KNOCKING Co Director and Producer

Posted Apr 17th 2007 4:32PM by Tom Shepard
Filed under: Knocking

My name is Tom Shepard and I co-directed and co-produced the film KNOCKING. When I first started working on KNOCKING, I received a number of raised eyebrows. Colleagues and friends seemed shocked that I would spend three years of my life researching and making a film that casts a conservative fundamentalist group in a largely positive light. After all, I had recently finished a film that was extremely critical of religious ideology - the kind that justifies discrimination against women or gay people or other religious groups. I was raised in a family of agnostics who neither encouraged nor discouraged me from exploring any religious group. My parents were full-time teachers and often hired a baby-sitter to watch me after school. Her name was Shirley and she was a Jehovah's Witness. I spent many hours with her: playing games, making food, watching television and taking walks around the block. We never discussed theology. Yet, I knew Shirley belonged to a religious organization and that it was very important to her. There were certain nights she couldn't babysit because she was meeting with her congregation. There were certain times on the weekend she joined her large family to go knocking on doors. Her life outside our home was a mystery to me and has a remained a curiosity throughout my life. My connection to her as a young child, though, continues to bring back warm and caring memories. As a filmmaker, I've always been interested in what enable alliances between people with different backgrounds and beliefs. From a very early age, many of us learn to associate with those like us. Often, we are raised among similar socio-economic, racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Rarely are we encouraged to reach beyond our own comfort zones. Rarely do we take opportunities to reach out to those who look different, act differently, speak differently, and worship differently. Despite how ubiquitous buzzwords like "diversity" and "multiculturalism" have become in our parlance, rarely do I see those concepts in play across all lines. In my view, alliances between people with very different backgrounds come unexpectedly: the coalition of neighbors in the aftermath of natural disasters, the forced incarceration of different groups in the Holocaust, the facilitated visits between victims of violent crime and their perpetrators, the common ground found on sports teams. But sometimes it happens more simply. Usually, there is an emotional component - a shared experience or circumstance that humanizes the "other." Rather than dismissing someone as a stereotype or a caricature, a bond of mutual respect emerges. In my own life, I have found this experience hugely gratifying as I watch my own prejudices erode while new friendships develop. Once an alliance has been created, I often want to know more - gather more information about this person or group I previously ignored or made fun of. I hope KNOCKING and the accompanying study material will act as a catalyst to create new and unlikely alliances. As I recall now the beautiful connection with Shirley, my childhood babysitter, I want her to know how much I appreciate all the things I've learned about Jehovah's Witnesses: how Witnesses, through their extensive civil liberties case law, have indirectly helped protect my own civil rights, how their flagrant refusal to cooperate with Hitler gives me courage to stand up against inflexible and totalitarian power, how their steadfast refusal to cooperate with doctors has emboldened me to question medical authority and paternalism. Mostly, I revel in the new friendships with Witnesses around the world who have shared their stories with me and who have listened to my own stories. Tom Shepard, San Francisco April, 2007

Reader Comments

(Page 1)

1. Tom, You have not learned the full story of Jehovah's Witnesses. Here is a list of the things you cannot do if you become a Jehovah's Witness. celebrate Mother's Day, celebrate Father's Day, Celebrate birthdays, celebrate Thanksgiving, celebrate New Year's, celebrate Christmas, celebrate Easter, celebrate Flag Day, celebrate July 4, celebrate Hanukkah, celebrate St Patricks Day, celebrate Valentines Day, join the Boy Scouts, join the Girl Scouts, go to school prom, play school sports, play professional sports, wear long hair if you are a man, have tattoos, date without supervision young or old, throw rice at a wedding, join any organization that has ties to Christianity, including the YMCA, YWCA, volunteer for the Salvation Army, shop at church run thrift store, join the military, salute the flag, sing the National Anthem, go to war, vote, run for public office, accept blood, donate blood, smoke cigarettes, have Jesus as your Mediator unless of the Annointed, wear or own a cross, attend another church, associate with ex-members, including members of your own family, have a funeral in another church or attend a funeral in another church, study other religious articles not from Jehovah's Witnesses. If you become a Jehovah's Witness YOU HAVE TO attend 5 meetings every week, go from door to door at least weekly, report your door to door activity to the congregation each month, attend three scheduled conventions every year, give talks whether young or old at the congregation, read and fully understand the Witness doctrines, study every Watchtower article with your family, fully accept the Watchtowers authority and rules, dress according to the rules of the Kingdom Hall, women must wear dresses, men must wear suits and ties, associate only with fellow members, report on fellow members if you catch them breaking any of the Watchtower rules. And there are many more too numerous to mention. Contact me if you needs varification of any of the above. Katie Dragert

