There. I said it. I feel better now.
But just in case you are wondering why I think it sucked, here you go:
- It was clearly an "insider's only" convention. Why invite the public if you are just going to engage in crazy talk that only JWs can decipher?
- The most potentially interesting talks were either dumbed down or blown through. In looking at the program, I hoped that the talks on Kingdom Illustrations and Jesus' Miracles might provide some sort of mental stimulation. Nope. First, the symposiums moved at a break-neck pace making it hard to focus on any one subject long enough to absorb something positive from it. Illustrations were bent to fit JW thinking. For instance, in the "Dragnet" part of the symposium, the audience was told that the angels in heaven have already decided the outcomes in judicial matters before the brothers handling the matters make their final decision. What?! And the talk on Jesus' Miracles was nearly comical in its application. Jesus is "The Great Weatherman?!" Puh-lease.
- The dramas were nuts. I heard so many people gushing about how amazing the dramas were. "They are so realistic!" Yeah, they're realistic if you're a part of a high control, mind numbing, apocalyptic sect. For everyone else, they were just plain goofy.
- No new light. The great white hype, also known as the final talk on Daniel's interpretation of the dream statue, was a big let down. For eager JWs, it hardly lived up to the expectation created by the convention invitation. For those like me, who wanted some wacky new light, a light so bright that it would burn the metaphorical eyes of those conscious enough to awaken to how crazy this religion is, it was also a disappointment.
- The ripple effect. I am already sick of the post-convention high that has so many JWs in a state of bliss. "Wasn't that a source of spiritual delight?!" "Wasn't that the best convention EVER?!" Do you really want my opinion? OK. No and no. I think that even if the convention was held in a cow pasture, the speakers talks consisted mainly of belching into the microphone, the drama was a sock puppet reinactment of Jonah and the Big Fish, and the Society dispensed new light that syaing that JWs can't drink soda anymore - everyone would still say what a great convention it was. Best. One. Ever.
Do I have a complaining spirit? Yes. But all jokes aside, this convention insults the intelligence of nearly anyone who attends it. There were so many offensive remarks made at the expense of God, Jesus, other religions, non-witnesses, witnesses...need I go on? I really did approach the convention with an open mind. I didn't want to sit there and critique the whole thing. But this stuff just jumped out and grabbed me. I tried to ignore the madness but I couldn't.
