These were sent to me by Sister Merli. Appearently they are from Brazil. Can’t we just put up some billboards on I-5 and call it good? =)

Survey: Americans switching faiths, dropping out – CNN.com

This is an interesting article regarding the statistics of many religions, and how many people are either joining, leaving, or remaining in them. This quote is espcially interesting:

Hindus claimed the highest retention of childhood members, at 84 percent. The group with the worst retention is one of the fastest growing — Jehovah’s Witnesses. Only 37 percent of those raised in the sect known for door-to-door proselytizing said they remain members.

At first glance, this might appear to the casual reader to be a negative reflection on Jehovah’s Witnesses. But in reality, it is quite the opposite. Being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses requires a conscious, educated desicion. It’s not something you are just born into or inherit from your parents. To be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses requires a dedication, and action on the part of each individual. While it might be common for someone to claim they are Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant, etc., it cannot be assumed that these people are actually active in their faith, or that they follow it completely and to the full. However, for someone to rightfully claim they are one of Jehovah’s Witnesses requires that they actually be living up to that claim, or at least making their best effort.

The statistic also shows that many from outside the organization are joining, while the opposite is happening elsewhere. Becoming a JW requires a lot of time and effort in Bible study, meeting attendance, etc. It’s not easy, and requires a great deal of changes in lifestyle for most poeple. And yet many are doing it, more than any other religion. Why? Because through their study, they are finding Truth, and it is setting them free, as Jesus said. Free from the false teachings they likely experienced in their former religion. Free from the nonsense and empty promises of the political rulers of our day. Free from the anxieties of this world and it’s present wicked state.

The number of people choosing to server Jehovah will continue to grow, despite increased efforts to stop it.

On May 8, 2007, KNOCKING was screened for a full house at the National
Constitution Center in Philadelphia. A live panel discussion followed,
moderated by Stephen Dunning, Chair of the Religious Studies program at the
University of Pennsylvania. Speakers included KNOCKING director Joel P.
Engardio and Daniel Mach, litigation director of the Freedom of Religion and
Belief program at the American Civil Liberties Union. Questions were taken
from the audience, which included many Jehovah’s Witnesses. The discussion
was recorded and is now podcast for free, sponsored by the National
Constitution Center and the Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach. The
discussion runs 42 minutes. Click here to listen:
http://hancock.constitutioncenter.org/media/knocking/knocking64.mp3

Cool little stop animation video about door-to-door service

LINK HAS BEEN REMOVED AT THE REQUEST OF THE VIDEO OWNERS.

The Universe Newsroom-today’s news
Ukraine’s Catholic Church has demanded government action against Jehova’s Witnesses after accusing them of insulting mainstream faiths in the country.

Pope Benedict XVI has a cousin who is one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, according to this newspaper article (pdf). Steffie Brzakovic was raised a Catholic, but became a Witness in the 1970’s. Appearently her becoming a Witness caused issues with her family, as she hadn’t heard from her cousin in over 50 years. She remembers him as a ‘bad boy’.

Interestingly, he commends her and the Witnesses for ‘doing the work we should be doing’, referring to the ministry.

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