Katie Dragert at 7:45PM on Apr 17th 2007

2. I havn't actualy sene the documentry yet so I will not pass a final judgement just yet. It sounds like an excellent idea though and I look forward to seeing it. I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses and am currently a senior in high school. I would like to say that it is people like Katie who make it difficult for us. Several of the things she mentioned that we can't do are actualy left up to the individual on a perosonal level, and several of the things she said, although true where exagerated. Some where just plain wrong. Yea, we arn't supposed to asscoiate with those who are disfellowshiped but that doesn't mean we fully just ignore them. If you live with a person who is disfelowshiped, you would still act civaly and talk to them when needed. Also, I knew someone who was disfellowshiped and was working on coming back into the congregation and brothers in the congregation would give hime rides to the meetings and conventions. Also, we only have 1 yearly convention during the summer and some small assemblies. They are most definetly not a burden! I usualy get a ride to the convention and smaller assemblies and it's not like your forced to go if your in the hospital or it's just not possible beacause of some other physical limitation. Besides, I find assemblies and conventions encouraging and uplifting. In addition, we do have 5 meetings a week but some of these are combined so we meet three days during the week. Thats less than 5 hours of my life out of a 7 day week. I spend more than that at school a day. Also, we are not required to go out in service every week. Just during the month. There are also previsions for those with disibilities. An elderly eprson in a hospital bed, for example, can do just 15 minutes during the month by talking to a nurse or relative or someone on the phone. In all, I'm sure that Tom already knows these things if he has spent three years of his life on this project.

p.s. lol...excuse my spelling/grammer, not my strongest subject

Sophia at 3:38PM on Apr 18th 2007

3. I too agree with Sophia. There are many areas of a Witness' life that is conscience driven. No one is a Witness that doesn't believe with his whole heart that he has learned the truth about what God requires of us. And he does it happily! Here is what you can do if you are a Witness. Celebrate your love for your Mother & Father EVERY DAY. Give Thanks EVERYDAY, not just one day a year. You can find out the roots of celebrations such as New Years, Christmas, Easter, Flage Day etc. and determind if it would be pleasing to God. You can go with your friends and their families camping, attend a dance that you know will be attended by others who have your same values and your parents will not have one worry about it. You can play sports with all your friends. With the size of an average congregation you can have an entire team for basketball or football at any time. And because they are so close to one another there are usually 7 or 8 congregations in an area that you can reach out to if you need more friends or players etc. You can support God's kingdom and vote for it by your actions. You don't have to die for a country that you just happen to live in and at the same time try to kill your spiritual brothers and sisters in another country. You aren't considered an outcast if you don't have piercings or tattoos. And if you have them, no one would be so unkind as to say anything about them. You get the opportunity to find out whether your do believe what is being taught, by reading and studying. I would hope that everyone would want to do so. You have the privelege of representing the Sovereign of the Universe to individuals who may not have ever had the opportunity to hear the message of the Kingdom of God. The list is unending but I only hope people will view the video with an open mind and heart.

Gen at 3:19PM on Apr 19th 2007

4. I do not agree with Katie. It shows a very superficial awareness of the Witnesses' work.
But, of course, if 2000 years ago most of the people did not agree with Jesus for teaching what he had learned from His Father, people will not accept the same teachings from his disciples today. What else is new?
This is an excellent documentary. You deserve a tap on your shoulder for your research and the honest way to present it.
J.C. Isler
Live Oak, Fl.

