I was sitting in my car, finishing an egg McMuffin before going to the grocery store when I noticed a dubbie going around talking to people in the parking lot. I thought the chances were good she would approach me, and I decided I was going to do more than decline to take the pamphlet.
After I verified she was a JW, I said that I was a former member. I said "do you know what the Awake said in 1969? It said I would not have time to have a career in this system of things. I am 58 and I do not have a job". She replied that it was a personal decision, a conscience matter. I said yes, but they said the end was coming, I believed them, and based my decision on their bad prediction. it was a very bad decision, and they were totally wrong.
She argued that it was never official. I said that I was there, it was said, they taught it and are now lying that they taught it. She said, well, we all make mistakes. I said yes, but they claimed to be directed by God, so how could that be, this was not the only bad prediction, but one among many. I asked her with all the wrong predictions, why would I believe them now? She said, look around, we are in the last days, the crime, earthquakes, etc. I said, actually crime is going down in many areas, and earthquakes are not actually increasing. She said there is immorality and lying, people cheat on their taxes, etc. I said, well I don't, nor any my family, JWs are not the only honest people. There have always been bad people, there is no proof we are in the last days.
I have to give her credit, she by now knows I am totally aposate, but didn't get mad, she actually considered what I was saying. I said, look, I know you mean well, but you are misled. There are a lot of things they are not telling you, do some research. I don't think she believed me, but hopefully I planted seeds of doubt. I was just happy, this is the first time I have ever challenged a JW, without getting rattled (that brainwashing takes time to wear off). I was polite, but said what I had to say.