When he comes to our house he should worry about dog bites.The sign in the yard says no peddlers or witnesses.
Game over, for me.
They are convinced that they, and only they, have the truth, and have a million rationalizations as to why it is the truth, and everyone else is wrong. As one poster above noted, they have a particular animus for the Catholic Church, and use the term "Christendom" as though it was a synonym for "Satan's Church".
They believe that Jesus was executed by being nailed to a stake, not a cross, thereby attempting to negate one of the most important symbols of the Christian religion. Just for fun, ask them about how Jesus died. They will immediately engage, and tell you how he was executed on a stake and not a cross. When they're done (it will take a while), ask them where the word "crucify" comes from, and when they hesitate and wobble, tell them it's ancient Latin for killing someone by hanging them from a cross. Then ask why anyone would bother to make up a word for something they don't do. Ask them if they've ever seen a Roman crucifixion nail. They haven't, trust me. They exist, and they look like landscape spikes, made by hand with a hammer.
You won't break through their defenses, and they'll talk about how Satan really has a hold on you after they leave, but you'll have some fun with them, and really challenge their beliefs.
For extra points, you might ask them why their early portrayals of Jesus show him without a beard, when the custom of the day would have been to have a beard, since high carbon steel for razors wasn't exactly common then. They think they have the truth, but don't even know basic historical facts.
People don't often make the jump over to that religion, but when they do, it changes their life, and frankly for the worse. Get your buddy out of there NOW. If they make appointments for him to see them, be there when they are there. Be polite, be respectful, but rebut their comments after they leave. Save your buddy from this. Trust me.
They changed the words of the Bible. Send them the passages that discuss that.
Today your friend could come back into the Catholic Church and receive Communion. With the JWs, your friend never will, because your friend is not now and never will be one of the 144,000.
If he's not saved, then he's not going to worry about anything. It doesn't matter what he "becomes" be it JW, Muslim, Hindu, etc. And unless God opens his hearts and mind to the gospel, there's nothing you can do. So if he's not worry, neither should you be.
That being said, we can all pray for this individual that God would grant His mercy and grace to shine in His life. May He use you as a vehicle of His saving grace to light his path to the one and true God. I would also suggest inviting him to church and even give him a bible. God will reward you. Cast your bread upon the waters and it will not return void. That doesn't mean he'll come to Christ nor should you be discouraged. But it does mean God will bless you for your sincere attempts and perhaps snatch someone from the fires of hell.
‘What should he worry about’?
I would say his big worry should be hell. I’m not trying to be a holy roller here but Jesus said, I am the Way the Truth and the Light, no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.
They reject Jesus’ sacrifice and look to the Father for salvation through works.
‘What should he worry about’?
I would say his big worry should be hell. I’m not trying to be a holy roller here but Jesus said, I am the Way the Truth and the Light, no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.
They reject Jesus’ sacrifice and look to the Father for salvation through works.
My best friend in high school (and still) was raised JW by his mother. She converted after marriage. Friend left school early every day to go door to door. He worked at the big HQ in NYC for a year for slave wages. He finally left and was shunned. His mother would not speak to him by orders of the head muckety mucks. I would go to his house and she was friendly to me while ignoring him. He said that was because there was always a chance I might convert, in her mind. It took decades for her to begin speaking to him. He was there for her death, surrounded by non-talking relatives. They all still shun him.
He’ll never get another birthday cake.
One of my childhood friends became one after she became an adult—mid twenties. All I remember is she couldn’t come to my wedding because it was in a church, and when her youngest brother was killed in a car crash, she would not attend the funeral because of the church service.
Years ago one of my best friends was a Jehovah Witnesses.She got Breast Cancer and refused blood transfusion and died at 35.Left behind Husband and 2 young children.
JWs; the Happy Home for those who cannot think for themselves, and have no desire to learn how. They have association with others most like themselves, and therein find an insulated life of friendship, contentment and satisfaction. It may be the best thing for the feeble minded, to know with certainty and great comfort, that they belong to the One True Religion, no matter what the rest of the world may say. Think of the benefits; never having to throw or attend parties, give or exchange gifts, or give a moment’s thought to the sorrows of Hell. What’s not to like about that? All they need do is go knocking on doors, in hope to find one or several more confused minds like themselves.
I don’t mean to say JWs are stupid, or are without competence. Rather, they lack capacity for independent thought, or analytical thinking, and are better suited to a smaller closed society. The Amish live without connection to the electrical grid, and they seem to be decent God-fearing folk in their own closed society.
God is not likely to condemn an idiot for doing idiotic things. If your friend believes he is giving honor and worship to God, our Lord may give consideration. You may have to tell your friend “toot-a-loo;” it may be the best thing for him, and you. (Am I being insensitive?)
Can’t we all just be kind, considerate, charitable, law abiding people and get along?