I Challenge Another Dub About 1975.

Englishman

Number 1 son, Simon, is now living in Coventry with his beloved lady and his little lad, Charlie.

Yesterday, HL and I went to visit them. It's only a 2 1/2 hour run, so we just popped up for lunch.

While we were eating our lunch by the window, we spotted several people walking slowly up the street. I said to Simon: "Them's witnesses! I can spot 'em a mile off!"

Sure enough, my guess proved to be correct. Simon said that I should answer the door to them, so I aquiesced. A few minutes later, a silver haired lady, mid 70's I reckon, knocked on the door accompanied by a pretty teenage girl. She immediately launched into the "Isn't the world a terrible place" routine so I let her chatter for a while. She was a nice old dear, and having been burned verbally some months ago by a "CO's wife" type of dub, I elected to take a gentler course with her.

I mentioned, gently, that my parents had sold up everything that they had in anticipation of 1975, and as a result I was not very happy with JW's. I didn't mention at this point that I was an ex. She said:

"There were a few people that got it into their heads that armageddon would arrive in 1975".

I replied that this was nonsense, the society promoted 1975 for years, go check with the 1969 Watchtower and The Everlasting Life in Freedom book!

At this she became thoughtful, and, to my astonishment stated:

"Now that I think about, a lot of people DID give up everything just before 1975. Yes..they did. Lot's of people in Coventry sold their houses, gave up their jobs and went to live in Scotland to spread the good news! Yes.... lots and lots of brothers sold up and moved to Scotland just before 1975".

I was astonished at this sudden recall that had been repressed for all these years. Then in justification, she asked me if I couldn't overlook them having made just one mistake! I smiled politely and said I wanted to eat my dinner, so please excuse me and goodbye. So off they went.

I looked out of the window as they walked away and was pleased to see the teenage girl and the old lady in animated conversation as they departed..

Englishman.

joenobody

Then in justification, she asked me if I couldn't overlook them having made just one mistake!

It's really sad isn't it, when they want to believe something so badly that they are willing rationalize and excuse things so eggregious, isn't it? The consequences of accepting that the WTS is a false prophet and merely a publishing company are just too great to accept for most JWs. My brother made a good point the other day that to them, that is proof in of itself that it must be the truth (ie. it not being the truth would be far too painful to accept and hence can't even be a possiblity). I too met some nice sisters who called on me and I truly felt bad for them when we got into that discussion on 1975.

Jim_TX

Englishman,

You left that the best way that anyone could have. Excellent! That young girl - will begin to think - and question - and possibly look in those references that you stated.

The older lady - well... she is too entrenched in her 'programming' - and will not question past (or future) mistakes.

Well done.

Regards,

Jim TX

kwintestal

Very well done EM. Anyone raised after 1975 don't know anything about what went on. Hopefully she'll start asking a few questions. Acouple of years ago I brought that issue up with my parents, they said it never happened. My dad "never expected the end to come then" although several times he'd said in the past that he wasn't going to finish highschool because the end was comming. Turns out he did, so did I, and my kids are now in school. But I'm convinced that they'll never finish highschool.

Kwin

Norm

Excellent Mike,

You are a true gentleman. I would however have asked the lady when: "she asked me if I couldn't overlook them having made just one mistake!" To ask her if why she really did think that the WTS had made only 1, ONE mistake, then excused yourself and gone back to your lunch. I mean for someone who has never ever managed to get anything right, it is a bit rich to let them off with the delution that they have made one mistake, isn't it?
Basically they are one big huge mistake, like the rest of Christianity.

Take care,

Norm

ozziepost

I think it's called "selective memory"

Shutterbug

I think you handled this just right Mike. You gave the younger one something to think about without destroying the faith of the elderly lady. Some of the older ones have nothing else to hang onto except their faith in a religion based in New York run by people who live in a commune type situation. Let them live out their lives with their illusions. Bug

Bubbamar

Let me see if I understand. First she lied to you (uh - a few (silly) people thought that). Then she admitted partial truth (Lots of people thought that - but not because they were taught it was Truth(tm) by the FDS) so that she could manipulate you with another lie (we've only made ONE mistake).

Please. I'm going to go throw up now.

By the way Eman - you did an awesome job--- you gently planted a seed!!! If that were my mom or my child I would be so thankful to you!!

Mary

Then in justification, she asked me if I couldn't overlook them having made just one mistake!

Oh, if only that were the only mistake they've ever made!! You should've hit her with the real zinger by saying "were you also aware that Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 BCE and not 607 BCE?" That would've got the wheels turning in her head!

You handled yourself very well........hopefully the younger Dub will start to question some things.......

I Challenge Another Dub About 1975.

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