From the Awake.."A new group of atheists has arisen in society. Called the new atheists, they are not content to keep their views to themselves."*
In case you don't know, Awake is that little crummy newsprint magazine the Jehovah Witness people shove at you when they wake your hungover ass up on Sunday morning.
24 comments:
Atheists not content to keep their views to themselves? So JW's are the only ones who are entitled to spread their views around?
Ironically, I think it's Christian religions that are responsible for this surge in atheism.
One of the most outspoken Atheists around here is Nathan Phelps, son of Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist God Hates Fags Church. I couldn't imagine a more satisfying turn of events for this evil hate monger. Go Nate!
http://n8rphelps.blogspot.com
"...they are not content to keep their views to themselves."
wow.....i mean, how DARE an atheist states their beliefs....
i agree Frimmy....the extreme christians, especially the evangelicals are increasing atheists.....
I hated when they would come to my door. My first husband finally answered the door butt naked one day with a beer in his hand and they stopped coming by. Thanks for putting that up so I could have a good memory and laugh today.
I hate religious views being pushed on anyone.
Yup, I do think Atheism is on the March as the magazine says. I have just about been converted to it myself. My sister in GA is a crazy Christian that stole her daughters Savings Bond to give to the Church, my Buddist friends eventually started asking for money, and so on and so on. The tithing part just turns me off for starters. Too many religions kill in the name of God. Some God, is what I wonder. Anyway, that's what I think.
Bima
Umm..Hello!!!!!!!! Over here! I used to be one of those annoying people that would knock on your door on Saturday mornings. Gawd, I hated it. I always hoped nobody would come to the door. They only do it because they have to turn in a monthly "Filed-service" report. It's mandatory, or you are considered a bad JW and nobody will like you. Thats the truth. They shun you if you dress different, have friends that are NOT JW's and associate with your non-JW family. They also will shun you if you associate with JW's that they consider not a good example. You can't win with those effer's. I know! Trust me!! It's a no win situation. Gawd, I wasted many years doing what I was told was the right thing to do. My son also a former JW, IS an Atheist now. He's an "anti-religionist". There are alot of anti-JW movements out there. Many former JW's are now atheists. Those "Kingdom Halls" are a breeding ground for atheism. Also, we were suppose to ask for a donation if somone wanted to take the magazines. We HAD tp oay for them before we could go carry them all over town. I never knew but a handful of ppl that would ask for the "donation". It was f'g embarrassing. It used to be 25 cents per copy back in the 70's, then they just changed it to a "donation" basis. Millions have left, millions are now atheists. That tells me alot. Any JW questions?
rox
Pat, I am gonna swipe this & send it to my kids, both former JW's. They would like to see this. ie: send them your link.
Thank you,
Rox
xoxo
Re: Anti JW movements (or anti-anything)
The majority of the time these people have done something to warrent being removed from the roster. Then if they put the same amount of energy into being a good JW as they do in protesting their treatment they'd still be a good little JW or back in the fold.
Like anything else, you don't get a good idea about something by getting your info from groups who have failed at it.
But I'm with Rox on the whole "not measuring up" thing. You kill yourself doing what you think is The Right Thing, only to be told it's not enough. Nothing you do is good enough. I suffered from depression for years because of it. I've never felt happier than when I gave up trying to fulfill the impossible inconsistently applied standards. JW's are the world experts on treating each other with passive aggressive hostility. The politics are exhausting. But, I totally admit I failed at it so don't take my word for it.
My ex-husband and I were infested with JW's about 20 years ago to the point we put a sign on the door reading, "No Jehova's Witnesses!" I actually went and checked the house and street for markings (like R.R. bums used to make in the 30s). It was tiresome. And they would always bring their children so it was hard to say 'fuck you.' Of course I was only 21 myself and so I wasn't capable of being rude when they wouldn't take 'no thank you' for an answer.
Rox, I would love to ask you some questions about JW's. Are they the ones who don't celebrate holidays? And if so, why don't they?
Also, the thing that really pissed me off about them is that I was NOT an atheist at that time. I belonged to a church and my grandfather was my pastor! They STILL wouldn't take that for an answer..... I mean, really, did they honestly think I was going to stop going to a church headed by my GRANDFATHER based on a forced and uncomfortable discussion on my front porch? Did they REALLY think that was going to happen?
I hated the 'get your child to do the presentation' thing. They called it training. Seriously, look at it from the householder's point of view for god's sake. It's more like a scam.
When they send their kids to my door I tell them they have a cute costume and give them candy. I always have candy.
ahahaha!!!! That would rankle for sure!
