Posts by TheListener

16

The difference between old school dubs and modern dubs - and the GB 2.0

by TheListener in

old school witnesses thrived on the fact they were different and persecuted for it.

it was a point of pride.. i think the whole witness experience is much more social based for younger and newer witnesses.

that may be why so many newer ones that come to this board cannot understand or accept some of the information we present here about how things "used to be".

TheListener

Vidiot I've thought about your post and think you are correct. They are giving the appearance of freedom to the outside world and allowing a small token amount of self expression while actually remaining as controlling and restrictive as ever.

Sort of like when I was a dub I would tell anyone who said I was in a cult that they were completely wrong. One of the reasons I used was that I could read any material or watch any program I chose too. I reasoned that people in cults have restrictions on those things. But at the same time I would never have read or watched anything that wasn't approved by the society! I was fooling myself and looked foolish doing it.

16

The difference between old school dubs and modern dubs - and the GB 2.0

by TheListener in

old school witnesses thrived on the fact they were different and persecuted for it.

it was a point of pride.. i think the whole witness experience is much more social based for younger and newer witnesses.

that may be why so many newer ones that come to this board cannot understand or accept some of the information we present here about how things "used to be".

TheListener

The newer and younger members of the organization really believe that many of us that used to be witnesses make a lot of stuff up about the older rules or that their area is somehow different from where we were witnesses. They can't grasp that the rules really were different and many things that seem acceptable now were definitely looked down upon.

I remember asking someone to turn a radio station off because it was playing a christian song. The song wasn't even offensive to my dub beliefs but because it was worldly and religious I knew that listening to it wasn't something that would make Jehovah happy.

I do think that mainstreaming will have consequences. I think some of the odder more restrictive rules and regulations will have to disappear. I think things like thanksgiving, mothers and fathers day and birthdays will slowly become acceptable but not promoted. They want the new ones to remain dubs but the new ones also want to feel connected to the world around them. I guess we could blame it on the internet and mobile technology.

16

The difference between old school dubs and modern dubs - and the GB 2.0

by TheListener in

old school witnesses thrived on the fact they were different and persecuted for it.

it was a point of pride.. i think the whole witness experience is much more social based for younger and newer witnesses.

that may be why so many newer ones that come to this board cannot understand or accept some of the information we present here about how things "used to be".

TheListener

Even my family who have been dubs for decades are hesitant to remember the old rules. I've taken the opportunity once in awhile when they show me something on the web or I see them using a tablet to prepare for the meetings to mention how much has changed.

The response? A blank expression followed by something like 'what do you mean?' I actually have to explain to older long time dub family members that used to look down on people bringing scripture printouts to the hall how much things have changed. Then they say something like 'I guess so.'

I find it frustrating.

I really do think the GB 2.0 didn't plan all off this in advance but were given a heads up by COs that it was going to be impossible to stamp out electronics so they decided to embrace it and thus try to control it and ride a wave of increased emotionally attachment by digitally connected dubs who can embrace technology without the guilt we used to have.

I think it's a two edge sword. Less electronic guilt may cause or allow some dubs to stumble upon interesting information from the internet.

16

The difference between old school dubs and modern dubs - and the GB 2.0

by TheListener in

old school witnesses thrived on the fact they were different and persecuted for it.

it was a point of pride.. i think the whole witness experience is much more social based for younger and newer witnesses.

that may be why so many newer ones that come to this board cannot understand or accept some of the information we present here about how things "used to be".

TheListener

Old school witnesses thrived on the fact they were different and persecuted for it. It was a point of pride.

I think the whole witness experience is much more social based for younger and newer witnesses. That may be why so many newer ones that come to this board cannot understand or accept some of the information we present here about how things "used to be". They don't and can't see it that way.

I don't think the GB 2.0 planned it this way, I think it happened naturally and they are doing their best to keep up with it.

That's why we see some videos where things are happening that older witnesses can't understand. A good example of the disconnect is congregation picnics. Many here will remember the large congregation picnics that were somewhat a regular feature of dub life. That is, until the GB virtually banned them. Now when a larger group gets together everyone is careful to state that the group isn't too big (which translates to 'we only invited those we like')and that there will be plenty of spiritual men there to make sure nothing gets out of hand.

It's my guess that most of the old guard at Bethel and many of the COs are not happy with many of these trends. But, they know they are walking on egg shells and are willing to allow some self expression in order to retain money donating members.

21

JUST WONDERIN BOUT THE G.B..... again.

by brandnew in

jw
friends

growing up, i never ever even saw these guys faces, or even knew their names.

all of a sudden they're on my computer screen, tv, and on every other magazine coming out of the watchtower machine.

why all the glamour now?

TheListener

I think the modern witness, unlike the old school witnesses of years past, really want to be mainstream. They want their leaders to be out front and visible. I believe it makes them feel or at least appear to others to be less cult like.

109

Happy at Bethel. Can't believe what I'm seeing.

by Pubsinger in

apologies if this has already been posted but i am speechless.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnbmyudrwgs&x-yt-ts=1422327029&x-yt-cl=84838260#t=72.

TheListener

Remember when we used to have congregation picnics? Before they were "discouraged"?

Even as current as a year or two ago my family wasn't allowed to play worldly music over the sound system when doing hall cleaning.

This seems a lot like the expression of the tighter your grip the more sand that slips through your fingers. The rank and file want to be happy and normal and are pushing the envelope. The GB 2.0 has to be careful and strike some balance to allow expression like this while still maintaining overall control.

I could see some congregations falling down the slippery slope of expression and going too far and having the CO or higher come down on them.

18

Joseph and Potiphar's wife

by StarTrekAngel in

what are the real reasons joseph refused to sleep with potiphar's wife?.

the watchtower and others teach that joseph refused to commit adultery.

specifically to the jws, we teach that joseph, somehow, knew that adultery was wrong, despite not having any specific rule or writing to teach him so.

TheListener

according to some Jewish scholars he did the deed. Check out jbq.jewishbible.org

39

IMPORTANT: Please note on your calender that on MONDAY, Feb. 16th, there will be a segment on a TV NEWS PROGRAM discussing JWs

by AndersonsInfo in

on monday evening, feb. 16th, on the pbs newshour, there will be a segment discussing jehovah's witnesses.

generally, the newshour airs at 6 p.m. in different time zones across the united states..

please don't miss it.

TheListener

Thank you for the heads up. I will definitely be watching. Hopefully my kids too.

15

mosquitos, and vampire bats.

by brandnew in

jw
friends

since everything in life is supposed to be created by god, why did he create mosquitos, and vampire bats?.

mosquitos and vpbats live by taking in blood from other animals, and well humans too.

so my question is.....why would he forbid blood transfusions , when he made creatures who live off of others blood?

TheListener

I asked that question when I was fading. I was told that the imperfect world had caused them to become like that. So I said, you mean they evolved? The discussion ended at that point.

26

Children calling jw adults uncle and auntie, when did that start?

by awakening in

jw
friends

i cant figure out when the auntie and uncle thing started or why.

it sure is a peadophiles dream to have a kid they dont know call them uncle!

they are now in a special relationship.

TheListener

Never heard of that.