# The Rules Have Changed

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Posted by Free Spirit [GreatSpirit] on November 17, 1999 at 14:22:58 {xx2d.1sWpQmcJTbCmrKcs/T261AS1o}:

The Watchtower Faces Turbulent Times!
The history of JWs has its foundation on tribal values evolving into systemic values that are now under attack from internal as well as external forces.

C.T. Russell formed a small group that accepted his theology thereby creating a tribe. In time this tribe (or congregation) grew into other tribes, creating a nation (or a society). A tribe operates from the dominant belief that “One must sacrifice self now, for the tribe and the wishes of the chief.” Since Russell’s disciples viewed him as the faithful and discreet slave they accepted his opinions as a directive from God for their salvation and that of mankind. If you read the stories of the early recruits of Russell this tribal zeal motivated people to band together leaving behind their families and a normal way of life. I have personally known and interviewed some of his direct followers. My impression with 20/20 hindsight is that they were sincere people with the same insecurities and complexes as Russell.
A tribal value puts the individual subservient to the wishes of the chief to insure its survival to outside enemy forces. Russell and his followers preached this servitude gospel promising in exchange their safety and survival at Armageddon. In time their tribe was attacked by established religions and this gave them cohesion to fight the enemy. Enter JF Rutherford to fight the enemy real or imagined.

In this evolutionary stage the dominant mentality of JWs exemplified by their new chief was “let’s get our message out and to hell with our enemies.” This tyrannical powering over others was in time used on any dissenting members. Loyalty and service was now demanded and a rule of the land emanated from New York to all the tribes. This system was necessary to set up the centralized power hierarchy now in place to rule the lives and activities of JWs.

By the time of NH Knorr’s presidency the tribal mentality had evolved to that of a “system”. In this stage the emphasis was the sacrifice of self now for salvation and for the futuristic new order. The message that was sold to rank and file members was that of a special earthly class and their saintly sacrifice. This gospel persisted and was recycled over and over again into the rule of Fred Franz.

When 1975 came and went the Watchtower faced a crisis as many members left or as some started focusing on material rewards now instead of some unknown future. This was the stage I was recruited into the JWs. I remember vividly the old timers and their zeal and dedication to the tribe. In time these started to rapidly die leaving a materialistic new generation of JWs. New York reacted to this wave of entrepreneurial spirit by dispensing a message of guilt trying to coherce these renegades into forced servitude.

As the year 2000 approaches the Watchtower faces a growing percentage of reformers who have the “movement” mentality. These are people whose values are social harmony and self-realization. These renegades are restless due to not accepting blindly the authoritarian mandates coming down the pipeline of the organization. With this level of education and self-realization comes a cognitive dissonance valuing inner feelings and peace over mandatory service. Those that see the futility of reforming this antiquated authoritarian system have evolved to the next level of “existential” being. In this stage a person understands the whole. This type of person can appreciate that JWs are not much different than many other religious institutions and he has transcended this need to belong to any “tribe” or “system”.

“Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”
Albert Einstein

Follow Ups:

- *The Rules Have Changed i like it 15:58:27 11/17/99 (0)
- *The Rules Have Changed WitnetObserver 15:29:24 11/17/99 (0)
- *The Rules Have Changed Rick 15:03:41 11/17/99 (0)
- *The Rules Have Changed Beaver 14:50:59 11/17/99 (1)
  - **The Rules Have Changed Petro 16:42:15 11/17/99 (0)

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