Window cleaning and jehovah's witness.

[Dave B]

I worked as warehouse manager in a warehouse for a few months once for a bunch who were all Plymouth brethren

No music won't read books unless written by a brethren no tv at home and no swearing which got me in trouble daily

"How's dispatch going dave?"

"****** mate"

Oops in trouble again

The worst thing is wont eat offal or blood so liver and bacon and black pudding off the menu

They worked all day and church for hours all evening

Reckon they are just scared of dying so ensuring they get a gold pass if it is real

 

[Njones]

There's quite a few JW's on here, 8 at least that I know of (myself included) - but we're all staying quiet because its really hard to defend your beliefs online like this - especially when the majority of comments on this thread so far come across as a little hostile,.. so I'm not going to get into any arguments - I'll just say that "I believe, Its my right to believe whatever I want, and that's it basically!"

BUT - there's a few things that have been said that are completely untrue, so here are some facts:

We have no restrictions on working Saturdays or paying our bills on Saturdays,.. the geezer prob thought he'd come up with a great excuse to keep his 2.50 in his pocket, but I doubt very much he was a JW.

Music is in no way banned, I listen to the radio, watch MTV etc. That's just nonsense.

TV is allowed - I watch far more of it than I should, many programs, many channels. The choice is mine. We even have our own TV channel at www.tv.jw.org,.. its a bit American if I'm honest - but anyone saying we're not allowed to have a TV in the house is misinformed.

I also read books - lots of books. Mostly fiction, sci-fi, thriller, crime novels - many written by people of other religions, mostly I have no idea of the authors beliefs. Its my choice & I'm allowed to make up my own mind!

Church is twice a week, usually an hour and a half on a weekday night and an hour and three quarters on a Sunday - hardly a big time commitment.

Liver & bacon are 2 foods I enjoy and are not restricted - black pudding is something we don't eat because of the blood content.

Swearing is not allowed, that much is true - but, without intending any offence, I'd personally consider my choice of language more to do with a good upbringing rather than a religious choice!

Many JW's find window cleaning is a great business because it allows them the flexibility to spend more time in the preaching work and still provide properly for their families - its as simple as that.

As to why we knock on doors and why we take a stand on blood issues etc that have been mentioned - if I try to answer here I don't think I'd be able to get the point across as well as I should, and it'd probably end up doing more harm than good. Its all explained on www.jw.org for anyone who is genuinely interested.

 

[Dave B]

I tend to speak before i think

No offence intended i have always been of the mind live and let live

I was talking about plymouth brethren who i have first hand experience of and they don't watch telly etc and went to church every night without fail

My only grievance is i believe what i want to believe and don't think i should.be preached at on my doorstep but that is my own opinion

Good luck mate and don't take any offence to what i say

Always had a big mouth and slow brain lol

 

[Dave B]

I also have good friends who are jws but they don't talk about religion in front of me and i watch my language in front of them

 

[Anthony @ SCS]

I doubt it's a case of being misinformed, it's more likely a case of someone following a religion and then adding their own adaption to it.

A bit like a Moderate Muslim and an Extremist Muslim.

I'm a proud Atheist, I don't believe in **** I can't see nor feel. It'd a nice idea of their being a god and heaven and all that **** that comes with it, but i don't buy it for 1 second.

I do however believe that everyone should follow their own beliefs, and in turn expect the criticism that comes along with it

 

[Njones]

I know how you feel about the preaching bit - I've had political idiots knocking on my door looking for my vote before elections & I will admit it made me angrier than I had reason to be.

What I will say is that we call to doors trying to help people - from our point of view it could be compared to believing you the cure for cancer, and trying to tell people & give it away, but no one will listen. We believe that what we're offering (without charge & without obligation) has the power to make you happier, healthier, possibly even a little wealthier - and the long term benefits are even better.

You can just asked to be put on the "do not call" list - once you're on that someone will only call once a year max just to check you haven't moved house or anything - - but before you do,.. just give them one chance?

