My Experience as JW

umadevi

Hello, I am new to this site and it is comforting to know that I am not the only one that has problem with WTS. I'm 36 and single parent with 8 year old son. I work full time from 8am to 5pm in order to support both of us. In the beginning the elders were so understanding and caring (or so it seemed). I was too busy with my work so I was not able to join in the field service. Recently, I missed some meetings due to my work schedule. One of the elder contacted me and said that I should not miss meetings and that I should take part in weekly field service. He even suggested that I should find a different job so that I can contribute more time to the Society.

The thing I am unable to find another job as I have some physical limitations. The elders knew of this and yet they pressured me to go preaching. I was confused and was very afraid to go against their word as I felt that it would be like going against "God's Organization". I had no one to discuss as all of my friends are JW. I finally checked out online and discovered this site. Thank God! Atleast I am not alone.

Broken Promises

hello and welcome!

I was working fulltime and as a single person used to get pressure from the elders to go part-time and pioneer. I resisted because, not only could I not afford to live on a part-time wage, but I used to think, who has to pay my bills? The elders or me?

So, unless they're paying your bills, what you do with your time is certainly none of their business. It's not easy to be a single parent and it's not up to them to determine what or where you work.

Quite frankly, what the elder was saying is just his opinion. If anything, he should be encouraging you to work hard for you and your son.

dozy

Welcome. Some elders are OK - others are total prats (I know because I used to be one - hopefully in the first category!) I know so many JWs who have totally messed up by following elders advice. They really have no authority to dictate the employment needs of the congregation.

transhuman68

Welcome to the forum. That elder sounds like the sales team leader for a publishing company. Wonder why? Glad you found your way here.

jean-luc picard

Dozy, too right.

jws know that they "are supposed" to go out in field servce.

A "loving" elder would fix a time and accompany that person, even doing all the doors himself.

A "pharisee" elder, will just tell the person " you know you should be going out in serve.Just do it!".

cantleave

WELCOME.

You need to do some reading if yiou haven't already.

1. Crisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz

2. Captives of a Conscience by Don Cameron

3. Combatting Cult Mind Control by Stephen Hassan.

BTW you have a PM from me click the little envelope in the Top Right of your screen (you might need to try twice to get it open - a common glitch)

Nobleheart

Welcome umadevi!

Pams girl

A big warm welcome from me in sunny Wales, UK! I have agoraphobia, and the jws used to tell me that I obviously hadnt prayed enough to get me out on FS! Hahaha. They realised they had no use for me after 6 years of study...I was not progressing in their eyes and practically tried to blackmail me into going to meeting etc....as you can imagine, this didnt work and didnt cure me........

You are amongst friends here who will support you every step of the way...........nice to have you with us x

Best wishes, Paula x

the max

Hi hello, and welcome!!! As a single parent with an 8yo boy, you have more than enough on your plate just to keep a roof over your heads, I am sorry, though not suprised, by your treatment. I think your main priority is your child, not flogging magazines , thats lets face it, no one reallly wants.

I hope you find help and comfort here, all the best.

jamiebowers

Welcome to JWN. The more you read, the more you will find that the organization demands much of its followers despite any special circumstances. The whole time I was a jw, the elders "encouraged" me to stay with my jw husband who was beating, kicking and strangling me.

My Experience as JW

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