Did you ever wonder why the watchtower fusses over such silly and minute rules? Things like smoking, dress, music, dance, movies, language, what company you keep, what and how you celebrate?
Let's consider a few factors. The average jw member is really at the bottom of the totem poll so to speak. They are governed in every aspect of their thoughts and lives most directly by elders of their congregations. These are after all the eyes and ears of the next up in the heirarchy, the overseers. Boy do folks get nervous when they come to town! Everyone dresses better, the car gets washed, children sit up in their seats a little straighter.
Because, those overseers are much closer to the big dogs....yes the faithful and discreet slave, the governing body! This elusive, mysterious group of men who are seldom seen, but always obeyed.
But let us consider how it felt to be one of the members. You are made to feel subservient and tiny amoungst these great ones. Aren't you told time and time again that it is your duty to do the "field work"? You feel like a number. You feel dejected, you feel small and unappreciated. Surely you are more important and deserve more credit than you are given!
What is a member to do to feel more important and needed????? Well, amazingly enough the watchtower has provided the answer friends!
Keep on the watch! Are you humble? Does your dress reflect your love of jehovah? Are you stumbling your brothers? Watch out for members in your own congregations! Apostacy has set in! Yes! Right here amoungst us!
Paranoia and nervousness takes over the congregation, it is brother against brother as hem lines are checked by a quick glance. Brother fuzzy needs a haircut, sister frown all the time needs to control her four year old!
These silly escapades and judgements go on at every meeting. They are encouraged and wanted. And why? Because it fits the desires of the watchtower empire.
Ultimately, the watchtower is a publishing company out to make a profit...yes I know they are a "non-profit" organization, but that doesnt mean they are not making money. It simply means they do not have to pay taxes.
The watchtower has no use at all for members with everyday problems like trying to feed their kids, or keeping a roof over their heads...Got a problem? Get over it. Keep your eyes on the prize. Don't let ANYTHING take you away from your purpose of making converts and collecting money for the WWW (world wide work).
You see, it is a lesson on efficiency. It is a business model. Eliminate all that do not contribute to the greater good (the bottom dollar). Members with problems or needs are not contributing to the goal. Eliminate them...It is a weakness that must be cut out like a cancer.
The tower is small in comparison to other denominations, but they sure are efficient. They are smart cookies those running this org....all "waste" is cut out on a congregational level by paranoid powerless members (starting with their own families) and moving quickly along to fellow congregants. It costs the watchtower zero to have this done. What a precious gift huh?
Tit for tat....The lowely members gain prestige and importance by improper judgement of their fellow brothers, and the tower focuses only on those who do their service....brilliant!