Funny Story

[The Duke Of Marshall]

Ok, so today I woke up late and I was sitting at my computer while eating breakfast and watching a movie on Hulu called "The Hebrew Hammer". A Hebrew comedy in the style of "Shaft". During this movie a white van comes down my drive way. So I put on some shoes and a hat and went to meet them. Well, two middle aged ladies step out of the van and greeted me. They ask me if I had ever read the Bible and I said I did and they asked me if I wanted world peace, the hungry to be fed, etc. Of course I said I did. They then asked me if I would like a little book to read and, being the guy that I am, I said "Sure, I'm always interested in learning things about scripture". I asked them who published and distributed this book and they were up front in saying "Jehovah's Witnesses". They then asked me to read the third chapter in the book which is entitled "What is God's purpose for the earth?" and asked if they could come back next week and talk with me about it. lol, Again, being the kind of guy I am, I said "Sure, that would be fine."

I just thought it was really funny the way the day went today: a messianic leaning guy who believes in plural marriage, watching a hebrew/jewish comedy movie, and proselytized to by Jehovah's Witnesses. So now I've got a week to freshen up on my study of Jehovah's Witnesses so that I can hopefully reach out to these people.

Any tips, ideas, or resources to help me out next week?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Todd
Half my family are Jehovah Witnesses.
The first thing to be aware of is that JW's have their own Bible that was published by the Watchtower. They will say their Bible is the same as yours, but it isn't...they have made some changes to the wording in various passages.
FTR, they believe that Jesus is the son of Jehovah...but they don't believe in the Trinity.
They believe that the 144,000 referred to in the O.T. refers to the number of JW's that will go to heaven, while the remainder of JW's will populate the new earth. The 144,000 actually is the number of the twelve tribes of Israel.
There are many ways that the JW's deviate from sound Biblical doctrine. One of the best books on the subject is "Kingdom Of The Cults" by Dr. Walter Martin. You can pick up a copy at any Christian bookstore or online.
Blessings,
Fairlight

 

[CecilW]

Any tips, ideas, or resources to help me out next week?

While exceptions may occur, do not EXPECT it to be a productive investment of your time. (My advice, reflecting my experience). Rather expect, "We're right, no matter what the/your Bible says."

In younger years, despite the differences in their Bible, I used to use their own Bible to prove my side in points of disagreement. They then referred to a little doctrinal answer book they carried, and told me that I was wrong, regardless. Their Q&A book said so.

I finally learned to simply say, "Not interested in your version of religion. Please do NOT bother me again. All materials will go straight into the dumpster." Saves wasted time, expense, and aggravation on both our parts. Theologically, baiting them is fun and easy, but not nice. They're there to teach YOU, not to be taught. Make no mistake.

Nice folks. I wish them well. On their own path, not on mine.

 

[lutherangirl]

This is a funny story indeed. I was just watching a true story yesterday, I think with German subtitles, about a Jehovah Witness Family. They expelled the oldest son and, then eventually, the oldest daughter for having "relationships" with a athethist. The son repented after a year and half and brought back into the fold, and the daughter, as of yet, never went back to being a Jehovah's Witness.

I agree with what Fairlight and Cecil said myself having two friends brought up as Jehovah's Witnesses. I tried explaining the Trinity to my friends, and they wouldn't have anything to do with it. There are lots of Jehovah's Witnesses living were I live. They really get a lot of abused ladies and women that have been abandoned by their husbands, speaking only from the area that I live in.

I wish you the best in trying to convert these ladies. However, I think unless you get into a deeper relationship with them (if you get my drift) , I don't think it will happen.

Blessings,
Michelle

 

[seekHim1]

Just to stick up for JWs...they actually do believe some very scriptural things that most mainstream Christians do not. Hubby never turns down an opportunity to talk with them when they come by and we have found we actually do have a lot of beliefs in common but yes, there are some major areas we do disagree on and there's no talking to them about those things...like Jesus being God. Often mainstreamers count them off as this crazy cult with all these off the wall beliefs not realizing some of their beliefs are more Biblical than their own. So, it wouldn't hurt to look at some of their literature, pull out your Bible and study for yourself. You might be surprised that you could learn a thing or two from them.

 

[The Duke Of Marshall]

Yeah, I kinda expect them not to be open to listening to me. But I figure it's worth a shot anyways. I'm going to be upfront with them when they come back and let them know that if they want to talk to me about what they believe then they are going to have to listen to me about what I believe as well. In fact, if I remember to, I'll even bring up the subject of plural marriage.

My dad said I should get some chalk, have Kim lay down in the driveway, and draw an outline around her with some yellow crime scene tape strung up.

 

[steve]

My dad said I should get some chalk, have Kim lay down in the driveway, and draw an outline around her with some yellow crime scene tape strung up.

oh, that's rich :lol: