The Second Emergent Type of "Faders"

by metatron 30 Replies latest jw friends

  • metatron
    metatron

    I was having an interesting conversation with another Witness who's nearly faded away. He made an interesting point that corrected me and

    touched my heart.

    I wondered aloud if there was "any limit to how stupid the organization could collectively become". After all, in recent years, learned debates

    about Watchtower doctrines have largely subsided. Even the Watchtower seems both dumbed down - and managed by men who keep

    themselves dumbed down, in obsequious compliance with the ever mythical "Faithful Slave".

    He replied that what was emerging is that more and more Witnesses cannot escape the thought that the organization simply doesn't work

    and that something is seriously wrong with it. They see the sterile meetings, the defect laden elder arrangement and - probably

    most important - Witness families falling apart and conclude that it is ineffective. Often these people will end up doubting the

    Societies' threadbare doctrines simply because it fits into a general pattern of congregational failure. Lack of love can evaporate

    "the truth" in a way that no debate can.

    I respect his reply. If he's right, none of these "Armageddon is Soon" or "False religion's End Is Near" scams are going to turn the tide of

    Witness disaffiliation. They're getting tired of excuses and are closing their wallets in response. They have been "sold" a Brotherhood

    and been left with a Spiritual Amway distributorship. It might be an increasingly powerful point to defeat Witnesses with - namely,

    why argue about doctrines when so many of them are "sighing and groaning" (!!) over the ineffectiveness of their own congregations?

    metatron

  • exwitless
    exwitless

    Metatron - "Spiritual Amway". That's hilarious!!!!

  • under_believer
    under_believer

    Good observations, metatron. I believe that the Governing Body realizes the same things (though it's taken them too long to do so) and are desperately trying to claw their way back up to being prominent. That's what 2006 has been all about--lighting a fire. I think it's probably too little, too late, but time will tell.

  • sir82
    sir82

    If observations in my little corner of the JW world are any indication, this seems to be correct.

    Yesterday was the opening of the "False Religion's End is Near" campaign. In years past, people would be anxiously jumping at the chance to engage in these "special" campaigns. Taking off work, staying out all day, etc.

    In our congregation, I heard there was 1 car group. In a neighboring congregation, there were 2 car groups. The sisters were out all morning, and left maybe 6 tracts (all other houses were not-at-homes).

    It just seemed like a big let-down after all the hype of the past month.

    The powers that be have no clue how to fix the malaise that permeates the congregations, so they just keep doing the same things they've done in the past....then write articles criticizing the flock for lack of enthusiasm.

  • Doubting Bro
    Doubting Bro

    I tend to agree as well. There isn't one witness that doesn't know of some horror story involving someone in the congregation either 1) engaging in outrageous behavior (see the thread on the drunk driving elder that killed someone) and/or 2) has been treated in the most unChristian manner possible by someone in the congregation (many times the elders or pioneers - the ones who are held up as examples to the flock).

    I've even personally experienced this lack of love (probably for the first time in my life). It's disappointing even though I really don't believe anymore. I still have higher expectations for "true believers".

    Apathy reigns. Many folks I've observed are simply going through the motions. It's pretty interesting to observe. Probably explains the depression problems within the org and general lack of happiness. Isn't LOVE the identifying mark of true worship? So, if you notice a lack of it, what does that mean?

  • serendipity
    serendipity

    Sir wrote: then write articles criticizing the flock for lack of enthusiasm... and also demanding that the flock trust and obey the GB without hesitation.

  • under_believer
    under_believer

    sir82, one thing that makes this campaign "extraspecial" is that they are leaving the tracts at not-at-homes after a certain date. Need to make sure Jehovah's message of judgement gets out there. To 1/6th of the US population at best. 1/20th of the world population at best.

  • Inquisitor
    Inquisitor

    While this trend may be noticeable in Western countries, I'd hardly wager that you could see a similar dying down of zeal in the third world and the developing nations. Religious zeal, whether mainstream Christianity or JWs, are going as strong as ever in these latter countries I suspect.

    INQ

  • sir82
    sir82
    To 1/6th of the US population at best. 1/20th of the world population at best.

    Shhh!

    You might awaken a sleeping brain cell or 2, and make some unsuspecting JW realize how unspecial this work really is.

  • Finally-Free
    Finally-Free
    They have been "sold" a Brotherhood and been left with a Spiritual Amway distributorship.

    Actually, I bought a few Amway products from someone back in the 1980's, and unlike anything the Watchtower has to offer, the Amway products were actually useful. You are giving the Watchtower undeserved praise by comparing them to Amway.

    W

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