@HBJ:
You wrote:
Yes, they do. They come every Tuesday or every Wednesday. Yesterday they asked me if they could come on both days beginning next week for about an hour each visit. I said I'd have to get back to them on that. I told them yesterday that I was putting a hold on any future meetings for personal reasons. They didn't push the issue. I'm not sure at this point if additional meetings are really going to get us anywhere. They're steadfast in their religion and authority in the wt, and I'm not, as I've already told them I'll never acknowledge the wt or GB. Don't think there's anything left to discuss.
I think I'm going to agree with some of the other posters - they found a Bible study. Even if they talk to you for 15 minutes a week, they can count you as a Bible study. By coming both days, they'll get off the streets for a while and into an air conditioned room, sitting down, racking up hours and Bible study points. When they turn in their report at the end of the month, it's going to look good.
I guess it boils down to what your goals are in talking with them. Do you want to try to convince them being a JW isn't right? Or do you just want to learn first hand about their religion? Are you looking for an audience to talk about Bible topics every few days because you enjoy it? Do you seek a debate? Or do you seek confirmation of your beliefs, association with someone who believes as you do?
If you want to try to convince them they are on the wrong path spiritually, then you have a nice opportunity. They'll come back as long as you seem receptive. By "receptive", I mean that if these elders think you are willing to listen and learn, they'll come back. They AREN'T there to learn from you. They don't come to your door "seeking" truth. They already have the truth about God's nature, Jesus, the end of the world, Christmas, birthdays, and even what sexual positions are OK for couples. They know all of that. If you want to keep their attention, you need to ask questions - make them think they are teaching you. But ask them questions about the organization, its record, it failed prophecies, their defunct chronological calcuations. They'll be JWs until they start to see the WTB&TS is not God's organization. The Trinity - doesn't matter. Whether Jesus and Michael are the same - doesn't matter. If you get into a debate over whether or not you need to show works to gain salvation - doesn't matter. But, if they start to become aware that the governing body is not chosen, the origanization is not chosen... then that person is on his/her way out. It might take years, but they are on their way...
I have to say that for a short time, regarding a few topics of discussion, it did had me scratching my head, even though my experiences over the years told me otherwise, which were based on solid translations. You input the human equation into the mix and shelf the scientific, as I did during a few of our meetings, and no matter how much knowledge one has, you can get caught off guard. I must say that the more educated/brainwashed JWs are masters at this Bible "ping pong".
Still happens to me too.
The New World Translation is unique in one thing - it is the first intentional systematic effort at producing a complete version of the Bible that is edited and revised for the specific purpose of agreeing with a group's doctrine.
Agreed.
What do you think about Acts 5:3,4 in the NWT?
MeanMrMustard