How many here have heard such utter stupidity??
Several years ago, during Field Circus, I was covering a seldom-worked territory which was a community of mostly busy working class people who usually sprung out of their homes every Saturday morning to do grocery shopping, run errands, etc.. Only a few would start their Saturday morning doing yard work washing their cars, walking their dogs, etc.. But we would frequently catch most of the house-holders on the way out, getting into their cars.
So, needless to say, the use of pamphlets was prevalent in that territory.
On that Saturday morning, I mentioned to the elder who had been paired up with me that most of these people are so busy that they probably just toss these pamphlets in the trash without ever reading them.
His response to this was something like: "Well I hope they're not doing that. That would not be a good idea."
When I asked him why, his response was: "Brother Airplane, you know what the Slave has taught us about this. People who receive the Good News but reject it will not survive Armageddon."
My response... "IF they receive the Good News. How do you define receiving the Good News?"
To this he asked: "What do you mean?"
I then told him that believed Jehovah was reasonable and he would NOT destroy kind-hearted people who tossed our pamphlets in the trash bin. If they have NOT had an opportunity to read it, how can they be held accountable?
He then changed his mind and said: "Well... OK... I see what you mean... But still, if he READS the pamplet and then throws it away, there's really no excuse after that."
I just took a deep breath and kept my mouth shut after that... I knew that teaching was severely flawed and had no Biblical backing whatsoever...
Please do share similar experiences!
CA