Prepare for an encounter with a JW (page 2)

Gadget

I was just thinking of starting a topic like this! I was talking to a local elder as part of my job on Tuesday, and I'm going to be seeing him the same way every week for the next few months. He looked a bit dubious when he saw it was me who was going to be escorting him, but we got on fine. We used to get on very well when we were in the same hall 5-6 years ago, he was a ms then and is not much older than me. He was very friendly, and concerned that I had been cut off by my family. He seemed visibly relieved when I told him I still had contact with them for 'neccesary family business' and was not just given the cold shoulder. I mentioned that I had tried to get reinstated for 9 months, but had given up after that. He was interested that I still have jw issues that I think about, and wants to call round and talk to me about them.

I plan to ask about why its wrong for Ian Huntley to kill 2 innocent 10 year old girls but brilliant for Jehovah to kill millions of innocent 10 yr old girls at armegeddon. Why does Jehovah allow wickedness, seen as the universal question of does man need god to survive was answered in Genesis 9 about confusing the languages in Babel. And why it was ok for the Watchtower to have a political affiliation with the United Nations, but wrong for jws in Malawi to have a political affiliation, the result being that many were beaten, raped and murdered. Depending on how that goes I might bring up the child abuse issue, but I'm not too keen to do that because I know it would hit very close to home for him.

I prefer simple hardhitting points rather than doctinal matters where you can get bogged down with minor details.

little witch

Hi Sirona

Over the years I have came to the conclusion that jw's are like predators. They go to meetings several times a week to learn how to "effectively argue" and overcome "conversation stoppers". In essence they want a controlled setting and conversation and are mentally "weeding out" those who they feel are contrary.

Like you, I don't care to convert or change the minds of those who are already set in their ways. I deal with them with a "not interested" or "we are christians". Then I close the door abruptly so as not to give them a chance to get a word in edgewise. I think this fitting for those who uphold the notion that their own members cant speak without raising their hands and giving a force fed answer.

qwerty

I didn't know your Mum and Dad etc had cut you off!

Good luck to you with him mate.

little witch

I left out the thought that some have the gift of planting a seed (getting people to think for themselves). You may be one of those people, and if you are then I think your original response is both reasonable and honest.

Richie

I finally got the title of the book; it's called "Reasoning from the Scriptures with Jehovah's Witnesses" by Ron Rhodes.

So far, I have glanced through the book - it's fabulous in that it will help ex-witnesses to counter any kind of argument with a scriptural answer!

You can find a sample of an article entitled "Rightly interpreting the Bible" (Dr. Ron Rhodes) right on the internet:

http://home.earthlink.net/~ronrhodes/Interpretation.html

http://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/author.cfm?EDID=100009

Richie :*)

Sirona

Wow, some great ideas here!

Yiz:

I admit I don't want to spend the time reading the bible to find contradictions so that I can argue that point with JWs. When I first left JWs I did do some research and attended churches, where I became convinced that the bible does teach that Jesus is God. Thereafter my studies took me along the route of realising that the bible isn't unique and there are many religious writings out there that are of some value. I guess the next step after that was to realise that we don't need books to understand God, and I started off down the pagan path.

I think it's a really good idea to read books re: helping people exit cults, but I think that many of those books are very biased toward mainstream Christianity. However, for JWs, another Christian religion is probably the first step to leaving (it would be near on impossible to approach a JW with pagan ideas and expect that they'd even have an inkling of what the heck you were talking about. plus they'd run a mile)

When I was leaving JWs the biggest impact on me was how they'd altered their bible to suit their doctrines. Maybe if some of us took the time to find just one really good example of that then if we're in the mood the next time they come "a knocking" then we'll be able to show them something which might open their eyes a little.

In fact I might do some fishing around for such an example to use.

Cybersista I'm glad this thread is helping. I think that people like us need to be prepared! LOL

Sirona

Reboot

I simply told them , 'I'm sorry, I can't come back to meetings because due to the UN issue and the Child Abuse cases that ar'nt being dealt with in a christian way and the behaviour of Elder X, my concience won't allow it'.

Thats a pretty good answer. You mentioned enough for them to be unable to argue with that and put them in their place!

Sirona

little witch

Then I close the door abruptly so as not to give them a chance to get a word in edgewise. I think this fitting for those who uphold the notion that their own members cant speak without raising their hands and giving a force fed answer

While I agree with the overall sentiment here I don't think I could do that. For one thing they'd just walk away labelling me a rude apostate and they'd feel justified in their arrogance. Saying something respectful but short and sweet would be better IMO

Sirona

I plan to ask about why its wrong for Ian Huntley to kill 2 innocent 10 year old girls but brilliant for Jehovah to kill millions of innocent 10 yr old girls at armegeddon. Why does Jehovah allow wickedness, seen as the universal question of does man need god to survive was answered in Genesis 9 about confusing the languages in Babel. And why it was ok for the Watchtower to have a political affiliation with the United Nations, but wrong for jws in Malawi to have a political affiliation, the result being that many were beaten, raped and murdered. Depending on how that goes I might bring up the child abuse issue, but I'm not too keen to do that because I know it would hit very close to home for him.

Wow Gadget! That elder won't know what hit him!

Sirona

Bubbamar

This is a great thread!! I am all for planting seeds. I feel I have a sort of duty to inform and plant seeds whenever possible. It may be their only chance to learn the truth! haha - that sounds like a dub. But really - I know my mom is too loyal to read a book or do an internet search. I can only hope that someday she will knock on one of your doors!!

Prepare for an encounter with a JW

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