I may have disappointing news for you but....

the idea that proving an individual's religious beliefs wrong does't make them rush to change churches. What it is more likely to do is make them drop the messenger of that news from their "friends'" list.

Need proof? Ask yourself how many gazillions of hours JDubs put in preaching their particular brand of 'good news' annually and then compare that to the anemic numbers who actually convert. Last time I looked it took all the resources of Jehovah's Witnesses more than 13,000 hours to convince a single (1!) American that the Watchtower's got the "Truth". If you're hoping to get the same results you will need to spend 24 hours a day for at least 541 days to it.

Bottom line? Proving errors is one thing. Effecting change quite is another.

Story: In my early days out of the Organization I uncovered a long-standing pattern of systematic dishonesty in the workplace. I reported this to management. Heads would certainly roll for what had been going on. Only one head did - mine. What I was too naieve to see was that management had a system it liked. Exposing what I found not only threatened their positions (someone was bound to ask why it had taken them so long) but all the benefits they received from that activity wold come to an end.

Get it? Jehovah's Witnesses LIKE what they've got. No matter what a loser someone is on the outside, in the Kingdom Hall, surrounded by like believers, they are somebody special. They cling to the promise that one day soon they will be The Winner. Those of us who are currently enjoying life will be road kill. In the WTBTS' oft-repeated dogma only those loyal to it get the last laugh. No a puny inducement for people who've given up everything for the promise of everlasting life in the New World. (See those drawings?) Think of this: What do we have to offer them that can trump that? Reality?

My point in all this is that proving others wrong is no way to make friends or influence people. What it is far more likely to cause the JWs in your life is for them to go to the elders who will undoubtedly comfort them with words of encouragement like "avoid apostates, stay loyal to Jehovah's Organization which may not always get it right, but only with us do you have the promise of everlasting life." (No one's ever proved them wrong in THAT!)

Do I think you should keep silent? NO. But...couch what you have found in the form of questions which will make them think. Don't provide them answers even if they ask. Perhaps tell them where they can do their own research. One must come to one's own conclusions. People never really change because of someone else. (A couple of biblical examples, if you care, are the way the Prophet Nathan approached King David about his affair with Bathsheba, and the way Jesus handled those who brought the woman taken in adultery to him.)
  

In spite of everything we were taught by the Watchtower, God is big enough to take care of his own business. Don't lose any sleep trying to find the perfect things to do or say to convert/unconvert. Better to live well, and enjoy the days you have been given.

Hugs, Grandma Cee Cee

Last Edited By: Cee Cee Jul 6 11 1:18 AM. Edited 4 times.