With all the previous furor over ‘evangelism’ I wonder how these folks manage to roam the streets. My husband was unloading the car and was approached by two women asking if he was a Christian. He said yes, and they launched into a presentation that sounded suspiciously like the regular weekend visits of Watch Tower folks in the US. I didn’t mind them really, I always listened to the short version of the spiel and gave them water.
He asked what church they were from, and they said “Mish muhimm”. He asked if they were Mormons, to which they quickly said no. Then he asked if they were Jehovah’s Witnesses, and they said yes. He said thanks but no thanks, and they asked if they could give him a tract. He took it, just to see what it looked like. Sure enough, it was the JWs.
Ma3luum inno JWs target Catholics like it’s nobody’s business, and with a decidedly contrary doctrine. Where is the uproar? I’m sure JW’s are not ‘accepted’ as a legitimate expression of Christianity in Jordan. Here they are, walking the streets passing out tracts, which is about as evangelistic as you can get, and something I have never seen done in Jordan by evangelicals. If I, the uninformed foreigner, know they have a meeting place in Rabia, how can you-know-who not know? Or that Friday is tract-distribution day? And do they get the same kind of hassle evangelicals do, or are they flying under the radar?
It’s not our first run-in with JWs. Hubby met them in East Amman too, where they approached Muslims with the common thread of not believing in the doctrine of the trinity. Imagine, an evangelical helping a Muslim to understand how to defend his faith with a JW. How’s that for interfaith dialogue? Only in Jordan. 
Thanks God His saving mercy is not bound by how many tracts I distribute every week. Can you tell I am just not into tracts? 
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The use to knock at my door,when i am sleep in the weekend had to give them a Peace of my mind.
Maybe the evangelical issue had some politics attached to it, you know..Like 2 days ago pat robertson launched another attack on islam saying that they want to convert everyone else..But isn’t that what he wants too?
I think Mohanned is right, if they are trying to convert other Christians, nobody really cares; the protestants and evangelicals that first came to JO have been doing that for years. If they are targeting and trying to convert Muslims though, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before the “informed ones” will get them too. I’m guessing that, right now, they’re not perceived as a problem b/c their group is so small.
Layla, shukaraan!
Hamede….oooooo, that sounds really scary!! I bet you even used more than 5 words! Iman said Christians did tract distributions early in the morning on the weekends in Chicago… I’m like “People, THINK…you want people to be interested in a message of good news you wake them up to hear???”
Mohanned, I don’t follow Pat Robertson, do you think Jordanian authorities do? I think it had more to do with local undercurrents, but one never knows.
As you know, Americans are pretty afraid of the kind of Islam touted by the terrorists. Sounds like Brother Pat is playing to fears. To be honest, I am a little afraid, too.
Yes, Islam and Christianity both have sharing their faith at the essence of what they are. Yet, I don’t think Islam has gone through what Christianity has in terms of learning religion and politics don’t mix. I think politics always corrupts religion. People thought George Bush would jump in and create a theocracy where no one can fornicate anymore, and for all the mess he made, that fear was never realized.
My husband loves to entertain JW’s. I came home from work/school/grocery shopping many an occasion, to find them sitting on my living room couch sipping tea and getting an earful of kindness from Abu Farouq. I mean it, he was always drippingly sweet but very matter-of-fact at the same time. Balance….ahhhhh what a concept.
Actually our neighbors were JW’s and were Lebanese. They made an interesting combo, knowing all of the Arab niceties / cultural stuff while attempting to shame us at the same time. They were not so balanced.
When I was a kid, I remember that they knocked on the door of the rectory at my Catholic school. My priest answered the door and they even tried to convert him!:) He is a good-natured man and he complimented them on their confidence to knock on the door of a rectory. Then he asked them about the fact that they believe only a certain number of people get into heaven. I think it’s like 200,000 or something odd like that. The JW, of course, don’t like to discuss that so that beat around the bush. My priest persisted, and finally the JW had to admit that yes, there is a defined number. My priest told them thanks, but his odds were better as a Catholic!
in
revelations has the exact amount it is 144,000. You can read for yourself.
Revelation chapter 14 verse 1. priest wants to continue abusing boys.
