Hiding from the JWs

Photo: cubanapura @photobucket.com

This has been on my mind for a while but a few days ago it was, again, brought to the front counter of my brain. Last Saturday morning, two lovely, young women traveling together knocked on my door. They wore freshly scrubbed faces and modest church dresses. The earnest light of Jehovah illuminated their smiles, bright as that sunny day.



Luckily, I was in the back bedroom. Luckily, I had not turned on the stereo or television. It was so nice and warm that morning that I just opened all the windows and listened to the birds, bees and breeze while I cleaned. My dogs started barking ...madly announcing the women's arrival. I looked out the bedroom window and saw the telltale car with boxes of pamphlets in the back. After a moment's hesitation, I decided to stay hidden and not answer the door.



It makes me feel guilty that I hid from these spiritual sales people but I am just not into door-to-door religious sales. If you're of that faith, please understand, I do not mean to offend. I am not dogmatically religious but I am strongly spiritual. I celebrate all faiths, gods, goddesses and divine beings. Daily. I celebrate Jewish New Year, Hanuka, Kwanzaa, Yagnas, Lord Shiva Nights, Christmas, Easter, equinox and solstice just to name a few. I support Buddha, Jesus, Krishna, Mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, Hercules, Lady Victory, St. Germain and many other saints and lords. I honor all the cosmic beings of light. The legion of angels and all seven kingdoms. If you want to pray, chant, drum or dance in the name of the All that Is, I'll join in the festivities.



I serve the Elohim or Yahweh or Jehovah by name as the one God. There is only One, I believe. One stream of higher spiritual consciousness that appears to each person matching their inner-vision of their personal savior. To some it is Jehovah or Yahweh. To some it is Jesus. To some it my be Buddha or Shiva. To some it is a dog or other innocent animal, beautiful flower or plant. To some it is nothingness. What this higher power appears as doesn't concern me. What does concern me is that all paths to the One are acknowledged with respect.



I understand that Jehovah's Witnesses also believe that there is only one God, Jehovah. That to not call Jehovah by name is disrespectful. I understand that an important part of that belief is the active sharing, or witnessing, the nature of Jehovah. To give witness to Jehovah's grace and teachings. I understand and honor your belief.

Photo: flyingbrick6t3 @ photobucket.com



But what I don't understand is why there are frequent attempts to reach new members by grassroots, door knocking tactics. Over 3o years ago, when I was young and new to my neighborhood, I always answered my door. I took the time to accept the Watchtower pamphlet and listen to the witnesses. But for some reason, our neighborhood is visited time and time and time again. Often, barely a week goes by without some faithful soul knocking on my door. I could be wrong but all of my front porch visitors seem somewhat new to the teachings. If I am polite and engage in discussion, the next weekend a seasoned witness joins the rookie at my door. Is our neighborhood a training ground for new recruits? Are we demographically bereft of Jehovah power? Are we nice and safe for new trainees? I choose to believe the latter.

I have so many questions about this witness dumping program. And if any care to enlighten me with further insights, please do so. My spiritual door is open. But that day, I chose to hide and peek out from behind my bedroom window shade as I waited for Jehovah's soldiers to finish knocking on my neighbors doors. It didn't take long. I suspect that they, too, hid behind their shade.