1995 The Year That Saw A Turning Point (page 2)

Seeker4

Interesting - what evidence that the Witnesses are starting to make a comeback?

First I've heard that. Things have been pretty flatlined for years now. There are always yearly fluctuations, but what do you see as evidence of a comeback?

S4

Warlock

The significance of the 1995 generation change didn't hit me for about 10 years. As has been brought up here, they put it in a study article, we studied the article, and that was it. No outrage, no questions, no apologies. As a matter of fact, WE, the sheep, were blamed for speculating. Yeah, right. Speculating on a time frame that THEY GAVE US.

Warlock

AK - Jeff

As we have discussed before, Wanderer, yes it was a turning point for me. At least, it was one of my 'watershed moments' in time.

I recall discussion of the article among us pioneers in the car group. No one seemed bothered by it but me. I had read a religious writer's critique of Jehovah's Witnesses a couple years earlier, in which he stated with no compunction, that Jehovah's Witnesses would have to drop the '1914 Generation' soon or be the laughingstock of the religious community. At the time, I thought he was wrong, but that he made a good point. A couple of years later the GB dropped the bomb.

Oddly, it seemed to disturb no one but me in our congregation. Like Gone4good, it was not a full turning point - no u-turn - but within the next 9 years I was out.

Another turning point for me was September 11, 2001. Not the event - but the spin that some goofy Jw's wanted to put on it. I recall one elder who was running around with a copy of the December 1, 1999 Watchtower, and pointing to a paragraph in the article entitled, " Why the Apocalypse Scare ?". The lead paragraph spoke of planes flying into buildings, as a result of Y2K computer failings.

This elder was saying that the Society had 'basically predicted this sort of thing', when the real 'predictor' of such a statement was the 'secular millenarians' who feared such events, and were being discussed by a religious writer in Time magazine, which was referenced [likely improperly, though I never read it in Time itself].

In addition to the foolish and strained efforts on the part of some, to make the events of that dreadful attack the fullfillment of WTS prophecy, and the doomsday mentality that was holding sway, it struck me as particularly ironic. This particular article was, on the surface, a ridicule of small religious apocalyptic groups, but the followup articles showed the WTS to be among them in full force. I found it amazingly duplistic, and it was part of my 'eye opening'.

Jeff

Zico

First I've heard that. Things have been pretty flatlined for years now. There are always yearly fluctuations, but what do you see as evidence of a comeback?

I can only speak for the UK, but each KM they bring out publisher figures for a certain month. Each month this Service year has been significantly higher than each corresponding month of the Service year before. (Slim did a topic on this: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/10/124995/1.ashx) Also, at my Assembly in March, a District Overseer said baptisms for this Service year were already higher than baptisms in all of last Service year, and no Conventions have even been held yet. It wasn't clear whether he meant UK or worldwide, but if UK is seeing a big increase, I would guess you'd see it in other areas.

The increase will include the many inactive coming back due to the ease of all those tract campaigns (This has been true in my Congregation at least)

None of this can really be officially confirmed till next February when the new figures are released.

AK - Jeff

I predict no significant increase - though I am sure that the tract work is calculated to get some service numbers higher. We have seen many reports here of circuit assemblies with nobody ready to swim in the baptismal pool.

They will show minimal increase - afterall even jw's have babies, and they often get involved in the religion. I suspect very few new ones are entering the gates.

Jeff

Dagney

The decade of the nineties we were all talking about the problems...

Lack of Jesus in anything
Emphasis on hours/works, not mercy as God requires
SOS at the meeting
Shunning/DF policies

etc. etc etc

The generation change we joked about, but deep down, we knew it was not funny at all.

The year 2000 brought much information to light in the media of the advances of the last 100 years. Significantly for me was learning (DUH!!!!) that life was NOT better before 1914...it was crap for all but the wealthy. Another lie I never paid attention to. I could not preach that anymore.

In the summer of 2001, after listening in via phone to a Sunday meeting, an overwhelming feeling came over me that I didn't belong with these people who were talking, and this organization did not want me either. I never went back to the meeting after that day save to hear a few friends give talks, a couple of memorials, and a couple funerals.

slimboyfat

The first 5 months of the 2006/7 service year suggest a 2% increase over last year in the UK. Not exactly dramatic by historic standards, but it's certainly a lot better than a decline.

Baptisms are also up.

The Witnesses went through a rough patch in 1995-2005 like in 1975-1981, but I think they may be making a slight recovery. Nothing like the recovery of the 1980s mind you.

Slim

Leolaia

I fully expected the "generation change" back in 1988. That was when I realized that they had to change the teaching soon. I was surprised it took them seven more years to get the deed done.

Save My Soul

When I read the issue it was like the light came on (I saw a tunnel with a bright light and a 100' Jesus)

I could not believe it. I talked to others and they were very non-chalant. I said this is a MAJOR change and I am the only one that noticed. Did they use coded ink that only I could read? This was a traumatic time in my life.

I recall when my grandfather died in 1984 (born 1906) and grandmother died in 1993 (born 1912), I began to question the generation teaching. The change came in 95' without an apology or anything. I unofficially STOPPED believing in the org. If they are spirit-directed, was the spirit wrong? I understood that all religions are man-made, the witnesses are no different. Fortunately in the churches, you have the right to disagree without getting kicked out.

Save My Soul

It is incredible that we are from all over the earth, but had the same feelings about 1995. I am sure that MANy still attending feel the same way.

Also, an evil apostate had a sign at the assembly citing a WT in 1968 about 1975. I went to the KH library and read the article. That was also a turning point for me.

Now I sincerely accept the grace doctrine as well. I do not try to EARN my salvation.

1995 The Year That Saw A Turning Point

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