You Too Can Work For Nothing

Clam

Whilst "reading" the April 15 Watchtower

ä , I came across an article called Disabled Yet Eager to Serve.

I found it quite upsetting, and yet I have to accept the paradigm shifts in play here.

A Brother

ä in El Salvador has lost both of his hands in an accident, but has designed tools which adapt to his disability, thus allowing him to continue in his chosen building trade. Good for him I thought, what a guy.

The Brother

ä , an MS ä , according to the article had every reason to excuse himself from assisting with a new Kingdom Hall ä build, not only due to his disability, but also because he was in full time employment. He had however, "a volunteer spirit" and was enthusiastically involved.

So there you have it: a guy loses money by taking time off work, and he's disabled but still he's building a new Hall. Who for? Yes the filthy rich publishing company. What gives it an extra edge? To me the message jumps out of the page. If this disabled guy in the Third World can do it, why can't you do it? "It" being slaving for the WTS.

ä

When a Dub

ã I would have probably found this kind of article somewhere between interesting and inspirational. Now knowing what I know, I find it quite obscene. Exploitation on all levels.

Clam

Zico

They can't cut anyone a break can they? They have a lot of shocking stories like this, they don't make me sad, they make me sick.

zagor

My first reaction to seeing the topic was "this sounds like a new book from mother borg" lol kinda like "You too can live forever"

But seriously, I really doubt that fu^k from bethel that wrote this for quacktower ever picked anything heavier than a pencil in his entire life yet is able to use powerful imagery for the sake of dramatic effect so that naive souls can break their back for assholes in Brooklyn under the guise of doing it for god.

greendawn

Exploitation is the WTS trade mark apparently that's why they came into existence to rule over people that they do not love in the least way so that they can use them to further their own interests. That lack of love in the org is tangible in the air for all those that lived through it.

It's sad to see people going to such ridiculous lengths to help a multibillion dollar corporation, the org made such fools of them by making them think they do it for their jehovah.

Clam

"this sounds like a new book from mother borg" lol kinda like "You too can live forever"

Yes it would be an ideal title Zagor, lol.

All those volunteers working for the same ends, a nice big fat bank balance to offset the lawsuits.

betterdaze

It's a re-branding of the African sisters crossing crocodile-filled rivers to distribute magazines. "Do you have the same spirit in serving God?"

I find it disturbing that Leonardo had to fashion his own tools so he could participate — you'd think the brothers would help him with obtaining some proper prostheses like the churches of Christendom do. Instead we are treated to a view of crude metal cuffs chafing into his stumps as he gleefully pushes a wheelbarrow. How long could an able-bodied person last under those conditions?

One more reason why they have to go underground with the "inside edition" of the Watchtower in 2008 — worldly people rightly see this exploitation as a disgrace.

~Sue

juni

I don't know what the problem is Clam.

I use to cross crocodile infested waters to get to the meetings.......travel barefooted 20 miles on briar covered dusty roads....... climbed mountains and forged streams.........wrestled w/the beasts of the fields.....

I guess my point is this: The organization always uses extremes to get their "point" across. That is their ploy to push the guilt (for those who allow it) further. Make a person think, "Now if he/she can do it, there's certainly no excuse for me."

Juni

Clam

you'd think the brothers would help him with obtaining some proper prostheses like the churches of Christendom

Yes that's a very good point Sue, and I'm sure you're right about worldly people spotting the exploitative nature of the article.

I don't know what the problem is Clam.
I use to cross crocodile infested waters to get to the meetings.......travel barefooted 20 miles on briar covered dusty roads....... climbed mountains and forged streams.........wrestled w/the beasts of the fields.....

Juni tell me about it. I was once stripped to the bone by piranhas while wading through a river to get to a service meeting, but you try telling the youngsters of today that, and they won't believe you.

Clam

OnTheWayOut

Work for nothing-
I knew pioneers that would deliberately keep their work hours low, thereby qualifying
as low-income earners. They would get government subsidies such as food stamps
or rent assistance. This way they could get out in the recruiting work for 70 hours a
month.

Even my dubby wife wondered, "Why can't they work 40 hours a week, and preach
20 to 40 hours a month?"

You reminded me of my story. They often ask for too many volunteers, so they can
pick and choose. The relief effort for Hurricane Katrina victims was an example in my
case. They told us that they would need volunteers to go down in Winter- late January
or early February, last year. I arranged my vacation to go down in February. They said
they specifically needed carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and also people who could
move a bunch of weight all day. I told them I was an elder who could move a bunch of
weight.

Come two weeks before time to go. The Illinois Regional Building Committee (who you
must work with in order to volunteer to help fellow witnesses) calls me to say they don't
have room on the bus for me. I tell them I can drive down and follow the bus. I also asked
if there were others that needed a ride in my car. They said they had no more spare beds
for me. I said I knew people in New Orleans area that were willing to put me up. They said
"No, you have to work within the established organizational ways- no private car and no
arrangements for yourself. Can you keep yourself available for other weeks this year?"

"NO, can't do it."

I called back a week later in case the situation changed. I still had February vacation put
aside just for them. A woman answered- she was the wife of the RBC "brother" I had
spoken to. She was very friendly, saying there still wasn't room on the bus. She started
talking about the trip, so I asked "Are you going?"

"Oh, yes. My husband is going. Me and the preschool children are going. Another RBC
brother's wife managed to get into the group. We are very excited."

I wonder how much heavy weight these sisters and the preschool children could move.

betterdaze

OTWO, they shot themselves in the foot with that one. Surely the irony of the situation was lost on that sister and her husband. To push away volunteers from the Katrina relief effort is utter cruelty to the victims. And an insult to willing volunteers such as yourself.

Where is the love?

~Sue

You Too Can Work For Nothing

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