So glad this convention will "dispel myths" regarding the J-dubs, and that they won't baptize anyone too young, only 11-year-olds and up!! Isn't it great?
Source: http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,8136304%255E953,00.html
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Baptism of faith for field of dreams
Rachel Morris
12dec03
IN terms of crowd control, it was the best-behaved gathering Telstra Stadium had seen in its short history.
No pitch invasions, no streakers, no scuffles in the beer queues, the corporate boxes were empty and this lot even brought their own packed lunches.
More than 60,000 Jehovah's Witnesses from around the globe gathered at the Olympic stadium yesterday for the start of their four-day convention.
Life-long Witness Nathan Wood, of Bulli, said part of the reason for holding the convention in Sydney (apart from having a venue suitable to hold all the delegates) was to dispel myths about the faith.
"It's amazing how many misconceptions that people have about Jehovah's Witnesses," he said. "We are everyday people. Everything we do is based on the Bible."
Tomorrow will see one of the biggest mass baptisms held in Australia with 500 adults undergoing immersion in pools of water in the centre of the stadium grounds.
The Witnesses do not believe in baptising babies because they cannot make up their own minds about whether they want to take on the religion ? so the converts will be aged between 11 and 80.
None will be dressed in white robes , instead donning "modest beach attire".
(end of newspaper story)