JWs in the UK diferrent to USA or elsewhere?

by punkofnice 22 Replies latest jw experiences

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  punkofnice

  I am in the UK.

  I have an ex-JW relative in the USA. He says that having lived ib both the UK and the USA that the JWs are different from the UK to the USA.

  How true could this be?

  At least int he area I grew up the term 'Mother' for the organization is not familiar to me. Although I am aware it is mentioned in a dublication, I certainly didn't hear it banded about where I live much.

  The 4 door vehicle being a JW thing was new to me upon going on the forums.

  So I'm wondering is the 'truth' different from country to country?
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  TimothyT

  Hmmmm... I have to say, when i lived in South Spain, i thought they took 'the truth' FAR TOO SERIOUSLY! In my cong we have some strict brothers who focused on small issues, but in Spain the congregations i associated with were flippin mad. They never smiled and were keen to enforce EVERY SINGLE LITTLE LAW! I find the JWs in the UK to be more liberal (which i know they are not)!
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  Lied2NoMore

  i heard an MTS grad / elder / COBE / friend say one time.."oh...you don't want to upset mother"...seemed kind of weird at the time, but now that im thinking clearly once again it is SO utterly offensive that men bow to other men in fear of reprisal around here. Then in turn this guy LOVES to make rules for everyone else and is SOOOO hung up on "modest dress" (only his view of modesty is correct). And YES, i HAVE heard MANY look down on others for only having a two door car...YUK!! Stupid people go so far to conform to others views "so as not to stumble one another". Glaring lack of faith if a small thing causes stumbling.
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  DesirousOfChange

  I find the JWs in the UK to be more liberal

  I think JWs differ widely from one area of the US to another. Rural areas vs. metropolitan areas can be quite different in attitude, as can liberal vs. conservative areas of the country.

  Years ago when country line dancing was popular, it was cause for removal of privleges in one area, but in another it was popular entertainment for elders, MS, and all.

  Regardless of where you're at, they all try to impose THEIR conscience on others.

  DOC
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  simon17

  Some of these things are just cultural. The 4-door thing is probably because tiny compact cars are the norm in England (due to much higher gas prices and more congestion), so maybe that is not emphasized much. In the U.S.A, the cars are much bigger on average so it is very common for people to have 4-door spacious cars taht are considered an unnecessary "luxury" almost in England. therefore it is seen as selfish almost to get a 2-door car and restrict your access for the ministry. Although with the traffic in Cali and gas prices everywhere, we might be heading for smaller cars being the norm here too!
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  MrDarkKnight

  The mentality at Bethel in the US is that the further you get away from NYC the greater the deviation from organizational direction. At Bethel Californians are viewed as ultra-liberals. Europeans were viewed as the same. Wherer ex-Bethelites go there is a stronger influence of what leadership wants.
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  punkofnice

  Tim - That's a worry! I wonder if they'll start the 'apostate' cull in Spain first!

  Lied2nomore - I always wondered about this 'stumbling' mullarkey. Who will Jehovah(TM) lovingly murder at harm'n'get'em? The stumbled or the stumbler? Knowing how hate filled the god of the watchtower is BOTH........and their families just to be spiteful.

  Desirousofchange - Yeah. True. It's down to who the biggest bully in the congregation is!

  Simon17 - Sign me up for a 'smart car'!

  MrDarkKnight - So, it's not just country to country but town to town. What a messed up bunch!
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  wobble

  Yes, but they are soooo united, all think the same, eat the same spiritual food.

  That's the official story.

  I think there are definite cultural differences, and definite differenced between individual congregations, sometimes dictated by the Alpha Male Elder.

  Ther are some things that are a no-no in one country, and yet in another, in spite of perhaps Q from Readers guidance, these things are ignored, hunting for example.

  Bottom line is, they ain't what they pretend to be, a united brotherhood.
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  punkofnice

  wobble - Tis naught but a sham! How has the cult survived until now!?!??!
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  Heartofaboy

  In my old cong' the carrot crunchers thought the JW's from Bristol were way more 'worldly'.