how do Opening the Closed Mind ofJehovah's Witnesses?

Question

Understanding the Problem

It is rare to find a Witness who has not seen or heard information exposing the dishonesty of the Watchtower. Why, then, do they not see a problem? Evidently, something else has prevented them from objectively analyzing factual information. Their minds are trained to stop short of doubting the organization - a wall has been erected which says, in effect, "This far you may go, and no further."

What kind of powerful motivation prevents the Witness from entering the "dangerous" waters of critical investigation? The motivation is fear; the underlying problem is misplaced securities. The Christian concept of trusting a supernatural God is replaced with a more visible and concrete symbol, namely, the organization; God's organization. The Witness learns that serving the organization is the same as serving God. The organization is the mother, God is the father, and the Witness is to obey his "parents." Since the Witness cannot see nor experience real interaction with God, his only tie with God is through the visible organization. It is, in effect, "God" to him (though he would not admit to or recognize it).

Convincing the Witness that the organization is deceptive is like trying to convince a 5-year-old child who loves his parents that his father is in jail for armed robbery - he simply doesn't believe his father is dishonest. In fact, he can't tolerate the thought, since he has placed all of his security and trust in his father and mother. The truth is too fearful and devastating to consider. Therefore, to protect his source of security, he rejects the factual information as being a lie.

The same is true of the Witness. He knows that if the organization is not really directed by God, he has no other tangible security to go to. He says, "Where else can I go?" So he remains within the system as years go by, continuing to ignore the barrage of factual information undermining the entire Watchtower structure. The more and more he ignores the facts, the more narrow-minded and adamant he becomes that he will never change, and he is more convinced than ever that he has the truth. He digs himself into a trench,

erecting all sorts of mental barricades against his real enemy, which is doubt. While this seems incredible to the person trying to reach the Witness with the facts, it is just a simple protective mechanism, keeping the Witness from the trauma of losing his sense of security. In order to rationalize away the false prophecies and inconsistencies of the organization, the Witness must, in effect, deceive himself into thinking there is really no discrepancy in the organization. 1

While Christians have their security in a spiritual relationship with the person of Christ, Witnesses are taught to put faith in an organization. If they have faith in the organization, they have faith in God. The two are inseparable; so much so, that to lose faith in the organization means a corresponding loss of faith in God. This is precisely why the Witness must protect himself through the process of self-deception. He cannot bear the pain of losing his faith.

Getting Them to Think

Before photocopies of old WT literature are brought out, or before Scriptures are quoted, it is good to establish certain things in the Witness' mind; things that they officially believe, but the individual Witness may not be in full agreement with. The very act of admitting these beliefs should not only prove embarrassing to the Witness, but will make him conscious of the narrow, cult-like mentality encouraged by the WT. To avoid being embarrassed and to save face,

Witnesses will sometimes lie about what they believe or try and change the subject without answering, but you must make note of what they deny, so that you can prove that they do teach it, using their own literature. You thereby force the Witness to see the wall he has established in his mind (which says, "you may go no further"), and he thereby must make a decision to be honest with himself (and risk shifting his securities), or run in fear from such a confrontation. How, then, do we proceed?

Below are several preliminary questions to ask the Witness. These questions do not involve interpreting passages of the Bible (that comes later), but relate to their view of how to interpret the Bible, as well as God's way of relating to man. You will find these questions very effective with all but the most hardened of Witnesses

Common Sense Questions

These first three questions establish a foundation of common sense perceptions about the Bible and Christianity, which are generally denied by cults. This is especially true with Jehovah's Witnesses. Often they will answer yes to these questions anyway, to save face or avoid embarrassment. If so, you will need to direct their attention back to their answers when they "deny" them later. GB references are to our book, Thus Saith Jehovah's Witnesses, 2002 edition

Do you believe that the Bible was written to all people?

(Acts 17:30; 1 Cor. 1:2)

Do you believe that true Christians have always existed somewhere in the last 2000 years?

