A few weeks ago an elder stopped by the residence I was visiting. He approached me with this Awake and a WT. When I saw them I said, Oh, I've been wanting to read that Awake. He must have thought he had a live one ready for conversion.
I tried to give him the WT back as I only wanted the Awake but he wouldn't take it. I explained to him the reason I wanted to read it was because of the 9 pedofile lawsuits the Society just settled earlier this year with 16 victims and paid out millions of $$$. He was not aware of them. I made a comment about the WTS covering up their pedofile cases and I was curious what they had to say in this magazine. His response was that the WTS does not cover up child molesting. I told him that was not true - they have been doing it for decades.
I just happened to have my printout of the 98 page summary Barbara Anderson did on the CD beside me in my car and reached in and pulled it out. I turned to the Telememo and showed it to him and asked that he read the last item on page 2 where they are trying to put the blame on the victim.
This very thing was mentioned in the article too where they say some try to blame the victim.
I also had printouts from America's Most Wanted and the latest guy from Britain and showed those to him.
After talking a few minutes, the elder realizes I have been a JW in the past and asks me if I believe the WTS is the true religion. I just laughed at him and said, That's what elders ask when they are wanting to disfellowship you.
He left shortly and I have not heard from him again.
That Awake made me furious. While reading it I was writing notes all over the margins. Oh, he did not ask for a donation and I did not offer him one either.