Has anyone else read this book? I am finding it to be a ripping good yarn. I heard that Alfs was a Witness when he wrote the book (1990), but has since turned apostate. I wonder if anyone knows anything about that? Maybe he evens hangs around here.
The Evocative Religion of Jehovah's Witnesses (Matthew Alfs)
by slimboyfat 9 Replies latest jw friends
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diamondblue1974
Ive never heard of this book actually....what kind of slant does it have with regards to JWs and who publishes it?
Db74
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slimboyfat
Old Theology Book House is the publisher.
Alfs does not let on that he is a Witness, and pretends to write a "sociological" evaluation of Jehovah's Witnesses, but he gives no indication as to methodology or any backgroud in social science as to undertake such a study. That having been said, the amount of research that has gone into book ensures that Alfs does offer some insights of value, though mostly this falls in the realm of anecdotal inferences rather than rigorous social science.
Anthropologist Richard Singelenberg wrote a scathing review of the book for the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.
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diamondblue1974
Alfs does not let on that he is a Witness, and pretends to write a "sociological" evaluation of Jehovah's Witnesses, but he gives no indication as to methodology or any backgroud in social science as to undertake such a study. That having been said, the amount of research that has gone into book ensures that Alfs does offer some insights of value, though mostly this falls in the realm of anecdotal inferences rather than rigorous social science.
It might have little academic value but still as you put it 'a ripping good yarn'...might be worth a read.
DB74
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blondie
2. Evocative Religion of Jehovahs Witnesses: An Analysis of a Present Day Phenomenon
- ISBN: 0961296429 - Hardcover -
Publisher: Old Theology Book House - Published Date: 03/01/1991 - Hardcover- Author:
Matthew Alfshttp://www.ukbookworld.com/cgi-bin/order_enq.pl?add=goldenage%23RH1321
- ISBN: 0961296429 - Hardcover -
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TD
I don't know anything about Mr. Alfs, but I've read the book.
It's worth the read if you're really interested in the subject. It's informative and unlike most books on JW's, generally upbeat.
However this upbeat tone becomes almost fawning in places and Mr. Alfs view on the JW transfusion medicine taboo (At least at the time he wrote the book) is uninformed and naive.
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undercover
I thought Alf was a fuzzy little brown alien who ate cats.
Oh wait...that was Fred Franz
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slimboyfat
Some interesting things from the book so far:
1. A. H. MacMillan did not write "Faith on the March", Alfs has it on "good authority" that a committee in Brooklyn actually wrote the book for the aged loyalist on the basis of a few interviews and their own research. This, avers Alfs, explains some errors that are otherwise difficult to account for from an eyewitness.
2. Rutherford actually had very warm relations with his wife and son, that being the reason he made the much criticized move to Beth Sarim on the west coast to be close to them.
3. Alfs praises the Watchtower Society's enlightened attitude to sex, especially their commendation of the healing powers of the female orgasm.
4. Alfs also maintains that female Witnesses are "on the average" certainly more beautiful than the general population.
5. Alfs was especially pleased with an Awake! from 1989 on the subject of beauty that boasted three "stunning" sisters on the front cover. (I sure hope someone could post a copy of that picture!)
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TD
5. Alfs was especially pleased with an Awake! from 1989 on the subject of beauty that boasted three "stunning" sisters on the front cover. (I sure hope someone could post a copy of that picture!)
The only thing like that I can remember was an '89 Watchtower:
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AuldSoul
Why the black sister gotta be in the back?
(c'mon, somebody had to ask )