It must be harder for JW's to be here in Y/A R/S than to go door to door; right or wrong?

Question

When you go door to door, you can relate to that individual on a one to one basis. Here you need to deal with non-JW's (most in disagreement), disfellowshipped JW's (causing you all grief), ex-JW's (left on their own). As for the first two mentioned, I can relate to what their saying because I know where they stand in their own beliefs. Now on the other hand these that left on their own, they are the tricky ones that people must beware of. They come on saying all these sweet words about the JW's then at the end say "I was a former JW but chose to leave the practice on my own." What is that??? Why did they leave? I would say they are hypocritical. They want their cake and eat it to. Like it says in the Bible (can't remember the scripture), "Make your yes be yes and your no no. Anything in between is evil." It's either their in or their out. Their actions go against their words. Example: If they so much is in agreement with the JW's teaching and way of life, then why leave?

Hannah, what I am saying is the former one's that chose to leave is telling everyone else in Yahoo that the people and the faith are soooooo good; but what picture are they painting to other's. Wellllllll if it's sooooooo good, why give up something that is good. There is no reason to leave. They left because it's not as good as they thought it was and that is being hypocritical on their part. So are you saying other's should listen and follow what they are saying and doing even if they are not Bona Fide JW's? Adding already to too many confusions?

Answer 1

I am sure it is harder here since you don't really get the conversation to flow for you to really bring out your points the way you actually would like to do when you are at the door. (Little Lamb, The scripture you are referring to is Matthew 5:37)

I remember the last time, there was this lady claiming the Elders were not paying attention to a brother who is living with ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome). We went on to explain to her that the Elders are doing their very best even if she is not seeing it. But she insulted us and rather cheered on the non-witnesses (regardless of whoever they were and whatever they said). She could be in one of the last two categories you mentioned because I recalled she said "I was a JW." So that is how it is.

There was another experience from a brother (I don't remember this one very well) who encountered a situation with a person who said some negative things about Jehovah's Witnesses but the brother had to use a few different user names in order to address the situation. But it was not a flowing dialogue so to speak or a discussion to really reason with the individual.

At Yahoo! Answers we can only quote scriptures and explain Biblical truths to defend our faith but there is nothing much better than door to door. So my point of view is that it is much harder here, as far as exchange of ideas is concern, for JWs, then out in Field Service.

Answer 2

We are susceptible to attack and negative responses in whichever situation we declare the good news. A person who has positive things to say about the Witnesses, but does not practice the religion is not necessarily a hypocrite. They understand that they can't "have their cake and eat it too" as you say because they know that God is the "rewarder of those earnestly seeking him." (Hebrews 11:6) If they are not sincerely seeking to please God, then they will render an account for this.(Romans 14:12)
Having said that I must also add that personally, I do get more satisfaction from speaking to people face to face and seeing their immediate reaction to truths from God's word. However, I am also cognizant of what Ecclesiastes 11:6 says:" In the morning sow your seed and until the evening do not let your hand rest; for you are not knowing where this will have success, either here or there, or whether both of them will alike be good." That is why I continue to sow kingdom seed by all means available to me, including this forum. (See John 9:4, John 13:3-9)

Answer 3

Well, I think perhaps it would be a bit hasty to call those who left on their own hypocrites. Why they took a walk is their personal business , I should imagine, unless they want to share it with you. I had one person look me straight in the eye and tell me: "Make no mistake about it: this is the truth. I know that with all my heart. But I do not want it anymore. I want to do other things." Is that person hypocritical? No. Seems to me that person is being truthful and I respect him for that. The way of a Christian is not easy. Everyone is not for the truth and the truth is not for everyone. Sometimes it is as simple as that.

As for harder or easier, they both have their drawbacks. In person people do despicable things like sic their dog on you or empty a bucket of urine on you. (Yes that happens). At least on this forum you can stay relatively dry. But then again, with so much venom being spewed here . . .

Hannah J Paul

Answer 4

At least here you actually get to finish a complete thought. Take a question and answer it completely without getting cut off. Whether or not someone bothers to read it all, well, that's another story. Just as in the field work, all we do is plant a seed, if it grows or not....well, you know.

Answer 5

I agree with you. we have to be careful, because of the ones that got disfellowshipped all of a sudden we are brainwashed and a cult. when they where witnesses, they where not brainwashed or a cult. even the ones who know nothing about Jehovah Witnesses, rather slander us also. Jehovah wants us to worship him because we love him and want to, not because we have to

Answer 6

I think it's probably harder, because when you knock on doors, people generally have to answer in order to say "No Thanks. Please go away." On here, they can just ignore the questions.