“Continue Following Me” – John 21:19
Much of the program was similar to the previous two days. The fact that Jesus has appeared in almost every talk title suggests that the Society is once again morphing its tactics to persuade more persons that they aren’t an old Testament cult but an alternative Christian denomination.
I repeat my previous assertion that there is a manipulative intelligence at work here. No ordinary person could possible have such foresight and such knowledge of human behavior to think and write the things these Watchtower writers do. These persons can look back at over a century of Watchtower teachings, the reactions to teachings and what motivates human behavior and adapt their organization as needed.
Focusing the entire Friday program on Jesus’ life and ministry and at the end introducing the teaching of the faithful and discreet slave was the product of an ingenious mind. The Society have behavioral control and modification down to an art.
The first talk on Sunday Do Not “Beg Off” From Following the Christ is explicitly for young persons and is based on Jesus’ illustration of the master that invites many people to dinner and each one begs off from going giving excuses such as “I married a wife and cannot go” or “I bought some cattle and must see to them” etc.
Speakers comments are below:
Speaker gives illustration of how over the years, a cup of coffee used to be 50 cents and now it is a $1, but, the thing that bothers him is the coffee cup has shrunk from 20 oz to 16 oz. The purpose of this illustration?
Are we short changing Jehovah by giving him less?
Young ones – if you’re sitting on the sidelines you’re missing out. Are you on the sidelines or in the game?
If you stay on the sidelines, you’ll find the ministry boring.
Being in the truth can be incredible exciting!
I guarantee your life will be more exciting if you play the game – team up with a pioneer, comment at the Watchtower. The truth is as exciting as you’ll make it. Get in the game!
What are our priorities? Education, career, recreation?
What about our zeal?
Speaker interviews two sisters, one of whom uses the phrase “joyful overflow” when describing how she felt about her pioneering activities.
Another sister felt that life was passing her by as she watched pioneers experience the joy of the ministry that she did not feel.
Can you pioneer? Are you doing the best for Jehovah?
This is the greatest organization in the world!
This sounds like a desperate attempt to emotionally appeal to “young ones” by trying to make the truth sound exciting. To be honest, five repetitive meetings a week, prewritten “What to say about the magazines”, encouragement to do research in Watchtower literature that already is the product of research and long boring assemblies with no organized social life is hardly going to appeal to someone who has an aptitude for learning and a desire to better their standard of living.
The symposium at 10:10 “Precious Gems From The Sermon on the Mount” was uneventful. No interesting info here.
11:20 Who Are The Real Followers of Christ?
A feeble attempt to make it seem that only Jehovah’s Witnesses follow the Christ. Jehovah’s Witnesses are neutral, do not go beyond the things written and actively proclaim Kingdom Good News – right – and there goes a flying pig.
Speaker uses illustration of an apple and an orange tree and says how would we know which was which if neither tree had fruit. Compares to Jesus’ parable of the tree producing fine fruit and the other being burnt down for being unproductive.
There are 37,000 denominations of Christendom (which number do the dubs occupy?)
Can your choice of religion affect you? (Yes)
And a classic – Do not let fear stop you from examining the true religion!
Intermission and lunch
Many attendants made absolute fools of themselves by holding up signs saying “Quiet Please” and “Move Along” – talk about behavior modification.
1:45 DRAMA – Clothe Yourselves With Lowliness of Mind
The Society loves Old Testament dramas because of the life/death situations many of the Bible characters find themselves in and also because of the dramatic content.
This drama is no different and focuses on greedy Gehazi, Elisha’s attendant. The drama invented much of the dialogue between Gehazi and Elisha and Naaman. The moral of the drama? Do not let pride and ambition get in the way of serving Jehovah.
3:15 Keep Following Christ Our Invincible Leader!
Another talk with numerous examples of how Jehovah works the legal system. Many lands which had formerly banned the dubs are now opening their doors, or are at least criticizing those governments which did ban them.
Example – European Court of Human Rights found Georgia guilty of restricting freedom of religion
Many of you here are wondering what’s happening with the French tax case. This was mentioned and the speaker said France wants a back tax of $50,000,000 which the Society consider unfair. The Society exhausted all attempts to persuade the French government to consider otherwise and are now going to the European Court of Human Rights. A decision is expected this year – so stay tuned.
The only new release this year was the book “Come, Be My Follower!” Another 192 page book with nothing new in it.
This year’s convention, for the most part, was uneventful.