peabay
Prolific Pea
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Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Nov 23, 2019 18:38:18 GMT
ETA: I thought I was pretty clear but I guess I wasn't: this wasn't me and I didn't call the police. I was just asking the question of any JW on the board.
On another board I'm on, a person posted the following dilemma: "This morning at 8:30, I heard loud knocking at the front door and went to answer. There was a man in his fifties and a young girl (probably 6 or 7). She was the one who was knocking. When I opened the door the man said "Good morning" and told his name was X. He pointed to the girl and said, "This is my friend." The girl just looked at me. Long story short, the guy wanted to know if I ever thought about the purpose of life. Then he asked if he could read something from the Bible. I said thanks but no thanks, and he left a flyer. He was a Jehovah Witness (at least JW.org was on the flyer).
I have had Jehovah's Witnesses come to the door in the past, but this just seemed a little weird because of the young girl. I thought about it for a long time and wondered if she was there voluntarily and wondered why her parents weren't with her--she never said anything. After letting my mind think the worst, I decided to call the non-emergency number for local police dept. The dispatcher took it seriously and asked for a description of the guy, the little girl, and of their car. He said he'd sent a patrol car out.
I told my husband about it later and his comment was that I read too many crime novels. I really felt that something was strange about the situation and decided to trust my instinct. Did I judge too quickly?"
Is this normal for JW, to knock on doors with a child other than your own and introduce the child as "a friend?" The people chiming in with opinions are not JW and I'm curious if this is something commonly done or if the OP on the thread did the right thing.
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Post by rainangel on Nov 23, 2019 18:50:33 GMT
I've had JW come to my door a few times. They seem to come in pairs, and very often a 'grown-up' and a younger person. My impression was always that it is part of their religion to spread the word of JW by knockng on doors, and a seasoned member brings a younger/newer member.
I've never really thought about them as necessarily parent/children teams. I've had children and teenagers with a grown-up, so it doesn't sound off to me that a child was with him. But I would have expected a child that young would be his daughter, not a friend.
I will be interested to hear if members of JW will tell us if it is common for grown-ups to have other people's children knock on doors with them. They might have a strong sense of community within their congregation that make this normal for them.
And also..... are we suspicious of EVERY single man who is alone with a young child now? If he had bad intentions with this girl, surely he wouldn't be knocking on doors with her, announcing she is not related to him?
I would not have called the police in this case, but I hope someone will be able to tell me if I would be wrong by not doing so.
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trollie
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by trollie on Nov 23, 2019 18:52:44 GMT
That would have made me 2nd guess the situation too. Do you have a security cam at your front door?
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kibblesandbits
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Post by kibblesandbits on Nov 23, 2019 19:13:08 GMT
Aren't they the whack religion that believes only 144,000 people (JH) will be allowed into heaven? Why are they still recruiting then? lolol You'd think the precious 144,000 would be hoarding their pearly gate entry passes
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Post by jtmom on Nov 23, 2019 19:13:44 GMT
I am pretty sure this is common with them. They are always in pairs. The girl could actually be a family member of his but they won't say it like that when canvassing, they would introduce each other as "my friend". They must commit to so many hours a week of spreading the word thru knocking on doors and handing out brochures in airports, bus depots etc. I work with several ladies that are JW, its a pretty interesting way of thinking they have!
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Post by stampnscrap1128 on Nov 23, 2019 19:16:11 GMT
I'm not a JW but I am a firm believer in trusting one's gut instinct. If it doesn't seem right, then report it. I'd rather err on the side of caution.
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Post by alsomsknit on Nov 23, 2019 19:21:27 GMT
I grew up in the religion and it has been a number of years since I left. Can’t imagine this part of the door knocking has changed much.
Basically, a group will be in a vehicle. They pair off at each door. So, no, it would not be odd for a man to have a young girl as his door knocking partner. One of the parents would have been in the car.
There was alway 5 of us, if their was a young child. Me being the young child. I wasn’t always with my mom at the door. However, she was always in the car.
Same if it was a street type situation. Though, the pair went to their doors before meeting up to move to the next destination.
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Post by refugeepea on Nov 23, 2019 19:52:38 GMT
Aren't they the whack religion that believes only 144,000 people (JH) will be allowed into heaven? Why are they still recruiting then? lolol You'd think the precious 144,000 would be hoarding their pearly gate entry passes They also believe some dude died for everyone's sins and he was resurrected after three days. |
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basketdiva
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Post by basketdiva on Nov 23, 2019 19:57:35 GMT
It’s possible this was a training session for the girl- to understand what they do when knocking on doors and the girl was shy.
