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

by BonaFide 73 Replies latest jw friends

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  The Oracle

  Great thread everyone. Lots of good comments.

  Billy the X: I couldn't agree more.

  Restrangled: I remember the 8 dayers...but just barely. It was quite an event.

  The last few years the DC's have become the same boring 3 day thing. At lunch time, you never heard anyone talk about the morning program. Lots of talk about where to meet up for dinner afterwards though.

  As for the talent landing on this forum...I would have to agree. The quality of people that are still stuck in the matrix continues to plummet as the cream of each new generation of youngsters quicky realize what a farce the whole thing is as soon as they start exploring the internet. What amazes me is the number of "older" ones waking up and starting their fade... Kknd of brings a tear to your eye.

  The Oracle
• 

  SnakesInTheTower

  Bonafide...no, it's not your imagination.

  I have thought about this a little bit, especially about the conventions. My last convention was summer of 2007, right before I quit going to meetings completely. The last so-called "exciting" convention I went to was the summer of 2006 when I was a Delegate™ to a Special Convention™ to the Hamburg, Germany convention. It was record breaking heat. The attendees sang more songs in their languages after the final prayer each day, and after the final prayer of the convention there were banners of greetings in different languages.

  I sat in the Tamil section and watched ogled the many beautiful (and not so beautiful) sisters from India, Sri Lanka and Tamil congregations in their sarees... showing their bare tanned bellies with pierced belly buttons and dainty piercings in their noses... hell, I might go back to the meetings if they allowed that here...LOL... {no, I wouldn't}.

  And, yet, even that excitement was tempered by the Pharisaical bus captain who was mad that many in our group did not come back to the bus at the designated time. We were told 4pm. (We did not "follow direction") The session did not end until 4:30pm. As an assistant bus captain, many came to me during lunch asking what to do...I told them the GB always told us never leave sessions early..it was up to them, they were adults and they wouldn't be left behind. So half the group came at 4...the rest 45 minutes or more after the session ended. Pharisee Bus Captain was mad at me...next day, the GB announced no one need leave the stadium until a minimum 45 minutes after the closing prayer (ha ha..Snakes was right)...

  The London Bethel tour was a joke (except for the married hottie sister who gave us the tour), nothing really going on...no real excitement from the Bethel workers...other than the fact they were having a huge tour day to distract them.

  I heard US bethel is like that now, especially Brooklyn, which is a ghost town. I ran a bus tour of the US and Canada facilities back in 91 or 92.... that was a blast..because I didnt run it the same way as standard... I let people go sightseeing on their own, included Niagra Falls in the trip...didnt make it all WT touring...... Recent reports tell me that hardly any tours go anymore, just not worth it...certainly no fun...

  My more recent tour of the Celestial Seasonings tea factory in Boulder, Colorado was a hell of a lot more exciting...truly interesting and smelled good besides.

  Anyway, I can only hope beyond hope that the Organization is on its way out the door.

  The Organization certainly is a pale shadow of its former self. It just doesn't have the decency to die.

  Snakes ()
• 

  Beta Male

  Theres always plenty to do in the work of the bored.
• 

  Cadellin

  Definitely true about CO and lunch in my cong. None of the R&F volunteers so elders are rounded up to take him and wife out AGAIN...when I was a kid, you were on a waiting list to have the CO over, usually got your chance once a year b/c everyone wanted to honor of making him a special meal at home. I don't think they get invited to home meals very much anymore.
• 

  BonaFide

  Thanks for you comments. So its not my imagination. All over the world Witnesses are going through the same things.

  I hope the entire thing comes crashing down too.

  I forgot to mention another thing. Even with 100 people at the meeting on Sunday, hardly anyone comments. Used to be the conductor had to be on his toes to remember everyone who raised their hand. Not anymore.

  BF
• 

  Black Sheep

  When I was young I was given the impression that we were supposed to be Soldiers for Christ, arming ourselves with knowledge and Truth to go out and do battle against False Religion.

  Now, if someone disagrees with them it's, "Run away! Run away! look out for the nasty Apostates! Run away! Don't talk to them! Don't listen to them!".

  WT 1956, June 15.

  Fighters for truth

  How long will this controversy continue? For our part we shall continue with the preaching offensive of truth as long as Jehovah permits; or, as Isaiah put it, ‘until the cities are wasted and desolated.’ There is no furlough for us; but who wants a furlough when he has the grand privilege of doing this preparatory work on earth as a build-up to the great climax of world affairs at Armageddon? (Isa. 6:11; Eccl. 8:8) At that time Jehovah through his Field Marshal, Christ Jesus, will move with vengeance to crush Satan’s world organization, both visible and invisible, pulverizing the visible earthly part and hurling the invisible demonic part into the abyss of deathlike inactivity for the thousand years of Christ’s reign. In this “war of the great day of God the Almighty” the servants of Jehovah on earth will have no part with carnal weapons. Our work comes now as the right kind of soldiers for Christ. God’s part comes at Armageddon. (Ps. 46:9; Rom. 12:17-21; Rev. 19:11-16, 19) Until that time we must continue waging the right kind of warfare, not the conflicts of the visible part of Satan’s organization, but the war of truth against error, of right religion against false religion, never slacking in zeal or in faith, “forgetting the things behind and stretching forward to the things ahead,” as Paul did. (Phil. 3:13, NW) By doing so we shall be given the victory by Jehovah and be rewarded with peace and life in his new world of righteousness. (2 Pet. 3:13) Now is the time for war; after Armageddon is the time for peace.

  Wimps. C'mon, put your dukes up and defend your Truth.

  Chris
• 

  Wasanelder Once

  Well, in the 1980's we were only five years into the period that Adam was single and Eve hadn't been created yet, thus the end was still "Near". Then there was the cry of "Peace and Secutity" during the "International Year of Peace" in 1986. Of course the 1990's saw the fall of Communism as Jehovah opened up the work in most of the world! These were miraculous times. The generation was nearly dead and all these wondrous things were happening. Then what happened? NOTHING. So nothing begats nothing and then the generation and seperating of the "Sheep and the Goats" went. What's left? Five boring meetings a week and the Society riding your back cracking a whip and no excitement. Too bad is right. W.Once
• 

  willyloman

  "The Organization certainly is a pale shadow of its former self. It just doesn't have the decency to die."

  That's what I'm thinking.
• 

  flipper

  BONAFIDE- Although the tone of the individual members of the organization has gone from " swagger " to " stagger " because of many being tired of the demands the witness cult puts on their lives - remember ONE thing as Steve Hassan mentioned cults get even MORE controlling when they start losing members and members seem uninterested . It is evident by the extremely controlling information in the last few months " witness only" Watchtower's that the governing body is not going to give up their power and control over rank and file members without a fight.

  The " swagger " might be gone or not as noticeable in rank and file members, even many elders , etc. - but the movers and shakers at the top of this organization have a lot to lose if they DON"T keep the foot on the " power and control " accelerator driving this borganization vehicle. So like you said- I too expect rank and file members to exert more apathy towards the hopes as no Armageddon appears - but on the flip side of that coin in desperation I expect to see hat much more CONTROL coming down from the leaders of the WT and the governing body. They won't throw the towel in without a fight. I wish they just would - but cult leaders get desperate to control. God only knows I want my daughters out of it - we all just have to be patient
• 

  Chalam

  Hi,

  My guess is the real truth is slowly dawning for many regarding "the truth". The internet has been full steam ahead for well over 10 years now and the truth has been leaking out for a long time. The WT seem to be softening in some respects and also going on the offensive in the propaganda war. However, let's hope the whole pack of cards comes tumbling down soon.

  All the best,

  Stephen