People Following & The Handling The Christ

[Jinnvisible]

For anyone who attended one of the the 2007 Follow the Christ conventions of Jehovah`s witnesses certain things may have been apparent;

,,,,,,,The love and good will that exists among Jehovah`s witnesses.

,,,,,,,The benefits of paying attention to the details of administrating large attendance events.

,,,,,,,,The sense of security that people gain when they feel that they are acting together in God`s purpose.


I`m curious about how much may not be visibly apparent.

The book of Acts reports to the fact that their were also conventions of Christians in the first century some of which many thousand were present, also with great numbers of baptisms many more than even todays conventions.

Once a person has been informed where to park thier car. Where to park thier child buggy. Where to sit down, - being passed along by `remore controlled` brothers recieving radio direction in headsets. When to sit down, When to stand up (if they are able), when to listen and when to sing, how much critical facility is left for determining what is being asserted about the scriptures ?

A person is left with a great sense of gratitute for these incredibly menial things. A feeling of being taken care of. This itself is a welcoming prospect for anyone yet how much do the formal logistics of organisation remove the Bereoan searching through and testing. It seems that in the first century similar size events took place without any of this welcome and comforting co-ordination.

[DoubtingThomas]

I am inclined to agree fully with your astute observation's Jinn. I feel like a robot at at the DC. There is no room for individuality. It is not allowed. We are told what to wear, where to stay, where to sit, where to eat and where not to eat, where to park, etc. I could increase the list ad infinitum. And if we dare even think about being different or standing out ... well dare I say more! lt really takes the joy out of what should be a joyful occasion - learning more from God's Word. Then on top of everything you mentioned, I find myself having to listen and check every detail of what is being said from the platform, just to make sure it really is in harmony with the Bible, and not more garbage to promote the 1914 doctrine or other operations of error.

[watchman]

How about the brothers that stand there holding a sign that says "KEEP MOVING"? That really messes with my mind. What kind of message does that send?

[Eli's Foe]

If you stop moving (or rather being carried along by the current) you may have time to gather your senses, and actually be able to watch as others are carried along towards the rapids ahead! Cant have that, so keep moving........

[Jinnvisible]

How about the brothers that stand there holding a sign that says "KEEP MOVING"[/b]

I never saw that one, that is strange. Its like holding a sign saying `dont do what i`m doing`.

If, God willing, i make it to more conventions i`m going to train up a bit more. About a month before I`m going to start some fore arm exercises. To make sure i can maintain a healthly level of Hanshakes per minute. My hpm was a bit low. I need to get some double handed techniques down. The double five on the black hand side may be overkill, lacking humility.

[Sketch]

Once a person has been informed where to park thier car. Where to park thier child buggy. Where to sit down, - being passed along by `remore controlled` brothers recieving radio direction in headsets. When to sit down, When to stand up (if they are able), when to listen and when to sing...[/b]

come on down to Richmond... people do what they want to there... knock old people down just to get an end seat... My daughter was not going to sit still for 3 days so I was up most of the time walking... I picked out the talks i wanted to be at my seat for, and my wife took the kid... and aside from pointing out a broken hash pipe to the brothers outside, I had a pretty decent time... I stopped feeling guilty about being up and walking around a while back... in my experience, the brothers helping things stay "orderly" have never bothered me at all... in fact, I'd say its a 50/50 split on those who WANT to do that - so they have something to DO during the DC, and those that would rather listen to the parts...

Sad to say, the REAL reason I went was to make my wife happy... though the hawk i saw put a smile on my face and my daughter's as she was waving at the bird... a pigeon still in its talons... VERY pretty...

[Jinnvisible]

Sad to say, the REAL reason I went was to make my wife happy... though the hawk i saw put a smile on my face and my daughter's as she was waving at the bird... a pigeon still in its talons... VERY pretty...[/b]

Not bad Sketch. Was there a part of the program that you really felt more strongly about ? I mean it often depends on the way a speaker presents something as to how you feel about it. So was there a bit that clicked good for you ?

[Sketch]

Not bad Sketch. Was there a part of the program that you really felt more strongly about ? I mean it often depends on the way a speaker presents something as to how you feel about it. So was there a bit that clicked good for you ?[/b]

HA! really the only thing i remember is the hash pipe and the hawk... I had to explain to two of the brothers what a hash pipe was - looking back it was probably used for crack or ice.... eitherway, only one guy knew what it was... good thing they know what to guard us from in the world....

Most of the talks seemed to me to be the same thing in a different wrapper... "do this, don't do that, do MORE of this, that is up to you, unless someone sees you, then you're in trouble". None of the talks really jumped out at me... I liked the drama - based on the message (not on the historical facts)... I think I have a problem staying humble sometimes... :icon_rolleyes: ... okay okay... MOST of the time... sheeeesh....

