My Encounter with a Witness (page 3)

Ray Skyhorse

[q]Ray, how do I do this? Do I pretend for weeks that I am interested and then turn on him? I feel bad if I am deceiving someone. Please share more with me. Any suggestions would be welcome![/q]

What you did is called an interaction. That is, you held a short meeting with a cult member in order to share information which would lead him out of the cult. What I'm proposing is that you simply invest a bit more time at getting the person out of the cult. What you need to do is hold multiple interactions with a person in order to establish a relationship. You are not "stringing him along." Your intent is to show him the truth, but only in bite size chunks that are easy to digest. If you do it too quickly, the person will employ defense mechanisms that have been pyschologically ingrained into them by the cult.

I think you are a wonderful human being for trying to get someone out of a destructive cult. Your interactions with JWs can potentially save lives -- think blood transfusion issue.

I suggest you read more about cults and methods for getting people out of cults. In particular, I recommend reading "Releasing the Bonds -- Empowering People to Think for Themselves" by Steven Hassan.

As an xJW, you have the insider knowledge necessary to really help people. Be aware, it does take time and patience. Who knows, maybe you'll become an expert at this some day and write a book about it.

Lastly, Uncle Penn, it is NEVER morally wrong to tell someone the truth. The truth is just easier for cult members to swallow when they are delivered in small chunks over a period of time.

Peace,
Ray Skyhorse

Eyebrow

I would like to see more references to books that were NOT written by CT Russell way back when. How about books written by the WTS in the last 20 years or so? I think that will have much more leaverage. Remeber, the religion was just developing back then, so of course all JWs are going to expect that CT did not have all the accurate knowledge because it was not food at the proper time.

Something more recent people. I always shake my head when I hear people using books that old to try to sway JWs. Of course they are not going to take it seriously.

slipnslidemaster

I agree. I think that in most Witnesses minds, they think of Russell as a Bible Student anyway and not a Witness. Rutherford maybe a little more vulnerable but the true wackos are Knorr and Franz. The little slips like the January 1989 WT are good starts.

Unclepenn1

Ray, I really appreciate your insight and kind words. They are such an encouragement to me. I know of Steve Hassan, and his book is on my wish list at Amazon. I will buy it soon. I have been engrossed in WT literature and reading books about cults and mind control and such. Eyebrow and slipslide, thanks for the suggestions.

Penn

Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by Me."

MasterTrax

Hey Unky Pennster--Congratulations, first of all, for just doing what so many of us think about doing, and never do--reaching out to people in spiritual darkness. All i can tell ya is don't be discouraged. As so many others have already rightly pointed out, you just don't know how the Lord will use what you shared and in what combination with other influences HE will bring into this man's life. I was talking with someone at work this week (a Christian organization) about how people just cling so to darkness and how you don't even want to try to reach out. It's too exasperating and frustrating and for what--just to be rejected. But then I realized, other people through the ages did just that--some to the point of death--so that I might hear the same Good News. The truth is, this life is short, and it's all we have. This is the time we are called to such work as this. We have all eternity for rest. So lets encourage each other to such good works and leave the outcome to God.

Bless you for your faithfulness.

Introspection

Hi Unclepenn,

Well atleast you tried, which is something I haven't done yet. Of course, fortunately I have no family members or anyone really close in the organization, but one guy I used to live with is moving away so I want to sit down and have a little talk with him before he goes.

I posted a message in the quotes thread under Mental Health that says a good rule of thumb is people won't change their views more than 5% at any one time. Well, in the case of JWs that might be 1% or less. I think with some people, like in the case of my friend who's moving it's quite possible for me to destroy his faith in WTS doctrine, but that's not what I want to leave him with. Maybe this is where our goals differ a bit, because I would not recommend a specific path for him, but each individual does have a responsibility to examine their own beliefs. It's understandable that this would be hard when you've never done it before, or if you're just hanging on to your beliefs despite sound reasons against it. For these reasons, it seems to me there's no quick and simple answers in reasoning with witnesses.

Tina

Hi Penn,
Just some questions here as I am curious.
You said 'god called you? to do this?
Can you explain that please?
And does this make a personal ministry? Are you attempting to lead them to your version and definition of god? Thanks in advance.Tina

Carl Sagan on balancing openness to new ideas with skeptical scrutiny..."if you are open to the point of gullibility and have not an ounce of skeptical sense-you cannot distinguish useful ideas from worthless ones."

Unclepenn1

Hey Tina. Well, ever since I got saved 4 years ago God has given me a love for truth, especially Biblical truth. I have had many encounters with JW's and have always just felt so badly for them, being so misled by an organization that is leading them away from Jesus Christ. My desire to reach out to them comes from something deeper than just 'I' could generate, ever! I feel God has put this burden there, because everytime I share with one of them I always vow it to be my last time. And then there is that burden again. Is this a personal ministry? I guess so, although I am seeking other like minded people to help out.

Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by Me."

Satanus

unclepenn

'I was once what you are now'- cat stevens

I was 'saved', born again whatever. I had some spiritual experiences. I saw jesus. I went through the 'door'. But a person doesn't have to hang around the door for the rest of his life. The room which an illumined person enters is bigger than you can imagine! Jesus won't be upset if you go exploring. He is glad you are in, but you aren't bound/chained to him. What kind of person do you think he us anyway? He wants your freedom. Come on, Be ready to let go. You are growed up now.

At least that is my experience.

S

Unclepenn1

SS wrote- Jesus won't be upset if you go exploring.

I spent my life exploring! I toured with the Grateful Dead for like 10 years and tried eveything there is under the sun. Jesus freed me from sin and I NEVER want to go back. I have a hard time when people say they were born again but then left it. That's like having the option to eat at a banquet but diggin through the dumpster instead. I have tasted eternity and I would never go back!!

Penn

Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by Me."

My Encounter with a Witness

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