APATHY - NOT APOSTASY - IS WATCHTOWERS BIGGEST ENEMY

by steve2 6 Replies latest jw friends

  • steve2
    steve2

    From time to time, a thread appears that suggests the time is "right" for the imminent collapse of the Watchtower Society. "Evidence" is presented from a variety of electronic sources, especially the internet and the proliferation of sites twittering about significant developments in the Watchtower Society. When posters with fervent religious beliefs enter the discussion they confidently state, among other things, that "apostasy is rampant in the organization" (Research Lady). That cis eye-grabbing stuff.

    Discussions begin to reek of the dramatic apocalyptic quality that characterizes the end-times, verge-of-something-significant mentality. While this dramatic discourse certainly grabs attention, it is a vain reflection of the state of affairs in the organization.

    Fact is, most JWs, active or peripheral, don't give a tinker's cuss about the details of doctrine or past history. Unlike JWs of old, they seldom debate an issue beyond the first round. Indeed, what stands out is the very, very few who bother to join in the discussions, at the door or otherwise. The Watchtower Society well knows that the biggest threat to the organization is not Apostasy, but the other 'A' word, Apathy - espeically among those raised in the religion.

    Speculating about the future of the Watchtower Society is an absorbing pasttime, and often has more to do with religiously-driven wishful thinking of posters. A closer look in the organization itself - for those of us who are "lucky" enough to still have a number of firsthand contacts - is that motivation even to do the basics such as attend meetings, and, heaven forbid, read the Bible, is low. JWs are not flocking to internet sites to see what the latest scandal is. No, they're numbing out somewhere else, bored by the long, long wait for the end that never arrives, and feeling way more apathetic than interested in examining doctrine or dates.

  • wobble
    wobble

    I think the average Dub is far more interested in local gossip than anything to do with religion. A lot of them go sporadically to meetings just to catch up on the goss. and there is ALWAYS something !

    It is just a social club to most.

    Love

    Wobble

  • Doubting Bro
    Doubting Bro

    Steve2 - I completely agree with your take. And, I think the WT leadership is also well aware of the apathy within the organziation. All their effort to date has been focued on recruiting new members with very little effort placed on retaining current members. When baptisms were rolling, it didn't matter that 40-50k were leaving out of the back door. Now, baptisms are slowing down, kids fading or getting df'ed at a young age never to return.They really are at a loss as to what to do.

    They need to do something to combat the apathy. It almost seems like there's one school of thought that the load should lighten (reducing meeting days and time) and at the same time, there's a school of thought that the rank & file should be cracked down on (the prohibition of college).

    I think they're only chance of any long term meaningful growth is to either:

    1) have a charismatic leader emerge and pick a new end date - not likely given the current crop of DO/CO/Bethel heavies. They lack the creativity of Franz or forcefulness of Rutherford. And, if they pick a new end date and go past it, they will be toast this time. It's a very risky proposition.

    2) make changes that appeal to the younger generation - churches around here offer different classes that appeal to different demographics- men study groups, divorcee study groups, youth groups. These types of groups help build community and probably help the church appeal to new comers. They also help retain current members. The churches also have some sort of community outreach programs where they provide charity to ones in need. Again, this is helpful in engaging and retaining current members by giving them something fulfilling to be involved with. Certainly, service isn't very fulfilling to either the publisher or the householder.

    Thus far, leadership has shown itself inempt in dealing with its current internal issues. An apathic membership means lower contributions and less control. I will say that apathy is an issue that is faced by many religious organizations today. I think religion will always be around, its just that those who will grow and be successful are those that will figure out what their membership wants out of a religion and deliver it.

  • sir82
    sir82
    They need to do something to combat the apathy. It almost seems like there's one school of thought that the load should lighten (reducing meeting days and time) and at the same time, there's a school of thought that the rank & file should be cracked down on (the prohibition of college).

    I've noticed this paradox too. It is evident in other areas as well (Treatment of DF'ed relatives is being re-emphasized, but the blood ban is virtually rescinded due to "any minor fractions are acceptable"...unquestioning allegiance to all the GB's dictates is commanded in every 3rd or so "study Watchtower", but the pagan origins of things like pinatas and wedding rings is poo-poo'ed...)

    I'm wondering if stuff like this is the result of some sort of compromise between the conservative-leaning service department and the liberal-leaning writing department. It certainly defies reason to think that it is part of some grand unified scheme or business plan.

  • BonaFide
    BonaFide

    I feel that a collapse is possible, even probable, but I don't see how that is religiously driven, in my case.

    The reason is that I am seeing so many news stories and scandals now become worldwide, even in a matter of hours. Even more so than a few months ago. And people, including Jehovah's Witnesses are becoming more cynical.

    What about after our District Conventions, when apparently there will be a lot of talks saying to follow the Faithful Slave no matter what?

    It could be that as I have gone on here and learned so much in the past year or so I am more cynical, and the WT teachings are so obviously wrong.

    But I think really that as people, including Witnesses, become more cynical, then when they come into the convention, they may start to say, "Hey, is this right?"

    What about all those dismissed Bethelites? And if the C.O. arrangement changes? Disgruntled people starting just to get "curious" on the Internet? Once a few thousand start to leave, the floodgates will open.

    IMO

    BF

  • Quandry
    Quandry

    Steve, I too feel that you are right. I know when I was active, I definetely would NOT have looked at anti-JW web sites, and if anyone said anything that sounded "strange" I would avoid them, just to be safe, as I did not feel that they would enhance my spirituality....

    However, if I had been "in" at the time the book studies were done away with, I would have been highly upset. This will backfire on them, I believe, as this reduces the interraction between people in a comfortable setting. It will make book study goody night obsolete, as well as the intimate setting in which you could get to know others. People usually aren't inclined to just ask new ones over when they don't know them, and will now have less opportunity.

    So yes, I feel that little by little, members will drift away, because of less friendship and fellowship, and more sterile meetings at the KHall.

    Also, yes, the education thing has got to definetely upset quite a few.

    Eventually, only the diehards will remain......but there will be lots fewer of them.

  • steve2
    steve2

    Doubting Bro & Sir 82 - Yes the tension between maintaining a conservative stance and liberalising aspects exists. The lack of suitable programmes for younger witnesses has been evident for decades - but nothing's been done. Meanwhile, young ones keep leaving...out of apathy. Of interest to me is the number of people who leave who continue to believe - at some level - that the organization "is" the "Truth". I'd say a lot of ex-JWS never break away completely from the mindset, even though they may be living lives that are miles removed from the JW lifestyle. It is the exceptional ex-JW who says, "It's not the "truth".

    Bonafide - good comments about the type of administrative and organizational disruptions/changes that have occurred in recent years. I agree that being disgruntled is an understandable response to many of these disruptions, but I'm not convinced that the disgruntlement has led to an increased motivation to look further into the "special" claims of the organization. I don't mean to be judgmental, but I have found that ex-JWs in general remain critical of "local" aspects of the organization, and never bother to ask themselves, Is the organization itself causing these kinds of local frictions?

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