There were two men in black at my front door this morning.

[milestogo]

I could see them through my ring camera. They rang the doorbell and knocked. My dog went crazy, as he is supposed to. I had no idea who it was but I was apprehensive. I was not expecting anyone. They rang the doorbell and knocked again.

Finally I went to the door and opened it a few inches. Dog is still raging at them. The guy starts with "We're not selling anything"- and I answer "Who are you?" "We're with JW". I said "I'm not interested" and closed the door.

Jehovah's Witnesses - still not welcome. But better than ICE!

[ret5hd]

1. you've got me thinking:

haven’t had any JVers in a long while, and always handled it as you.

but if one were to knock right now, i think i’d ask him “STOP!!! What do you think of trump? Your answer will decide any continuing conversation.”

trump good: get off my f’n property

trump bad: then start focusing your efforts there…and get off my f’n property.

[Niagara]

7. Generally Jehovah's Witnesses are not allowed to vote or to be political

Which is one of the reason's why I consider them a cult.



In the event that a member of the JW is spotted in a voting place by another JW member, they could be removed from the congregation or shunning, sort of like the Amish.

[milestogo]

9. No but they won't shoot you, taser you, or throw you in a van and haul you away.

And right now I'd rather have them knocking on my door from assholes from ICE. When you tell Jehoah's witnesses you're not interested, they just go away.

[hunter]

39. My mom got kicked out of the Witnesses because she couldn't stay out of politics.

One day there were literally bouncers at the doors of the Kingdom Hall excluding her.

After that we were Quakers, much to my dad's relief I'm sure.

I never did say the Pledge of Allegiance in school. I'd read or draw pictures of spaceships while everyone was standing up for the pledge which only added to my aura of weirdness.

As a teen my mom was infatuated by various Catholic intellectuals, anti-war activists, Dorothy Day, and the whole concept of Social Justice. Then she had a bad encounter with a Catholic Priest that she never fully explained, and turned to the Witnesses in her crisis.

I always chat with the Witnesses when they come to the door but I haven't seed them around since the start of the covid pandemic. Maybe they are shunning me too.

[mucholderthandirt]

58. I never said the Pledge in school, either. When our local schools were told to do it...

A lot of teachers said it wasn't mandatory, so I just sat in my seat and blocked it out. I usually had some kind of book or something, so I'd look at that. As an adult, when I'd recite it, I loudly and clearly left out the God crap. Got me some nasty looks, too. LOL

This was in fifth grade, and I'm almost 68 now. I was born to rebel and be liberal, I guess.

[Iggo]

55. They're not allowed to vote? Oh yeah, that's definitely a cult.

[Niagara]

56. Any group or organization that restricts, controls or dictates

about what actions another person CAN or CAN'T execute or how to behave is a unquestionably a cult.


I clearly stated that

Which is one of the reason's why I consider them a cult.

They're not allowed certain life-saving medical blood transfusions either.

[Iggo]

57. If your church acts like an abusive husband, it's a cult. (n/t)

[Trueblue Texan]

12. I once had a notice pasted up beside my front door...

Born out of concern for my teenagers who were home alone (back in the 80s) who would often get trapped in a conversation with proselytizing JWs, I typed up a document I called my "Witness Protection Program". It was a "READ BEFORE KNOCKING" notice that basically told them we'd already studied all the religions in the US and had decided what we believed. We asked that they respected our beliefs as we respected theirs and asked that they didn't try to influence us with their beliefs. I never had another JW knock on my door after I put up that notice. I wonder if I could write a similar one for ICE?

[3catwoman3]

30. Very well stated. I may borrow that.

We used to get frequent calls from a company wanting to sell whole or half sides of beef. I would stretch the truth and say, "Oh, you've reached a vegetarian household, so we're not interested." The callers would apologize profusely and hang up right away. it was an efficient way to end the sales pitch.

We weren't vegetarians, but were not big red meat eaters at that time. For the last 7+ years, I haven't eaten any.

[usedtobedemgurl]

34. JWs knocked on my door when I was 11.

My mom came home as they were leaving. They advised I get therapy. My mom called the org and said if they came near me again, she would sue! I only told them I am not afraid to die if I will be reincarnated anyway.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

27. I bring up their gender beliefs and they scurry away

[Attilatheblond]

2. Saw a report, with video from homeowner's outside camera, of ICE gang removing said outside camera

I may have to invest in one that uploads all images to the internet, along with one of those doormats that says "Come Back With A Warrant"

Not long for this earth anyway, I may come out with a rifle. OK with martyrdom.

[mobeau69]

32. Not amosexual but pretty sure you don't want a rifle.

[OAITW r.2.0]

3. I was under my car fixing an exhaust hanger, when I hear a group of people talking at my garage door.

Peering out, I see 4 pair of legs.
"can I help you?" i asked.
"Hello, we're with the JW", came the reply. "We'd like to talk with you about our missionary work."

I replied, "I will talk if you can answer my simple question. Can God make a square circle?" Silence.
I said, "OK, God wants me to finish fixing my exhaust. Please comeback when you can provide me this answer."

