Bad Press for WT

by aniron 6 Replies latest jw friends

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  aniron

  Bad Press for JWs in D.C.
  
  The Washington Post
  14 October 2005
  Metro Section, page B 1
  
  Uncertainty’s Second Wave
  Hurricane Katrina Evacuees Face Life After the D.C. Armory
  By Theola S. Labbe
  Washington Post Staff Writer
  
  The shelter for New Orleans evacuees at the D.C. Armory was about to close, but Stella Oselem wasn’t worried. After weeks of kindness from strangers, Oselem, 78, decided to accept an offer to live in a private D.C. home with someone who shared her Jehovah’s Witness faith.
  
  But soon after she moved in, her host went on a trip and put her with another family. Then, about a week later, the second host told her to leave to make room for out-of-town family members, Oselem said.
  
  With dwindling options, she found herself this week at a walk-in center for Hurricane Katrina evacuees at D.C. General Hospital. She clutched a white slip of paper, a referral for a hotel in Rockville.
  
  “Thank God, I got it,” Oselem said of the 14-day hotel voucher sponsored by the American Red Cross. Her social worker said she would try to get Oselem’s name on a federal housing list for a senior citizen apartment.
  
  For many of the dozens of hurricane victims who moved out of the armory shelter in the final days before it closed on Oct. 4, the adjustment to post-shelter life has been problematic.
  
  After moving out of homes twice, Oselem seemed less certain about staying in the Washington area, her caseworker said. Abuhatab planned to visit Oselem at the hotel today to explain that it still is not safe to return to her New Orleans neighborhood. Together they would pursue other options.

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  Another example of JW's caring for those who need help
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  Mulan

  I think that is not the normal response from JW's. Sad though. Maybe there is more to the story than she is telling.
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  Scully

  “Thank God, I got it,” Oselem said of the 14-day hotel voucher sponsored by the American Red Cross

  It's usually frowned upon among JWs to say things like "Thank God". It sounds like she wasn't JW enough for the JWs.
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  Finally-Free

  It's usually frowned upon among JWs to say things like "Thank God". It sounds like she wasn't JW enough for the JWs.

  Maybe she was thanking God because Jehover wasn't coming through.

  I'm surprised any JWs helped at all. The ones I knew never helped anyone unless there was something in it for them. The only JWs I ever saw displaying any generosity were the poorest among them. The wealthy ones were always the stingiest. The wealthiest congregation I was in also had the shabbiest kingdom hall in the city, and every month the account servant™ reported a deficit.

  W
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  LDH

  I have to agree with Mulan here..more to the story.
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  Finally-Free

  I agree, there surely is much more to the story. Perhaps the woman was a major pain in the ass, but barring extreme circumstances I would be inclined to cut someone a little slack considering what they're going through.

  W
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  Cellist

  There probably is more to the story. However, it sounds exactly like the attitude I've observed in most JWs. They didn't like to be inconvenienced for long. They're remarkably unreliable in caring for the "widows and orphans". One elder we knew was great for generously giving rides to assemblies and conventions, but usually left them looking for a ride home. He considered his need to go out for dinner with his friends greater than their need to get home. And they were not welcome to go out to dinner with him and his wife.

  As far as the "thank God" comment goes, that could very easily have originated with the reporter. I've personally had them put words in my mouth that were definitely not uttered by me.

  All and all, a very sad story.

  Cellist