I want to help my friend.

JW's are a cult and use very effective brainwashing techniques to gain the loyalty andfear of their followers. You can find several good books about dealing with them at www.christianbook.com. I have read one or two of David Reeds books that have been helpful. He is an ex-JW and knows where the weaknesses are. However, he acknowledges that the success rate of evangelizing JW's is low.

Several websites helped me in the past but I don't have the addresses anymore. You should be able to get them with a search.

One of the frustrating things with them is that they selectively tune you out when you pierce the outer shell. They usually either change the subject or try restating the position... all of this comes from training. If you ever stump them or really get them cornered, they don't try to become creative. They will usually run back to their elders or Watchtower library and get the answer from "God's faithful witness on earth."

Most people suggest that you find out as much as you can about the Watchtower failures and deceptions then try to develop reasons for doubt within the individual JW. As long as they accept the Watchtower as absolutely authoritative, you won't be able to get through.

 

Please keep in mind as well that JW's, like most cults, control through fear. The fear your coworker is very familiar with is losing out on salvation and a place on the new earth (heaven is full, according to them, so only life on a new earth is now possible for faithful JW's).

The Bible has the answer with "perfect love casts out all fear". So your first job is to be close enough to God yourself to model that love for him. Don't try to attack his religion. He will only get defensive. Think of him and pray for him. Do what you can to help him on the job. Be there for him to talk to and DON'T judge ANYTHING he says. Get a firm grip on your facial muscles and keep smiling! Be a safe person for him.

The Holy Spirit will lead it from there. Even if you never have a chance to talk to him about doctrine again (and don't worry if that is the case), he will never forget your actions and attitude towards him and that is something that will aid the next person God brings his way. God loves him, too! He will offer him the truth time and time again until he either responds to it or closes it off for good. You are only one arrow in His arsenal! Just be there for him right now.

And use the time to check out material on the JW's. Go to www.google.com and plug in words like
"Jehovah's Witnesses" cult
"Jehovah's Witnesses" problems

and things like that. You will get thousands of things to read. Take your pick! Put Jehovah's Witnesses in quotes so that the phrase will come up together, otherwise you will get all kinds of links that have to do with Jehovah and witnesses both as well as the cult itself.

God bless you.

[ November 21, 2002, 11:44 AM: Message edited by: Helen ]

 

The only thing that will help him escape the bonds of this prison is prayer. No amount of information will do the job. It is only the Spirit of God that can set him free.

 

There are lost of informative books out there about JWs. I personally keep a pamphlet in a drawer by my front door and when I see them coming I refer to it. They are a cult and as much as you want to help your friend prayer is sometimes the best weapon. And be careful not to fall into their trap.
Love in Christ Angie

 

Yeah. What Aaron said.
I thought I had a good stumper for them.
They told me that everyone would be resurrected to earn their salvation in the millenial kingdom through, I suppose good works and not sinning.

I pointed out Rev. 20:4-5, which states that only the Tribulation martyrs will be resurrected and plainly states that no one else will be resurrected until the thousand years are ended.

After a stunned silence, they said "Well, it's probably only just a few."
I never did figure out what that meant, but they simply disregarded what I had said.
Of course this was right after they claimed that the people who attack Jesus at the end of the Trib. are only a few because it says that their number was as the sands of the sea and since no one knows how much sand that is, it could just be a few.

What you are dealing with is absolute total brainwashing in the JW's.
Like Aaron said, pray.

MR

 

It is so hard to change their ideas. It is like Aaron said. we will have to pray for him. That is the only way it will work. Then you will have to be an example for him to see.

Invite him to your church for a social gathering. Tell him you need a friend to attend a dinner with you. Start somewhere. If he is married invite his wife too.

Sherrie

[ November 24, 2002, 12:24 AM: Message edited by: Sherrie ]