[From ws1/18 p. 7 – February 26-March 4]
“Those hoping in Jehovah will regain power.” Isaiah 40:31
The first paragraph lays out the problems many Witnesses are now facing:
- Coping with serious illness.
- Elderly caring for elderly relatives.
- Struggling to provide basic necessities for their families.
- Often several of these problems at once.
So what have many witnesses done to cope with these and other pressures? The second paragraph enlightens us and effectively gives us the reason for this article.
“Sadly, some of God’s people in our day have concluded that the best way to cope with the pressures of life is to ‘take a break from the truth’, as they say, as if our Christian activities were a burden rather than a blessing. So they stop reading God’s Word, attending congregation meetings, and engaging in the field ministry – just as Satan hopes they will do.”
Reading between the lines, there we have it in a nutshell. Many are giving up and so the organization needs to guilt-trip us into continuing, ‘not tiring out’. But before we continue reviewing the rest of the article let us take a few moments to review the situation presented to us here.
What about the problems highlighted?
Without making light of the situation any one of us may currently be enduring, we should bear in mind that, according to Ecclesiastes 1:9, “there is nothing new under the sun”. For instance, serious illness has afflicted mankind since Adam and Eve sinned. Their sin is the reason that throughout time, elderly ones have had to care for even more elderly ones. And has there ever been a time in history when the majority of people were not struggling to provide the basic necessities for their families?
So this begs the question, why in the 21st century when many countries have state hospitals, state care for elderly, the poor and the unemployed, have “some of God’s people in our day... concluded that the best way to cope with the pressures of life is to ‘take a break from the truth’ “?
Could it possibly be due to a recurrence of the situation Jesus highlighted in Luke 11:46 where he said “Woe also to you who are versed in the Law, because you load men with loads hard to be borne, but you yourselves do not touch the loads with one of your fingers!” Could it be that too heavy a load has been put upon Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Let us briefly examine this subject. What loads have been placed upon Witnesses during the 20th and 21st Centuries?
- At the current time there are many elderly ones who have no children to care for them, because they were told that it would be very unwise to have children given that Armageddon was just round the corner.[i] For many, the constant expectation that the end was only a few years away, caused them to put off having children until it was too late.
- Witnesses also have one of the lowest retention rates for children brought up in a religion.[ii] What could be factors in this statistic? For at least the last 50 years there has been pressure for young witnesses not to get further education and therefore many have not been able to get a job that pays sufficient to support a family. When I was a teenager, so many of my fellow teenage witnesses left school as soon as they were legally able to do so, without qualifications and skills to be employable, feeling obliged to engage in pioneer service. Today, little has changed. When recessions hit as they do regularly, the low-paying menial service jobs are often the first to go. When jobs are scarce, will the employer go for the uneducated worker if he has many educated ones vying for the same job?
- Add to this the financial burdens the organization puts on Witnesses. Contributions are ‘requested’ for:
- Paying for the Circuit Overseers accommodation, living expenses and car. (Car replaced at least every 3 years)
- Paying for the Circuit Assembly Halls rentals (an amount that seems in excess of what is required for maintenance)
- Paying for Missionaries to return home every four years.
- Paying for the literature given away for free due to the donation arrangement..
- Paying for the Kingdom Hall and its maintenance.
- Supporting the Regional Assemblies.
- Kingdom Hall building program in other countries.
- Large Bethel building projects such as Warwick (USA) and Chelmsford (UK)
- Supporting large Bethel families in many countries.
Adding to this burden are the requirements to attend and prepare for two congregation meetings a week, special activity months like the circuit overseer visits when all are "encouraged" to auxiliary pioneer, as well as every weekend being tied up with field service, hall cleaning, and other special activities in support of the organization.
In what way has the organization lightened the load upon publishers in compliance with Jesus' promise? In paragraph 6 we are reminded that Jesus said his yoke would be light. Paul in Hebrews 10:24-25 encouraged us “not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together”, but he didn’t prescribe how it should be done. Acts 10:42 also indicates the early Christians were to preach to the people and give a thorough witness, but the manner was not specified. Yet the organization persists in making rules about how things should be done; things which Jesus left up to the conscience and circumstances of the individual Christian and the local congregation.
