It is frustrating to have family and friends belong to a high control religion and I have been PM'd
five times in nairaland and asked how to help a Jehovah’s Witness realise that what they believe is not the truth.
It is very difficult to change a person’s belief. No matter how obviously wrong it may seem to
you now, cognitive dissonance prevents a person giving up
what they are comfortable with.
It will not be easy, or necessarily even possible. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses do have an
unusually high turnover rate, so there is hope.
People leave for a variety of reasons, and what is important to one person is not necessarily
of consequence to someone else.
Some leave over doctrinal issues, some for emotional reasons, and
some for perceived deception on the part of the leadership.
It is critical to know what is important to the person you are
trying to reach, in order to understand how to help them. To
determine what is going to be effective, start by asking, "Why do
you believe it to be the truth?"
This can vary greatly, but the key reasons are usually one or more
of the following:

1. Only the Faithful and Discreet Slave is directed by holy spirit.

2. Jehovah’s Witnesses are unique, such as being the only loving religion, the only ones that
preach, or the only ones that do not participate in war.

3. It is the only religion with true doctrine.

Once you know what the
important areas are for the person you are talking to, you will be able to research and then
respond to those areas. At the same time, attempt to determine what doubts or disappointments
they have with the Organisation, as these are topics to build upon. I would write extensively on the above boldened on a future date.

Directed by Holy Spirit

In order to help a person realise the Watchtower is not directed by Holy Spirit, ask if they know
the history of the religion. Most do not know all the failed dates.
You can discuss how Pastor Russell started the religion in the 1800's, and how different it was
back then, teaching about
pyramids and the world ending in 1914. That may come as quite a surprise. Direct them to look for
themselves in the Watchtower's
own Studies in the Scriptures,
which can be downloaded for
free at jehovah.net.au.
TBC

The purpose of these discussions is to help the Witness accept that
these changes are proof that the Holy Spirit does not direct the
Faithful and Discreet Slave. Some of the areas that have undergone
significant change over the years
are:
~Dates
~Generation
~Worship Jesus

You will encounter the excuse that “light gets brighter”. What
you are showing is that it isn’t brighter but changed and even reversed. Furthermore, increased
knowledge does not equate with falsehoods; Holy Spirit would not
direct the Governing Body to preach untruths.

Unique

A Witness needs assistance to understand that the Watchtower
Society is by no means unique. Over the centuries, countless
“ end of the world” sects have come and gone. Many religions exist today that are similar to
Jehovah’s Witnesses in many ways.
There are other religions with similar doctrine to the Watchtower.
There are religious groups that display a stronger anti-war stance.
Other groups are more effective in their preaching work.
The Watchtower is classified as a high control religion and the
following premises are common amongst thousands of high
control religious groups:

~Having unique guidance from God
~ Being the only loving
brotherhood
~Being the only ones teaching truth
~That God will shortly save them
~That the world is a bad place
~Keeping separate from the world
~Shunning former members
~Doctrine

Generally, arguing doctrine is not
a good tactic, particularly at first. All that happens is that you will end up in a doctrinal tennis match, lobbing different
Scriptures at each other. The Bible is not a book that clearly outlines doctrine. Each Christian
religion has different doctrinal interpretations, because each chooses which Scriptures to take
literally and which to dismiss as figurative. Even if you do back a
Witness into a corner, they will blame their lack of knowledge rather than admitting the Organisation is wrong.
It is only after a Witness has accepted that the Faithful and
Discreet Slave makes mistakes that doctrine becomes interesting to discuss, as Watchtower doctrine is simplistic and flawed in many areas.
A safe topic to discuss is the unreasonableness of believing
"this good news has been
preached in the entire inhabited world" by Jehovah’s Witnesses,
and salvation depends on how people respond to the Witness message. Most people know
nothing about Jehovah’s
Witnesses, over 3 billion have never even heard of them. A Witness may respond that they
don't judge people, but the Watchtower is clear that billions will die at Armageddon.

Techniques

To get through to a Witness you need to use the Socratic method
of asking questions. If you
directly attack the organisation or its teachings a Jehovah’s
Witness will get very defensive.
You will see their eyes glaze over and then they will start reciting
Watchtower justifications by rote. At that point you are not helping them but just letting them reinforce their
indoctrination.
You will not be able to get a witness to look at information on the Internet at first, as they have been conditioned to believe it is all lies from bitter apostates.
Rather, you will need to discuss a point of interest, and then get a
quote from a Watchtower to back up what you are discussing.
Hopefully, they will eventually start to want to look further with
an open mind, and it is not until that stage that recommending they read Crisis Of Conscience will be effective.
Likewise, knowing when to introduce scandalous topics, such as the Watchtower's
involvement with the United Nations or Pedophile crisis, is
difficult. Whilst awareness of these topics has resulted in tens
of thousands leaving, if they are introduced too early you will be
accused of being a gullible, bitter
apostate. These topics require the person to be ready to read and accept information written
outside the pages of the
Watchtower, which only comes
after they have learnt to question the "Faithful and Discreet Slave".
Stick to one topic at a time, and even one topic a day. A Witness will jump around and side track the discussion every time a difficult question or topic is raised. Stay firm in keeping the
discussion on track, and getting an answer. Make sure they really
answered the question before moving on. If a statement is made that you know is not true,
make them support what they said with evidence. You are not trying to win an argument, but
just to make them think.
A common Witness theme is that
disagreeing with Jehovah's Witnesses is disagreeing with
the Bible, and that leaving the
Organisation is leaving Jehovah.
You will need to regularly
reinforce that the Watchtower contains just one interpretation
of the Bible, one that you have found to be very simplistic and inaccurate. Many former Witnesses still believe the Bible
and in God, but do not want to follow what they have concluded is a damaging belief system.
Whilst discussing various topics, you will sometimes find a
Witness being dogmatic that you are wrong about Watchtower doctrine or history when you
know you are not. Rather then telling them they are wrong, make them commit to that being
an important point. For instance,a conversation may go as follows:

