Current JW's Compared to 30...20, Even 15 yrs Ago

by XBEHERE 9 Replies latest jw friends

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  XBEHERE

  I have read on here over the past few years many threads pertaining to "The fall of the WT" most recently the "Divided Branch" one and also if JWish will become more mainstream.

  I think that JW's today are vastly different than several to a few decades ago. For instance, I am an active JW and I go through the motions and I can probably acurately assume that I am not alone... in fact there are many like me I am sure. I wonder why its like this? To be perfectly frank, depending on the area you are in I suppose, there are more "normal" people in this religion than there was before. Meaning people who make more independent decisions in life, those who go to college, watch what they want and pretty much do what they want to do as long as they go to all the meetings and field service. As I said perhaps this is not true everywhere but I see in my area trends changing, for example:

  More going to college. Back in my day (High School Days) if you didnt pioneer and you went to college you were pretty much an outcast. I know some of you may say that well the WT changed their view in the early 90's to allow college but now they are getting strict again. I say that its clearly too late as the trend to go to college is more accepted already regardless of what they now say.

  Example: In my youth as a JW, an elder under the age of 30 was unheard of. Today there are many appointed before 30. I think because more are going to college or generally taking the "truth" less seriouslyt so the pool of potential "company men" is lessening every year.

  These are a couple of examples that I thought of. Any other observations? Do you think the WT will continue to adapt to the times despite their claim that Jah never changes so neither do they?
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  joelbear

  I think the change took place starting in the early 80s and has continued.

  In the 60s, JWs were rare. I was the only JW in my elementary school. Witnesses were quirkier, but deathly serious about Watchtower edicts. I saw this change over the 20 years before I left in 1988.
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  undercover

  depending on the area you are in I suppose, there are more "normal" people in this religion than there was before. Meaning people who make more independent decisions in life, those who go to college, watch what they want and pretty much do what they want to do as long as they go to all the meetings and field service. As I said perhaps this is not true everywhere but I see in my area trends changing,

  I agree with that. JWs seem to be more mainstream than ever. I think the WTS is slowly losing their grasp on the average JW. JWs put on a good show at the hall and at assemblies and where ever people know they are JWs but when on their own or in their own cliques they pretty much act like everyone else. The WTS can lay all the guilt on them they can but it seems to be a losing battle.

  These are a couple of examples that I thought of. Any other observations? Do you think the WT will continue to adapt to the times despite their claim that Jah never changes so neither do they?

  The WTS doesn't seem to want to adapt but they may be forced to if they want to reverse the decline in the modernized nations. The Internet is a bigger threat than they realized. You can't stop the information highway and it's running right through the WTS's front yard. They can't get construction on it stopped nor will they be able to keep most JWs from driving on it.

  A couple of examples that shows the mainstreaming of JWs that I have noticed:

  When I was young, dancing was frowned on. Traditional waltz type dancing was allowed only between married partners. Single people were cautioned against it and married people were warned to not dance with anyone outside of the marriage arrangement. Modern dancing that was popular in the 50s and 60s was definitely out. By the late 80s though I noticed that dancing was more acceptable though much of the music was censured. By the mid-90s dancing at JW events wasn't much different than other parties attended to by average folk. The music was still censured some but not to the degree that it was in the 60s and 70s.

  College. Well, we've all beaten that horse to death but it shows that pretty much across the board that JWs accept higher education as necessary where before it was the work of Satan.

  I've seen a trend, at least around where I live, that many JWs are ignoring the "bad association" warnings from the WTS. I know several JWs who have "worldly" friends. Not just lunch buddies at work, but hanging out at bars after work, traveling together, pretty much doing what most people do with friends. When I was a child, I wasn't allowed to play with the neighborhood kids because they were "worldly". That carried over to school. I couldn't do extra-curricular activities or be in a school play or play sports. Today a lot of JW kids do all of those things.

  Not that being a JW today is a piece of cake. It's still a cultish religion with control issues. I just see a lot of individuals not allowing the control techniques to work on them.
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  AK - Jeff

  They are changing with the times to some extent - and the GB hates it with passion!

