10 Questions to ask a Jehovah's Witness (or other cult member) to Help Open Their Mind
Below are ten questions you can use to ask a Jehovah's Witness or someone else who you are concerned is in a high control group. Now, these questions are designed to help your Jehovah's Witness friend to start thinking critically because they are become conditioned to rely on an organization to think for them.
These questions are not designed to just start blasting one after the other at a Jehovah's Witness. They way to use these questions is by genuinely asking them in a calm setting and allowing your friend to answer. Then, after you have asked these questions you can return to your friend's original answer and apply literature and information exposing the organization.
Now these questions also involve YOU doing your own research and finding the best information to bring into the conversation.
1. Do you believe the Bible was written to all people?
Initially most cults would agree that the Bible was written to all people. However, after further research you find out that they either don't believe this or that the laymen are not smart enough to interpret the Bible.
In the case of Jehovah's Witnesses, they actually believe there are two classes of Christians (the anointed and the other sheep). The Bible is not directly written to the other sheep (the earthly class). They will not tell you this information up front when they meet you.
2. Do you believe that true Christians have always existed in the last 2,000 years?
This is one of the most important questions to ask. It can also be phrased, "what group in the last 2,000 years of Christianity has taught what you are teaching?"
Fortunately, for the Christian church we have such a rich history that we can look back to see what doctrine was being taught at each time period.
I recently met with a group called the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG). I asked this question to them and they agreed true Christians have existed throughout the last 2,000 years of Church history. But what they did not tell me was that they believed Satan blocked an important teaching of theirs in 325 AD during the Council of Nicaea and it wasn't until 1964 when Christ Ahnsahnghong came back (yes Jesus came back), this teaching was restored and now YAY we are able to be saved again.
3. Do you believe that anyone, anywhere who just had the Bible and no other literature could understand it and could be saved?
One of the best ways a Bible cult group controls its members is by interpreting the Bible for them. We are supposedly incapable and totally unable to read the Bible and understand it for ourselves. Which is why we need their help and their literature. Read the quotes below carefully, according to these quotes, we must rely on the Governing Body and the literature they produce to understand God's Word.
4. Do you think a person should examine not only the teachings but also the history of any religious organization before deciding it is the truth? Did you? Where did you research?
Remember, these questions are to help your friend to start thinking. It's okay if they don't give you the answer that you want to hear. I have had most Jehovah's Witnesses tell me they researched other religions before committing to the Watchtower. However, what they actually did was have a guided Bible study with other Jehovah's Witnesses.
5. What if I joined one of these groups and later discovered fraud at the top of the organization or that they altered their teaching or prophecies? Should I stay in it?
6. Both Deuteronomy 18:20-22 and Matthew 24:11,23-27 warn us of false prophets. How would one identify a false prophet using these verses?
7. What would you think if members of a certain religious group were not allowed to read other religious literature?
- It shows authoritative rule, fear of the facts and inability to use discernment
8. If I were examining the Mormons do you think it would be a good idea to read a book by ex-members?
9. What if any difference of opinion is seen as evidence of pride or sin?
Whether it is the WMSCOG, JW's or Scientology, when a member starts to question the group blamed is always placed on that person. They will accuse the member of the most heinous of sins in order to protect the organization.
10. What if this religious is not open to public criticism? What if they do not allow for public debate?
The majority I have with Jehovah's Witnesses today end with the JW refusing to answer my questions or even start to engage in discussion. They are told to act this way so it's hard to blame them. However, this type of behavior is foreign to the apostles of the New Testament. They contended and defend the truth even until death!
These questions are not designed to just start blasting one after the other at a Jehovah's Witness. They way to use these questions is by genuinely asking them in a calm setting and allowing your friend to answer. Then, after you have asked these questions you can return to your friend's original answer and apply literature and information exposing the organization.
Now these questions also involve YOU doing your own research and finding the best information to bring into the conversation.
