The Point of No Return

by JW_Researcher 18 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  JW_Researcher

  In your experience, at what point will a JW Bible student become a convert? What is the “tipping point”?

  For example, is it the number of studies? ‘If the student stays with it for 6 weeks there is a 50% likelihood that they will convert.’

  Perhaps it is if they withstand “persecution” then they will remain. ‘If a student continues their study in the face of familial opposition, there is a 75% likelihood they will convert.’

  It may have to do with their preparing for their study or their attending meetings: ‘If a student attends three meetings and doesn’t bolt, there is a 50% probability that they will convert.’

  Obviously this is anecdotal and varies from person to person. I fully understand that there are no identifiable rules for all.

  I’m simply interested in your observations. Many of you were in the congregation for years and saw studies come and go.

  Thank you for any observations.
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  under_believer

  I don't think there is a tipping point. I think that the people who come into the Organization generally conform to a certain specific personality type, or perhaps one of a set of personality types. I think that for people who come into the Org, the Org probably "had them at 'hello.'"
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  garybuss

  From my experience, the study is reenforcement for a decision already made for some. For others, the study is entertainment and they never become Witnesses. Others become Witnesses by running from someone or something, rather than running TO Witnessism.
  
  Once they get in, they become conditioned, institutionalized. The fear of leaving is greater than the pain of staying.
  
  
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  JW_Researcher

  Thank you for your interesting observation.

  In my personal case, I know it took some major convincing. The brother who "studied" with me would have loved a simple "hello." :-)
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  Fatfreek

  Okay, JW_Researcher, your turn.

  In my personal case, I know it took some major convincing.

  What was your tipping point?

  Fats
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  Darth Yhwh

  Good evening JW_Reseacher, under_believer (AKA my mirror personality in a parallel universe) and garybuss.

  From my experience, the study is reenforcement for a decision already made for some. For others, the study is entertainment and they never become Witnesses. Others become Witnesses by running from someone or something, rather than running TO Witnessism.

  I agree with you here GB. I sat in on countless bible studies that my mother held with people over the years. Many were long term for several months or even several years. Some even came to meetings occasionally. None ever became JDubs. I think that an hour a week in the comfort of ones home is just enough entertainment for them to allow it to continue.
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  jwfacts

  I dont think there is any set formula. Some are hooked straight away, others study for years without ever believing. It probably has a lot to do with why they choose to study; to learn English, for a friend to relieve boredom, to see other peoples point of view. I feel the ones that get baptised are normally looking for something because they are not content with their current lives or they are have recently suffered a trauma.

  I studied with many people in the territory, but very few got past the second chapter of the Live Forever book. Only one went on to get baptised.

  Going to the hall is a good indication that the person is getting serious, and greatly increases their chance of acceptance because of the love bombing. However I have received a few emails from bible studies that were turned off by the pressure to get involved in Witnessing and to get baptised as soon as they go to meetings. It is the pressure that is turning studies to the internet to find out more before the next level of commitment, and the internet greatly increases the persons chance of not going on to get baptised.
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  under_believer

  AKA my mirror personality in a parallel universe

  Except for you're way hotter. :( Someday I will post my picture and you will see that it is true. Ah well.
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  uninformed

  Garybuss hit the nail on the head, at least in my own personal case.

  I was a witness long before I ever came to the organization. I had studied the books on my own and loved the hope of a beautiful paradise restored on earth.

  In fact, I never had a study conducted with me and went out in service the first week that I met for the first time at the Kingdom Hall.

  I remember it well. Went out in service with a Circuit "servant" back in those days named R.C. Benson.

  I think studying with a person is important, but going golfing or hunting or fishing with a student is a deal closer. I used to get lots of folks going by doing that.

  Also had studies for 3 years that attended only Memorial.

  Brant
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  JW_Researcher

  Hi Fats,
  

  You wrote:
  

  
  Okay, JW_Researcher, your turn.

  In my personal case, I know it took some major convincing.

  What was your tipping point?

  Fats

  I "studied" for several years in three states before making a commitment. I had trouble with the "one true religion" teaching (among other things like blood). As Gary and others suggest above, there probably was a fair amount of psychological reasoning going into my decision to get baptized. It was so long ago (1979?) that I don’t readily recall all of the particulars. I was young and idealistic…. A bit naïve perhaps. To the question though, in my experience if one came to the hall, there was a better than even chance they would be baptized. I observed this across eight congregations. Just wondering what others had observed as to the "tell tale" sign a Bible study might come in. Not necessarily "why" the Bible study would come in but that they were on their way in. Hopefully that's not too confusing.