They never returned.

[leftieNanner]

4. Next time

Do not open the door.

[milestogo]

17. I wanted them to see my snarling dog so they would see what they were missing.

[dalton99a]

5. Ask them this:

What kind of insecure asshole forces people to worship and adore him 24/7?

And by the way, tell him to get off his ass and start fighting Satan. He hasn't done shit. There is evil all over the place and it is getting worse

[Ray Bruns]

6. "What kind of insecure asshole forces people to worship and adore him 24/7?"

Donald Trump

[Wednesdays]

33. "What kind of insecure asshole forces people to worship and adore him 24/7?"

The one that's squatting in the White House right now.

[Niagara]

8. I haven't had JW at my door since right before the Covid pandemic

They still send letters that go right into the trash though.

[milestogo]

10. I haven't seen any in years.

But I do get occasional letters.

And their place of worship is less than a mile away.

Maybe they DO pay attention to politics and think the apocalypse is happening soon!

[Niagara]

13. They're a weird cult

They think everyday is the apocalypse.

[erronis]

18. Well - we've been told to live every day as if it might be your last.

Seems reasonable nowadays. No sense planning for the future. (Sort of kidding, maybe, I guess.)

[Niagara]

23. I live for today

I try to treat other people with respect and kind words. There are people this is impossible to treat well so I just avoid them.


I don't know what tomorrow holds. I don't know when my time here will end either.


I take it one day at a time.

[calimary]

44. Seems to me that's about all you can do.

Just always try to live right (and I DON’T mean right-wing!!!).

[Niagara]

53. I've been reading your posts for awhile now, calimary

And so I know exactly what you're saying about living right. Being compassionate, having empathy, and showing kindness; basically being a decent person towards other people.



Anyway, I hope you're doing well. I remember you posting this: https://democraticunderground.com/100220456579



At the time, I just couldn't reach out to you, so I'm reaching out to you now.

[calimary]

59. Awwwwwww... thanks for the hug, Niagara!

back atcha!

[milestogo]

20. Well I'm beginning to wonder myself.

[Niagara]

24. It definitely is a dark and uncertain time with an orange turd in charge

I think that we'll overcome this eventually but it's not going to be an easy road. We'll have some dark times ahead of us.



Please be good to yourself and those that you love, milestogo.

[usonian]

29. Apocalyptic thinking is pervasive. It really amounts to denial (don't get me started on denial)

A good read is "Buddha at the Apocalypse" by Kurt Spellmeyer.
He goes right after apocalyptic thinking.

In fact, part of the disaster we face these days is precisely apocalyptic thinking. The world can be reduced to ashes, and the magats are working very hard to do that, because they expect a "reward" at the Apocalypse for their hate, brutality and misanthropy, simply because it all helps bring that lovely day about, spiritual masters that they are.

(surprise coming)

That is very explicit in the way many of them view Israel. As the battleground, Armageddon.

I note below that they exhibit many cult patterns.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220932548#post26

"Men in black"
except for the music.
and the sci-fi weaponry

Oh, and their timing is always wrong. Several predictions in the past that vaporized have been explained away (see "denial" in my post.

[Niagara]

38. Interesting. Thank you, usonian

I had a classmate in junior high school that was a JW.


I don't believe that she is anymore as an adult.

[usonian]

40. I think that many are attracted to them simply because they appear to have "all the answers" lately, on ipads.

(I know people)

I look on AI as having a "have all the answers" look to many, whereas others would rather understand the process than having quick "don't make me think" answers. Times change. A lot.

For example:
AI: The Will Hunting of Our Age
Why Artificial Intelligence is the Ultimate “Will Hunting”
https://medium.com/@chipmunkworks/ai-the-will-hunting-of-our-age-59952c1744f1

[Trueblue Texan]

19. They've been thinking that since they were established. nt

[milestogo]

35. It was a theme even when the New Testament was written

many moons ago.

[twodogsbarking]

11. My response is "I'm not interested but have a nice day". Not just on religion salespeople.

[SWBTATTReg]

14. They are still around? Good grief, I guess some scourges of the Earth will never go away!

[BeneteauBum]

15. While taking a walk, two JW approached and started with 'Have you found God?'

My reply was ‘I didn’t know I was lost’. When they appeared utterly confused I continued ‘I am God and so are you’. The young men just walked away unable to process where I was coming from. Fortunately, I have about a quarter mile from my home to the shore so no one solicits.
Peace ☮️

[fierywoman]

21. If, as they say. we are the children of God, then aren't we God?

[Warpy]

16. As long as they weren't undertakers, you're ahead of the game NT

[Coventina]

22. Quick way to shut JW down: You're speaking to someone dis-fellowshipped

This means someone kicked out of JW.

They are strictly forbidden from interacting with anyone dis-fellowshipped.



on edit: grammar!

[3catwoman3]

31. Good to know. I'll keep it in mind...

...should the occasion arise.

[calimary]

45. That IS good to know!

Thanks, Coventina!

