Opening the Gates

We have witness friends that are just the nicest people ever. I asked Tony once what would happen if I answered the door naked if any of his witness friends came. He said I would be added to the "do not stop there again" list. Then he laughed

Always remember they are people and deserve respect as much as anyone else. Not to mention being rude is not being Jedi.

And on the recording, wow! Lol

What does annoy is when they wont back down after I've been polite in the way I've told them I'm not interested. Some are very persistent. I wouldn't do it to them, so they shouldn't do it to me.

That's harassment. Alethea's actions are peer pressure and additional harassment.

that too, in a way: "'If you did not turn to Christianity and live your life by the bible you would burn in hell'."

The reason (other people's religion) for banning him are sad though in my opinion.

Just as I enjoy talking to you all, I enjoy talking to everyone about any subject...

I used to tell the Witnesses to move on, I'm not interested, you know the polite responses... I close my eyes when I'm naked, I wouldn't want to traumatize others!! :lol:

However, the last time they stopped by, my wife (who I mention in the other thread has no belief in anything...), told me to "Git'em"...

So, I met Witness with Jedi.... And answered all of their questions and countered with a few of my own... I didn't get all my questions answered, but that's cause I forgot them, enjoyingbthe conversation, and the direction it went...

I saw some Witnesses the other day, doing their slooow walk/shuffle down the street... I was working, and didn't have time to talk, but my next question is 'Why do they walk so slow?' Is it contemplation? What?

Every exchange is a chance to learn, a chance to teach...

Jahovah's Witness are no more annoying that any other individual who is telling you something you don't think you want to hear... If you are really open, and paying attention to the "NOW", then you might see what it is you were meant to see/learn/teach/pass on...

How can we expect tolerance for ourselves, if we don't tolerate, others? How can we expect defense of our beliefs, if we dontvdefend that of others?

Can't be rude, that's just, well, rude... lol...

I approached strangers too, to help or just smile at them... Spreading the love....

For example, there's this atheist classmate who, in every mandatory chapel session, constantly whispers to the guy next to him, "that couldn't happen....that's fake...that's the truth for messed up people."

Are you saying that this guy should enjoy it/ remain silent? It's not as if he chooses to be there. You'll tell me the guy could just sit there, not listen, play on his gameboy... But would you ask this of someone who is being raped?

Hmm...the only weird christian thing that happened to me lately (and bear in mind I live in the The Bible Belt so I'm used to a lot of it) is a youth group came up to me at the park and asked for my shirt. As a test of some scripture aboutsomeone giving you the shirt off their back. I told them no, but explained if I hadn't been wearing one that was custome made for me (thornton for dictator 2011) they could have had it.

lol, Ren, harassment I can see- additional harassment would have been if I told the guy I was going to do the blessing for him because he as an idiot.

Peer Pressure, no, Peer Criticism yes. Peer Pressure would have been talking them into redoing the blessing because they were both in the wrong.

SeanChing wrote: After all, it may not mean anything to you, but to the religious dude, it means the world. Don't crush his world...

I think that is one of the smartest things I've ever read.

ren wrote:

For example, there's this atheist classmate who, in every mandatory chapel session, constantly whispers to the guy next to him, "that couldn't happen....that's fake...that's the truth for messed up people."

Are you saying that this guy should enjoy it/ remain silent? It's not as if he chooses to be there. You'll tell me the guy could just sit there, not listen, play on his gameboy... But would you ask this of someone who is being raped?

Are you actually comparing that with rape? haha Wow! I once was made to go to a Catholic school where I had a Jewish friend who also attended. She didn't become snarky or rude during mass. She sat quietly and studied her school work, listened to the service, or daydreamed. She was so very polite and respectful of another culture, and it showed what a good person she is. You don't have to agree with what's being said, but you don't have to ruin another's experience either. The kid next to that boy might actually want to listen to what's being said in the chapel session.

It's not rape. The boy could most likely get up and walk out if he's so inclined, ask his parents to enroll him in a public school, rebel and get expelled if it's indeed comparable to rape. Or is he held down? Strapped to the chair? Oh wait I know, it's a knife, right, being held to his neck? "Come on, cupcake, you know you want it. This chapel will make you feel gooood."

SeanChing wrote: I look down upon both the person imposing the religion and people who show no decency or respect to them. After all, it may not mean anything to you, but to the religious dude, it means the world. Don't crush his world...

I don't think it's very fair to look down on someone for such an arbitrary reason. A militant atheist may be very offended by attempts at converting him/her, so is the militant atheist not justified in being verbally aggressive in response? If someone is staunchly opposed to your beliefs, it's not fair to try imposing your beliefs on them.

Not everyone is a Jedi, and not everyone believes in tolerance and respect.

Personally, i'd ignore them. It's very unlikely that I'd be able to convince them of my beliefs, and equally unlikely that they'd be able to convince me of theirs, so the conversation would be, to me, moot.