Second Post
Hi again,
Wts meeting attendance figures used to be offered as evidence of global unity; a “pillar-of-strength” not found elsewhere? By simply attending a meeting, dubs were assured they would gain God’s blessing. (Rather like sitting in Peter’s shadow. Acts 5:15) Today, many active dubs question that assumption. Reflective dubs worry, a la Oliver Twist, that the paucity of Mt. 24:45 (FDS) food at the right time, might indicate that Fagin has taken over the kitchen!
So why do dubs attend meetings? Is it because they are masochists and like the “donot ” tone of meetings? No! There is an overlooked BINGO Factor at work. As part of the wts feeding program, the BINGO Factor is the perfect instrument to spoon-feed dubs with wts fare.
My venting #2.
For what it is worth, the (w) Watchtower and (b) BINGO game formats are compared below to show the high level of (Intentional?) crossbreeding of the two.
(NB. 1. This applies to Wt study, Bible book study, QA sessions, TMS Oral Review.)
(NB. 2. Disclaimer. I’m not a BINGO player and will stand correction on all points.)
(w) Wt Format cf. - (b) BINGO Format
(w) Preferred meeting time is late afternoon or early evening.
- (b) Preferred meeting time is late afternoon or early evening.
Not all present are dedicated members and the greater number are geriatric.
Not all present are dedicated members and the greater number are geriatric.
Each participant has printed text-sheets, paid for by voluntary contribution.
Each participant has printed number-sheets, paid for at the door.
Text-sheet themes have little personal relevance to most.
Number-sheet themes have little personal relevance to most.
The specific wording of text-sheets is immaterial to most.
The specific value of the numbers on their number-sheets are immaterial to most.
Searching to find a text is not gambling.
Searching to find a number is not gambling.
The conductor does not teach, but serves as an emcee or games’ show host.
- The conductor does not teach, but serves as an emcee or games’ show host.
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The meeting opens with a song and prayer for a future prize.
The meeting opens with a welcome and best wishes for winning a prize.
The conductor has a predefined part of the day’s text-sheets read aloud.
The conductor randomly selects a number and has it announced aloud.
The conductor asks for a certain portion of the just-read text to be found.
The conductor asks for the just-called number to be found.
Participants scan their text-sheets to find a match with the just-read text.
Participants scan their number-sheets to find a match with the just-called number.
Anyone finding a match raises a hand and when asked, reads aloud his find.
Anyone finding a match marks that number on his own number-sheet.
Multiple finds of the same text are allowed and read-back, as time permits.
Multiple finds of the same number are allowed and individually marked.
Ends when all text-sheets have been read aloud, found and then read-back.
Ends when a match is found to a multi-number pattern on a participant’s number sheet.
Lastly, 3-4 finds are reread to verify a full coverage of the day’s text sheets.
Lastly, one or more participants will cry BINGO; their numbers are then verified.
Some will mutter: “Wonderful wt, I gave 3 answers!”
Some will mutter: “Wonderful game, I marked 6 Numbers!”.
Ends with a song and prayer for each ones’ future prize.
- Ends with applause as the winners claim their prizes.
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Positives are : an outing, association with like minds, mental exercise, a sense of accomplishment, renewed hope of a future prize.
Positives are: an outing, association with like minds, mental exercise, a sense of accomplishment, renewed hope of a future prize.
Negatives are : fast fading positives.
- Negatives are: fast fading positives.
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The simplicity of the BINGO format does not come without cost. Since every word of the wt is chased down by the emcee, then re-read aloud by a dub, the essence of the material either is bypassed or otherwise lost. So by the time dubs leave the hall most of them would be unable to recall the theme of the meeting let alone any fine-point change in doctrine.
In short, dubs don’t attend wt meetings to hear about themes and or to split hairs on the meaning of words. The appeal of the meeting lies in the find-and-match challenge – the thrill of the chase. Next comes the thrill of plucking up the courage to read back your find – into a microphone, mind you, where everyone can hear you. Being rewarded with the emcee’s “well done” is also OK. But best is seeing the stunned look of face of others who wanted that answer and now feel thwarted. (Ha-ha on them!) These are the memorable things of the wt study. Its like BINGO on every paragraph!
Wts Pillar Consequences
Samson is reputed to have brought down the Philistine kingdom (Ju 16:30) by pushing over the pillars supporting the roof of the temple of Dagon.
Q. Would the fall of the wts meeting attendance “pillar-of-strength” bring down the edifice of the much vaunted wts’ spiritual paradise?
Q. Does the BINGO Factor help explain how changes to wts doctrine come and go unnoticed, or at best are poorly understood by the r/f?
Q. Since the BINGO Factor as a feeding instrument, seems so perfectly in-tune with the calibre of the meals being served, must we conclude that the two are inseparable? If so, can they jointly be revitalized? If not, should the wts take the initiative and shut down the wt study, or wait for dub rejection effectively to push over this temple pillar?
mtwtf