“Quick way to shut JW down: You're speaking to someone dis-fellowshipped… This means someone kicked out of JW. They are strictly forbidden from interacting with anyone dis-fellowshipped.”

[twodogsbarking]

25. They weren't Amish roofers were they? I saw them on a neighbor's roof last summer. Sounded like gunshots.

[usonian]

26. A couple of things.

1. They are apolitical. Their kingdom is "not of this world", which they have punted on. You can guess my opinion of that. I believe the exact opposite, BUT point 2.

2. They have an answer for EVERYTHING. It's a closed belief system that defines away or reinterprets anything that might disagree with the closed system. There's a four letter word for such systems.

AND ITEM 3 of two

Always be open minded.

They might appreciate if you play some R&B



and be really FUN PEOPLE



On the other hand ...
They could be trouble.

[Fil1957]

28. I don't care for them either, but let us not forget that Jehovah's Witnessess were among the first to put into Nazi

concentration camps in the 1930s.

[sellitman]

36. It was Years ago but I remember what my father did to politely turn them away for years

He invited them in for coffee and proceeded in the most polite way possible to convert them to Judaism.

He was a very persuasive person who was also brilliant and trained in speech tactics to win any side to a conversation he wanted to take.

They couldn't leave fast enough and we watched them for years avoiding our door like we had the plague.

[milestogo]

37. If you engage with them you have to be prepared for a long conversation.

They are out to convert you no matter how long it takes. If your father got them to leave, that's an accomplishment!

[utherpendragon]

41. Two black men

Sorry. I misread the first line as Two Black Men at My Front Door and wondered what could this story be about?

[milestogo]

43. Actually there was one black man and one white man dressed all in black.

[Tbear]

42. Quit "cracking your door" to talk to strangers on your porch.

Too easy to force their way in. Very dangerous for you.
Talk through the door or a closed window. Shouting is ok. How loud can you yell , “No thanks!”?

[hunter]

46. I'm not going to live my life in fear...

... and I've lived in some pretty rough neighborhoods.

[Tbear]

54. Don't be afraid just be smart. Or not.

[ABC123Easy]

47. Be careful

Glad you were okay. I always tell my dad that he's not obligated in any way to go to the door or answer or acknowledge someone at the door. Better to be safe.

[appleannie1]

48. One of my mom's sisters was a JW

She and her hubby were "missionaries" in Equador. They came back to PA for a month the year after I married my second husband. My hubby was the single father of 3 and I had 2 small children from my first marriage. When she heard I had 5 children she thought my family was easy pickings. I was polite when she visited (she was my aunt) but threw her pamphlets away the minute she left. Before she went home she stopped at the local Kingdom Hall and told them I was interested in joining their cult. I started to get weekly visits from 3 women. I tried to tell them I wasn't interested but they were stubborn.
One day I had just gotten the older kids off to elementary school and was having a cup of coffee when I saw them stop out front. It just so happened that both my mom and my M-I-L had gotten me sexy peignoir sets for Christmas and my brother had given us a magnum of scotch. I ran down the hall, stripping as I went, threw on the see through robe of one of the sets and on my way back to the living room spotted the scotch on top of the fridge. I grabbed it, opened it and sloshed some down my front, then went to the door and opened it. I slurred "Good! We're having a party and we are a couple women short". They fled and I was never bothered by them again.

[3catwoman3]

50. Damn, I would have paid good money to see that!

I admire and envy your moxie -

[DFW]

49. We had them exactly once

We were on vacation on Cape Cod, and a big black limousine drove up and sent out two poor teenagers in black suits to the door of the house we were renting. I had no idea what was going on but my wife knew. She had no intention of wasting away our precious vacation time, and told me to get rid of them, as they trained their people to be very persistent. I told her to answer the door herself, and speak ONLY German, no matter what they said. It worked. Neither of the boys spoke any German at all, and quickly left when they realized it was hopeless. I do it to telemarketers and cold calls for contributions to the candidate for dog catcher in Bozeman, Montana. In my advanced age, in such moments, I can only remember how to speak Swedish, Russian or Catalan. They give up pretty quickly.

The best answer I heard in the USA was to interrupt the caller and ask for their names and home telephone numbers. They usually refuse and ask why. Why? So I can call YOU up at inconvenient times of the day and try to sell YOU something. That usually gets them to hang up, too.

[FalloutShelter]

51. I used to live a half mile off of the main road

on nine acres in the woods of Putnam County NY.

While living there for twenty years, there was never a single car or stranger that strayed up that driveway to my front door that did not belong there with the exception of guess who? That's right JWs.

It was, however, very easy for me to get rid of them. I acted friendly, and praised then for their devotion to their religion. Then I told them that I was a practicing Buddhist, (which I am).

This happened more than once and you never saw more confused looks on anyone in your life.
They were literally speechless. Back down the drive they went.
It always cracked me up. They simply did not know what to do with that.

LOL

[milestogo]

52. I worked with a really nice normal guy who was married to a JW woman.

She converted after they married. He's an atheist. Ain't no way he's converting. And there is no sign of divorce. I always wondered what that must be like.