Juan C. Isler at 6:10PM on Apr 19th 2007

5. I at one time felt much like Katie does now. I thought that it was horrible that one would not celebrate many of the holidays that she mentions. But there came a time in my life when I could not find the answers to the questions that were eluding me, such as why do people of the same race and religion kill each other in the name of God just because they live in another country. I joined the Army only to learn that it was Nation above God. It was mandatory that I would defend my country and KILL others even if they were the same religion as me. This left me even more confused. I was then contacted by Jehovah's Witnesses who explained and reasoned with me from God's word the Bible. Only then did the confusion that I was in begin to make sense. It has been 21 years now that I have become one of Jehovah's Witnesses. My life is much better now and has a real purpose. It is sad to hear people like Katie bad mouth ones who have chosen to find out what God requires of us rather than for her to sit down and find out what God requires of her as well. But I guess that is easier to do than the effort it takes to find out the truth. None of the things that she mentions are a burden. In fact they are a protection from the bad that the world has accepted as normal

Alberto Atencio at 12:38AM on Apr 21st 2007

6. Katie in comment 1 lists a whole lot of things that I "cannot do". Some of the things I have done. I played for the school football team. I went to my Nan's church funeral. Others may choose not to do those things but that is a personal decision.

The other things are not a case of "cannot do" but I don't want to. And as for the things I do it is not a case of "have to" I choose to because I want to. I have voluntarily chosen to be a Jehovah's Witness. If I want to stop I can. My life. My choices so whats the problem?

Seth Mansbridge at 10:07AM on Apr 24th 2007

7. Katie: Take a look around you. The majority of people in the US claim to be Christian. What is the fruitage of these activities in your area? Do you feel safe? If you have children, do you feel they are safe - not just from violence but from the many diseases they are exposed to, especially if they are promiscuous? What about Halloween? Can you trust other participants not to harm your children?

I will address some of your do's and don'ts. Most make me laugh. Just a few choice ones:

Smoking: Now that's a real loss :-) Just think how much damage I am missing out on but - it's so cool.

War: JWs are neutral, worldwide. No killing. What a shame!!

No association with ex-members: Wrong, only if the person is an unrepentant sinner.

Disfellowshipped: Family does not end the relationship - merely do not discuss spiritual matters with a disfellowshipped person. If the person is just weak, not disfellowshipped, we deliberately seek them out for attention. These weak ones are the real prodigal sons.

Don't vote, run for public office: Could we then make the whole world JWs? Might consider it then. Guess that's why Jesus Christ refused to be made King.

Dating Supervised: Horrible!!! Teenage daughters don't get pregnant and teenage sons do not become absentee fathers.

Wear or own a Cross: I also don't wear an image of the gun that killed my uncle. Go figure.

Jesus as my Mediator: No, Jesus is not my Mediator because I am not in the New Covenant to go to Heaven. Having ransomed his perfect life for Adam's perfect life, Jesus Christ is JUST my Savior, giving me hope to live forever on a paradise earth. Not good enough? I'll take it - gladly!!!

Have a funeral in another church or attend a funeral in another church: Why would I want to attend a funeral where the minister does not know the Bible's explanation of the condition of the dead (asleep, feeling nothing) but instead, blames God, saying it was God's will? Can ones who tell lies about God be God's friends? I hope not.

Reading outside religous material: JW's are like the Christian Boreans who examined every Christian teaching (they were Jews first - then became Christians) according to the Hebrew Scriptures. They did not waste precious time and energy examining writings by men (Jewish clergy class) whose teachings they knew did not conform to the Bible's teachings. None of Christendom's teachings conform to the Bible. They even deny God's holy name - Jehovah. Read the Lord's Prayer. "Hallowed (santified) be thy Name." What is God's name? Any educated person knows that "god" is not a name. The prayer also asks for God's Kingdom to come. Where and what is God's Kingdom. Jesus' prayer also asks that God's will be done in heavan and also on earth. What was done in heaven? What will be done on earth? Does any other religion provide satisfying, Bible-based answers to these questions. Many believe that the Kingdom is just some warm and fuzzy place in man's heart. Take an honest look around you, at the condition of the world, if man's heart is where the Kingdom of God and His Christ is to be found. Now, that's a scary thought.

