May you have peace!
My apologies - I didn't read the entire thread; so many pages and my computer isn't loading 'em very fast tonight. SO, someone may have already posted what I am about to:
I understand what you're trying to ask: whether those who are "born" in are somehow perceived as "better" than those who convert in. And I would say to you, as someone who came in from the world, and who has a best friend who was "born" in... and who knows a great many in and out that fall under both, your perception is not off.
Here's the thing: like ANY organization that touts its members as "family" those who are "born" into the WTBTS are very often perceived as being... well, "in"... although not baptized... heck, sometimes not even having made a committment... simply by reason of their birth. As such, they are very often already considered "righteous"... by virtue of birth.... without really having the prove it. In contrast, those who come "out" of the world DO have to prove it... and much quicker. Think of it like the black sheep brother who's always in trouble... but "he's family"... vs. the pretty decent son-in-law who has to always prove that he's "worthy" (although he's most probably the best thing that could've ever happened to the daughter. And this works vice versa, black sheep daughter/decent daughter-in-law). Comes down to blood ibeing "thicker" and all that.
Then there's the whole "how long have YOU been in the 'trooth'" thing. For example, you might have "Timmy" who is, say, 23 years old... and so, has "been in" (in a manner of speaking) for 23 years. Sure, he gets ome pressure from Mom/Dad and "the bruthers" to "get baptized." But he's learned how to "handle" these folks, so they don't actually come at him now as they would, say, "Jimmy," who is also 23... but just started studying. In this case, the pressure, indeed the RUSH to get Jimmy baptized is almost unbelievable.
And there is a very LOGICAL explanation for this: Timmy has been "counted"... as a unbaptized publisher... for, what, 17 years now (I'm going from, say, age 5, when he can, okay, knock on a door). But Jimmy, for only a few months. Now think of the KUDOS... to the publisher studying with Jimmy... the Book Study Conductor who "shepherds" that publisher... and the congregation... that ultimately "LANDS" dear Jimmy! ALL of these can say THEY... "brought in a new sheep." ANOTHER number (to add to the already peculiarly large number of a group that's supposed to be... ummmm... small? And they're not worried about Timmy - sure, he may never get baptized, but he'll keep coming, at least for the Memorial... which is the count that, well, counts, anyway).
And finally, there's the fear... that dear Jimmy might WAKE UP... and see the LIGHT and GET OUT OF HER... BEFORE he commits! Because if they "lose" him before he commits... they (1) will never be able to "count" him as a BAPTIZED publisher... which is the first goal, and (2) will never gain full control over him... which is the second, but most important goal. If they can get him to commit... then they know they most probably will be able to retain SOME kind of "control" over him... for the rest of his life... even if that control is nothing more than fear (indeed, many here are still proving that part true).
You're not crazy, dear one: with very few exceptions, what you "See" in this regard... is absolutely true. But, may I ask you: if you SEE that... why inthe WORLD are you still TOUCHING that "unclean" thing?
Things that make you go "hmmm...."
I bid you peace.
YOUR servant and a slave of Christ,
SA
