Mary, the overlapping generations doctrine was mentioned on Friday during the (if I remember correctly) second part of the morning. The reinforcement of the new understanding took less than one minute to explain. It included a gesture where the speaker stretched one arm to the left, to represent the first annointed generation from the 1914 era, and one arm to the right the represent the current annointed generation era. Then the two arms were brought to the center and then slightly crossed over each other to show the area of overlap. The speaker spoke as if it were so logical and simple. He concluded by saying, "Now we have clear understanding understand the meaning of 'this generation!'"
As was mentioned earlier in this thread, I too noticed some subtle (and not so subtle) negative remarks toward charity works. One talk focused on how the so-called good deeds of Christendom's clergy are worthless. In the drama on Saturday, the teenage daughter, who was beginning to show "worldly" attitudes, said she wanted to be a humanitarian. I thought, "that sounds like a good goal." But the drama made sure to make her choice look foolish by alluding to the idea that the only real humanitarian work that God would approve of would be the JW preaching work, especially in missionary form. Her goal of humanitarian work was made to look like a bad choice when compared to the goals of her little brother (who dreams of the exciting days of packing literature boxes at headquarters) and those of a visiting perfect JW couple (who sold their house and lessened their work load to spend more time in the ministry). I'm not saying that the little brother and the couple were making bad choices. Those were their dreams and they felt they were making good choices. My issue is that the daughter's goal of humanitarian work was made to look like a bad choice. As if anything not done in the name of the Watchtower Society is a waste of time.
I often wonder, what would bring a person closer to God...someone dropping off magainzes to their house once a month - or - someone reaching out and really assisting with a need with no strings attached. JWs are waiting for God to make the world a better place. Why wait? Why not get out and do all you can now? If you really feel that canvassing neighborhoods with WT literature for hours on end is going to do the most good, then fine. I know JWs that focus on the positive teachings of Jesus and really try to just make people feel better with comforting words from the Bible. That is commendable. But these aren't usually the ones with the crappy attitude toward charity work. From my observation, the bad attitudes come from the self righteous, the brainwashed, the mindlessly obedient WT Society worshippers. Those types aren't usually very effective in the ministry by any measure. So, to those types I ask, what else could you be doing with your time and resources? Wouldn't God approve of any good works that were motivated by a deep love for your fellow humans?