Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Oxymoron · 04-13-2003, 05:58 AM

It was a lovely sunny day today, and so I was happy when I had the opportunity to stand in the warm sunshine and lock horns with a JW who called. I'm sure he won't call again

It was fascinating. I pushed him on the blood transfusion thing, he obligingly pointed out the parts of the OT and NT which "forbids" transfusions. This was particularly fun because he had brought his son along, and I have to admit taking pleasure in asking him if he would actively let his son die for want of a transfusion. He tried to wriggle out of it by saying that some doctors now support a "bloodless" operation and a "cell scrubber" that collects and cleans the patient's own lost blood. I think the answer was "yes", then (said son looked uncomfortable, as intended).

Also of interest was their indifference to the death penalty. I was surprised that - having tried to persuade me that Jesus was a peace bringer - they were remarkably "hands off". They said they would rather die than take the life of another themselves but they would not interfere with any particular state's laws. I raised the "so what if your inaction causes the death of others?" dilemma, and had him on the verge of admitting there had to be a meta-morality by which we judge the "received" biblical morality.

I dunno... they would rather die than help others; they would rather a loved one died than be given help that harmed no-one. This strikes me as a particularly unpleasant philosophy. Even if I was up for religion, I can't see myself being inspired by that.

Jinto · 04-13-2003, 07:20 AM

Jinto's quick and dirty guide to becoming a Jehova's Witness:

1. Using a sharp knife, remove the frontal lobes of your brain.

This has been: Jinto's quick and dirty guide to becoming a Jehova's Witness.

Bloop · 04-13-2003, 09:09 AM

Well if you thought that was fun I think you should try bringing up the issue of phaedophiles within the JW.

Recently a documentary aired here in Sweden clearly showing, with interviews of former witnesses, actual Witnesses, perpetrators and victims how they would rather protect the image of their church than try to press charges against members.

A meeting with the elders, some reading of the Holy Babble and JW tracts along with a verbal excuse from the perpetrator suffices. And God forbid that you mention anything to the other sheep.

Contacting secular authorities like police or psychiatrists is a big no-no.

Sickening stuff really. Are there any ex-witnesses here that can shed some light on the authoritarian structure of the organisation?

Bloop

04-13-2003, 05:58 AM	#1
Oxymoron Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: http://10.0.0.2/ Posts: 6,623	More Jehovah's Witness fun It was a lovely sunny day today, and so I was happy when I had the opportunity to stand in the warm sunshine and lock horns with a JW who called. I'm sure he won't call again It was fascinating. I pushed him on the blood transfusion thing, he obligingly pointed out the parts of the OT and NT which "forbids" transfusions. This was particularly fun because he had brought his son along, and I have to admit taking pleasure in asking him if he would actively let his son die for want of a transfusion. He tried to wriggle out of it by saying that some doctors now support a "bloodless" operation and a "cell scrubber" that collects and cleans the patient's own lost blood. I think the answer was "yes", then (said son looked uncomfortable, as intended). Also of interest was their indifference to the death penalty. I was surprised that - having tried to persuade me that Jesus was a peace bringer - they were remarkably "hands off". They said they would rather die than take the life of another themselves but they would not interfere with any particular state's laws. I raised the "so what if your inaction causes the death of others?" dilemma, and had him on the verge of admitting there had to be a meta-morality by which we judge the "received" biblical morality. I dunno... they would rather die than help others; they would rather a loved one died than be given help that harmed no-one. This strikes me as a particularly unpleasant philosophy. Even if I was up for religion, I can't see myself being inspired by that.

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04-13-2003, 07:20 AM	#2
Jinto Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 957	Jinto's quick and dirty guide to becoming a Jehova's Witness: 1. Using a sharp knife, remove the frontal lobes of your brain. This has been: Jinto's quick and dirty guide to becoming a Jehova's Witness.

04-13-2003, 09:09 AM	#3
Bloop Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Sweden Posts: 833	Well if you thought that was fun I think you should try bringing up the issue of phaedophiles within the JW. Recently a documentary aired here in Sweden clearly showing, with interviews of former witnesses, actual Witnesses, perpetrators and victims how they would rather protect the image of their church than try to press charges against members. A meeting with the elders, some reading of the Holy Babble and JW tracts along with a verbal excuse from the perpetrator suffices. And God forbid that you mention anything to the other sheep. Contacting secular authorities like police or psychiatrists is a big no-no. Sickening stuff really. Are there any ex-witnesses here that can shed some light on the authoritarian structure of the organisation? Bloop

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