Being Devout

by JH 18 Replies latest jw friends

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  JH

  Do you think that the younger generation of witnesses are just as devout as the older ones in the congregation?

  And do you think that the witnesses in general are just as devout today as they were 10 or 20 years ago?
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  Soledad

  In my experience, the younger generations in my old congregation showed a degree of devotion just about equal to 0, especially if the parents were prominent in the congregation.
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  JH

  I remember when I joined in 1987, some told me that years ago they walked 10 miles a day in the field service because they didn't have enough cars.

  It would seem that things have changed. Today, I don't even think that any would go out in the field service on a hot day in a car without air conditioning.
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  anti-absolutist

  I don't think that they are as devout. I would say that they are just as close-minded for sure. Probably even more so. The reason I say this is that they are having more and more of their own religion's blasphemy put in front of their face, and, of course, to the vast majority it is still AUTOMATICALLY the truth, thus causing them to have to close their minds off even more.

  May they eventually become more enlightened an actually feel free some day.

  Brad
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  ScoobySnax

  J.H. With all due respect, I'm not sure most here would be able to give you a fair assesment to your question, most have been out or are in the process of getting out and have a grievance with the WBTS on this forum (surely this couldn't have escaped you!) and so may not be able to provide a clear picture as to young ones being devout. I wouldn't be able to answer the question, all I could say was that there are thousands of younger people I saw at the convention in the summer, like last year and in years before, but I couldn't tell you if they were "devout"...how do you judge that? Its a strange word, and is difficult to gage.
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  freedom96

  I think how devout one is, is better measured individually. Some people have the extreme personality, and that will manifest itself in all areas of their lives, not just the witness doctrine.

  But, still, it is easy to lump everyone together, and I would say that the younger generation is less devout, but again has much to do with their surroundings and sphere of influence.
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  larc

  I have a quick question. Do the witnesses use the word "devout"? When I was in many years ago, we never used that word. We always referred to someone as "zealous." Just curious.
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  OUTLAW

  I just don`t think you can lump all dubs together..Some will be devout, some will not....I too find "devout" a strange word when referring to dubs..It was a word other religions used..Like larc we used the word zealous...OUTLAW
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  ScoobySnax

  Hey OUTLAW (in BIG BIG letters)

  Well said mate, can't believe for once I'm actually agreeing with you!! (this occasion only though!!)
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  gumby

  Do you think that the younger generation of witnesses are just as devout as the older ones in the congregation?

  Absolutely not!

  There have been so many let downs in the later years such as with "the generation change" The promise of the end being.."just around the corner" has seemed to vanish. Witnesses are planning for the future, going to college, etc. They didn't do this NEAR as much in the two previous decades.

  Emphasis on many things has seem to have lightened up, and dubs seem more independant than they were 10 - 20 years ago.

  Gumby