Anitar: Enjoyed your comments. First, it's sad that only TWO people got baptized. Percentage-wise, that is NOT good. Especially if they were kids from a JW family. Hardly "converting the world", is it? But they do claim that their work is a "warning work". They know most people won't become JW's. The sad part is that they don't seem to care. If they could set up loudspeakers and tell all six billion people on earth the "kingdom message" within 30 minutes and be done with it, they'd quit field service and wait for the end, because the "world had received its witness, so we are clean from blood guilt". That sucks.
I think the higher education deal, if true, is because there is no other way. People my age in their 50's and 60's who have no pensions and didn't get a good education and career have no money to donate to Bethel and some can't afford the hotels for the summer conventions. So some of this might be so the rank and file can earn enough to give to Bethel. I highly doubt they care if I get to own a boat or not. I'm lucky because 5 years ago, I told them to stick it and I got a degree in Psych. That, along with my MCSE in computer networking, should suffice to support me. I also hope to write a book about my daughter's molestation, start in Internet business, and I also teach piano on the side. And I save SO much money by not going to the meetings and giving it all away at the hall. I'd rather send it to my daughter, who is struggling as it is.
But I bet this comes back to bite them you know where. As people get more education, they are forced to learn how the world thinks. I know in my Psych courses, philosophy and religion played a huge part. Courses about death and dying, care of the elderly, child development, cultural differences due to religion, etc., all were covered extensively. The WT is going to see many JW's with raised eyebrows someday when they learn the REAL truth.
All we can do is wait and see. My best to all.
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