Well, the thing is you don’t see muslims invading countries, you see individuals with agendas.
And may I ask: Why are you afraid? I know that we went off topic, but still when we talk relegion there must be some politics involved. And your assumption that in the US relegion is far from politics is flawed. What about the blind support for israel? Is it relegious or political? I see it as relegion driving politics, you can’t even discuss this issue in america without being labeled anti-semite.
Then Why was it a big issue when Obama was “accused” of being an undercover muslim? Ironically when those rumors proved to be wrong, he was bombarded with things that his pastor said! Confusing, right?
I came to the conclusion that many people decide to act like things don’t exist in order for them to feel “comfortable”..
It is funny how everybody go to such length promoting their own set of believes. Sometimes I wonder how do people get this sure in their own faiths? and it is even more boggling because you see this in different faiths. Everyone is sure 100%! I guess it would only take an obvious miracle for me to reach that point!
I remember 15 years ago, while walking down the street, I got approached by someone whom I think was JW and he started preaching and preaching! I was like what the hec! They seem to have a good presence in Jordan! I don’t think there is anything to worry about as long as every one preaches peacefully without forcing anyone to convert (or stay
) in a certain faith.
Mohanned, here’s a (short) lesson in American politics (forgive me if you already know this stuff):
1. Contrary to popular belief, any serious political scientist will tell you that DC is run by the lobbyists and special interest groups, those groups with oodles of cash that get certain bills to the floor in Congress, and certain bills axed. They are HIGHLY influential.
2. The Jewish lobby is one of the more powerful of these groups in Washington DC.
3. So, while there is a religious element to America’s (often) blind support for Israel, I think that most of that is media hype; the real answer is it’s mostly politically and financially driven by the lobbyists.
First, I think if the Christian community doesn’t like their presence then they should file an official complaint, perhaps with members of their own church. I don’t think JW’s are recognized anyways.
lol i’ll tell you when you’ll hear real uproar…it’s when these guys start knocking on everyone’s damn door on a friday morning!!
in canada, my father got so sick of them waking us up on a sunday morning that he invited two of them in one time and they eventually converted to Islam.
that was a childhood highlight
hmm … i like to invite them over dinner (whoever is within reach to knock on my door) for christmas or easter … that tends to resolve the issue
as for the number of them that is allowed into heaven its 144,000 and its a literal interpretation of a passage in revelation(can’t remember which one)
on the other hand i think they were recognized as christian for a while in jordan since they stated coming early last century.
personally i think they are entertaining in the fact that i like to see how quickly they can heat up when i entertain them… actually that works on a lot of religious people but they and the Mormons are extra sweet at first so makes it all the sweeter
side note … Nas, way to go suggesting oppression of a set of beliefs because others don’t believe in them, that is one big slippery slope there.
1.If u remain in my word u r my disciple – John 8:31
2. Be no part of the world. John 17:14
3. Have love among yourselves John 13:34
4. You have made God name known John 17: 26(preaching door to door)
If can anser yes to all then u can have a good sleep,
As per the 144,000 those will rule in Jehovah’s kingdom in heaven god did not say that he will destroy the earth because he loves his people so he will have true believers also living on earth.
“Nas, way to go suggesting oppression of a set of beliefs because others don’t believe in them, that is one big slippery slope there.”
sorry…im having memory lapses these days…care to jog it for me and point out where I suggested that?
Sorry guys, I am way behind in replying, off-line life is taking over as are the dishes. Back soon, hopefully!
“First, I think if the Christian community doesn’t like their presence then they should file an official complaint, perhaps with members of their own church.”
even though i understood official as in governmentally official
Fave JW story:
Couple tract bearing folks knock on our door.
JW: Do you know the Bible?
Mom: Of course we do. We wrote it.
Proseltyzing here is limited by law (not sure of the guidelines); in addition there are various bodies who actively work against it. In general it is not particuarly appreciated. For my part, I have to admit that I get very, very irritated with the various tract bearing folks here in Israel. I mean, the Christians have pretty much the rest of the world. We have a little, itty bitty scrap. Bug me with a tract when I go visit the States. (Not that I will read it, of course, but the States is for all intents and purposes a Christian country so I have to be gracious). But in Tel Aviv? Oh no no no….
