How to convince a JW that they have the truth.

by DT 7 Replies latest jw friends

  • DT
    DT

    It may be easier to see how to reason with a JW when you consider how the governing body convinces them that they have the truth or how they convince themselves of it when they are confronted by troubling information. It seems that all they need is a plausible way to explain away inconvenient facts. If they hear about a case where pedophilia was covered up, it is usually sufficient to assume that it was an isolated case. It is unlikely that they will demand proof that it was an isolated case. It is even likely that they will ignore proof that it is a widespread problem if they have a plausible way (in their mind) to explain it.

    The society also loves to quote and misquote authorities. A JW isn't going to expect a statement like four out of five scientists agree that the Awake magazine is scientifically accurate. It will probably be sufficient for just one scientist to make that kind of statement (or appear to make that statement). They will likely be content that a scientist could come to this conclusion, even if it is a rare event. I know that I used to think that way. If something troubled me, I just looked for a convenient explanation. If I saw someone doing something wrong, I assumed that he had good motives. (This can be a good thing, but it can also encourage abuses.) Do you have any comments on situations where this happens or ways to overcome that kind of thinking when talking to JW's. I've never had a chance to use it, but I would like to ask a JW what kind of evidence would hypothetically prove to them that the JW's are wrong. If they come up with something, there's a good chance that this evidence already exists. If they say nothing could prove that there religion is false, then I would suggest that they can't really have confidence in something that can't be falsified.

  • Abandoned
    Abandoned

    Good point.

    I remember how I would reason over things like that. I already assumed that most scientists were tools of satan so most of them believing things that went against the society didn't bother me. It just reinforced my belief that we live in an evil world. Then, when one would say something positive, I'd thank jehovah that he sent us something to confirm what we already knew was right.... It's amazing that I didn't need two separate brains to come to those conclusions.

  • Anti-Christ
    Anti-Christ

    I agree with Abandoned. I think we kind of all did that.

    If you what something to say to "prove" there religion is false you can just ask if they believe the JW had the truth in the beginning of 1900. They are obviously going to tell you " well with new understanding..blaw,blaw,blaw." Just stick to your question until they really answer it, "do you believe the JW had the truth in 1900, yes or no?" I don't think it will change much in what they believe but it will be fun to watch theme try and answer. I think that's the best way to deal with a JW, keep asking the question until they give you a strait answer.

  • Abandoned
    Abandoned
    I think that's the best way to deal with a JW, keep asking the question until they give you a strait answer.

    And there you have the dictionary definition of eternity.

  • jaguarbass
    jaguarbass

    I dont think you need to convince the witnesses they have the truth. They are highly motivated.

    This site is mostly for people who have escaped the tower or are leaving.

    Personally, the only truth I see in this world is there is no truth.

  • WTWizard
    WTWizard

    I used to think the witlesses had the absolute truth. Now I laugh when I see what they pass on as "truth". It is nothing more than isolated pieces of truth. They take those bits and pieces of real truth out of context, and add editorial material (the litter-ature) to it. What you end up with is a bunch of lies that are supported by isolated pieces of truth.

    That is not reality. Even if the isolated pieces of truth are genuine, they are taken totally out of context and scrambled. What they don't have is fully integrated truth, or fully integrated honesty. To have that, they would have to have all the truth in context, and be genuinely researching when they are not sure something really is the truth. When they are uncertain, they need to be honest at the time that they are uncertain. Then, when they realize that they made a mistake, they need to be open about it and explain that they were in error before. If they would have done that, their past failures would be more forgivable (as well as being clear that it is uncertain and not encouraging people to sell out based on it).

    But no, they have to isolate nuggets of truth, twist them around, and build up a fine network of lies. At no time do they say that they are uncertain. At no time do they tell people to not sell out, since they are unclear and trying to get the real picture together. Instead, they are trying to get you to sell out and to bring in as much money and membership as they can. To me, that is not acceptable.

  • NeonMadman
    NeonMadman
    Personally, the only truth I see in this world is there is no truth.

    Is that a true statement?

  • LouBelle
    LouBelle

    It's only when they personally start question the JW faith will they actually make an effort to look at other information provided - otherwise they are stuck in it.

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