my opinion is if possible fading is the best way to go..
Agree with the notion that 'fading' is a good option for many who are ready to get OUT!...
Opportunities for fading away only augment, as the WT blurs the strict lines on what it means to be a JW.
The WT has to know this. Therefore, we can reason they see it as an acceptable loss - to be managed as they transform to 'something' more sustainable...
This is good thing. It means more freedom for thousands of people...if they be so inclined to seize it.
i’m seeing my hard core believing relatives slowly losing faith that the watchtower is the organization that “god” is using to represent him on earth.. just about all the churches in their area have opened up.. but not the watchtower.. this is having an affect on the faith of even the old timers.
now the only ones who are still holding the faith are the female jws and only those past 70 years of age.
even my old male jw relative past 70 are starting to say that it can’t be jehovah’s organization because the other churches are all open and god supposed organization who is supposed to preach the warning message is still closed with no open in sight.
Many see the clock ticking and are wondering if the Big A will come in their lifetime.
They've been wondering this for decades...
now they're getting the answer...
It's the answer I figured out at 11 years old, realizing my relatives were detached from reality thanks to this...Amway religion.
This sucks for my people, but they deserve it...I wish they didn't.
I wish a lot of shit was different...
do you think he could get reinstated as president?
do you think trump will run again for president or do you think he will just be a force for the republican party behind the scenes?.
I do NOT think DJT will run for POTUS again, however...
...feigning that he intends to may serve other interests...notably
1. The guy has a huge ego and enjoys attention, both good and bad. Having everyone kiss his a$$ might present him with too much gratification to ignore...
2. If DJT looms front & center, it will draw the focus of the Democratic Party away from DeSantis while his campaign gains traction.
If none of this is true, I hope he doesn't run - because I'm sick of his BS, but if he did I'd still vote for him over Biden/Harris.
so you all probably heard that the awake magazine is back, .
https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/?contentlanguagefilter=en&pubfilter=g&yearfilter=.
and one of my jw relatives said they were told by some elders that meetings and field service will resume before the end of the year.. they said this covid virus was a test, like when the romans breached jerusalem and retreated, only to come back later and sack jerusalem.
There is simply no better substitute for face to face interaction.
Yes, the WT cult especially relies upon lateral/horizontal enforcement of the rules of JW life. The circular firing squad keeps everyone in line, even when the elders can't/won't.
For some wretched unfortunates (my mother!), other members of the actual physical congregation are the only social outlet. It's either socializing at the KH after meetings, or nothing at all!
Online religion means a drastic departure from what it means to be a JW, and opens the door to a litany of potential distractions for the believer.
Once, our motto for WT was 'mainstream or die!'
Now, I'm wondering - why not both?!
What will probably be the deciding factor is if they can motivate jws over a tv screen as well as they can manipulate them in person.
Yes, that will play a large role in their decision making - but standing in the way is the need for $$$! The screen propaganda can be effective, but IMO, not as much as sitting in a room with 80-100 other JWs. The goofy GB are easier to ignore when you don't see everyone else bending the knee.
These 2 prominent WT concerns - $$$ vs CONTROL! - are now squaring off right before us. I'm keenly interested to see how/where the balance is struck...or if one dominates the other, entirely.
The chosen path forward could really fracture the ORG - and we should all be so lucky to see it happen.
so you all probably heard that the awake magazine is back, .
https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/?contentlanguagefilter=en&pubfilter=g&yearfilter=.
and one of my jw relatives said they were told by some elders that meetings and field service will resume before the end of the year.. they said this covid virus was a test, like when the romans breached jerusalem and retreated, only to come back later and sack jerusalem.
Seriously, though, I really do think that Covid has been a huge boon in helping the Org "manage the decline".
Absolutely! COVID serves a real-life, independently verifiable crisis - relatable to folks both within the religion, and without!
WT didn't have to march out another half-baked prophetic interpretation to sell the brothers and sisters on why WT CORP is taking on water. COVID is a real thing, disrupting all facets of life.
