I have spoken to a number of JWs since the annoucement was made about the private book study group being eliminated from Jan 2009.
The Governing Body were fully aware that writing "Satan is angrier than ever" as the opening sentence of the letter, Jehovah's Witnesses would put 2 and 2 together and make 5.
They were counting on this. Between them they have hundreds of years of human experience to know how to manipulate human behavior.
It was the ultimate in pyshcological sleight-of-hand.
What is sleight-of-hand?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleight_of_hand
Sleight of hand, also known as 'prestidigitation' ("quick fingers") or léger de main (from the French for "lightness of hand"), is the set of techniques used by a magician (or card sharp) to manipulate objects such as cards and coins secretly. [
Sleight means dexterity or deceptiveness
A well-performed sleight looks like an ordinary, natural and completely innocent gesture, change in hand position or body posture.
In addition to manual dexterity, sleight of hand depends on the use of psychology, misdirection, and natural choreography in accomplishing a magical effect.
Misdirection is perhaps the most important component of the art of sleight of hand.
The magician choreographs his actions so that even the critical and observant spectators are likely to look where the magician wants them to. (More importantly, they do not look where they should not.) Two types of misdirection are time and movement. Time is simple; by allowing a small amount of time to pass after an action, events are skewed in the viewer's mind. Movement is a little more complicated. A phrase often used is "A larger action covers a smaller action." But care must be used to not make the larger action so big that it becomes suspicious.
The Society practice psychological sleight-of-hand -
The announcement appeared to be a "natural, ordinary and completely innocent change" in "meetings" - high gas prices make it difficult to attend.
The Governing Body "choreograph their actions so that even the critical and observant Jehovah's Witnesses are likely to look where the Governing Body wants them to. [Satan is angrier than ever, high gas prices] (More importantly, Jehovah's Witnesses do not look where they should not.)"
Two types of misdirection are time and movement. Time is simple; by allowing a small amount of time to pass after an action [Generation change], events are skewed in the minds of Jehovah's Witnesses."
The book study announcement came a week after the teaching of the Generation changed.
The elimination of the book study in private homes, abolition of congregation bookstudy overseers has nothing to do with gas prices. I do not know the real reason why but several have suggested a lack of qualified brothers to take the lead.
Still think the Governing Body are sincere, spiritual learned men who desire to worship Jehovah?