I had Thursday and Friday off from school this week. Thursday I went up to Gayle's school and did a sound demo on my guitar, then had a fun time preparing the kids for the coming zombie uprising of 2012. If you want more details, say so in a P.S. or something and I'll give you more. Anyway, Thursday was completely full from top to bottom (Thursday nights I have a writer's group that meets in Provo). Friday I was playing Rock Band 2 with Peter when the doorbell goes off. Not expecting anyone nor any packages, I was a bit surprised. A reactionary thought--"I wonder if it's the Jehovah's Witnesses?"--skipped through my mind.
I was right.
I didn't bash with them, though I thought some of their interpretations were more than just a little flawed and inconsistent. Instead, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and learn more about another religion--one which, admittedly, I had only learned about from other elders (not the best source for an unbiased view of the JWs). So I started asking them questions that had been lurking in my mind, including whether or not one's selfhood (identity) is a permanent, eternal component of one's individuality; why JWs would believe the scientific explanation of a heliocentric (sun-centered) solar system, since traditional teachings of the bible indicate that it is a geocentric (earth-centered) solar system; and how they reconcile the austere God of the Old Testament with the love-focused Christ of the New. All in all it was pretty informative, though they didn't really answer my questions to my full satisfaction. I had to take some time repeating what I thought they were saying back to them to make sure I understood fully.
It was a rather nice exchange, and I'm sure they'll be back. I personally probably wouldn't return were I in their shoes, because it should have been obvious that I wasn't really interested in learning to convert, but instead pursuing intellectual avenues with them. But, still, they are persistent people, doing the best with the understanding that they have, so I certainly can't fault them.
I wanted to write a little bit more about the exchange, but time presses on me, so I'll leave off at that. Cheers!
I was right.
I didn't bash with them, though I thought some of their interpretations were more than just a little flawed and inconsistent. Instead, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and learn more about another religion--one which, admittedly, I had only learned about from other elders (not the best source for an unbiased view of the JWs). So I started asking them questions that had been lurking in my mind, including whether or not one's selfhood (identity) is a permanent, eternal component of one's individuality; why JWs would believe the scientific explanation of a heliocentric (sun-centered) solar system, since traditional teachings of the bible indicate that it is a geocentric (earth-centered) solar system; and how they reconcile the austere God of the Old Testament with the love-focused Christ of the New. All in all it was pretty informative, though they didn't really answer my questions to my full satisfaction. I had to take some time repeating what I thought they were saying back to them to make sure I understood fully.
It was a rather nice exchange, and I'm sure they'll be back. I personally probably wouldn't return were I in their shoes, because it should have been obvious that I wasn't really interested in learning to convert, but instead pursuing intellectual avenues with them. But, still, they are persistent people, doing the best with the understanding that they have, so I certainly can't fault them.
I wanted to write a little bit more about the exchange, but time presses on me, so I'll leave off at that. Cheers!
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