"Oh Lord, its hard to be humble, when you're perfect in Every Way"... B)

[misilon]

<div class='quotemain'>Not bad Sketch. Was there a part of the program that you really felt more strongly about ? I mean it often depends on the way a speaker presents something as to how you feel about it. So was there a bit that clicked good for you ?[/b]

HA! really the only thing i remember is the hash pipe and the hawk... I had to explain to two of the brothers what a hash pipe was - looking back it was probably used for crack or ice.... eitherway, only one guy knew what it was... good thing they know what to guard us from in the world....

Most of the talks seemed to me to be the same thing in a different wrapper... "do this, don&#39;t do that, do MORE of this, that is up to you, unless someone sees you, then you&#39;re in trouble". None of the talks really jumped out at me... I liked the drama - based on the message (not on the historical facts)... I think I have a problem staying humble sometimes... :icon_rolleyes: ... okay okay... MOST of the time... sheeeesh....

"Oh Lord, its hard to be humble, when you&#39;re perfect in Every Way"... B)
[/b][/quote]

[misilon]

hi,..yayyy its that time of the yr again and so,..for days b4 the convention, I prepare myself for the trip,..My clothes ,.My health intake ,.Im baking and freezing stuff,.. My things to do list, My comfort while Im there is always on my mind, The motel I will stay at,..Is the loo cubicle or open plan in the bathroom ( I have a preference ), Will my car be ok! blah blah, Will an angel sit on the bonnet and get me there safely,.. So many things to think about ,..

All the time aware that at least I dont have to worry when I arrive at the venue,..thank god its all been taken care of for me,.. I love them for looking after me,...

Do I learn anything? ,...yes of corse I do ,...that I am well loved and It feels like it ,...As for the programs,....we have heard it all b4 and if we miss anything its in the up and coming latest magazines ,..

Meantime can hardly wait for the breaks to catch up with all my love ones, and friends, and always ready to make new ones,..

Yes I dont mind being told to "move along" at all,. I put my hand in my pocket in preparation, and hope that I see a donation box, because I want to show my appreciation for such an event,..

Anyway,..cheer up I love coming in here to have a decent read ,...the most decent read ever,..Im so glad you people are here,..I love the bible with everything I have inside so keep it up

[Jade]

At our conventions there is a special room for some of our elders and overseers where they can sit talking, drinking cups of tea and eating biscuits during the whole convention. I went in their once after taking part in an item a long time ago and they really aren&#39;t listening to any of it. :44:
Oh well lucky them it must make it go a lot quicker!

[Jinnvisible]

All the time aware that at least I dont have to worry when I arrive at the venue,..thank god its all been taken care of for me,.. I love them for looking after me,...[/b]

I think that is a direct answer to the question. Theres seem to be a fair amount for a person to concern themselves with on a practical level.

[Jinnvisible]

At our conventions there is a special room for some of our elders and overseers where they can sit talking, drinking cups of tea and eating biscuits during the whole convention.[/b]

The theocratic term is the `first aid` room.

[Sketch]

The theocratic term is the `first aid` room.[/b]

do NOT get me started on the CRAP they pass off as "first aid"... they are ALL about covering their butt on that one... their only concern is liability... or making sure they have NONE.

[Jinnvisible]

their only concern is liability... or making sure they have NONE.[/b]

Clearly zealous, yet i wasn`t fully prepared to allow this sister to prove her zeal by dieing of kidney failier in front of me, whilst missing her bus for chatting about baby moses in a basket, and so i waited for the bus with her and put her on it, still chatting.

I`m gratefull that i didn`t arrive at the convention having to get first aid attendants to strecher freinds into the venue.

[dgibson]

Was there any picketers at any of the conventions, or have they all but gave up? I know I would not be out there with them, because we used to make fun of them.

Now, though I see where the signs that read, "read the bible, not the watchtower" was an appropiate message for the time, during the 10 year UN rule. haha

[Sketch]

I used to be part of the "first aid" room at CA&#39;s in Syracuse... occasionally there might be a nurse there - but most were not trained in so much as CPR... I would bring my own jump bag and oxygen and leave it for them to use... we did have an elderly lady with chest pains one time... I was very glad i had my gear... most of the time though - even the nurses would openly discourage people from coming by... even if people had legit reasons... Thats one part of NY i don&#39;t miss....


