How would you respond to the elders? (page 2)

jgnat

Thanks for all your contributions, guys. Can you share any zingers that the elders have tried on you? How about:

"You know what you've done wrong."

"Wait on Jehovah."

"Where else would you go?"

Mum

Would it please Jehovah if I don't follow my own conscience, but yield to pressure from mere humans, even if they are people I love dearly?

Would you prefer that I live a lie (every day, everything I did would be inauthentic, posturing) for the sake of your conscience, not my own? How would Jehovah be pleased with that?

If I am to be put on trial, I want the questions in writing in advance and a list of the rules of evidence to be used by those who have set themselves up as my eternal judge, usurping Jesus' authority, as to whether his sacrifice covers my sins and doubts. (Maybe this one could use some toning down.)

Just a few thoughts,

SandraC

jgnat

Love yours, Mum/SandraC!

Mum

As a JW advised me once, put them on the defensive. Ask questions. Question authority, especially arbitrary authority. If possible, go to a local minister or priest and ask them the same questions; then compare responses.

If you answer the 'phone, log every call, writing down the date and time of call and what was said by each party.

Ask them if you, as an adult, have a right to live according to your own conscience.

I'm riled!

SandraC

fifi40

You dont love Jehovah.......................I think Jehovah should be the judge of that not men

You owe it to Jehovah to keep trying...........I think Jehovah should be the judge of me and my efforts not men

Killed myself when I was younger.........Your relationship with Jehovah is personal if you felt it necessary to take your life that would have been between you and Jehovah and do you really want to resort to emotionally manipulative behaviour to force your children to become what they dont want to be.

Leaving his organisation.........I think Jehovah should be the judge of that not men.

That was in the 70's.........and 80's, 90's and the new millenium.......are you saying Jehovah got it wrong or men?

If that is true?.........Are you saying that it has not happened?

You cant trust the world?..........But you just said I couldnt trust the organisation in the 70's

Some of the evidence was forged?.........What is your proof of that?

OnTheWayOut

That was in the 70s, not now

If things can change so much in 30 or 40 years, how can I believe anything
the organization says about matters 2000 years ago, or how do I know that
everything said today will be invalid in a few decades?

minimus

I prefer to cut THEM out right away. I refuse to let them dictate to me anything. I don't need to respond to someone who has an agenda against me. If they'll take action, that's something they will do, but why should I give them ammo?

deaconbluez

This is all assuming that active Witnesses know how to process logic. Unfortunately, they don't.

On the phone with my dad the other night he said, "I'm ready to discuss all of it and get it all out in the open." About 5 minutes later he said, "Well I haven't looked into any of this enough to refute what you're saying over the phone."

Sometimes I wish I could just give my parents a little shake and say, "Hello?! Are you in there?!"

JK666

Those questions and answers would make great flash cards to bone up for a meeting with elders or a judicial committee.

JK

undercover

"Wait on Jehovah."

"Well...that's what I'm doing. I have questions and doubts that haven't been answered either by the publications nor any of the elders. So...I'm waiting on Jehovah to answer me."

Of course that opens up a 'hole 'nuther can o' worms...

deaconbluez:

This is all assuming that active Witnesses know how to process logic. Unfortunately, they don't.

How true. No matter how logical you attempt to be when "debating" the issues, they can't see it. They're stuck in WTthink which in results in WTspeak. You can logically and reasonably lay out the argument against any flawed doctrine or policy and the average JW's brain will shut down and go into cultthink causting them to repeat the mantras that have been bombarded into their heads forvever.

I've been frustrated several times trying to get someone to see simple plain logic. I've learned for the most part to not even get pulled into anything religious with a JW. It's an exercise in futility.

How would you respond to the elders?

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