As for the Jewish lobby comments etc….JV to anti-Israel? My, but that is a neat trick! Yes indeedy….must not forget to get in the Jew-bashing.
sigh….
You are all the Devil and ungrateful. Disrecpecting gods word.
Umm Farouq…I’m sure your husband was very sweet, and they won’t forget that tea
Now having Lebanese JW neighbors would be a trip, a little too much culture confliction for me!
Emily, LOL at your priest!!! That is a GREAT line! That is what keeps ‘fellowhips’ from happening between JWs, they are always in competition for those coveted 144,000 places.
Observer, they preach and preach because it is their way to heaven, converting others. No pillars as in Islam, no Saviour as in Christianity. this is a simplistic deduction, but it fits.
Sharon, yes, the fodder of many mystery novels those lobbyists. and much interesting domestic and foreign policy.
Nas, lol, indeed the Friday knocking would shut down the Kingdom Hall. These folks had definitely ‘contextualized’ visiting at 11:30 am. About your dad in Canada, too funny! I magine the look of their spiritual overseer…I will add this to my list of JW stories, with Emily’s priest!
Bambam, I can imagine, with your personal style of discussion, you sent them from very sweet to very sour in a matter of minutes. You have perfected it as a kind of sport, I believe!
Gila, this is TOO sweet: I have great responses on JWs from the Three Great Monolithic Faiths…LOL, “We wrote it”. I haven’t been to Israel, but i know many who have, who seem to think passing out tracts while visiting the holy land will may add a Jewish convert jewel to their stories. I don’t have a problem with anyone sharing their faith with me, as I feel it is good thing to believe in something strongly enough to share it. BUT, do it in the context of a relationship that is strong enough for the hearer to say ‘no thanks’ adn the relationship carries on. But, of course, that is the same freedom I want for myself, so maybe I am biased. About the Jew-bashing, well, this is a new thing for me to have real live Jewish readers, and since my blog world has a preponderance of that, I may need to be reminded if I don’t notice something that is offensive.
Mohanned, sorry I forgot to answer your question about what makes me afraid. I’ve been thinking about it, and will need to do more thinking. Perhaps a future post in the works.
They only go to heaven by converting people to their believes? lol. I didnt know that! Poor people! :S
“even though i understood official as in governmentally official”
so how is that suggesting oppression? why can’t official Jordanian churches deal with the internal politics of their religions’ denominations?
I’m not asking people to set up a gallows.
Looking forward to your reply
Hmmm. What is the point of converting others if there are only 144,000 spots in heaven. I would think they would be drawing the lines at that number and hording their seats. LOL
I would like to know the hotline in case I find some JW or Mormons at my door. I have seen some Mormons (Latter Day Saints) biking around in their suits and I had to laugh outloud at how wierd it was to see them. Deja Vu from the states I guess.
I did see a pile of Watch Tower magazines at this one salon I was at, and the Philipinas were all reading them…I asked where they came from and one said there is a lady who drops them off. So, it is out there.
Can you email me? Thanks.
Thank you Um Omar for your invitation to reply. Basically, the reason I
made contact with you is because I am on fire for Allah, not necessarily for
religion, in this critical hour. Feel free to contact me by the following nums.
06412-3840 or 079-643-8766, and may Allah help us both to be unified in
this sadly chaoic world. Thanks
Abdallah, I don’t know what you mean here, but I am ok’ing your comment in case you meant to post this on Um Omar’s blog. But know in advance, she is not the kind of woman who calls strange men no matter how on fire for Allah they are.
please i wanna know exactly if there is a kingdom hall here in amman jordan..its been a year im here in amman looking for it…
looking forward for it…thank you
Teresa, welcome to my blog! I don’t know where it is, but I’d be happy to welcome you to my church if you are interested.
I was wondering when they will reach Jordan, I already know they reached Lebanon!
It is not against the law in Jordan ( what they are doing ) I guess, else how did the 7th day Adventists made it here?
The constitution says that religions other than Islam and Christianity may be adopted in Jordan provided that it (the religion) does not contradict with the customs of the Jordanian people.
But the fear that the existence of such cults might turn political!