Was there any picketers at any of the conventions, or have they all but gave up? I know I would not be out there with them, because we used to make fun of them.[/b]

There was a picketer at my DC in Richmond... the man weighed 100 pounds soaking wet... the sign (i don&#39;t remember what it said) he held up was about 3ft square and the wind kept catching it and almost knocked him over a few times... I didn&#39;t know to laugh or pity the man... i did have to chuckle though....

[stayawake]

I remember when the Diistrict Assemblies were held in the Big cities.
We are talking about 30,000 in attendance

There would be those out side screaming to us at intermission out on the pavements . We were told they were apostates and were NOT to listen to them,
WE stayed as far away from them that we could, and kept talking without let up to avoid any thing they were saying to seep into our very controlleed minds.
Almost scared to death, that we may hear some thing we shouldn&#39;t
It proberly was something we should have heard .

Then there were the venders who looked forward to the stadiums being filled
No doubt these men spent HOURS preparing there ice cone carts, their hot dog carts, their cotton candy carts
and we were told when intermission came we were NOT to buy anything from them we were to avoid them

I remember feeling soo uncomfortable hearing their PLEA , advertizing their wares.
Not a soul would go near them.
Why we were so well trained we could pass them up with a snub as if they weren&#39;t even there.
Where was the love? How sick !
how uncareing,
and imagine we were there to gather together in LOVE>

I am so ashamed at what a impression we left with these venders, who seen the REAL WT org.
What a waste of time and money on their part. Not to forget their great dissipointment.
Like trained little robots , our IDENITY of LOVE brought great reproach on Gods Name

When my mnd goes back to those days I still feel very uncomfortable, to think that I shared in such a hateful act.
These men no doubt had families.
then to go home and tell them that out of thousands no one would came near them.
May Jah forgive me
stayawake

[Molly]

I remember when the Diistrict Assemblies were held in the Big cities.
We are talking about 30,000 in attendance

There would be those out side screaming to us at intermission out on the pavements . We were told they were apostates and were NOT to listen to them,
WE stayed as far away from them that we could, and kept talking without let up to avoid any thing they were saying to seep into our very controlleed minds.
Almost scared to death, that we may hear some thing we shouldn&#39;t
It proberly was something we should have heard .

Then there were the venders who looked forward to the stadiums being filled
No doubt these men spent HOURS preparing there ice cone carts, their hot dog carts, their cotton candy carts
and we were told when intermission came we were NOT to buy anything from them we were to avoid them

I remember feeling soo uncomfortable hearing their PLEA , advertizing their wares.
Not a soul would go near them.
Why we were so well trained we could pass them up with a snub as if they weren&#39;t even there.
Where was the love? How sick !
how uncareing,
and imagine we were there to gather together in LOVE>

I am so ashamed at what a impression we left with these venders, who seen the REAL WT org.
What a waste of time and money on their part. Not to forget their great dissipointment.
Like trained little robots , our IDENITY of LOVE brought great reproach on Gods Name

When my mnd goes back to those days I still feel very uncomfortable, to think that I shared in such a hateful act.
These men no doubt had families.
then to go home and tell them that out of thousands no one would came near them.
May Jah forgive me
stayawake[/b]

Stayawake-

I feel the same as you do about those who trudged about outside the district convention venues with signs trying to warn us about what we were doing. Now at long last, it occurs to me how loving it was on their part to spend long hours out in the sun hoping to help just one dazed sheep learn the truth about the truth. It isn&#39;t that I wouldn&#39;t go to the assembly any more, but that I would listen with a more critical ear. And I wouldn&#39;t allow someone to bully me into their stated position with regard to my faith. It&#39;s my life that is on the line, and I&#39;ll accept what I feel is appropriate and reject what I don&#39;t, whether they like it or not.

I, too, am ashamed of what has passed for love on the part of JWs. I have long been puzzled through the years by some comments from the friends that were cold and hardhearted, often completely bereft of compassion for the plight of others. It really bothers me how little recognition and attention is given to the work done by the "good Samaritan." It seems that JWs are the ones that go to the other side of the road and justify why they can&#39;t be of assistance. I wouldn&#39;t give JWs as a whole, a passing mark in the "love thy neighbor" category. I wouldn&#39;t even give them a passing mark in the "love your brother" category, and if we aren&#39;t passing there, then can we really claim we love Jehovah? (1John 4:20,21)

I don&#39;t mean to insult anyone here, it&#39;s just that I am ashamed as one of JWs that it goes on because others in the world do notice.

Molly

[littleone]

<div class='quotemain'>How about the brothers that stand there holding a sign that says "KEEP MOVING"[/b]

I never saw that one, that is strange. Its like holding a sign saying `dont do what i`m doing`.