(Matt. 28:19,20 The Watchtower teaches this, but cannot actually point to a single group or person as evidence of this, since no one in history believed as they do.)

Do you believe that anyone, anywhere, who just had a Bible, and no other literature, could understand it and be saved?

("No" answer reveals that they believe the Bible is not enough, but a leader or organization is needed; "Yes" answer is contradictory to Watchtower teaching. GB 52, 53, 163, 164)

Next, a statement about the dangers of various religious organizations should be made, such as, "Today more than ever before there are many religious groups which lead people astray from true Christianity. Let's see if we can agree on certain identifying marks of such groups." Then proceed with the following objective questions. It is better to leave the questions "third person" (or hypothetically apply them to yourself) rather than applying them directly to the person you are speaking with, or his organization. Instead of saying, "Does your organization...?" you might say, "What if an organization...?" or "What if I...?" That way you avoid getting their defenses up. They will have to apply it to themselves soon enough in the conversation, or you can draw the connection later yourself.

Get them to see the point before it hurts! (2 Sam. 12:1-14)

Do you think a person should examine not only the teachings, but also the history of any religious organization before deciding it is the truth?

(A history of deception and unfulfilled prophecies is most incriminating!)

What if I joined one of these groups and later discovered fraud at the top of the organization, or that they have altered their teachings or prophecies? Should I stay in it?

(Most cults have had serious scandals and shakeups involving fraud and politics at top levels. Since they claim to be God's only true people, their claim would be highly suspect.)

Both Deuteronomy 18:20-22 and Matt. 24:11,23-27 warn us of false prophets. How would one identify a false prophet using these verses?

(They speak in the name of God and it doesn't come true!)

What would you think if members of a certain religion were not allowed to read other religious literature?
(Shows authoritarian rule and fear of the facts, as well as an inability to use discernment. Witnesses are not allowed to read other religious literature.)

The Mormons claim that one must study their books to attain to an accurate knowledge of the Scriptures, even though they also use the Bible. What do you think of that? (All cults believe this, as their leader is the sole interpreter of Scripture same is true with Witnesses.)

If I were examining the Mormons, etc., do you think it would be a good idea to read books by ex-members?

(A difficult question for the cult member to answer, as it is self -incriminating if they say yes or no. If they say, "no," show how easy it would be to get sucked into a cult that you haven't fully examined. If they say, "Yes," then ask them why they haven't read books by ex-members of their group.)

Answer 1

To convince a Jehovah's Witness otherwise, you have to avoid the direct confrontation, the 'right-versus-wrong' mentality that characterises many debates over apologetic issues. These only lead to a greater stubbornness and refusal to agree with the other party, and this goes for anyone who is being confronted and argued with.

What you can do is take the role of a questioning seeker, asking the JW questions about issues that are not in agreement with Christianity. This should take the form of honest enquiry with a seeming intent to seek clarity from the JW. But ask questions about things in their own NWT scriptures, focusing on passages that seem to contradict what they believe. If any part of the bible contradicts or casts doubt on thigns JWs believe and it has survived in the NWT version then it can cast doubt on the mind of the JW.

Subtly the JW is confronted with their own scripture's contradictions by a person asking honest questions, and not a hardline debater try to beat an opponent into compliance. It is not underhanded, it is simply honest questions that the JW is supposed to ask him/herself, only someone is prompting those questions.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to work on that person all the while. In the end all you can do is point to the truth, and expose untruth, but do it in a way that will actually get through. In the end it is the Holy Spirit that changes a person, and not the person who asks the questions - they are but instruments and messengers of God.

I think that is both effective and loving, and ultimately it is the love and power of God in people that is the greatest witness. The early church's disciples had power in signs and wonders and these confirmed the message of the gospel preached. And above all, it was the evident love and change in people that made them stand out.

Answer 2

No one likes to have lies told about him. But Jesus said that this was no cause for alarm but, rather, the contrary. “Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake.” And just why should we be happy under such unpleasant treatment? “Rejoice and leap for joy, since your reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you.”—Matt. 5:11, 12.

