Lack of gatherings means the congregation only exists in the Kingdom Hall

by truthseeker 28 Replies latest jw friends

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  SirNose586

  During the summer, you could always count on a few bonfires going on. When things get cold, socallians don't want to do anything outside. Beyond the occasional invitation of a family to dinner (in which I suggested we invite this one poorer family over, and got shot down), things have been very quiet. The BoE has been quite diligent in demoting the young brothers and harassing the young sisters, so everyone is afraid to have parties because they know they will get asked about it later.

  There used to be a young people's WT study, but that got shot down too.

  There's less and less to look forward to. Whatever gatherings are left tend to be lame.
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  LongHairGal

  I am in total agreement with the posts here on this topic. Not only does the congregation only exist in the Hall, it only exists in the minds of certain people. This is hardly a brotherhood and I can't stand the term "brother" or "sister". I despise the pretense and will not go along with this. I noticed over the years how there were fewer and fewer gatherings I was invited to (and this was when I was active). Looking for "love" and "friendship" was like being in the desert and looking for water. You had to dig. Sadly, their system just does not work, even if you are playing by the rules.

  As far as the field service arrangements, this was a joke also because many people had pre-arrangements. Of course, this was so that they could be around their friends. So, people like me were left on the fringes to work with odd sorts and have a very stressful time. It got to the point where I figured I might as well work by myself. Maybe all of this is a good thing because it will help this awful religion self-destruct, which it deserves to do - sooner rather than later.

  LHG
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  Wasanelder Once

  Drew, I swear you are quoting me. It is just like HS. I remember that as a youth I wasn't allowed to associate in after school events, so I'd go home and not hang out with classmates, I didn't have them over and never went to their houses. There was all the petty gossip and popularity contests going on. This was just like the congregation for me. It was a lonely place. Being a pioneer assuaged that lonliness because I was so busy it was hard to notice it at times. In time it became clear that there were those who spent time together and then there were those who were allowed to languish in solitude, except for those precious minutes before and after the bludgeoning called meetings.

  W.Once
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  avidbiblereader

  The idea of the congregation as the witness describe it, is like a budget, it all looks good on paper.

  abr
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  blondie

  I found there were still JWs that got together but the "weak" were not included and cliques prevailed. Elders and wives only with other elders and wives; married couples with married couples; families with families. Single people tended to have a hard time because there would surely be the danger of "fornication" right? WT pre-studies when known are forbidden. A mistake younger witnesses make is not including older witnesses. Elderly JWs are left out of the social occasions as well. Add to that that many JWs hesitate to "host" anything and be held responsible for any "wrongdoing" before, durin and after the occasion.

  I was surprised how many parties elders had once my husband was an elder and worthy of inviting.

  Blondie
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  avidbiblereader

  Well put Blondie and yet Jesus said to invite the poor, blind, lame, sick and those that cannot repay you. James counceled against showing favortism to the rich as these are the ones who persecute you in court. So many things like this that have stumbled so many.

  abr
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  XBEHERE

  Since I have started to remove myself socially from the in crowd I do understand exactly what you are saying. I think for may JWs its always like this. If are not now, nor ever were on the "A" list in the cong. then the cong. was only 3 days a week for you.
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  TheListener

  It's a double edged sword for the WTS.

  If they encourage get togethers the likelihood of individuals doing inappropriate stuff grows AND people talk and share their feelings more openly with those they are close to - more frequent and church organized get togethers draw people together.

  This is definitely an individual congregation thing. Some are loving and active and others are cold and almost anti-social.

  You have to be the right person at the right KH in order to have a full social life.

  BUT,

  Even for those that do have full social lives none of it is organized and sanctioned by the WTS. There are no open houses (after dedication) of KH or official goody nights at bookstudy or sunday school or men's club or mother's club or anything. Why don't KH's have small playgrounds for the children - then they would have adults and children associating with each other and building each other up.

  BECAUSE

  When dubs get together too much and become too comfortable they may start to wake up. The more sanctioned gatherings there are that aren't completely controlled the greater chance that non-conformist thoughts would hit the group.
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  JamieL

  When I was growing up we used to associate all the time, we had gatherings, good friends that were our age, we would go to the library in the summers and stop by dunkin doonougts and get some good donought holes. Good times.

  It definitely is different now, I think this has come down from high up in the org to look down on this cause too many are having gatherings as teenages, or even adults where "stuff" tends to happen.

  I personally think that is retarded and there should be plenty of association, play cards, see movies, have a beer, have some fun. You know it is possible to do this stuff without getting into trouble. Oh well, maybe that's just me.