It is possible to mark the seasons by the things that happen every year around this time. But sometimes Bow and I are taken off guard, even though in retrospect we realize that what just happened was perfectly predictable.
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| I thought the elephants were a nice touch |
A little while ago, we got our annual visit from the local Jehovah's Witnesses. They are always very polite, and I am also very polite, but it bothers Bow that people just show up unannounced. So after they are gone, I share the tract they leave with Bow and let him know they came by just to give it to us.
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| Bow looking at the invitation/tract |
I like how they try to modernize their message so that it sounds like a benefits package: "You will hear an explanation of how his death can benefit you and your family." Bow, however, by now is quite unimpressed with all these promises. I think maybe if they had invited us to an event where we get to hurl rocks at trees he would have been more excited.
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The Jehovah's Witnesses seem really nice at first, but it is a ploy to get people to join. They will never stop coming around if they think there is any chance you might be interested in talking to them. Actually, I hear they leave booklets at bus stops and train stations more now because most people are not home like thirty years ago during the hey dey of their preaching.
ReplyDeleteI have less than generous things to say about them because of experiences I had with this group as a child. My mom wanted to be a Jehovah's Witness, so we used to go to the kingdom hall. The problem with this religion is they do not let kids decide whether they want to participate or not, they force all the kids to be a part of it.
I remember being told in kindergarten I was not allowed to say the flag salute because they consider the flag an idol. I had to sit there while everyone said the pledge, and that always made for lots of comments. I also had to sit in a classroom alone reading a book about a chicken.
I will admit they have beautiful artwork in their books and tracts. They always do hire some talented artists. You are exactly right about how they try to modernize themselves to stay with the times, and it makes for some funny results. They kept saying the world was going to end around the time people in 1914 were passing away, and since most people alive then have passed on, they had to revise this doctrine a few years ago.
Hi, Julia, I remember that you had some experiences with them that were not so pleasant. So far, I have no problems with them, and I think they can tell that I am just being polite, but I am not particularly receptive, so it's okay. But Bow resents their surprise visits. He feels he needs to okay anyone coming on the property.
DeleteI don't mind religion, but I just don't want it shoved in my face. The Jehovah's people are generally very nice and respectful, but Bob has had enough of them coming to our door and has told them to NOT come back. One of our neighbor's is a witness and while we were talking about the pigs he was selling to a new neighbor that moved in, he mentioned, "they're not Witnesses, but that's ok. But you're not either (referring to me), and we still like you". I thought to myself, "what an ass!". I think I got a glimpse into what they're really thinking about people that don't believe in their religion. Anyway, Bob told them they're wasting their time and he was just going to burn their booklets, so most of them know not to come here anymore. LOL
ReplyDeleteHi, Kathy, it just seems as if there is an uneasy tension behind all the politeness when the Jehovah's Witnesses come around.
DeleteI have had some come to my door as well. In the other place that I lived manyu years ago they brought a young trainee. Well he had the wrong sized pants on and plit them. Thank goodness I was a seamstress and fixed him up right quick. It was embarrassing for everyone concerned. They were very nice young men.
ReplyDeleteThen I get some around here and just do not understand their way of thinking or the doctrine. If there is only room for 144 thousand people why are the trying to recruit more when they know they won't be accepted into their heaven.
The ones that came here a couple of months ago were nice and they got out of the car and came to the end of my driveway. I told them that I do not want to hear what they have to say. The guy that was doing all the talking said something that confused me. He said that he understood that I was told not to talk to them.
If he had understood out neighborhood he would not have said that. There are people that come into our neighborhood that tries to sell something and then they in turn case houses to rob. I don't like strangers come to my door or even into my yard.
Hi, Debbie, the first story about the young trainee and your getting to help him as a seamstress is particularly amusing. We've never had anything quite like that happen here.
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