A good question to make JWs 'think'

by Simon 23 Replies latest jw friends

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  Simon

  Most of us have experienced the frustration of trying to convince a friend or relative that the WTS is not what it claims: an organisation backed by 'God'.

  Of course, it is very difficult to prove a negative and a real die-hard believer will explain-away any evidence of wrongdoing by the org. as they are trained to do so well.

  I have found it good to reverse the question and ask them:

  "What would the WTS have to do to convince you that it wasn't God's organisation?"

  Now, even a die-hard JW knows that saying things like "I'll always believe, no matter what they do" is the equivalent of saying "I am totally trapped in a mind control cult" so they have to say something ... right?

  What are they going to say?

  Maybe they will pick on a.n.other religion with Catholicism being a favourite: "well, if they were like the Catholics and covered up abuse ... "

  or, perhaps they will pick up on the 'separate from the world' claims or 'not showing love'.

  Whatever, it doesn't matter:

  It makes them:

  a) think about the possibility of the WTS not being the holy organistion that it claims

  b) give you a topic to provide some extra details on (silentlambs, UN, etc...)

  What do you think?

  What would you ask?
• 

  rem

  Great question, Simon.

  This is the very same question I asked myself some years ago and it was one of my first steps in independent thinking. I have asked a couple of my JW friends that question in the past. Unfortunately, I don't think the 'got it'... but maybe it planted a seed?

  rem
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  OrbitingTheSun

  That is a really provocative question! I'll have to remember that one.
• 

  dannyboy

  Simon,

  I think it's a great question to ask. Can't wait to "get out in [my apostate] Service" to give it a try.

  Gee, this is sort of like a Service Meeting part :)))

  I, too am frustrated by the "mental wall" of witnesses, but then I, too was as blind as could be when I was one. I recall just a few times relatives/business acquaintenaces trying to get through to me, but their approach always made me feel they were trying to show how stupid I was, etc. Which is a real turn-off of course.

  ---Dan
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  StinkyPantz

  Tried that. . . still didn't work. My mother was the person I asked and she simply refused to explore the possibility that the Society could do wrong? She just kept asking well then who'd be right? I told her don't worry about other religions worry about the one you're involved in.

  She basically refused to even put the question in her mind. I think she felt if she honestly asked, "what would they have to do to convince you they were wrong", that that was somehow a betrayal to the org.

  Also, any JW would just say that it was a fault of imperfect man, not Jehovah.
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  musky

  Sometimes I think it wouldn't matter what the question would be. The serious witness would follow the watchtower. My dad is not baptized, but backs the witnesses. One time I asked him, If you thought the color of a wall was black, and all those around you thought it was white, would you still believe it was black? He said, Probably not. Now, If my dad surrounds himself with nothing but witnesses, they will have him believe anything, even if he thinks its wrong in his own mind. He will think there is something wrong with him and not the others.

  "What would the WTS have to do to convince you that it wasn't God's organisation"

  (expected response)

  Nothing they could ever do would show me they are wrong. If I ever questioned anything to the contrary, I would be desperstely in need of help. They are Gods organization, nothing will ever change Gods decision on who the true religeon is.
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  DevonMcBride

  Musky,

  Even the witnesses agree that there is no 100% proof that any religion is God's chosen religion. This question could start them thinking.

  Devon
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  musky

  Devon, I feel the question is an excellent one. Ishould have stated that in my reply. Your experience with the witnesses and mine are very different. I grew up being a witness, and in my experience I can say that most all witnesses believe wholeheartedly that theres is the true religeon.
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  Realist

  hello Simon,

  hmm i don't know if that would be very effective. they would probably say something like...if the prophecies don't come true than i would start to doubt then (that is at least what my ex girlfriend said to a similar question of mine! )

  i don't know...people who can justify the outragous nonsense published in earlier WT magazines about vaccinations etc. etc. i am afraid won't be much impressed by that.

  Realist

  PS: musky i am afraid you are 100% right.

  Edited by - realist on 22 September 2002 16:17:2
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  stichione

  Excellent question! I will definitely used on my wife and discreetly with my Dub friends. Who knows, maybe some will come to know the "truth" and leave the WTS!