A JW couple stopped by my house today. I was typing away on my computer when there was a knock at my door. I turned around and could see a guy in a suit and knew who it was! :o) This is the first visit we've had in the 3.5 yrs we've lived here. (Background about me - I was a JW from the time I was 5 till 19 and our family has been inactive for nearly 14 yrs.)
I hurried around and made sure my kids were distracted so I could talk to them some. When I opened the door he looked rather startled. He did a nice little greeting and then introduced himself and his wife.
Then he started with off with Daniel 2:44 and I looked at their bibles but they said "Holy Bible" rather than NWT. So I was wondering if in fact they were JWs. After he read the scripture, I put my hand up and said, "Excuse me. Are you two Jehovah's Witnesses?" and the wife nodded and said that they were. I said, "Oh okay, I thought so. Please continue." (I can't believe I had to ask! LOL!!) I think that surprised them a bit and so then he went on to the next scripture of the Lord's prayer. By the time he started reading it though, I started smiling and by the time he finished reading it, I was trying to cover my smile with my hand. When he finished, he asked if there was something funny about the scripture. I kind of laughed a little and said, "No! I"m really very sorry! Please continue!"
So then he flipped to another one (I can't remember - I was just trying so hard not to bust up). Then he finished that one and I said, "I'm sorry! But you know what? I'm really very knowledgeable about your beliefs and isn't it true that you believe Armageddon is going to come along soon and a loving and merciful God will wipe out nearly 6 billion people and leave just you Jehovah's Witnesses?"
He said, "Well actually.... ummmm..... well that's not REALLY what we believe." I raised my eyebrow at him with a big smile and then he fumbled around and read the scripture about how He doesn't want to kill everyone. And I said something like 'yes, that's an interesting scripture, isn't it!'
Then he talked about how He reads hearts. So I said "absolutely! I believe that too! But Jehovah's Witnesses STILL believe they will be the majority of the ones who survive Armageddon, don't they? Isn't that why you are out here today?"
Then the wife said, "Have you studied with the Witnesses before?" I said, "Actually I have family that are still members and I'm very knowledgeable about your teachings." The looks on their faces at that point completely changed and both their eyes were very big.
Then I said, "in fact, I probably know more about your religion than the two of you will ever know." Then the guy's bible closed. And I continued with "I've even read some of the stuff that you two are forbidden to read." I paused because I thought one of them was going to have a heart attack when I said that. Then I said, "If Armageddon does come tomorrow at least I can say that I have looked at BOTH sides." I think the guy was trying to figure out a way to close the conversation, but he didn't say anything so I continued with a concerned "You know - you two should never let anyone tell you what you can and can't read. I pray that someday you two will realize that."
Unfortunately, I would have had to chase after them or start yelling to tell them about the NGO/DPI stuff. Oh well! Next time I'll be a little more prepared and it will come out quicker!
They seemed like a nice young couple and I thought the conversation went really well.
After they walked away, I could see that they were going to walk up to my next door neighbor's house, but it looked like they changed their minds. It was nearing noon, so I must have been their last call of the day.
I wish I had something more interesting to report. But hey! I was probably their most exciting call of the day, right?