The fanaticism the organization engenders as a result of these policies actually contributes to illness. For example, as I write this (end of January 2018) the UK is in the midst of the worst flu epidemic in seven years. However, brothers and sisters still be obliged to attend meetings when they should be in bed recovering. In the process, they unlovingly share their illness with the whole congregation as they cough and sneeze in an enclosed meeting hall. Yet this is despite having the option of listening to the meetings on the telephone. Why? Because the importance of being at every meeting is drummed into them far, far more than showing love and consideration for their fellow witnesses whom they may infect. The ‘not forsaking’ i.e. choosing to avoid associating, has been turned into a ‘don’t miss attending a single meeting, your eternal life depends on it’.
Finally the paragraph states “At times, we may feel exhausted when we leave home to attend a congregation meeting or to engage in the field ministry. But how do we feel when we return? Refreshed—and better prepared to deal with life’s trials.” Speaking personally the only way I felt refreshed was when I fell asleep at the meetings from exhaustion. Sadly, however, obviously this is not the kind of refreshment they mean.
Showing what little understanding the Watchtower writers have for life in the real world we are then offered an experience of a sister who was battling with chronic fatigue, depression and migraine headaches. What did she do? She gave herself more stress (which is often a trigger for migraines, depression and fatigue) in struggling to make the public meeting, as opposed to listening over a phone link or listening to a recording. A qualified medical doctor would probably be appalled at such advice.
Applying the recommendations of paragraphs 8-11 to pray to Jehovah for strength is valid. But it would be important to ensure we use the strength for accomplishing works that Jehovah would be pleased with. If the goals of the organization are from men, then would Jehovah bless us?
Paragraph 13 deals with an important point, that while Jehovah sees what happens when we are mistreated and is not happy about that mistreatment, he does not usually intervene. He may bless the individual as he blessed Joseph, but he does not step in. Yet many Witnesses are under the mistaken impression (often gained from the literature) that because they may be ‘a pioneer, an appointed man, or a long-time witness’ Jehovah will protect them from all harm and trying circumstances. They then have difficulty in adjusting to the reality that he doesn’t prevent them from getting cancer, from losing everything materially, or the death of a loved one.
Paragraphs 15-16 give counsel as to how we should act when we are disappointed by our brothers. It focuses on steps it recommends the offended one take to settle the situation. Now while this is laudable and a Christian attitude, we may have heard of the saying ‘it takes two to tango’. If the offender doesn’t wish to settle the situation, the one offended is expected to just grin and bear it. The counsel provided is one-sided. There is no direction given by which the offender might be assisted to change, to develop Christian qualities. What happened to in-depth discussions on subjects such as ‘exercising self-control’, ‘displaying humility’, ‘showing kindness’, ‘being long-suffering’, ‘treating others with mildness’, ‘treating others with justice and fairness’, ‘being hospitable’ , ‘showing meekness’ and so forth? What happened to assistance in how to apply these fruits of the spirit in all our interpersonal relationships, not just how to apply these qualities according to the organization's requirements: i.e., ministry, obedience to elders and obedience to the Governing Body?
It would certainly not be unreasonable to conclude that it is the very lack of such articles that results in the perceived need for Watchtower study articles such as this week’s. Why? Because of the urgent need to try to handle and placate the resulting fallout of problems caused by the continual display of unchristian attitudes by many Witnesses and in particular appointed men, many of whom blindly follow the organization's rules without question instead of concentrating on displaying the fruits of the spirit as a true shepherd should.
Time and time again the same pattern of appalling treatment is found in the stories of those who have since become awakened. This is a worldwide situation, not confined to a country or an area. The reported scale and scope seems to indicate an endemic problem. Years before awakening, I began to realize that the obsession with field service and pioneering meant that shepherding was neglected and led to a situation where congregation members were leaving through the back door unnoticed and uncared for at a faster rate than new members were being baptized. This situation continues to this day, unabated. For example, we recently witnessed the following: A baptized brother who simply became inactive and has not attended meetings for months, recently attended a meeting. Was he welcomed with open arms? No, rather he was ignored by the majority of the congregation (most of whom have known him for years) and was also ignored by almost all the elders. Did he feel encouraged to return another time? Of course not. Yet if a member of the public attended, they would be swamped with offers of a Bible Study from elders, pioneers and publishers. Why the disparity of caring? Has it anything to do with the fact that a Bible study looks good on the monthly field service report?
In paragraph 17 we are served with the usual misdirection to maintain the status quo of the power of the elders. Under the subheading “When we are tormented by our past” we are first treated to a comment that would be taken by many non-witness onlookers as sexist. Discussing how King David felt because of his guilt over serious sin the reader is told: “Happily, David dealt with the problem like a man- a spiritual man.” Should it not have said “Happily, David dealt with the problem like a mature adult – a spiritual person.”? Otherwise it gives the impression that only men are mature enough to confess to Jehovah.
It then quotes Psalm 32:3-5 that clearly shows David confessed directly to Jehovah and no one else; but then contradicts the principle from this scripture by citing James 5 in support of the statement “If you have sinned seriously, Jehovah is ready to help you recover. But you must accept the help he provides through the congregation. (Proverbs 24:16, James 5:13-15)”. (bold ours)
As discussed many times in articles on this site, citing James 5 to support the claim by the organization that you have to confess to the elders is an erroneous application. When read in context (and from the original Greek) it can clearly be seen that James was talking about physically sick Christians, not spiritually sick ones. Nevertheless the Watchtower article then goes on to pressure us into accepting the authority of the congregation elders in this way by stating: “Do not delay – your everlasting future is at stake!”
Even in paragraph 18 they still try to reinforce this unscriptural requirement by saying “If you are sincerely repentant of past sins and have confessed them to the extent necessary, you can rest assured that Jehovah will be merciful.” What is meant by "to the extent necessary"? Clearly, this is talking about making a full confession to men, to the elders. Only then can Jehovah forgive you.
In conclusion, yes, it is true that “pressures of life” can increase, and yes, Jehovah can give power to the tired one. However, let us not add unnecessary pressures to our life by blindly following men’s dictates rather than Bible principles, and let us not tire ourselves out slaving for an organization and its goals, but rather for our Lord and Master Jesus Christ and our heavenly Father Jehovah.
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[i] Awake 1974 November 8 p 11 “The evidence is that Jesus’ prophecy will shortly have a major fulfillment, upon this entire system of things. This has been a major factor in influencing many couples to decide not to have children at this time.”
[ii] U.S. Religious Retention Rates
Archived Comments
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Comment by Psalmbee on 2018-02-25 13:32:41
The extent necessary is giving every thing you got to the Watchtower. After you have done that then you have to give more of what you don't have, such a vicious cycle! It's real easy for them to lay these demands on the flock. It's such a blatant act of greed I don't see how anyone can believe in it. Get out people while there is still time. Let them fall like they are destined to do. They are no more than televangelists, with the likes of Jim and Tammy Faye Baker, Binny Hinn, Jimmy Swaggart.
Reply by Leonardo Josephus on 2018-02-28 12:47:21
Years ago, I would have thought of leaving a part of my unspectacular estate to WTBS, and the rest to my wife and family. Now I feel that I owe it to my family and children to provide for them as best as I can, so when WTBS are providing me with answers and real spiritual food, then I will be inclined to leave some of what I have to them.
Time will tell who gets what.
