Hello Saw the light,
I think it deals with each person's perspective. I remember when they started using that phrase "five meetings per week". I too thought the society had miscounted because, at the time, I wouldn't have (had?) missed the meetings unless I was in the hospital with some dreaded disease. Later, after I had children, I counted five meetings because I left in the middle (or at least wanted to) more often.
I understand what you are saying about the R&F being conditioned to parrot any and all terms the society spouts, even when the terms don't make sense.
I also find it interesting that in the Watchtowere study article in '99, July or August, the article said that if a person was missing meetings they were apostacizing (sp? and is that a word?). This was my husband's last meeting. He told our friend sitting next to him that the society can't make that assumption. She said that it must be refferring to the Greek definition of the word. What a crock. He left in a very angry mood and never went back. Yeah!
Take care and enjoy your day,
Angeleah