Is nowhere safe?

[Steve C Cronin]

I find that saying "I'm a lay minister in the Church of England" usually causes them to politely withdraw. I do know of ministers who deliberately engaged them in discussion, but it's usually a bit counter-productive.

However, they can easily be challenged as for some of their key doctrines they rely on a very odd and inaccurate translation of the Bible. There's a clue in their name - "Jehovah" is a misreading of the name of God in the Hebrew Bible. Hebrew has no letters for vowels, and the name of God in Hebrew is spelt YWHW. Because naming God is banned by strict Jews, the name is usually rendered with vowel marks indicating the vowels for "Adonai" (i.e. The Lord), and it would be read as "Adonai". The combination of the consonants and the vowel marking (which are relatively modern and not present in the earliest texts) were read by the King James translators as Jehovah. In fact, the name is probably "Yahweh" - it is related to the word "I am", and ties up nicely with the account of Moses and the Burning Bush. Modern translations usually replace YWHW with THE LORD (in capitals to indicate it is the name of God that is meant) or possibly Yahweh.

How does that help? Surely the idea is to get rid of them as quickly as possible, not start a doctrinal debate which has the makings of an epic undertaking?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

How does that help? Surely the idea is to get rid of them as quickly as possible, not start a doctrinal debate which has the makings of an epic undertaking?

It stops them bothering other people!

 

[Steve C Cronin]

It stops them bothering other people!

Oh my God!

A real life martyr!

 

[Cariadco]

I've had this happen once, in Gouvia Marina.
Got a great way to get rid of them, though.
I wave my hands around, speak Welsh, throw in the odd swear word...and hey presto...Off the toddle!!

 

[Salty John]

We were approached by a small boat carrying a trio of JWs whilst we were at anchor in a small cove in Culebra, many moons ago. So, no, nowhere is safe.
They didn't stay long. I wrote up the story as a "Confession" in YM and I have the reward, an excellent Peyton cartoon, hanging on my office wall.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Depends how you view 'educated'. Some stuff is worth knowing and some stuff is just fairly useless knowledge unless you were taking part in a particularly weird pub quiz.

I'm useless at pub quizzes!

 

[Carmel2]

Since posting this, they have gone.. Come on, who are you??

 

[Sybarite]

I find that saying "I'm a lay minister in the Church of England" usually causes them to politely withdraw. I do know of ministers who deliberately engaged them in discussion, but it's usually a bit counter-productive.

However, they can easily be challenged as for some of their key doctrines they rely on a very odd and inaccurate translation of the Bible. There's a clue in their name - "Jehovah" is a misreading of the name of God in the Hebrew Bible. Hebrew has no letters for vowels, and the name of God in Hebrew is spelt YWHW. Because naming God is banned by strict Jews, the name is usually rendered with vowel marks indicating the vowels for "Adonai" (i.e. The Lord), and it would be read as "Adonai". The combination of the consonants and the vowel marking (which are relatively modern and not present in the earliest texts) were read by the King James translators as Jehovah. In fact, the name is probably "Yahweh" - it is related to the word "I am", and ties up nicely with the account of Moses and the Burning Bush. Modern translations usually replace YWHW with THE LORD (in capitals to indicate it is the name of God that is meant) or possibly Yahweh.

I have found them to be charming and sincere when engaged in conversation. However, when I tell them I am a practicing church member, they do not persist. Perhaps that's the answer.

 

[Steve C Cronin]

Definition of pub quiz: A good way to ruin a perfectly good night out at the pub.

Sssshhhh, stop talking and socialising in the pub there are inane questions about religion and Eastenders that need to be answered.

When in the UK, most weeks, they provide us with a free bottle of wine! Don't knock it.

 

[Sybarite]

I find that if I tell them to bugger off they do not persist. Maybe that is the answer?

Says more about you than it does them.

 

[charles_reed]

This is a prime example of why you should never invite anyone who knocks on your door and wants to talk about religion in to your house. It's all really very very boring. I nodded off just before the first mention of the Bible

Another gem, bizarre and unique.
Well done, Vonasi!!!

 

[Birvidik_Bob]

One evening, many years ago, I was at a friend's house when there was a knock on the door. He opened it to find himself confronted by a smartly dressed couple emanating a pervading air of Mormon.

"My friend" said the man in a Bible-belt twang, "My wife and I have come four thousand miles just to make you happy!"

"Well you can just go another four thousand and make the Chinese happy." said Gil and gently closed the door.

 

[Mr Proach]

I just ask the age old omnipotence question;

"So, could god make a stone that is too heavy for him to lift?"

Yes. Well he's not omnipotent then is he

No. Well he's not omnipotent then is he.

Bye.

 

[steadyeddy]

Is nowhere safe

I have found when they call ,just say thank you very much for calling but i am not interested they just go.I must admit they have some very pretty helpers.

 

[sailaboutvic]

One evening, many years ago, I was at a friend's house when there was a knock on the door. He opened it to find himself confronted by a smartly dressed couple emanating a pervading air of Mormon.

"My friend" said the man in a Bible-belt twang, "My wife and I have come four thousand miles just to make you happy!"

"Well you can just go another four thousand and make the Chinese happy." said Gil and gently closed the door.

You missed out three , they really wanted a threesome .

www.bluewatersailorcroatia.webs.com

 

[Jegs]

I have found when they call ,just say thank you very much for calling but i am not interested they just go.I must admit they have some very pretty helpers.

Can vouch for that - years ago gorgeous lady approached just as I was, on my knees [didn't help], attempting to clean the drain outside the kitchen with a coat hanger.

John G

 

[DownWest]

With a bit of spare time, I did talk to them. Problem was, they could not see beyond their version of the bible. If it was written in that, then it was true. I pointed out that the bible was much rewritten by people with agendas well after the events. And there is no version of the actual times. No,No, it is all true. So after a while it is pointless. That was in Portugal. More recently, here in France, I found some people poking around behind the house.. WTF are you up to? JWs... told them my beliefs are entirely my personal affair, goodbye. Few months later, same lot. I was less polite as they did not remember that they had been here before.. I try to be polite, but they do strain the idea.
And, they get paid for each item of literature you accept.