Can The Watchtower Society Be Reformed?

by Cameron 37 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Cygnus

  It's already being reformed, from the ground up. Most Witnesses are either children of Witness parents or have been converted in the last 15 years and they hear the same shit from the platform but don't really believe it and do their own thing as their human consciences dictate. It's a much different religion than it was 30 years ago and it has nothing to do with the GB or the literature. My opinion based on what I've observed. I'd have more to say but I'm tired and it's bedtime.
• 

  Bas

  It is good to see a new opposition initiative...Another worry for the GB
• 

  Mary

  OK, I guess I'm in the minority here. Theoretically it could be reformed but you'd have to do it slowly, not all at once. If I were in charge, here's the changes I would make:

  1. Cut back dramatically on the number of meetings. There would be a one hour talk on Sunday and a 45 minute meeting on Wednesday evenings and that would be it.
  2. Service would be optional, but I would stress far more charity work. I'd get some from each congregation to approach different charities to see how they could help out. Instead of going and knocking on people's doors Saturday mornings, you would be encouraged to go do charity work instead.
  3. I'd get rid of the field service reporting altogether as it's an absolute waste.
  4. I'd also get rid of 1914, 607 BCE, 1918, 1919, the identity of the F&DS class would be changed, and heaven would be an opportunity for everyone, not just 144,000.
  5. Elders would be required to get some sort of "worldly" education on how to deal properly with pedophiles and they would be told to report these incidents to their local police immediately. If found guilty, these people would be DF'd immediately.
  6. Young people would be encouraged to get a good education, use the brain that God gave them and to make the most of their life;
  7. Outlines for talks would not be judging and condemning the rest of the world; they would focus on how to be a responsible parent, instilling values in your children, values in yourself, building each other up and practicing Christianity in it's true sense, not the garbage they're presently taught.
  8. There would be no shunning of family and friends who don't practice the religion, because how is that obeying the Commandment "honor your father and your mother"?
  9. Celebrating "Worldly" holidays would be entirely up to the individual, without fear of repercussions.
  10. Ray Franz and others would all be reinstated if they so desired.

  Of course, there's a better chance of Armageddon coming today before lunch time than any of these things happening. While it's a nice idea, my view is: if Ray Franz, who was part of the GB and most likely would have been the next president of the Society, couldn't get changes to be made, then I doubt it'll ever happen. The present members of the GB would rather this religion sink like the Titanic with them at the helm, rather than give up their control and have it stay afloat.
• 

  stillajwexelder

  In theory - YES. In practice extremely difficult
• 

  JustTickledPink

  Only if a woman took over that had was informed about the WHOLE truth and decided to literally change EVERYTHING.

  But that's not reformation, that's a revolution.
• 

  coffee_black

  No. Humility would be necessary. There is none in the borg.

  Coffee
• 

  trevor

  The WT has changed and evolved over the last 50 years and it will continue to do so. They are a huge company and will survive in one form or another. New people continually replace those that leave or die. More and more things are now a matter of conscience and I expect to see it watered down more and more.

  I expect one day they will have just one good quality monthly magazine and two meetings a week. Suits and ties will become optional as will door-bashing. One day the only requirement for membership will be a regular order to buy the literature and a fairly regular appearance at the meetings. As my father-in-law, who now shuns me, once said, 'Even if it's not the truth - it's a great club.' I guess a lot of brain dead people feel the same way.
• 

  iiz2cool

  I seem to recall a scripture that says, "That which is crooked cannot be made straight." I forget where it's located. But I remember JWs using it to show me that "false religion" and "this system of things" can't be fixed, and that their destruction was the only solution.

  Walter
• 

  xjw_b12

  It's like this, some houses are so far gone that it is better to tear them down and rebuild rather than remodel.

  Isn't that what the WTS says about "this old system"?

  Blondie

  Exactly
• 

  metatron

  Calls for reforming the organization are too similar to attempts to 'reform' Communism during the '90's.

  I won't say it's completely impossible but its very unlikely. For one thing, they can never acknowledge 'reform' as a policy

  because it contradicts the core conceit of never really being wrong or making a mistake.

  I guess it depends on your definition of reform, as well. Some might see their management of decline as reform.

  metatron