THE POWER OF EIGHT
In the first paragraph on page 26 of the 15 June 2013 Watchtower we read:
"On Wednesday morning, September 5, 2012, it was announced to the United States and Canada Bethel families that a new member had been added to the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Effective September 1, 2012, Mark Sanderson began to serve in that capacity."
The article in which this appeared also gives us a 'family' photograph of all current members of the GB. Sitting in the front row are S F Herd, G L Losch and G H Pierce. Standing behind them are D H Splane, A Morris III, D M Sanderson, G W Jackson, and M S Lett. Readers are also given the reassurance that "all members of the Governing Body are anointed Christians".
I noted with interest that the addition of this eighth member came just before the first announcement of a new understanding of the identity of the "faithful and discreet slave" during the autumn annual general meeting of the Watch Tower Society. So does the addition at this time have any significance?
Well, just on a whim I decided to investigate the number eight! Was there some spiritual/biblical meaning attached to that number? You know, like six and seven supposedly representing imperfection and perfection respectively. What I did get by way of feedback was that eight is viewed by at least some people as having a biblical meaning of "re-birth" and that may be why male children were circumcised on the eight day (?!). Of course, when you do internet searches it can be rather a mixed bag in terms of what results you get. Among those results also were a bunch on numerology. Although I can't say I'm a believer in numerology, I did find it rather interesting what one numerologist wrote ;-)
"Some of the more recognizable traits of the 8 are drive, ambition, authority, efficiency, organization, management, discipline and control. The 8 is goal-oriented, focused, has good judgment, can discriminate and is practical, a realist. Its closest relative is the 1 as both numbers are powerful, have strong leadership skills, are unquestionably masculine and will not shy away from a confrontation. However, where the 1 lacks diplomatic skills and an understanding of human nature -- more typically the traits of the 2 -- the 8 has those abilities as well, which is perhaps the most important reason the 8 tends to do well in business and in authority roles (the military and law enforcement draw a lot of 8s)."
I couldn't help chuckling to myself! The mention of 8's closest relative 1 having traits of lacking diplomatic skills and an understanding of human nature made me think of Joseph Rutherford. But the supposed association of eight with "drive, ambition, authority, efficiency, organization, management, discipline and control" seems to sum up the more modern WTS quite well I thought.
I must stress that this post is a little tongue-in-cheek so please take it that way.
The Power of Eight
by JWB 12 Replies latest jw friends
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JWB
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Gayle
Just a game the GB do,,make up rules as they go . . . -
Gayle
The Tenacles of the WT "Eight" Around the World
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JWB
Gayle, I like the pics!
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JWB
"An octopus's main (primary) defense is to hide, either not to be seen at all, or through camouflage and mimicry not to be detected as an octopus. Octopuses have several secondary defenses (defenses they use once they have been seen by a predator). The most common secondary defense is fast escape. Other defenses include distraction with the use of ink sacs and autotomising limbs. Most octopuses can eject a thick, blackish ink in a large cloud to aid in escaping from predators. The main coloring agent of the ink is melanin, which is the same chemical that gives humans their hair and skin color. This ink cloud is thought to reduce the efficiency of olfactory organs, which would aid an octopus's evasion from predators that employ smell for hunting, such as sharks. Ink clouds of some species might serve as pseudomorphs, or decoys that the predator attacks instead." [en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octopus]
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DesirousOfChange
I don't think any number is significant to them. Seven. Eight. Twelve. Eighteen.
I think the number has dwindled because they have very few candidates to appoint. Even they say that new partakers are likely mentally ill. So how the heck does someone choose the one of the "sane" ones out of all those mentally ill prospects. Just one or two new appointments could potentially rock their boat by drastically changing the 2/3 majority on all of their votes on doctrine.
Think of it like the US Supreme Court. Just 9 members. Each time one dies or resigns and a new members needs to be appointed it threatens all of the many, many recent 5-to-4 votes on US policy.
Plus, the R&F JWs are aging. I would venture that the majority are younger than this new GB member. Ever see what the old-timers think about those young whippersnappers appointed as Elder, or that come in straight from the CO School? Lots of them have to be wondering what the heck is going on with a kid being appointed to the GB who wasn't even BORN until over 30 YEARS AFTER the "cut off date" for being of the annointed class.
Doc
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JWB
DesirousOfChange, I think you're right. Didn't they have as many as 17 members at one time?
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DesirousOfChange
I would venture that the majority are younger than this new GB member.
TYPO there:
I meant the majority of JWs are OLDER than the new GB member. (Hopefully the mistake was obvious to you readers.)
Me bad.
Doc
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Pterist
WBTS's Mother Church = OCTOMOM
Just a game the GB do,,make up rules as they go . . . 