If, God willing, i make it to more conventions i`m going to train up a bit more. About a month before I`m going to start some fore arm exercises. To make sure i can maintain a healthly level of Hanshakes per minute. My hpm was a bit low. I need to get some double handed techniques down. The double five on the black hand side may be overkill, lacking humility.

[/b][/quote] This sure brings to mind the first time my father brought me to the kingdom hall, and to the first district convention that I went to. My father would go out of his way to introduce me to people. At the kingdom hall, I shook at least 50 people&#39;s hands... telling them the same thing over and over (the routine questions: "Where do I work?"; "How do I like being here for the summer?" the weather.... yadda yadda yadda).

I couldn&#39;t help but feel that most of the people that my father introduced me to had absolutely no interest in meeting me, nor did I have any interest in meeting them. Yet, they would put on the happy and warm face, and I would do the same. We would greet each other with warm smiles, and with a firm handshake.

At the district convention, it was just nuts. My father went out of his way to introduce me to everyone that he had ever talked to before (I may be exaggerating, but there were a lots of people). It got so bad that I finally requested him to stop introducing me to people. He took this the wrong way of course, and figured I was just being unloving to people. But the truth was that I got so tired of feeling like a hypocrite. I had no real desire to meet all of these people, and I could definitely sense that they had no real desire to meet me either. Yet we would both put on a mock display of hospitality for each other... greeting each other as if we were long lost friends. I just got sick of it after awhile.



Don&#39;t get me wrong… there were a few people that I sensed were definitely interested in meeting me. But from the majority, I sensed they were just shaking my hand because it was the politically correct thing to do at the time.

[Shibboleth]

<div class='quotemain'>Was there any picketers at any of the conventions, or have they all but gave up? I know I would not be out there with them, because we used to make fun of them.[/b]

There was a picketer at my DC in Richmond... the man weighed 100 pounds soaking wet... the sign (i don&#39;t remember what it said) he held up was about 3ft square and the wind kept catching it and almost knocked him over a few times... I didn&#39;t know to laugh or pity the man... i did have to chuckle though....
[/b][/quote]

I know this may be unloving and probably "shock" some people, but you know those fruit bags we used to "buy" with our 10 tickets? I threw a bunch of fruit at an apostate one year as we were driving by. i was immature. I think I was late teens cause I was with other friends of mine and if I had done that with my parents I probably would have gotten the old beatdown. it was funny to me at the time, but if I could take it back, I would.

[misilon]

<div class='quotemain'><div class='quotemain'>Was there any picketers at any of the conventions, or have they all but gave up? I know I would not be out there with them, because we used to make fun of them.[/b]

There was a picketer at my DC in Richmond... the man weighed 100 pounds soaking wet... the sign (i don&#39;t remember what it said) he held up was about 3ft square and the wind kept catching it and almost knocked him over a few times... I didn&#39;t know to laugh or pity the man... i did have to chuckle though....
[/b][/quote]

I know this may be unloving and probably "shock" some people, but you know those fruit bags we used to "buy" with our 10 tickets? I threw a bunch of fruit at an apostate one year as we were driving by. i was immature. I think I was late teens cause I was with other friends of mine and if I had done that with my parents I probably would have gotten the old beatdown. it was funny to me at the time, but if I could take it back, I would.
[/b][/quote]

awww I love this post, Genesis 3v21,
you would have been a hero to so many other young ones that gathered at the hallowed halls of the convention site,..but I do see your point,..
The bloom of youth, 1 Corinth 7v36, has a lot to answer for, and I do admire greatly your contrite heart,..wonderful

[Jinnvisible]

I know this may be unloving and probably "shock" some people, but you know those fruit bags we used to "buy" with our 10 tickets? I threw a bunch of fruit at an apostate one year as we were driving by. ....................[/b]

you`ve been mis-understanding the scriptures again shib.

By thier fruits, you will know them. Not, buy those fruits, you will throw them.

I wouldn`t sweat it shib. In some places in the world this would be considered a charitible act. There was some kids catapulting sweets at me the other day. I couldn`t quip `I`m not hungry` or `I`m on a diet` or `i`ve just eaten`. All i could come up with was `good shot`. They appologised actually after.

I know what you mean about those kinds of feelings though, its a good reminisance, at least it wasn`t a coconut.

[Jinnvisible]

I used to be part of the "first aid" room at CA&#39;s in Syracuse... occasionally there might be a nurse there - but most were not trained in so much as CPR... I would bring my own jump bag and oxygen and leave it for them to use...[/b]

Well thats dedication. I`ve heard of people bringing a spare bannana. but `Spare air`, my first aid technique is shouting help!

:ban_dance01: :ban_dance02: