sorry if this is covered somewhere else. so what's the deal with the annointed? for 20 years they were at 8000, then a year or 2 ago they jumped to 12,000. now they are getting younger! Did'nt they start adding "other sheep" to the governing body years ago because the remaining anointed were so old and decrepid? now the gb looks like they are in their 50's and 60's i'll have what they're drinking!
annointed 2.0 ?
by nowwhat? 2 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Bobcat
I posted links to research on the anointed topic from a Bible standpoint on this thread (see posts 384, 385).
Looking at things from the standpoint of the GB, IMO they either don't understand the topic, or it is used by them as a way to secure their own position and power. More likely both. The latest "new lite" about the F&DS makes a lot of sense when viewed from the unexpected increase in partakers at the KH. This increase impacts their position and so they do the one thing that restores it: Redefine the terms that describe their position of superiority within the bOrg. That way those who partake can continue to merrily partake - but they gain no more position within the Org for it.
In a way, its not too different from Govt attempts to change the minimum age of Social Security and Medicaid upward. You get to be as old as you want, but you still don't qualify.
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JWOP
In 2005 the sum of Memorial partakers world wide numbered 8,524. The following year, in 2006, they tallied an increase to 8,758 partakers. In 2007 the number went up again to 9,105. In 2008 the number rose to 9,986. In 2010, the number of partakers grew to 11,202. And recently, it was published that the number in 2011 rose again to the tune of 11,824 partakers ( Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, 2006, p.31; 2007 p.31; 2008, p. 31; 2009, p.31; Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, 2011, p.51; Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, 2012, p.55 respectively ), This is an increase of exactly 3,300 partakers over seven years! ( and, haven't some of the elderly ones passed away during this time? ). AND...in spite of the Watchtower Society publishing these ever-increasing numbers, they have declared that the number has been decreasing over the years! ( The Watchtower, February 15, 2009, pp. 27-28, para.14 )
In order to explain this problem, the Watchtower Society recently stated "A number of factors — including past religious beliefs or even mental or emotional imbalance — might cause some to assume mistakenly that they have the Heavenly calling. We thus have no way of knowing the exact number of anointed ones on Earth; nor do we need to know " ( The Watchtower, August 15, 2011, p.22 ).
In essence, they are saying the numbers are climbing only because some of the partakers are apparently mentally ill or clinging to past religious beliefs. However, since they cannot determine who are the mistaken ones and who are not, they count them all anyway, even though it is obviously not an accurate number.