Hey everbody,
I think it would be great, yet I dont know how plausible it would be, to launch an organized campaign against the WTBS similar what the Truth about Tobacco people do. Every so often they have a coordinated display to draw attention to tobacco companies as well as the general public about the dangers of smoking, second hand smoke, etc. etc.
Wouldn't it be great if those of use around the world could do something similar for JW's? Just an example off the top of my head....let's see I know that a lot of people dont know anything about Silentlambs or the recent settlements or rebuttal J.R. Brown gave to NBC admitting they had a database for child molestors. What if all on the same sunday we all put some type of flyer or something similar on the cars of all the Witnesses inside for their meetings. Surely if it was an organized effort in multiple locations it would create some buzz, perhaps lead people here or other places.....
Thoughts, ideas, feedback or criticism?
Crazy Idea...or is it? Something similar to the Truth tobacco campaigns
by feenx 11 Replies latest jw friends
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feenx
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wanderlustguy
Coordination is the diffcult piece of the puzzle. The problem isn't so much getting it done, but the potential backlash (make that inevitable) legally and personally.
It's a lot to take on...David and Goliath.
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Tuesday
I don't think putting anything anti-witness at Kingdom Halls or so forth would make any difference at all. The only way that Witnesses would actually be forced to learn about this stuff is if the general public knows about it. Then they would hear questions about it when they're in the ministry, and thereby have to defend it. Obviously a national campaign would be an impossiblity unless someone has a major benefactor who is willing to pay for those spots. However youtube is a pretty descent resource, so if someone could come up with a bunch of really biting, factual, "Truth" styled ads then they could be distributed on a fairly large scale. There would be a possiblity to send them to news orginizations, and maybe even be on one of web junk shows.
So yeah I guess in short, large campaign directly at witnesses wouldn't nearly be as effective as getting this stuff as general knowlege to the public, then they have to defend it in public.
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Gopher
The Internet is informing people who want to know about JW's, when they need to know. It's a good thing, and we see that JW growth is flattening out or non-existent in Internet-connected areas.
When I was a JW, I sometimes found anti-JW info tucked under my windshield wipers when coming out of an assembly session, and I was annoyed. But if I looked up information on JW's myself while online, by myself, I might have actually read it.
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feenx
That's a very good point. JW's would probably see something like that as yet another sign of "persecution" or some other form of proof that they are right and it is "the truth." BUT if they have to contend with people asking questions in service or at work/school, then they are forced to look at things a different way.
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journey-on
Oops! When I read the title of your thread, the first thing I thought it was referring to is this:
Just as tobacco can be detrimental to your physical health, JWs can be detrimental to one's mental health.
Just as not all people who smoke tobacco get lung cancer, not all JWs fall prey to mental illness. But there is
enough studies out there to show that a high percentage of them do develop problems, so its probably best to
just say "no" to those Watchtowers!
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Gopher
The JW's encounter a lot of apathy out there -- people who simply don't care. I think that's a good thing, because that leads to the JW's dreading the ministry. They know they're going out bothering people who couldn't care less.
Every once in a while, the JW will encounter someone who has educated themselves about JW history and doctrine, and so will have a lively debate. Some JW's would be overwhelmed by a householder like that, while others would find it quite enjoyable (even though nobody is getting anywhere).
But I find the overall apathy toward the JW message to be a very good thing. They're not getting many converts (especially among those who have Internet access and can find in 5 minutes that the JW's are a group you don't want to get stuck in).
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feenx
Well yes, while it may be true (I say may because I haven't seen a number of decrease shown attributed to the net) that the internet has slowed JW growth, the fact still remains that there are 6.5 million baptized members and many more who are studying and working towards baptism. While the internet helps those still having their doors knocked on, what about the people already in? What about those of us who were raised in it and literally know nothing different? I agree that it is like David and Goliath trying to take down the WTBS. But the WTBS is an organization. If they crumbled that doesn't mean that JW's would suddenly disperse and cease to exist. Because they have enough loyal followers who would still practice and follow what they see is right. So perhaps the other way to approach things is on a personal level. The end of the society would not solve the JW problem. It would simply change it. In order to solve it not only must people stop joining, but the ones already in must see the reality of things. That is the level to which I think must be appealed.
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parakeet
A coordinated plan of action against the leaders of the WTS requires time, effort, and a tremendous amount of money.
I applaud the impulse, but you would somehow have to overcome the fact that exJWs usually don't have a lot of money (ironically, because the WTS deplores higher education).
That also means they don't have the necessary amount of time needed for an extended anti-WTS project.
Then there's the "faders," who don't want to be publically known as anti-WTS, because such exposure would have devastating effects on their relationships with JW family members.
If you can iron out these problems, then your plan might have a chance. -
DT
Good ideas. We need to think about these things and stratagise on how we can make a difference. You gave me an idea. I'll think about it and might post it on a new thread