For what it's worth, this is my take on the AGM

by stillin 26 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  stillin

  As I was leaving the KH where I watched the meeting, I overheard several conversations, all to the effect that"what a great bunch of guys the GB is." The sense of humor among them, the naturalness and ease they had while speaking, etc.

  For that matter, I too, was impressed at how like able they seem to be and, believe it or not, the 3 1/2 hours went by fairly quickly, thank God!

  But as I think about it, I'm concluding that THAT was the main goal of the wide viewing of this event: to assure the rank and file that the GB, the men who are in charge of God's household, are a great bunch of guys. Don't worry about it.

  really, the revised NWT is fine, but that could have been done anytime. No, the positive perception of the GB was the main event, in my opinion.

  It was all in the script.
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  LostGeneration

  These guys seem to be pulling a "good cop - bad cop" routine. I was reading another poster's account last night and he/she basically echoed what you said, good speakers (except for Morris, who comes off as a pompous ass) and everyone walks away entertained, and also gets the warm fuzzies from these guys.

  Then they send out the latest WT which tells them to shun the hell out of their flesh and blood. Somehow they can't connect the dots that the people who approve this stuff are the same guys smiling from ear to ear on stage.

  This may become an annual thing, bring the troops in for their special session with the overlords. That way when evil apostate points out the stuff these guys write in the WT the loyal JW just shuts down and denies it.
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  braincleaned

  As the GB, they truly disgust me. I know 2 of them personally; good guys — but when in thier mob, they are ruthless. Sad.
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  Ucantnome

  3 1/2 hours was there a break.
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  hoser

  It was good PR. thats my take too.

  These are a bunch of nice guys is the main message that I thought they were putting out.
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  jgnat

  Consider also that this is a hand-picked crowd for a three hour infomercial. No "bum witnesses" or "unbelieving mates" allowed. I can't tell you how good it has been to give my hubby a preview before he goes. It increases my cred and decreases the impact of this "special" meeting. Hubby is still a couple hours away from attending this event (and he qualifies by the skin of his teeth), and he is already mourning the deflated status of the NWT's he's collected over the years.
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  Apognophos

  I agree, stillin, I've been thinking the same thing about the event. The stage was populated almost exclusively by the GB and they were "on their best behavior", charming the audience. There were no stern, "don't do this" or "do more" talks as we get from the CAs and DCs. They didn't even bring on-stage for an interview anyone who served in foreign lands, as they've done in past AGMs, though I suspect this was mainly just because this meeting was devoted to the introduction of the new NWT.

  3 1/2 hours was there a break

  Lol, that's no longer than a typical morning or afternoon session at an assembly, so no. This did result in a lot of hungry JWs at the evening meeting, though, as the meeting ran long and ended well past dinnertime.

  No "bum witnesses" or "unbelieving mates" allowed

  Not to harp on this too much, but I don't recall hearing the phrase "bum witnesses". I hope this isn't just misreporting of a minor joke about a wife calling her husband a bum.
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  slimboyfat

  I think "bum Witnesses" was just the colourful interpretation of whoever reported the GB member's comments on the reddit page. Probably the speaker actually used less offensive phraseology essentially to describe inactive Witnesses.
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  ldrnomo

  Good point stillin.

  The main purpose of this whole dog and pony show was marketing. The GB has re-branded and they need to build up the confidence of the rank and file.
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  Phizzy

  Perceptive comments above, when you feel you know someone, even if really they are far removed from you, it is hard to believe bad about them, as when a Celebrity is revealed to be a Paedophile, it comes as a real shock.

  So the R&F JW's will be even more inclined to think "Not those good old boys" as the shortcomings of the GB/WT are mentioned.