Yesterday at the grocery store, I ran into a sister from the hall. I have not attended meetings now for 15 to 16 months, but most people there think my health has been really bad and that is why I don't go any more. Anyway, I asked her how her mother was and she told me her mother passed away in July at the age of 95. She then said that her mother died faithful, so she would have a chance for a resurrection. She also made a point to tell me that her mother died of a stroke while she herself was at a meeting at the Hall I felt both comments were directed at me to let me know I should be at meetings and that if I want everlasting life, I needed to be "faithful".
Anyway, what I really wanted to say is, I find it very offensive the way they believe that only faithful witnesses have a chance at a resurrection. I think that idea is more emphasized than ever before. There was a gal at the KH a couple of years ago whose husband died. He had never been a witness and she was scared to death he would not be resurrected. And, of course, the other witnesses are not too encouraging about that. They say, "it is up to Jehovah. He can see hearts", but usually make it pretty clear they do not believe the person has a chance for salvation because they never became a "witless". I sent that sister, who was a wonderful loving person, a sympathy card and assured her in it that her husband would be resurrected because the resurrection is for everyone.
When I was growing up (born in 1952), I don't remember them being so dogmatic about this idea. It seems to me that this is one more thing they have become more and more adamant and dogmatic about - only they, the good and faithful witnesses, have any chance at salvation. They used to say that anyone who died before the big A had a chance at resurrection, but now they try to present it otherwise. Just one more way to control the masses, I suppose.