The WT is very concerned (IMHO) about the slowdown of growth and availability of negative but truthful information on the WTS. What I?ve noticed is that the GB does not seem to have a single humble bone. The tone of the current literature seems to be more and more ?knuckle under or you?ll wish you had?.
Tone of the current literature
by TheListener 27 Replies latest watchtower bible
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DanTheMan
Excellent post TheListener.
It seemed to me that between 1992, which was the year I started studying, and 2002, the year I left, that there was a "sea change" in the org. In 1992, Freddy Franz was still alive, the 1914 Generation was still taught as being literal, the sheep and the goats were still being separated, and most JW's I came to know at that time seemed to believe pretty strongly that they had the TRUTH.
By 2001, it was a joke. Lifeless meetings, dwindling pioneer ranks, immature 19 year-old smartass bros being appointed MS, teen pregnancies all over the place, bros becoming sports fanatics and spending gobs of time on the golf course, etc.
I can only imagine how it is now. I feel sorry for the JW's who are still hanging around, waiting to get their return on the incredible investment that they have put into this dried-up religion.
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Balsam
I remember 3 1/2 years ago just before I left, we had tuesday night book study at out house with once a month goodies night to encourage the friends to hang around and chat. But I knew I was leaving soon and my heart was not in it. I just wanted everyone to go away and leave me alone. I think many of the friends felt the same way. There was only and handful that ever stayed around. It seemed that everyone was suffering in one way or another and didn't want to talk. After all we could not speak from the heart could we? I can imagine the emotional darkness that has come over some congregations. The light people once thought was there is growing dim for many.
Seems all the magazines I've read are all geared to encourage more preaching. I imagine it is slacking off. Can't get donations and keep it going if no one is going out.
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purplesofa
As I look around I think, 'man everyone is completely separate from each other living their own lives and only interacting with each other at the hall or perhaps elders meetings.'
I think there is a huge distrust among those in the congo. The Society's expectations are so high, and there is so much pretense. Who wants to be with others that make you feel uncomfortable?
Also, so many people just do not have time for relationships......Most are busy working, keeping a home, yards, kids, grocery shopping, going to the doctor...etc etc......... When does anyone have time to relax and socialize. Since the time is so sparce for this, I would think being very selective would be the norm.
purps
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willyloman
The message is not so new. But this is:
As I look around I think, 'man everyone is completely separate from each other living their own lives and only interacting with each other at the hall or perhaps elders meetings.' No wonder everyone looks so zoned out at the meetings. Of course, there are the cliques that still get together, but they refuse to widen out so they're association is limited to a specific few
Precisely what I noticed, before I took a hike.
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The Leological One
They are beating people down 2 the point that they have made it hard to focus on making sure everyone feels love. Everyone is 2 busy earning salvation. Its the sad state of the organization right now. Will it change? Probably not because they keep this sense of impending doom before everyone. Its the Jws against all the wicked world. Hard 2 develope love even 4 your enemies when your constantly bombarded with that mentality
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watson
The society has put the weight of the world, and universe on our shoulders for so long that we are growing tired of it....Plus, Tuesdays and Thursdays are great TV nights!!
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steve2
It's a while since I've responded - moved to a new part of the country, setting up house, busy, busy, busy - and I was attracted to this post. I think the JWs are actually way more worldly today in their outlook than when I was an active JW.
Most of my mother's siblings are JWs and she tells me that even though they share the same religion, her JW siblings have had big arguments over family-related matters and refuse to talk to each other! This is unheard of among them (they're all in their sixties and early seventies) . I think they're plain tired and worn out from it all, having been raised with the end of the world hovering over them for decades. They'll probably never assert themselves enough to do anything about their stale relationships and discontentment. All I can think is that if my deceased JW grandparents could see what was happening among their JW children, they'd accuse them all of being worldly. Trouble is, I think my JW relatives, including their "inactive" children, are typical examples of what's happening in the religion.
Life's hard enough without having the end of the world hanging over you, prodding you along to do more, more, more, year in and year out when all you feel like is being left alone.
I think the governing body are well aware of a general slowing down among the older rank and file, and are finding it increasingly difficult to motivate the JWs to stop all the moaning and just door-knock.
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TheListener
Steve2,
You are so right. Years ago we had time to get together and have fun with other witnesses because we weren't so focused on careers, families, houses, etc etc. The society killed the idea of congregation picnics, so now goody night is it. Except for the few halls who disobey and have multiple congregation bookstudy picnics on the same day at the same place - I guess it's ok to disobey the society if the entire elder body is involved (until the CO catches wind of it).
For example, missing a meeting because you have to work used to be completely unacceptable. It's still frowned on now, officially, but most of the congregations I know have members of their servant body miss meetings due to work at times. It's tolerated and they still serve as elders and ms. I'm sure some hall are very strict with things like this but I don't think that's the norm anymore.
If the witnesses from the 1940s and 1950s saw what passes as a devout witness today I think they'd roll over in their graves. I know some of the ones that I know who are still alive talk about how 'unfocused' (their word) current witnesses are.
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garybuss
The Witness religion used to be denial of enjoyment. Some Witnesses enjoyed the denial of enjoyment and Bethel noticed that and steps were taken to eliminate the opportunities to enjoy the denial of enjoyment. Now some Witnesses have noticed that they don't enjoy not enjoying the denial of enjoyment and since there is not really enjoyment allowed inside the organization since the enjoyment of denial of enjoyment was discouraged, they have decided to seek enjoyment elsewhere.
I enjoyed writing that.