Aiding Ex-Bethelites to Settle Down- Any Helpful Ideas?
by Scott77 15 Replies latest jw friends
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parakeet
what are ideas to help them achieve a 'soft landing' outside the WTS?
By "outside the WTS," do you mean leaving JWs too? If so, they can come here for plenty of advice about how to jump-start their lives. Most of us here have done it. So can they.
If you mean ex-bethelites but still dubs, then they're on their own, poor schlubs.
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yknot
Well the first thing would be to write a good resume taking advantage of the years working for hugh non-profit organization. Never look at the time spent at Bethel as a waste, look for the positive spin.
The second would be inquiring of their state's social services, including but not limited to educational training, financial benefits, and job placement. Mental health organizations if the Bethelite is unable to cope with the shock and distress in a healthy manner.
Treat them as you would like to be treated.
I would assume they are still going to attend for the next 6 mo-1 yr at KH so encourage the friends to throw a benefit in their honor.
A sofa in your living room is still better then a park bench or under a bridge!
...... listen to what they need to say.......
...... encourage journaling their experience.....
We haven't had any in our area beyond the SP Memorial Speaker..... plenty of green handshakes and some nice baskets of personal toiletries, baked goods, and canned garden veggies and fruits.... of course a full tank of gas.
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Scott77
By "outside the WTS," do you mean leaving JWs too?
(parakeet)
Let me clarify what I meant. By Ex-Bethelites, I was not meaning those JW Bethelites who used to be in Bethel but are nolonger in Bethel but still continue to affiliate with the WTS, its policies and practices in its entirelity. The Ex-Bethelites I meant on this site are those who are non-JW and have nothing to do with the WTS. They are Ex-Bethelites for having been one before with the WTS. Think of Billy the Ex-Bethelite however, Billy is now settled, having overcome the stress of leaving the Bethel and therefore, he is not needing any help,advise or if I am correct, any encouragement. The focus of my thread was on those recently left kind of guys and gals.
Scott77
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Gayle
Does anyone even know of any? I have been out many years now so I don't know any. I would think the ex-Bethelites would have to go through a period of time of bitterness and bewilderment, etc. before they would begin to consider leaving the organization altogether. They have had a double whammy of two dependencies (Bethel & WT organization).
Dealing with the financial world realities now will be an extremely big part for them to adjust. Local JWs will not or may not be able to help them much, work-wise/financially or for at least very long. Hopefully they have a way (Internet?) to contacting each other after leaving Bethel, and talking together over their plight and reality, maybe at best together form a class action suit.
I feel sorry for them. However, for some, this may be what it takes for them to actually finally see the need to review the organization for what it is actually, using everyone for free labor and the organization doesn't care about anyone's hardships on a personal level in reality. Hopefully, some will find their way here and cry out through the Internet and add their disappointing experience to the long list of the Watchtower Society's horrible deeds.
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Scott77
Your latest post on this thread sound very practical and insightful. However, the majority of your advise is directed toward Bethelites who have been 'kicked to the curb', and are not out of Bethel but still associate with the Watchtower's local congregations. I think there is less or nothing we can do to help them except figuring ways to lure them to join this JWN site for resources. I think the Bethel Elder on this site is one those who have joined this JWN. May be he can help to connect with others still wandering in the complicated world to which they are not prepared to cope.
Thanks
Scott77