Free mind, thanks for the update on the carts! Yes I'm sure they are looking back to their periods of history when they had the biggest growth percentages and trying to repeat what worked. It's a very different world now, tho. I've been curious about all the focus on their website...aren't they concerned that people who Google it, even sincerely trying to look for the official site, will see all the apostate sites listed on the same page?? I mean it's not like they can say in their literature, or on the street, 'be very careful to type the website name exactly as it appears here, or you will see lots of stuff we don't want you to see!!'
what percentage of door to door work has been cut back to stand by the carts, do you think?
And yes I had noticed the extreme dumbing down of their literature. One of my sons friends had magazines on her coffee table when I went to pick him up from a play date...a witness had been by. Everything was super simple, sugar coated, positive, childlike. Don't people get around to coming to the Sunday meeting and during the study see and hear the real version of it and say 'whoa!'
Freeminds, one more question for you!!! Sorry but it's been a few years since I've been keeping up, what is this joke about 'I guess we believe in the rapture now!' referring to?? And any other new doctrinal changed since 2010? I occasionally talk to my parents but they avoid any discussion of religion.
you said most people probably have doubts but say 'where else would we go?' I know most don't turn to another religion, but I did. A tradition liberal Christian one, and you CAN have that same good community feeling, but without the judgmentalism and all the bad stuff. I've found a second family for which im so thankful. Reading the New Testament during a particular convention instead of listening to an abrasive circuit overseer was the start of it. They're stuck in the Old Testament, not embracing true gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice for our complete redemption..but instead always worried about following the rules. Pharisees, at their hearts. During meetings when I was fading I had to constantly tap my foot just to keep from screaming. I like Ding's suggestions, above. I did those things, but it was still so hard. You need to get out. I have to go read your other posts to see if the wife is making progress! My husband came out of it, but it was easier, since he didn't grow up in it and had a family outside. His father, who was dying at the time, was a wonderful man who would have given his life for us and his grandkids. During this time we went to the DC and it was the dama that said 'no one can truly love you unless they also love Jehovah.' Blatant, hurtful lie. That one helped!
Sorry so long!! I hope you answer my questions!!