This might sound like an abstract idea, but I would love to hear your thoughts. There seem to be so many questions that can not be answered in their literature and research materials. There are things they just "know," even though they are often unable to find where it was published in printed material.
How many of their beliefs are being changed, shifted and spread throughout the congregation, through use of comments alone? I have observed my father (JW convert of just a few years) using strange phrasing, and repeating statements... "They are smarter than me..."
Many of these believes might fall under JW "common knowledge." Those "in the know" have their ear to the ground, and are hearing thoughts and speculations repeated.
"Will this memorial be our last?" It could be! I know I won't miss it!
MEME
noun [meem]
- a cultural item that is transmitted by repetition and replication in a manner analogous to the biological transmission of genes.
- a cultural item in the form of an image, video, phrase, etc., that is spread via the Internet and often altered in a creative or humorous way.
Is it possible that they are planting these comments in their public talks and WT studies, so the flock will have something new to "think about" and expand on, during those times when they are looking for appropriate topics they can discuss together? (such as in field service... are worldly topics ever discussed, or do they stick to rehashing JW ideas?)
Really, the same old conversation that they have been having since before 1975, about this "definitely" being the time of the end... has to get very tiresome. How can they help the faithful JW's to keep their zeal, if they don't have any new things to say?
Or new pictures to look at...
Also, consider the images used in their literature. I am not going to suggest that there are any subliminal images being inserted (Jehovah would not allow THAT!)... but I noticed that the back cover of the July 15, 2013 Watchtower magazine is dedicated to "Look at the Artwork!"
The beautiful pictures and photographs that are painstakingly produced are there for a purpose. They are teaching aids that make us think and feel. They can be especially helpful when we prepare for and participate in the Watchtower Study.
I am just making my own observation. The comments made about photographs, illustrations and timelines are sometimes quite interesting. When I was a Bible student who attended meetings, I remember making note of some of the comments made, as if they somehow "added" to my understanding. I also made a few comments myself, that received praise after the meetings. That was such a good feeling, to be recognized as a good student. It encouraged me to come up with more new ways to reinforce ideas that were in the articles. (argh! SO glad I woke up before it was too late!)
How many of these comments are prescribed to the speakers and even members of the congregation? The comments make the articles and topics more pertinent and easier to understand, right? What is the harm in that? Is every morsel of "food" that comes from the society, helping to keep them close in this time of the end?
