(Just got to share this... I apologize in advance if it gets a bit lengthy...)

Who would've ever thought that a Jehovah's Witness could bring so much joy to a person's day?... *grin*... But, believe it or not, that is exactly what happened to me earlier today. There I was in my kitchen finishing up my morning coffee, when I looked out the window into our garage and noticed two people standing outside the open garage door. They looked confused, as if trying to decide whether or not to walk through the garage to knock on the inner door to our kitchen. It was an elderly white male in a nice shirt and tie holding a briefcase, and a black female of equal age in a modest looking dress. It was quite obvious who they were and why they were there. Well, lucky for me (but maybe not so lucky for them) I actually had a bit of spare time to kill this morning... *mischievous snicker*... Therefore, I went out to greet them with a friendly welcome and a smile. Standard introductions were made, and then things got fun...

The female was the primary talker, while the male mostly stood silent and observed. (Maybe she was in training? I don't know... *shrugging shoulders*...) So, the very first topic of discussion was centered around the coming "end of the world" as prophesied in the bible based on current world events and disorders. ("The END is NEAR!") She read a few bible verses to me from her i-Pad and equated them to all the recent troubles happening in Iraq/Iran. And then, basically, I was asked how/what I felt about that. Long story short, I mentioned there have been countless "world events and disorders" over the past several centuries that people of many different religious sects used to claim the end of time was near. Yet, here we still are. (At this point, by the way, I had not told them I am an atheist.) Not knowing how to respond to that (along with a few other little details I mentioned during my explanation), she hesitated a bit, causing the male to chime in and ask me, "Do you know the God in the bible has a name?" (Oh, boy. Did he really just go there?... *chuckle*...)

I ventured a "guess" and answered, "Uhhh... Are you talking about YHWH?" He blinked as if surprised, and then replied, "Well, yes, but we prefer Jehovah. Or we often refer to Jesus. Because there are many different languages in the world, each one using their own translations. Since we speak English here in America, then those are the translations we prefer to use." (Yes, ladies and gentlemen, he DID open that door.) Trying not to make this OP a novel, so suffice it to say my reply to him on that took us all down the road to thousands of different sects based on that one "Perfect Book" that can be interpreted in many different ways depending on how an individual prefers to read it. Even touch upon the languages from the original scrolls that did not use punctuation, along with how the "Perfect Bible" was re-written, edited, translated across many different languages over hundreds of years, and interpreted by the scribes according to how the ruler-in-charge wanted them interpreted to meet personal agendas. The entire time I am being friendly, relaxed, smiling, and simply matter-of-fact with my replies. Well, he stalled, and the female stepped back into the ring, and somehow the subject got changed over to Adam and Eve. I swear, I thought I was gonna start dancing a jig... lol...

I can cover the Garden of Eden Adam/Eve discussion during the thread. Besides, I have to make a few notes to remind myself of everything that was covered in that. For now, though, I come to my favorite part of the meeting. And, honestly, I do not believe they actually walked straight into the trap the way they did. At one point the male made mention of the fact that the bible is meant to be taken as a learning tool sent to us by God. And he actually stated that everything in it was the "perfect word of God." (Warning: The squeamish may want to turn away at this point.) I simply could NOT let that go unchecked. So, I told both of them, "So, just to make sure we are all on the same page, the God in the bible is omniscient and omnipotent, right? He knows EVERYTHING, and he can DO ANYTHING. And he is PERFECT. Are we in agreement on that?" Both of them were enthusiastically, "Oh, absolutely! God knows everything and can do anything and NEVER makes any mistakes." (Okay, that's what I expected. Good so far.) I continued by saying, "Okay, good. I didn't want to make any assumptions. Now, you believe the bible is the perfect word of God, and everything in it should be followed by Man from the time it was written until the day this world comes to an end, right?" Again, very confident and enthusiastic nods of agreement. (Uh, this ain't gonna be pretty, folks. Last chance to turn away.) So, I looked straight at the female and asked, "Then why do we no longer own slaves?" The look on her face was priceless. But before either of them could respond I continued, "Because in that bible, the perfect word of God says it is perfectly okay for one human to own another human as property, yet that practice is now illegal in our society." The male just stood there with his jaw hanging down to his knees. And after a brief stunned silence, the lady made a weak attempt to counter by saying, "Well, that was then and this is now. God no longer condones slavery. Besides, we are all God's servants because he made us and owns us." (Aw, so sad. But at least she tried, I guess.) Naturally, my response was, "No. Sorry. But we are not talking about a God owning his creations. We are talking about humans owning other humans as property. And in that bible the perfect word of God even gives very specific instructions on who to own, how to own, how to pass them down to children as property, and how to treat them. God even tells the slaves to obey their masters, even if those masters are brutally abusive. Oh, and where in the bible did God ever abolish slavery?" Her reply, "Uh, well, uh, it, uh, doesn't actually SAY it directly, but..." I politely interrupted with, "It does not say it at all anywhere in the bible, as far as I know. MAN actually outlawed slavery and made it unacceptable in society." The female, "Yeah, well, I suppose you are right." At which point I said, "So, you are telling me that Man is to follow EVERYTHING in the bible as laid out by God who is perfect, yet Man abolished slavery, thereby overruling God? Personally, I find the concept of slavery to be extremely appalling. Yet, in that bible, it is very clearly condoned by your perfect God. And that is why I do not follow the "rules" based on the writings of ancient nomads from over two thousand years ago who had no knowledge of modern science and technology." (Time for exit strategy, boys and girls...)

Feet shuffled uncomfortably. Watches were checked. "Oh, dear. We really need to go. Many other people to see. We would really love to stay and discuss these things more, but we are just rushed for time today, . Would you mind if we come back another day? We would like to do some research on some of the things you told us so that we can talk with you more about them later." By golly, absolutely. Please come back whenever you can. I am usually here in the afternoons, and I would love to continue our discussion. (Calm and relaxed with friendly beaming smile the whole time.) I really do hope to see them again soon. That was the first time I have ever had that much fun with JW's. Can't wait for Round Two... *impish grin*...