with the changes in doctrine being fully unveiled at the dc this year, i expected many to wake up.
the dcs have been going on for a month now, i fully expected to be welcoming new members by now!
am i just being impatient?
I 'lurked' for two years. Last year's Candace Conti abuse (coverup) trial in California and it's judgement against the Watchtower Society caused me to join. 18 million dollars...wow!
The section that is for Members Only - private discussion - contains more personal and detailed insights about what is happening in the congregations and the organization worldwide.
I needed to know more to help me deal with the unraveling of my personal faith and trust in the Org.
i'm just back from the meeting where it was a video presentation given by the circuit overseer.
apparently it's not on general release, only being viewed during co visits at the moment.
top secret.
It came clear to me that this video is a promotional piece for the 'non-profit' WTBTS.
The message is that our donations are being used to spread the 'good news' into every nook and cranny around the globe. Sure it's emotional. The producers did this on purpose - to rally the 'troops' in developed countries to increase their commitment to the Org.'s cause through volunteerism and increasing donations.
It's presentation, during the visit of the area representative of the WTBTS, implies that the film is VERY important and coming directly from 'the slave' (corporate headquarters).
Perhaps it's in circulation because the Society is expecting tremendous financial damage from pending lawsuit judgements...
in the movie annie hall, written by woody allen, as a young boy, alvy's mother, takes him to see a doctor as he appears to be dealing with some kind of depression.
when the doctor asks alvy what's up, alvy explains that he just found out the universe is expanding, everything will spread out and go cold and die, therefore nothing he does matters, so he is not going to do anything anymore.
most people might see this as a joke, but i think woody is trying to make a serious point.. the point here is about meaning.
"Life is without meaning. You bring the meaning to it. The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the meaning." Joseph Campbell
in the movie annie hall, written by woody allen, as a young boy, alvy's mother, takes him to see a doctor as he appears to be dealing with some kind of depression.
when the doctor asks alvy what's up, alvy explains that he just found out the universe is expanding, everything will spread out and go cold and die, therefore nothing he does matters, so he is not going to do anything anymore.
most people might see this as a joke, but i think woody is trying to make a serious point.. the point here is about meaning.
Atheism is the belief that the existence of a supernatural deity in unprovable.
Nihilism is the belief that traditional systems of values and morals are of no consequence to the individual.
Existentialism is the belief that the universe/world is unexplainable and the individual assumes responsibility for his free will.
note the following comments and research taken from a concise dictionary of cults and religions:.
what [jehovah's witnesses] define as unity is actually, in effect, a rigid organizational structure and policy.
unity, as the bible teaches it, is a oneness of spirit and humility under the lordship of jesus christ.
JW's are a restorationist religious movement that has over time become an organization that centers it's authority on a theology of legalism.
During it's history it eliminated all ceremony and ritual from the church in favor of rules and codes of conduct. In the process, this destroys the self worth of the individual member. The result - which we can see for ourselves - is people (unfulfilled, depressed, anxious, stressed) who work hard every day to control their own behavior (and thoughts) by complying with the rules of religious legalism.
page 20:.
the unwary may adopt the same view of theocratic arrangements.
they may be unwilling to go along with congregation procedures and may even complain about anything not to their liking.
"The WTS basically knows" about higher education? I don't think so.
Larsinger, I appreciate your view...but your looking for a compromise. This just doesn't work within the WT agenda.
Those of us who chose (or were allowed to) pursue a degree know that we did this to receive an education....not to just get "a job." This notion that the WTS spreads is a complete distortion of the facts. Nobody goes to school to get that "big shot" job, to be rich or get prestige...
I earned a degree in the liberal arts over 20 years ago. I was fortunate to have JW parents that thought past the pages of the Watchtower and YPA Book. You know .... balanced folks with common sense who cared about their kid's future.
That degree has put me in an excellent position when job searching, interviewing, landing a job and being able to live well within my means.
after reading some of your other posts and experiences, especially regarding the elder's school, i am reminded of part 2 of my experience down the rabbit hole.. the last elder's school i attended was in 2011. i remember vividly the 3 day event.
i remember vividly being bored out of my mind!.
as has been stated by others, the hours of monotone counsel and examples and experiences were continually beating on your brain with the usual stuff:.
Thanks for sharing!
I liken my gradual awakening to a clogged artery. After years (or a lifetime) of junk floating through the veins, a blockage develops that reduces blood flow to the brain. You become sluggish in thought, unsure on your feet and dependent on others.
The body understands the importance of getting blood to the brain and it will develop mini-arteries around the blockage. By researching and having honest evaluations about the Org. and oneself, a person develops a greater awareness about the realities of 'the truth' - eventually circumventing the flawed ideology.
The blockage will remain but you'll begin to think with a clear head again!
- Love. 'Watchtower'. -
Now they sign the letters to 'all congregations' as : "Please accept our warm Christian love and best wishes. Your brothers 'Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses'"
The corporate body still takes precedent over the individual. Heartwarming, isn't it!
page 20:.
the unwary may adopt the same view of theocratic arrangements.
they may be unwilling to go along with congregation procedures and may even complain about anything not to their liking.
Last spring (March 2012), all bodies of elders in the US received a letter about higher education. It lays down the ground rules. Higher education is defined as a program of four years or more - not specialized certification or an Associates Degree.
The 'danger' of a four year education is that "it often erodes faith in Jehovah and the Bible."
Elders, ministerial servants and pioneers can be 'removed' if they pursue (and promote) higher education for themselves, their wives or their children.
page 20:.
the unwary may adopt the same view of theocratic arrangements.
they may be unwilling to go along with congregation procedures and may even complain about anything not to their liking.
The negative stance against higher education is a smokescreen.
They reason that a young (innocent, vulnerable, simple) person will be exposed to immorality, drug and alcohol abuse, politics, evolution and higher criticism.
In actuality, the GB doesn't want people to become educated. Essential parts of a successful education are to learn to reason, question and prove.
And the local elders DO NOT want publishers that are 'smarter' than they are. Register for a four year college or university and see how quickly extra 'privileges' are taken away!
