Remember When They Used to Have Q&A After the Public Talk?

daniel-p

Yeah, that was before my time. But I'm interested to hear from those who were around back in the day when they did this. What were the questions like? Was there some sort of protocol? What did you think when they canceled the "arrangement"?

Quirky1

Wow, I didn't know they did that!! Musta been before my time..

sir82

Q&A? Never heard of that.

I do remember the 15 minute "intermission" before the start of the Watchtower though. In theory it was to allow time to drive your Bible student back home. In practice it was a "smoke break" for those weak JWs who smoked (back when it was still allowed - I was just a wee tyke, but I remember it).

blondie

I remember "New Things Learned" on Saturday night after a talk by the CO but never any questions after the Sunday meeting.

insearchoftruth

OK, showing my ignorance here, is there no forum at all to ask questions during the meetings, all one is allowed to do is parrot the answers from the pubs?

sir82

is there no forum at all to ask questions during the meetings, all one is allowed to do is parrot the answers from the pubs?

Correct, no such forum at all.

I remember, maybe 30+ years ago, it was fairly common for some questions to be asked by the audience, at least at the book study. While not actively encouraged, it was allowed. Sometimes the conductor would answer, sometimes he'd ask "does anyone else here know the answer?"....occasionally you'd get something something resembling a real discussion.

Then of course the big apostate scare hit in the early 80's, and ever since then, asking questions is the surest & quickest way to be looked upon suspiciously.

daniel-p

I was told by a long-timer (now passed away) that there used to be questions fielded from the audience by the Public Talk speaker after he gave the talk. This would have probably been at least 40+ years ago.

blondie

I would have been 17 back then and I can't remember any questions asked that weren't pre-programmed even the New Things Learned questions which were handed out prior to the CO visit. The elders used to make up their own questions for the service meeting parts. The WTS does not want a question asked that cannot be answered in just a sentence of two in the public forum. This could have been a personal aberration of an individual CO (not WTS sanctioned) or a incomplete memory from someone who was younger than 17.

winstonchurchill

I've been in for almost 40 years and never heard of the audience being allowed to ask questions.

insearchoftruth

never heard of the audience being allowed to ask questions.

So the ability to ask questions goes away as one progresses.

If one were to attend a meeting and ask questions, what would the reaction be???

Remember When They Used to Have Q&A After the Public Talk?

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