1. I want to thank you for doing this film. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses it is a tool that I can use to help others understand about us for a non-witnesses view point. I am so looking foward to getting my copy of the DVD. May Jehovah bless you.

Kathy McMillan at 3:02AM on Apr 20th 2007

2. I live in Britain and ordered the knocking DVD over the internet.

Thank you for making this film.

Like you I was raised as a witness. Unlike you I was baptised 23 years ago aged 18. Even from an early age I became aware that the general public perception of Jehovah's Witnesses was far removed from the reality that I have enjoyed living for some 40 years.

I love my faith and I know the power of good it has done me and thousands of others, as a result i feel impelled to be busy in the public ministry that JW's are well known for. However I am acutely sensitive to the fact that all humans have God given free will and that right includes saying no to Jehovah's Witnesses or anyone else for that matter.

This is why I was pleased that your documentary highlighted the fact J.W's have a message that they earnestly desire all to hear but will resort to no other means outside of persuasion via word of mouth and the printed page to promote that message. Respecting the right of others to live and behave in a way that I disagree with and then asking others to act towards me in the same way is the very thing that enables me to freely be a Jehovah's Witness in my community. This is something that your documentary along with extras put across excellently.

The knocking documentary, to the extent that a relativley short film can, gave an accurate and fair reflection of who Jehovah's Witnesses are.

For that you are to be congratulated. Thank you.

Seth Mansbridge at 9:33AM on Apr 24th 2007

3. My husband and I, both "born and raised" JWs and 50+ years, watched KNOCKING. We were so pleasantly surprised we both teared up over the personal experiences. The process for the bloodless surgery on father and son was special because we have also faced this challenge. Showing the family's serious concern and deliberation over the surgeries is wonderful living proof that JW's are not mindwashed robots. Each individual is expected to be fully educated on any choice and then prayerfully make a PERSONAL decision. JWs have the same fears (and God-given conscience) as any other human. We simply try to live according to Jehovah's standards - not mans!

Brother Klemper and his wife are treasures. We hope to meet them one day. My mother was expelled from high school in her senior year and during the persecutions, was thrown into an outhouse. Several of my friends (brothers) were sent to prison because of the Vietnam war and husband came very close to being called up. As a child, several teachers tried to scare and embarass me (a very shy child) into saying the flag salute. Never happened!!!

On another note, I have also been following the blog on the PBS cite. I hope that thinking people can see the poison behind the very venemous comments. If that is truth - spare me. At about age 16, my mother received some litureature about Brother Russell and other claims (referred to in the PBS blog). We spent many hours examining the claims for ourselves and every one was either misquoted or an outright lie. Old news. For those who claim we are misguided, why aren't they knocking on my door to save me from myself? I assume their salvation is strictly personal - not to be shared. Sure glad Jesus didn't see things this way.

Anyway, that's my rant. Thank you so much for your hard work unbiased documentary.

Deborah Marsh at 7:28PM on Apr 26th 2007

4. Dear Joel, I want to thank you personally for doing a good job on this documentary. I appreciate your ability to present the facts in a clear and thoughtful way. May Jehovah bless your efforts.

Carol A Phillips at 8:42AM on May 2nd 2007

5. Joel, I have not seen the DVD yet, but I have read alot of the information about it, and can't wait to see it on pbs when it shows in my area. I wish I had know when the film was in Sarasota, FL. I would have gone.I want to thank you and the others for taking a part of your lives to put this together. Surely, Jehovah will bless you all for telling the world, the truth about his people.

Wanda Vail at 11:27PM on May 2nd 2007

6. Dear Mr. Engardio,

I read the article in USA Today (May 7th column on Religion) and I wanted to post a comment online but the registeration process was a bit slow with the E-mail link.

I read how you broke your mother's heart. Once not becoming a Jehovah's Witness and another telling her you are gay. I should have such a brother.

You made the decisions that were appropriate for you. My best friend and I spoke with her son when he was young and told him if he did not want to be a Jehovah's Witness please do not marry a Witness. It would ruin her life and most likely yours. We could see him really thinking about it. He is a young adult and he is not a JW. Of course, we all know that could change but unless he wants to be a JW we know that he should not be and this is the best for everyone involved. Nothing is more heartbreaking than seeing someone make the wrong decision for THEIR life. Now we hope he doesn't get married and THEN want to be a JW. Again, that would be unfair to the young lady he marries.

