I follow religion - I'm religious. I like talking to Jehovah's Witnesses - they have some interesting ideas about the Bible - although I don't agree with many parts of what they have to say.
religion eh? a touchy subject for many i guess thereev is firmly in the 'all religion is a load of old tosh and causes all the wars etc' camp. each to their own opinion tho. hth
The missus got chatting with one soon after she moved over here. So this JW always calls and drops off a copy of the magazine, first time I answered the door and she said "the lady of the house asked I drop this off", so I thanked her and put the magazine where we leave the post. Wife comes home and puts it straight in recycling! Missus says she doesn't have the heart to say she doesn't want it anymore!
I used to tell my local JW nutjobs, that I would take their mag if they agreed to fill-in an organ donation form. Seems to have done the trick.
Usually you can find good points to any religion but not JWs. Not celebrating xmas/birthday and basically commiting suicide by refusing a blood transfusion to save your life doesn't appeal. Nor does knocking on doors pestering people who if they were interested in what you were being offered would go look into it themselves in their own time.
Generally find they don't pester. just say you aren't interested and they move on no problem. A few years ago I did get into an argument with one over blood transfusions because I had a nephew that had recently had leukemia. Actually, the one that comes round to ours could pester me anytime. Nice looker, if she didn't dress so frumpy!
Hardened atheists are far worse than JW in my opinion. Some people find strength and personal fulfillment (without hurting anyone) in religion - I can't stand anyone who would take that away just to reinforce their own belief in nothing.
I think religion is most likely a load of old ********, but then I'm sure religious people think a lot of my beliefs/outlook on life is a load of old ********. Each to their own and I couldn't care less what someone believes. I understand religious people pestering - they genuinely believe that other people are destined for eternal damnation. If I believed that I'd like to think I'd have a go at saving people as well. Militant atheists on the other hand are tw*ts like you say. Smug, self-regarding tw*ts with a superiority complex.
I told him I didn't believe in God, but I do believe in nature, science and love. I told him it seems big headed for us to think that this planet was designed for us. We are here by chance, born from star dust, and that the only thing we have to believe in is each other. I believe science is more miraculous than any religion.
I don't think they are doing for your good - your being pestered is simply a by product I think they're quite ok with you not being interested. I think of it as they don't have sales targets per se - they don't have a number of people to recruit - simply being out selling is the objective - it's hours on the clock out selling that is the target. That's the way I understand it. I've always been intrigued about Jehovah's witnesses. I might be wrong - but as I understand it they reckon there's only room in heaven for 144,000 of them. Surely there's been more than 144,000 of em by now. So their version of heaven is no doubt full. So why bother slogging your guts out wearing out the shoe leather and why not have a barbeque instead.
I had this discussion with a JW colleague a few years ago (I asked the same question). Apparently that is a mis-representation, but I can't remember what he said it was now. Nearly as much fun as asking Muslims what they would do about fasting if they lived at the north pole...
I work with a few muslims and asked one last year! Apparently you can choose another close place with at least some darkness, or you can go with Mecca. Very much got the impression that in situations like that it's staying within the spirit of the thing which is important.
Try living 100 yards from Kingdom Hall, I used to get a visit everySunday, nailed on! Funnily enough they don't seem to call now?!?
This is an excellent point I think they'd do a lot better converting people if they dressed a lot s.luttier.