How would you respond to the elders?

jgnat

I’d like to help metaspy and others out on helping them overcome the manipulative language of the society. When it happens, we have no time to come back with a snappy answer. But maybe we can help in the future how the manipulative language is wrong, and how to clear the destructive FOG (Fear Obligation Guilt) in our heads.

Do you think my retorts would help? I welcome everyone to add statements that they have endured or snappy replies that have worked for them.

Manipulative Statement	Retort
You don't love Jehovah	(Turn it around) Are you Jehovah now, that you can read men’s hearts?
You owe it to Jehovah to keep trying	Jesus told us his burden is light. If I am this burdened, how can it be from Jehovah?
I could have killed myself when you were younger, but I stayed alive to keep you in the truth	Thank you for your sacrifice. I love Jehovah as much as I always have. If I kept loving Jehovah, but left the organization, would you kill yourself? That would be a terrible loss. I would miss you. (I wouldn't bother, personally, to respond to this kind of manipulation. But I might remind myself that I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE for other people's foolish behavior)
How do you think Jah feels about you leaving His organization?	I continue to pray and trust that Jehovah still loves me. After all, he gave us all His son when we were all in a fallen state.
That was in the 70s, not now	Are you saying that it was not Jehovah's organization in the seventies? Were all of God's people misled thirty years ago? Who is to say it is any less deceptive today?
IF that is true... If that happened...	I see you haven't studied the facts like I have. Let's agree to meet after you have investigated the matter.
You can't trust the world.	Are you registered for your Government pension? Do you pay taxes? Are you reasonably sure you will receive your benefits when you retire? Why do you trust the "world" for these matters, and not a public record?
Some of the evidence was forged.	I see you haven't studied the facts like I have. Let's agree to meet after you have fully investigated the matter.

AWAKE&WATCHING

Excellent idea - our own "Reasoning" book with ready made answers for opposition to the real truth.

momzcrazy

I think your retorts are great. I don't have any to add. Unfortunately I found the one time I tried to have a normal discussion about it, all my info fell on deaf ears. I then realized, I am an adult, have been for some time. My family made a decision that we are very happy with. I never left Jehovah just an organization led by men I no longer trust or feel comfortable obeying.

I know everyone is different. My sister, for example, wants to explain why in her letter of DA. But I feel comfortable saying taking me off your membership list. Strange, because I am usually a big mouth!

You've got a great idea and it's kind of you to start this thread to help.

momz

Gill

OK if you're willing to say that 'I love Jehovah!'

But what if you think that Jehovah of the OT is a war mongering, psycopathic murdering character and there is no way you would wish to worship such an awful God. Even as a child I found the OT disturbing and 'Jehovah' NOT someone you would want to love......just avoid!

I personally believe that 'God', whoever he / she really is, is NOT the monstrosity described in the old Judaic / Christian history/ mythology book.

So, what do you say if they say 'You don't love Jehovah!' to someone like myself? The truth is, I never did, I only feared, as a child, the monster that the WT society painted God to be! MY answer at present to a JW who said that to me would be : 'Too right I don't love Jehovah!; But that would give them the ammunition to destroy the last of my relationships with family......which may not be such a tragedy anyway....but still...

jgnat

I understand, Gill. Which is why you remain silent. I do think it is a softer response to a Witness to reject the organization but claim no rejection of God. After all, Godless is what they expect.

Which in the end of the day may be the best response by anyone. Be silent and proceed with your life unabated. After all, it is your life; no-one else is going to live it for you.

dawg

I'm enjoying this post... Gill, I agree with you 100%

As for comebacks, I 'd say that questioning the GB or FADS isn't against the bible-period... What's worked best for me is to ask family to show me in the bible where it says that.

Ask them why the holy spirit wants them to be wrong about so many things. This is empirical evidece they don't have god's spirit. Their claims are all spiritual, this is physical evidece they're worng.

Gill

Jgnat - Thank you! It seems that silence may well be the best course all round. JWs will judge and destroy a person as they see fit so what's the point in giving someone the equipment they need to do that to you?!

Blueblades

Jgnat. Good conversation stoppers!

Blueblades

changeling

Tittle suggestion:

Reasoning With the Elders - batteling mind control tactics

changeling

worldtraveller

My discussion with my JW associate came to a crashing end when I did just a little research on my own. Found the phrase "worldly people". I asked him if he would be comfortable sitting next to someone who would like to have you destroyed. I said I certainly don't and demanded our discussions come to a complete halt. If he ever tries to initiate another conversation, I hit him with the phrase "what would Jesus think"? Comes to a grinding halt every time, and he only calls with work related issues now. The best way to avoid any discussions with them is to cut it off before it starts - after all , that's their sole purpose in life- to spread their mind numming nonsense. To win the game, you shut them down before they put it in drive.

How would you respond to the elders?

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