HOW SHOULD I PROCEED WITH THIS???

Mary

I received this email on Friday from someone I know:

I just got a call from the brother of the woman, *******, who is contemplating joining the JW group. He told me that he had spoken to his sister about someone who HAD been a part of the group (I had told him about you), and, she said that she would be interested in talking to you.

I don't really know how to proceed from here - her name is ******* ******* and her number in ************ is: ***************. Do you feel okay about giving her a call? Thanks for doing this. These folks are pretty stressed out about all of this, so it is nice to be able to offer them, possibly, a bit of hope. Yer a peach!

I've already told the person who sent this to me that I have to be very careful when talking to someone in this woman's position because one of the first things they're told when they start to study is that Satan will try and work through their family and friends condemning the Witnesses, because he doesn't want them 'finding out about the Truth' and sure enough when her family and friends do express concern, this is exactly what she thought. Apparently she's in her early 30s, single, lonely and is being love-bombed by the congregation so we all know why it's so appealing to her. She's not baptized yet but is considering it.

I'm glad she's willing to talk to me, but how exactly should I proceed with this? Can someone tell me what books they study with potential converts now? It used to be the Live Forever book, but I don't think that's the one they use now. I know I cannot bombard her or her mind will just close down, but I'm wondering which angle I should come at this from. Should I talk about 1914? Christmas? The blood issue? Disfellowshipping anyone who questions the religion? Should I send her a copy of CoC or ISOCF??

I'd appreciate any ideas you guys have on this.

Thanks!

Junction-Guy

You should work from the beginning and explain to her that the JW organization does not answer for God, they are infallible, they make many mistakes, and even outright lies, so why should she put her trust in an organization that very well could harm her.

She may not see it as a fully organized religion, she may think that people are allowed to think different.

You need to effectively show her that once she becomes a JW, she is expected to do whatever the JW org says or be disfellowshipped. Doing this you can show her the inconsistencies in the blood doctrine, the organ transplant ban, etc etc etc.

dawg

I'm with JG on this one,.... it's the "you can't question gods org" thing that's the most important...hey, doctrine smoctrine, who cares? When you can't question men without losing family,then they'res a problem.

bebu

I think a foundational thing is that becoming a JW is like getting married forever. How would anyone make such a big step without being very careful? And since there are so many rumors that JWs is a cult (she might have heard them), wouldn't it be a wise--and Biblical--thing to TEST ALL THINGS first? Talking with former members and researching JWs online to be sure that you can agree with everything she finds is a wise thing to do, right? (And isn't wisdom and discerning commended by God?) Tell her that she might have heard a warning that anyone who opposes the JWs is getting worked on by Satan, which is also used by other cults to discourage her from investigating. If God was pleased with the Bereans who looked at ALL the info they could find, before making a very important decision, then she can trust God to clarify the Truth thru cross-examination:

Psalm 18:17: The first to present his case seems right, until another comes forward and questions him.

So, help get her in the frame of mind that is OK with research, and the rest can be more of a downhill ride.

I'd ask her what things she has heard, what areas she has questions about, and start there. Your personal story--and the experiences of those you know--will be great illustrations of the real policies and teachings.

bebu

nvrgnbk

Just be honest.

Speak from your heart.

Keep it simple.

Make it clear that you pity the JW's, that you don't hate them.

That's much more convincing.

Good luck!

hubert

Does she have kids? If so, find a way to get her to see the NBC nightly news broadcast that Barbara Anderson did.

The WSMV, Nashville broadcast would be a good follow-up.

If no kids, "C of C" would be my choice.

Hubert

drew sagan

I think that exposure to some of the more radical beliefs in the group is a good possible start. (and i'm not talking about blood!)

There are a number of "you've got to be kidding me" teachings that a good number of people new to the religion would look at with suspicion. They are buried and only brought out for the faithful to learn about. This would include:

- Jesus Christ coming down invisibly from heaven in 1918/19 and choosing the Watchtower
- Magazines written by J.F. Rutherford where fortold to come by the prophet Daniel
- The seven trumpet blasts of Revelation are partially conventions held by the Watchtower

This list could go on and on. The point is that the Watchtower never makes a big deal out of these fanciful claims. They rather stick to what they believe to be their "logicial" material.

I think a great way to approach somebody who is studying with the JWs is to simply expose them to all of the teachings they hold that put the group at the center of the world. JWs love to tell a potential member "we only read what the bible says". These sorts of crazy beliefs obvioulsy are the opposite. Show the person that they need to get just as much proof for these types of teachings as they would any other teaching from the Watchtower.

It's all about giving that person the tools to think critically and examine things on their own. Don't tell them "this is bad run away!". Instead you want to show them how the Watchtower goes against the rules and principles they teach their potential members are so important. This would mean focusing on how by "just reading the Bible" you never would come to any of these teachings and so there is obviuolsy a heavy amount of interpretation going on (potential JWs are often told they do not interpret the Bible!!!).

Scully

I would ask her if the Headship Principle™ is going to be a problem for her.

That's one thing I have a hard time comprehending in contemporary female converts to the JWs.... how they can relinquish their hard-won equality and social voice and exchange them for subservience and being dominated by males.

Mary

I'm thinking of printing off some of the more memorable quotes from the Quotes website (now run from the UK I believe, due to it's 'embarassing' the WTS here).

Scully said: I would ask her if the Headship Principle™ is going to be a problem for her.

Good point, but I'll have to play this one by ear......I find that there ARE women out there---even non-Dubs, who don't really have a problem with the headship thing---hell, some of them even welcome it.

There are a number of "you've got to be kidding me" teachings that a good number of people new to the religion would look at with suspicion. They are buried and only brought out for the faithful to learn about. This would include:
- Jesus Christ coming down invisibly from heaven in 1918/19 and choosing the Watchtower
- Magazines written by J.F. Rutherford where fortold to come by the prophet Daniel
- The seven trumpet blasts of Revelation are partially conventions held by the Watchtower
This list could go on and on. The point is that the Watchtower never makes a big deal out of these fanciful claims. They rather stick to what they believe to be their "logicial" material

Yes, that's what I was thinking. If I can show her some of the wacky things that used to be passed off as "truth", then it might make her think. I'm already prepared for the "light gets brighter" bullshit. Simply reading the context around those verses proves that it's simply talking about the two pathways in life: that of the righteous and that of the unrighteous. It has nothing whatsoever to do with explaining away false doctrines.

I'm actually a bit nervous calling her as I don't know what to expect, but I'll keep you posted.

Vernon Williams

Mary,

I am still convinced the best place to start is Mathew 24:14 and focus on the fact that "THIS"" Good News is what would be preached. Show the effects of the Good News:

Baptism

New Birth

Lord's Meal

Etc.

All the effects that would happen.

Compare the effects with the Good News of Christ with the Good News of the JWs. If it is the sme....ok. If the JW good news results in a different effect then Galations Chapter 1 comes into plany....

My take,

V

HOW SHOULD I PROCEED WITH THIS???

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