I was raised as a JW. I'm 51 now and I've seen many changes over the years. In the mid 70s, when Ray Franz, Ed Dunlap (sp?) and company were researching things, there seemed to be more "heart" shown by the GB and guest Bethel speakers. Sure, they were drumming up 1975 but they seemed genuinely caring about the "friends".
Now, it seems that the Watchtower Society only accepts their own Pharisaical rules and regulations more than anything else. "Love" is something merely talked about. Doing more and never doing enough are the themes. To me, today's JW is a emotionally stunted individual. More Witnesses seem depressed than ever before! They act like Stepford families. They do things because they are programmed. All genuine joy seems lost.
Today's Jehovah's Witness has no future. College is considered (once again) dangerous. Children are being encouraged to get baptized like never before. Oldsters who never got married or had children because "Mother" told them that they shouldn't are now alone to fend for themselves. They know, they feel the lack of love. If it's a choice to have a fellow Witness assist an elderly one OR auxillary or regular pioneer, the Society will say that the preaching work is most important.
If a Witness makes an error and sins, they are subject to harsh "discipline" and they are made to pay for their faults. They are put on restrictions, can be privately or publicly reproved or simply left alone, snubbed and shunned.
I see no happy future for Witnesses today. They might now be hearing how the "end is sooooo very close now", but the reality is that I think most Witnesses "hope" to see things get better but believe that in their lifetime, not much is going to change.
Your thoughts on Witnesses??