by WTWizard 18 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
I will believe it when and if they actually change their public name (to escape the negative context of it), completely let go of "time of the end prophecy", and back down from the blood transfusion thing.
The rest of it, while supremely illogical, would then be no more silly like other semi-protestant American denominations.
Their only chance is to make it easier for Worldly people to join up. That is, they will make it less burdensome for newcomers to the organization.
I disagree. I really do not believe they are after 'new' members per se. Many of the changes reflect a desire to make it easier for those in the leadership roles (mainly Elders) and will have only a marginal effect on the average publisher.
They have tamed down their message in some respects, but I would argue that this is more related to Watchtowers desire of portraying a particular image of itself. While it may seem like that the image the Watchtower is trying to project itself as is 'mainstream' I think it comes more from a desire simply to be non confrontational. Their members are weak on defending their faith theologically and so what would be the point in putting such members into controversy.
The leaders have known for decades that the door to door work isn't very effective but they continue to use it. They are not as focused on 'getting the message' out as many would think.
I will believe it when and if they actually change their public name
I have heard recently that there is actually talk of a name change.
This is just a synopsis of what I think they could do should they decide the flock is leaving in droves and they are about
to lose everything they have worked for during the past century.
Do you think I'm off by a mile?
I think the guy who monitors this site at Bethel just copied and sent this post upstairs to the Board.
Jeff
"Many of the changes reflect a desire to make it easier for those in the leadership roles ."
I agree with that, but making it easier for current elders will not make it easier for more to join. The elder ranks are dwindling and not just because current elders are overwhelmed with responsibility. They are aging, tired, and in some cases dying. They are not being replaced by younger servants and elders. This is evident in many places and I think the problem is going to get worse. It's been observed by "secular" sources and the Society itself that young people are not sticking around. They are hitting the 18-21 stage and discovering that the Society is full of crap. This is the main reason they don't want kids in college. That tactic is not going to work this time around, though. There is not going to be another entire generation of JWs that are crippled because of not going to college. I don't have a crystal ball to help me make that prediction; people are just smarter than they used to be when it comes to this sort of thing.
That is why I put the time limit at about 15-20 years. That is when it will be very clear that there are just not enough elders anymore. If they do not go on a mission to quickly gain new members that can lead the congregations, there will be a problem. Believe me now or believe me later.
er
I agree with that, but making it easier for current elders will not make it easier for more to join. The elder ranks are dwindling and not just because current elders are overwhelmed with responsibility. They are aging, tired, and in some cases dying. They are not being replaced by younger servants and elders. This is evident in many places and I think the problem is going to get worse. It's been observed by "secular" sources and the Society itself that young people are not stickingaround. They are hitting the 18-21 stage and discovering that the Society is full of crap. This is the main reason they don't want kids in college. That tactic is not going to work this time around, though. There is not going to be another entire generation of JWs that are crippled because of not going to college. I don't have a crystal ball to help me make that prediction; people are just smarter than they used to be when it comes to this sort of thing.
That is why I put the time limit at about 15-20 years. That is when it will be very clear that there are just not enough elders anymore. If they do not go on a mission to quickly gain new members that can lead the congregations, there will be a problem. Believe me now or believe me later.
Eastreader1970.....That's why I think using "this great army of sisters" could benefit the congregations. They could take so much of the burden off.
That's also why I think Youth and Children's Programs would be beneficial. #1 - The sisters could get more involved and; #2 - The programs could be
designed to help the young ones see the benefits of remaining in the organization. There, of course, would have to be fun activities for them to participate
in, but it would keep them involved and connected to the congregation and by default the organization. I think a Choir that sings along or leads the congregation's
singing would be fun and bring some color to the congregation's otherwise dull format.
I think the guy who monitors this site at Bethel just copied and sent this post upstairs to the Board.
Oops!
I agree with everything you've said. If anything, it all seems really schizophrenic to me right now. The boys at the top are led by the ultimate control-freak Ted Jaracz and they still harp on the same stupid control-freak ticky tack things as much as ever, yet at the same time on the congregation level they're (perhaps unwittingly) making it easier than ever for JW's to sin with impunity, esp with the possible demise of the CO arrangement. I can't see how they're going to keep the guilt and pressure on with two meetings per week and no twice-yearly visit from the Society's chief enforcement agents.
"They seem... diluted"
That's a perfect way of putting it!
Just enough to retain and gain .....
The answer to making it easier for worldly people to join: The Showcase Edition of the Washtowel. That contains the soft version, often greatly watered down to appeal to the average worldly person. And then, once they are in, they get the Kool Aid version. From there, they are gradually expected to comply with the hard version. By then, of course, it is too late.
The policies are altered to make it LOOK easier for people to comply. However, they are not actually any easier. Note the book study change. So far, there is no indication that they are going to replace it with an evening of field circus and start hounding those who miss it. They are doing that separately for a reason--to make it appear that nothing of the sort is going to happen, and then bring it on out of the context of the original letter.
Another thing I noticed was the ban on entertainment passed in the 2006 Grand Boasting Session resolution posted at www.jehovahs-witness.com/10/115757/1.ashx . And now, with the "valueless things" washtowel study coming up this June 1, they are going to begin implementing that. Notably, it is worded so the average witless is not going to be able to see it coming and many apostates did not believe it either! And now, it is beginning to take effect (Blondie will have more information when that study article is posted). Keeping things vague and disjointed like that prevents people from seeing that the organization is never going mainstream--all the while, they make changes to look like they might and to sucker worldly people in.
