Did you know of Witnesses who were afraid of the term "convert"

by sabastious 4 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  sabastious

  I always thought it was odd when my Witness peers would avoid using the term "convert" or "conversion" especially in regards to the field ministry.

  con·vert /k?n'v?rt/

  Verb:	Cause to change in form, character, or function.
  Noun:	A person who has been persuaded to change their religious faith or other beliefs.
  Synonyms:	verb. change - transform - turn - transmute - alter noun. proselyte

  ^ This is an accurate description of what the end goal of the field ministry is. So, why do many Witnesses go around telling people, "we're not out to convert people, we just preach the good news of God's Kingdom."?

  -Sab
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  leavingwt

  "We're not here to change your religion. We're here to discuss an encouraging thought from the Bible."

  Like Hassan says, deception is absolutely essential in the recruitment process. Nobody joins a destructive cult. They're recruited into them.
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  designs

  The whole point of the Service Meeting is to brainwash us into saying 'We're not here to Convert you' when we were really there to Convert them.
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  stillstuckcruz

  I know that the argument for the die-hards would be that they were not the one's converting. But it was JEHOVAH who was "drawing them towards the 'truth'". That line of reasoning is, as leavingWT stated....totally deceptive. Sure you might be there initially showing the scriptues and getting them to look at the bible(9% of the time. 91% simply placing the magazine and leaving), but the end result of you visit's should be to get them to leave and abandon their former religion.
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  sabastious

  The whole point of the Service Meeting is to brainwash us into saying 'We're not here to Convert you' when we were really there to Convert them.

  The service meeting concept is kind of a chicken-egg paradox. Their doctrine clearly states that "theocratic training" is required for the preaching work to be effective while at the same time stating that God directs Witnesses like Inigo Montoya's dead father "guided his sword." Which is it: skill or guidance? With enough skill you don't need guidance and without any skill you need nothing but guidance. If it is a balancing act between God and man where is the measuring stick? Who sets the bar?

  -Sab