As some of you may know, I posted a bit about the convention this weekend, regarding Internet Dating services for JWs. Unfortunately, there was a lot more that didn't post, only the first line, so here we go again.
The three day convention was bordering on the paranoia. Paranoia over dating JW's on the Internet, even with Witness websites, paranoia over "lies and half truths" spread by apostate opposers of God and truth, and paranoia over "our young ones," and what they will do with their lives.
The talk on young people was fairly non-eventful. They interviewed some young ones, who were still in school and pioneering, some learning another langauge. Then they introduced some slightly "older" young ones, one of whom had graduated from the Ministerial Training School.
They made light mention about the numbers of young people leaving the truth, though the speaker said that "a few do go their own way."
Parents received strong counsel on how much education their kids should have, and the motive for allowing them to go to college or university.
Bascially, if parents aren't sending their children to college/uni for the reason of supporting themselves in the full time ministry, then it's not a good decision to make.
My take on this is as follows:
The Society will NOT let up on higher education. They are no so stupid as to believe that getting a job with a high school diploma is just as easy as it was for a high school graduate in the 1950s or 1960s. They know that employers expect more, and come on, if you want to be a nurse or a doctor or some kind of engineer, you NEED to go to school for it.
The most they will bend is for a youth to get some "vocational training" to help him/her get a job (preferably part time) and make a full time career of the pioneer ministry.
There was a talk on "Wholesome Recreation" - and some rather strong counsel on NOT having large gatherings as they are very difficult to control, so only a "few families gathering together for wholesome recreation" is the limit.
Basically, their idea of recreation is just having a meal at another friends house and sharing "uplifting field service experiences" with them - seriously, this was a suggestion given to us.
The new release, "Keep on the Watch" is an interesting brochure. It differs from the others, as even a non-witness reading it could feel "a sense of urgency" that the end could come tomorrow. I don't know if the way it was written is deliberately trying to induce "phobias" to stay with the organization or what, but it gets TO THE POINT. In other words, you are given a CLEAR CHOICE when reading this brochure - Associate with Jehovah's Witnesses and live or reject them, God's organization, and die.
A noticeable piece of hypocrisy is on page 3, title "Where is This World Headed?"
Notice this little gem...
THE RELIGIOUS SCENE
Churches back factions in war. Clergy charged in genocide. Priests sexually exploit young people; church cover-up. Decline in attendance; church buildings sold.
I don't know which moron on the writing committee wrote this, but it's painful just to see it there. I needn't make any more comments.
During the longer talks, it seemed as if the speaker took great delight in shouting, "KEEP ON THE WATCH" every few seconds.
There was a talk about all the doctrinal changes the Society had made over the last 80 years. Another poster observed that they completely missed out the "1995 generation change" and just stuck with the new understanding of the "sheep and the goats."
Make no mistake - if any of you really think (or hope) that the Society will make the needed changes and reforms to clean up their act, THINK AGAIN. Their methods work for them, and they will not change them for the good of the many.