Thus follows an imaginary conversation between a loyal dub and his bible study...........
ACT 1 SCENE 1
enjoying a coffee at Starbucks...
Bro. Blinders: So Joe, you're doing pretty well with your studies. I can see the fine progress you've been making.
Joe: Why thank you Bro. Blinders.
Bro. Blinders: You know Joe, I can see the appreciation you have in your heart for Jehovah and his organization. Did you know that we
have a special convention in the summer?
Joe: No I didn't brother. What's discussed there?
Bro. Blinders: Well Joe, it's a three day program of Bible instruction. The theme for next year is "Follow The Christ".
Joe: That sounds awesome! I'm going to start making arrangements. Oh, you said three days, does that mean I need to take time off?
Bro. Blinders: Well, yes Joe, but make it a matter of prayer to Jehovah. Ask your employer in advance. If you really want to please
Jehovah he will help you.
Joe: Oh, ok. I'll do that. See you next week.
SCENE 2
Out on service....
Joe: Not long to go now Bro. Blinders till our convention! I'm really lookign forward to it.
Bro Blinders: That's good to hear Joe. Jehovah's smile of approval be on you!
Joe: You know something, my whole family is coming and my two daughters as well. We'll need to stay at a hotel. I have enough points
to stay at the Hilton for the entire convention stay.
Bro Blinders: Well Joe, that's good to hear! You're whole family is coming? Wow! But Joe, could I ask you something? I'd like you to read
the Kingdom Ministry for December. There's some guidelines there for booking a hotel.
Joe: Sure!
Joe reads the guidelines...
Joe: You know brother, I didn't see the Hilton on the Recommended Lodging List. Does that mean I can't stay there?
Bro Blinders: Unfortunately Joe, that's true. You see, the Society plans the convention and rooming facilities for us months in advance, so we don't have
to worry about where we'll stay or even where to go for our lunch! Now that's Jehovah's spirit in action.
Joe: Whoa there brother, you said we don't have to worry about where we go for lunch? I already planned on taking my kids out to Red Lobster, which is only
5 minutes away.
Bro Blinders: I'm sorry Joe, but in the interests of organization Jehovah knows what's best for us, even if we don't know that ourselves. The Society wants us to
associate with the friends rather than spend our lunch time away from them. That's why they encourage us to bring a light lunch.
Joe: Oh, I guess you're right Bro. Blinders. We really don't have the money to spend at a hotel, but I'll take it to Jehovah in prayer.
ACT 2: SCENE 1
At the convention.
Joe: So Bro. Blinders, why don't we sit here together? It's the front row here and we'll have the bets view of the drama?
Bro Blinders: Hey Joe, that's great that you've found seats for all of us, usually I do that! But you know something, Jehovah's organisation is very organised.
The society have encouraged each congregation to sit in their assigned seats.
Joe: Oh, but that means we'll have to sit all the way up the back.
Bro blinders: Hey, don't worry about it Joe. Remember, it's the message coming from Jehovah himself we need to listen to, not worry about where we sit!
SCENE 2
After the convention is over. Bro. Blinders walks up to Joe and his family, who are looking rather downcast.
Bro. Blinders: Hey Joe! Well, how did you enjoy the convention? Isn't it great to be among the brothers and sisters who love you?
Joe: Actually Bro. Blinders, there's something you should know.
Bro Blinders: And what would that be?
Joe: You see Bro, Blinders, I've been studying with you for six months. You told me that I would find freedom leaving my former religion. You said you were follows of Jesus.
Yet, you've told me that I can't stay at a hotel of my choice, when it would have cost me and my family nothing, you've told us we can't go out for lunch and stretch our legs and
you've told us we can't sit anywhere else but the approved seating for our congregation. I saw some friends over the other side of the hall who I knew, but I couldn't sit next to them.
You told me about the wonderful fellowship that we can get from the friends, but to tell you truthfully, no one has come up to ask and said anything. But what really bothers me, is
that the title of this program is called "Follow The Christ", yet I didn't hear anything about Jesus himself or how we should look to him for salvation. So brother Blinders, I don't think
I will be attending meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses anymore and I wish to discontinue my study with you.