It seems to me that a simple “no thanks” is all a person needs to employ to turn away JWs, LDS, the boy scouts or any other canvasser.
Furthermore, a simple call to the local kingdom hall with a simple request that they not visit your home and your address will be put on the “do not call” list. They will be unfailingly polite and will ask for nothing but your address.
In any event, while a “Holy Grail” type series of 3 questions would be preferable to answering the door nude, it really is less effective than a simple “no thanks.”
I assure you, however, the reason the reason they’re not answering your 3rd question is not because “the JWs being sent to canvas and recruit aren’t equipped to do their jobs.”
Try them. The next time they knock on your door, ask them politely to share with you why they believe that the hope for mankind involves a cleansed earth, rather than all of us going to heaven.
Non-answer. Did you read the King James? The New Revised? The version that expressly supports your practices? Why not answer honestly? Because any discussion or debate depends on your answer. If you claim the newest New World Translation is your inerrant source of your authority, then the discussion is over. Why not stick to your guns and answer honestly?
I’d like to point out that we do not have a specific point of discussion or debate.
I’d also add that I have never------and I mean never------ in 7 years seen a single person at SDMB who was qualified to state with any non-googled command of the subject the qualitative differences between the NWT, NIV, NRV or any other translation.
Not one.
As I said, we’re not in any pointed discussion or debate, but if you’d like to pick a specific biblical topic and start a GD thread I’d love to see your thoughts.
I’ll warn you, Google is not your friend. I apologize if that sounds presumptuous. But I have a 7 year history where people enter like a lion and leave like a lamb.
You’re the 500th person who’s led with----and I quote----“Yep. Nope. Umm… heck yeah I have. At length, both as a scholarly pursuit as well as curiousity. I enjoy reading” and, "…and some of us have studied the Bible extensively. "
In every single instance we get to a variation of “I took in college and can’t be expected to remember every single verse…”, which in practical terms has meant “I took in college and can’t be expected to remember any single verse…”
So heres my honest answer: I have 12 translations here, 2 interlinear s, Vine’s and Strong’s and one other concordance. Of course, I probably have another 12 or more on biblegateway.
So…if you have a specific biblical ax to grind and want to show off your ‘extensive study of the bible’ let me know and I’ll let you know if I’m interested. (and would be willing to have that discussion with any translation you wish)
OTOH, if you simply want to show me the flaws in the NWT vis a vis any other translation that would be great.
Like the ministryman says, we’ll see how well you’re equipped.
I’m going to have to answer “ha”. As I have no emotional stake in the outcome and complete confidence that the combo of my relatively unbiased secondary education in Theology, textbooks on hand, aaaand Googlewill shore up my argument as well as the foresight that you will claim spiritual knowledge of any and every counterpoint: nah. Not interested. So long as you believe that a spirit is talking to you which has higher authority than any evidence or text: what’s the point? You didn’t even answer a simple question: What translation of the Bible do you derive your authority from?
So I’ll just wait for you to knock on my door, and I’ll offer you refuge and friendship should you ever recognize the cruelty, the inhumanity, and the un-Christlike behavior of your flock. (BTW, did I mention I had an apostate in my back pocket? Who I love dearly and unconditionally?) Until then: carry on. I care not how many rude rebuffs or nude rebuffs you encounter on your sales route. Thanks to you: I welcome the knock.
I have a 7 year history that starts with the kind of ‘I’ve studied the bible extensively’ posturing and when asked to put up, or shut up ends [often quite quickly] with a verbose way of saying, ‘I’ll pass.’
No, didn’t say that. But thanks for once again proving the dishonest argument tactics your kind employs. I have no such degree, and even abandoned a minor in Theology after becoming incredibly bored with the subject. I did, in the beginnings of my college career, have good intentions and planned to minor in Theology if only to understand my neighbors better. After a few World History, World Lit, and World religion classes I realized the futility of studying The Holy Bible as anything other than a literary curiosity. However, if you feel like quizzing me, the historical facts, the ideals, and the multiple authors, influences, and politics of the Good Book: I’ve got that down pat.
But the moment you or any other Believer claims “It is part of His Divine Plan” or whatever esoteric claim you make about your personal knowledge of God’s directives: I just lose interest entirely. But don’t take my word for it: ask any other non-believer, preferably those with more tact than I. They will tell you the same. Argument based on Biblical “authority” is pointless, because believers have a built-in source that contradicts evidence, science, statistics, weather, anthropology, archeology, history, and every other measurable, provable resource in The World.
So, why bother? Just knock on my door, and I’ll offer you tea, coffee, and refuge. If your definition of fate exists: we’ll meet IRL, and you’ll find the most accomodating, non-judgmental, foot-washing host you’ve ever encountered.
I didn’t say you had a degree in Theology . I asked if you had one. Read it again.
I’ll be honest with you. Most times I ignore threads like these as I have no interest in them. They’re screeds.
But every once in a while …I get a wild hair and accept the gauntlet thats been thrown down. I don’t witness here, and have no interest in doing so.
As a result, I can easily post as an agnostic as I have no need to espouse any doctrine of any sort. So when I see the posturing that goes on-------like you did with the whole ‘scholarly study of the bible’ comment--------I sometimes challenge them to put their money where their mouth is.
They always find a verbose way to back down. Always.
You don’t like JWs. Great. But think twice before your resume issues a check your keyboard can’t cash.
Geez-us. I asked a scant few questions: show me the verse which directs Witnesses to knock on doors.
Why do Witnesses avoid college campuses.
And show me how you door-knocking efforts are successful because the current stats demonstrate otherwise.
Yeah, I feel very strongly that shunning and the directives about sexuality imposed by the Watchtower and Awake are arbitrary, but I didn’t ask questions about that, just offered my unsolicited opinion which you should be receptive to, considering your own tactics. (without entering your home: imagine that!)
If you have challenges for non-believers: hit me. But first, perhaps you could answer the 3 questions I asked more than once?
You know I knew when I typed that I had screwed up. I should not have singled out Geisel, because I realized belatedly you’d Google him up and I’d be had.
I immediately fell on my knees and said, “Please let me whoosh simster just one more time. It will be golden.”
A booming voice came from the heavens and said, “Leave that guy alone, will ya?”
“A” for effort, but its not really my cup of yogurt.
Throughout this thread you and simster have thrown what seems like dozens of issues on the wall----in many posts two, or three, or four or more issues in a single post. A MB doesn’t handle one topic very well, and when you seem unable----or unwilling to present a cohesive thought pattern it starts looking like an Rep. Weiner news conference----if I agreed to play.
Like this one here that I’m responding to. You’re asking three completely different questions, and referring to three more.