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snyder
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Post by snyder on Nov 23, 2019 20:00:34 GMT
Dang, I hope we don't have any JW peas. Pretty wicked accusation of someone's religion.
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Post by wezee on Nov 23, 2019 20:30:53 GMT
Aren't they the whack religion that believes only 144,000 people (JH) will be allowed into heaven? Why are they still recruiting then? lolol You'd think the precious 144,000 would be hoarding their pearly gate entry passes Well, I wouldn't say "whack religion". Just because someone else has a different belief system from others doesn't make their belief wacky. |
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pilcas
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Post by pilcas on Nov 23, 2019 20:38:44 GMT
I’m confused, did you call the police or did the woman on the other board call them?
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Post by AussieMeg on Nov 23, 2019 20:45:44 GMT
That would have made me 2nd guess the situation too. Do you have a security cam at your front door? I’m confused, did you call the police or did the woman on the other board call them? It wasn't Peabay, she was recounting a story someone on another board told. |
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keithurbanlovinpea
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Nov 23, 2019 20:55:41 GMT
I grew up in the religion and it has been a number of years since I left. Can’t imagine this part of the door knocking has changed much. Basically, a group will be in a vehicle. They pair off at each door. So, no, it would not be odd for a man to have a young girl as his door knocking partner. One of the parents would have been in the car. There was alway 5 of us, if their was a young child. Me being the young child. I wasn’t always with my mom at the door. However, she was always in the car. Same if it was a street type situation. Though, the pair went to their doors before meeting up to move to the next destination. This was my experience as a child in the religion as well. We went in a group that was usually my mom and me and some other JWs (my dad was not a JW). My mother would not allow me out of her sight (but it had nothing to do with JWs) but we often had mixed groups of people that weren't families walking the block together, but never far from one another or the car. |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Nov 23, 2019 21:34:48 GMT
Mixed group is fine. And older male with a young girl, not so fine. I thought they were ut canvassing in pairs, same sex. The Church of Latter Day Saints is always in male/male or female/female pairs, no question of impropriaties that way.
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trollie
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Post by trollie on Nov 23, 2019 21:38:23 GMT
And also..... are we suspicious of EVERY single man who is alone with a young child now? If he had bad intentions with this girl, surely he wouldn't be knocking on doors with her, announcing she is not related to him? Not necessarily.... but the girl that was stolen in UT was taken to public places by her captor. I can't think of her name right now, but it was a big story. She has since been returned to her family and has written a book now. (I think a person had seen her and called the police. I remember being shocked that she was found alive.) |
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Post by freecharlie on Nov 23, 2019 21:40:01 GMT
I've seen similar multiple times. People are not as rude with a child present.
And while I think organized religion is pretty much a bunch of hooey, I find singling one out as a "whack" religion to be extremely rude.
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Post by freecharlie on Nov 23, 2019 21:41:01 GMT
And also..... are we suspicious of EVERY single man who is alone with a young child now? If he had bad intentions with this girl, surely he wouldn't be knocking on doors with her, announcing she is not related to him? Not necessarily.... but the girl that was stolen in UT was taken to public places by her captor. I can't think of her name right now, but it was a big story. She has since been returned to her family and has written a book now. (I think a person had seen her and called the police. I remember being shocked that she was found alive.) Elizabeth Smart? |
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paget
Drama Llama
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Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Nov 23, 2019 21:41:37 GMT
Elizabeth Smart.
I think it’s good to trust your instincts and always err on the side of caution especially for a child. I remember seeing children I knew at school to my my door (jw) but now it always seems to be adults...
