Use of first names at the KH (page 3)

Finkelstein

Sparrowdown nailed it .

Correction: Cult-speak designed to remind you that you are not an individual and of your obligation to the collective

Yep. I believe it is meant to keep JWs from feeling true intimacy with others, keeping a disconnect with them. Paul referred to first century Christians by their first name. Another way JWs are not in line with the NT. I believe Bro. (first name) would be a good middle line.

prologos

question box April 1996 km.

Oogie

I grew up in the cult, so I never called anyone bro or sis...I think the only one I ever called that was the C.O.

blondie

Here the rule is followed when first calling on people at the meetings.

Example:

WT Study/book(bible) conductor:

Asks question and looks out at hands up: Brother Known You 20 Years

BKY20Y answers

Conductor: Thank you Bob

Before and after the meetings, only B or S if they can't remember their first name (which is often if they are not in their in group).

BluesBrother

In my experience ,in the UK, they generally use first names in conversation. It is only when a speaker calls on somebody for an answer that he will say Bro..or Sis....

3rdgen

The conductors always had a dilemma when calling on young children and toddlers. Do you refer to a 3 year old as Bro Smith? Somewhere along the line the society directed them to address unbabtized ones by their first names only without Bro/Sis beforehand. Yet, that was weird when an adult was close to baptism, raised their hand and called called Bob or Suzie.

Only a cult would make rules about this!

Billy the Ex-Bethelite

And then there was the issue of not calling someone Bro or Sis until:

they had been to enough meetings and studied long enough to earn this 'privilege'
they became publishers
they answered some silly bible/WT questions and got dunked in water

In the meantime, they were addressed by their first name or Mr./Miss/Mrs. So-and-so.

Use of first names at the KH