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

by stillin 26 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  adamah

  Apo said-

  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.

  Maybe you don't "get" that the GB doesn't HAVE to scream and shout, and would in fact would be admitting that they're powerless by doing so. That's kind of the POINT of having power: you don't HAVE to tell everyone how powerful you are, since that only undermines their power. Instead, everyone KNOWS the person has power, and if you're below them in the chain of command, you hang onto their every word.

  It's the same with a CEO: he's there to charm, use his powers of persuasion, to explain WHY something needs to be done to the organization. He's a cheerleader who's job is to inspire the "team". The leadership relies on their underlings to implement the policies that are designed to achieve a certain goal, but that's not the CEO's job: he's more of the "big picture" guy.

  I suspect that all the demonizing of the GB that happens on JWN really does us a disservice, as it ends up blinding people to the REALITY: the GB are not evil power-mad individuals, but they don't HAVE to be to implement policies that are harmful and deadly (eg JW blood policy).

  They didn't get to the top by being ignorant or evil self-centered narcissists, but by playing the JW game well by skillfully climbing the JW organizational ladder of success.

  Adam
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  Calebs Airplane

  Lost Generation said: (except for Morris, who comes off as a pompous ass)

  I agree... I've heard him speak in person and he really came off as an arrogant narcisist...

  I'm really tired of him leading with: "When I was in Vietnam..." ... WTF? Does he want everyone to picture him as Rambo?

  
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  stillin

  Adamant, I would like to be a fly on the wall and listn in on some of the private conversations between members of the GB. But, alas, I cannot do that. But remember that most of the posters here consider themselves victims in one way or another. They're entitled to their perceptions.
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  OUTLAW

  I overheard several conversations, all to the effect that"what a great bunch of guys the GB is.

  Of course we`re a Great Bunch of Guys..

  Unfortunately if you Cross Us..

  We`ll have to Destroy Your Lives..

  

  .......................................OUTLAW
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  70wksfyrs

  Classic OUTLAW hahaha!!!
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  Mum

  I have dealt with narcissists in the past, one of them being a parent. They are the most suave and charming people imaginable if it serves their purpose. All of my cousins think my narcissistic parent was a saint! In fact, he was a pedophile manipulator master ass-kisser.

  When people are too suave and charming, it raises a red flag and a loud alarm in my head. These guys have instructed the flock to obey them, even if it's against their better judgment. The poor, deluded flock are being charmed into doing just that. Scary!
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  clarity

  Oh ya ....marketing the gb for sure!

  >

  After all what % of jw's really know anything about these 8 men?

  Pretty low % ..I'll bet .........viewed as just some far away god like

  airy fairy men who are the Leaders, Mediators and mouthpiece of god!

  Suspended somewhere between heaven & hell, in a misty elevated position!

  >

  So now the GB make themselves real. The Good Guys!

  >

  Just like they tell us to make 'paradise' real for ourselves!

  >

  It is ALL smoke & mirrors!

  clarity

  .
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  adamah

  Stillin said-

  Adamant, I would like to be a fly on the wall and listn in on some of the private conversations between members of the GB. But, alas, I cannot do that.

  You don't need to be a fly on the wall: just read COC.

  Ray Franz' account was notable for it's sheer boringness, the utter mundane nature of the GB's closed door sessions is what I was left with. These are not malevolent sociopathic people: they wouldn't be in that position, if they were (that's more of a trait of past PRESIDENTS of WTBTS, Rutherford, etc, where they were the top dog and could be dictatorial arses, and no one could say boo). That's a thing of the past, though, since having changed to a committee structure makes it less likely for a single individual to take control.

  Point is, I'm agreeing with your initial post: you are figuring out that the GB doesn't HAVE to be evil or harbor malevolent intentions for anyone in order to perpetuate their harmful policies (they've killed countless 1,000's by now with their lethal blood policy, for one). They get power by being likeable, human individuals, thus putting a human face on the WT where the average R&F would like to know them. That's even MORE harmful, since it was easy in the Rutherford days to see it was a monarchy.

  But remember that most of the posters here consider themselves victims in one way or another. They're entitled to their perceptions.

  Well, posters have the right to NOT consider themselves as victims, and are entitled to that perception, as well. People are entitled to their perceptions, but it would be nice if they were based on reality; otherwise their beliefs are just another delusion, just a different flavor of delusion.

  Ironically, that's the very offense that the GB engages in, and likely excuses in the same exact manner ("we're entitled to our perceptions and our religious beliefs, EVEN IF it's not actually the Truth"). You quickly find yourself skating on thin ice by excusing the use of deception by playing the role of victim (and being unable to extract from that role).

  Mum said-

  They are the most suave and charming people imaginable if it serves their purpose. All of my cousins think my narcissistic parent was a saint!

  Yup. And they accuse the serpent in the garden of speaking with a subtle manner, being able to come off as trustworthy, lol!

  Adam
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  troubled mind

  I have lived with those types of JW's my whole life . Unfortunately it took nearly a lifetime to learn what was behind the facade of niceness . Outlaw pegged it perfectly !!

  I know better now ,and know to tread carefully among the wolves in sheep covering .
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  Dagney

  I was thinking the same thing ldrnomo. Huge marketing changes. Very slick...and they want to portray themselves as reasonable and good hearted with a sense of humor...perhaps also to stem the flow of the young leaving. The "adjustments," and many JW's are very disheartened, hanging on to the paradise hope, but losing trust. It's a smart move.

  My JWgf said she thought the DC was better. She said the GB who represented said for the first time that the WBTS is an "imperfect organization." She said she couldn't believe her ears...first time ever. She said it was a little too late, but they said it.

  I wonder who the mastermind is behind this modernization?