 

[Dave B]

Catholicism and christianity are just 2 interpretations of the same thing

I think religion should.be a personal thing and have your own beliefs with no churches synagogues etc as all it has ever done is cause wars and death

 

[Dave B]

I have heard what my friends have to say on the matter and listened then made up my own mind

It just gets frustrating as their are a lot round here so am constantly getting my door knocked

I must admit it was a struggle to be polite sometimes when i worked nights

6pm - 6am at work bed at 7 then tap.tap on the door at.9.30

 

[Anthony @ SCS]

Catholicism and christianity are just 2 interpretations of the same thingI think religion should.be a personal thing and have your own beliefs with no churches synagogues etc as all it has ever done is cause wars and death

Very true, my dad was raised as a Catholic in Sicily, moved to the UK as a young lad, my mum is Christian, however neither of them tried to push a religion on my brothers or me

 

[Dave B]

I am officially c of e as i was christened and most of my family as they originate from kerry

Wifes half italian/ half irish and they are all catholic

Crazy thing is if we lived in ireland we would have never met as we're not supposed to get on

My uncle was in the army years before i was so i never got to experience northern ireland but the stories i hear and all the problems their due to religion is terrible

 

[Anthony @ SCS]

Ireland was my first tour in 97 so no where near as bad as previous years but still an eye opener.

On my birth certificate it says C of E but I've never been christened.

Funny thing is my partners family are Jewish, so there is quite a diversity of beliefs withing my family. None that I pay any interest in though

 

[Diwrnach]

So it seems. Half of all wc's I've met have been Jehovah's Witnesses.Wondering why?

I belong to the Richard Dawkins school of theology myself. Not sure it affects my window cleaning though.

Gotta love Dawkins!

 

[Diwrnach]

I hate all religions equally, the world will be a much better place when they all die out as they inevitably will.

 

[Diwrnach]

I have know of a woman in our street a few yesrs back also died because she would not have a blood transfusion
Tell that to the kids they leave behind when they are old enough to understand why they grew up without having a mother.

As harsh as this might sound, but I see this as natural selection at work.

 

[Diwrnach]

How anyone can believe in such nonsense in this day and age is beyond me, religion is a cancer on humanity and needs cutting out badly, the big problem I see with it is it stops people from asking questions, you don't need to question because you already have the answers from your chosen deity (Thor is my favourite by the way, I know he exists as well I have seen lightning!) so why question?

Its holds us back so much its ridiculous.

 

[Anthony @ SCS]

Thor ......... Brilliant

 

[Andy OC]

Full marks to the guys on here who are JW for commenting, and explaining, their side of the story. I don't know what I believe if anything but the one window cleaner I have met, and continue to meet, out and about who is a JW has turned out to be one of the nicest people I've met. I bumped into him again soon after my Dad died, I was having a bad a time as anyone would in the same situation. His words were kind, friendly and ,to be honest, comforting. He did not preach his beliefs verbally onto me, he did send me an email with a link to the bible to read but made it clear it was up to me wether I read it or not. I didn't, however, I will always have time for this person and will be the first person to offer him support in my way if ever he needs it. He's a good bloke.

I don't like my space being invaded by somebody knocking on the door but I always turn them away politely as I too have knocked on doors to sell my services....window cleaning!

 

[seye]

I have nothing against jw or any other peaceful religious people but all religion does is set human against human cause division where there is no division. I will treat anyone like a brother or sister according to their humanity not their religion.

 

[Dave B]

Ireland was my first tour in 97 so no where near as bad as previous years but still an eye opener.
On my birth certificate it says C of E but I've never been christened.

Funny thing is my partners family are Jewish, so there is quite a diversity of beliefs withing my family. None that I pay any interest in though

I was 24 in 97 and had already left the army(was reme based in mill hill)

Was in the reserves then (b squadron 1st battalion London regiment) but never managed to see any action anywhere

To tell the truth i am glad i am not there now as being posted to bastion and dealing with all that doesn't appeal to me

 

[Dave B]

Don't get me wrong i am more than happy to fight tooth and nail for our country but not for something like the gulf to secure americas oil fields

If saddam had been an african dictator we would never have been there as no oil

 

[Dave B]

I have nothing against jw or any other peaceful religious people but all religion does is set human against human cause division where there is no division. I will treat anyone like a brother or sister according to their humanity not their religion.

I treat everyone the same regardless of religion or race

There are ####s in every walk of life but also good people

I treat everyone with equal contempt lol