Greetings! This is out today for one very simple reason. I received the a text from the custodian's husband yesterday saying, "going to assembly this weekend, talk later." So with that, I'm free for the weekend.
I'm kind of baffled as to why I got the above message. I do have some thoughts. The last meeting that we had contained what they would believe was "unsavory" due to faith being sufficient and more scriptures being utilized vs. James. Paul spoke in a direct contradiction to what the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society "preaches." I still find it amazing the way mind control works. The Word of God is clear when it directly conflicts what the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society teaches. They (with the exception of the custodian's husband admitting that Jesus rose bodily once) will usually exhibit cognitive dissonance and rationalize away what the Word says when it counters the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
I've been invited to a convention by the elder a few years back but had always politely declined. Perhaps depending on how the "study" went this time around, they were going to get me to go this year.
I also thought it was slightly on the odd/rude side to set a meeting and cancel when the convention schedule is laid out well in advance. Oh well, I guess in their minds, "one lost sheep" like myself isn't worth missing a convention over. On the other side though, perhaps he needs strengthened given the title of the 2017 convention program "Don't Give Up!" I personally don't agree with some of the things John Cedars believes but this is a pretty good video overall:
Why a title such as this? Nothing is done by the organization without an agenda. The organization is losing people bought on by its own actions relating to doctrine, changes, and practices at an alarming rate, hence the convention title. Why? Exposure in a variety of formats. Mainstream Christian churches are increasingly aware. The Australian Royal Commission highlighted child sexual abuse running unchecked in the organization. Former members have created quite a number of videos for public consumption on the internet ranging from personal websites to commercial platforms such as YouTube, iTunes Podcasts, and SoundCloud.
Growth is occurring predominately in areas without the internet. In the video the U.S. is has only grown by a minuscule amount which is odd considering "Jehovah's blessing" should be flowing ABUNDANTLY in the land where the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is centered. However, since there is minimal growth here, the organization is going to have to convert many more in the Third World since their currency is less than the U.S. dollar.
One way of the only ways of countering this onslaught has been the organization embracing the internet which it once despised found at this page here. However, this could very well backfire. I did a Google search on "Jehovahs witness." The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society only held three links. One was Wikipedia and the others were news or mainstream Christian based sites. People who are curious will investigate even though the study conductor will tell an interested householder to not look.
On a different, yet related note the second season of Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath has started. Cults have similar parallels and there are some when it comes to Scientology and Jehovah's Witnesses.
With that, I'll be awaiting a call from my friends.