I have tried this method with great success. It's very satisfying to see either a flash of recognition or a dumbfounded look on the face of your audience. Either way, wheels may start turning.
1) Appeal to the authority of the Bible, and make sure you audience agrees with this premise.
2) Read Romans 8:20 from any Bible. Then ask if they believe this scripture is correct. Based on step #1, they must agree or contradict themselves.
3) Discuss the context of the scripture in depth. What was Paul saying? Use a respected Bible commentary if you like, but drive home the meaning of the selected verse.
I like to ask, "What makes people gay? Is it nature or nurture?" This is a great question to throw out when JWs start veering into the realm of hate-speech, which they will, inevitably. The above question stimulates discussion and its a loaded question. They simply cannot escape once they take the bait. They can walk away, but only at the risk of embarrassing themselves and bruising their ego. They are, by their own admission, the best bible students in history, so the pressure to answer correctly will usually get results.
How could they answer, and what bearing does Romans 8:20 have on their response? Let's consider three possible answers that you may receive.
1) Nature is the cause. 2) Nature/Nurture combo.3) The cause is unknown. #1) Nature:
I ask, "Did God cause evil?" The person will almost always answer, "No." Then I ask, "He does allow it, correct?" A JW will answer, "Yes." Now the trap is set.
This is where Romans 8:20 comes into play. God allowed evil for a greater good to take place at some point in the future. (According to JWism )One of the consequences of allowing evil is all manner of genetic irregularities. You can mention anything you like from Alzheimer's to Zoster, it doesn't matter, Romans 8:20 is the answer that must be accepted.
"Do you agree that the human family has been subjected to futility?, you ask. They have no choice but agreement. Then you ask them,"Who subjected the human family to futility?" The answer is obvious! God did it! Now you strike with precision!
"So God allowed evil for the time being, subjecting creation to futility. He must have know the possible consequences, but he knew that the greatest good would eventually come about. So if a person is gay from birth, they are gay because the conditions that conspired to alter their genetics only exist because evil was allowed, correct?" ( At this point you may need to slow down and pretend you are writing a simplified WT article.) "In other words, no evil, means no imperfection. No imperfection, means no homosexuality, would you agree?"
They have no choice. They must agree. That's when you ask, "Then what right do any of us have to judge these people? We may not agree with what they do, but should we be participating in conversations that amount to passing judgment? What right do we have to judge someone who has been subjected to futility? When you are in a car group for service and the conversation starts to involve "gays" and how disgusting they are, what will you do? Will you leave the judgment to God?" Long moments of silence have been the usual response, followed by, "It's not our place to judge."
Whether they answer with #1 or #2, you've got them. If they try to play dumb and go with #3, Romans 8:20 is the answer.
Most JWs are not homophobic, in my opinion. They would rather just live and let live, especially the younger generation. They work with homosexuals on a regular basis. They laugh, they tell funny stories about what so-and-so was doing at work. They say how nice Mr. or Ms. Gay is and then relate a story. I know all this from listening to my family speak of their co-workers. Their Employer does not tolerate discrimination, so they rub elbows with homosexual people every day. They would rather not get involved in any debates, they just want to have nice relationships with their co-workers. Who wants a hostile work place? Nobody, that's who.
As the family head, I have two choices. I can start making anti-gay comments about how God will destroy those people when I hear work stories, or I can act like nothing out the ordinary took place; thereby helping to cement what is already happening in the minds of my family, tolerance.
If left up to the individual, many would accept homosexuals and stop judging them. They may never choose to associate with them on a personal level, but they won't judge them, or participate in hate-speech. Most JWs don't want to be put into that position and are usually relieved when you hit them with Romans 8:20. They only judge because of group pressure which is a direct result of the homophobic Governing Body.
The indoctrination and pressure to judge must be reinforced from HQ on a constant basis or JWs will begin to normalize. We can aid that process by just taking the time to use their own holy book to reason with them. Hopefully, the next time a GB member or C.O uses hate speech, our JW loved ones will remember Romans 8:20. Maybe some cognitive dissonance will take place? It could be the beginning of their awakening. You never know what might trigger the final step. Anyway, this is a method that I have been using. Give it a try. What have you got to lose?
DD 😇