Comment by Joseph Anton on 2018-02-26 14:46:59
A friend and I were discussing politics - namely how some political parties would rather keep their voting base in poverty and crime so that they'll always be the answer to crime and poverty. Once I said those words it sunk in that by making sure the brothers and sisters don't go to college, that they don't build careers, that they instead "simplify" and focus on Preaching the Good News, (and I'm not diminishing those that chose a simple, Christian lifestyle) that the Governing Body keeps a large portion of Witnesses in tough financial straits, with bills, and medical bills, and taxes bearing down on them, and in turn the only solution and way out of "this old system" is through them into the New Order. I have no idea if this is by design, but it's certainly another lever psychologically to keep the flock in place. Keep them struggling, provide the solution.
Reply by John of ARC on 2018-03-03 03:52:22
It’s good ol’ Racketeering :-) if not outright intentional, the “invisible hand of the religious markets” would lead us to this situation. To use another parallel from economics, religious leaders are in a rent collecting situation, and would do anything in their power to maintain power balance as-is. Usually, it takes cataclysmic events to unfreeze such structures.
Comment by Pekanman on 2018-02-25 14:26:41
Very good job covering this article. Thank you for your hard work and may Jehovah bless you for your efforts.
I really liked the point about how tired we all are, those of us with aging parents and children at home. Yes Jesus said his load is light and his yoke is kindly, but I feel like it is nonstop with my family, and this load placed upon us by men, not Jesus, is killing some of us.
We work hard all week, look after children, parents, try to live a spiritual life but it is not enough. We all know the more you do at the hall the more is asked and expected of you. To refuse an assignment is looked down upon. To be too tired for a meeting? Sacrilege. Didn't make it out on service? Tut Tut.
Our King wants us to be happy, to serve him with joy. How can we be joyful if we live like this.
Lastly with the point about our everlasting life is at stake, when has Jehovah ever killed righteous ones? At the flood? Sodom and Gemorrah? When did he destroy someone who was righteous? Never. So when the end comes and we have lived a righteous upright life, will he kill us for not following men?
Comment by MarthaMartha on 2018-02-25 15:21:29
Excellent review, Tadua, much appreciated.
Comment by Leonardo Josephus on 2018-02-25 16:02:04
Fine article Tadua.
But the problem most Witnesses are really facing is lack of decent spiritual food. Clam meeting is all ready prepared spiritual meals, with little depth.
Try asking JW.Org a question, and the answer is evasive, with no reasoning on the actual questions.
While I agree that the discouragement of higher education, planning for the future, and the amount of time our meetings used to take, have all contributed to wearing us out to some degree, the cause of spiritual tiredness is quite simple.
Lack of spiritual refreshment . That means truth for a start. It also means the freedom to use our own Christian consciences.
The food provided will be of no benefit when it tells us what we must think, no matter how many others fall for it.Reply by Warp Speed on 2018-02-25 18:15:12
Hi LJ,
Good point you make about having high-quality spiritual food. But even if the Org was serving good spiritual food at every meeting, the whole routine would still be very tiring to many of us with everything that we have to juggle in our lives.
Granted, it would be better.✌Reply by Leonardo Josephus on 2018-02-26 05:54:53
Yes, WS, but at least we wouldn't be trying to do it all on a junk food diet. And one thing is true, the meeting demands are a lot less than they used to be.
Reply by Joseph Anton on 2018-02-26 15:00:16
I still go to meetings with my family. How much easier it would be to get dressed and go if the Org started surprising us with some heady material. Something we could discuss and debate on the drive home. Some other message beside 'SUPPORT US.'
Reply by John of ARC on 2018-03-03 03:57:20
Joseph, how do you manage sitting through meetings, and what do you teach your children? How do you counter what you believe to be wrong teachings? Questions I am struggling with. Thanks.
Reply by wild olive on 2018-03-03 07:11:58
Hi J of A
I myself still go occasionally with my family, what I do as a countermeasure is to always emphasize what Christ says on any given subject , for instance this study on Jehovah giving the tired one power , my question to the family is how does he do that? After many unspecific attempts were made to answer the question , I suggested Joh 14:17&23 or Rom 8:9-11 through Jesus ransom Jehovah and Jesus will dwell with you at all times and IN you , what else could give a tired person a lift? Or if you are tired and struggling, are you some how cut off from what these scriptures offer?Reply by John of ARC on 2018-03-03 09:29:07
Thanks, Wild. Good scriptures indeed. Noted for future reference :-)
Comment by wild olive on 2018-02-25 23:23:10
I personally don't think that the brotherhood have any real access to Jehovah's spirit. They get a good feeling by being together and bolstering each others watchtower world view, which is basically the same for all denominations with their respective world views.
