Another Totalitarian Analogy

by metatron 13 Replies latest jw friends

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  metatron

  I've spoken privately with some Witnesses over the past couple weeks and it caused me to think about an analogy. I turn to totalitarian examples because that's the basic structure of the 'truth'.

  As Nazi Germany encountered defeat, several things happened. Some higher ups sought to escape into surrender in the West because they realized defeat was inevitable. Even Rommel thought that, if D-Day was successful, it was just a matter of time.

  Others, such as the SS, became even more fanatical, even while Berlin was surrounded. The common people were mostly deceived, right down to the end.

  And what do we observe in the Organization currently?

  There are changes to make being a Witness easier such as fewer assembly days, one less CO meeting, and some easing on counting time (defeat inevitable faction)

  CO's now have absolute power and already (!) anecdotes are emerging about their abusive and fanatical behavior, especially behind the scenes. Many elders are already unhappy and this creates yet another burden. At the same time, countless rural congregations are fading away. (The SS, shooting the "disloyal"in the streets while the Russians advance on Berlin).

  And of course, the average Witless is uncomprehending and clueless, spouting nonsense about the End coming (while often closing their wallets).

  Well, I'm cheering on the Red Army in this war but the above is just my attempt to understand why they seem to be going in different directions at the same time.

  metatron
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  prologos

  they were hanging them high in the streets, as a public display.---- shunning, scary apostates talks analogy.

  The fanatical and desperate were told of secret new 'Wonder Weapons' to turn the tide of war. analogy: talk of LAST memorial, AUGUST campaign, THE END SOON

  Armageddon the ultimate battle, weapon.

  but that idea is pushed to cater to the fringe among jws, those that are desperate for the end, new start;

  the rest is just plodding along with the path of least resistance.
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  Vidiot

  And for those inclined to dismiss Metatron's analogy by playing the "Godwin's Law" card (usually the same ones insisting that the WTS will outlast us all)...

  ...ask yourselves, "if the WTS ran a country, which would it look more like? Canada, the UK, or the US? Or some weird hybridization of Nazi Germany, an Islamic Republic, and North Korea?"

  Believe me, if the WTS were a sovereign nation, inactives would be stripped of citizenship, nonmarital sex and divorce would be crimes, the DFed would be gulaged, and "apostates" would be publicly sentenced to death without possibility of appeal or reprieve.

  Anyone who thinks otherwise is naive at best, and full-on lying to themselves at worst.
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  jgnat

  I've often told my hubby that if elders were running the show, no-one would fill in the pot-holes. I tell you, I get a good laugh when I see an evening news article on the ongoing battle against pot-holes. Hubby glares at me, "Don't even say it!"
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  sir82

  The parallels with North Korea are also striking.

  The WTS may just be dumb enough to collapse after all.
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  metatron

  I think they've come to a fork in the road. Reason and compromise on one path, blind and ugly fanaticism on the other.

  This Organization evolved over time to become what it is today - and evolution leads to all sorts of surprizes.

  Maybe they went with the Coerced Contribution Arrangement because the magazines are about to end and the donations along with them.

  metatron
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  LostGeneration

  These comparisons to a nation like Nazi Germany or N. Korea are a false analogy.

  The WTS doesn't have to control a geographic population, many of whom would be independent thinkers.

  They cater to dependent thinkers, people who want their thinking done for them. Probably 30% of the population falls into this category, which of course means that 70% leave the cult when they become adults. The other 30% stay because its comfortable to have someone else tell them what to do on most days of the week.

  This cult is 140 years old. Its not going anywhere.
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  SAHS

  “LostGeneration”: “They cater to dependent thinkers, people who want their thinking done for them. Probably 30% of the population falls into this category . . .”

  That’s probably true. It’s probably more a matter of smoke and mirrors than bullets and barbed wire. Sometimes the worst kind of concentration camps are the ones which people allow to be created and perpetuated within their own mind. (Mind control is a sneaky and nasty business.)
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  prologos

  in Russia and the [former] east German territory, some still look back with fondness on the good old days. but

  they HAD to build the wall, BUT

  it came down,

  with the realisation that

  The worker PARADISE was not going to happen, even with overlapping generation[s].

  all their sacrifice for a better paradise FUTURE was for nought. null.
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  metatron

  Lost, you do make a fair point about the selection of the unthinking in sustaining the Organization.

  However, that thinking inability - coupled with apathy - could prove to be their undoing. At one time, as many oldtimers can tell you, the Organization attracted lots of nice middle class families - instead of weak, sick, broke losers as they tend to do today.

  I started thinking about this 'drift towards a denomination' rather recently after I came across info about how the Society was simply ignoring dying congregations in a sort of 'f**k you, loser' manner. It seems they are often sending couples/ brothers to congregations that show some chance for growth OR because the CO hates some elder body INSTEAD of helping halls that are about to be disbanded and sold off.

  Really cold hearted.. but that's how things could change.

  metatron