Jehovah's Witnesses?

Question

Before I go any further, I want to make it clear that I have nothing against anyone who follows any religion.

However - I am interested to know why it is that Jehovah's Witnesses knock on people's doors to try and encourage people to join them, while it isn't usual (at least not where I live) for followers of other religions to do this.

Furthermore - why is it even although you have politely informed Jehovah's Witnesses that you do not wish to join them, and would rather they didn't come back to your door - they ignore this and come back anyway in an attempt to change your mind?

I'm looking for answers specifically related to the issue of "recruitment" in this fashion - I don't need screeds of info about being a Jehovah's Witness or the literature they give out. Thanks.

All interesting answers so far - I can understand the ethos behind calling at doors but - if I, as an individual, believed (for example) that aliens were waiting to whisk us away and only by wearing silver foil on our heads could we avoid a terrible life on another planet,- and I went round doors telling people this, returning even when they had specifically asked me to leave them alone - would it not be likely I'd be charged with harrassment?!

Answer 1

--We indeed try to respect peoples wishes if they ask or say they are not interested in our message!

This is Christ's instructions that we are admonished to follow in our organization and is referenced regularly group wise & reminders to each other as individuals:

(Matthew 10:11-14) “11 “Into whatever city or village YOU enter, search out who in it is deserving, and stay there until YOU leave. 12 When YOU are entering into the house, greet the household; 13 and if the house is deserving(meaning conducive to the message--my comment), let the peace YOU wish it come upon it; but if it is not deserving, let the peace from YOU return upon YOU. 14 Wherever anyone does not take YOU in or listen to YOUR words, on going out of that house or that city shake the dust off YOUR feet. . .”

The idea in Bible times is if individuals were invited in , the hospitality could be extended by the home owner to be of relative length.

--The application today, IS IF the householder find our message of peace interesting and indicates that then we endeavor to go back!
--Also if people accept some of our literature we might feel there is some interest. Some of us might go back because of any placement of literature, as has been suggested by our organization at times!

--My wife & I(witnesses of 40 years) usually do not do that, if in fact we are not sure why the individual took the literature and if we after we ask "may we come back" to get ones response--the person says no or seems reluctant!

--So you may have few of us who either play salesman or are not paying attention to your wishes.

--For this I would like to apologize, I have at times been more than zealous!

Please remember that we comb our territories afresh several times a year if not more in some areas that have a small population, THUS you may just be in our regular circulation.

--If you indeed are very adamant about not wanting any of us , request your name be put on a list of DO NOT CALLS --We will do our best to honor that request!

Answer 2

We share Bible information because, among other things, we are commanded to in the Bible by Christ. As for why you seem to be being visited frequently, there are a few possible reasons. One thing I see people on here say is, "I take their books, and then they come back" If this is the case please understand that, Showing an interest does not to us equate GO AWAY. Another thing to consider is we don't think we are going to change you mind persey. We know that ALL humans grow and change as time goes on. Many Witnesses wanted nothing to do with us, or God for that matter, then one day for various reasons changed their minds, or became curious. Also if you don't live alone it could be that someone else at your house shows an interest and so we continue to come. Or it could be as simple as a miscommunication. Please understand, we feel it very important that all who wish to, get to hear from the Bible. We do not want to waste time, your's or our's, If it is a serious inconveinence contact the local congregation and ask to not be called on. Once or Twice a year someone will probably stop by, as we all have times when we decide to learn about things, and there is always a chance of someone new moving to your address.

Hope this helped:D

Answer 3

Actually, Jehovah's Witnesses are interested in you and your welfare. They are following Jesus commandments: "Go therefore and make disciples..." (Matthew 28:19) Jesus was preaching in the streets ands send his disciples from house to house...Witnesses follow these examples.

They carry a message everytime they knock on your door, as Jesus said: This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come."—Matthew 24:3-14.

You might have told them not to come back but they do because they are persistent that you may know the truth.

The same way that a friend tells you whenever there's a sale at your favorite shop or simply to tell you about something that made her happy =) Maybe someone who discovered a cure for an illness, I bet that person would be happy to tell the whole world about it!
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To abover answerer, JWs actually do not believe that a hell of torment exists, you might be confuding them with other religions. =)

Answer 4

In my area, they don't call that often, although I understand in some areas they can call every few weeks.

