I speak semi-regularly to an old friend of mine who I would describe as a Super-Dub.
He knows I am inactive but over the years I have peppered him with a lot of questions about the org. that I hoped would make him at least pause and think somewhat rationally about the reality of being a JW in this brave new- post GB 2.0 world.
We have discussed everything from the generation changes, to the U.N. , failed prophecy, flip flops, the reduction in size of the WT magazine, the closing/ consolidation of bethels including lay-offs, JW broadcasting, cart witnessing- etc, etc.
What do I mean by Super-Dub? He is a born-in, has missionary parents, he reg. pioneered straight out of high school, went to bethel, became an elder, married a reg pioneer sister and home- schooled his kids, who are now pioneering.
Although this guy is a rusted-on JW., I am sometimes surprised how far he lets me push things in our conversations.
I always approached our conversations from the point of view that everything I asked was sincere and genuine and not from a critical one. I told him I cannot, with good conscience go from door to door and tell people we have the 'truth' , especially about the dates of the last days, when the 'truth' we have now is not the same as it was a few years ago. I asked him why his conscience allowed him to, because to a person at the door, isn't it bringing reproach upon Gods name if we are telling lies while claiming to represent him?
We have talked for hours and hours over the years about stuff like this. Interestingly, I have come to realise that not only has he never really 'heard' my side of the story, he always seemed to ascribe only good things to the GB, even when they are clearly wrong. One of his favourite sayings is, 'to question the GB, is to question Jehovah'. ( I know right).
I have tried to use logical, well- rounded reasoning , much of it from this website, every time we spoke and I always avoided raising my voice in frustration, although he would often do so when he couldn't explain something.
It has been said many times on this web-site but I'll say it again. It doesn't matter if you have over-whelming proof in your hand that a teaching is not accurate. All it comes down to is this question- 'do you believe that GB and the faithful and discreet slave are Gods representatives in charge of his belongings on earth today'?
This question negates any need for a dub to think through a problem or doubt. With this mind-set, the most genuine and sensible question you ask may be treated as an attack on his faith, the org. that he loves and has staked his life, and the life of his children- sometimes literally, on. The GB are always right and have Gods approval- even when they are wrong.