JW literature: The very best of any religious material. Also, high standards on non-religious matters making them valuable teaching aids in classrooms and papers. So many times, an article will discuss a matter that directly bears on my situation. I cannot tell you how many times I have tears of joy from reading this material from the "Faithful and Discreet Slave," the ones who do have Jesus as their Mediator. They are my lifeblood in this dark world.
My Mother and I received outside literature and spent many wasted hours checking their accuracy. Not only were the claims erroneous, they were misquotes and out right lies. In addition, reading this poison caused my mother to become very depressed for awhile. It can be very damaging to involve oneself with Satan's poisonous propangda and lies. We both decided that we would never put ourselves in harm's way again. Besides, when ones turn against the Truth, where do they go? The apostates that I know have no Christian association and they especially do not preach - disobeying Christ's directive to preach to the entire inhabited earth for a witness. Darn, there goes the neighborhood. Imagine, people trying to be their best every day. They won't steal from you, lie to you, take advantage of you or try to kill you, even if it means their loss.

Meetings: Two-hour meeting one evening and a one-hour meeting during the week. Then, a two-hour meeting on Sunday. A waste? Association with like-minded Christains who, while born sinners, try very hard to be the best they can be. You should hear the loud and joyful conversation before and after the meetings. But, that might be too much fun and so refreshing. Better avoid that at all costs.

Reporting wrongdoing: If a person is guilty of serious sin (sexual immorality, etc.) and we have personal knowledge, we FIRST advise the offender that he/she has a certain amount of time to seek help from the elders or we will report the matter. Help is exactly what the elders try to do first, look for any mitigating factors and genuine sorrow of any harm caused. We do not want to be guilty of "community guilt." We love our spiritually clean congregation and strive to maintain it. We view our congregation as being a Spiritual Ark, our Spiritual Paradise, just as Noah and his family were preserved in a literal Ark. Do you view your congregation this way? Just imagine if everyone took responsibility when encountering serious sin. Personal responsibility is unpopular to most people. So, if you are injured or your property is stolen, nobody gets involved and so, there is usually no personal justice. Now, that's the way I want to live.

Door-to-Door: Yes, difficult but unless you engage in it, you have no way of understanding the personal joy one feels in performing this commanded duty. As volunteers, we do not receive any money for this service or "brownie points" with God. We cannot earn our way to Heaven or Paradise. This is stricly an voluntary, educational work, to teach any interested persons about Jehovah God, his purpose for mankind and how to put themselves in line for salvation through Armageddon. A life-saving work. Should one be ashamed of or avoid such a valuable service? If preaching was good enough for Jesus Christ, I think it is good enough for me.

Studying with family: How boring - mothers and fathers studying with their children. What a weird and truly dangerous thing - children learning to read and understand the Bible. Been there - done that. It's called the Dark Ages. "Everything old is new again." Give us ignorance!

Dressing for the occasion: Now that's just wrong. Clean and neatly groomed people all together in one place!!! And, there's no cursing - heaven help us. The world is going to the meek!

Contact you for verification: I think I'll pass. You sound like too much fun, with all your worldly freedom and Holidays. It might rub off on me and then I would be just like everyone else in this miserable world.

Deborah Marsh at 3:20PM on Apr 27th 2007

8. Tom, I thank you and Joel for putting forth all the effort you did in directing and producing this documentary. You did a wonderful job of portraying us as real people with a deep love for our Creator, Jehovah God. I can't add much more to what my family above have said except that I, too, consider it a wonderful privilege to be associated with this only truly united organization on the whole earth!

Carol A Phillips at 8:16AM on May 2nd 2007

9. Ditto on the above comments Deborah Marsh!
Just another thought or two.
We were created by Jehovah God.
Unless we serve Jehovah we will be empty for the rest of our lives
'Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah!'-Psalm 144:16 NWT
The DVD is wonderful. Thank you all for you kind and truthful work. May Jehovah look upon you with favor.

