So many ex-Bethelites here...

by jws 8 Replies latest jw friends

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  jws

  Just thinking back over some of the many, many posts here. It seems there are a fair share of ex-Bethelites here or ex-branch office workers.

  What percentage of JWs actually go to Bethel or a branch office? It's gotta be under 1%. Yet it seems like ex-Bethelites make up a larger percentage here among regular posters.

  That seems interesting to me. Bethel and the Branch offices are supposed to be the hubs of spirituality. At Bethel, you're in the prescence of the Governing Body. And the people who go there (with rare exceptions) are picked from the among the strongest and most gung-ho of the JWs.

  And yet, it seems like Bethel has the effect of chasing these people away instead. And these are supposed to be the strongest among them that are scared away.

  Yes, I know it's all BS at the top and there's good reasons to be dissilusioned. So you don't need to point that out to me.

  What do all of you think? Is the drop-out rate higher at Bethel than your average hall? Are the JWs noticing this? If you were at Bethel, what made you leave and did you leave the JWs at the same time or just Bethel?
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  Spook

  I think the more passionate and studious a JW was, the more likely the would be to end up as a vocal opposer. Those who were never really serious and just drifted away may not have as viceral of a reaction. I sometimes feel it's harder to reason with JW's who treat the religion more like normal people treat their religions (no FS, lot's of meeting absence). I had many friends who drank, smoked and were sexually active that didn't take the religioin seriously, had a low guilt complex and just sort of plodded along like a catholic who may laugh at going to confession.
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  lache

  My experience with Bethel is a long one...but I will summarize it for you guys.
  
  I was trained to go to Bethel, literally, since I was born. Then the day came when I graduated high school and, because everything I had ever read said that college was basically a drunken orgy, I went to Brooklyn.
  
  The reason why I left and began to see the Society for what it is, is a simple one. I saw that I was trading my youth, my labor, and my valuable mind for NOTHING.
  
  Sure the Bethel home gave me a roof, 3 squares a day, and work; I EARNED nothing valuable in return. I worked on a cleaning crew the entire 18 months I was there and did not learn a semi-valuable trade that I could put on a respectable resume. I had less than I started with when I attempted to return home.
  
  Have you ever attempted to explain in a job interview that you basically lived in a commune for the past 18 months instead of going to college or the army? Try to do that and get a decent job that covers the rent.
  
  When I began to understand the value of my mind and the TRUE importance of a higher education, I booked the first plane ticket out of there.
  
  That is why I left Bethel and the Organization. They do not value the most important thing about being human: the ability to think and act like an individual.
  
  – Lache
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  AllTimeJeff

  Strong backs and a good letter from your home elders are the two biggest things in your favor to get into bethel. Thats all they care about....
• 

  RaraAvis

  "They do not value the most important thing about being human: the ability to think and act like an individual."

  Wow. Now that is the TRUTH.

  ra
• 

  Lieu

  I always thought the opposite. Bethel folks were late teens whose fathers were Elders or MS ... nothing to do with "gung-ho".
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  jws

  I once thought Bethel might be a way to excercise my computer skills when I graduated high school (our high schools were set up like trade colleges, 1-2 computer classes/day). I was told I'd have to pioneer first, which pretty much killed it for me.
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  Cadellin

  Lache--great post and Welcome! I'd love to hear more of your story. Are you in college now?
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  lache

  I am in college now and working on my Finance degree.

  The true catalyst that allowed my starting of an "evil" path toward individualism was actually a study of philosophy.

  If you have more questions, feel free to PM me.