Thanks Norm for another great post.
One of the things that struck me while I was still in the org, was how the WTS blamed the common publisher for reading into their "prophecies", when the WTS was the one who should have taken the responsibility for inciting such hope in a paradise coming "soon".
As Norm said, of course the preaching hours droppped, when the average publisher realised they had some more time up their sleeves to pursue a real life. I know I did. Instead of having the hope that the New System was coming "soon", I had the awful realisation that I might actually live for a very long time in this world, before Armageddon came. I wasn't supposed to grow up before the big A came. I wasn't supposed to go to college, lest that my education was all for nothing (I could have been be earning twice what I get now). And why save for a house? You'll get one in the New System. So I never bothered saving for a deposit, and am now stuck in the rent cycle.
Not that I am totally unhappy with my lot. At least I realised I had been duped, and got out early enough for me to START to have a real life!!
Like a high school senior on prom night, the WTS without a date is a rather pathetic figure...
What a great quote, Stephanus! Very poignant!