Oddities in the Organization and at Bethel

by truthseeker 18 Replies latest jw friends

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  truthseeker

  Bethel:

  On one occasion, many of the friends were invited to Bethel for association and recreation. There was a special room for this function. I enjoyed the time there but couldn’t help noticing the unusual way in which the event was organized. We were loosely organized into small groups where we played games. We would play one game then move on to another game and to another group. You couldn’t just have a conversation with a friend. It felt like they were subtlety enforcing the scripture “to widen out in our association.” I’m not making a big deal out of this because I did enjoy the time there, the point I am making is that the Society like to micromanage every aspect of your life, right down to the last fart.

  The other thing I noticed were what I called “the bouncers” – Bethelite guards who stayed near the door all the time and did not join in the fun. If you needed to use the restroom, they would escort you, again, nothing wrong with that, it just typifies the controlling behavior.

  One brother who served at Bethel once told us (and this happened about 5 years ago) that some Bethelites were dismissed for patronizing a gentlemen’s club. I was shocked to hear this at the time.

  A friend who lives near Bethel told me that many English congregations in the NYC area have merged, because the Bethelites that took the lead in those congregations are the ones that have been let go and reassigned, thus there is a shortage of qualified brothers.

  The congregation:

  According to one elder, you had to dress impeccably for the meetings because they were mini-circuit assemblies.

  An elder told me that to boost my hours in field service so as to qualify for appointment as a ministerial servant, I could count the time I spend talking to my child about Jehovah – even though he was only 2 years old.

  Another elder told me what a fine thing it was that my child was a “servant of Jehovah” –What about being a follower of Christ?

  One sister told me I could not perform jury duty because Jehovah’s Witnesses weren’t allowed to judge humans, only Jesus could. I thought to myself how would she feel if criminals weren’t judged but just left to roam the streets.

  I was criticized by a sister for getting corrective eye surgery because the "new system of things is near."
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  NewYork44M

  One sister told me I could not perform jury duty because Jehovah’s Witnesses weren’t allowed to judge humans, only Jesus could.

  Bethelites love jury duty. It pays more than working at bethel and you don't have to work as hard.
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  darth frosty

  Another unique thing at bethel was the G-jobbers. If you had a skill you could do jobs on the side to suppliment your income. As with all things some took this to another level. In our newbie introduction they talked about a cat that basically had a full time job on the side.
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  james_woods

  One brother who served at Bethel once told us (and this happened about 5 years ago) that some Bethelites were dismissed for patronizing a gentlemen’s club. I was shocked to hear this at the time.

  Good grief - how could the have afforded it on Bethel pay? Maybe had their own financial means, I guess.

  I have always thought that one of the most horrific aspects of the Bethel life (at least what part of it leaked out from the young guys in the day) was the vague hint of a continuing inner circle of homosexuality there.

  It always seemed quite odd (I choose my words carefully LOL) that a society so Homophobic through it's writings would create practically the potential equivalent of a Fire Island YMCA right there in their world headquarters.

  And then be so "shocked" when the inevitable gay scandal occurred every so often, and a secretive expulsion of some of the miscreants was done.
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  sir82

  Jehovah’s Witnesses weren’t allowed to judge humans, only Jesus could.

  That's hysterical. That's the JWs favorite pastime.

  "Look at Sister Hottie's skirt. It's a full inch above her knee! She must be influenced by "bad associations". Why isn't her husband taking the lead and counseling her on her dress? And I never see her out in service on Saturdays...probably too tired from clubbing on Fridays. And when's the last time you saw her Watchtower underlined? And I even heard she's taking some classes at a college..a 4-year college! Oh the horror..."

  "Aren't allowed to judge humans"...so, what is a judicial committee, then?
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  M.J.

  :Good grief - how could the have afforded it on Bethel pay?

  Tracts instead of bills?
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  james_woods

  Tracts instead of bills?

  The end is upon us.
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  LongHairGal

  Sir 82,

  I agree with you that judging is what they do best. They crave it like a junkie craves a fix. Anybody who says otherwise is in major denial.

  One of the lessons I learned in my association with the religion is that they are the most judgmental people I have ever met. They rip people apart left and right. Since they hardly have any social life and supposedly don't idolize celebrities, their entertainment is fixating on the other people in the hall.

  LHG
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  still_in74

  I was criticized by a sister for getting corrective eye surgery because the "new system of things is near."

  does she wear glasses?

  Or take medication or ever see a doctor? Has she ever had a broken bone set? Why would her faith in the "new order" be so weak to concern herself with treating illness?

  Or is this just something she doesnt need or understand so because its not important to her its not important to anybody else? Ya, I thought so. Just like old red-necks that think "computers" are a waste of time....
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  still_in74

  "Aren't allowed to judge humans"...so, what is a judicial committee, then?

  LOL ! Good call Sir82 !!!!!!!!!!!