by JohnR1975 53 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Is it just me or has there been a massive change in JWs of late?
When I grew up in the cult they had a real sense of urgency and would do an hour minimum, these days it’s not even ten mins before coffee break.
same goes for everything else, it’s half hearted
I think it depends on the area of the US/World but generally speaking I'd agree. It seems to me that ever since the pandemic sort of ended and JWs were told to go back in person its been slow going.
I'd say most Congs at least 25-40 percent still go on zoom mostly and the ones that do go in person use flimsy excuses to stay home occasionally on zoom, camera's off.
As for the ministry yeah I see the same, nobody cares to go out. When they do for appearances they get coffee, pastries, and go home as quick as they can.
Even twenty years ago most JWs were just going through the motions, but I suppose it could be even worse now. I can't personally speak on that as I'm not there and I don't care.
This is obvious if you look at what JWS DO vs what they SAY. There is no urgency. They clearly do not believe they have a "life saving message" nor is there any urgency about getting that message out. Their religion is a social group. No different than if they were attending the Kiwanis Club or were a member of the Shriners.
Your not imagining it John, as western countries has slowed down considerably over the last 10 years, with even the shine of the developing world fading.
The Governing Body is learning that people can't run forever and offering them, cartoons, music videos and movies, isn't working.
I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment on this thread!!!!
The GB is realizing they can only say ""run faster & jump higher"",,,,,, for so long.
People wear out.
When the GB 'locked down' the JWs over Covid it did irreparable harm.
Ahh the lockdown.
The internet.....just a mouse click away.
A plethora of videos,,websites like these,,,, forums,,,Jwfacts.
JWs used to thrive on arguments from householders, priding themselves on how to refute them with "the truth."
Now, JWs avoid any sort of questions, just referring the householders to the website.
I would say the majority of JWs have now figured out that the end is not coming in their lifetime. My parents were true believers. My mom pioneered since I can remember, dad was an elder for a long time. After the annual meeting changes, where the governing body member said that now people can repent at the last minute, actually that people would be allowed to see the Great Tribulation and repent, my mom stopped pioneering, Dad stepped down as an elder, as well as other elders in the congregation stepped down.They didn't make a fuss, they just quietly stepped down and stopped Door to Door.
When they stepped down they attended all the meetings and maybe an hour or two on Saturday field service. Then they started Zoom during the week and only attended Sunday. Then they stopped Door to Door completely and just attended Sundays once a month. Finally they stop attending all the meetings and just Zoom.
I hear all this from my younger brother, because I think they are embarrassed to tell me anything. So I don't press it. Last I heard my parents are attending some kid's baseball games every Sunday.
Then add to that is the fact that they are not supposed to count hrs in field service anymore. That has caused several regular pioneers to quit pioneering and most of them have started taking the steps towards a career. In my parents congregation, my younger brother told me that most of the time they have between 25-40 people attend on Sunday. before covid it was over 100 every Sunday.
Only two to four people go out in service regularly on Saturdays, and they are the Old timers.
I think a lot of people are leaving. There has been a lot of pictures on
other social platforms, of kingdom halls Sunday attendance with only 20
people and sisters handling the mics.
The WT religion is gone. Door to door is a farce, it use to be Zoom but now it's not even that anymore.
There's probably a few congregations where people are still trying to hang on. But give it another 5 years and they will figured it out also. The members are leaving quietly, not making a big fuss. And the older ones are dying every day. That's why they are selling Kingdom Halls every week or consolidating congregations.
The Truth is not the Truth anymore and people know it.
“Truth” just ain’t what it used to be. 😏