  I see only two possible ways for this to go;

  1- The GB tries to move the organization to a 'moderate' stance, and reduces control. In this case some that left might even return.

  Chances of number one happening - about equal with them letting Raymond Franz back on the GB

  2- Control, control, control. In this case the halls will keep emptying out.

  Number two it will be!

  Jeff
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  Doubtfully Yours

  Hi there!

  Regarding your observations...

  "JW's today are vastly different. Meaning people who make more independent decisions in life, those who go to college, watch what they want and pretty much do what they want to do as long as they go to all the meetings and field service."

  It's very true. I see the WTBTS evolving more and more with each day and as the new generations of JWs take over the old. Believe me, the new JW generation is a lot more liberal and adjusted to the way move in this system these days.

  Since, in order to keep peace, I must somewhat comply to the JW lifestyle, I at least feel happy that they're evolving with the times.

  DY
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  Whiskeyjack

  I'd have to agree with your observations Xbehere.

  I still remember the huge guilt trip on youth in regards to education (if I remember correctly, Franz gave such a talk at the '84 Montreal asssembly when I was a high school senior that made me feel like a complete shit!). As for double-lifers, the hardcore component of all halls(people who follow the letter of the JW law with no exceptions) must be shrinking since more people are making their own decisions on what's appropriate behaviour.

  I've no idea how the org. will "manage" the current generation (no pun intended!) which is even more independent than ours (internet, chat-lines, etc...) and better informed. Either they "ratchet down" behavioural requirements or develop a "don't ask -don't tell" policy which will prove counter productive in the long run. What's going to happen when our parents' generation passes away? These kids don't have to same "escalation of committment" to overide logic and critical thinking affecting their parents and grandparents.

  After the next decade or so, what will happen? The org. seems to be prepared to shrink in their western world "base" and focus on the Third World (see the new OM book thread).

  W.
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  candidlynuts

  one thing thats changed is social activity.

  in the 60's 70's we would have nights we'd play music with other families, go and play cards, football, softball etc.. then the 80s came and we're told to beware of associating with our brothers , they may not be spiritually strong enough to associate with..one must limit the number of people at gatherings, one is responsible for the music played at their gathering.. could the music stumble your brother? couldnt you use your time more wisely in personal study or family study?

  even assemblies.. you have to get there only an hour before it starts and find seats. no time to visit other than a greeting here and there.. cant visit after the assemblies you have to be out of there within 30min to an hour.. lunch time gets shorter every year.. scarf down your sandwich and get in the bathroom line and MAYBE you'll get to talk to SOMEONE you know.. but watch out for the bathroom mafia attendants.. KEEP THE LINE MOVING LADIES...

  they took humanity away from the religion and expect people to still be drawn to it.
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  garybuss

  In 1974 it got so bad I quit. I'd last about a week (maybe) now in this extremely tight control Witness environment. I guess there are at least six million people on the planet nowadays who like to be pushed around.
  
  
  
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  Cygnus

  I haven't had much to do with Witnesses for 8 years now. My most recent episodes (in the last couple of weeks) were: an attractive young woman coming to my door to preach the good news BY HERSELF. Totally not allowed when I was a dub. Second, my ex-wife who is a practicing dub was going to let me sleep IN HER BED with her overnight even though we're divorced and I am disfellowshipped. No hanky-panky was going to occur but I guess the times, the are a 'changing.
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  ithinkisee

  Do you think the WT will continue to adapt to the times despite their claim that Jah never changes so neither do they?

  They will adapt but disguise it as simplification.

  Personally I feel there will have to be a big purge - actual decreases for awhile.

  This is the time they will choose to either become more moderate or they will become even more controlling. It depends which kind of people they want to keep around. If they want to keep around the delusional ones that believe anything they spew from Brooklyn they will become more controlling. If they want progressive thoughtful people they will have to be more moderate - but this would cause more headaches with people questioning and thinking for themselves and everything.

  So ultimately they will change, but probably not for the better - they will get more controlling.

  I personally know many many hardcore JWs that would leave in an instant if the WT went mainstream. The Society would have to do alot of "poisoning the well" for years for people to bite onto that one.

  It's only my opinion though.

  Man, you post good questions XBHERE.

  -ithinkisee