Society worried about direction of JW youths - posting online

by truthseeker 10 Replies latest jw friends

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  truthseeker

  A recent thread talked about certain elder's views of JW youth posting on MySpace.com. It seems the GB is trying to maintain the "image" of JW youth, as dedicated to full time service, pioneers, ministerial servants, all reaching out for greater "privileges of service."

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/98827/1.ashx

  These kind of statements present JW youth as clean cut, regular in service etc - this couldn't be further from the truth. It's true, that there will always be dedicated JW youth, but it seems the majority don't care about spiritual things, or at least the kind of service that WTS wants from them.

  JW youths who set up blogs are expressing themselves - but perhaps they are going too far, and GB henchmen are worried.

  What I can't understand, is how elders learn who is blogging - unless JW's are being careless and leaving personal info around.

  But it also makes me wonder, are there teams of WT agents looking on MySpace and BlogDrive for witnesses, and then contacting their PO's, so the PO's can harass them?

  I think it's clear from the posts on MySpace, the the JW youth of today, is far more sophisticated and more liberal than the previous generation of JW youth.

  When JW's connect with other friends across the globe, some personal boundaries are relaxed, others are broken down. What do I mean by this? With freedom of information, JW's can learn about the likes/dislikes of other youths, find out how their congregation are doing, meet up with other JW's who have similar hobbies and interests among other things.

  This gives JW's a global perspective of youth culture in other kingdom halls.

  It also seems that JW youths are just like regular worldly youths, but still profess attachment to Jehovah and Jesus. It's almost like some are turning their backs on the WT and maintain a relationship with God.

  Others profess to being in good standing, while they are something else online.

  Consider the following entry, personal details have been removed to afford privacy, a link is not given. This sister is just 14, but from initial observations, it could be suggested that this individual probably won't be taking up pioneer service anytime soon.

  Journal Description:this is a place where I just put whatever I feel like and put it in my journal. Also I'm a fan of Johnny Depp and Gerard Butler. I'm also obsessed with The Phantom of the Opera.
  
  
  Profile:
  
  • Real Name
  
  • Gender - Female
  
  • About Me - I'm 14 years old & i'm a rocker but I lisen to hip hop and R&B,pop,tejano,jazz, and classical music.

  • Location - Next to Johnny Depp and Gerard Butler, YAY
  
  • Occupation - Student
  
  • Birthday -

  About Me: I'm 14 years old & i'm a rocker but I also lisen to hip hop and R&B, rap, pop, tejano, jazz and classical music.My favorite actor is Johnny Depp and then it's Gerard Butler.I love johnny depp and Gerard Butler.I like playing basketball and other sports.I also love to draw,read, write poetry, and also lisen to music of course. I'm also one of Jehovah's Witnesses and I love Jehovah God and Jesus with all my heart. “Jehovah Is My Shepherd” (Psalm 23)

  By: Brothers and Sisters (Jehovahs Witnesses) that were in jail. Published by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society

  Jehovah is my shepherd, So why should I fear or fret? For he who cares for his sheep so much Will none of his own forget. By quiet waters he leads me, My soul does restore and bless. He guides my steps for his own name’s sake In pathways of righteousness. He guides steps for his own name’s sake In pathways of righteousness.

  Thought in the vale of deep shadow I walk, I need fear no harm, For my great shepherd is always near; His staff keeps me from alarm. My head with oil he refreshes; My cup he has filled up well. His loving-kindness will follow me, And e’er in his house I’ll dwell. His loving-kindness will follow me, And e’er in his house I’ll dwell.

  How wise and loving my shepherd! His praises with joy I sing. The cheering news of his tender care To sheeplike ones I will bring. His word I’ll faithfully follow, Walk carefully in his way. My glorious treasure of serving him I’ll gratefully use each day. My glorious treasure of serving him I’ll gratefully use each day.
• 

  kwintestal

  Why would you say that she wouldn't be a pioneer anytime soon? Is it because she doesn't say that she's planning on being one or something else? She seems like quite a normal "good standing" dub to me.

  Kwin
• 

  truthseeker

  I'm guessing that her interests list everything BUT pioneering
• 

  truthseeker

  Kwintestal, she is a normal JW youth, however what the Society presents to be a "normal" youth and what many youths really are is something different.

  Remember all the propaganda pictures in the WT?

  Youths are never seen wearing jeans, going to a party of performing in a band.

  What you do see, are JW youths wearing chinos or slacks, playing a piano or guitar and with the Kingdom Melodies book displayed.

  Or they may be just sitting in someone's living room or dressed up smart, talking and chatting over coffee.

  Nothing wrong with the above, but that's the picture the WTS wants to impress you with, regarding JW youth.
• 

  Leolaia

  But I also never knew any youths in my generation who were like that either, except for perhaps the elders' daughters who had little choice...
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  Elsewhere

  What I can't understand, is how elders learn who is blogging - unless JW's are being careless and leaving personal info around.

  I think what is happening is they are careless with what personal identifiable information they post. When a person posts online a lot it is just a matter of time before they post something that someone else can tie to them.

  But it also makes me wonder, are there teams of WT agents looking on MySpace and BlogDrive for witnesses, and then contacting their PO's, so the PO's can harass them?

  I doubt there is a "dark room of agents" who search the internet looking for things like this. What seems more likely is that "good little JWs" who find the site freak out and rat out the people there to the elders and the Service Department.
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  Quentin

  seems more likely is that "good little JWs" who find the site freak out and rat out the people there to the elders and the Service Department.

  More often than not, excepting those who give it up on their own, that's what happens. Why should the WTBTS go to the trouble of having spys when most JWs can"t wait to give someone up
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  I quit!

  I would think that the young j-dubs you see online are living double lives to different degrees. Going between the world of the Watchtower and the real world they have to deal with everyday. The WT goes on about how worldlings who don't listen to their message are all going to die horrible deaths at Armageddon. Yet in the real world young JWs meet people they like everyday. The have their favorite movie stars and sports heros just like most j-dubs in general do. I think there is a lot of mental conflct going on in JWs. Probably even more so in the teenagers. Even when I was a dub the witnesses that follow all of the WT recommendations about entertainment and dress seemed kind of dorky and weird. I just never make the connection that they were dory and weird because they were doing exactly what the Watchtower told them to do.
• 

  thom

  If I'd read her profile when I was a teen (no internet back then), I would have thought of her as a pretty strong JW. Most of my friends (including me) wouldn't have mentioned being a JW at all.
  I did hang around on a few bbs's as a teen and never once mentioned I was a JW or even acted like a JW.
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  Darth Yhwh

  In my mind the WBTS’s downfall will be modern technology and the Internet. They can preach to the rank and file to stay away from it all they want but in today’s society it’s nearly impossible to do. You can’t put a computer in front of a teenager and expect them to stay away from topics that are such a big part of their life. You just know they’re going to Google "Jehovah".