by Nicodemus Kathoplizo 12 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
If you observe the changes made over the last couple of decades, it becomes obvious that any association among JW's that isn't controlled by Brooklyn has been discouraged. The group study with it's after-study refreshments and chit-chat has been abolished. The 10 minute break between the public talk and the WT study has gone. The same for assembly meals with their sociable food line queues.
They just don't want anyone socialising outside their control!
This old assembly video clearly demonstrates the great sociability that used to be present among JW's. And, yes, I was there!
The brother I'd studied with and looked up to, burnt out years ago as an elder. I had just spent the morning with him in field service and we were discussing what we did to break up the monotony of studying for the meetings.
I told him I'd been trying to read the Kingdom Interlinear and learning Koine Greek. Hey, why not, it was a perfect hobby for me. Both his eyebrows raised up, he thought it interesting, and challenging, and he said, "Good for you, keep it up!".
A few months later the KM 9/07 comes out against learning Hebrew and Greek or doing independent research. I asked him what he thought of the new Question Box in the KM. He rolled his eyes and said, "I guess I'll just have to stick to my fly-tying."