JESUS CHRIST was accused of being a drunkard, a glutton, a Sabbath breaker, a false witness, a blasphemer of God, and a messenger of Satan. He was also accused of being subversive.—Matthew 9:34; 11:19; 12:24; 26:65; John 8:13; 9:16; 19:12.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, his disciples were likewise the target of serious accusations.

Paul was later accused of being a “pestilent fellow and stirring up seditions among all the Jews throughout the inhabited earth” and of trying “to profane the temple.” (Acts 24:5, 6)

Evidently, this new group established by Jesus Christ was considered by some to be a religious group with radical views and practices that clashed with what was accepted in those days as normal social behavior. Undoubtedly, many today would have considered the Christians a destructive cult. Many believed the accusations against Jesus and his disciples. Yet, as you probably know, every one of these charges was false! The fact that people said these things did not make them true.

Answer 3

To witness to cult members, you must realize that they will definitely have been trained to erect walls against Christian witnesses. So do not waste a lot of your time trying to convince someone unless they are very honestly seeking answers. Some good resource materials are available from Chick Publications (www.chick.com). "ANSWERS TO MY JEHOVAH WITNESS FRIENDS", "ANSWERS TO MY MORMON FRIENDS', "ANSWERS TO MY CATHOLIC FRIENDS" are three such books. Many more are available, but these books were written by people who were formerly involved in these cults. They know which arguments will be persuasive. I encourage you to check out the website and let the experts do the talking.

Also, you are not responsible for an outcome from having witnessed, only for the witnessing. See Ezekiel 3 : 17 - 21 for your only concern in warning the wicked as well as the righteous. Then after doing only that which is required of you, let go and let God.

Answer 4

Good luck with that. To my knowledge it has never been done. Those people are not of God. IF you don't want them to come to your house, then put up a sign that says "this is a Chrsitain home' and they will not go there. They will skip you. It works for me.
This scripture applies to Jehova witnesses..

Luke 9:5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

Answer 5

Jehovah's Witnesses do NOT serve the organization. Stop being so mean. There are some really BAD evil people out there like child molseters. You should go and write a lot of paragraphs on them instead of people who are doing God's work of preaching the scriptures like Jesus did.

Answer 6

Just like the world is full of many varieties of people, so are there many different gods and demons. We must be steadfast, trusting in the Lord God and in the Holy Bible. We must not place so much emphasis on judging other religions, instead be humble and God like to others, as we will be judged accordingly. Instead of wasting energy debating on who is really a messenger or decoy, realize that we fight a battle against principalities. There is a battle, a Christian War going on and we are the soldiers. My God, sent his son to save us all - he did not command that we kill or critize one another. Be accountable for your actions. Each religious sect believes they are here to bring mankind unto Jehovah, so, let them exercise their beliefs. Just make sure your conscience is clean, your giving is sincere and your religious beliefs are, by every means non condemning, as when we get to heaven, you'll be surprised at who you may see. I hope I get to Heaven!

Answer 7

All too often people do not feel they fit in and look for something else. They then often hold onto this with a diehard vengeance or desperation out of a need to be somebody. It is unfortunate, but we can't save the whole world, that's why there will be a Judgement and a Lake of Fire.

Answer 8

And it's not just Jehovah's Witnesses. Every person of faith has a problem objectively analyzing factual information.

Answer 9

You make some very good points. Opening their minds can be difficult because of their closed attitudes. When they sit at home at night in quiet I wonder if they question their direction because I bet they do.

The fact that they cannot entertain interfaith relations without condemning should bring about a question in their minds that they are leaving love out of their version of Christianity.

Answer 10

Believing there is a straight path to God, is like walking in the dark, finding a match. Sometimes a straight path is not so straight, and before you know it, you're on the wrong side. Use questions. Ask, they will tell you what you want to hear. Say, and they will not listen.