I talked to my mom about da troof last night

by B_Deserter 8 Replies latest jw experiences

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  B_Deserter

  Debating with my parents about doctrine is like trying to wrestle a greased eel. We were talking about how I feel about the religion and since I'm only starting my fade I didn't mention anything too blatant. I just told her I was having a real problem with 1914 and 607. I told her I haven't been able to find one secular source that says Jerusalem was destroyed in 607, but that they all say 586. (side note, I need to look up information on the reasons for 586 instead of 607). She said that her and my dad will do some research. Then she said that even if Jerusalem wasn't destroyed in 607 it wouldn't really affect her faith, all that would mean is that Jesus came to earth in 1935, but it doesn't change how close the end is. I'm not really prepared well for these conversations (heh, I guess it's kind of like preparing for service, except for opposite ends), so I don't really say much. She said that the apostles were wrong about the timetables of many of their expectations, but that didn't make them false prophets.

  My parents are kind of different than the rank-and-file. They see the GB as fallible men that make mistakes and don't believe things they don't agree with. I don't think they'd directly kill others or themselves for the organization. This is what makes arguing with them frustrating. You could prove every JW doctrine wrong, and they'd still be witnesses.
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  sass_my_frass

  Take everything very slowly; I'm talking years. They can't handle a conversation like this very often. Only talk about it when they bring it up.

  btw if it isn't doing them any harm, why would you want them to stop being witnesses?
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  changeling

  They may not be ready. But if they are reasonable and open to discuss things, keep doing so. Take it easy and bring things up every now and then. Back off if they respond negatively.

  changeling
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  bigdreaux

  B, you choose a tough one to fight about. it's an easy win if your well versed in it. i was totally in the dark, until i read gentile times reconsidered. it's easy to get, and seems very overwhelming to read, but, even if you read the first few chapters, without getting into the chronology, it'll give you plenty of ammo. it shows that if 1914 fails, the whole thing comes tumbling down. it shows the societies quotes that say this. if you can show this to your parents, then, get them to question the actual date, your on the right path. i'd be glad to help. just p.m. me and i'll help you out, it's still pretty fresh with me, i just figured it all out.
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  sspo

  Nowdays your parents are like most dubs, they do not agree 100% with the GB but it doesn't matter to them because they feel they still have more truth than any religion.

  It times it's like talking to a mule.
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  Sarah Smiles

  all that would mean is that Jesus came to earth in 1935,

  Interesting! why 1935? It sounds like your mom has her own dates and still believes in the JW. She has been in for a long time and does not want to give up her life style.
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  moshe

  We were talking about how I feel about the religion

  I was at a bookstudy once when I was mentally ready to leave the KH and I got everyone afterwards talking about a sad JW blood transfusion story that was in the newspaper. I was able to get witnesses talking about feelings, not doctrines and the discussion started turning negative towards the org and it's policies- from an abstract point of view. The elder was out of the room having coffee and cookies and he quickly broke up the dialogue when he came back to the room. Feelings are what break down JW walls built to hide the facts about the org. I believe most JW's who leave have some sort of bad feelings first about the WTS or KH.
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  Double Edge

  This is what makes arguing with them frustrating. You could prove every JW doctrine wrong, and they'd still be witnesses.

  Isn't that the reasoning that JW's tell themselves when they knock on doors, spend an hour explaining why someone's religion is wrong only to walk away frustrated. So what's different. (maybe your parents can try to answer that... in other word, other's believe their "truth" just as adamently.)
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  B_Deserter

  "Interesting! why 1935? It sounds like your mom has her own dates and still believes in the JW. She has been in for a long time and does not want to give up her life style."

  I told my mom 1935. Its based on if the Watchtower were to accept the secular 586 date instead of the 607 date but kept the gentile times doctrine. 607-586 is 21 years, so 1914+21 is 1935.

  I'm not trying to get them to stop being witnesses, either. The problem I have is that if I start fading they're going to want to start debating with me. I don't want them to de-convert, I want them to UNDERSTAND why I don't agree with it.