Faders are indeed a large army... (page 5)

jehovahsheep

i remember it was exciting in 1990 when i joined because everyone thought the 1914 generation was ready to expire.much has changed-it has become one of the most morbid and unexciting religion out there.

dissed

Like metatron said, I feel it hurts them so much more and gives them pause when someone just quits without being DF'd DA'd.

They can't explain it, and only can guess as to why you have left.

Many can be become very jealous if they see you ejoying yourselves and not living in misery away from Jehovah's happified people.

My wife, when talking to the JW's at the market, does this so much better than me. She's very positive about her newfound life and loves 'to heap coals' in describing her life to them. She always asks how they are doing as a follow up, and usually can discern they are contemplating, they do not have much to show, and do not seem to be happy.

I loved it when she asked someone, "Are you still living in that trailor park? That was such a cute trailor you had" They still are and are now both working fulltime with dead end jobs, and the kids have left the JW's.

Many are questioning their entire course of life now. (this is our group, in the early 50's) That is natural to do so, to reflect. And they are left quandering, especially with the 'new generation' light showing the end is far away. What have we got to show by staying faithful to the GB who now claims to be, by defacto, the F & DS. My generation would be very disturbed with that current claim.

I feel they, that generation, make up a large part of that disallusioned army. Maybe they are still in, but definately, their heart is not, and find themselves just going through the motions of being a JW, because its all they know.

MMXIV

Wobble, about 6 or 7 years ago as a result of the data protection act they got us all (in the UK) to sign a document saying we were happy for records and information to be kept on us "for the purpose of shepherding". I think this is a one off action just like ticking a box on many websites when first registering. If this is after your time then they can probably keep information without your written consent until the point you object. You have the right to see all data stored about you either in Bethel or the Congregation. You can also ask for this to be destroyed. They will charge you an admin fee.

This is a great thread. I agree with metatron about draining morale because I've seen the impact faders have but only if they were well respected and at some point really active. If a "weak" JW fades, one who never really gave answers or never did much FS or didn't ever have responsibility isn't going to make a hard core JW think twice. It's easy to categorise them as weak, or if someone gets DF'd then they did something wrong or were arrogant - all their fault. But it strikes a hard blow if a popular elder or mini or pioneer just disappears off the scene - even if it takes a few years - they are missed.

When I slowly faded and then stopped suddenly some elders made a concerted effort to contact me. But most seemed to want to leave the door open for me, especially as they had no idea why I was going. Moving away made it much easier. Almost every fader from our cong moved away. It's very hard to leave behind what you've been used to doing for decades and in many cases your whole life.

MMXIV

neverendingjourney

I think the WTS is at, or coming to, a crossroads. They're gonna have to become more mainstream in order to recruit - and keep - regular ole folks. Or - they're gonna have to circule the wagons, withdraw into itself and plan on having a small core group of believers. All indications are that it will have to be the latter because they show no signs of easing up on their wackier beliefs or policies.

I've been saying this for a long time. Some of my earliest posts on this board express this very sentiment. The current framework is unsustainable because the promise of a reward is no longer palpable to your average witness, at least not palpable enough to justify the sacrifices that a JW must undergo in order to obtain it. A lot of sticks but no carrots.

So which direction do the JWs go in: large and mainstream or small and traditional? Ray Franz, perhaps unintentionally, sheds some light on this in Crisis of Conscience. He said that, above all, the GB is concerned with two things: (1) mainatining traditional positions on issues and (2) numbers. However, these two priorities will soon be--maybe already are--at odds when the numbers begin to take a nose dive due to the fact that traditional positions no longer provide enough incentive to zealously remain in the religion.

So which priority will the GB pursue: numbers or tradition? You're guess is as good as mine.

minimus

a larger army than womanfolk.

jehovahsheep

there is joy in serving christ outside of the wts-many who have left yhe jws are now expierencing it.

wobble

Dear MMX1V,

Thanks, I do have a vague recollection of that, I remember now being slightly suspiscious of the explanation for the necessity too, having spent a lifetime in the borg listening to their double-speak ,one learned to de-construct it as it fell from their lips.

But until this thread I had forgotten about that bit of chicanery.

Faders are indeed a large army, but the JW women are generally large.

Love

Wobble

SirNose586

And I'm glad to be among them! Long live the cold turkey faders, and may more and more just drop out without feeling the need to be accountable to the local BoE!

Truthexplorer

Hi Wobble,

You are right; I did post with paragraphs, but my post all clumped together for some reason??? To be honest I wouldnt have read it either if it was a laid out similiarly by someone else, so can understand where you are coming from.

I did try to resend it, but was no further forward?? If there is any one out there who may have the time, please copy it to a microsoft word 93 (or what ever) and then split it into paragraphs and please have a read, as its from the heart and really worth a look. All of you can have a realtionship with Jehovah, despite the terrible situation many have found ourselves in. http://perimeno.ca/God's_Organization.htm

Thanks for your point though.

TE

moshe

Faders=A large army? That has to be an oxymoron, if I ever heard one.

Faders are indeed a large army...

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