Hi Everyone!! / Jehovas Witness deconversion

[George]

Hi all,

Just a quickie to say hello! I'm a lifelong atheist/ antitheist from the North of England, I'm 31 and work in I.T.

Also to see if anyone has any tips for deconverting Jehova's Witnesses? I had a two hour chat with a couple last week and they are coming to see me again next week. It is an ambition of mine to deconvert one.

I realize that I am unlikely to succeed but I like a challenge! Even if I just manage to sow a few seeds of doubt in their minds and help them to begin a journey toward eventual deconversion I will be happy.

I have studied all the literature they have given me (some of it's hilarious actually!) with a view to pointing out some of the inconsistancies. I've also found a couple of good articles on the subject of JW deconversion, the best one being: http://www.freeminds.org/psychology/cul ... -mind.html
-Interesting stuff!

If there's anyone who's tried the same thing or has any good hints or info, lemme know!

Peas out..

[Tank]

Hello George

No help fro me I'm afraid, I'm in the same boat as you, life long atheist. The really annoying thing about this is that just before RDF imploded a good half dozen ex-JWs joined. In fact one was still an elder but hadn't told anybody!

Hopefully somebody here will be able to help out.

In the mean time welcome aboard!

Regards
Chris.

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[The Magic Pudding]

I think I've heard a technique for converting a Jehovas Witness.
Something about a cage, rats and peanut butter.
But I'll have to get back to you on it.
Welcome George.

[Tank]

You could have a look here at the archive http://forum.richarddawkins.net/viewtop ... 46&t=66197
And this http://forum.richarddawkins.net/viewtop ... 36&start=0

I hope there is something to glean from these'

Or http://forum.richarddawkins.net/viewtop ... 6#p1998136
This could well be a good one too http://forum.richarddawkins.net/viewtop ... 6#p2523496

[Thumpalumpacus]

Hi there.

Why is the belief of another important to you?

[George]

Thanks for the replies and the links folks!

Why is the belief of another important to you?[/quote]

I suppose the beliefs of others are important to me because of how they impact on the world around me. That's not to say I go round trying to deconvert every theist I meet but in this case they came to me, to convert me. I told them I would listen to what they had to say and would indeed convert if they could persuade me. - As long as they also listened to what I had to say!

I also thought they were nice people and it seemed a shame that they were (in my opinion) being deceived.

(Not sure I've quite got the hang of the quote thing!)

[Thumpalumpacus]

Yeah, I like discussing these matters with some evangelists -- had a couple of Mormons who'd beat up the neighborhood a few years back with whom I had many really cool talks -- but at the end of the day, what they believe is their business and not mine, is how I look at it.

As for quotes, you're halfway there: you want to put "[ quote ]" (without the spaces) in front of your chosen passage, and close it exactly as you had it in your quoting me above (ie, "[ /quote ]", again without spaces).

Also, if you wish to combine multiple responses to different members into one post, you can attribute quotes with this formatting:  [ quote="George" ]body of text [/quote].  You must use the quotation marks to attribute, though.

If I remove the spaces and code the above properly, you will see:

Body of text

[George]

Yeah, I like discussing these matters with some evangelists -- had a couple of Mormons who'd beat up the neighborhood a few years back with whom I had many really cool talks -- but at the end of the day, what they believe is their business and not mine, is how I look at it.

Think I got it!

I agree on an individual level it's their business - until they make my beliefs their business at which point I feel their beliefs are fair game too!

[Thumpalumpacus]

Well, yeah, not to mention when it enters the political sphere.  It's just that, as much crap as I've caught over the years for my lack of belief, I have no desire to inflict any harangues on anyone else.

[George]

Yeah, I'm definitely not into haranguing anyone individually or generally tubthumping. I am, however, off to protest the pope's state visit in London on the 18th September which I suppose some would class as 'tubthumping' !

[pinkocommie]

Welcome to the forum!  I am usually totally against actively trying to deconvert people, but I think when they're door-to-door religious peddlers, it is more of a fair game situation.  I hope you enjoy the forum!

[karadan]

I think I've heard a technique for converting a Jehovas Witness.
Something about a cage, rats and peanut butter.
But I'll have to get back to you on it.
Welcome George.

I am highly interested to hear about that.

Welcome to the forum George.