Remember this is a big corporation. Image and packaging is everything! All aspects of their presentation has to be sliced, diced, buffed and polished to fit their target market. The WatchTower is very slick, they employ misdirection and guile as well as any insurance company ever did! And like an insurance company they provide no tangible product just a feeling of security. Unlike an insurance company you can't file a claim and they will never pay up. They don't want anyone deviating from their sales formual. They wrote a pitch book, you follow it or you are out of the company! Personal testimonies are just too unpredictable. Maverick
Howcome the WTS does not include personal testimonies...
by jgnat 40 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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DannyBear
Maverick,
Thought the analogy of an 'insurance company' was pretty good. It is exactly the feeling I remember as a jw. Millions of fellow policy holder's, all waiting to cash in after the big A.
jgnat,
When Rutherford took over the reins of the wtbs, he declared that 'creature worship' would cease. Or tobe more explicit the only creature within the ranks of jw to be worshiped, would be the Judge himself.
Believe me he was in every extent of the word worshiped. No one questioned his directives, he manuevered finances (Beth Sarim-San Diego) under the guise of biblical injunction. He lavished himself with finest in automobiles, clothes, food, wine (even violating 'ceaser's" law of prohabition). He authored 100's of manuscripts for publication of his interpretaions of the bible.
All the while chastising and demeaning any of 'the brothers/sisters' who did not turn over life and fortune to the wtbs.
His duplicity and outright hypocracy is never acknowledged by jw's, they simply pass it all off as Jehovah's working through him to accomplish the 'preaching work'.
Cults are very good at forgiving even the worst conduct of their leaders.......jws are no different.
Danny
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acsot
Blondie:
All the experiences are carefully rehearsed especially at the circuit and district level. They are carefully crafted to bring in the "theme" of the convention and many times leave off vital facts such as there was no positive outcome.
The brothers want to control every word off that platform so spontaneous comments are forbidden.
You're absolutely right. Years ago at an international convention I had to give my experience about "what baptism means to me", in my case a divided household, my father was not a JW, my mother was, yada yada yada. The brother asked me to write it up and when I first showed it to him, he grabbed the paper, started adding this, removing that, telling me that it needed to conform to the theme of the assembly, and on and on. When I did give the part I wasn't quite sure who I was supposed to be talking about 'cause it didn't sound like me.
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mizpah
Do you remember when printed questions were handed out to the "brothers and sisters" before a public talk to give the impression that the questions from the audience were spontaneous? ( I always was uncomfortable with this deception.) Usually things went along fine.
On one occasion, the speaker was a "visiting brother" who handed them out. But during his talk he forgot who had what question. A "person of goodwill" raised his hand at the appropriate time and asked a question that had nothing to do with the speaker's outline. The speaker was totally thrown off balance and could not even properly answer the question.
If a personal experience was shared with the congregation, it was usually well rehearsed in advance and approved by the elders. All the meetings were, what I think is termed, "canned." Years ago, Book Studies allowed for more discussions and comments. But then the Society discouraged even this. A set schedule was made to cover so much material at each study. It allowed no time for interesting comments or related Biblical material. One had to answer according to the paragraph. It became just another meeting by rote...much the same as the Watchtower Study.
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DannyBear
Mizpah,
I remember the days when you had to create from scratch a public talk or service meeting part. Along about the mid 70's that all started to change.
I think it is why so many do everything in their power not to attend meetings. They must now be totally bereft of any personality or creativity.
I can honestly remember having fun creating demonstrations, skits, etc in those early days. One of the last parts I had assigned to me was a 1/2 hour talk at a circuit assembly......the DO made everyone with an assigned talk, deliver it in front of him before the actual event.
Paranoia was setting in then..........can't imagine how scripted everything must be nowadays.
Danny
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Pork Chop
I really don't know where this is coming from. I've heard "personal testimonials" in the congregation until I'm sick of hearing them.
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Lady Lee
Porkchop I have been in a church where there were spontaneous expressions. It is totally different than the well scripted testimonies presented at JW meetings.
Generally a time is set aside for contemplation and prayer. People have the option of sitting quietly with their own thoughts and if they are moved to do so they may speak aloud. No one is prepared. No one is encouraged. If no one says anything that is fine. If someone does that is fine too. No comments are made although someone later may mention that person's testimony and ask God to give them strength if needed. It is a time for self reflection and self thought. Things that are not permitted in the JWs
and I agree the JW scripted testimony is sickening
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Pork Chop
What I'm talking about is not scripted. It happens all the time during the Watchtower Study or in parts where people get the opportunity to comment.
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DannyBear
Pork Chop,
I will wager those 'personal testimonies' are all very according to watchtower standards, eh? Relating some experience from the 'door to door' work, applying some watchtower advice in the workplace, in other words scripted!
Danny
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pamkw
When my grandmother died, I wrote a wonderful story of her life to be read at the memorial service. I was so angry, because the stupid elder (who had been her friend for years) changed my tribute to my grandma. He added crap to tie into his talk on the paradise and the hope she had. I had left out any reference to jw except the date she was baptized. I was so upset. I really wanted to read it myself, but that is just no done at a jw funeral.
People (the jws that were there) later told me it was wonderful and loving bit of writing. I just nodded my head, only I knew who much he had messed it up and changed it. That was one of the last times I ever sit foot in a kh.