You: God does not direct
Information provided in the Watchtower. For instance did you
realize it was falsely predicted
that the end would come in 1914?

JW: They never said the end would be in 1914, just the end of the Gentile Times.

You: How would you feel if they wrongfully predicted the end for
1914? Don’t you think that is a good indication Jehovah does not direct the Slave?

JW: Well … (they may say yes or no)
If they agree it is good indication of not being directed, then ask
them how they would feel if you were able to find some quotes?
On the other hand, they may claim they don’t care, as the light
gets brighter. That is a good topic for another time, but stick to this topic and continue that
not only did they make these wrong predictions but also what really offended you is that they
have often lied about what they said. Witnesses are often more affected finding out the dishonesty of the Watchtower than about the errors.
For anyone born into the
religion, even more important is to make him or her recognize
that the main reason they believe the Watchtower is the truth is because they were raised a Jehovah’s Witness. If they were
raised a Mormon, then they would be equally convinced that
Mormons are the truth. Then you can ask they put themselves in a
position of being raised a
Mormon. Do they think they would have ever changed to being a Witness? If they were a
Mormon and started studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses and found out that the Watchtower
said the end would be in 1914, or that they built Beth Sarim because Abraham was going to
be resurrected in 1925 and live there, would there be any chance
they would have converted?
It is important to try not to get upset in the conversations, and
that can be a lot harder than expected when being confronted
with what you will quickly see as stubborn refusal to accept logic.
Becoming upset just reinforces the Witness notion that you are
unhappy with where you are. Try to stay light hearted, calm, and
happy, as a Witness will expect you will be filled with rage. If things get heated, nothing will
be accomplished, so save the conversation for another day.

Techniques

To get through to a Witness you need to use the Socratic method
of asking questions. If you
directly attack the organisation or its teachings a Jehovah’s
Witness will get very defensive.
You will see their eyes glaze over and then they will start reciting
Watchtower justifications by rote. At that point you are not helping them but just letting them reinforce their
indoctrination.
You will not be able to get a witness to look at information on the Internet at first, as they have been conditioned to believe it is all lies from bitter apostates.
Rather, you will need to discuss a point of interest, and then get a
quote from a Watchtower to back up what you are discussing.
Hopefully, they will eventually start to want to look further with
an open mind, and it is not until that stage that recommending they read Crisis Of Conscience will be effective.
Likewise, knowing when to introduce scandalous topics, such as the Watchtower's
involvement with the United Nations or Pedophile crisis, is
difficult. Whilst awareness of these topics has resulted in tens
of thousands leaving, if they are introduced too early you will be
accused of being a gullible, bitter
apostate. These topics require the person to be ready to read and accept information written
outside the pages of the
Watchtower, which only comes
after they have learnt to question the "Faithful and Discreet Slave".
Stick to one topic at a time, and even one topic a day. A Witness will jump around and side track the discussion every time a difficult question or topic is raised. Stay firm in keeping the
discussion on track, and getting an answer. Make sure they really
answered the question before moving on. If a statement is made that you know is not true,
make them support what they said with evidence. You are not trying to win an argument, but
just to make them think.
A common Witness theme is that
disagreeing with Jehovah's Witnesses is disagreeing with
the Bible, and that leaving the
Organisation is leaving Jehovah.
You will need to regularly
reinforce that the Watchtower contains just one interpretation
of the Bible, one that you have found to be very simplistic and inaccurate. Many former Witnesses still believe the Bible
and in God, but do not want to follow what they have concluded is a damaging belief system.
Whilst discussing various topics, you will sometimes find a
Witness being dogmatic that you are wrong about Watchtower doctrine or history when you
know you are not. Rather then telling them they are wrong, make them commit to that being
an important point. For instance,a conversation may go as follows:

You: God does not direct
Information provided in the Watchtower. For instance did you
realize it was falsely predicted
that the end would come in 1914?

JW: They never said the end would be in 1914, just the end of the Gentile Times.

You: How would you feel if they wrongfully predicted the end for
1914? Don’t you think that is a good indication Jehovah does not direct the Slave?

JW: Well … (they may say yes or no)
If they agree it is good indication of not being directed, then ask
them how they would feel if you were able to find some quotes?
On the other hand, they may claim they don’t care, as the light
gets brighter. That is a good topic for another time, but stick to this topic and continue that
not only did they make these wrong predictions but also what really offended you is that they
have often lied about what they said. Witnesses are often more affected finding out the dishonesty of the Watchtower than about the errors.
For anyone born into the
religion, even more important is to make him or her recognize
that the main reason they believe the Watchtower is the truth is because they were raised a Jehovah’s Witness. If they were
raised a Mormon, then they would be equally convinced that
Mormons are the truth. Then you can ask they put themselves in a
position of being raised a
Mormon. Do they think they would have ever changed to being a Witness? If they were a
Mormon and started studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses and found out that the Watchtower
said the end would be in 1914, or that they built Beth Sarim because Abraham was going to
be resurrected in 1925 and live there, would there be any chance
they would have converted?
It is important to try not to get upset in the conversations, and
that can be a lot harder than expected when being confronted
with what you will quickly see as stubborn refusal to accept logic.
Becoming upset just reinforces the Witness notion that you are
unhappy with where you are. Try to stay light hearted, calm, and
happy, as a Witness will expect you will be filled with rage. If things get heated, nothing will
be accomplished, so save the conversation for another day.

op na small thing remain for you to make sense with this garbage you post here after all no ne force JW dey use convert if you like accept if you no like forget na wetin dey worry una sef if u no like JW why not go from house to house and preach yor doctrines no be to come for nairaland dey rant like ant

let us also not forget the pentecostal cults with their Gurus MOG !

The risk you'll take

Be aware that you are not trying to win a religious doctrinal debate, you are attempting to assist a person that is constantly
being subjected to standard mind control techniques.
[b]Appealing to logic is not going to be effective to a person that fears any criticism of the
Organisation is an affront from Satan, and that to leave the religion would be to enter the evils of the world and certain
death at Armageddon.
A Jehovah's Witness is inoculated against criticism of their religion.
They are constantly warned against apostates, (members that
leave the religion and attempt to subvert them), and are always on
guard. As soon as you make known your doubts, or mention
anything negative about the Watchtower, their defences will immediately spring to action.
Before choosing to confront loved ones that are part of the religion, it is vitally important to
be aware that you run the risk being labeled as an apostate and
destroying any relationship that
you have left with them. Be very subtle in your initial approach in
order to test the waters. If the discussions become very heated and unreasonable you are
unlikely to be successful and it may be more important in the
long term to try and retain some form of relationship instead of
proving the religion to be wrong.[/b]
I have read a number of
experiences where a spouse has been able to speak to their partner and both end up leaving.
Sadly, experiences like the
following are equally common.

“I was considering how long I can live the lie, but unfortunately I am not very good at acting, nor
at lying. This weekend my wife confronted me about my changed attitude about ‘the truth’ and then it happened. I became a talking. I did this in a calm manner and tried
reasoning and use of questions,as taught in the school. It is here
that I appreciated Steve Hassan’s work the most, as her responses such as, “to where will we go”,
“but this is God’s organization”,
and the usual dribble about apostates all made sense to me.
It took my wife about 24 hours to report me to the elders. It took her another 6 hours to decide to
leave me.
So here I sit. All that truly matters to a man, my family, has been
ripped away from me. My sin? To seek the truth and to “Test everything. Hold on to the good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21 -
NIV)” Wezz 12 Mar 2012

Where Else?

Even if you are able to help a Witness accept that the Watchtower is not the true religion, you will still encounter
the roadblock of Where Else Would I Go?. It is important to understand the fear that a person has at losing, not only
their belief, but also their entire group of friends and family.
Whether or not the person ends up needing some religion to tell
them what to believe, they will need friends and activities to replace the void left by a religion
that is good at providing a close knit social circle and is very demanding on time. For the highest likelihood of success, you
will need to be prepared to offer alternatives. These alternatives
need not be other religions, but rather sources of interest and
friendships. Forums for former Jehovah's Witnesses, such as
jehovahs-witness.net and
jehovahswitnessrecovery.com, are useful at this point to assist
the person through the stage of learning their real identity and
interests.
As leaving is extremely traumatic, it is also important to be there to
support to person at this time. Ex-Witnesses can feel like aliens for quite a lengthy period, looking in but unable to fit in
with normal society. Meeting with some former Witnesses can
make a great difference in
understanding that what they are experiencing is normal.
Professional help may also need to be recommended.
I do not think that it is always recommended to confront a Witness with the truth about the
Organisation. Age and
circumstances need to be
considered. Despite its short-comings, some people benefit
from the support group it offers,and leaving the religion and losing family can result in terrible
consequences. Recognise that there is no rush. Plant the seeds and be there to offer support, so
that when the time is right, you will be the one they turn to.
For further advice it is worth reading Releasing the Bonds(Freedom of Mind Press 2000) by
Steven Hassan. This discusses high control religion in general
and approaches to help a person that belongs to one.

FINITO