Well, meeting j-dubs these days when I least expect them is just something I'm 'blessed with' I guess.
I went to a leather clothes shop to buy something. I've got a couple of things back to counter to check out. As it happens there is always someone there who just keeps explaining things to someone into excruciating detail, then they touched on Christmas and this guy jumped on another opportunity to start explaining it away as pagan practice. Never mind there were already two other customers standing there and waiting. Thankfully that quickly ended conversation, as the gentlemen in front just didn't feel like having some creep spoiling his good mood.
I asked this guy, “you wouldn't be one of JW would you”. His eyes lighten up "YES, YES I am one of ..."
So I though, what a hell, since I'm here might as well have some fun for few minutes. I let lady behind me go first while I stayed behind. This guy couldn't believe his luck that someone actually wanted to speak about his beliefs. (And talk about an opportunity to squeeze in few more minutes of field service, maybe even more)
If he only knew.
I said, "I'm not interested in your religion" which instantly stunned him. "So, wh, what are you interested in then". Me "Just wondering how come you people can protect pedophiles in your midst while condemning catholic church for doing the same, or how come with one side of your lip you condemn United Nation while with the other you give them public praise in your publications?"
Needless to see he at first tried to deny everything but as we carried on talking slowly but surely his confidence diminished and all of a sudden he found himself defending an impossible idea of WTBS purity.
The climax of conversation was something I still remember vividly from my days inside the borg. When there are no other arguments they started digging out excesses no other group on this planet usually does. It is all just "human imperfection" and of course "human heart is weak and treacherous" not to mention that "human body is fallen and imperfect" of course we may never underestimate influence of "devil and his demons" as well as that of "this wicked system of things".
I just let him go through his arguments nodding. I suppose he almost felt he finally got something substantial to which I surely had to agree. I finally said. "So what you are saying is if we remove all those things you would be there standing perfect and spotless because it is all someone or something else’s fault and never yours?" He just stared at me. I asked, "don't you people ever take responsibility for your actions?"
"But suppose that all of those arguments are valid, couldn't they be easily applied to catholic priests who succumbed to temptations or anyone else" The answer was so stupid that I just bursted into laughter "oh no, you see, they are not god's people, blah, blah, blah, blah"
I said "so being “god's people” gives you license or at least allowance to judge others while no one is allowed to judge you.. Haven’t you ever heard that saying 'Do not judge, or you too will be judged.’?
By this moment he was absolutely speechless. Gawd I almost wish I've had some anti-witness tract to give it to him lol.
I then thanked him paid for my things and left, as there was by that moment someone else already waiting for check out.
Anyhow, just wanted to tell you people that :) maybe you have had similar experiences....