Comparing 1987 to 2017 --- cart witnessing

by pleaseresearch 14 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  Phizzy

  It is an amazing difference, in so short a time. From the early eighties I was a JW street preacher, before it was encouraged very much by the WT/JW Org.

  I preferred it to door knocking, no Not Homes ! and you could pick who you wanted to talk to. I always used mainly the Bible, but would offer Magazines etc, "placing" more of these than most in my Congregation.

  The Cart guys and gals are pathetic in contrast to the street preachers of my day, it simply is a way to fill time. One of my old pals in the street work now mans a cart, with little interest being shown as far as I can see, I bet he is frustrated.
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  Londo111

  Of course, if you compare JWland 1987 vs 1957, the 1957 era JWs would’ve thought the 1987 era JWs slackers. And of course, if you could go back to the Rutherford era 1937 JW, they were outright in people’s faces almost Westboro style and sticking their foot in people’s doors, driving soundcars through neighborhood or in front of churches proclaiming religion to be a snare and a racket.

  Indeed, I think that is the reason why there is the small Romanian breakoff group from the JWs, who are still in the Rutherford mindset.
• 

  redvip2000

  Actually.... i know the cart phenomenon is somewhat new, but witnesses have been doing this (somewhat) for a very long time.

  I have always known some witnesses even before there were carts, that picked a spot in town, and just stood there, holding up magazines with both hands, waiting for someone to pass by and take them. Now, they also never showed much interest in engaging anybody, they literally just stood there as human carts.

  The difference is that at that point, the rest of Jdubs looked at them as lazy, which i don't think happens with the cart drones.
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  Londo111

  Yes, when we did "street work", or bus stops, parking lots, ect we were pressured to proactively talk to people. If we didn't, we could easily find ourselves marginalized.
• 

  Ding

  Remember when the internet was to be avoided as being Satan's domain?

  Now for many JWs, "witnessing" consists of referring people to jw dot org.