The next brother has also chosen not to become a JW. The third brother, barely 16, gets himself to the meetings and his Uncle studies the Bible with him. Do we love the third boy any more than the others? Absolutely not. And the two older brothers are very proud of their younger brother; the younger sees his older brothers as men he can turn to for advice, companionship and family love.

Their is a 4th boy who is still very young and even though he will receive an upbringing much like yours only time will tell what decision he will make.

Thank you for your remarkable documentary and the understanding of our dedication to Jehovah God and following closely in the footsteps of his son Jesus Christ.

Martha S at 1:29PM on May 7th 2007

7. Dear Sisters:

I am a Sister so I will only address Sisters.

Please consider the following: if someone wants to post about their experience with JW's whether they were raised as one, was one, or is someone making their personal views known, let it be. This is a public board and we should be used to hearing the many arguments against us.

The world can see these comments and we may feel as though we need to give an answer. We do not. Make known your good experiences and your appreciation for the documentary.

We should appreciate everyone elses good works, whether they are spiritual or any other works we all benefit from. Our love will motivate us to find the common denominators we have with others and we need to commend others for the good they do towards their families, fellow man and communities.

Martha S at 1:56PM on May 7th 2007

8. I want to share my appreciation for making this film especially since witnesses do not publicize about their contributions to their communities like you hear many other religions doing. Witnesses not only contribute to legal battles but also in times of natural disaster they contribute large amounts of food and money and are always first on the scene which although have gotten media coverage in newspapers you on a very rare occasion see it televised!! We don't do acts of humanity to create recognition for ourselves, all credit goes to God. I also want to express my appreciation for reporting on all the persecution around the world. It amazes me how these governments have singled out Jehovah's Witnesses and get away with horrendous degrading acts in this late era we live in. But to me that is just proof of being true disciples of Christ. Jesus prophecies that his disciples would be hated by the world. We know the reasons behind the persecution is Satan the Devil and so when you wonder how man can come together and help people when a disaster like 911 happens and Katrina and yet kill each other in the name of their god at the same time, and beat peaceable people for not killing for them and calling them delinquent and criminals because they won't return evil for evil then you may wonder why, what could possible be behind such vile acts? Witnesses know it's Satan and we would die rather then return evil for evil. That is a true disciple of Christ. We are not delinquents but model citizens. So hopefully this documentary will help honest hearted see we have been slandered and feared by other religions because they want to control through religion instead of teach the truth. We appreciate that God created man in His image and we all have the choice to choose good or bad. We can choose to LOVE in the superior way Jesus taught or hate our fellowman the way Satan teaches. Really what is being a Christian? Is it not excepting Christ's ransom and teachings? Most people think they will be saved by their religion. Jehovah's Witnesses know that we all whatever religion we are will stand on our own before God and be judged. No man or organization, religious or otherwise, except Christ has been given that responsibility. The only authority is What God gives and he didn't give man the authority to judge. The witnesses pray everyone can learn the superior way of Love as exemplified by Christ himself. And even if you don't believe in Christ everyone can still learn Love is the only way to peace. War has never succeeded in bringing peace how long is it going to take man to get that? 6,000 years so far. Should God give him longer to kill innocent woman and children to bring about their efforts for peace? Life is So precious, Jehovah's Witnesses only wish everyone viewed life as precious as they do. And even if not everyone who may have been raised a witnesses as we are all offspring of Adam and Eve, we all have a choice to make. Love or Hate. Thanks from Joplin Missouri

Tina Anthony at 10:19PM on May 7th 2007

9. I am a single father of four children and had a very disturbing incident with a family of Jehovah's Witnesses. Last summer, my 8-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter became "friends" with two children whose mother was a Witness.
When she mentioned she was one and knew "the truth," I made it clear I did not want my kids to have any part of this cult, but it was ok to for them to be friends. After a few months, my children talked to me about what these zealots were talking about around them. They were confused. Then, in late August, my daughter asked me if she could have "a sleepover" at their. Since it was Wednesday night and there was school the next day, I said no. I also realized Wednesday is a church night for these people. She asked if she could have dinner at their house and would not be going to church. She was supposed to be home in an hour.
About two hours later, I became concerned and called their house. I left a message to bring her home asap.
They brought her home at 11:28 p.m!
It turns out they did go to church. What's worse is the mother told my daughter to not "tell your dad," and told her to sneek in to the house and get some clothes for church. It also turns out they had been working on my kids to convert, telling them that if they did not believe as they did, then they would go to hell.
Maybe it's just me, but I was always taught that "the truth" meant being honest and truthful. To somehow validate this cult as anything other than the extreme fringe of religion and society is ridiculous.
Thinking back, I should have called the police for kidnapping. Instead, my kids are not allowed to have any further contact with these crazy people, and I threatened a restraining order against them.
I really don't think these people think they did anything wrong. Respect for other people's beliefs is not part of their schtick. This is just one more example of the dangers of religion and zealotry.
I raise my kids with certain principles, respect for others, to treat others fairly and to be honest and trustworthy, rather than live in fear of any religion.

Jeff Boncutter at 6:24PM on May 20th 2007

10. Thanks - the film was great!

Erica at 1:57AM on May 23rd 2007

11. Thanks for 'Knocking' being shown on PBS. It is an excellent film.

Kathleen at 12:27PM on May 24th 2007

12. Jon Boncutter:
NEWSFLASH! that witness lady you ran into used "BAD JUDGEMENT". If you had seen the film "Knocking" you would see that by and large Jehovahs Witnesses are found to be reasonable people who deeply appreciate freedom of worship for all including you and your choice. Prosthelizing a minor child behind a parents back is a no no to us. If her peers heard she did that she would be seriously counseled. I'll bet that witness lady showed many acts of kindness to your daughter too, didnt she? Why didnt you share those with us? Cut us some slack.

tanya at 11:10PM on May 23rd 2007

13. Well, I commend Seth for his faith and courage for going through with his transplant. I'm also getting evaluated for transplant. I can relate with him. About the film,it was very touching, and well appreciated.Would like to see number II....It's nice to see a positive for a change, and this is the begining of Jehovah manifesting his incoming New Kingdom.We as JW's base our faith and hope,ans the only solution for our future...

Antonio Del Valle at 6:51PM on May 26th 2007

14. Hello director's and producers and others involved in making this "documentary".

First, I shall admit that I have not seen the whole piece; but have enough information from the PBS site and this blog to know that the documentary is pro-JW (Jehovah's Witness). That is good and fine and wonderful if you are a JW. Though there are some negative things mentioned in the piece, I would love to see these "documentarians" do a piece on the OTHER side of the story. A true picture of what this religion can do to families and friends and individuals who either choose to leave on their own, or, are disfellowshipped/dissasociated.

I was a JW for over four decades. Married to a JW, both raised in this religion and raised our two sons in it. We were what would be termed dedicated, "devout" JW's. Obedient, non-questioning worker bees. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would choose to leave this religion. But when a religion becomes so mind-controlling and life-controlling that you are constantly looking over your shoulder and walking on "egg-shells"...it is time to examine the truth about the "truth". Our experience with not only the elders, MS's, CO's, DO's, Service Dept. and Writing Dept. AND the governing body, concerning the wrongdoing at our local Kingdom Hall, was totally negative and scary to boot. Our rose-colored glasses fell off and shattered into tiny pieces which could not be glued back together.

The normal, go-along-with-the-Watchtower JW has no idea what goes on behind the curtain, as in the "Wizard of Oz". The corruption runs from the top down and few obedient and submissive JW's have any idea whatsoever is going on. This is because the Watchtower encourages, no, demands...that JW's do not read anything negative (apostate) about their religion. Thus they are enclosed in a tiny JW world, surrounded by fellow JW clones and insulated from reality. Oh my! Who would have imagined this? NEVER the faithful JW.

Anyone who even breathes a slight negative puff against the "Society"...is immediately disciplined and punished and put back into the flock.

ANYONE who sees this documentary should also go on a few of the "former JW" sites to read about what is really going on. Also a study of the Silent Lambs website would run shivers down any normal, intelligent person's mind. I guess if a JW will put up with pedophiles in their midst...they'll believe anything the top dogs tell them.

So Mr. Director and Mr. Producer...get a hold of yourselves and gain an understanding of what former JW's have gone through at the hands of this cult. JW's beware: The Big Boys in New York are already mixing up the "kool-aid".

cathy/mumsy/Wisconsin

Mumsy at 10:15PM on May 24th 2007

15. Me and my wife are Jehovah's Witnesses , and we thoroughly enjoyed the informative documentary program excellent job. This is a wonderful tool to help individuals to understand about our religion .
Thanks, Columbia S.C.

Eric Moore at 6:09PM on May 23rd 2007