Japanese Jehova's Witnesses
Was leaving out this morning when I accidentally almost slammed the door into the face of the two women about to ring the doorbell. I thought they were Okaasans friends so I apologised and then waited for them to ask where she was or something along those lines. Instead, one of them asked whether I spoke English, and having expressed that English is indeed a preferable language should smooth communication be a priority, they proudly proclaimed to be Jehova's Witnesses. I couldn't help grinning a bit, I've heard the jokes about how annoying they are, and now I've experienced their door to door bothering for real. I'm actually surprised they still do that, considering the reputation it has earnt them. They were grinning too, that typical goody goody smile religious people occasionally have; bit like a salesperson smile, except it's not faked.
After some chit chat my older host brother came up, and didn't look especially impressed. They wished me good luck in Japan, handed my host brother the brochures and scarpered. At no point did they actually talk about the religion. Thinking back now I probably should have told them about my devotion to the Flying Spaghetti Monster. I asked my host brother later if the brochures were interesting, and he just replied he had thrown them away. Truly quite an enviromentally unfriendly sect, perhaps they should eliminate the middleman and just recycle the brochures themselves.
Sakari
10 Comments
Reader Comments (10)
I hate Jehovah's Witnesses, though fortunately I've never had to face them. I don't think anyone has the right to try to persuade others to their faith. Especially not as openly as coming knocking on doors. In fact, I'm pretty much opposed to the idea of organised religion in general, but I won't get into that here. Maybe some day on my own blog...
Even pastafarianism? O_O
It's an underground cult, not an organised religion ;)
I wouldn't say that. It's fast growing to become one of the major world religions. Although fair enough, it's not especially organised.
Your post sounds uncomfortably serious...
i've hearded about this sect but i've never meet theme i think that they are some crasy people how think that the can save the world that's all.
Uncomfortably serious eh? well thats the way the cookie crumbles and whatnot... Its practically an agnostic religion, and an extremely good one at that, with it having its own bible devoted to the cause and stuff. Its a rapidly growing religion, perhaps not the most serious, but thats a good place to be as a religion especially one created out of the agnostic/satire/critisism of others... Brilliant.
P.S. I just saved a hedgehog from a 1 meter deep trench beside a tree and my wall. The poor thing couldnt get out on its own. Also it was cuteness galore.
"Its a rapidly growing religion, perhaps not the most serious"
I don't think of it as a religion. Maybe an agnostic way of thinking at most. And growing to become a "world" religion? Come on. Judaism is the smallest world religion with 14 million devotees, and even then it's not considered a world religion in terms of numbers, but because of the impact it's had on other religions.
You can't just call any new way of thinking, especially a joke like pastafarianism, a religion. Besides, you both are officially Christians, not pastafarians. I'd guess that would apply for 90% of its "followers". I could declare metal to be a religion with its own "hymns" and all that shit, and it would be just as much of a religion as pastafarianism. I'm ok with jokes and I think that pastafarian bible is brilliant, but calling something like that a religion? Pfft.
Yes I have to agree with Olli. The term religion is thrown around with no care and often used interchangeably with cult. The difference is we are told to respect other 'religions' and stay away from 'cults'.
Unlike generic Christian denominations I have no respect for Jehovah Witnesses. I think their literal interpretation of the bible is childish at best and their incessant recruitment techniques do well to inhibit religious cohesion in multicultural communities. I'd be happy it classified as a satanic cult intent on disrupting the advances made by non-radical religious groups in recent years.
I can now openly criticize organised religion without being a hypocrite by belonging to one myself; I just left the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland officially, so I am now 100% non-aligned with any religion. Though I'm still trying to figure out whether I am an atheist or an agnostic.
Just thought I'd let you know that Sak, since we've talked about this in the past. :)