Watchtower Aug 1st gives out conflicting signals (page 3)

ozziepost

Did you notice the pictire of serenity with the two playing musical instruments (violin and flute) watched by the boy holding the soccer ball?

More mixed signals!!

We all know that the borg frowns on young ones spending time learning musical instruments, and, if they do, who can they play to? The borgmasters ensure that the only music heard at Dub gatherings is taped music. Long ago there was some live music, but that was a long time ago. We had a fine orchestra led by a brother here in Oz around 40 years ago, but that was "canned" because the Branch felt it was taking up too much time away from 'theocratic pursuits' like witnessing.

What has resulted? Music, along with all cultural pursuits, is seldom seen or appreciated amongst the Australian Witness community.

How strange then to see it used to portray something desirable about the paradise earth.

This wouldn't be hypocrisy, would it? They say one thing in public but we all know what the reality is, don't we?

Cheers, Ozzie

minimus

Don't you get it? It's frowned upon right now in this old system but in the new system playing music to Jehovah's praise will be the norm as well as being a soccer witness.

ozziepost

G'day minimus,

Hmmmmmm. But I thought we should be living NOW as if we were in the new system, like in a "spiritual paradise"?

It always amazes me how the WTS can be against the very things that they say we will have plenty of time to do after Armageddon.

Apparently it's part of worship to Jehovah to give up doing such things. My mother speaks of going to the meetings to "worship Jehovah". Yet when I've asked where there is any worship in the 2 hours of meetings each time they gather, no answer can be given.

Cheers, Ozzie

Bang

They refused to take part in Hitler's murderous wars - translates as "am I my brother's keeper?"

Don't JWs have musicians at their meetings?

Bang

wasasister

Before this thread gets burried: what did the article have to say about Yoga? My (Dub) daughter and her friends are all working out to a televised Yoga show. They'll be pissed if they have to give it up.

I know the stance in the past, so I raised an eyebrow when she asked me to tape the program for her. She dismissed it as if it was no big deal. "They don't meditate or anything..."

How hard was the article on the practice of Yoga?

deddaisy

OMG, I love that top picture nemesis! I have a few questions for the illustrators and writers though, maybe I'll send them to "readers ask...."

first question: who is going to make all these Nikes that these illustrations depict kids wearing in the "new system?" yea, that sounds like "paradise" to me, spending eternal life working in a tennis shoe factory.......

question two: why do all WTS illustrations depict people in the "new system" wearing "modern" clothes. somehow I just can't envision Noah and Abraham strutting around in Reeboks and polo shirts............

question three: the text that accompanied the first illustration says "[i]n Nazi Germany, for instance, they resolutely refused to be drawn into Hitler's murderous wars." Has this writer ever read the letter written by the "Society" to the leaders of Nazi Germany? The ass kissing was quite nauseating.......

edited yet again to ask the all-knowing WTS writers: if not yoga, will there be any aerobics? I don't know how well aerobics will go over to "theocratic" music though ...........

Edited by - deddaisy on 12 July 2002 1:7:19

Edited by - deddaisy on 12 July 2002 1:18:31

abbagail

LOL! to Blondie who said: Obviously, women don't play sports since they are all in skirts.

and LOL again to ozziepost (who provided us with this WT-contradictory enlightment, thanks) and who said: I hope those kids don't play near the water!

You guys are cracking me up!

Those pics from the literature are too good.

I surely do wonder if I would have noticed any of these things while still a JW.

One thing I know, speaking of playing sports with worldlies and competitiveness: When a JW I took tennis lessons for one week, from a private instructor. But after that I had nobody to practice-play with! I was so frustrated and even angry about it sometimes, so I would go hit the tennis balls up against the wall for practice - all alone - woe is me. :( While hitting balls on the wall, I would see all the other "worldly" people on the courts, and so many times THOUGHT ABOUT asking others to play, but NO NO NO, I wouldn't DARE as they were "worldly."

Eventually learned a sis in the hall used to play, and she was willing to play again, so we did, and it was great while it lasted (she was married, had the kids, husband an elder, busy busy busy busy, so my "recreation" always depended on HER availability). Anyway, she also was EXTREMELY competitive. I was out there to play "just for fun." Strategy was the farthest thing from my mind. I was happy merely to keep the ball volleying (sp?) back and forth. But this sis was out for blood! and she didn't mind saying so either. Needless to say, she kept me running.... picking up balls mostly.... :)

So much for my JW tennis career. Serena I am not... ;)

GRITS

Golden Girl

Hubby get the magazines and I saw that picture..but didn't even notice the things brought out here! Shame on me..I try not to miss to many times of pointing these stupid things out to him!

I was so wrapped up in the "Prayer " article..You have to know the right way to pray before God can hear you!

A lot of people are in trouble!

Golden Girl

Flip

Thanks for posting those illustrations Nem', they're quite interesting and say a great deal.

The football (soccer) ball is one of the most popular symbols in the world outside of most of North America.

The most likely reason for the lack of popularity due to weak marketing of the sport in North America is because the lack of timeouts during a soccer game is not conducive to Western commercial televisions conventional methods of revenue generation as found, for example, with the endless stoppages in play during baseball, American football (not soccer) and basketball games ... I digress, sorry.

Portraying images of boys handling footballs, and wearing football clothing in paradise must be an excellent market tool.

The posted pictures appear to be designed to entice non-western or third-world children into becoming interested in an Organizations publications that promises to allow them to play out their fantasies, acting out on one of the few outlets they can afford to enjoy (next to copulating, which costs nothing in admission fees) in an environment that is most likely to be an improvement over their current situation.

Also, the images make the Organization appear socially and culturally acceptable through out a large portion of the world because regardless of how corrupt the government that grants WTBTS sales authorization, even third-world bureaucrats love their football (soccer).

This type of WTBTS sales marketing appears to be of the type that would be very effectivewhich is understandable, after all Brooklyn is relatively close to Madison Avenue. is it not.

Edited by - Flip on 31 July 2002 0:55:10

Edited by - Flip on 31 July 2002 0:56:18

Darkhorse

This is very interesting - I am of the "worldly class". I have a friend who has been involved with the JW (do not know the status - think my friend is fading away and not very strong in the faith - from what I have learned from this site and others, my friend does have some social interaction issues that seem characteristic with those that have been involved with JW's). All the children in the family are very heavily involved in school and town sports (they even are on travel teams). These teams have worldly players and my friend interacts with the worldly parents at team meetings, etc.

Wonder what the elders and congregation think about that? Are there any liberal JW's/congregations? Just curious?

Watchtower Aug 1st gives out conflicting signals

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