So this morning was the public talk and WT study. After, we did our usual and went to eat. The group was mixed ages. One of the sisters had the new WT in her hand. She said, "Hey Bonaifde, did you see the new WT?" I said I want to hear what you have to say, so let's order first." I wanted the whole group to hear this. I wasn't sure what she had in mind, but it could be good, right?
So while everyone is eating, I asked her about the WT. She pulled it out and started reading the new Questions from Readers about miscarriages. She is in her 50's, baptized about 30 years. Daughter and son both JW's, active. She had remembered that I had said a couple of months ago that I don't understand why miscarried babies don't get a resurrection. At that time she had said it's because they don't take the breath of life (The standard JW answer that I always gave also) And then I said, "Then why is abortion murder?" That got her kind of upset, but I had no idea she remembered months later.
So back to the present. She reads the Questions From Readers until she gets to this part: "So will those that are miscarried receive a resurrection? WE DO NOT KNOW." She put the WT down triumphantly, and said, "See, there it is."
So I said, "Ok, but why did the WT 25 years ago say there was no resurrection for them?"
She said, "I just read the WT. It says "WE DO NOT KNOW."
Me: "Right, so if the Society doesn't know, then why did they print the article 25 years ago saying no?"
Sister "Well, they are not inspired."
Me "So if they are not inspired, then why did they write the article?"
Sister "Well, that's what they thought at that time, but they were wrong, and now they are right."
Me "Then why was the WT wrong back then?"
Sister "Because they are not inspired." (At this point she is looking at the exit of the restaurant, no joke, again and again.)
Me: "But Jehovah doesn't change his mind"
Sister: "No he doesn't."
Me: "So why does the WT change?"
At that, another brother interrupted and said, "Ok Bonafide, why are you bringing this up?"
Me: "I didn't bring it up."
Brother: "Yes, but, well we have to be careful what we say about the Slave."
Me: "Yea, you're right, I know I am not supposed to ask questions."
Brother: "No, we can ask questions, just we have to be careful."
Me: "No we aren't supposed to. It's not right, I just get excited. I will try not to ask anything, I know we aren't supposed to."
Another sister in group, baptized one year: "Yes, we can ask questions."
Me: "No we can't. It's not right. We can get into trouble, I mean look how everyone is upset with me for asking a question, why? Because it's WRONG."
Same brother: "Look Bonafide, questions are OK. But like what kinds of questions, that's what we have to be careful of."
Me: "What questions?"
Same brother: "Just, like doubting questions"
Me: "Oh, ok, no doubting questions. I just feel sorry for the sisters that lost their baby, and the WT says they won't be resurrected, but now they say they don't know. I feel sorry for them. 25 years is a long time."
Older sister: "Well, I feel sorry for those sisters too, I feel bad for them."
Me: "Ok, everyone, I will be careful, I know I should just repeat what the WT says, but sometimes I get questions in my mind, and I know I shouldn't. Next time I will just read the paragraph."
Same brother: "No, I mean, yes it's good to have questions, not just repeat everything."
Me: "No, it's not good, I will work on that. Anyway, did anyone here see 'UP'?"
I wanted to write this down while it was still fresh in my mind. I know I might be getting a rep, and maybe worse, we will see. It's worth it to me. I really liked that the older sister REMEMBERED what I had said two months ago. Plus there were two younger ones in the group.
Your comments? What else could I have said, or how else could I have phrased my questions?
BF