Jehovahs Witnesses In Thailand

[ClaytonSeymour]

Straightforward question, are they present in Thailand?

I'm only asking as earlier on, I popped out with the Wife for a take away, whilst we were waiting to be served a large group of them headed by to do their thing at the Kingdom Hall. The Wife asked me who they were & where they were going at that time. When I told her, she'd never heard of them, I was a little surprised as bad news usually travels everywhere.

Fire away.

[Jimjim]

I'm sure there are as they are missionary oriented in the U.S., why not in going to other countries? Funny you mention it, I'm in the U.S. now, but had some knocking on my door Saturday morning.

Edited January 20, 2009 by Jimjim

[ClaytonSeymour]

I'm sure they are as they are missionary oriented in the U.S., why not in going to other countries? Funny you mention it, I'm in the U.S. now, but had some knocking on my door Saturday morning.

Did you answer?

[Jimjim]

Nope, can't be bothered to listen to their nonsense.

[ClaytonSeymour]

Nope, can't be bothered to listen to their nonsense.

That was always the case when we were kids - my mum would never answer the door. Nowadays, I usually tell them to p_ss off.

Edited January 20, 2009 by ClaytonSeymour

[pwills]

Yes they are present in Thailand. Many years ago, my ex mother in law who became a christian after her husband converted on his death bed, gave our address to these missionaries . , I was staying with my then brother in law and his family until we could find a decent place for us to live . To cut a long story short, I awoke to unusual silence ,venturing downstairs I found Two of these people lecturing my wife,sister in law and 5 neices and nephews on how they were going to roast in hel_l because they were Buddhists, they were American ,Spoke Good Thai and were immediatly told to leave with a few choice words that cannot be repeated here. It took a visit from 3 monks and a 1000 baht to cleanse the place of they're presence, a lot of money in those days . I dare say they are still around. This is true not a wind up.

[AndyBlueEyes]

One of the beliefs of the Jehovah's Witnesses is that ' All earthly governments are controlled by the Devil '. Perhaps they came to Thailand as they saw the devil very busy doing his work.

[slapout]

Did the 3 monks and the 1000 baht accomplish what was intended the first visit or were additional visits etc required?

[pwills]

Did the 3 monks and the 1000 baht accomplish what was intended the first visit or were additional visits etc required?

It did,it was only to satisfy the family fears that Phi Saht (devils) would not come and torment the family and cause bad luck (choke mai dii or choke rai)

[bunnaag]

I think a few are members of TV ranting against people who enjoi a glass of beer.

[Moonrakers]

I've passed a big building in BKK somewhere with "Church of the latter day saints" on the side of it, Petchaburi Road I think it was. So they are definitely here and in some numbers going by the size of the building.

Jehovas witnesses don't bother me that much anyway as they are quite harmless, it's those wacko scientologists that freak me out.

[Neeranam]

Straightforward question, are they present in Thailand?

I'm only asking as earlier on, I popped out with the Wife for a take away, whilst we were waiting to be served a large group of them headed by to do their thing at the Kingdom Hall. The Wife asked me who they were & where they were going at that time. When I told her, she'd never heard of them, I was a little surprised as bad news usually travels everywhere.

Fire away.

What's bad about them? Are you scared of them?

Edited January 21, 2009 by Neeranam

[noahvail]

I've passed a big building in BKK somewhere with "Church of the latter day saints" on the side of it, Petchaburi Road I think it was. So they are definitely here and in some numbers going by the size of the building.

Jehovas witnesses don't bother me that much anyway as they are quite harmless, it's those wacko scientologists that freak me out.

I think that you'll find that the "Latter-Day Saints" are Mormons, home base Salt Lake City.

[Digitalman]

Came across some in a bus station in Lampang one time.. I also knew a kid working in a Thai restaurant back in the States that was working in the establishment to practice his Thai before going on a 2 year mission...

[mmushr00m]

If you go by Sukhumvit and Nana, sometimes you will see one of them screaming and ranting on the sidewalk about the devil and sin or something.

Their HQ is around Petchaburi/Asoke.

Was approached the other night on petchaburi/phrom pong while I was having a stroll with the missus. Hearing us talk in english, they approached. So I said "sorry, dont speak english" in english. Then they tried thai and I said "sorry, dont speak thai" in english

[Neeranam]

I found this questionaire which is very interesting - I was surprised with my results. Lok out for a Scots guy in a turban.

http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Qui...liefOMatic.aspx

1. Sikhism (100%)

2. Jainism (95%)

3. Orthodox Judaism (88%)

4. Hinduism (86%)

5. Reform Judaism (82%)

6. Mahayana Buddhism (81%)

7. Islam (76%)

8. Unitarian Universalism (73%)

9. Theravada Buddhism (73%)

10. Baha'i Faith (70%)

11. Liberal Quakers (70%)

12. Neo-Pagan (66%)

13. New Age (56%)

14. Orthodox Quaker (55%)

15. New Thought (49%)

16. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (47%)

17. Scientology (46%)

18. Seventh Day Adventist (44%)

19. Taoism (41%)

20. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (38%)

21. Jehovah's Witness (38%)

22. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (37%)

23. Eastern Orthodox (32%)

24. Roman Catholic (32%)

25. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (28%)

26. Secular Humanism (23%)

27. Nontheist (13%)

Edited January 21, 2009 by Neeranam

[samuibeachcomber]

Very easy to take the "piss" out of people coming to your door to see if your interested in learning about the bible.I would imagine it would take courage to do this work.If not interested,no reason not to be rspesctful and just say "no thank you".