That was one of the things I noticed was how quickly that "good feeling" wore off, especially going to a big convention, it was all "spiritual paradise" , a week later and it's like it never happened, which I think is in line with Leonardo Josephus comment below, it's not good food at all, always plays to guilt and insecurity. More tired ones on the way ?
Comment by Menrov on 2018-02-26 03:32:40
All people can get tired or demotivated up to getting a so-called burnout. And everybody is exposed to illnesses. When someone is suffering from these circumstances or situations, such a person needs professional help. And yes, very often, rest is prescribed. Take a step back, find rest and ease your mind. Professional will aim to avoid you feeling guilty. After many years in the organisation, I now realize that the "education" provided by the WT is not building or making one's personality stronger. The so-called personality is a personality designed by the WT: become a slave of the organisation, that controls your thinking and acting and demands full loyalty and obedience. And worst of all in my view: if things go well in one's life, it is because of the blessing of JHWH, and when something goes wrong / bad in one's life, it is because you did not rely (enough) on JHWH.......i other words, good things are not because of your qualities, bad things are.
I meet (like most of us I guess) plenty of people who have suffered or still suffer from the bad or challenging things in life (serious accidents, deceases, loss of people etc). Many of these people have a strong hope. No, not a hope on a vague paradise somewhere in the future. But a hope and eagerness/desire to get better for their family, or to still achieve something in life....not giving up. They fight for their purpose. It is a characteristic I do not (always) see with witnesses in such situations. It could be me, but that is my observation.
Comment by Alithia on 2018-02-26 03:59:52
Hello, nice discussion around this information Mileti. I would also like to add to the mix something that is not discussed in the organisations publications and "feeding" program in a way that is required, and I think is also another huge reason why JWs are exhausted, and "tired". Not only physically but also emotionally and spiritually. That is , the matter of "mother craft. This topic is taboo, and is never put forward in a favorable light, as an honorable work, but denigrated as something "mundane", something that needs to be brought back to the absolute minimum. It is depicted in the publications as something that might have distracted Martha, or immature or misguided ones who may be overly preoccupied with material things, and not some-one who truly discerns and appreciates priorities and knows what would truly benefit the family.
They give brief lip service to mother craft and may briefly point to the industrious mother talked about in the last chapter of Ecclesiastes. But only to use this as a spring board to launch into how efficient and productive mothers who with Jehovah's blessing, are correctly looking after the going on of their household by pioneering or doing a hundred and one other things not related to their family, but promoting organisations goals. Hence my wife saw many a JWs mother, her peers, just hurriedly dropping off their kids to school and rush off to witnessing groups, while their children were in need of their mother at school to help them with their reading, writing, socializing with teachers and other children, helping their children feel safe and secure etc. My wife was looked down on for doing this and in addition spending time in the canteen doing volunteering work to help with the function of the school programs that in the end enhanced the time the children spent at school and also greatly helped the teachers in the challenging role they had. The other JWs mums would only ever turn up at Easter and Christmas time to "share" an article on how bad a practice these celebrations were and to have their kids excused from the activities. My wife was astounded at the general neglect of the witness children. The mothers simply did not have the time, or interest to take care of their children in the way they should. They had strong direction to be engaged in other things that caused their children to miss out. This no doubt would cause any caring mum to be strung out. The net result would be added pressure on the home front. How different if the mums were taking care of their children as a priority and then focusing on when they come together as a family in the evening with plenty of time to cook a nice meal and most of all for a mom to have the state of mind and the emotional reserve to care emotionally and spiritually for the family! I see mothers and fathers JWs today are just so stressed out they have little reserve to properly care for the family. It really would get on my nerves when at any time family life was being discussed in the publications they would have peaceful pictures of a family enjoying a picnic in the park etc. I would wonder when this would be a possibility when Saturdays was essential as a magazine placing day and Sunday was the best day too reach people with the "sermon" and of course the meetings and the pre-study too! No wonder huge amounts of witnesses are leaving if only to maintain their sanity!Reply by Leonardo Josephus on 2018-02-26 05:51:36
Spot on Alithia. And the spiritual things almost always got first place, because there was no option when it came to preparing items, attending meetings, elders meetings, shepherding calls. And just try fitting in that Bible study, and the family study time. No wonder we were tired out.