DD! Candy!!! Good one! I would have laughed at that one, but of course somebody would have taken it away from my kids and said it was probably poisoned. Frimmy, you were a J-Dub? Wow! I was for a long time and it was a f'g exhausting full-time job. I already was raising my kids and working full time & taking care of my house etc. Then I would have to get up talks for us and get us out in service all the time, mind you NOBODY liked going out in service, just the lunatics!! It was all about "where are we taking our break"? It's expensive to go out in field service Frimmy! Right? You have to pay up front for all the mags & books etc and then just end up giving it all away. It was scam alright & we were the ones getting scammed!! Lots of "undergound" sh** goes on at Bethel Frimmy. Like Stanic rituals etc. We have heard stories 1st hand. Even the governing body is not all what you think, several have turned against it but stay cuz thats the only place they have ever lived.
Tonya, the JW's will tell you that all "holidays" are founded by pagans & pagan religions, like the Catholics, they took Saturnala and called it Christmas because that way they would get more ppl to believe. JW's do not celebrate anything except weddings(& anniversarys) and the date when they say Jesus died, according to the Jewish calendar. So, the date is always different each year. Birthdays, everybody gets decapitated, so not allowed either. thats a running gag with me & my exJW friends!
rox
Free speech means anyone is allowed to express their beliefs, whether the JW agree or not. I agree with the comments that Christians themselves drive people away. I left a legalistic, judgemental church for just that reason.
Anything outside what was celebrated or taught by first century christians or has pagan origins is not accepted by JW's. But it's flawed. Halloween for example. Pagan in origin - druid - so JW's don't get involved which I don't have a problem with but also of druidic origin that they DO accept are bridesmaids at weddings and the use of pink and blue for baby girls and boys. Pick one - accept it all or nothing. So like every other religion they filter out what they want and don't want. Or compromise, if you will.
Birthdays aren't celebrated but the birth of babies is. The same principal applies to both so pick one. Either do both or do neither. I only mention this because they pride themselves on NEVER compromising their standards. Sorry. Like every other religion, they do.
I was condemned for owning Harry Potter books/movies because it contains wizards. Magic is wrong. The same people didn't think it was a compromise to own the Wizard of Oz movie though. That's what my problem is. Being judged negatively by others based on their teachings when the standard isn't applied consistently to all. Don't even get me started on the zealots who wouldn't even own Disney movies because of the magic and talking animals. It's fine if you want to take that stand. Just shut up about it and don't go around thinking you're holier for it. You're not. You're stupid. Which is why you shouldn't talk about it.
Rox, I think the Satanic rumours are urban legend but like a lot of legends there is a kernal of truth. What that truth is, I don't know.
As a group of people they are very nice, polite, clean, hard working (being on welfare is frowned upon severely unless otherwise unavoidable) and they are good neighbors. They are world wide and welcome everyone equally regardless of nationality considering everyone their brothers and sisters. They aren't evil. They're just an ordinary fundamental christian religion like every other ordinary fundamental christian religion. Which is probably the worst thing you could call them.
This turned into an interesting thread. Thanks.
The thing about any religion is, you're taught that every other religion is wrong. I was raised by holy rollers. Fire and brimstone mutherfukers.
After coming to my apartment (I was in my senior year in college), and waking me up around 7am, I just told them that I was a wiccan witch, and I could teach them how to fly .... on a broom!
They never came back
I have a "no soliciting" sign on my front door. One week after my mom died(so clearly I was in a pissy state of mind)a JW came to my door. When I pointed out the sign he said "but I'm not asking for money". What an idiot. I told him to buy a dictionary. One year later and they have not been back since. Praise be to Jesus!
I just never answered the door. Not waking up at 7am on a Sunday for anyone. Nope.
Thank you for sharing your stories, ladies. Now I will be more polite to the next JW's that I run across.
I just let hubs answer the door, he looks like a cross between Rob Zombie & those paintings of Jesus, usually they walk away without him needing to say anything. The expression on their faces the first moment they see him are priceless.
It's not good to be anything but, polite and reasonable with them. Like Rox said, they have a mandatory and the way it was explained to me, difficult people are considered a challenge. I think they get extra points for it.
They aren't looking to force anyone to convert, nor are they on a membership drive. They're looking for people who are searching for answers.
Also, they're not out there exposing themselves to abuse because it's fun. They are doing what they are doing because they are motivated by genuine love for others and a desire to share what they feel is a positive hope for the future. Is anyone else doing that? There's no reason not to be polite.
If you don't answer the door, they will keep coming back until they get someone because that's their responsibility. To get someone home at every residence in the neighbourhood. Best just to tell them straight away you're not interested.
If you are annoyed by their visits their purpose in calling is not served. Tell them to put you on their Do-Not-Call list. They have one.
i think in a way, we're all looking for answers.....
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