[Soutpeel]

If not interested,no reason not to be rspesctful and just say "no thank you".

You are quite correct of course, but the problem with the Jehovahs and the Morons is that they wont take no for an answer, hence it generally ends up you having to tell them to p*ss off....

The one I always found works with them is telling them I am Roman Catholic (I am actually Agnostic), seems to scare them off for some reason...

[jtp]

Yes,i think being polite is the best way to be,why get upset?I personally don't agree with the teachings of Mormons or Jehova's witnesses,but i would treat them the same as i treat a Buddhist.These people believe they are doing what their God asked them to do,and are decent people in society.However,i would have to say that scientology seems a little to wacky,what with aliens coming in their mothership to take away Tom cruise....

[keestha]

There are many groups of fundamentalist Christians active in Thailand, spreading the word.

After the 2004 tsunami stroke, a lot of these groups came to Khao Lak, saying they came to help, but their real purpose was to convert the tsunami survivors to their brand of Christianity. They operated under names like "The mercy foundation" and "Operation blessing". A lot of churches were built. On the website of USA based "Step Ahead", which offered low cost courses to learn English, I read: "Teaching offers an open door to evangelisation".

A lot of fake conversions took place: many people pretended to convert to X brand of Christianity just to receive cash donations or things like water tanks.

The people staffing these churches, foundations and so on were mainly Americans, with a sprinkling of Japanese and Koreans.

[Soutpeel]

However,i would have to say that scientology seems a little to wacky,what with aliens coming in their mothership to take away Tom cruise....

Is it any more wacky than a guy who could walk on water, turn water into wine or feed 50,000 with a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread ??...

"He's not the messiah.....hes a very naughty boy"

[samuibeachcomber]

If not interested,no reason not to be rspesctful and just say "no thank you".

You are quite correct of course, but the problem with the Jehovahs and the Morons is that they wont take no for an answer, hence it generally ends up you having to tell them to p*ss off....

The one I always found works with them is telling them I am Roman Catholic (I am actually Agnostic), seems to scare them off for some reason...

If you really dont want them calling a second time you can ask them to put your address down as a 'do not call again" and you will be left alone.however after a period of time they may call to see if different owners now live at the address,at least i have found this is how it works in the west.

[mrtoad]

One of the advantages of living in a condo, is that the God botherers can't get into the building and knock on your door.

Nothing wrong with people having religion, I just don't like it being shoved down my throat.

As to the OP's initial question, I'm sure I've seen one of their buildings on Soi 77 On Nut.

[Soutpeel]

If you really dont want them calling a second time you can ask them to put your address down as a 'do not call again" and you will be left alone.however after a period of time they may call to see if different owners now live at the address,at least i have found this is how it works in the west.

If they came a calling a second time in my own country..."Release the hounds"...they wouldnt be coming back a 3rd time...

[Neeranam]

These people believe they are doing what their God asked them to do,and are decent people in society.

I admire them and they used to be very thankful for a hot cup of tea on a cold January morning. We used to have some good debates.

[jtp]

However,i would have to say that scientology seems a little to wacky,what with aliens coming in their mothership to take away Tom cruise....

Is it any more wacky than a guy who could walk on water, turn water into wine or feed 50,000 with a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread ??...

"He's not the messiah.....hes a very naughty boy"

Probably not,but the next highly educated professor to tell me i came from a fish/monkey/big bang...I'm just gonna go mad........

[Soutpeel]

However,i would have to say that scientology seems a little to wacky,what with aliens coming in their mothership to take away Tom cruise....

Is it any more wacky than a guy who could walk on water, turn water into wine or feed 50,000 with a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread ??...

"He's not the messiah.....hes a very naughty boy"

Probably not,but the next highly educated professor to tell me i came from a big bang...I'm just gonna go mad........

The "big bang" is true isnt it ?...or are you a product of immaculate conception ??...

[mrtoad]

If you really dont want them calling a second time you can ask them to put your address down as a 'do not call again" and you will be left alone.however after a period of time they may call to see if different owners now live at the address,at least i have found this is how it works in the west.

If they came a calling a second time in my own country..."Release the hounds"...they wouldnt be coming back a 3rd time...

Always found that when we had the German Shepherd back in the UK, that they were always a little reluctant to come knocking.

[Tod Daniels]

I am totally against any corporate religion.

However, in my observations, the mormons here don't seem too hel_l bent on converting people, and most of them I've spoken to just want to do their 2 years and bail back to the US. With that being said, you would be hard pressed to find a group of young foreigners who spoke clearer, more cohesive, and well structured thai than they do. They're always good fun to practice thai with.

The jehovah witnesses here don't seem all too in your face about conversion either. Although I know several thais who have been sucked into its mindlessness. They wear not being budhhist like a badge of honor, which is sad (for them, not me). I routinely see the 'rag' they pass out printed in thai, so they do have a presence here.

To my knowledge the guy that preaches in front of NEP is neither jehovah nor mormon; just your plain garden variety rabid christian. In conversations I've had with him away from that venue; he's actually a pretty nice guy who is just following what he feels is the right thing to do. Can't really fault a person for that, although I feel given the locale of his preaching; sadly his message however sincere is falling upon deaf ears.

My favorite comeback for ANY brand of religious zealot who is bent on converting me from my evil, godless, heathen ways is a line spoken by Morgan Freeman in the 2003 Stephen King movie, Dreamcatcher;

"God is just an imaginary friend for grownups. .."

[Soutpeel]

"God is just an imaginary friend for grownups. .."

Excellent...