Just about ready to go out for some cycling, someone rings by doorbell. “How odd…” I think, “I don’t get guests? Did they mean to ring my neighbour? And utilities companies shouldn’t be here on weekends?” So I put on some pants and run downstairs to see who it is, rather than just blindly buzzing in the unknown. “Hi! We’re Jehovah’s Witnesses, and we’d like to talk to you about the Bible!” (Not those words exactly, considering I’m living in a German-speaking area.)
Turns out I just had my first visit by Jehovah’s Witnesses! It was all very exciting. They said they want to talk to me about the Bible. I asked if they could come back on another day (since this weekend is packed), likely that got them excited too? I just showed interest, while I expect most people just shoo them away? (Or might it rather be the case of preferring to be shooed away, as that takes less time and effort? *grin*)
We did have a quick conversation at the door, which ended with me taking the two pamphlets that they had in English. “I come from a Christian country, I have a Christian background” I explained, when they asked whether I’m interested in hearing about the Bible. “I’m mostly interested in discussing theological differences.” Or something along those lines. I didn’t want to bring them under any false impression as to my interest in actual conversion, this is really rather more a case of academic interest.
They had said they could come back on Tuesday, but then I couldn’t really give them a time, and by the time our conversation finished (with me babbling in my usual million-words-a-minute native-level English), they said they would give my name and address to a colleague of theirs that is good at English.
So now I have some time to prepare – both on the clean-the-flat level and preparation for the conversation. Pity about the lack of time. While I have a good set of topics of conversation in mind already, is there anything you would be interested in hearing? Would there be a difference in worldview between European Jehovah’s Witnesses and South African ones, for example? I’m thinking the audience they talk to would respond quite differently. Unfortunately I haven’t had the chance to chat with a witness operating in South Africa yet.
8 responses so far ↓
1 thinker // Mar 17, 2012 at 1:14 pm
A standard first step in getting acquainted with a new topic would be to read the wikipedia page.
2 Pieter // Mar 17, 2012 at 8:43 pm
It’s a trap! Run!
3 Hennie // Mar 18, 2012 at 9:21 am
Educational material:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6TeDM-wlZ4
4 thinker // Mar 19, 2012 at 11:06 pm
How did you know I’m supposed to start looking at my taxes?! *grin*
5 Bertus! // Mar 31, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Be nice to them. One usually feels good about it afterwards. Their an easy target to make fun of or embarrass, rather try to be kind.
6 Bertus! // Mar 31, 2012 at 5:05 pm
“They’re an easy target” obviously.
7 Bertus! // Apr 6, 2012 at 2:50 pm
You might have seen this one. http://www.epiclol.com/alligators-more-welcome-than-jehovah-s-witnesses/
8 thinker // Apr 9, 2012 at 11:38 pm
I had hoped that by now, people might know I’m friendlier than that?
I’m actually currently more interested in asking about their experiences and challenges in living in a pluralistic society, or impact their conversion had on their relationships with friends and family, than about trying to poke holes.
Unfortunately I’m so seldomly home, they are more likely to come knocking numerous times and eventually give up than to actually find me with free time. :-/
Leave a Comment