John - LOL....
Good point
i would like to see one or better two members of the governing body get disfellowshipped and they both go off to write books like ray franz exposing the cult to all the sexual scandals, the hidden agendas with the stock market investments, the lawsuits, the laying of long time bethel workers, hidden sins by the higher ups and all the other nasty skeletons in the watchtower closet..
what would be different today compared to rays time is that we now live in a social media world..
they would be invited to talk in the oprah winfrey show, ellen degeneres show, the view, dateline.
John - LOL....
Good point
"have you given up on organized religion?
in many countries the number of people who describe themselves as not religious is growinga trend that suggests an uncertain future for institutional religion.
some of those lands are shown here.
WT is notorious for pointing the finger at someone else guilty of their sins. They also are notorious for double-speak and thought-stopping techniques. This is all DEFLECTION.
When you control people mentally and emotionally, it's easy to deflect.
All they do is monitor criticism that is out there or predict possible criticism and simply bring it up (as if they are not scared of it) and then spin it. They are bold.
Sometimes they do this by accusing someone else of the problem (bring it up, but not as their problem but someone else's). Other times, such as in the May broadcast, they simply say they never do "xyz" even as they do it. (solicit funds)
Unfortunately, the JW's are so brainwashed and such sheeple followers, that the WT simply tells them what to think and they comply.
I guess it could all be called thought-stopping techniques. As soon as a JW has a doubt or question, the WT gives them a second thought to immediately derail that first natural thought / doubt / criticism.
For instance a JW could think this:
"I wonder if the Jehovah's Witness religion is dying out?" Next thought: "No that couldn't be the case, there was just a magazine about Christendom and Babylon the Great dying out. We are Jehovah's people. We expose other religions for dying out. We are expanding."
or this one:
"Do we solicit money?"..... next thought: "No, Brother Lett made that point clear. We have never solicited funds. That is something worldly churches do. So glad I am part of Jehovah's clean organization. But those poor brothers sound like they need some help, though. I think I will donate more this month."
...
There is a limit to their boldness, though. If you have noticed, they haven't even tried to spin the Australian Royal Commission episode....crickets on that one....LOL
sociology of the body is a popular topic for critical analysis.
i wonder if a general survey has been undertaken in relation to watchtower's exercise of authority over the bodies of adherents.
it occurs to me they exercise authority over the body in four main ways: appearance, private practice, public performance, and location.
I don't have anything to add to the list. Just wanted to say I think this is a thought provoking thread.
It gives another slant to the Behavior Control that is so prevalent in cults and cult-ish groups.
i would like to see one or better two members of the governing body get disfellowshipped and they both go off to write books like ray franz exposing the cult to all the sexual scandals, the hidden agendas with the stock market investments, the lawsuits, the laying of long time bethel workers, hidden sins by the higher ups and all the other nasty skeletons in the watchtower closet..
what would be different today compared to rays time is that we now live in a social media world..
they would be invited to talk in the oprah winfrey show, ellen degeneres show, the view, dateline.
That's exactly why it won't happen.
They would be better paying the higher-ups off (couple million?) than let them walk.
it is evident that the w.t has recently re-branded itself, and has become fairly modern in its marketing techniques.
so the organisation is in that respect forward thinking, and the former way of doing things has past.. .
but this rebranding has been done by marketing experts, who maybe realise progress is progress, and that with modernisation many bethelites " even as free volunteers" are possibly no longer required.
I think they are having cash flow problems for some reason. Maybe multiple reasons. They have embarrassed themselves with this construction debacle. Also selling off their prime real estate is a sign of losing ground as others have stated.
They are continuing to push digital products more and more. They are even changing the "time slip" to discourage paper placements and encourage digital placements.
But honestly there is still room to go if they want to save money. They are still printing those silver bibles, which are expensive. They have yet to tell the witnesses to stop placing paper books and such in the field. For instance, I am actually shocked they still want publishers to place paper bible teach books on the first visit.
There are still cuts to be made. If they continue to make more and more cuts, then we will know they are sinking, possibly for good. If they turn it around from here with no more cuts, then they avoided their disaster.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwr9w_i02di.
I love how they are taught to only check on congregation members. Insulated much?
I mean all the other people are going to die at Armageddon anyway, right? So who cares about them...
........
The Jehovah's Witnesses can be counted on in every community to step up and offer their services to help.....themselves.
Thanks Jehovah's Witnesses. You've taught us so much about how to be a true Christian.
faithful and always so very discrete in many things but when it comes to the lord's money not so good.. i think as it begins to register in their minds as to what a terrible job they have done as ceos of a large corporation leading it into this condition that thoughts of suicide come from.
not to mention the shame at being a public spetical to the world by the rc.
all these things and more are creeping through their denial as they are forced to face reality.
On one hand they are under a lot of stress running a religious ponzi scheme, whether they are awake or not.
On the other hand they are completely relieved of the normal financial stresses of life. They have zero expenses, a comfortable lifestyle, go-men all around them, 24 hour security, top-notch health care, etc.
Suicide? Nah. Even in a company downturn their life is way better than most by many measures. They have no fear of layoff either, much different than many of the underlings serving them.
samuel herd made a statement a few weeks ago about halting construction work, laying off bethel workers and reducing printing output: severe cutbacks all round.
he said, like the head of a household, the gb has to make sure the organisation is living within its means.
but he added a very careful phrase, something like: "be assured brothers these measures have not been taken as a result of any lack of financial support on your part.
Well they already chastised the flock in the May broadcast. So it isn't like they are above it, but I get your point. I think it may be accomplishing two things. It's reinforcing the positive (donating) - similar to what you mentioned in the OP - and it's a veiled way of saying "This isn't about not having enough money".
Of course it is about that, but the WT loves to pee on your leg and call it rain.
1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).
2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.
this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.
Good one Doc...
I agree wholeheartedly.
this is one major reason why i dont try to wake up anyone anymore.
they need to take the first step, and then i will help---- if they ask.
otherwise i just listen and marvel at how some of them think.
Why is religious propaganda dangerous?
Because people really believe it !!!!!
I mean think about it. What is this guy capable of with these fantasies rolling around in his head?
Governing Body.. you should be ashamed.