by minimus 40 Replies latest jw friends
I mentioned this in another thread on this topic: When's the last time you remember the WTS actually citing current events in the outside world -- i.e., gas prices -- as an impetus for changing anything?
Far as I can recall, the only action they've ever taken with current events in mind is to cite them as reasons why "we're so close to the end."
Just a point.
What a relief in Norway, not having to drive a few miles, at most, to the book study in your neighboorhood. The gas price yesterday, was above 10 dollars a gallon....
I believe that the younger G/B members have finally started to listen to the masses and have started to listen to the economic pressures that the R/F are having to face. Although this is about 20 years too late I believe that the WTS will become mainstream in the next 5 years, first to be dropped will be the blood issue, followed by possibly another meeting removal, shunning will be a matter of conscience, less pressure to count hours, finally I need to have a chuckle about sisters from 3rd world places who would travel miles across crocodile infested waters etc , to get to a book study,but it was the most pointless,boring, waste of peoples time
Absolutely. That's why they will have to change something to do with field service to make it less burdensome expenses wise. Perhaps by ending the requirement to record 'not at homes', reducing pioneer hours yet again, shifting away from driving around in cars and instead setting doing more preaching on busy streets, malls, business districts, setting up street 'stands' like they do in Norway for example.
There is a sure giveaway. If, sometime this coming fall, a Kingdumb Misery "suggests" using the "newfound" time out in field circus, it will prove that they don't give a fxxx about lightening the load or about the gas prices.
I wonder what other current events might make the Society change their position on something.
ANYONE CARE TO SUGGEST WHICH CRISIS MIGHT MAKE THE SOCIETY REACT AGAIN???
Here's one fun possibility: Due to the extreme threat of terrorism (suddenly), required going from house to house is a thing of the past. Besides, Jesus said to be "cautious as serpents".....and then everyone hearing the announcement would wildly applaud and speak of this new arrangement as perfectly normal for them (the cult).
Along with that minimus they may encourage some to witness like elderly and shut-ins by writing letters, phone witnessing if you have a landline (cell phone witnessing takes too many minutes during the day) or email witnessing
LRG
The lack of gas in the first century did not prevent Christians from meeting in private homes.
Russell and his associates met in private homes despite the fact that most did not have automobiles.
Throughout the decades persons have been expected to do whatever it took to attend meetings, including walk for hours, jump over crocodiles and dodge militia groups.
The gas crisis of the 70's did not affect the meeting schedule.
In countries where gas prices have long been far higher than they've ever been in the US, the meeting arrangement was not disrupted.
Although gas prices are expected to rise to well over $4 per gallon this summer in the US, the book study will be continued for the next eight months.
Now we are expected to believe that rising gas prices are a contributing factor to the decision to eliminate a vital God-directed worship session which has been continuously held for over 100 years despite all of the above inconveniences.
Has anything, ever, in history, indicated to anyone that the value of meetings is influenced at all by the availability of gasoline??
"Full of crap" would be an understatement in this situation. I can't believe they had the gall (or just stupidity) to use that excuse.
Very well said Fadeout.
this is just another American Religion
I realized this several years ago when the donation arrangement for the literature started in the States and other wealthy countries but not in the poorer countries. In poorer countries they even had to pay for their tracts that were then placed for free in the ministry. I felt so bad that when I preached in poorer countries, I never charged the folks for the literature. The american JWs would say the literature isn't free, the householder has to pay for it. Then I would ask why, folks don't pay for it in the States. The local JWs were surprised to learn about this arrangement in the States. They would say "But we are the poor ones." Several years later the donation arrangement made it to that country.
