out there and need a drink or bite to eat, tell them where the nearest public water fountain or 7-11 is. (Don't offer drinks/food, as that's skeevy and if they're smart kids, they won't take it.)
I used to work door-to-door campaigning for environmentalism and that gave me some sympathy for the Jehovah's Witnesses and other religious campaigners. They're not doing that work for the fun of it, particularly in long, hot summers. They're out there for hours at a time because they believe in it, sweating and wanting to go to the bathroom and/or get a drink of water, and they have to deal with a lot of jerks, I'm sure, as I did.
The least you can do is be as civil to them as you would be to anyone else, and try to help them out with bathrooms and water fountains. What they do is tough work, and I respect them for having the ability to do the grunt work for their convictions.
2007-04-02 18:25:08 · answer #5 · answered by Kate S 3 · 2⤊ 5⤋
INSTRUCTIONS ON WHAT TO DO ABOUT DOOR KNOCKERS
The best way to learn what to do to stop JWs is to contact a synagogue and talk to the Rabbi.
Ask him how the ancient Jews got rid of the Christian Jews when they went from house to house telling their brethren that the beliefs, rituals, and holiday observances that they have followed for hundreds of years was no longer valid?
I’m sure they had ways to get rid of the Jews, who from their point of view, was a cult started by a Uneducated, Jewish Lower Class Carpenter, who was executed for cause by the governing authority. The only education he got was from his low class parents, Mary and Joseph. These followers were also uneducated Jewish lower class individuals, such as Peter, a failed fisherman, and Matthew, a hated tax collector.
Lacking any kind of education, let alone advance religious education, it was clear they were easily brainwashed into believing that the uneducated ex-carpenter was somehow the Messiah, which was clearly false as it was commonly known that when the Messiah came, he would destroy (Armageddon) the enemies of the true people of God, as foretold.
Saul of Tarsus, a highly educated individual in the religious arts, repeatedly proved they were a false religious sect and cult, creating their own scriptures (Bible) instead of relying on the Holy Torah, which had been used by the Jews for hundreds of years. Saul often stood by as the true believers of God stoned these so-called Christians for their door to door activities and spreading of false doctrine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul_of_Tarsus
Now, I would not recommend stoning, but they may have had other methods that worked to stop the house to house work and the spreading of false doctrine . What worked for them against the Christian cult may work against the JWs. At least you will be in good company in doing so.
2007-04-02 19:20:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 6⤋
There may actually be no way to really get rid of them without using a little...ummm...gentle persuation.
(true story..last time that I saw one in our neighborhood, They made the mistake of knocking on my neighbors door while he was running late to a "Santa" gig 6 years ago. Imagine a man half dressed as santa using every curse word imaginable as he stumbles to the door....He really does have a heart of gold but the mouth of a sailor!)
But in your case, I would point out that you have respectfully listen to their speech and politely pointed out that you are not interested several times. IF they do not respect YOUR views, you will be forced to call your local police and file complaint the next time they find themselves at your door.
I could be wrong but one of the main tenets of JW is that they must convert people to be saved themselved.
2007-04-02 18:31:01 · answer #7 · answered by selene_sama 2 · 1⤊ 6⤋
Post a 'no soliciting' sign by your front door. It's the best you can do. If they knock anyway just direct their attention to the sign and remind them that you are not interested. It would be rude on their part to ignore it.
2007-04-02 18:23:50 · answer #8 · answered by Pandora 5 · 2⤊ 6⤋
If they keep returning, don't worry about good manners - just shut the door in their faces.
A joke answer: Find out where they come from and go around just when services are due to begin or end, and hand out Jewish information pamphlets.
.
2007-04-02 18:22:25 · answer #9 · answered by abetterfate 7 · 5⤊ 7⤋
When I start telling them about my religious beliefs and understanding of the Bible, they generally disappear.
Just start teaching them Judaism and see how long they stay. Get out a Tanakh and a Talmud and start teaching them. They may decide not to return.
2007-04-02 18:23:21 · answer #10 · answered by darth_maul_8065 5 · 2⤊ 7⤋