Verdict on the 2025 convention

by gavindlt 18 Replies latest jw experiences

  • gavindlt
    gavindlt

    Final Thoughts After 15 Hours of the 2025 Assembly


    After dedicating 15 hours to the 2025 assembly, I walked away with a heavy sense of spiritual emptiness. The only part that managed to stir anything within me was a single video on day one titled “What Does Jesus See in You?”—a piece with sentimental appeal, but still surface-level at best.


    The central three-part presentation on Jesus’ early ministry was, frankly, deeply disappointing. Rather than offering deep scriptural insight or spiritual nourishment, it devolved into what felt like an extended advertisement for the NWT Bible. It was less about Christ and more about institutional self-congratulation.


    Each talk, though polished and rehearsed, repeated the same shallow themes—calls to be happy, to sacrifice, to obey—without ever touching the deeper realities of faith, struggle, or genuine transformation. Layered beneath it all was a nauseating level of praise for the Governing Body, treated almost with worshipful reverence, while Christ was effectively sidelined.


    What was intended as spiritual food turned out to be nothing more than reheated, over-processed milk—nutritionally barren and spiritually unfulfilling. For a presentation so meticulously crafted, it was disturbingly devoid of substance, soul, or reality.


    After 35 years of sincere devotion to this human-crafted rhetoric, I now see it for what it is: hollow words propping up a system that feeds on emotional sentiment rather than divine truth. This assembly offered nothing to meditate on, nothing to stir the heart or the mind. It was forgettable, uninspiring, and profoundly sad.


    This is what happens when one follows the shallow teachings of men rather than the living words of Christ. I won’t be rewatching anything from it. And I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone seeking real spiritual light.

  • Ding
    Ding

    The Watchtower religion is all about obeying the GB.

    It equates loyalty to Jehovah with loyalty to the organization.

  • blondie
    blondie

    Quotes from WT about loyalty to organization: https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/quotes/trust-governing-body.php An example: During the great tribulation, we may receive instructions that seem strange, impractical, or illogical. Of course, Jehovah will not speak to us personally. He will likely provide direction through his appointed representatives. That will hardly be the time to second-guess the direction or to view it with skepticism, Watchtower 2022 Feb pp.2-7

    To obey is better than a sacrifice.​—1 Sam. 15:22.

    If organizational changes test your loyalty, what should you do? Fully support the organizational changes. During their travels in the wilderness, the Kohathites carried the ark of the covenant before all the people. (Num. 3:29, 31; 10:33; Josh. 3:2-4) What a privilege! However, things changed for them when the Israelites settled in the Promised Land. The Ark no longer needed to be moved regularly. So the Kohathites were assigned other duties. (1 Chron. 6:31-33; 26:1, 24) There is no record that the Kohathites complained or demanded a more prominent role because of their rich heritage. What lesson can we learn? Wholeheartedly support changes that Jehovah’s organization makes, including any that affect your assignment. Find joy in whatever assignment you are given. Remember that your assignment does not reflect your worth as a person. Jehovah values your obedience far more than any assignment. w22.11 23 ¶10-11

  • Beth Sarim
    Beth Sarim

    The conventions,,, are CONventions.

    To keep you inline & keeping up with the demands of the Borg & loyalty to them.

  • Mickey mouse
    Mickey mouse

    I'm sorry you felt you had to waste time on that.

  • I quit!
    I quit!
    Gavindlt, It's obvious that you didn't enjoy it but I am wondering about how you think it was received by other people in attendance. Did they look interested or bored with the talks? I can't imagine going to those things year in year out for decades.
  • joey jojo
    joey jojo

    If the slave class was truly discreet - as they claim, they would apologise for promoting false prophecies. Instead, they say that there is no need for them to apologise for anything.

    They claim no special knowledge but expect unquestioning obedience. In fact, to question them is to question god.

  • Phizzy
    Phizzy

    Thanks gavindlt,

    That is EXACTLY how I felt with the last couple or three Summer Conventions I ever attended, so after the last one I actually attended i vowed never to go to one again, that was over two decades ago, so it seems the poor quality, no real "Spiritual food", no real practical guidance on how to follow Jesus in our daily 21st Century lives, has continued since that time, and maybe got worse !

    It was the same with Public Talks, given in K.H's, the outlines were dire, and contained none of the things people like you and I desired, practical spiritual guidance.

    I also liked to increase my knowledge and understanding of Scripture, in an accurate way, and loved things that I had to intellectually wrestle with, difficult concepts that I could "chew on".

    The Org. never has provided that it seems. The underlying reason being that they have no real Scholars in their Org. no people who really DO understand Scripture.

  • gavindlt
    gavindlt

    The reason I listened or went is to save my son. He is still in the cult and I felt it’s better to forearmed then forewarned. And for IQuit, I think the cognitive dissonance runs really deep. For many witnesses they will regard this as moving forward. This will cement their belief against criticism that they are fully integrated with accepting Jesus as an active part of their life. For the witnesses this assembly was a victory to silence their opposers. If my standards were lower and I had no discernment this would have been classified by the historic me as an encouragement thanks to the governing body!

  • WingCommander
    WingCommander

    I humbly submit what I consider is about next for the Org: Kid songs about OBEYING THE GOVERNING BODY.

    Hey! Iglesia Ni Cristo cult in the Philippines (modeled right after the JW's belief system) has one already that the JW's can copy, just like they do with Mormon stuff already. (Family Worship Night, stolen right from the Mormons, as well as Caleb and Sophia)

    Check it out, and bring your barf bag:

    Always Submit to the Church Administration

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit