The urgency is not there even with the "faithfull". The double lifers have been with us for eons.
Jeff
JWs - the Next Generation
by Olin Moyles Ghost 22 Replies latest jw friends
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choosing life
I see the difference that you are talking about. I have grown kids still in and they just pick and choose what they want to apply from the borg. All generations go through teenage rebellion phases, but these ones are fundamentally different in how much control they allow the borg to have.
They are much more liberal in their choice of entertainment, dress, music, education, materialistic outlook, etc. I think they have learned to make the best of two worlds. The number one thing I do notice is the lack of being willing to sacrifice anything in their lifestyle for the borg. Yes, they go through the motions, but they live as they choose in many ways.
More power to them! They are helping to loosen the iron clasp of the society.
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sacolton
The JWs I hung out with did all the worldly things we were taught not to do. We went to the downtown Haunted Warehouse in October. We saw Rated R movies. (Oh my!) Listened to a variety of music that would not be considered "wholesome". Drank. Cussed. Looked at porn.
Now, realistically, I knew I could NEVER measure up to the expectations of the organization and I NEVER gave talks to preach to others on things they should and should not do. I'm glad I've washed my hands from all of it. Nothing worse than living your life as a hypocrite.
As for my JW friends ... they continue to do the same stuff - yet appear to be righteous and give talks in their congregation.
Basically, all JWs have a double-life.
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XJW4EVR
Are these the J-Dub version of the "Emerging Church"?
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hamilcarr
Anyway, has anyone else noticed this new generation of JWs?
I agree, even more so with the post-1985s.
Keen on dancing and modern music is a general feature of these born-ins.
Don't know anything about the history of JWs, aren't interested at all in end time prophecies (Revelation, Daniel), but like to stress the more easy-to-digest portions of the bible.
Still, they think they've the truth, one nation guided by God's spirit. Apostacy remains a deadly sin to them (more than immoral behavior (well, the flesh is weak), ...)
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Mickey mouse
Thanks for the comments, esp. those with a few more years under their belt.
I'm not sure if I need to clarify, but the "young" JWs I'm talking about are in their (our) late 20s/early 30s. Most are married, many have a kid or 2. So, these aren't just wild 'n rebellious JW teens.
Some other things I've noticed about this generation of JWs: Even though the WTS has been hammering education for the past few years, they still talk about sending their kids to college. There are quite a few DINKs (dual-income, no kids)--where the wife may have been a pioneer for several years previous. And these aren't cases where they're struggling to make ends meet. Rather, they maintain a nice standard of living (new cars, vacations, gadgets, etc.) Did I mention the vacations? When I was growing up as a JW, most of the friends were lucky to get a week at the beach. My generation seems to take a vacation every 2-3 months!Totally agree with that. Pretty much sums up my witness family.
All in all, I don't see much of a sense of urgency in this crowd. Sure, they still believe the WTS is "the truth" and they still go to the meetings and service and shun DF'd people and the like, but I don't see the same gung-ho spirit that I saw in my parents' generation. Of course, this is just one man's impression...
I think it's a result of the 1995 generation change and just a general Armageddon fatigue that sets in when you're part of a sect that's been falsely prophecying the end of the world for 130 years.
I think you're right. Subconsciously a lot of them are not buying it and it shows by their way of life.
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yknot
I think it all depends on the type of KH you grew up in.
I am born in Dec. '73 and I remember the thing that were considered taboo but by the time I was a teenager it was a societal norm.
Being born about that time caused my rift with the WTS. I remember when spirituality was being stressed in the late 70's over WTS loyalty. The Bible was the deal breaker not some pub.......but then the Bethel axe started to fall and the clampdown started to cover the carnage..........until that brief time when Bro. Barry held court when I was in my late teens and early 20's......the he died and Ted began his campaign.
Double lives are rampant among my generation that still attends the KH.....most of us would be more then happy to mainstream because the only difference between us and them (worldly) is the three core....everything else is MOC....
The clampdowns have done nothing but wear us down, the FDS became he evil slave. We are not raising our kids to have any faith or loyalty to the WTS, FDS, or GB....but many still go to keep parents.
Are these the J-Dub version of the "Emerging Church"?
Good point!
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jaguarbass
There's nothing new about the new generation of JW's.
They're hypocrytes just like the old generation.
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Greensleeves
This is deffinately different than the crowd I broke all the rules with in the mid 90's. I remember one that went back and became an MS. But it seems the people you know were really faking everything. I have little respect for people like that.
Jehovah's Witnesses that lie and act like the people you describe, are worthless fakers and only hang around because they are afraid to lose JW family or friends. They are the lowest of the low.
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yknot
Jehovah's Witnesses that lie and act like the people you describe, are worthless fakers and only hang around because they are afraid to lose JW family or friends. They are the lowest of the low.
On behalf of damn near every friend I have ever had (& to some extent myself...an inactive)......OUCH!
Everyone walks their own path......
Frankly I would love to shake every JW I know who still really believes and scream it is an effin' cult but their eyes would glaze over and it would only indoctrinate them deeper......better to play it close and validate every doubt and issue, get them questioning and wondering!
My kids love and deserve grandparents.