The "tiring out" of chronology

by RunningMan 18 Replies latest jw friends

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  RunningMan

  Much has been said on this forum about the reasons for the JW lack of growth in Western lands. Numerous explanations have been put forward for this and for the future prospects of the organization.

  But, above all else, I believe that there is one overriding reason behind it all. And, it is a reason that will continue to eat away at them until they either address it through reformation, or collapse under its weight.

  It is chronology. Chronology is the foundation on which their most unique and identifying doctrines are built ? 607, 1914, the time of the end, Christ?s presence, etc.

  And, their chronology is as old and decrepit as their leadership. When I was young, 1914 was only 50 or 60 years prior. It was a credible date for the beginning of the modern era. Many people could remember their lifestyle of the prior century.

  But, today, 1914 is now almost a century old. No one considers 1914 as being within the modern era anymore. No one is old enough to wistfully look back at pre-WWI life. It is no longer a credible beginning point for the time of the end.

  We have already seen them back away from the generation doctrine. As for the future, they have two options ? back away from chronology entirely, becoming more mainstream, or rewrite the chronology with a new set of dates. Both options will have serious fallout. But, if they fail to address this problem, their malaise will continue and deepen.

  Add to this, the easy information exchange of the internet, the uneventful passing of the millennium, the general waning of apocalyptic sentiment, and the overall stability of world events, and you have a recipe for a very unhappy apocalyptic sect. I believe that the Society knows where it needs to take its doctrines, but I don?t think they can survive the trip. Unfortunately for them, they have adopted leadership by committee, and their committee consists only of yes-men. They have no charismatic leaders, and if they do, they are mired in the sesspool of immovability committees. They react only to crises.
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  stillajwexelder

  Exactly - I have nothing to add to that
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  dustyb

  well, we can always support dubbies and go blow something up...
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  undercover

  As for the future, they have two options ? back away from chronology entirely, becoming more mainstream, or rewrite the chronology with a new set of dates. Both options will have serious fallout. But, if they fail to address this problem, their malaise will continue and deepen.

  The Feb 1st WT (I think) reiterated their position as 607 being the destruction of Jerusalem and the chronology from that date to 1914 being the end of the gentile times. Doesn't sound like they're either changing or backing down. They're gonna stick to their numbers and forbid their members to research it for themselves. I have to agree that "their malaise will continue and deepen". Current members will drop off as they get the nerve to research on their own and potential new members will research using the Internet before committing to an "off-beat" religion, generally speaking.
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  Leolaia

  I agree wholeheartedly with your post, except for one thing. The chronology is a handicap as along as the organization continues to behave like a cult, viewing the external world as temporary and designating itself as the only true form of Christianity and the only group God has blessed, with Armageddon right around the corner, and with the only "work" seen to be done is the conversion of others into its ranks. But if it settles down to become a mainstream Christian denomination that has only tepid emphasis on the end of the world and tries to serve the wider community, the dates become far less important and thus less of a problem. A case in point would be Seventh Day Adventism, which still holds onto very old dates such as 1799 to show that the "time of the end" has begun, but which behaves more like other Christian denominations than a fringe apocalyptic cult. They help their communities, and dates such as 1799 are far less important and more optional as matters of faith than basic Christian principles of loving your neighbor and thus they organize charity organizations, fund universities and other forms of higher education, and health care facilities. With chronology a much less important matter, dates such as 1799 do not pose as much of a handicap -- as old and antiquated as the dates may be. The 1914 date however is inherently more weak since it based on both strained exegesis and historically invalid anchor dates.
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  Room 215

  Running Man, Leolaia, greetings.

  Leolaia, what you describe is nothing less than total reform, something which appears possibly only by evolution, as the inexorable ticking of the clock and the crossing off of months, then years, from the calendar completely invalidates their already-beleaguered chronology. Since survival is the WTBTS's overarching priority, such changes appear imperative to their viability, with ``when" rather rthan ``if" the one remaining question. Even if the hard-liners have to be dragged, kicking and screaming, into the mainstream of humanity, it's the only option open to them that will insure their survival.
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  ESTEE

  or rewrite the chronology with a new set of dates.

  I figure this is what they will do ... and call it New LightTM ...

  ESTEE
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  Elsewhere

  I think this is true... for those who start to study with a JW.

  However, there has been a very significant drop in the number of people who are even willing to talk to a JW. This tells me that something else is going on. I think a lot of this is being caused by people simply knowing JWs or xJWs.

  I think there are enough people out there who have been harmed by the WTS that most people either know one of these people, or they know someone who knows one of these people.

  I'm talking about the "Critical Mass" of xJWs I've posted about before. When this number gets large enough, the population as a whole cannot help but become aware of the harmful nature of the WTS.

  It's like knowing someone who is gay. If you know someone who is gay you are more likely to be sympathetic to the equal rights of people who are gay. The same applies to knowing someone who has been hurt by the WTS.

  Every time we talk to someone about our experiences in the WTS, we effectively inoculate that person against the WTS... and if they hear a friend or family member talking about joining the WTS, they will tell that person about us too.
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  Carmel

  If I remember correctly, Jesus endorsed the concept of "proof by establishment" when He refered to the olive tree that bears no fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. You may assert that the "reform" religions that sprang out of the mid 1800's are established, but consider that they are not new religions, just sects of an existing religion (ie Christianity). I don't know how long for the JDubs need to exist to meet the qualification, but it seems to me it has already split into at least two or three groups and is losing its basis for existance, based on biblical exegis (chronology, and other doctrins).

  My feeling is that it cannot reform without major fall-out and it cannot attract new adherents without some kind of message or behavior that sets it apart from all the other contending denominations hell bent on conversion.

  carmel, agreeing with those that see no future for the witlesses
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  RubaDub

  The "tiring out" of chronology ???

  Running Man, I can't understand your premise. Chronology is alive and well !

  I think you should reexamine your own doubts and reasonings.

  May I recommend that you re-read the two Isaiah books, volumes 1 and 2.

  Also, I would carefully study again the Revelation Grand Climax book and draw comparsions to the information that was presented in the Babylon book.

  I would pay particular attention to the events of the 20th century.

  I think that will change your perception about Chronology.

  ***** Rub a Dub