Where did all the Fun Times go? I was looking at the June 1, 1985 Watchtower, pg. 29-31 with its legalistic baptism vows, where one recognizes their association with God’s spirit-directed organization, when I was struck by the context of the article.
Essentially it gives a last minute warning about ‘proper’ decorum with swim-wear used for baptism – a serious and solemn occasion. JW Sister elect-ees are cautioned about their bathing suit – don’t wear sexually revealing thongs. The implication is that they wouldn’t want to excite those pious serious Elders who will hold these young babes in their arms as they dip them under water, exposing cleavage, etc., blah, blah, blah. Oh no, he might have impure thoughts and dishonor Jehovah. Oh, and above all, such revealing swim-wear could stumble onlookers (potential converts, and sources of revenue.)
Then the article goes on to talk about not having any big party-bashes for newly baptized ones. Why, this would draw undue attention to what is only the beginning – a 'yet to be proven' life of faithfulness to the organization ... oh no, this is not proper, and again could give the new convert an undue sense of importance.
You know, when you think about this in retrospect – it all seems so idiotic. Think about it: No Christmas, no birthdays, no clapping or parties for reinstated JWs, no parties to celebrate the baptism of new converts, no large wedding receptions, and they must be monitored by a Director of the Feast, no gatherings for sports events because any competition is bad, and in fact no big gatherings just for fun, just to be happy and have a good time. Oh no, it might lead to drinking, or god forbid, some unaware parent might lose track of their children, or their wayward teenagers might run off and have sex in the back of the building.
Therefore, “Control, control, control by the GB and their Kingdom of Clones”: Their Lincoln-ized motto should be, “A Government of the GB, by the GB, and for the GB shall not perish from the earth.” Eternal control and dictation shall make you happy, and you had better be happy, whether you like it or not!
In the late 1960s JWs could still have fun: I recall on Saturdays, after Field Service of course, we would gather at a school baseball diamond, and have a softball game. Little kids, big kids, adults, men, women, teens all playing and having fun. Then we would enjoy a picnic ... hamburgers, hot-dogs, fresh potato salad, chips, coke, and sometimes some beer. We talked, shared, laughed, and built some bonds of friendship.
We had a number of brothers and sisters who used to be professional singers and musicians, and some were excellent amateurs ... we would gather at one of their homes with a large family room or even rent a local hall ... invite every JW around to come and have fun and bring food ... we would have a sound system set up ... Some older JWs would tell fun stories, and yes have some typical JW experiences, but that was okay ... then the singers and musicians would perform ... they were so talented and fun to be around ... and they would sing all kinds of popular songs - not Kingdom melodies. Everyone chipped in to help pay for the hall and shared in cleaning without any ‘Control’ rhetoric.
Beach Parties: We also had times when we got a very large group to go to the beach ... lots of good food, tossing frisbees, footballs, and playing soccer and volly-ball were common things to do, along with tanning and basking in the sun with radios blaring. Yes, some of the sisters wrong some really classy swim-wear – but we did not stand there and gawk and go into sex-shock. Teenage brothers were dunking teenage sisters in the ocean as the waves crashed in ... we also had beer and wine, and many stayed late for a campfire, roasting marsh-mellows, and talking and joking late into the evening.
Back then, JWs were just good people, having some good clean fun: No warnings from ‘Big Mama’ organization ... we were able to get together and have a good time without any worry. And newly baptized JWs were honored by clapping and telling how they became JWs ... and newly reinstated JWs joined in and everyone hugged them and welcomed them back ... tears flowed, and at times gifts given to either of the above. We also had such gatherings when some moved ... to say good-bye ... send them off with well wishing, gifts, and even some extra cash.
The Watchtower beliefs were clearly wrong then, as they are today ... but: At least JWs could have some fun, and relieve some stress from everyday life. What happened? I saw this erode over the years, and by the time I left in May 1992, the fun had all but vanished. No more large gatherings, no unmonitored weddings, no parties for the newly baptized, and no more clapping when someone was reinstated. No more serving beer or wine, no more singing or dancing events – and if some still did have some singing, they had to be sure to sing Kingdom Melodies. I recall when this changed, an Elder stopped some from singing a non-JW song because he felt that we should only be using Kingdom melodies.
In the ten years I have been away – I have not heard of a single time when JWs had fun again – no, it seems the controls are still in place. The Governing Body and their co-inventors of doctrine are not any kind of Christian group, but instead have truly become: THE ANAL RETENTIVE CLASS:
Verily, let’s ditch this nonsense, for I say unto thee, let’s PARTY!!! Maybe for those who can make it to Benton, Kentucky on May 24th ... we can have some fun times again!