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trollie
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Post by trollie on Nov 23, 2019 21:43:18 GMT
Not necessarily.... but the girl that was stolen in UT was taken to public places by her captor. I can't think of her name right now, but it was a big story. She has since been returned to her family and has written a book now. (I think a person had seen her and called the police. I remember being shocked that she was found alive.) Elizabeth Smart? That's the one! |
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paget
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Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Nov 23, 2019 21:44:02 GMT
I've seen similar multiple times. People are not as rude with a child present. And while I think organized religion is pretty much a bunch of hooey, I find singling one out as a "whack" religion to be extremely rude. I am a Christian and I think this is a nice thought - that it’s rude to single one out as whack. Sometimes I might personally think one is off or whatever but then I usually laugh thinking to myself that many, many people think my beliefs are “whack” as well.  |
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Post by bunnyhug on Nov 23, 2019 21:48:17 GMT
Aren't they the whack religion that believes only 144,000 people (JH) will be allowed into heaven? Why are they still recruiting then? lolol You'd think the precious 144,000 would be hoarding their pearly gate entry passes Well, I wouldn't say "whack religion". Just because someone else has a different belief system from others doesn't make their belief wacky. I dunno, I think JW rank right along with Scientology in regards to the whack features of their religion ... but I’d also put Mormonism towards that end of my religious sliding scale, and lots of people here wouldn’t, so ... probably a good thing that I don’t chime in often 🙊 |
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katybee
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Post by katybee on Nov 23, 2019 22:06:19 GMT
I have no problem calling out Jehovah’s Witnesses. They have a rich history of covering up child sexual abuse. And subjugating women. Also—some cult-like behaviors, including authoritarianism and the “disfellowship” of anyone who dares to criticize, question or leave the church.
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Post by freecharlie on Nov 23, 2019 22:14:52 GMT
I have no problem calling out Jehovah’s Witnesses. They have a rich history of covering up child sexual abuse. And subjugating women. Also—some cult-like behaviors, including authoritarianism and the “disfellowship” of anyone who dares to criticize, question or leave the church as do most of the religions |
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katybee
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Post by katybee on Nov 23, 2019 22:47:07 GMT
I have no problem calling out Jehovah’s Witnesses. They have a rich history of covering up child sexual abuse. And subjugating women. Also—some cult-like behaviors, including authoritarianism and the “disfellowship” of anyone who dares to criticize, question or leave the church as do most of the religions That doesn’t make it OK. But the Jehovah’s Witnesses have a particularly disturbing and widespread history of it. As an ORGANIZATION. It’s easily confirmed by a quick google search. |
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Post by refugeepea on Nov 23, 2019 22:47:41 GMT
Not necessarily.... but the girl that was stolen in UT was taken to public places by her captor. I can't think of her name right now, but it was a big story. She has since been returned to her family and has written a book now. (I think a person had seen her and called the police. I remember being shocked that she was found alive.) She was covered in what was basically a burqa. Her sister was able to remember the name of the kidnapper ("Emanuel"). That's when they released of a sketch of him and people remembered seeing him in various places and the two women who were dressed alike (Brian David Mitchell's wife). |
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katybee
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Post by katybee on Nov 23, 2019 22:50:36 GMT
“Candace Conti, now 33, was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness in Fremont, California. When she was 9, the elders in her congregation paired her with a man named Jonathan Kendrick for Saturday-morning field service. Instead of going door-to-door to preach the word of God, Kendrick would take Conti to his house and molest her, she says. She estimates this went on for about two years.” Taken from the article “A Secret Database of Child Abuse” published in The Atlantic: www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/03/the-secret-jehovahs-witness-database-of-child-molesters/584311/ |
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kibblesandbits
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Post by kibblesandbits on Nov 23, 2019 23:18:49 GMT
Aren't they the whack religion that believes only 144,000 people (JH) will be allowed into heaven? Why are they still recruiting then? lolol You'd think the precious 144,000 would be hoarding their pearly gate entry passes They also believe some dude died for everyone's sins and he was resurrected after three days. Yeah, there's that lol Kind of laughable when you put it that way |
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kibblesandbits
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Post by kibblesandbits on Nov 23, 2019 23:19:22 GMT
I have no problem calling out Jehovah’s Witnesses. They have a rich history of covering up child sexual abuse. And subjugating women. Also—some cult-like behaviors, including authoritarianism and the “disfellowship” of anyone who dares to criticize, question or leave the church as do most of the religions hence my ever increasing slide towards atheism |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Nov 23, 2019 23:36:45 GMT
The Church of Latter Day Saints is always in male/male or female/female pairs, no question of impropriaties that way. I have no problem calling out Jehovah’s Witnesses. They have a rich history of covering up child sexual abuse. And subjugating women. Also—some cult-like behaviors, including authoritarianism and the “disfellowship” of anyone who dares to criticize, question or leave the church. And the catholic church says, "Hold my beer..." |
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