1. Do you believe the Bible was written to all people?
Initially most cults would agree that the Bible was written to all people. However, after further research you find out that they either don't believe this or that the laymen are not smart enough to interpret the Bible.
In the case of Jehovah's Witnesses, they actually believe there are two classes of Christians (the anointed and the other sheep). The Bible is not directly written to the other sheep (the earthly class). They will not tell you this information up front when they meet you.
2. Do you believe that true Christians have always existed in the last 2,000 years?
This is one of the most important questions to ask. It can also be phrased, "what group in the last 2,000 years of Christianity has taught what you are teaching?"
Fortunately, for the Christian church we have such a rich history that we can look back to see what doctrine was being taught at each time period.
I recently met with a group called the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG). I asked this question to them and they agreed true Christians have existed throughout the last 2,000 years of Church history. But what they did not tell me was that they believed Satan blocked an important teaching of theirs in 325 AD during the Council of Nicaea and it wasn't until 1964 when Christ Ahnsahnghong came back (yes Jesus came back), this teaching was restored and now YAY we are able to be saved again.
3. Do you believe that anyone, anywhere who just had the Bible and no other literature could understand it and could be saved?
One of the best ways a Bible cult group controls its members is by interpreting the Bible for them. We are supposedly incapable and totally unable to read the Bible and understand it for ourselves. Which is why we need their help and their literature. Read the quotes below carefully, according to these quotes, we must rely on the Governing Body and the literature they produce to understand God's Word.
"We will also increase our joy if we prayerfully and diligently study God's spirit - inspired Word and Christian publications prepared under the spirit's guidance." Watchtower 1992 Mar 15 pp.21-22
"When the time comes to clarify a spiritual matter in our day, holy spirit helps responsible representatives of the faithful and discreet slave at world headquarters to discern deep truths that were not previously understood. (Matt. 24:45; 1 Cor. 2:13) The Governing Body as a whole considers adjusted explanations. (Acts 15:6) What they learn, they publish for the benefit of all." Watchtower 2010 Jul 15 pp.22-23
"Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his "faithful and discreet slave," made up of spirit-anointed ones ... Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do."
Watchtower 1981 December 1 p.27 The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter
"Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his "faithful and discreet slave," made up of spirit-anointed ones ... Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do."
Watchtower 1981 December 1 p.27 The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter
I have had both JW's and the WMSCOG use the encounter Philip had with the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8:26-40 to justify needing an aid to interpret the Bible. I have pointed out that Philip did not stay with the Ethiopian so this set of passages cannot justify a continual aid that is required.
4. Do you think a person should examine not only the teachings but also the history of any religious organization before deciding it is the truth? Did you? Where did you research?
Remember, these questions are to help your friend to start thinking. It's okay if they don't give you the answer that you want to hear. I have had most Jehovah's Witnesses tell me they researched other religions before committing to the Watchtower. However, what they actually did was have a guided Bible study with other Jehovah's Witnesses.
5. What if I joined one of these groups and later discovered fraud at the top of the organization or that they altered their teaching or prophecies? Should I stay in it?
6. Both Deuteronomy 18:20-22 and Matthew 24:11,23-27 warn us of false prophets. How would one identify a false prophet using these verses?
7. What would you think if members of a certain religious group were not allowed to read other religious literature?
- It shows authoritative rule, fear of the facts and inability to use discernment
8. If I were examining the Mormons do you think it would be a good idea to read a book by ex-members?
9. What if any difference of opinion is seen as evidence of pride or sin?
Whether it is the WMSCOG, JW's or Scientology, when a member starts to question the group blamed is always placed on that person. They will accuse the member of the most heinous of sins in order to protect the organization.
10. What if this religious is not open to public criticism? What if they do not allow for public debate?
The majority I have with Jehovah's Witnesses today end with the JW refusing to answer my questions or even start to engage in discussion. They are told to act this way so it's hard to blame them. However, this type of behavior is foreign to the apostles of the New Testament. They contended and defend the truth even until death!
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