Ester did not " wait on Jehovah."
The first of many 2013 District Conventions is over . . .
by bats in the belfry 44 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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pixel
So, the new Reasoning book will be online, so they can update it on-the-fly with new new light? great!
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steve2
On Sat we had about 9 or 10 new ones that symbolized their dedication by water baptism.
That seems on the low side, doesn't it? Kind of reminiscent of the few who got baptized at the old Circuit Assemblies in the 1960s, not like the scores who were encouraged to get baptized at District Conventions.
I wonder what the audience attendances at the DC were that so few were bapitzed? Anyone know - or comment - on the numbers baptized elsewhere during the 2013 District Conventions?
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Quendi
Thanks, BluesBrother, for passing along that synopsis of the district convention. I was struck by how much the writer mimics WTS-speak in describing the gathering. His writing is a sad commentary on the mind control this cult has over its followers.
I have not been to a district convention since 2005. I was disfellowshipped in September of that year and refused to attend any other large Witness gatherings because I didn’t want to put up with the shunning I knew I would experience. I decided not to seek reinstatement in 2010, so that part of my life is over for good. I used to look forward to the summer district conventions because they gave me opportunities to reconnect with distant friends. I looked forward to the releases as well. Now I can’t imagine a greater waste of my time than sitting through hours of boring and irrelevant talks which the district conventions really are.
The low numbers of people baptized grabbed my attention as well. I got baptized at a January 1976 circuit assembly as part of a group of 24 people. That was considered a large number, but district conventions usually had anywhere between 75 and 100 people immersed. Of the 9 or 10 mentioned at this convention, I wonder how many of them were “born-in” people? I would be willing to bet that most if not all of them were. There simply aren’t that many people coming in through the door-to-door work anymore.
Quendi
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AndDontCallMeShirley
On Sat we had about 9 or 10 new ones that symbolized their dedication by water baptism.
I remember when it was common at DC's to have 75-100 baptized. Now JWs are excited about a small fraction of that.
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steve2
I remember District Conventions held in New Zealand in the 1980s at which there would be about 3,500 in attendance and numbers baptized were close to, if not well over, 100; I cannot recall a single District Convention when a handful of candidates braved the weather and the crowd for baptism. Nowadays, we hear reports of smaller and smaller numbers presenting for baptism and the "crowd" barely blink a collective eye.
It was at smaller Cicuit Assemblies in the 1960s when they still did baptisms at Circuit Assemblies that we'd sometimes have a handful of baptismal candidates. Then the 'Society pushed for having all baptisms at District Conventions and there were no more Circuit Assembly baptisms.
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Moses Unedited
What I’ve found interesting about the new convention releases in recent years is how devoid of substance they are. In past decades (especially during the Fred Franz era of the 1970s) the kind of books that came out were very thick; detailed, labored reads. One would read the labyrinthine discussions on fulfillments in Ezekiel or the modern day John Class and just scratch their heads, saying: huh? If it was difficult for the average Witness to comprehend, the rationale was that it must certainly be some very deep revelations from the Slave Class. It was all gibberish of course, but at least the books had a slight appearance of having some intellectual weight.
Now days, the Witnesses get study books and Watchtowers that are have practically been dumbed down to the level of “Thomas the Train” books. At the same time, the organization is reverting back to the old Rutherford style brashness and crassness in its Jihad against college. Gee, I wonder why. I wonder if it could be because people who are good at thinking and reasoning for themselves might not be so quick to base their lives on the ludicrous world views of David Splane and Anthony Morris.
But, I guess getting to watch the Bible dramas once a year makes these tortuous affairs all worth it. What could be more exciting and invigorating to one’s faith than watching men in fake beards 200 yards away waving their arms in the air? A spiritual feast indeed!
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AndDontCallMeShirley
Moses Unedited: In past decades (especially during the Fred Franz era of the 1970s) the kind of books that came out were very thick; detailed, labored reads. One would read the labyrinthine discussions on fulfillments in Ezekiel or the modern day John Class and just scratch their heads
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I remember those days too.
Of course, all that older literature was utter nonsense and has been relegated to the "old light" files, but at least WT made a pretty good effort at appearing academic.
Now a person doesn't even need to be able to read to become a JW; some of the newer literature is in comic book form. I wonder how long it'll be before an animated illustration of Jesus tossing Satan out of Heaven will have a bubble over his head with the words "zap", "kapowee" and "kerblam" in bold letters?
BTW Moses Unedited- welcome to the forum!
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yadda yadda 2
New Tract - "Who Really Controls the World?".
No doubt the answer is Satan right? But hold on, wasn't Jesus enthroned as King of the world in 1914? Isn't that when "the kingdom of the world" (Rev 11:15) became Jesus'?
Now wait a minute here, is earth being controlled by Jesus and Satan simultaneously?? Make up your mind Watchtower!
BELOW - Satan telling a disappointed newly coronated Jesus, "Sorry me old mate, although it's 1914 now you'll have to wait a bit longer before you get to rule. Cheer up old lad."
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Gopher
I think many of the single guys go to these to meet someone like Mary Rose, a JW who advertised her availability on loveme.com.