The procedure to get Witnesses to stop calling on you is to contact the elders of the local congregation and request for them not to call. It might be an idea to put this in writing. The elders may call from time to time just to make sure the request is being complied with.

However, while the religion is not for everyone, Jehovah's Witnesses do have some success in this type of ministry. Generally speaking (not, I know, in your case), they don't know if you're not interested unless you tell them. They can only find out if they knock on your door and ask. They do not want to presume that you are not interested. They see the benefits of their religion and want to pass it on to as many people as they can. However, if you're not interested, your neighbour might be to some degree. Year after year, there is an increase in the numbers of people who take literature, accept offers of free home Bible studies, and ultimately become one of Jehovah's witnesses.

This is one of the main ways it was done in the first century congregation. Going from door to door is mentioned along with market places, public highways and anywhere people can be found, as places where Christians can take part in a public ministry that everyone in the congregation was involved in. You can find this in the book of Acts.

They are simply trying to help people get everlasting life in a paradise Earth. Would you not want to live for all time on a beautiful Earth performing productive and enjoyable tasks for yourself, your family and your community, while being surrounded by their love and care?

Answer 5

Perhaps this may help, answer your question as to 'why it is that Jehovah's Witnesses knock on people's doors to try and encourage people to join them'?

This is because Jesus foretold for our day this work: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” He also instructed his followers: “Go . . . and make disciples of people of all the nations.”—Matt. 24:14; 28:19.

When Jesus sent out his early disciples, he directed them to go to the homes of the people. (Matt. 10:7, 11-13) The apostle Paul said regarding his ministry: “I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house.”—Acts 20:20, 21; see also Acts 5:42.

The message that the Witnesses proclaim involves the lives of people; they want to be careful to miss no one. (Zeph. 2:2, 3) Their calls are motivated by love—first for God, also for their neighbor.

But why do the Witnesses call repeatedly even at homes of people who do not share their faith?

They do not force their message on others. But they know that people move to new residences and that the circumstances of people change. Today a person may be too busy to listen; another time he may gladly take the time. One member of a household may not be interested, but others may be. People themselves change; serious problems in life may stimulate an awareness of spiritual need.—See also Isaiah 6:8, 11, 12.

Hope this helps

Answer 6

Jehovah's Witnesses take it very seriously the assignment Jesus left for all Christians to do which is "go preach the goods news of God's Kingdom...." and teach the people and sharing the knowledge from the Bible. I do not believe they are out knocking on doors to force us to join them. They believe they have the truth and believe they can save lives by going door to door. They return to our doors, in hopes that our minds have changed or maybe our circumstances in life have changed....we may not have been in the mood to talk to them on their first or second visit but maybe we'll give them a minute or two on their 3rd or 4th visit. I won't necessarily call it harassment.

Answer 7

properly the comparable way that we've a private call and might go with to be referred to as by ability of our call particularly of guy, woman, Boy & so forth is the comparable way that God feels. Psalms 80 3:18 says "might people know which you, whose call is Jehovah,You on my own are the main extreme over all of the earth." the fact that his call is suggested interior the Bible exhibits God needs his call to be common & on account that we are his witnesses or followers, we are referred to as Jehovah's Witnesses.

Answer 8

Its because jesus went out trying to gain followers of Christianity, they come back in the hope that you will change your mind and see the truth.

I believe Mormons or Methodists also do this but only for 3 years ( same time span as Jesus ministry)

Answer 9

JW's have a well-deserved reputation for this, but there is a JW couple that live very close to me. The only reason I know their religious affiliation is because one of our neighbors had a discussion with them outside one night, and it came up.

To date, they've never knocked on my door, nor handed me one pamphlet. I might have just jinxed myself by typing that, but we've usually only said "hello" to one another. Nice people (at least these two).

Answer 10

JWs cold-knock to witness their religion and gain new followers. They are called on by their beliefs to obtain converts. While it may not be usual for other religions to do this kind of recruiting in your neck of the woods, it is very common in my neck of the woods.

JWs, and other religions (LDS) that believe in witnessing to others often do cold-knocking on my door. Maybe it has something to do with my house situated just above "church row."