Aiding Ex-Bethelites to Settle Down- Any Helpful Ideas?

by Scott77 15 Replies latest jw friends

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  Scott77

  Alot of recent posts have admireably focused on the plight of Ex-Bethelites kicked out to the curb without adequate educational,economical and financial support from the WTS. Admitedly, many have spent a sizeable portion of their lives serving this selfish organisation until they were shocked with a one way ticket. My questions are: what are ideas to help them achieve a 'soft landing' outside the WTS? Please, share briefly your life after Bethel and how you was able to rebuild your lives back to normalcy even amid odds.

  Scott77
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  yesidid

  It's interesting that there are no replys so far.

  That confirms to me that most of us, have no idea how we would cope in such a situation.

  We haven't had to have we?

  The very least we can do is welcome them to the board.
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  asilentone

  Well, you might want to start non profit organization to help former bethelites, etc.... I am sure that would be alot of work. Good Luck if you want to take the initiative to start one.
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  AllTimeJeff

  Truthfully, there is only one way for a soft landing, and that is they get to an area where there is an apt under a KH and the congregation is "appreciative" by helping them out.... Often, if they get in the right situation, their basic needs will be taken care of...

  I sincerely doubt there is anything anyone on a board like this, or in the ex JW community at large can do to help them. Regrettably, they, like myself and many others, believed in a lie for a long time, and are learning the hard way how trustworthy the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses really are.
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  Billy the Ex-Bethelite

  I would first recommend that we welcome them and show compassion.

  You know, we were always told that "apostates" were hateful and wicked. And if they pretended to show love it was only to lure us away from Jehovah and these 'apostates' would ultimately persecute and rob us of everything. We would be inflicted with pain and suffering and come crawling back to the Kingdom Hall, broken but repentant.

  Now, I'm an apostate. I welcome them. I can't make them any promises, because I'm still trying to recover for myself. Like me, they have wounds that they have endured because of their love for God. However, those wounds were at the hands of a corporation that pretends to be anointed by God.

  ... geez, I think I'm actually at a loss for words right now...

  B the X
• 

  lurk3r

  are learning the hard way how trustworthy the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses really are.

  Is it really a matter of "trustworthiness" though? I'm definitely not definding the GB either, donlt get me wrong. Brothers and sisters "volunteered", it not as though there was a postition to be filled, with the expected outcome of being looked after for life, or was there?

  What percentage of Bethelites are going to go as far as questioning teachings as a result of having to leave? Witnesses will just say they never had the right "heart condition" to begin with, so it's better off they left. Watch all this be misconstrued to "Jehovah cleaning the oraganization".

  lurk3r
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  AllTimeJeff

  lurk3r

  I understand what you are saying. however, when you have bethelites openly discuss this with each other, when your overseers talk about you looking like "career bethelite material", when the word "lifer" is used at morning worship by the GB, then I hope that you can understand why there is this clear expectation.

  I think from a financial point of view, there is value in having a ready supply of circulating bethelites that wont be on the payroll if you will unto retirement age. But considering how many young ones actually stay, that isn't feasible either....
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  lurk3r

  It seems as though they are trying to figure things out over in New York. Point taken ATJ, ty.

  I guess if I put myself in the shoes of a Bethelite, I would be pretty upset too, especially if it were my prime years. Being "thrown out' of Bethel, and to make things even worse, being thrown out into this economy, I would be bitter too.

  Then you have the ones in Bethel still. you can IMAGINE the little gossip sessions going on with the decisions about who goes and who stays.

  Edit: best not get to far off topic.

  I guess one has to hope they learned something at Bethel, enough for them to be able to practice it in the "real world".
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  ziddina

  "My questions are: what are ideas to help them achieve a 'soft landing' outside the WTS? ..."

  Lawsuits!! Lawsuits, lawsuits, lawsuits and class action suits...

  And take no prisoners!! Zid
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  Scott77

  ziddina, has suggested that in order to help Ex-Bethelites obtain a 'soft landing' after being kicked out of the WTS and to the curb, its better to opt for Lawsuits!! Lawsuits, lawsuits, lawsuits and class action suits....

  Please, what do you think? Many of Bethelites lack sufficient resources to mount a successful class action lawsuit. Besides, lawsuits are so expensive really unless a free lawyer is located. Please, any idea?

  Scott77