Posted: Jan 19, 2011 3:46 pm
The individual member, if exposed to this, will readily admit that there are problems within the JWs, but they will say that these are problems caused by fallible humans that fall short of the high standard set for them, and they will say that the organization sees to it that these people are either helped if possible, or weeded out of the congregations. So they will say that although not perfect, the congregations are kept as 'clean' as possible, and in any event of course 'better than the rest of the world'.
However - the organization is seen as pretty much infallible - after all, the 'governing body' is the small group doling out the literature, dealing with how to interpret scripture and live ones life - they are 'mother'. Not that JWs won't say that those too may fall short, but you've got to put the foot down somewhere when it comes to fallibility (since they after all assert that God is with them), and if you could show them problems not with the individuals at a high level, but with the actual teachings they have administered through the years, and some controversial (if the average JW knew about them...) decisions, then you may sway some of them. And examples of that is not too hard to find (the book 'Crisis of Conscience' details a few).
I say this as a former JW (although it's been a while, so I've probably forgotten some details).
All that said, good work still.
And it can be a good resource to have. As I mentioned, one has to put the foot down somewhere when it comes to fallibility of the members, because as a whole, they do say that they are in a privileged position and have God's blessing etc.
However - the organization is seen as pretty much infallible - after all, the 'governing body' is the small group doling out the literature, dealing with how to interpret scripture and live ones life - they are 'mother'. Not that JWs won't say that those too may fall short, but you've got to put the foot down somewhere when it comes to fallibility (since they after all assert that God is with them), and if you could show them problems not with the individuals at a high level, but with the actual teachings they have administered through the years, and some controversial (if the average JW knew about them...) decisions, then you may sway some of them. And examples of that is not too hard to find (the book 'Crisis of Conscience' details a few).
I say this as a former JW (although it's been a while, so I've probably forgotten some details).
All that said, good work still.
And it can be a good resource to have. As I mentioned, one has to put the foot down somewhere when it comes to fallibility of the members, because as a whole, they do say that they are in a privileged position and have God's blessing etc.