The "swagger" of the Organization is gone - or is it my imagination?

by BonaFide 73 Replies latest jw friends

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  BonaFide

  I am in my early forties. Grew up in the truth. I remember talks at the assemblies by the Governing Body in the 80's. The audience loved the talks, we would applaud every experience, sing loudly, everyone would stay for a long time after.

  In the Kingdom Hall, attendance for the C.O. visit was huge. He would invite those who couldnt go in service just to show up for the meeting for service, and some did. Loud singing, huge groups for service, extended applause for his talks.

  When I went to Bethel, things were really humming. More Bethelites being invited, new big projects like the 90 Sands, and later Patterson. It just seemed so much more EXCITING.

  When a visiting Bethelite came to town, or a missionary, the Kingdom Hall was packed full. I gave slides a few times as a missionary when I came back to the States. Attendance was 250+.

  Everyone talked about Gilead Graduations and trips to Bethel and the U.N. declaring Peace, and half the Hall would pioneer the month of the C.O. visit.

  I could go on but I know you get it.

  AND NOW?

  Seems to me the "Swagger" is gone. We still have the talks and the C.O. visit and Bethel. But as they make more and more changes, and even though everyone is outwardly supportive, it seems like the general spirit is way down.

  Even during the C.O. visit, the attendance is not way up there. There are pioneers, but not as many. No one seems to discuss experiences or good points. Singing and applause are way down too.

  The younger ones are no longer applying for Bethel, well, very few are.

  The meetings and service are almost drudgery for so many. It is nothing like when I was a teenager.

  Is this my imagination? What do you see, those of you around the world who still go to meetings? Is the spirit the same? The general attitude?

  BF
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  boyzone

  I agree Bonafide. Even though its 2 years since I went to a meeting, this attitude was very evident even then. Its probably worse now. To be honest, I wasn't the only one that noticed this. Brothers and sisters used to comment about how tired everyone was or how much sickness there was in the congregation. Everyone seemed to be dealing with huge personal problems that they got very little help for. In fact most were feeling guilty because they couldn't keep up with the theocratic programme because of these problems.

  They were spiritually and emotionally tired and it showed. So when the CO visit came round, or the convention, rather than this being a "refreshing provision form Jehovah" it was just another juggling act to be accomodated or another expense to be endured.

  Sounds to me as if nothings changed in the last 2 years.
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  BonaFide

  Boyzone, I agree. To those not Witnesses, JW's are positive and happy. But in those car groups and in conversations, even the C.O. visit is a drag.

  I went to a friends C.O. visit awhile back. It was pretty sad, the friends barely commented during his talk, he couldnt get everyone going. Then after the meeting he went around meeting everyone, it was weird. Years ago, there was a line of people to meet the C.O. Not anymore.

  BF
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  allelsefails

  Definitely true! Even the GB is backing off a little bit. More articles that allow for more personal choice. A few examples: There are no articles about private matters between married couples for many years. More statements like "no need to be dogmatic" LOL. They are trying to hold onto their power without pushing everyone away. It is a funny balancing act to watch. If you look at most of the really crazy and controversial quotes they are over 10 yrs old, but the bOrg has not actually changed those teachings - they just don't repeat them. According R.Franz this is what they do to teachings on their way out ..... we'll see. I would love to hear "we don't know" from the GB. There are so many good R&F JWs that could be helped if "control" part of JWs was relaxed. Thanks for your posts. Very thought-provoking. Wait isn't thinking apostate?
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  wobble

  I agree Bonafide,it seemed to me for some year before I left that there was a diminishing emotional invovement,people were just marking time,until they were saved by the end of the System. The meetings got progressively more boring too,not just to me.

  A couple of my relatives who wrote to me independantly when I left,spoke of how hard it was to be in Da Troof, I didn't find it that hard,but they are!

  I think too that many are aware vaguely that the whole thing is crumbling,from doctrinal certainties to the Org. itself,but they don't know quite what is going on. "The Thrill is Gone" as the old blues song says.

  Love

  Wobble
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  WTWizard

  It is the direct result of making things less imaginative. Before, you used to have occasional gatherings for fun--that's gone. Before, you used to have the excitement of a new release that was substantially different from ones already gathering dust in your living room--that's gone. You used to have comments at the boasting sessions that tied personal integrations with the lesson--that's gone. Now, all there is is the admonition that you have to stick closely to the lesson, do more in field circus, and use the words of the lesson to place the same littera-trash that is gathering dust in your bookcase.

  The result is predictable. People are sick of the same old Kingdumb Maladies. People are sick of the same story line about man's fall from paradise and "soon" (=the past 130 years) deliverance, and the nearly-140 year old "emergency". Thus, people are less moved to go out in field circus and waste their time doing it all the time, go to the same old boasting sessions, and sing the same sxxx all the time. Besides, all the talent and excitement has moved onto this forum.
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  BonaFide

  That's funny WTWizard, "all the talent has moved onto this forum."

  BF
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  The Berean

  The full impact of taking away the book study from individual homes has not yet been realized by the "faithful." When Russell started the religion, there were no KHs, the friends just took turns hosting Bible studies. That part of the arrangement, that I believed was genuine, is now gone. It was the one venue where I personally felt part of a family.

  Perhaps differing from most on this board, I actually feel sorry for those who have spent a lifetime pursuing what they hoped was the "truth" and are now discovering that their efforts may have been in vain.

  At the same time, the "swagger" is still present in the minds of those inside the group who refuse to see otherwise. Such dillusionary thinking is evident in many societies believing their way is the only right way. The USA lost it's swagger during the Viet Nam War and propaganda continues to flow from the government as questions arise concerning activities related to Iraq. I notice similarities there ....
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  Perry

  The organization has lost much credibility in the 1975 debacle and the generation of 1914 doctrine. Still, most JW's think less of Christians even more than they do the WT wild goose chases....but it's not as much less as it used to be.

  I believe that the time is right for educated Christians to reach out to Jehovah's Witnesses and offer the biblical teaching of Salvation through faith alone doctrine as opposed to the heretical salvation through an organization taught by the cults.
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  BurnTheShips

  offer the biblical teaching of Salvation through faith alone doctrine

  I'd love to, if it was actually biblical. Find the phrase "faith alone" in the Bible, it only appears once.

  BTS