Since moving to the new house in September, Danielle has been "visited" by Jehovah's Witnesses on a number of occasions, each time politely saying "no thanks" and closing the door. Not an unusual circumstance....they are a large group, and they have a large emphas, is on door-to-door witnessing...and that is the extent of my knowledge of their religion. That all changed today.
With clear blue skies, a light breeze, and the sun glowing gently, I decided that it was an perfect day to clean out the car. Backing out my now nearly gray, black sedan, I began in the drivers seat and would go clockwise around the car. Things were going smoothly, I "de-trashed", returned lost items to their proper places, and even vacuumed the majority of the interior. Wanting to take it one step further I searched the car for Armor All wipes I was sure exisited. Triumpant, I began back outside to finish my little "saturday chore". Once outside, I watched as the small black Honda Civic approached and pulled in front of my house. Racking my brain for who this may be, I quickly decided they must be at the wrong house and continued on with my quest for a clean car. With the Armour All fumes filling the car, I was interupted by the sound of the roar of my lovable beast Shiner. As I look over my shoulder, I hear the pleasantries of a well-dressed, mid-30's gentleman. As my brain races to answer the question of "who is this guy", I instintively respond to his "does he bite?" inquistions with a sarcastic "on command, should i ask him to?". Slightly dissapointed with my self for the response to a stranger, my neurons fire and I know who this is...a Jehovah's Witness. "Oh yeah" I remark to myself as Will introduces himself and his equally well dressed cohort through nervous laughter. Feeling I know what "good news" they were prepared to share, I rudely interupt and explain to them I am a Christian and not interest in hearing what they have to say, and with that I turned to continue what I had already begun. On my short walk back to the car my brain began to race..."was I rude?", "do i really know what they had to say", "how would i have felt if I had been treated that way?" My shoulders sank as the realization of my behavior hit me, in the same breath, I had just claimed to be a "God fearing Christian" while ignoring the feelings of my fellow man. The realization that I had never given these people or their faith a second thought, not once had I even given them the respect of "googling" what they actually believe. Through the years, many had come, many had been brushed aside, and never had I considered anything beyond what I had been told by my doting mother.
I listened this time, not only listened, but questioned. "what do you belive that I don't", "why do people have the conitation that they do" "how do you get the courage to go door to door" We discussed issue by issue...or so I believed. Providing limited information, but opting instead to read a single scripture to provide a basis for an ingrained belief. I pushed this theory, "how can you expect me to take a single scripture for its face value, don't you think each should be consider in the context in which it was said?" Simple answers are given to my questions, instead institing on focusing on previously discussed common grounds. Compliments are provided as positive reinforcement to common ground. Yet, I remained uneasy. When asked to summarize the differences in beliefs, I was given the following..."we added the word Jehovah, hebrew for God back to the bible", "we believe in the fat her, the son, and the holy ghost exist, but were different people", and finally "we believe that God will return to earth to reign over his kingdom". Not complex differences, while they do contain a "deal breaker", my mind pondered the vilification of such a religion. "of all the problems in the world, why pick this religion for society to shun" This notion could not excape the mind. Eating at my thoughts through out the day.
The answer was clear and obvious. It took only a few moments in front of the computer screen. Simple strokes of the key board, that unfortunately I fear most never take the effort to make. These well dressed, soft spoken, members of the Jehovah's Witness religion are no more than the car salesmen of the religious realm. Armed with a bible and a few key passages, these men and women spead the words of a cult. Leaving out key differences, they are simply looking for you to take the bait. A religion built on the belief that other religions are foolish and the attempt for personal understanding of the Bible is considered "foolish". I was taken aback. The differences were substainal and not at all as simple as stated. Speaking to a country filled with people who are not familar with the Bible,and sadly, unmotivated to pick it up themselves, these salesmen sell a religion designed to make you feel good. My concern is not for the few, but rather than many that are lost and looking for the answers. The answers that our lord and savior are waiting to give, but waiting for us to listen. These thirsty souls led by the enemy to a cult of selfish origin. My prayers reach out to these people as they are led astray.
Obvisously I have not discussed the many differences hear, as they are too many to go in hear, but I strongly encourage you to take the time and make the simple search of "jehovah witness" in your google search bar.
