Hello All,
A thread on the last page made me remember something from my early childhood. Remember congregation picnics and other outings? I remember when I was little, probably only 4 - 5 years old; there was a huge congregation picnic at a park with food, games, etc. This would have been 1983-84 or so. They had it at a park so that all of the children could play on the swings and playground equipment while the adults could relax themselves. I really remember one well, where I was sad to leave as it was getting dark. It was (it seemed) an all day thing. At the time of my youth, there were many in my congregation that was of my age. I recall this fond memory as one of the only "normal feeling" gatherings of my childhood, where religion wasn't constantly rammed down my throat while being told to sit still in a hot little suit. I guess I just find it amazing how this one memory stands out harder than any other assembly I had ever been too. (Except the sweltering heat of Veteran's Stadium in Philly) Imagine that?
It wasn't long after that, that the Society came out with the direction to not have ANY gatherings where people could actually talk, enjoy themselves, and HAVE FUN. What a complete shame, to not even be able to socialize on some normal level with your own spiritual brothers and sisters beyond the Kingdumb Hall, a field service car, or the very rare wedding. When I was told this by my parents at a young age, I remember then feeling how weird and anti-social this religion was, and I mean at like 5 - 6 years old. It may have been the very first "light bulb" of something being wrong in Oz. Of course, then school starts, and you realize how REALLY different you are in comparison to everyone else. I remember my young "worldly" school mates talking about Sunday School, or their church activities, or their church trips, youth activities, etc....and feeling completely jealous and even envious that they would have something like that for kids our age, while I had to sit through boring meetings.
With all of the anti-social behavior, new talk of the preaching work being fulfilled, and endless tract campaigns, how much further behind can the Kool-Aid be? I mean really, either they are right and God'd judgement is right around the corner, or they are crying Wolf for the 20th time and will run themselves into an iceberg with everyone jumping ship. I mean, I really feel it has come to that. Either the end is really soon, or there will be no one left. The congregation I was in growing up in the 80's, disbanded in about 1990. The congregation I moved to after that has only a handful in attendance at Sunday meetings, and can't even get full seating for the Memorial. I remember as a child there barely being standing room at The Memorial. They had to set up extra seats; now they can't even fill the Hall. I know my congregation isn't isolated either, as all of the Circuit Assembly attendance seems waaaaay down. People are just tired, emotionally drained, and just plain fed up with being told every tiny thing to do 24/7, 7 days a week. No wonder my parents burned out by 1995. (They were baptized in 1982-83)
Since getting married to a "worldly" woman 3 years ago and having a child, I couldn't imagine living or raising my child as they raised me; with the constant rat race the WTBS demands that you do in order to gain their acceptance. I also want my child to learn about God in a more pleasant, fun, nurturing environment, instead of my childhood of highlighting WT and Awake! Magazines. Those "Young People Ask", articles were completely condescending, idiotic, and useless drivel that were of basically no help at all in my teens.
Sorry for the ramble, but I haven't rambled on here in some time now. Your ramblings are encouraged though!
Thanks for listening,
Wing Commander