Would you consider public speaking?

nicolaou

One thing the Watchtower Society has managed to do is to create a pool of talented, articulate and witty speakers. What happens to them when they leave the Society? Some of them post here and on other forums. Some choose to recount their experiences and offer some insight by writing books. Others take a very pro-active postion and lobby government departments, charity commissions and other authorites to press whatever agenda they may be pursuing.

Fine.

But among all those ex-Elders, C.O's, M.S's, Pioneers etc there exist hundreds of men and women who have something valuable to contribute beyond internet participation. We need to get our message heard in the real world. As an example, the various Hospital Liason Committees of the Society regularly meet with hospital administrators, surgeons and medical associations to reinforce and promote their views. Could we not offer these professionals a legitimate counter view?

Do you feel you could present a 30-40 minute discourse on a Watchtower related topic that you are thoroughly familiar with? In the UK this would be something I would certainly consider. Anyone else?

Nic'

freeman

In my former occupation, I did quite a lot of public speaking. Public speaking is among the very few advantages I have garnered for myself from my internment as a witness, that and quitting smoking. Apparently their training methods work pretty well as I have been a very successful speaker at events with hundreds of attendees. Some of the most notable speaking engagements include providing a 30 ? 90 minute discourse before the technical staff of the National Security Agency, the Attorney General and technical staff, several divisions of NASA, the Computer Security Institute?s annual convention, the Surveillance Expo (an annual cloak and dagger, spy /spook and PI convention), and the US Treasury Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).

Needles to say none of my presentations included any witness related theology or buzzwords, although I must admit some were a bit apocalyptic considering the subject matter.

My advice to anyone wishing to attempt public speaking is to contact Toastmasters or some other public speaking training program. It may cost you a few bucks but it?s a bargain compared to the price you will be paying for years and years because of having anything to do with the witnesses. Been there, done that!

Freeman

cruzanheart

Yes, I would. I don't know if it was the Theocratic Ministry School, or being an only child, or being half Greek (or all of the above), but I'm kind of a ham and love public speaking, ESPECIALLY if it's a subject I'm passionate about.

Nina

dannyboy

Yes, sometimes I wish I could DO SOMETHING constructive to help.

Public speaking is among the very few advantages I have garnered for myself from my internment as a witness

LOL @ Freeman...well said :) [emphasis mine]

Nic: Your comments bring to mind yet again the frustration so many of us feel about wanting to help others (current JWs) understand the "big picture", but recognizing the obstacles in really reaching the target audience... What are you thinking about, in terms of a venue? I hear of some who give presentations at local churches. This certainly would help anyone their who was thinking of checking out the dubbie world, but of course wouldn't reach the Witnesses themselves.....

---Dan

LittleToe

I'm regularly involved in just such a thing.

The fact that I retained my faith means that I have access to the very wide circles of the religious communities, here in Scotland.

If there was to be something organised to the Health and Governmental sectors, I'd be more than pleased to be involved. (I already have an inside track on the Health sector, if it can be put to some use).

shamus

Would I?

I just had a dream where I made a speech about how these Candles won the Candle Cup Award! I had to make up a speech in 1 hour and collect candles from people sleeping in they're beds. It really made no sense....

The speech went well.

What does this have to do with the topic? Absolutley NOTHING!

Kind Regards,

Shamus.

mouthy

I was taught well by the ministry school to public speaking, paused in just the right places, etc,etc So Yes! I use what I was taught...."what you dont use you lose", so I speak at churches ,senior groups, schools, public, Catholic, private, group homes, etc: after all why not do as the faithful & descreet slave taught me to do. That would seem ungrateful wouldnt it????Hey & you know what they PAY!!!!!!me.

Lady Lee

Since I was always painfully shy I had a hard time speaking in public. But when I went to college I took a course in Public Speaking. The WTS stuff is Mickey Mouse in comparison.

Since then I have given 3 hour lectures about abuse issues and 2 hour lectures specifically about cults. I have been invited to speak at conferences, McGill and Concordia Universities as well as Dawson College (all in Montreal). I have also spoken at various scholls, churches, and community agencies about both cults and abuse.

The Video series (same series as Grace and Dr. Penton) talking about the JWs was a 2 hour interview with only one break. Seems once I got started it became a tad hard to shut me up.

Might be interesting to set up a speaker's bureau so that we could draw on people from various areas to address some of the issues with the public or media. We sort of have a loose system for that already in some countries.

ESTEE

Yes, gladly ...

ESTEE

ThiChi

Working for a Municipality, I make many presentations to the public, city council and varying civic organizations. I also help coach a High School Debate team......

Yes, I would!!

Would you consider public speaking?

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