Might I also add that it would be helpful if those who wrote this sort of study article applied Proverbs 20:5 and showed a lot more understanding of why brothers are going through the things they are writing about, instead of constantly discussing the need for forgiveness in every other study article. That may be a problem in some places, but it is not a solution to the tiredness being discussed.
Only my opinion.
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2018-02-26 14:23:29
Actually, this one is written by Tadua. He's helping out while I make videos which is more time consuming than I had imagined. But yes, it is a nice discussion.
Thanks for sharing the insight into the neglect and passive denigration of mothercraft on the part of the Organization.
Comment by Astoriaboy on 2018-02-26 17:55:42
When John writes to the seven congregations in Revelation they each receive different commendation and corrective counsel. One size doesn't fit all. Not at our meetings, however. The same scripted menu is offered to everyone. Even the Local Needs parts are videos about the organization. Living off donated funds in a resort environment can make one easily forget what the real world is like. My wife gets up early to do 7am street work, and then meets the group at 9am for service. She gets in from service after 1pm, totally exhausted, and gets right in bed.
This grueling routine goes on and on. When I have to force her to lighten up and slow down, she feels guilty for not giving Jehovah her all. She says she has to make her "time", which to me is totally unscriptural. What's a guy to do?
Comment by Gogetter on 2018-02-26 18:04:05
Joseph
I agree with you, but I think the GB has reduced its rhetoric somewhat over recent years on the higher education front. They never figured that the system would be here this long and with all the major financial problems, especially the child abuse settlements etc. they IMO have lightened up.
The majority of the growth is coming from poor 3rd world countries where publishers can barely support their families let alone the Org. They realize they need a certain amount of the R&F earning enough money to “ have an equalizing effect” for the masses of poor.
So I have noticed since my baptism in 74 that lately it is said with with a Wink and a Nod Here in the US.
Plus only those that are Still hanging on every word of the GB
Are going to follow the “no higher Ed” directive, especially after the dismissal of so many bethelites with empty financial futures and the Warwick Resort that the GB live in it is a wonder they even mention this anymore!
The younger ones don’t want to have window washer incomes like their parents,while they wait for the overlapping generations to run its course.Reply by wild olive on 2018-03-01 17:55:24
Hi Gogetter
I think something else that non of the GB could envision is the explosion of electronic media and the shrinking market for printed books and magazines.
I believe it was Randall Watters an ex jw , who was the press room elder , revealed how much profit the magazines were makeing . It was around the time when we were placing them for 20 cents a copy, he said that the org was printing and delivering them for 4 cents a copy, that's a profit of 400%!
That's one of the things that started bothering his conscience. Of course now that income stream has all but disappeared, and as you said no one expected this old system to still be here,and it shows no sign of stopping just yet , so how do we finance now ?
Ask for more , more time in the preaching , more indoctrination, more guilt , more donation , Ime so glad I don't do any of that anymore ?
Comment by if ever on 2018-03-02 05:54:07
Hello fellow Christians,
Paragraph 8 impressed upon me the importance of reading the full quoted scripture of 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. It was clear Paul entreated Jesus to remove the “thorn” in his side. As the last sentence in verse 9 indicates the “my power” Paul writes about is, the “power of the Christ.” As Christians let us learn and be refreshed by coming to Christ.