by Francophile 43 Replies latest jw experiences
Welcome to the board.
The wt message will always appeal to certain groups. The message appeals to those hopeless people as a message of last resort (i.e. you don't need to fix your problems, just wait around for a few years and the new order will fix everything). These may not be the type of people that can add value to the organization.
However, thinking people now have the tools to clearly make an informed decision. I am sure that the numbers from this group have dwindled significantly.
Typically one would give several public talks as an MS before even being assigned to speak at a neighboring congregation, let alone "give talks at a convention". You must have been one heck of a "shooting star" to go from just-appointed MS to giving talks at a convention....when, in my experience, I've never seen any MS give a talk even at a Circuit Assembly, let alone a convention...some elders wait decades to get even a Circuit Assembly part, and you bypassed all of them, straight to the top, a talk at a DC while still an MS...
I'm with you at that sir82.
However, he probably meant that he gave a part (#4 TMS) at the circuit assembly. Heck, it could even have been a #2 Bible reading at the circuit assembly. I'm sure that no MS will ever have a part at a CA or DC. That is, a part being defined as a themed talk printed on the program.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exering Vigorously)
Franc,
You'd think that would be the case, but witnesses are really brainwashed about staying away from apostates/internet.
For example, I didn't search "jehovah's witnesses" on the internet in an effort to find support for leaving until YEARS after I decided to leave and even then I nearly vomited from anxiety. No lie.
Happy
Years later I surfed the net curiously about JW's and there was such a motherlode of information!
This is where I think the internet will hurt the WTS. As has be said in this thread, there are some who are never getting out, my parents included. There are others who drift away, only to drift back in when guilt, fear, or loneliness become too much to handle. Some even stay out, riddled with guilt and fear for the rest of their lives. These second two groups are the ones I think the internet can help the most.
I spent 3 years after I faded living like that. Granted, I was enjoying myself doing all those 'worldly' things I'd missed out on growing up in the 'truth'. That didn't stop the guilt or the big A nightmares, however. Thankfully, I stumbled across a support board and dropped those feelings like the bad habit they were. I honestly don't know if I would have stayed out if I wasn't able to see the organization for what it truly is, but thank god I did.
That's my take on it. I think the internet allows those who are fading to break free of the vice-like hold the organization has on it's member's minds. It allows them to see a future we were told didn't exist.
The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and
pass, leaving memories that become legend.
Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long
forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes
again.
I have mixed thoughts on this.
I think the internet could keep people from joining if they are smart enough to do their research before they get dunked.
It could help people to make their decision to leave - but these would be the people that already have doubts.
Then there are people like my inlaws. I was helping my mother in law with some computer problems and helping her find a site on the net that had various bible translations. She told me about stumbling across E-Watchmans site. At first she read he was a brother etc and was happy to find the site - then read he was df'd. She closed the site as fast as she could, she told me she was so scared she was shaking. She immediately prayed to Jehovah for forgiveness. She asked me over and over again if I thought she'd be forgiven for looking at that site - that's how brainwashed they have her - poor woman. I told her I'm sure a loving God would certainly forgive an honest simple mistake.
So, it will have an effect, but only on a certain group of people.
BB
Franco:
I put up a video on Youtube that quotes from the 1969 Awake on education, word for word. See for yourself: "Why Go To School if you are a JW?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpLcgdX-vrM
The few questions I put in as the text is read are not unreasonable, nor hateful, yet one commentor shows the mindset of JW's:
JahsLaws (23 hours ago) "Your confidence in talking about something you know nothing about show's the staggering amount of hate you have for nice people in the world! I feel so, so sorry for you and the energy your putting forth when you can live a much more happier life without it. I'm so sorry you are so unhappy." Notice the assumption that I am unhappy. This is because I am not pro Watchtower any longer. Quoting the Awake word for word is seen as hatred for nice people. He assumes I know nothing about JW's because I don't think the way he does. This is the cultic mindset in spades. This is why the internet is so important, for every deluded person such as Jahslaws there are many who are looking and having flags go off in their minds from expose's such as these. Yes, the net is going to do some damage, but only among those who are willing to see the reality, likely they are already on their way when they spot it. W.Once
5go, can you elaborate on the WT change you are referring to? Thanks
I think the WT change he's talking about is the Watchtower being split into one Watchtower for placing with people and new studies and one Watchtower for only faithful JW's. Since assuming everyman won't have access to this magazine they'll be able to say more outlandish things without fear of it coming out on the 'net or otherwise. Kind of like the Kingdom Ministry.
Just the fact that the Watchtower is going to private issues for members only tells me they are afraid of the internet. They are trying desperately to control the information their members read and at the same time scare them away from the internet and apostates.
The two ways that the internet is the most useful is for those who are just starting to deal with the Witnesses and those who leave, but are caught in a vacuum. I know the support here has helped me to stay away and lose the fear of divine retribution that they pound into your brain.
Welcome to the board. And I too was wondering how you could give talks at a convention as a MS. I have never seen it done before. A demonstration maybe or school part? Can you pop back on and explain for us?
Does anybody really think that having a "members-only" Watchtower on the 15th of the month will keep things of the net?
Bwahh-ha-ha-ha!
BOE letters, the "Flock" book, judicial committee recordings, etc. are all uploaded & mirrored on dozens of sites....how are they going to keep their "let's shoot ourselves in the foot again again" articles off, just because it's in a "private" magazine?
