Bottom line is that if the WTBS doesn't control the itinerary they dont approve of the event
Isn't this the real reason the WTB&TS took over the quick-builds??
Elder says no to congregation picnic: Brooklyn says no large gatherings
by truthseeker 36 Replies latest jw friends
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XJW4EVR
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greendawn
Back in the early eighties when I was a dub they used to organise quite a few pic nics and there never was any trouble. It was the usual dull JW ambience but one could eat good food.
It's terrible that for whatever reason they are not permitted to do picnics today. -
SadElder
This is one of the things that always irritated me as a "loyal" dub. Why do they think that the "congregtion has the right or authority to dictate one personal; affairs?
I remember many years ago some meddlesome elders at my sisters wedding reception (for which I was footing the bill) attempting to dictate what we could or couldn't do. I politely informed them that I was an elder too, that this was my party, and to keep their opinions to themselves. One elder was politely informed that he had three seconds to vacate my party or he would be very embarrased when the police came to remove him. Oh what a stink that caused, but we survived anyway.
Control, control, control. That's what it's all about.
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Elsewhere
First of all it cannot be due to lawsuits. Considering a congo picnic would not be a WTBTS sponsored event, like an assembly or mtgs, I cannot imagine that the WTBTS would use this as an excuse.
The Watchtower Society cannot get money out of a bankrupt congregation.
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XJW4EVR
Control, control, control. That's what it's all about.
And all these years I thought it was all about the hokey-pokey!
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blondie
Around here what motivated elder bodies to put the clamps on "congregation" social activities was that the "host" (usually an elder) would be held responsible for any "wrongdoing" that resulted from the party, i.e., underage drinking, fornication or adultery, drunkenness, driving under the influence, etc. Judicially they would be held responsible, it being possible they would love their privileges.
So now some brave individual has to be willing to take the fall; and sometimes there is no such person. Book study groups are allowed to have social events but then again, the "host" is responsible for any wrongdoing.
These elders/MS don't want to be demoted.
Blondie
*** w86 5/1 p. 18 par. 13 ‘Keep Spotless, Unblemished, and in Peace’ ***
The host at a social gathering is responsible for what occurs there.
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FlyingHighNow
Whatever happened to respecting people's intelligence and right to exercise freewill? Why does Bethel still insist Bethel must be every person on this earth's conscience?
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MidwichCuckoo
I am thinking along completely different lines here (no change there).......
A large gathering of dubs at an assembly/Kingdom Hall is 'safe' - as the whole theme is centered around the Org's teachings and any independent thinkers/weak/questioning individuals are 'lost' amongst the numbers. same as one dub in a large gathering of 'Wordly' people - safe.
BUT, a large gathering of dubs in a 'Wordly' environment would only (perhaps) take just that ONE Independent thinker/weak/questioning individual, and without any Organisation Control, the real TRUTH could spread like a virus through a large percentage of the Congregation.
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blondie
FHN: Remember this
Unwritten rules and written rules
The WTS speaks out of both sides of their mouth
They are a cult.
Blondie
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FlyingHighNow
They are a cult.
Exactly. And it's completely unecessary for them to have such high control. They could still have millions upon millions of dedicated followers, even if they let people follow their own consciences.