Report from the Chicago Sun-times.
Note the arrogant assumption that non JW's have no clue why they are of a particular religion.
Also the optimism about baptisms ("scores" = at least 40).
Plus, there's that word qualified again!
Expatbrit
p.s. Tina, get down there with your placards and megaphone!
Jehovah's Witnesses will gather at Comiskey ParkMay 25, 2001
BY CATHLEEN FALSANI RELIGION REPORTER
Fifteen thousand Jehovah's Witnesses from across the Midwest are expected to gather at Comiskey Park starting today for a three-day convention encouraging people to study scripture for themselves.
"We feel while many people have their own religion, much of it has been inherited, and very few people actually know why they are what they are," said Jesse Graziani, news service representative for the Jehovah's Witnesses. "We feel it is our mission to preach this message of scripture."
This weekend's event, which runs through Sunday, is the first of three three-day conventions the Witnesses plan to hold this summer at Sox park. A Spanish-language gathering is planned for next month, and a second English-language conference is scheduled for July, Graziani said.
The Witnesses are holding 15 such regional conventions across the nation this summer. The group has held similar gatherings at Sox park the last two years.
On Saturday morning, scores of Witnesses will be baptized and ordained. Jehovah's Witnesses don't have a separation of clergy and laity. Every baptized believer also is ordained, Graziani said.
"Those who are qualified--be they men, women or grown children--we're all considered ministers," he said.
There are approximately 60,000 Witnesses in 240 congregations in the Chicago metropolitan area. The Witnesses count nearly 1 million members in the United States and 6 million worldwide.
All of the Comiskey Park convention sessions--which run from 9:30 to 5 p.m. today and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday--are free and open to the public.