Justification of misquotations

gringojj

I am seriously considering taking on a JW with the issue of misquotations especially the creation book. My question is does anyone know what his reaction is going to be? Its a strange situation because theres really no question. I mean I have looked at the library and they did misquote people. So I know for a fact that they have. So am I looking for an explanation from the elder on why? Will I just get the imperfect humans speil? He wont be able to deny that it was done because I will have all the documents in front of him. Just curious if anyone has had an experience with this issue. My argument will be that if the WTS misquotes people to support thier beliefs then how can I believe anything they say? And what else might they be being dishonest about?

blondie

I will tell you that the average JW has no idea about the misquotations in that book. When the WTS quotes an outside source, they just assume it has been correctly quoted and do not look it up. The quoted citations in that book are just to give the illusion that it is a scholarly/scientific book.

JWs for the most part have endured any required science classes in school because of the uncomfortable topic of evolution. They tend to tune out most of what is said.

So proving that the WTS misquoted to the average JW will mean first getting them to see that anything was misquoted.

Now if you want to present yourself as a non-JW and ask the WTS about the misquoted material that might be more interesting. Checking with the people they misquoted and making them aware of it might be more interesting.

Most average JWs will just be baffled if you point it out, and then get defensive, concluding you must be an "apostate" and will shut down.

Blondie

caligirl

You probably won't get very far. I am in total agreement with you. That scholastic dishonesty is a very big deal to me as well. But even entertaining the idea that they quoted inaccurately, never mind actually digging up evidence and showing it to people will likely be used against you as evidence that you don't trust the big momma and will be totally held against you.

Hellrider

I agree with Blondie. I doubt you`re ever going to get anywhere,it`s like talking to a brick wall. However, I do it too, when I meet them, or they ring my doorbell (I`ve moved to another town, so they don`t know I grew up in that stuff here). By the way; I remember this one particular "scientific proof" of creation, that we were taught. The argument goes: "The human eye is made up of...billions of different parts..(don`t remember the actual number, but the arguemt starts something like that) ...a clock/watch is made up of...1000? parts (don`t remember the actual number)...the laws of mathematics show us that if we were to put all the parts of the watch in a bag, and shake it, it could be shaken for millions of years, and it still would not assemble into an actual watch by itself...what then with the human eye,consisting of so many more parts, could the eye have been constructed by itself?"

...that`s how the argument basically goes, although I don`t remember the actual numbers. I remember I thought a lot about this particular example, and I think it was in the creation book. Anyone remembers this particular argument, and where it was?

stillajwexelder

Their dishonesty is a big deal to me but I do not think you will get very far

DannyBloem

I have had the following responces:

1) I do not believe you. But I do not want to look it up also, because it is not true.

2) Yes it is true, but the argument is still valid so....

3) Huhh

4) There must be some mistake, it is not important. Just trust on Jehovah and his organisation and bla bla bla....

luna2

I'd go ahead and give it a shot even though it will most likely be a fruitless endeavor...hey, you never know, you might get through to somebody who is already struggling with doubts.

gringojj

I dont know if you are familiar with my story. My wife was born to jw parents but never been baptised. She has been studying recently at 26 years old and has alot of questions. I am an atheist so I can look at the dubs without religious bias. So in any case one of the elders has challenged me to prove them wrong. He wont answer the questions I gave him. My wife has lost faith due to this so he stopped by last week and said he wanted to talk to me to tell me how they are the true religion. So when he comes over, I have the origin of species, and I am working to get some other proof, and I will lay it out in front of him. The creation book and Origin book side by side, and compare the quotes. I have a feeling he will not walk out on me he is very strong in his faith. I am just wondering has anyone ever done this before?

Terry

You may as well be asking Jabba the Hut for a paid vacation.

You only serve to identify yourself as an INDIVIDUAL.

Individuals are not tolerated in Jehovahland.

You are not permitted to think for yourself.

gringojj

I hear what you all are saying my wife really needs to find the truth and she thinks this is a good subject and is very interested in finding out what they have to say about it. I was just wondering if the wts tells elders anything about what to say on this subject.

Justification of misquotations

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