I couldn't count how many times I heard Fred Franz was a Rhodes Scholar. Or how the brother giving a Special Talk served in Bethel for 125 years. Or how we don't want to miss the speaker giving a talk since he's on the Writing Committee or Service Dept.....but of course, this isn't creature worship since there's no excessive clapping.
The Watchtower Says It's Creature Worship To Excessively Applaud a Speaker
by minimus 32 Replies latest jw friends
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Flowerpetal
I don't applaud after the prayer at DCs; I don't say "amen" out loud after any prayer--sometimes I say a silent "amen." And I don't applaud very much any even when experiences are given. I also hate that when there is a drama, the audience applauds after every fade-out of a scene.
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minimus
There was a GB member that REGULARLY slowed down during MOST of his talk so that the audience would applaud. I remember leading the applause (on purpose, much to my wife's chagrin), and laughing, because I could see this guy just LOVED the adoration of the rank and file.
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CruithneLaLuna
During the "remaining months of the Old System," back in 1974, we had a C.O. who had some definite verbal gifts. He was obviously intelligent and learned, and had an awe-inspiring vocabulary (including some personally-coined words that actually made sense, if one took the time to puzzle out their etymologies). He was a very dynamic, one might even say "fiery," speaker, and had been a professional singer - sometimes he could be heard (and appreciated) over the rest of the crowd at Circuit Assemblies. Everyone loved to listen to this man talk. It was like being subjected to a mild form of hypnosis, in a way. He got "excessive applause," not only AFTER his talks, but he started getting extensive applause when he walked onto the stage, before beginning to speak! It was extremely clear that appreciation was being expressed for his personal gifts as a communicator and entertainer, in addition to the material that he was presenting.
I do not recall anything negative being said, no "special needs" talks were given to my knowledge, but as soon as the creature-worship problem became obvious, he was replaced with a new C.O. whose manner was entirely different, and whose personal gifts were less outstandingly apparent. Problem solved.
I don't know whatever happened to Brother Object-of-Worship. I don't think he sought adulation, but he couldn't help being who he was. I really wonder whatever happened to him.
Cruithne
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minimus
Gee----This guy sounds a lt like me.
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simplesally
Creature worship is alive and rampant in the WTS. People bragging that they got to go to dinner with the District Overseer; brothers vying to be on the foursome when they'd play golf with the DO or CO...... I remember an elder and his wife bragging about their dinner after the Convention (this brother was the head of Admin) and one of the GB went with them.
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simplesally
We used to have an elder and people thought he was such a superfine example and would quote him all the time; his followers (his bible students who got baptized and ministerial-servant-wanna-bes) were jokingly called "Howardites" by the rest of the congregation. He and his wife were totally shocked that when they left, there was no going away party and most of the Hall was so glad he and his mini congregation were finally dismantled!!! But off he went to a new hall and is now the PO --- with everyone quoting him again, only a few elders dare to roll their eyes at his WT fanaticism.
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Panda
I remember clapping at the end of assemblies. So that had to be almost 10 years ago. So they want money, your heart, your brain, your virginity, your youth... did I miss anything?
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caligirl
I definitely remember excessive attention and importance being placed on speakers from bethel when I was growing up. There was definitely more importance placed on them. Even special Saturday night meetings for slide shows or talks, if the visit was not scheduled in time to cancel whoever was supposed to give the talk on Sunday.
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wheres caleb?
Hi Minimus,
I liked your post about encouraging the applause. That was hilarious. I could see myself, there, getting a great chuckle. It's amazing how they can present issues like this and then make exceptions whenever their egos or perceptions merit it.
During the Ministry School it was not appropriate to clap after a talk. But it was ok if it was a new speaker. It was also ok to clap for someone who was experiencing some difficulties and still made the effort. Do I clap now, later, or not at all?
I remember the speakers that received the most applause were the ones who could make the scriptures live. The robots presented information, teachers reached the heart.
I guess anything could suggest idolatry in JWdom. One CO suggested that allowing a dog or other animal eat at the table, was a form of idolatry. Am I supposed to feel better informed or wonder when the nit-picking ends?
My daughter told me that my talks were better than any CO or DO she ever heard. That's the only applause I need.