The GB's New Year's Resolutions

by NotFormer 3 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  NotFormer

  Towards the end of this year, they managed to shock many on here and elsewhere with new resolutions, like publishers no longer having to record hours and now allowing men to grow beards without having to face judgement or judgemental behaviour. But, as pointed out by a few, these amount to being not much more than cosmetic changes, one in administrative paperwork and the other in personal grooming habits.

  The other major change announced in the leaked AGM video is the possibility of being saved at the last minute. It has yet to be officially announced, released, whatever. This one is arguably more consequential in the face of WT beliefs previously peddled. And the current expectation seems to be that it will be announced soon, in the new year. So, a much anticipated New Year's resolution.

  What other changes of heart and direction should we expect to see from the GB in the coming year? What, from a rational and conservative approach, could we expect and hope to see change?

  And from a completely emotional perspective, unfettered by rational considerations, what outrageous, totally unpredictable changes would you hope to see? Let your imagination run wild! 😁🎉🎇🎆🎊🎈🎂
• 

  ThomasMore

  A softened judicial trigger and process. WTC is losing many to questionable disfellowshippings. I don’t think they will stop DFing but the bar needs to be a lot higher to trigger a JC and more blatant behavior to result in expulsion.

  It is possible that the provision for written Disassociation might be discarded as well. But this is in the stratosphere.
• 

  joey jojo

  It seems now, that a likely reason AM3 was 'relieved' of his position was that the GB have wanted to introduce some pretty big changes for a while and maybe AM3 was protesting the changes. Who would have predicted ticking a box for witnessing? It has reduced the 'most important work in history' into a token service with little meaning.
  

  Whats next?

  I cant see the GB changing their stance towards easter or christmas but maybe a softening on birthdays, making it a conscience issue? Like beards, there is no clear law in the bible that disallows celebrating birthdays.

  Also, maybe a softening on the rules surrounding disfellowshipping? The GB know it is an emotionally harmful practice that destroys families and the situation in Norway has opened up a can of worms for them. If the borg wants to go ultra-lite in regards to attendance and witnessing, maybe it makes sense not kicking out members that may be contributing financially, or at least, not making them feel like pariahs.

  After the recent changes, I wouldnt be surprised if they started setting the stage to drop the 1914 generation nonsense. It has been discussed here for years as something that the org has to deal with sooner or later.

  All the best for the new year.
• 

  blondie

  joeyjo,

  "Like beards, there is no clear law in the bible that disallows celebrating birthdays." Most jws don't realize there is no clear law disallowing birthdays. I didn't until I tried to explain it to a non-jw. I saw how the WTS strings scriptures together and tries to "connect the dots." But the picture they are trying to convey pictures nothing when the dots are connected. But many jws realize that if they don't go along with it, it will damage their standing and the congregation and seem to be troublemakers. It isn't until the WTS says it is okay or let your own conscience dictate your decisions, they still in qualifiers that make it seem your decision is wrong. I do believe though that the continuing revealing to the public media about cases of child sexual abuse and the WTS hiding them, resulting in big fines, is making more jws wonder and maybe even research. The WTS wants to save their so-called good reputation with non-jws who have no idea what goes on behind the closed doors of the WTS. I have seen a lot of changes over my 60 years, and the more things the more the stay the same. The difference is more and more jws are finding ways around the "rules" of the WTS. Especially PIMOs. Once the door is open, it is very hard to shut it.