Why Are They Called "Pioneers"? (page 2)

fadinfast

Do'pioneers' in your area do the 'pioneer walk' vist 1 house, come out , stand under shady tree, drink of water, heck this lids on tight, taking 5 minutes to get off, what scripture that last fellow mention, in Rev. right ,lot of pages between Genesis and Rev. see this never noticed this scripture in Genesis, oh look its been 20 mins better do 'the walk ' to the next house, 3 steps forward ,2 steps back,4 steps......can't say I blame them . FF

wobble

Pie and Ear ??????

I'd rather have pie and chips.

Heaven

"No, I told her, I was thinking about being a volunteer in a soup kitchen "

Infinitely more productive and rewarding than pio-sneering.

moomanchu

Origin: pioneer
1515–25; < MF pionier, OF peonier foot soldier. See peon , -eer Origin: peon
1820–30; < Sp peón peasant, day laborer < VL *pedon- (s. of *pedo ) walker (whence ML pedones infantry, OF peon pawn 2 ), deriv. of L ped- (s. of pes ) foot

From the origin of the word pioneer it is obvious to see why the society has named them "pioneers".

Pioneer refers to a peon or pawn who walks around working full-time for free.

MrMonroe

The term appeared fairly frequently in 1920s Watchtowers when Bible Students signed letters describing themselves as "pioneer colporteurs". Watchtowers described the apostle Paul as a pioneer (by preaching in virgin territory) and by the looks of a September 1931 WT article, the term referred similarly to fulltime preachers who travelled, often pitching tents to sleep. The term appears liberally in 1932 Watchtowers, again referring to fulltime travelling preachers.

By late 1932 the term seemed to have replaced "colporteurs" (the September 1932 WT reads: "This “crown of glory” is not bestowed because one has been elected to an office by the votes of men, but is bestowed upon all the faithful, including the faithful pioneers, whom we sometimes call “colporteurs”, and all others who are faithful and are made members of the ‘elect servant’.

A Nov 15 1933 WT article refers to the number of "pioneers and auxiliaries" at work in the US. The term seems to have been broadened in later years to include anyone plodding around neighbours, wasting a set amount of time to impress others with their level of dedication. Oh, and spirituality of course.

WTWizard

They have to come up with something so they can feel that wasting all of their time is an honor. Even though they are not preparing the way for anyone to follow--just wasting all their time. If they were to just call it full-time service, very few would actually want to. And, if they called it what it is turning out to be (pio-sneering), people would be turned off in doing something solely because of self righteousness (which is what ends up happening to all too many of them).

Why Are They Called "Pioneers"?