DF'ing and DA'ing procedural change in the horizon (page 22)

Mulan

does anyone know when this goes into effect?

I agree with Besty. One of my last elders' meetings featured a brilliant comment from one of the other elders. When I put it to him - and the rest of the 'body' - that there was nothing in the Bible (as had already been explained by one of the elders who was assigned to 'look into' the matter we were deliberating on (back then my Bible knowledge was negligible. I quite simply didn't make time to, nor did I enjoy, reading the Bible)) to allow us to take any action in this particular matter, he replied "it's about principles. If it was about rules we'd have whole volumes of rules we'd need to look at."

We were sitting in the kingdom hall library...right in front of the bookcase...which was full of....volumes of Watchtower magazines and publications...which were full of...rules.

Another example. When my mother-in-law was deciding whether or not she could be in the same room as her daughter - my wife - when she - my wife - was visiting her father (not a JW), she told us that she'd checked the magazines to see if it would be ok*.

I think that nicely, and rather tragically, sums up the JW-experience; before you can even be in the same room as your own flesh and blood you need to check what a magazine written and published by men in America who freely admit they are not under inspiration from God has to say on the matter.

Is it unsurprising that I am absolutely convinced the suggestions put forward in the OP will at some point become 'theocratic law' and that there won't be a rebellion by the R&F. Rather the R&F will meekly submit themselves to whatever the GB deigns to print in the Watchtower magazine.

*She decided it would be ok.

leavingwt

On the subject of rules...

It's all about fear. Fear that you might do something that is contrary to some obscure rule in some article, somewhere, no matter how old it might be. Conveniently, new converts are not given a rule book, as one does not exist as such. (The list of serious offenses in the Flock book is not up-to-date, and it is not exhaustive.)

Moreover, the most important rule, an unwritten one, can never be shared with a newly interested person or a baptismal candidate:

"You must remain strictly obedient to the Faithful & Discreet Slave, even if prove to yourself that this is not God's organization."

besty

Cognitive dissonance theory explains that when people are involved with a group holding unanimous ideas, they will often experience cognitive dissonance if their ideas do not align with the group's. The larger the group, the more pressure to conform. To reduce dissonance in a group the people can align their thinking with those of the group, influence others to change their views, or differentiate themselves from the group (Festinger, 1957:182).
For the JW's, group pressure to conform their beliefs and behaviour with WT ideology and standards is great. Most will not argue with the group, but rather avoid cognitive dissonance by just agreeing with the 'party line'. For the recruit, less dissonance results if they just believe whatever the group teaches. The WT endeavours to make its group seem large and authoritative and seeks to show the appearance of like-mindedness within all members. The perceived size of the group, made apparent by fellowshipping only with JW's, reading only JW literature and attending major conventions with thousands of Witnesses, makes it more likely that group opinion will over-ride dissonance creating thoughts.

http://www.freeminds.org/psych/beel.htm

I'm not sure how it can be any clearer - cults do not need to hope that the members will agree with changes in doctrine or procedure - its a foregone conclusion that they will conform. The scriptural basis no matter how convoluted or non-existent is merely window dressing.

Months before I was DF'd I asked my Mum if she would keep in touch now that we were no longer attending meetings. Her reply: " I'll know what I have to do when your congregation makes an announcement."

Any natural affection she has for me is superceded by loyalty to Borg orders.

BurnTheShips

Her reply: " I'll know what I have to do when your congregation makes an announcement."
Any natural affection she has for me is superceded by loyalty to Borg orders.

A mother's love superseded. Is such a thing possible? How chilling.

BTS

passwordprotected

Sign of the times....no natural affection?

leavingwt

It's all fear-driven.

Does Besty's mother love him? Of course. Does she love him more than Jehovah? No.

She would rather survive Armageddon and see the Paradise. In that New Order, she will have no memory of her evil, Apostate son. Jehovah will erase all bad memories, as the "former things will not be called to mind". She may even be blessed with another son, as faithful Job was.

It's all quite sickening.

Jeremy C

Regardless of how anyone feels about this rumor or the premise of this thread, we can agree that the GB is going to continue to tighten the screws and crack the whip within their ranks. Faders like those who chat on this forum are not going to be allowed to associate with active JWs forever. Sooner or later, there is going to be some "instructions" from mother that are going to be hard for many to swallow.

Does anyone still believe the Watchtower's silly explanation as to why they instituted a "members only" version of the study articles? Such hard-line Watchtower study articles would not be very endearing to the public. It's like a parent who takes their child to a far off bathroom to spank the hell out of them so that no one else can hear the smacking sounds.

passwordprotected

@ jeremy c- yes! Someone else on my wavelength!

sweet pea

I agree with Jeremy - taking a more hardline stance on faders whilst appearing to 'keep their hands clean' by blaming it squarely on the slackers, fits in with all the recent WT comments about following instructions even when you don't understand/agree with the orders. Families that would have to officially treat those that left through the back door the same as those that left through the front door, would find themselves facing more pain whilst struggling with even more cognitive dissonance. For many, it will just confirm that they are in line for more blessings the more they suffer.

Stroke of genius on the part of the WT, let's hope if it's true, it backfires.

DF'ing and DA'ing procedural change in the horizon

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