You may doubt that boring meetings are intentional,
as a means of indoctrination. However, many of the Society's
methods are targeted with such precision at control, that
coincidence seems unlikely.
At one time, we got a tongue lashing from our C.O.
because we combined field service arrangements for two
small book studies. He quoted the KM as it was if the Word of
God on the matter. In poorly attended book studies, meeting
every Sat. with the same few people became quite a burden
on the friends but rules are rules. Why did they try
to enforce this rule? Obviously, to maintain control and
try to force tired Witnesses to show up every Sat. for
service. If you combine two groups, some publishers
might slip away unnoticed.
The same is true for splitting congregations - even
when growth is poor. The intent is to keep 60-70
people occupied with busy work, trying to staff all
the functions of a congregation and fill meeting parts.
Note that the Society now wants no more than 15 people
in a book study. This will be difficult for some brothers
if attendance is less than 50%. But the Society doesn't
care - control and busywork are their aim.
Eventually experience in this organization leads you to
the conclusion that, anytime a change takes place, you
will hear:
1) a false, butt covering reason why the change happened
and
2) whispered, or hinted at, the real, truthful reason
why the change occured.
There's so many examples of this, I don't have time to
list them all. Think about the "voluntary contribution
arrangement" (and Jimmy Swaggart). Think about no
food at assemblies so brothers will have more time
to listen ( we might taxed!)The Society didn't split
into new corporations for legal reasons (the D.O. said
they did!)
Here's my personal favorite: in a private meeting with
elders, the D.O. and C.O. complained about poor meeting
attendance at a circuit assembly. Too many brothers
taking vacation etc. The real reason for his complaint
slipped out of his mouth before he could stop himself
"We don't have enough contributions for the hall!"
I laughed quietly.
Don't underestimate what goes on behind closed doors.
Experience with missing meetings for Bethel work,
suggests they know the meetings are intrinsically
worthless - it's for control and indoctrination.
They've been cranking out witless zombies for years
with these meetings. Do you really think they haven't
noticed their own sick success?
I will admit that envy enters into it, too.
If you really try to be interesting, you may not get parts
much anymore because other brothers resent the contrast.
It's a little like the Who following Jimi Hendrix as the next
act on stage.
metatron