Watch Tower Verbal Slight of Hand!

Ever been asked a question and you do not have an answer. This is the feeling JW's get when they are out in "field ministry" (door-to-door) service. It happens so often that JW's are trained in how to respond without really responding. It is a "verbal slight of hand" in which the JW talks but avoids answering your question so the "asker" is not aware the JW has no answer. The individual JW at your door can also be the recipient of a "verbal slight of hand" from an elder should they kick your question up the chain of command. 

This is often how the "verbal slight of hand" is born. A door-knocker comes across a question in their door knocking (fulfilling one of the WT’s four requirements for eternal life—see all four here) that confounds them. What is the JW to do?

(1) The JW promises to answer your question when they make a "Back Call" but has no intention on answering your question. They are hoping you will forget the question upon their return. On the "Back Call" they may bring an Elder who often will go into a long involved answer, jumping all over the Bible like a Knight on a chess board and losing you in the process. Often you will forget what you asked or you are too confused to ask a follow-up question. SOLUTION: Make note of your question, and ask it again if you do not get a satisfactory answer.

(2) The JW might ask you some question that has nothing to do with your question in order to divert your attention. They are NOT interested in an answer, they just want to change the subject. SOLUTION: Make note of your question, and ask it again.

(3) The JW may go to JW.org or an Elder for an answer. (BTW the JW rarely bothers to SEEK  for the answer outside JW books, magazines or other JW's. See here where I unpack the Bible's definition for SEEK.) From these sources they will often bring you copies of WT publications that they believe will answer your question but probably won't. SOLUTION: Make note of your question, and ask the JW to show and explain how the publications answer your question.

(4) If you are asking a question about a verse, the JW will often counter your verse with another verse that SEEMS to support the opposite view point. Remember, they are trying to divert you thinking from a question they cannot answer. SOLUTION: Make note of your question, and ask it again.

The JW, at your door, is told that they will rarely meet anyone in the door-to-door service that has even and inkling of what the Bible really teaches. Therefore, when they are asked a question they cannot answer this sets off a conflict in their mind that must be resolved. When I have asked a "Tough Question" these are the responses I have come across. (1) I associate with Apostates, therefore, what I have to say can be totally discounted. (2) I am reading Apostate Literature, therefore, what I have to say can be totally discounted. If you hear response #1 or #2, politely ask the JW to show where you are in error. This may help them realize that your argument is true and they need to "Examine their Own Religion." See my blog here on this topic. (3) If I show the JW their own literature that proves my point, they counter with, "that literature comes from Apostates who have taken WT literature and "doctored" it using Paint or Photo Shop." At this point ask the JW to seek out an elderly JW. JW's take great pride in their collection of WT material, past and present. By finding such an individual the JW can then see the "genuine" WT publication and the truthfulness of your argument. A genuine truth seeker will follow this suggestion. At this point it is completely out of your hands. You have planted the seed, now it depends on the soil and God causing the growth.