“I am French. I live in Portland, Maine. I spent several months in the United States. I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and I really enjoy to share the good news of the Bible to the people. So I am here to speak specially with people who speak French. And there are a lot of French people from Africa especially.
I am not an official missionary. Let’s say that I just took long holidays in France. I am one year off from my work. I volunteer. We are not paid for our religious activity. I live on the money I saved. But at the end of the year, I will have to go back to France and continue to work. In fact, this morning, I was with the local Jehovah’s Witnesses French congregation. This afternoon, I visit the city as a tourist, I would say. Just enjoying here the public WiFi.
I was raised by my mom who is a Jehovah’s Witness. When I was 16, I made my own decision and after my personal Bible study I got baptized. We do not baptize children, babies, you know. Baptism is the result of your own reasoned decision. So I studied by myself, and I came to the conclusion that the way Jehovah’s Witnesses act and study the Bible is the correct one. When I got baptized, I decided to spend my whole life in God’s service. It’s 12 years now, that I’m Jehovah’s Witness.
Jehovah’s Witnesses encourage others to study the Bible. We do not preach just to make numbers. We really want everybody to understand what the Bible really teaches, and then, they make their own decision. We really believe that if God wanted everybody to be his servant by force, he could do it. He’s almighty. But he doesn’t because he gave us free choice, and he respects this gift he gave us. So do we. If you study the Bible, you can see what God says. And then just compare to what the religions do. Just an example: religion supporting politics. Even Jesus when on earth refused to be appointed king by men, even fled from this crowd. So how could religion be mixed with politics and please God?
A study of the basic teachings of the Bible convinced me that I had found the truth with Jehvah’s Witnesses. About doctrine first: Sometimes at church, when you ask a question, the answer – this is a mystery. No one knows. Or some teachings, just as hell, give to understand that God is cruel. But it differs so much with the clear, simple teachings of the Bible! Second, about actions: people must act according to what they teach. As an example, you cannot say that God is love and you must love your neighbor, and in the same time, bless armies, weapons, support conflicts, or even politics, which is so common in most of the religions. Jehovah’s Witnesses are strictly neutral in these affairs, they really try to imitate Jesus.
It’s not always easy to act in a different way than the majority. But even if it is difficult, I am not alone: I feel God’s support and Jehovah’s Witnesses are about 8 million in the world. I mean, some small countries are around the same population: we really are a people all around the earth. And knowing that my actions can rejoice the creator of the whole universe, is a strong motivation to do was is good.
We have a very positive point of view. Times are difficult, many people wonder what will happen tomorrow. The world’s problems are more and more complicated. Look at this sign across the street “How the sea level affects you?” Even environment has become a very big issue. In my activity of teaching, I see people are really concerned about the future. The Bible gives me a real hope. It reveals that God, ‘who cannot lie,’ created the earth in a wonderful purpose, He ‘did not create it simply for nothing.’ He wants the Earth to be peopled with mankind in perfect health living for ever on this very beautiful planet. Under God’s Kingdom, this planet will become the paradise it should have always been. When I picture myself in this close future, I really feel confident for the future.
I think that the purpose of life is to live forever in this earthly paradise under God’s guidance, enjoying perfect life and having fun every single day! For now I already enjoy freedom because God’s law is not restrictive. It’s not, don’t do this, don’t do that. It’s a positive way of living. And if the Bible prohibits me something, it has always proved to be for my own benefit. I witness and testify that doing God’s will brings genuine and lasting happiness, real hope and happy family life. Somethings that even billions of dollars cannot buy.”
Excerpt may be edited for clarity.