2009 Jehovah’s Witnesses convention focuses on apocalypse | Conversations with an Ex Jehovah's Witness

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Jehovah’s Witnesses convention focuses on apocalypse

In the midst of news articles featuring the many summer conventions of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, I thought that the Atlanta Journal presented a much more honest picture as opposed to the usual “sunshine and lollipops” coverage. The article doesn’t simply focus on the size of the convention but discusses the program, highlighting the emphasis on the Jehovah’s Witnesses as an apocalyptic religion. What do you think about this year’s convention theme? Is it the same old thing or do you think the doomsday rhetoric is intensifying? I look forward to reading your thoughts and reactions in the comments section.

Original Article Posted at: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

by Christopher Quinn

Jehovah’s Witnesses, traveling in twos, are familiar sights in many metro Atlanta neighborhoods, knocking on doors and handing out religious literature.

A major emphasis of their teaching? The apocalypse.

That will be their theme during three weekends in July, when the denomination will hold a series of annual conventions that will attract an estimated 30,000 to Gwinnett Arena. The conventions, which are free and open to the public, are held Friday evenings through Sundays.

“This year, the theme is how you can survive the end of the world,” said Mike Funston, of Gwinnett County, a spokesman for the denomination.

“The Kingdom of God is extremely close,” echoed Jehovah’s Witness James Humbert.

He believes the wars, famines and economic crises around the world portend the end of this age and the beginning of a new age here on earth.

“Jehovah has kind of given us a reminder that the system we know today is about to end, which would usher in a new system under God’s rule,” he said.

There will also be Bible classes, baptisms for new members, and emphasis on teaching to strengthen families starting the July 4th weekend and continuing during the next two weekends.

• Well known Jehovah’s Witnesses: Prince, who is a recent convert. Teresa Graves, a black actress who broke through color barriers in her 1970s TV series, “Get Christie Love.”

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Jehovah’s Witnesses convention focuses on apocalypse | JW News & Comments said:

[...] In the midst of news articles featuring the many summer conventions of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, I thought that the Atlanta Journal presented a much more honest picture as opposed to the usual “sunshine and lollipops” coverage. The article doesn’t simply focus on the size of the convention but discusses the program, highlighting the emphasis on the Jehovah’s Witnesses as an apocalyptic religion. Read more … [...]

# 9 July 2009 at 10:23 pm

Girafe said:

I was at the last assembly, and I don’t know if it’s because my attitude changed or what, but I really thought that it was basically on the theme: How can you actually have a life, everybody is about to die and Satan is trying to trap you. But don’t worry, it’s for a good cause: Paradise Earth.

The first day focused on staying awake because the end could be here at any moment. The second one was about warning others about that and beware of Satan’s five traps. And the third was about focusing on invisible things: Prophecies about the end, from the political attack against all religion to the ending in Paradise, in 9 steps. And how to survive the end of the world. The drama was about welcoming those who come back to the religion.

So to me, that was quite blunt and scary. We had interviews of an engineer who left his job to do cleaning part time and pioneer, and also young people who gave up long studies to pioneer. Glorify Jehovah should be our priority at this point in time, so close to the end.

So altogether, I would agree that it was the most apocalyptic assembly i’ve seen (at least since the one when the Daniel Book came out…)

It didn’t sound normal to me. That reinforced me in the thought that that is REALLY a MIND CONTROLLING cult, using FEAR presented as a POSITIVE thing to make sure everybody stays in… I personally don’t think that it is intended to harm people, the ones who presented it are very sincere and loving and they believe that that’s what’s best for them, but the result is the same.

# 14 July 2009 at 6:42 pm

Emily said:

How many were baptized at the second convention July 10-12????

# 17 July 2009 at 2:03 pm

paulomercurio said:

As a previous Jehovah Witness, I remenber very well the changes I had to made at last hour in Public Discourses about prophecies of the end…im so relieved its over…

# 3 August 2009 at 12:13 pm

Elijah Halstead said:

I find it quite interesting how easily people can change their minds, simply because they are afraid of the apocalypse. It is known as a Jehovah’s Witness that people will be resurected. What is to fear, if the outcome is a world without fear or war? I am sixteen, and I used to be afraid of the subject. however, I got over it, and now it is the only thing I look forward to in this world. Literally, the only thing, for I despise this system of things.

# 22 January 2010 at 10:16 am