biggest WTBTS threat

stillajwexelder

Sorry if there has already been a thread on this subject. Do you think a really big threat to the WTBTS is from people like me who are still witnesses and in the organization but also post on this board and have an open mind -- or do you think there are bigger threats -and if so what would they be?

czarofmischief

Threat? Define threat.

What is the WT in danger of losing? It's iron grip on the minds of believers? Then the internet is its biggest threat. And "moles" are a big part of helping apostates sift through information and putting it up here on the net.

But it is an institution now, it's here to stay. It will always have the money, the land, the power - if it just loosened up a bit on its bizarre dating concepts, its frantic and ineffective evangelism, and quit beating up and tearing down its staunchest supporters, it might actually stand a chance of making it through the next five centuries.

As it is, the WT's insistence on Pharisaic purity (no holidays or birthdays, for heaven's sake!) and its heavier and heavier loads that it keeps tossing onto the weak and weary are its own worst enemy.

It will implode on its own - people won't take being pushed around forever.

CZAR

dmouse

I remember a Star Trek episode where they captured a Borg (I, Borg) where they were going to program him with the ability to think for himself and be independent. They were then going to send him back so he could infect the rest.

So yes, I think people who can think for themselves and know a lot about JW history and falsehoods, who are still accepted as JWs in good standing, are very dangerous to the JW mindset. Which is why the Society has been issuing instruction about not even trusting the brothers in your congregation. TRUST NO ONE except the WBTS.

Perhaps the biggest threat to their control is the Internet.

metatron

Look at Communism. It collapsed because it was bankrupt as an ideology and as an economic system

In the Watchtower's case, it's already a bankrupt ideology - anybody remember the heated and lengthy discussions

about doctrine that used to take place on the old H2O board. All that's gone because their doctrine is purely arbitrary

- "because we say so". Even the magazines avoid any depth of explanation of anything - just repetition and platitudes.

Heck, they can't allow people to think - they might figure out that the Transfusion issue is a fraud!

On the other hand, they still have money, even with declining contributions. I doubt that lawsuits will be big enough

to wipe them out completely, desirable as that might be.

They will join the Flat Earth Society, the Wobblies, Theosophy and countless other movements as they fade into history

as irrelevant. The sooner the better.

metatron

Victorian sky

Still, I don't know how you do it or why? Family? In answer to your question, I think those who are still in but know it's not the truth can be very effective. I know when I was active, there is no way I would have listened to someone who was viewed as apostate. I used to think people picketing the conventions were crazy. I remember meeting an exJW at the door and he said he was df'ed and never been happier. I didn't understand how that could be (now I get it!) I knew a cool Bethal Elder who was one of the bros holding small meetings in their Bethal rooms along with Franz. (I didn't realize that's what he was telling me until I was out, he wasn't df'ed or thrown out of Bethal, he was reassigned from the writing dept to a menial position) anyway, he was the one I turned to when I first starting having doubts. He told me not to leave the borg that there aren't enough normal, compassionate people in and if I leave there will be one less. I told him I didn't believe half of what's taught and I can't fake it. He said that's okay, to just filter out the stuff I don't agree with! I asked him point blank if he has doubts too. He said yes. I said how can you stay? He said he has to help the friends. He was very active in helping bros and sis's who were physically or sexually abused in the borg, JWs from all over the world called him for help and if he left the borg, who would step in his place to help them? I didn't know if I admired him or pitied him. Now I think him and his wife are incredible human beings, they are still at Bethal and I pray for them. - V Sky

benext

The biggest threat has to be the passage of time. Nothing the WT has ever said about the end has remotely been true. Even if the older ones are now trapped the younger ones can and will get away.

xjw_b12

Interesting story Victorian Sky I have to agree with you on whether to admire him or pity him. Of course the comfort factor, that those who have given their lives to Bethel, with no place to go could also be a determining factor.

stillajwexelder. Do you want to be a threat to the WTBTS, or do you want to stick around to help family and friends? That is a very thin line to walk my friend. First of all, if you are waiting for change, to make your membership within the org. more palatable to yourself, and perhaps soothe your conscience, ie the new sign out front......

Kingdom Hall of Reformed Jehovah's Witnesses

I wouldn't be holding my breath. The WTBTS appears to have become more Salem like than ever in their witch hunts to root out the unbelievers.

And as for discreetly looking to help others out, and encourage reform from within, I wish you luck. Unfortunately you are no longer an elder, and lowers your esteem in the eyes of others in the cong. Therefore you have less clout.

And be very, very careful, who you share your thoughts with. My dad tried to take a similar course of action, (though I don't think he was as discreet as he could have been...LOL), but it didn't take long for the cong, to begin viewing him as a troublemaker, and of course the rumours began, and the situation spiralled downward from there.

Do what you can while you can. I admire and respect your stand.

Regards: David aka xjw_be one too "Millions Now Living Will Never ~~Die~~ Know"

core

The biggest threat has to be the passage of time. Nothing the WT has ever said about the end has remotely been true. Even if the older ones are now trapped the younger ones can and will get away.

Sadly I cannot agree. Years, decades and a century has passed from the time of some of the failed prophecies right back in the late 1800s - still a group who stay in and likely that majority now are post the 1975 fiasco and no specific new date has been promulgated recently - just the usual soon, round the corner, just ahead etc which can drag on for ever. Many (probably at least 50%) stayed after every failure of a time prediction and as new ones join the happy band they are not carrying baggae of disappointment.

As another thread detailed recently - many of us never thought we would grow old in this system - but we have - despite failures of promised release from this system - many have seen all this and stayed in the thrall of the Failed Date Corporation of Brooklyn. Some will always stay with them and they can always refocus and dangle the carrot.

Room 215

Take heart, exjwelder; there's lots of that sort of thing going on just below the surface; i.e. heretofore loyal JWs with unanswered questions/doubts/unable to accept all, if not most of JW doctrine and chafing at the current intellectual sterility and heavy-handed authoritarianism of the Borg, ``hanging in there" in the interests of friends and family or hopeful of contributing to a groundswell for reform. And this includes Bethel.

Phantom Stranger

The only threat I can think of is people - former JW's, current JW's, or whatever - postponing joy, risk, and growth in their lives in order to be part of a group. That covers spending all your time in service or on the internet :)

biggest WTBTS threat

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