by NYCkid 40 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Welcome NYCKid,
I have thought the same. My parents were earning very good money, but at the age of 40 gave up their jobs and went on circuit work. Now they are approaching 60 and still on the circuit. When the come off it they will be in the difficult financial situation of having enough money to reduce their pension, but not enough to live comfortably off.
I am more than happy to assist them financially, but as I am about to be d/f it will be a difficult if they shun me.
Jehovah's Witnesses is a group where stupidity and gullibility are virtues. They deserve to struggle. They worked hard for that right.
Amen, Gary!
u/d(of the formerly gullible class)
Even now 92 years past 1914, if you start trying to do some financial planning and get yourself ready for when you retire, you get frowned upon by the self righteous class. We started our own retirement program with the aid of a financial planner nearly 5 years ago, and then comments in talks started about people investing money blah blah blah.
At the time I guess we were having a bet each way, now we see it as a necessity, we didnt take out supperannuation when we could have at 18 years of age, so now it is work work to get some where, at least we can work and not waste time banging on peoples doors and sitting in dull lifeless meetings.....
I'm sympathetic to people with bad health or bad circumstances in spite of trying hard. I don't have any sympathy for people who worked at failure. The Witness people were critical, condescending, and un supportive of me while I worked hard and made investments. They added to my life stress burden . . . and nothing they promised to me if I followed them came true . . . nothing!
The Witness people gave lessons on how to commit economic suicide. They sat and complimented each other for not taking education or a job promotion. Once a month a demonstration was given or an experience was read or a testimony was given about a Witness turning down an opportunity, or a promotion, or a relocation in favor of attending meetings and struggling financially.
Often the talk was given by some "brother" who was not struggling financially because he didn't pass up opportunity, or more often because he was exploiting the other Witnesses who followed directions and worked for him for 1/3 less than any other similar job was paying.
If I have extra money it's going to the church up the street that welcomed me when the Witnesses shunned me or my 2 non Witness sons who have never shunned me. It ain't going to any Witnesses.
If I have extra money it's going to the church up the street that welcomed me when the Witnesses shunned me or my 2 non Witness sons who have never shunned me. It ain't going to any Witnesses.
Amen.
Thanks guys and thanks for the welcome. I think many of you made some good points and like Daniel said, it will be up to us to take care of them. I even see my siblings heading in the same direction (except for one). Going from job to job, many times working for "brothers" who provide no health insurance or pension benefits (they live in the Northwest where JW construction and maintenance businesses are common) meanwhile they're the first to volunteer for quick builds, seldom worked territory, etc. They never make decisions based on the long-term. Decisions are made at the whim and to satisfy present needs and desires.
Anyway lately my mother has been fixated on selling all her antiques and family heirlooms to make money (my dad is very ill and had to stop working). It's really quite sad. Another thing that angers me is that a few months ago they went into debt again to buy a mini-van so that they can use it for thier rural field service territory. My dad is ill, my mom is working at a few dollars above minimum wage and all they can think about is serving their retarted religion.
Oh and one more thing, an article in my college newspaper in October featured a bethelite "sister" who is attending my school to study political science and woman issues (um what's wrong with this picture???), she had won an award. Anyway a friend of mine knows her, she lives at bethel with her husband who is a bethel dentist. How much do you want to bet that Bethel is paying for her education?
It's just so f#@$% wrong. I hate the religion and I anxiously await their demise.
Regards,
NYCkid
When my JW mother went to work in the early 80's she took advantage of the 401K plan because the employer matched her contributions with stock. To my mom that was free money she couldn't pass on even if it was in a retirement plan. (She thought the end would be here by 2000 at the latest.) Fortunately the stock increased in value. The employer also had a pension plan, though it is very modest. She'll get a small amount from SS (Social Security) in a few years and she has another source of income. So, though she won't be rolling in dough, she'll be ok.
My sister-in-law's JW parents are in bad shape financially. They're both in their 70's. He worked his entire life and gets limited SS. She had fewer than 10 years of SS contributions, so wasn't eligible for SS. She usually just got jobs working "off the record". Now it's biting her in the butt. They can't live on the SS, so both are working, driving a 20 year old car. If it weren't for my brother's financial contributions, they'd be in serious trouble. My bro. will end up supporting them. Fortunately he's able to afford it, unless his fortunes change.
I started saving for retirement when I was 25. I too thought Armageddon was coming in a few years, but I remembered 1975, so I saved anyway, just in case. I'm glad I did. I just might be able to retire at age 67.
How very sad this it. My parents are just now trying to build a retirement fund and there in their 50's. I hope I will be able to help myself.
How can I put this? When I was still "witness possessed", which was only a few months ago, I took care of a couple of elderly, JW, female patients. They would always have their NWT laying at the bedside. I never did mention to them that I was an ex-witness. I noticed that this one patient never seemed to be getting any visitors, so I told my twin daughters. They set it up for her to get visits from the "brothers and sisters". Neither of these women got many visitors, I do believe that they were receiving health care benefits through Social Security. One of the women had been disabled from one of the diseases that the society said not to get a vaccination for. One ended up going to a not-so-good nursing home. The other one, her children did, finally, come and get her and take her home. I don't think that her children were witnesses.
Yep, you're right. It's going to be a problem for many.
Oh and one more thing, an article in my college newspaper in October featured a bethelite "sister" who is attending my school to study political science and woman issues (um what's wrong with this picture???), she had won an award. Anyway a friend of mine knows her, she lives at bethel with her husband who is a bethel dentist. How much do you want to bet that Bethel is paying for her education?
???? Ok this makes no sense. I mean, I know they sent Bethelites to college to become lawyers, they need lawyers. Why would they be sending a 'sister' to college to study political science and womens issues? Even if they are not paying her tuition, if she is living at Bethel, they are supporting her somewhat.
Even leaving out the Bethel piece of it, a JW 'sister' going to college? for political science? womens issues?
Maybe her husband has some kind of skill they need and can't find anywhere else.. Or they have some connections...
No Apologies
