It's not that I enjoy the discussions, particularly, or that I like 'taking people on'. I don't. But my heart breaks for these guys. If they're not meeting Christians, what hope have they got of considering that what they're taught by their organisation might not actually be true? They're not allowed to doubt what they're taught - if they do, they might lose their salvation! The devastating irony!: they are not being led to salvation! If only they were allowed to engage with us, instead of being whisked off as soon as they start looking at the bible for themselves.
So, come on Wellfield - let's pray for new opportunities to connect with these young people who are so trapped. And let's be grateful for the "truth which sets us free".
3 comments:
I don't think I'm very good at talking to people from cults. I wonder whether it's best to listen or try to make your point? I'd love to know if anyone has ever felt they've got beyond the rehearsed answers with Mormons or JWs...?
I was once locked in discussion with Mormon missionaries for over three years! In that time they 'rotated' the missionaries three times to limit their exposure to what i was saying. At one stage i had 5 missionaries in my little flat all doing their best to convince me what they were saying was true! (eek)
Thankfully these conversations always went deeper than the general Mormon line of reasoning and my advice to anyone dealing with a 'cult' like Mormonism or Jehova's Witnesses etc is to remember the four 'P's
PROBE: Question, question, question...
"Who is Jesus?" Then follow up their answer with "and how did you come to that conclusion?" The only way to combat brain washing is to help them to discover the truth for themselves without manipulation. Questions get them on the back foot and keep you in the driving seat of the conversation. Cult Missionaries are trained to keep you off balance with manipulitive questions - turn the tables early on.
PROVE: Get to the bible and get them opening it for you in the translation they prefer. Get them to read it for themselves and ask them what they make of what they read. They will love the interest you show in their beliefs and it keeps the conversation friendly without feeling as though you are attacking them. At some point they may face the truth and because they are already under so much emotional pressure to hold their existing beliefs they will reject the truth straight away... but the seed is already planted.
PRAY: God willing, when they are older and wiser, those seeds of truth might bloom into full blown doubt and a desire to know the real Jesus. But even if your encounter lasts only half an hour, take down their name (FULL NAME - push them to know their first name, not just 'Elder such and such') get their name in your prayer diary and pray... till either you die or Jesus returns.
PROTECT: You probobly don't need more than one meeting to have an impact. I was locked into years of visits and i think that looking back i could have had the same impact in one or two meetings. Don't be manipulated into a series of 'teaching sessions' where they do all the talking. Don't expose your family to their visits unless you are comfortable they are equipped to adequately dismiss their claims - they can be quite persuasive. Don't go it alone - a cord of many strands is not easily broken. Get help from your brothers and sisters who you can count on to be there if they want to meet you a week next thursday.
Martyn - that's very helpful.
I know you're trying to say a lot in a short space, but it can sound a bit like a game of wit, trying to manipulate each other.
I'd like to add, I know that's not what you do! You're only trying to be the best friend they've had - but the level of their entrapment is so serious it needs very clear care and thinking.
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