Though no one else has lately, let us follow someone's admonition to stay on topic:
Many Witnesses give the impression that they are trying hard to extend the length of their visit. I try to give the impression that I can’t get away quick enough.
This is especially useful when you feel locked into a paradigm of one of those full-sized plastic clowns for punching. You punch it and down it goes but because it is weighted at the bottom it immediately presents its smiling face for another punch. I try not to allow that to happen.
“Look, I don’t like you. Possibly, I could come to like you, but I don’t now. Let’s get this over with and see how it plays out.”
Of course, I don’t say this. In fact, I don’t even feel this way. I am friendly, but not at first over-sincere. Unfortunately, sincerity works well for civil people, but given the vicious disposition many display online, it is only to be expected that some will note your sincerity and take it as an invitation to smash you in the teeth with a baseball bat.
Go short, instead: “I’m Tom. I want to read you a scripture, see what you think of it, and I’m gone.” My experience is that a scripture is read more frequently than happens with a more conventional approach. If they decline, I’m true to my word and leave. They frequently say: "No, but thank you for coming.”
When they say yes, I read them a scripture – you can choose whatever you want – and then: "I like this scripture because” and offer a sentence or two. It is now their turn, I point out. If you want to discuss or have questions or have observations or whatever, I can stay a bit. Otherwise, I move on.
If they seem agreeable, I’ll show them the video. “This runs almost four minutes, but you don’t have to watch it all. The minute it gets boring, hand it back.” They do hand it back sometimes. But not often.
For example, Job 34:10: "It is unthinkable for the true God to act wickedly, for the Almighty to do wrong."
The reason I like this scripture is that some people think he does act wickedly. And others look at all that's going down today and conclude there is no true God.
**Someone seeks to unsettle me by pointing out that Putin has my address and that of all my brothers. This does keep me awake at night. However, I console myself by thinking Putin may instead come to resent the forces in Russia that would maneuver him into looking like a total ass on the world stage - insisting the Witness website is extremist when every other country in the world can plainly see that it is not.
In fact, since he is so busy taking venting his wrath on people, he may say: "I can see why Harley would write me, and all of his people. But what of this character telling me to man up and kick them further. Is he presenting himself as my benefactor, helping me out? Isn't he part of the general world that was last week calling me a thug and a murderer?"