One thing I will say about the witnesses in my area they are always dressed for the occasion. But why they need the suit jackets I saw them in, on a scorching August afternoon is beyound me.
The Rebel.
the target is converts.. why does it seem such an outrageous aim for a congregation to recruit new converts?.
in my old congregation, the enthusiasm was there but the knocking on doors produced zero " baptisms" in my final years.. a) why so little interests?.
b) was it the internet ?.
One thing I will say about the witnesses in my area they are always dressed for the occasion. But why they need the suit jackets I saw them in, on a scorching August afternoon is beyound me.
The Rebel.
i believe anyone who has voluntarily left a cult has shown they can adapt to new solutions, and have used " critical thinking" skills otherwise most would not have left.. yet i believe a safe place for support is still needed and this safe place i believe is searched for.. now i may not measure up to much in ways of education, but for me personally " critical thinking skills" = " new" a " new" way of thinking, that takes time for me the individual to be visual and to contemplate.
and the more i read about " critical thinking," the more convinced i am that i can live with the ridicule of those that claim i do not possess it.
furthermore i would say those that criticise others " critical thinking skills," often luck the sensibility and thoughts to snore, spit, and fart....nor would they understand a room full of tobacco smoke and cheap booze...where " critical thinking " can often be found in its most profound, in the most sensitive poems and "pictures" that were ever drawn.
I believe anyone who has voluntarily left a cult has shown they can adapt to new solutions, and have used " CRITICAL THINKING" skills otherwise most would not have left.
Yet I believe a safe place for support is still needed and this safe place i believe is searched for.
Now I may not measure up to much in ways of education, but for me personally " critical thinking skills" = " New" a " new" way of thinking, that takes time for me the individual to be visual and to contemplate. And the more I read about " critical thinking," the more convinced I am that I can live with the ridicule of those that claim I do not possess it. Furthermore I would say those that criticise others " critical thinking skills," often luck the sensibility and thoughts to snore, spit, and fart....nor would they understand a room full of tobacco smoke and cheap booze...where " critical thinking " can often be found in its most profound, in the most sensitive poems and "pictures" that were ever drawn. Each has critical thinking.
" critical thinking " has more going than meets the eye.
So my O.P.....when the mind leaves the body we may be dead, but when alive, life is not only a matter of "our " superior " critical thinking" it's a matter of compassion, humor, and accepting no one can be expected not to voice there true opinion, whether they believe in "Islam " " Art" " Religion" or that "man "didn't " landed on the moon."
The Rebel.
the target is converts.. why does it seem such an outrageous aim for a congregation to recruit new converts?.
in my old congregation, the enthusiasm was there but the knocking on doors produced zero " baptisms" in my final years.. a) why so little interests?.
b) was it the internet ?.
Thanks for the replys.
I have found another thread that has an introspective perspective on this subject, and defiantly worth a read.
Posted by :- " Freddo, under " friends"
" Has the great watchtower trolley cart campaign, produced any results?"
The Rebel.
i was asked if i knew of any jdubs within my congregation that could help out counting the money for this years regional convention, imitate christ.
so i gave a few names and included my wife, i was hoping for her to wake up and see how the org is all about the money in the back room.
do you think it woke her up a bit?
suavojr:-
What is money?
How do you count saying good-bye to your friends and being fooled big bucks?
May be only with the patience and the non-conditional love of a good husband?
The Rebel.
p.s. we are in the same row boat.
i live between two cities that are big enough to have their own metropolitan trolley cart arrangements organised at circuit level.
the 3 congregations at the hall i attend have trolley schedule noticeboards.
i see trolleys in the high streets and markets locally.
i live between two cities that are big enough to have their own metropolitan trolley cart arrangements organised at circuit level.
the 3 congregations at the hall i attend have trolley schedule noticeboards.
i see trolleys in the high streets and markets locally.
Hi Fredo,
Yesterday I started a thread " What went wrong in your congregation" Many of the replys clarified to me why the society wants to give the impression to publishers that they are busy doing " the most important work, being done on the earth today"
Here is my observation:-
The Society knew full we'll that the " Great trolley cart campaign" would produce the results they wanted 0.001% because it's not about recruiting.
I think the genius of the trolley cart campaign is everyone who stands by the cart feels they :-
A) have arrived.
B) are about to clinch a place in the inner circle of zealousness .
Without these die hard cart witnesses:-
A) the congregations will collapse,
B) with new members a new spirit will arise and the congregation will collapse....
The Answer:- let's keep it as it is...
Why ?
A) The money is in the property the society owns, and that doubles every 10 years.
B) Only the dead can leave property as an inheritance to the society.
C) The privalige of home ownership generally belongs to the old.
So from a business point of view, why would I want my members to recruit un-educated, poor, or broke trouble makers...i believe these are the people who are attracted to the d2d or ministry work, and I believe the society doesn't want them as members.
The Rebel.
Fulltimestudent ....thanks for the O.P which made me really contemplate the question of " truth".
We asume truth, so reading your post I have assumed your truthful ard nearing 80, that you spent your life as a J.W wanting to be a Christlike figure, a Christian, a good, forgiving soul, peaceful, humble, gentle, A HUMANE IDIOT in the world of greedy, cynical, nauseating people .....that's the truth I get reading about you from this thread and I think that makes you a " truthful man" even if you are getting old -:)
I am glad and proud to be in your internet company. That is also a truth.
And my truth is not to waste time hating or despising, on the contrary, my private truth is not to waste time chasing extroadinary financial reward, my truth is find something you love that gives calmness and inner peace, and don't go to deep about the mysteries in life.
Enjoy your studies.
The Rebel.
Hi alamb,
you say " wow this place sure looks different". As I new here, maybe this question will help us both:-
( Q ) Has anyone got any good advice on how to use the forum most effectively?
I mainly post on the friends ( and enemies :-) ) section so I can keep track of my posts, but I am sure I am missing out.....
The Rebel.
the target is converts.. why does it seem such an outrageous aim for a congregation to recruit new converts?.
in my old congregation, the enthusiasm was there but the knocking on doors produced zero " baptisms" in my final years.. a) why so little interests?.
b) was it the internet ?.
Same great points, and I am beginning to realise the ministry isn't about "love" of neighbour. It's about isolation, and not getting to know anyone that doesn't read society literature and agree with the contents.
How rewarding it is to have awakened, and now I welcome people challenging my views, providing people are able to present their arguments in an intelligent and respectful manor.
Funny now I get the message, forcing viewpoints on other people is insulting, unloving and arrogant.
The Rebel.
the target is converts.. why does it seem such an outrageous aim for a congregation to recruit new converts?.
in my old congregation, the enthusiasm was there but the knocking on doors produced zero " baptisms" in my final years.. a) why so little interests?.
b) was it the internet ?.
I now realise the enthusiasm for the d2d work I mentioned in my O.P, centred around the social contact, the being seen to be zealously....that is my abiding memory.
But in almost every gloomy picture, there's a touch of sunlight, and I am sure at least one, maybe two, even three have left by now. Hope so.
The Rebel.