It's Jehoween!

[squirrelitude]

Well, I don't rightly know if they're Jehovah's Witnesses precisely, but there are teams of proselytizers working their way down Ossipee Rd. right now. And just minutes ago, a friend of mine in the Netherlands got some JWs at his door, so I'm assuming this is some special door-to-door day. (Someone else snarked that it's Jehoween, when JWs dress up in fancy clothes and go door to door asking for Easter candy.) Anyway, anybody know if that's just a coincidence, or if this is part of some Holy Days thing?

EDIT: Yup, it's a pre-Easter Jehovah's Witness thing. They made another pass and I confirmed that they were doing a coordinated campaign.

Comments

[ron_newman]

Do they celebrate Easter on a different day this year than other Christians (April 24)?

[smammy]

Quick! Grab your torches and blood transfusion equipment! Let's get 'em!

[hermionesviolin.livejournal.com]

I think they don't observe Easter, period -- since the celebration of Easter per se is non-biblical and has a lot of pagan origins.

[ron_newman]

So is this a campaign to persuade people not to celebrate Easter?

I suggest that people offer the JWs either Easter eggs or matzah (or both).

[squirrelitude]

I asked if this had to do with the time of year, i.e. around Easter, and they confirmed that. I think it's more of a Holy Days thing, though.

do not disturb

[wolftone.livejournal.com]

All telemarketers are required to maintain a "do-not-contact" list. If someone calls you, you're supposed to be able to ask never to be called again. If they do contact you thereafter, there's a hefty fine.

Is there a similar requirement in Massachusetts for door-to-door interruptions? Or maybe a master "do not proselytize list"?

Re: do not disturb

[squirrelitude]

I don't know of any such general list, but I think you can specifically get the J-Dubs to never come back by telling them you have been "disfellowshipped". :-)

Re: do not disturb

[wolftone.livejournal.com]

I've also heard that a Mezuzah (door-mounted torah) is pretty good proactive protection.

Re: do not disturb

[diego001.livejournal.com]

Mmm, depends on where you are.

[smoterh.livejournal.com]

I believe Good Friday/Easter is the only holiday that they celebrate - during the last supper Jesus commands his disciples to break bread and drink wine to remember him aka the only ritual mentioned by Jesus that should be followed in the future.

Re: do not disturb

[smoterh.livejournal.com]

You can ask that they never come back. I believe they do keep their internal lists, including notes on 'responsiveness' or if you ask that you never return. If they do, it's more likely to poor record keeping than the need to convert you.

[hermionesviolin.livejournal.com]

The commemorate The Lord's Evening Meal once a year (on Passover, Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucharist#Jehovah.27s_Witnesses) informs me -- I approve!), but they don't celebrate Easter.

[ceo]

A JW acquaintance once told me that if you tell them never to come back, they won't (barring failures of record-keeping, as noted).

Re: do not disturb

[mjrocks98.livejournal.com]

As a kid my mom had stenciled on our front door "Cead Mile Failte," which in Gaelic means, One hundred thousand welcomes. When a JW came to the door & asked what it meant my mom told them, "The devil dwells here." They've never been back but we see them knock on the neighbors doors.

Re: do not disturb

[ruthling.livejournal.com]

LOL!

Re: do not disturb

[yagagriswold.livejournal.com]

I wonder if a Sheila na Gig would work.

Re: do not disturb

[spacehawk.livejournal.com]

A Mezuzah (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mezuzah) has the Shema in it, it's not a full torah.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

I think that's true as far as it goes--they don't want to waste their time on resistant contacts--but they also aren't that well organized.

It's annoying for me to come down three flights of stairs to tell people I'm not interested, but that happens with lots of things.

Re: do not disturb

[bombardiette.livejournal.com]

Answering the door with a half-limp mohawk from the night before, a stained wife beater and totally hungover also works. Trust me on this.

I haven't seen them again since that morning when I was like...18. >:D