The One Lesson They Cannot Learn

by metatron 12 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  metatron

  Can the Watchtower ever open its eyes and learn from its mistakes?

  If so, here's a lesson screaming at them:

  Stop making enemies.

  It's just as simple as that. I DO HOPE they lose a big court case and, just perhaps,
  begin to discern how skilled, determined opponents spring up wherever the organization
  looks vunerable. Let them discern how people are willing to sacrifice time and considerable
  effort - to seek their defeat - on the internet, in court, or any other outlet for
  exposure, simply because the organization has hurt them. Others, likely 'in the world',
  eagerly enjoy the chance to 'get them', after being repelled by their arrogance
  and dishonesty.

  Some dismiss the Watchtower as a mere business. I wish this were so, because if it
  were true, they would quickly appreciate that a thinly financed corporation stretched
  over all the globe is highly vunerable to the deprecations of angry 'customers'
  who now wish them ill! If they were simply a business, THEY COULD LEARN to stop
  this simple-minded labeling of opponents as 'apostates led by the Devil' and stop the
  blind rule- bound cruelty of disfellowshipping anybody who publically disagrees with
  them. They might learn to quietly negociate IN GOOD FAITH , instead of 'kneejerk'
  reactions that further ruin their image.

  When Jesus said "Love your enemies" and "if a man shall impress you for a mile,
  give him two". Paul told the Thessalonians not to treat disorderly ones as "enemies".
  These things were spoken in the wisdom that fighting and acting hatefully are not
  the most intelligent response to a hostile environment.

  What will it take to make them discern their own foolishness?
  A judge's ruling?
  A juries' verdict?
  a bureaucrat's fine?
  a reporter's critical story?
  an ex-elder's testimony?
  continuous internet exposure?
  a march on Brooklyn?
  loss of contributions?
  Witnesses too ashamed to identify themselves as such?

  Do they ever 'wake up'?
  or do they have no choice, having gone so far in lies and internal decay
  that THEY CANNOT TURN AROUND AND REPENT? Perhaps their simple-minded organization
  cannot stand the challenge of seeing opposers with a conscience, internal dissenters with guilt,
  and a world not always led by the Devil.

  Pick up gun,
  point at foot,
  shoot!

  metatron
• 

  Analysis

  I have several principles that I attempt to live by; One is "Do not make enemies that I do not wish to destroy." I have found that a very useful principle to live by since I have yet to meet someone that I want to destroy. But, it still allows for the Hitlers of the World.

  The Problem is the WTBTS GB does want to destroy their adversaries. They just dont think like the rest of us.

  What will it take to make them discern their own foolishness?

  A judge's ruling?

  No

  A juries' verdict?

  No

  a bureaucrat's fine?

  How Big

  a reporter's critical story?

  Never

  an ex-elder's testimony?

  Never

  continuous internet exposure?

  So far it has not worked

  a march on Brooklyn?

  They would enjoy the persecution

  loss of contributions?

  They would just downsize even more.

  Witnesses too ashamed to identify themselves as such?

  How many already feel that way, it has not worked yet.

  The key is money. The Governing Body Members are safe for life. Even in prison they would be martyrs and have food and shelter at some country club prison in the US.

  The question is: What would it take for the top 50 to 100 other leaders in Brooklyn to see that being out on the street at the age of 50 or 60 is their future without change. It is money!

  The other hope is that these leaders find their Collective Consciences.
• 

  cruzanheart

  I think it's pride. They are so convinced of their own righteousness that they refuse to even consider that they might be WRONG on anything. Unfortunately, the world is full of weakminded people who will blindly follow them so I don't think it will ever really die and go away. For some reason, a lot of people enjoy being told what to do and think that if it hurts them or makes them feel bad, it must be the right thing. I have two basset hounds, and while they are not the brightest bulbs on the planet, neither one of them will deliberately do something that hurts or doesn't feel good more than once. They each, at different times, felt the need to stick their noses into a can of paint, found out it wasn't edible and smelled bad, and never did it again. After, of course, shaking their heads, sneezing and spraying everything and everyone in the vicinity with paint.

  I worry about people who aren't smarter than basset hounds.
• 

  ISP

  I don't think they are interested in learning too much. They are highly successful at what they do. Printing 20 Million magazines every two weeks....to a captive market.....with the prospect of being paid twice. Not bad business if you ask me.

  ISP
• 

  jst2laws

  Metatron,

  Perhaps their simple-minded organization
  cannot stand the challenge of seeing opposers with a conscience, internal dissenters with guilt,

  This and several other points were well taken. Good post.

  Analysis

  You have a good point about money being key. Additionally, the loss of money will probably scare the older, unskilled non-GB members most, as you pointed out.

  Now what will cause this?

  1 Less money coming in due to losses in the western world where the money comes from.

  2 More money going out to settle lawsuits because the Boys would not "repent"

  One reservation though,

  continuous internet exposure? So far it has not worked

  Are we sure it has not worked so far? Seems every country that has easy access to the internet are the same countries posting losses in numbers the past three years.

  Jst2laws
• 

  Stephanus

  Witnesses too ashamed to identify themselves as such?

  This, more than anything else, will be the sign of the end, or at least that things will have to change. While the R&F continue to proudly identify themselves as "Jehovah's people", there will be chances to paper over the other cracks. But when the ordinary JWs are reluctant to identify just what religious org they represent, in the same way that Amway Distributors never tell you up front that it's Amway but a "business proposition", then it'll be pretty well over bar the shouting.
• 

  Dismembered

  Analysis

  Your points are well made! Definitely something to ponder.
• 

  Francois

  This is not the only lesson they will never learn. They will never learn that you cannot get blood out of a rock (not for storage or any biblically unapproved purpose).

  They do not have that one thing that one must, MUST have in order to learn, especially to learn from mistakes: humility.

  They don't have this requried humility because they are convinced they speak for God. They, collectively, are in a SICK, DYSFUNCTIONAL relationship with themselves, just like a sick marriage, or a sick company.

  Reminds me of a song I knew once:

  "OH Lord it's hard to be humble,
  When we speak for you every day.

  When we look at outselves in the mirror,
  We look more like God every way."

  COME ON FRIENDS. Add your verse to this song. (Watch the cadence and rhyming. Let's do it and make a CD.

  francois

  Edited by - francois on 12 September 2002 21:42:18
• 

  ozziepost

  Witnesses too ashamed to identify themselves as such?

  This was the 'beginning of the end' for me as an elder. I left my Bethel desk for the day and a sudden feeling of shame at just being an elder came over me. It never passed.

  Cheers, Ozzie
• 

  The Alchemist

  It is said that a good idea only comes from an individual never a committee. What individual in Brooklyn/Paterson has the courage to expose him/herself and say "LET'S REPENT"!!! They know and we know that they would be thrown out on their ass. They are all afraid of each other. Man, I am glad I ain't there!