Where do most Jehovah's Witness converts come from?

Question

More specifically, what religion did they cling to before? Do they convert many evangelicals? How 'bout Muslims?

I am talking about majorities.

Answer 1

From everywhere.
I have found that Jehovah's Witnesses came out of virtually every religion and belief on earth. They all had the desire to learn the Bible from God's perspective, and God in his generosity awakened their thinking abilities to come to accurate knowledge.

Answer 2

First, JWs don't convert. You convert Jews to Christian, but in the reverse, you revert, or go back to an earlier form of worship. This is what JWs do. You go back to an earlier form of Christianity, from the first century, when congregations were small, everyone learned how to preach and teach, as well as how to lead the congregation. Instead of mega-churches, they would get 100-200 strong, than a new congregation would be build, with its own set of elders taken from the membership.

This is how the Kingdom Halls work. No one gets paid, there is no one in lifetime positions of power.

As for where new members come from, that depends on the makeup of the country they are in. In Europe, most people are middle to upper incomes, so witnesses are mostly middle to upper income. In poor countries, they are mostly poor. They follow to line of the population makeup. Where ever your go, in this country, or the world, you will find witnesses working that area. Perhaps not in the open in countries where they are banned, but they are there. Just ask the people if they have talked to, or know someone who has talked to a witness.

Answer 3

Jehovah's Witnesses do not take a poll of everyone's past belief s. Many people have been involved in several different religions before studying what the Bible itself actually teaches... Which one would be counted, in such a situation. The prior ones were each found unsuitable. It is just like "justintime" said--people who choose to become Jehovah's Witnesses are truly from every belief system in the world, including those who had thus far shunned all organized religion...

Asked: "Do they [JWs] convert many ...?"

In the sense that "convert" means:

# cause to adopt a new or different faith
# make (someone) agree, understand, or realize the truth or validity of something,

...we convert no one.

We are trained to search for those who are searching for real answers, and those we *teach* how to research these for themselves, while showing them the answers to their most urgent questions.

teach - # verb: accustom gradually to some action or attitude; verb: impart skills or knowledge to

Jehovah's Witnesses--Ways They Share the Good News
- In private Bible Studies & Discussions
- In group Bible Studies & Discussions
- & By Example
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/article_05.htm

Jehovah's Witnesses:
- More about Group Bible Studies & Discussions
http://jw-media.org/people/worship.htm

While we don't keep track of our prior religious affilliations, we do keep track of how many of us there are, & where. One answerer assumes that not many choose to become Jehovah's Witnesses, however, accurate yearly reports indicate otherwise:

2006 Report of Jehovah's Witnesses Worldwide
http://watchtower.org/e/statistics/worldwide_report.htm
(248,327 baptized)

2005 Report of Jehovah's Witnesses Worldwide
http://watchtower.org/statistics/worldwide_report.htm
(247,631 baptized)

(The above reports also indicate how many active JWs there are in individual countries. Individual countries often publish what is the amount of people in various religions, within themselves, but these often include their inactive, & some even count those who have left.)

Answer 4

Jehovah's Witnesses are from all walks of life and from all countries, with their diverse religions. I don't know the number who were once Muslims. I had a friend whose cousin in Malaysia converted from Hinduism. The Pope's cousin in Italy is a witness.

Answer 5

Ive been a catholic (as a child) baptist, evangelical,Pentecostal and did not last long in any of them. I've been one of Jehovah's witness for 10 years now. They pratice what they preach and are the most peaceful people I've ever known.

Answer 6

I can only speak of what I know on a personal level. My mother came from a very strong Southern Baptist family. My father was a part of a non- denominational church. My aunt was Catholic. My mother-in-law was Methodist. My father-in-law was Baptist.

All of the family members of these individuals are still in their respective religions. We love and associate with all of them.

Answer 7

first place, we are not a cult or brainwashed. we have free will. we live in our own homes and come and go as we please. number two, we worship Jehovah and Jesus Christ. a cult worships man and live together. number three, I was born Jewish, but I was not rich. everyone thinks the jewish people are rich. anytime someone wants to change bank accounts with me can. I am now a Jehovah Witness since 1990. this is the truth. www.watchtower.org

Answer 8

I think they're loosely based on Christianity, yet my mom who is a devout Protestant thinks they are a cult. They don't convert too many I don't think because most people realize what they try to do. Muslims... I would highly doubt a Muslim would convert just because Islam is so integrated into the daily life of a Muslim.

Answer 9

No particular group, but remember everyone comes from their mother.

Answer 10

Most of them are from JW families and not converts, they grow up with it. Peer pressure and fear of ostricisation keeps them with the faith.