Do's and Dont's on debating JWs online (page 3)

d

I agree I try to respectful especially considering leaving the Jw's can be a very traumatic experience for some. Arguing and name calling will not do good to convince someone about the truth about the truth.

FingersCrossed

Marking

smiddy

I am definetely against derogatory remarks about beleivers,name calling and using offensive language at those still in.This is counter productive in helping people see TTATT

smiddy

irondork

No apostates were harmed in my awakening.

Nor were they talked to or even consulted, as I was a thoroughly indoctrinated dub who would never rub elbows with the spawn of Satan... even when I was beginning to suspect trouble in spiritual paradise.

My awakening had nothing to do with outsiders. Once I found myself removing my own blinders, my education became heavily dependant on them.

Emery

IMO I think the experiences told here demonstrate how pointless it can be sometimes to try and force an interaction/debate with JWs online. Its best done by establishing a central location of information like JWfacts.com where people can choose it or leave it, read things for themselves and then weigh the evidence. Providing hard facts and never trying to imply or tell them how to think about it. Only asking for objectivity and for people to remove bias to the best of their ability. Confrontational back and forth messaging or videos can trigger unnecessary emotions of fear, anxiety, guilt, and prejudice. If we can create an environment where these feelings can be tossed aside we can readily show them the irrefutible truth.

jgnat

I think videos could target potential recruits, as a prevention/inoculation rather than a cure to the WT bug. Here, too, it pays to be calm, factual, accurate and not overstate our case.

notjustyet

On another note, I watch quite a few of the Videos on Youtube and many of them start off by stating something to the effect of " If you are a current Jehovahs witness you should not be watching this video, please turn it off now."

So I'm not really sure what is happening here, would you want to trigger the lurking Jw to go into cult think and exit the video? What is the reasoning behind making an opening statement like this?

NJY

Apognophos

Some who have never been JWs do more harm than good when talking to JWs. They do not truly understand the JW mindset, nor are they sensitive to the mind control.

I would go farther and say that many former Witnesses who've been out for a while also do not understand the JW mindset. It's actually a good thing for them, personally -- they've moved on and freed themselves from Watchtower thinking -- but then they forget what it was like to be indoctrinated and fearful when talking to someone who is still in.

It's also interesting to note that some here watched videos as part of their exploratory process. Personally, I have a distaste for watching people talk on YouTube. My listening comprehension is below average and my reading comprehension is above average, so I prefer just plain text, even page upon page of it. When I watch a video, I find myself distracted by everything -- the design of the ceiling fan behind them, their personal grooming habits... I attempt to identify their place of origin by their accent... then I come away having learned nothing. I also feel uncomfortable with close-ups of faces talking directly to me and the thought that they might be influencing my mind through charisma rather than logic.

So it's great that textual sites like JWFacts exist, for people like me who want to have something to read, selectively and at their own pace, and without the personal interaction with "apostates" that one (indirectly) gets through videos. It also is a better way to provide citations and other documentation as backup. I know that was necessary for me, as I had to confirm some material myself by looking it up in my WT Library.

jgnat

I like to give a JW the option to back out. If in person, I ask, "Do you really want to know?" If they say yes, they have given permission, which makes them open to the information.

How about opening with, "If you are a Jehovah's Witness, consider if you want to watch this, as some of it may be disturbing to you."

Emery

@jgnat, I think that's an excellent approach. Ask first and assure them that your intention or motive is not to cause them to question their faith or God. Also, making them the teacher and assuming the role of the student removes the unwarranted suspicion. The burden of proof all of a sudden falls on them as representatives of God's people.

"I can't seem to understand _____?"

"I would like to better understand your position on _____?"

"When I read this scripture I take from it _____?"

"Can you give me a little more background on ______?"

Then when they make a circular statement, press them for evidence for such a claim, "Can you prove this from: secular, ubiased, historical or objective sources to prove this truth?" When they cannot, tell them "I competely understand how you feel about this, however this seems to me like a faith claim and many people all around the earth can assert their own interpretation of the bible."

Now if you ever face the situation of interpretation and authority, knowing how to ask questions to dismantle the faithful slave doctrine is GOLD.

These types of approaches can help eliminate many of the walls associated with their indoctrination and causes their mind to start thinking and resolving the problem. In their minds, the truth has to be proven to you and can be easily answered. Keeping a classy loving attitude and tone throughout does wanders, it did for me when I read Crisis of Conscience.

Do's and Dont's on debating JWs online

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