Your experiences with JWs

[David_A_Reed]

After rejecting religion when around 14 years of age, I spent the next few years as an outspoken atheist. But then I had a boring job, and worked along side a JW. Our conversations turned into a formal study, and before long I was a baptized JW, and spent the next 13 years in the organization, part of the time serving as a full-time "pioneer" (at that time = reporting 100 hours/month in the door-to-door work) and later served 8 years as an elder.

I married a JW who had also pioneered. Eventually we began prayerfully reading the Bible with the aim of becoming better JWs. But in the Bible itself (without study-books to interpret it) we encountered Jesus and the true message of the Gospel.

Speaking the truth we found in Scripture eventually led to our being expelled from the organization. It was after that, that we made contact with Christians and found other fellowship outside the Watchtower organization.

David

[spiritmech]

I have have a friend at work who is JW. I respect him a ton. He doesn't evangelize me, and I don't evangelize him. We discuss some things in general. We had a short discussion once about Russian Orthodox beating up JWs in Russia and Eastern Europe. I agreed with him that it wasn't a good situation and that that's not the proper way to express God's love.

sm

[Armor of God]

I had a pair of nice ladies who used to come by the house on a weekly basis. I did everything I could to make them feel comfortable in my house, but when they saw that I was more interested in exhausting one topic at a time (as opposed to bouncing from verse to verse) I could tell they were starting to become less interersted. The meetings became less consistant, and when I asked them about it, they mentioned that they needed to move on to folks who would be more interested in a study instead of debating over details. After that, they had a circuit leader (I think that's what they called him) come by and talk to me. I guess he decided I didn't have a "teachable spirit" because that was the last time they came by. I made it clear that they were always welcome.

[anewlife]

The meetings became less consistant, and when I asked them about it, they mentioned that they needed to move on to folks who would be more interested in a study instead of debating over details. After that, they had a circuit leader (I think that's what they called him) come by and talk to me.

So basically they just wanted a study, not so much riff-raff over the details. Sounds like some of the old salesman tatics implored by the Rainbow Sweeper crew in the 70's. So how did the circuit leader work out?

[Armor of God]

So basically they just wanted a study, not so much riff-raff over the details. Sounds like some of the old salesman tatics implored by the Rainbow Sweeper crew in the 70's. So how did the circuit leader work out?

How's it going? You still chasing down dem blasted femurs and hairy ticks?

The circuit leader thanked me for the hospitality, but made it clear that they "would not bug me anymore." I did my best to make it clear that they were not bugging me and that we had the search for truth in common, but they were looking for "students," not someone that would question them.

[Heartablaze]

I regret that the only time JWs came to our door, I was unprepared to talk to them. My father did talk to them for a couple of minutes, and then politely sent them on their way.

[David_A_Reed]

How's it going? You still chasing down dem blasted femurs and hairy ticks?

The circuit leader thanked me for the hospitality, but made it clear that they "would not bug me anymore." I did my best to make it clear that they were not bugging me and that we had the search for truth in common, but they were looking for "students," not someone that would question them.

Circuit Overseers often do the task of terminating unproductive studies, so that the JWs can move on to find potential converts.

David

[Mudflap]

Most I know are really nice, if they like it and it's their thing then good for them.

[Sparko]

Most I know are really nice, if they like it and it's their thing then good for them.

so you don't care if they are lost and in a cult then, as long as they are happy?

[MarcusAndreas]

I've only had one experience, and I slept right through it. Apparently, while I was sleeping, some Witnesses stopped by to attempt to convert us. That's all I heard, because I slept right through it.

[MooseOnTheLoose]

A young JW regularly comes into my store and seems willing to discuss any issue in an open and friendly way. However her mother came in today and told me outright that there is no debate. Such-and-such and such-and-such is the way things are, and that's it.

I felt as if I'd been lectured to.

[Paintbucket]

I've had 2 stop by the house before. I answered the door and politely got them to leave, although I did talk to them for about 5 minutes so they didn't feel too bad.

[Cowthulu]

This may be an old thread to resurrect, but oh well.

I had two stop by two days ago. They read to me out of Revelation and it was early so I hadn't realized they were JWs yet. They still could have been Mormons or something else entirely for all I knew. I asked them which interpretive method they applied to Revelation and the younger one just looked at my quizzically and moved on to other subjects.

We discussed stuff for a while, then they wanted to move on. They handed me their little booklet and asked if they could come back next week to discuss it. I have scanned through it in anticipation of that return. We'll see if they come back.

I'll be happy to discuss the problems I found with their booklet with them. My main hope and prayer is to be a good witness of the Lord Jesus Christ to them. Only God can change hearts. I only pray I can be one of his many instruments.

[Xmansmommy]

I studied with a very respectful and lovely JW woman for two years. There were times I agreed with her views and times I did not. I was always free to express myself and did so frequently. I will admit that there were times when she would have a companion with her who was more desirous to debate when I shared my views and I politely let her know why I believed what I did and that I wasn't going to debate it. Other than that, my experience with them went very well.

The young woman who came to visit with me weekly had some unexpected events in her life change and our meetings stopped. But it was perfect timing as we had just finished the booklet that they study with you titled "What Does the Bible Really Teach?" and the question of what was hindering me from accepting all of their views came up.

I took some time and prayerfully listed each of the views I could not accept and shared them with her on our last visit. I have not had anyone contact me to discuss those things further. I have had pioneers drop of their magazines once or twice since then but they always seem to come when I'm not home or something.

Anyway, it was a great time of study for me as I was isolated from any fellowship. I respect them and appreciate the time they spent sharing what they believe and why, with me. I am glad that they respect my confession from the beginning that I was not interested in becoming a JW but was interested in hearing what they believe but would ultimately accept/reject what I felt appropriate.

Speaking of that young woman, I think I'll email her and see how she's doing. She is a sweetheart.

[NathanDavid]

I have had three nice experiences with JW's.

I worked with one, and he was always very quiet. We worked in opposite ends of the building. Eventually I made friends with him and shared some of my views about the Revelation, and he seemed interested. He never argued anything, nor did he ever deny my words or try to sway me.

Same thing at a local Hanna Homes charity, nice JW ladies (I think they were) listened to my views.

Also, many years prior to that a nice JW couple at my door was precious and quiet. Just dropped the leaflet and smiled. It contained no false doctrine that I could find, but I know that there is much in the denomination.

I have had an advantage over most mainstreamers when it comes to the JW's, in that I have done alot of study in Revelation, and I recognize the ICRC as the beast of Revelation 13:1. I also acknowledge that in Acts 1, or Acts 2, we are instructed to obstain from blood, and that drinking through a straw or through a needle is the same to God. So, for that, I salute at least some of the JWs' teaching.

In, I think Gelations, however, it says that no one in his flesh will have any part in heaven, but that there will be a quickening. That is not just figurative. Christ's entire life could be explained away if one were to be figurative about everything. I do appreciate God's purpose with the JW's, though, in that they reject taking blood.