It gives the WT far-reaching cover for explaining the faltering organization. They will, of course, outrun their cover - as we know, the WT ORG's problems have nothing to do with COVID.
I am strongly suspecting another aggressive round of KH/property liquidation. They simply can't pass up the opportunity to glean this capital under cover of the COVID excuse.
so you all probably heard that the awake magazine is back, .
https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/?contentlanguagefilter=en&pubfilter=g&yearfilter=.
and one of my jw relatives said they were told by some elders that meetings and field service will resume before the end of the year.. they said this covid virus was a test, like when the romans breached jerusalem and retreated, only to come back later and sack jerusalem.
a recent CO visit where the direction was to lighten up on asking people to have their cameras on when in a Zoom meeting....
This is a sizeable chuck of JWs content to 'mail-it-in', and WT itself is leaving to door open such - knowing full well what that sizeable chunk is apt to do.
To me, this doesn't signal a zealous resumption of operations. Actually, its quite the opposite.
So very much of the JW life is lateral enforcement of the rules via the circular firing-squad of JW association.
Where does this leverage go when the WT goes internet-heavy (only?!). A couple of assemblies every year won't substitute for KH attendance, but I'm glad that the WT is stupid enough to think it might.
so you all probably heard that the awake magazine is back, .
https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/?contentlanguagefilter=en&pubfilter=g&yearfilter=.
and one of my jw relatives said they were told by some elders that meetings and field service will resume before the end of the year.. they said this covid virus was a test, like when the romans breached jerusalem and retreated, only to come back later and sack jerusalem.
The last 10 to 15 years door to door has been pathetic. No one wants to do it. It’s driving around putting in time gossiping about brother not reaching out and sister got herself an education.
Yes, this dynamic is what's driving my opinion.
The COVID break may serve as an opportunity for WT Corporate, but I think it might've served as a derailing for the 'religion'.
Given the COVID-inspired break from KH attendance and formal field service, did the lack of field service make JWs miss that activity...?
...or perhaps stumble upon the clue of how much more comfortable life is...without it?
So much easier to stand by a literature cart and talk to NOBODY!
Are there really any JWs left who think this 'religion' is worth advertising?
so you all probably heard that the awake magazine is back, .
https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/?contentlanguagefilter=en&pubfilter=g&yearfilter=.
and one of my jw relatives said they were told by some elders that meetings and field service will resume before the end of the year.. they said this covid virus was a test, like when the romans breached jerusalem and retreated, only to come back later and sack jerusalem.
Zeal can soon disappear, when the pointless reality of "Witnessing" by the methods they now use seeps through in the consciousness of a JW.
Covid has brought people face to face with the reality that they must not waste their lives.
This is really poignant.
I would really challenge any notion that the JWs will return their 'normal' + extra zealous D-2-D campaign.
The staying power of any new enthusiasm is rightly questioned. What new message and/or benefits is the WT offering its adherents?
Should the Tower dare to make this move, we just need a modicum of patience to see this thing bottom out worse than before.
COVID reveals to us that the Tower doesn't believe its own nonsense.
most every state has a plan to get back to normalcy.
many countries also are ready to get their citizens on the road to recovery.. where does this leave the witnesses?
will they ever go back to house to house ministry?
I am expecting a final reaping of Kingdom Hall liquidity.
I don't see how they couldn't seize this Covid opportunity.
JWs will accept any and all pathetic rationalizations from the Tower - especially once the word 'COVID' gets stapled to it.
I figure that once the Covid crisis has served to temporarily satiate the Tower's need for resources, then there will be a cautious and gradual return to "JW normal", sans the D-2-D Ministry, since it is already becoming passe in favor of Cart Work..
it seems that some people just aren’t ready to put those masks aside even if they are fully vaccinated!
some can’t help but think their brains aren’t ready for “normal”..
No. This whole thing has devolved into performative theatre...
..where being scared over risks that are orders of magnitude less likely than everyday, accepted risks, are somehow now the highest social virtue...
I am weary from these useless burdens...