Carol Huff Kraeft Milford N.PA Congr. at 6:37PM on May 2nd 2007

10. i really enjoyed you comments in your blog, and appreciated the documentary very much , it was very moving it brought tears to my daughter and my eyes. I never felt like katie above did. I was raised by parents that were jehovahs witnesses and though at times I wanted to to some of the things she listed above , my dad would always ask me , Do you think that is a good idea? at first I would say yes, and he would remind me of the dangers. I grew up realizing that witness standards are not a restriction. they are a protection!!! And as a mother of 4 I try to get my kids to think as me dad helped me to think. I felt loved and cared for , not restricted, as do my children. they choose to go in service, they choose to go to meetings, they choose to join me in service , they choose to give talks at the kingdom hall and they make their own choice for baptism when THEY are ready and understand what is required of them. Only when it is from the heart of one , does it have any meaning. I am in total agreement with all of the above comments , except Katies. It seems obvious to me that maybe she has been enticed by bad association or maybe she never had a love for Jehovah and Jesus, because that is the foundation. One cannot be a witness of Jehovah without that fundamental foundation. LOVE.

janette at 12:06PM on May 3rd 2007

11. Debra, after reading katie's response i felt severe righteous indignation and could not wait to respond, however I will make no response to her as yours was completely on point. I could add nothing more or glorify Jehovah better. I thank you sister.

trish butts at 5:06PM on May 9th 2007

12. NEARLY 500 JEHOVAH'S WITNESS COURT CASES SUMMARIZED

The following website summarizes over 120 lawsuits filed by Jehovah's Witnesses against their Employers, plus other incidents involving criminal or other problem JW Employees:

EMPLOYMENT ISSUES UNIQUE TO JEHOVAH'S WITNESS EMPLOYEES

http://jwemployees.bravehost.com

The following website summarizes 300 U.S. court cases and lawsuits affecting children of Jehovah's Witness Parents, including 100+ cases where the JW Parents refused to consent to life-saving blood transfusions for their dying children:

DIVORCE, BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS, AND OTHER LEGAL ISSUES AFFECTING CHILDREN OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

http://jwdivorces.bravehost.com

Jerry at 7:01AM on May 23rd 2007

13. To the webmaster. Message number 12 leads to a site that discourages the employment of Jehovah's Witnesses, with statements like "the JW do not honor confidentiality agreements" on the front page (menu, left). Please remove. A complaint has been filed with Bravenet.

Rob McIntyre at 7:37AM on May 26th 2007

14. Wow, for every incident where a Jehovah's Witnesses falls short of our requirements, there's ten websites listing it as some a symptom of an insidious organization hell-bent on compromising the public trust. Maybe there should also be website revealing the secrets that teenagers get acne, or that Nicholas Cage made some bad movies.

Guess what? Bad things in this world, instigated by bad people happen every day. We all do our best to root these people out, but every so often, somebody, even someone claiming to have been a Witness, is going to do something wrong. It's doesn't mean that the entire organization is corrupt. It just means that you should always be on guard, not just against other people, but against your own sinful tendencies as well.

It isn't a justification for Witnesses to have ever engaged in wrongdoing, but then, that's why we expel them form the congregation to being with. To prevent that person from spreading bad influence, and to give him some time to think his actions over.

Hey, who knew that suits and ties were a bad thing? (I'm far too sarcastic on the Internet. I apologize. I typed it anyway. But I still aplogize.)

Digital Jedi at 5:03PM on May 30th 2007

15. I am not one of Jehovah's Witnesses, but am very encouraged by JWs. Alot of people out there are too quick to judge when something seems out of the norm, and the minute a Witness makes a mistake... It's pounding time. Out of the millions of JWs out there, how can you conclude that the organization as a whole is faulty when the men and women who are in opposition are imperfect as well as those who are a part of it. We know that whatever religion you are, humans will continue to be imperfect and rebelious... however God remains perfect with his organization and people. Isn't the one thing we all want the most is peace and hope, order and happiness? I'm sure the answer is yes. The problem is most of us are too self centered and independant to do the work cause it's too demanding of our time and effort. It's easier being a part of this world (the norm) because we'd rather be accepted by people who care little to none about who or what we really stand for whatever the issue may be. The message JWs continue to preach is "everlasting life" on a paradise here on earth that God has promised to those who are obedient to him. If this is what he is offering us, and Jesus died for this hope... Shouldn't the standards be high? I mean Jesus "only" suffered on a torture stake for us. I pat JWs on the shoulders for their bravery amidst all the controversy, I commend their poise despite the hate and injustice. Then again Jesus was persecuted, if everyone liked them... then I'd worry. I hope that one day I can be just as brave to fear God rather than man.

Student of The Truth at 9:09PM on Jun 4th 2007