by smellsgood 16 Replies latest jw friends
Where do you live Smellsgood? I'm sure the laws vary depending on your area.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disturbing_the_peace
I'm pretty sure that, unless your area has its own laws about it, you should be able to ask hard questions and whatever you want... so long as you don't start yelling. (But staying calm would create more of an impact anyways.)
Lore
You should be able to get away with it REAL easy during the "Bible Highlights"... You're basically allowed to comment on whatever scripture in those couple chapters that you want.
What could you get in trouble for? Misinterpretation of scripture? (I'd like to see them prove THAT in a court of law.)
You: "Gosh, I was just commenting on the scriptures."
Elder: "But your honor, this woman is a sham, just because the Bible SAYS that Jephthah sacrificed his daughter to god as a burnt offering, doesn't meen he ACCTUALLY did it!!!"
Judge: "Oh for petes sake... court ajurned, your free to go Smelly."
Lore
BTW, I have seen about 10 different ex-JWs or non-JWs taken out of various KHs in 5 different states. Don't underestimate the law about "disturbing the peace." It will be 80 to 100 people's words against yours.
I can see legally picketing but walking into a KH and being confrontational is only to satisfy a boyish ego not help anyone at the KH. Elder bodies are told just to call the police and let them escort you out, not touching you. You will probably get a few yells in, until the police get there.
I never saw the point in acting as bad or worse than JWs to prove my point or is it their point.
Blondie
Wow Blondie, sounds exciting. I never got the chance to witness anything like that before.
if I ask a bunch of akward hard to answer questions at inappropriate times? Will this cause any cops to be called to keep the peace?
You have an implied invitation to the Hall. The public is welcome (says so on the flyers). If you disrupt the meeting
by excessive noise or disruptive behavior, they will ask you to leave. Any questions would considered disruptive
behavior unless they were raised during the Q&A portion (such as the WT study). Of course, the elder would not
take doctrinal or negative questions to task, so he would probably stumble an answer on how you need to see the brothers
after the meeting to discuss your questions, then if you insist upon an answer, he will try to move on and avoid calling
you. If you speak out of turn, you will be asked to leave.
Your implied invitation can be revoked. I do believe that this has been challenged in the past. A person who was
just asking questions should not be barred from all meetings, just the one he was disruptive at. So you should be able
to go back, as long as you remain undisruptive. They will avoid court orders unless you are persistent in disrupting meetings.
In the case where someone just stands in the back praising Jesus silently (or whatever silently) I would call 911 and
ask for an ambulance and police, saying the person is acting in a bizarre fashion that disrupts the meeting. This would
make it look as if I was only trying to help her.
If I were to wear (under a jacket until the opportune moment) a shirt that was advertising contrary material to what was being preached from the pulpit would I be disciplined by law enforcement?
I don't really see how this could be considered disruptive. Only the way you reveal the information could be questioned.
If it's on your shirt, how do you get them to read it? If you just walk to the washroom really slow, I can't see them being
able to do anything.
I don't think that these methods would do much. One lone picketer outside with silentlambs.org on his sign would cause
more visitors to take it seriously. The regular dubs, little effect either way.
Thanks everyone for your replies.
Blondie, I agree, truly my aim is to bring people out of the org, not reinforce the truthiness of their religion by behaving in a way that they would believe that I was the tool of the devil.
I was thinking not of interrupting the speech, but just like someone said, raising my hand at every opportunity at the Q&A portion.
The camera would be out of sight :) to avoid a confrontational appearance. Also, at the end when I took off my jacket, it wouldn't say JW's are a Satanic Cult or anything, rather, there would simply be a humble www. directions to a contraband site.
I wouldn't be trying to cause a scene, and I don't want it to be about me. I would however like to experience a Witness meeting as I never have before, and at the same time, they would wonder why the first timer is asking all these questions (awkward in the sense they are hard to answer.)
I think it would be fun. I'm completely anonymous in Witdom, so that's an advantage I have. :)
I'm just trying to think of more ways to get the message out there, be pro active about things. I can't stand sitting back and doing nothing, and this isn't my masterplan by any means. Just something to experience.
I think that if I'm polite, and feign a sort of curious ignorance, things could go smoothly. I think if the police were called they'd laugh at the Witnesses "You're telling me this girl asked some questions about your religion?" hmm. Clap her in irons.
Appreciate all the input. I do want to see that documentary about Courtney you mentioned just because! And I love Da Ali G show! Big it up!
smellsgood
Most likely disturbing the peace and/or trespassing.
