by ILoveTTATT 14 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
If you could list the major themes of the Watchtowerland per decade, what would they be?
For example, 2010-2014: Overlapping generation, GB=FDS, jw.org, 100 years
2000-2009: Harder stance on Higher Ed.
1990-1999: Generation no longer a major doctrine.
1980-1989: Getting over 1975, Ray Franz, Year of Peace, End before 20th century ends, Generation is 70 years old
and so on?
1950-1960 Armegeddon just around the corner (from a childs point of view)
1960-1970 and thru 1975 Time is so short we now on countdown for Armageddon. Don't marry or have children will make it harder to get thru tribulation (A teenager point of view)
1980-1989: Entering 20th century. B&W to color.
1990-1999: Expansion. The 90's (more specifically 1990-1993) was the climax of WT.
2000-2009: Internet is pure evil.
2010-2014: Internet is no more evil, go to JW.ORG
2020-2029: Artificial Intelligence is the Beast of Revelation.
2030-2039: Artificial Intelligence is Jesus Christ.
2040-2049: Singularity is the Armageddon.
2050-2059: Entering 21st century...
The 1970's
Wow ... I can't remember a thing.
Did I have a good time?
Rub a Dub
I guess the 60's & 70's were doom & gloom- the sexual revolution, world debt, the Malawi persecution, etc must have frightened the Watchtower writers.
The 80's was the countdown to Armageddon decade; that finally fizzled out in 1995...
... no idea what the rest of it was about- I was gone by then...
I add that the theme is becoming more about obeying the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger, no matter what. And it is going to be a disaster.
You see, if you obey and give all your funds to the Worldwide Damnation Fund and cut way back on secular work, you are going to be in a miserable position to survive rolling blackouts (which I see if too many more coal plants are shut down), hyperinflation (I expect that any time after December 23, 2014), an energy crisis (all it takes is one oil embargo from the Ukraine), and so on. You will not develop a barter skill, buy silver and gold, or invest in energy efficient light bulbs (now, LEDs are as low as 7 toilet papers each for 60 watt equivalent CREE) or battery/flashlight systems.
Other obedience that is wasteful is catering to ever-changing rules. You buy a yellow umbrella--I recommend it because it is more cheerful on rainy days, vibrates a positive color when the sky is gray, and is visible to car drivers while you are in the territory. A few weeks later, the hounders say you need to get a gray one under "brazen conduct" rule if you do not. The yellow one still works perfectly, but the hounder orders you to throw it away. You waste the money on the gray one. Then it's dark brown, another waste of money. Or, they want you to dry clean your suits too often (usually, if you use the gentle cycle and cold water, a garment bag, and skip the dryer, you can launder them). More wasted money. They then change the rules against using a red service bag, changing it to dark brown, then gray, then black, then back to dark brown--each time wasting more money. Or a white dress shirt--more money wasted.
And this moving where the need is greater because of obedience is rubbish. You are wasting money. You are under pressure to pious-sneer, even if you are not doing strictly missionary work. Often, you have to live poor because of this move. Sometimes you have to give up your natural culture, permanently, and adopt something you are not compatible with (which is why I always advocate thoroughly researching your destination before moving if you should ever ex-patriate). And for what? Damnation.
Yet another waste of money is obeying and going to Grand Boasting Sessions a long way away from home. It's one thing if it is something like 150 km away, you are there for a week, and you can book a hotel for the duration. In some venues, that is not working. I have heard of one instance where people are being asked to travel as much as 400 km each way, each day. That is roughly the distance between Buffalo and Albany, NY. Or, the distance from Portland ME to New York City. Or from Harrisburg PA to Richmond VA. Some are asked to travel even more. This wastes gas--if your car gets 20 km per liter of gas (which is roughly 45 MPG, and few cars get that), you are looking at 20 liters of gas each way. A three day event means you are wasting 120 liters, or 30 gallons, of gas each way. Your car does more like 10 km/liter? That is more typical, and you are looking at wasting 240 liters/60 gallons of gas for the event. If gas is 4 toilet papers a gallon, you are looking at enough to buy 15 ounces of silver instead of going, just on gas. Plus wear and tear on the car--you could get a whole tub, or more, of silver with just the money you waste on the car for this event.
I am seeing this "obey at all costs" theme developing. Which is more damnation for all involved.
I'll define it by century:
19th - Honest hearted Bible Students who were a special people chosen by God as the final part of the 'remnant' annointed. Sharing God's plan with mankind was the mission. A non-religion who met informally in small groups and used Russell's writings as a study aid. The end of the world was coming in 1914.
20th - God has a chosen "earthly organization" who's mission is to spread the good news of Christ's enthronement to the world. The message is geared toward increasing the organization's population by active proselytizing - to bring 'honest hearted / sheeplike people' into the the 'great crowd' or "the Truth". Families would soon be entering into the "New Order" hand in hand to welcome back their resurected relatives and friends.
21st - The leadership of the central organization takes complete control of the membership. Matters of individual conscience and personal decision making cease to exist. Jehovah's Witnesses are now a religion - with a hierarchy (laity and clergy), the confessional and penance. The leadership is no longer a faceless group. Obeying the organizational structure and rules override scriptural principles.
ginger
I betcha the WTS has followed right along societal trends:
2000/2001-Present - New Silent Generation or Generation Z
1980-2000 - Millennials or Generation Y
1965-1979 - Generation X
1946-1964 - Baby Boom
1925-1945 - Silent Generation
1900-1924 - G.I. Generation
The Population Reference Bureau provides an alternate listing and chronology of generational names in the United States.
1983-2001 - New Boomers
1965-1982 - Generation X
1946-1964 - Baby Boomers
1929-1945 - Lucky Few
1909-1928 - Good Warriors
1890-1908 - Hard Timers
1871-1889 - New Worlders
http://geography.about.com/od/populationgeography/qt/generations.htm
I like the definition by technological accomplishments:
1980-1997: First commercial PC (Apple III) to IBM Deep Blue/Popularization of Internet
1998 - 2011: IBM Watson (start of cognitive computing). I just can't imagine a JW using a cognitive software.
