Bethel Question

JodiB

Some ex-JW friends and I would like to visit Bethel. We think it might be healing and funny for us. We have all suffered greatly by being part of this cult. Thing is, we would also like to take in some other NYC sites and go out to dinner etc. Do we have to wear JW prairie garb in order to be admitted in for a Bethel tour? I really don't want to because I don't want to be trapsing around NYC looking like a weirdo. Plus, I am highly offended by the strict Bethel dress code brochure. I am not a JW and haven't been for years. So basically, can anyone take a tour of Bethel or do you have prove your credentials as a JW and dress according to their rules? Do I risk being turned away if I do not comply?

I would also like to add how much I enjoy this forum. It has keep me abreast of many JW goings-on over the years and has been detremential to my healing process and I thank everyone for that.

Nathan Natas

Does the Bethel dress code brochure specify JW prairie garb as a requirement to be admitted in for a Bethel tour?

I am certain it does not. Maybe you're thinking of Mormons, in which case you'd need to go to Utah, not Brooklyn.

"Business casual" should get you through the Bethel tour just fine, and won't embarrass you on the streets of New York. New Yorkers are used to seeing people in a wide range of garb, ranging from the Full Monty - nude troubadours in Times Square - to the apex of high fashion and formality.

Why not rent a white tie and tails and show up at Bethel in "blow them all away" formal attire? Because one of Christ's bridesmaids would probably counsel you for drawing attention to yourself, that's why. There is no "realm invisible," but the Dub aspiration is to achieve that look - socially invisible, not to be confused with ninja-invisible, which is really the same thing - as closely as possible.

Another option is to show up wearing your XJWU t-shirts or hoodies (http://clothing.cafepress.com/item/hooded-sweatshirt/65639602). Then you'll find you suddenly have a lot of extra time on your hands!

BabaYaga

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/scandals/170631/1/I-was-told-off-twice-for-what-I-wore-to-Bethel-so-the-Hell-with-them

asilentone

JodiB, Welcome to the board!

Scarred for life

I can't imagine why you would want to tour Bethel. My husband and I visited New York almost 2 years ago. One of the many things we did was walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. The Watchtower Building was in full view. It made me feel nauseous and I wouldn't even look at it and I made sure that none of the photos that I took had that building in it.

But whatever you need to do.

There's so much to do in New York, I wouldn't waste my time on that.

Nathan Natas

Oh, and be sure to wear your sacred underwear on the OUTSIDE of your clothes!

Billy the Ex-Bethelite

Welcome JodiB,

You have a couple of options:

1) Pretend to only be an "interested person", perhaps a neighbor or relative had highly recommended a tour of the lovingest place on earth. Pretend to be all wide-eyed and easy prey. Likely they will disregard any unworthy clothing since they will be able to "witness" to a "worldly person". Who knows, you may get the whole "love-bomb" treatment if you play your role well.

2) Do what the Bethelites do. Wear whatever you want under your "acceptable" clothes. Sisters will wear shorts under a skirt. Brothers will wear a T-shirt under their buttondown. If you're going in cold weather, jackets and sweaters can conceal your hip-hop attire underneath. Perhaps you could get something from GoodWill to wear, then pitch it in the trash on your way to fun. Pretend to be an impoverished pioneer on tour and they'll understand your ratty dress clothes. Tell them you'd been saving for years to visit "the house of God" and finally decided to splurge before you go in for surgery. Give them a modest "green handshake" and see if your tour-guide is a saint by declining your money and offering you lunch or a bastard by taking your money and walking away.

There are some interesting places to visit in Brooklyn. The view of Manhattan from the Prominade is awesome. And there are some interesting shops, such as Jacques Torres chocolate nearby on Water Street. Oh and be sure and stop across the river in Manhattan at Pier 17, it will give you the best view to flip Bethel the bird for me.

B the X

JodiB

Thank you everyone for your kind welcomes and advice!

Nathan I was being a little tonque in cheek about the prairie garb. I say that because I think it is completely

absurd that woman are not permitted to wear "slacks" to Bethel and that does kind of remind me of Mormons.

It won't be my first time to NYC and it is only a train ride away (we're in PA) so a stop at Bethel sounds do-able for us.

I know some people may not understand the desire for us to do this but being a JW was obviously a huge part of our former

lives and some of us want to look at the religion with the new eyes we now have. Hey it will probably be totally lame and

we will walk in and out, who knows? It's just something we want to try.

And Billy the Ex, I solemly swear to flip the bird at Bethel for you if/when our trip happens. :)

thebiggestlie

Why not go dressed as Pappy Russel? sure to turn a few heads...

tbl

AudeSapere

I would also like to add how much I enjoy this forum. It has keep me abreast of many JW goings-on over the years and has been detremential to my healing process and I thank everyone for that.

Ummm Are you serious that JWD/JWN has been 'detremental' to your healing?? Or did you mean 'instrumental'.

Big difference.

I hope this was just a mis-print.

-Aude.

Bethel Question

Share this