Memorial Outfits

by Band on the Run 2 Replies latest jw friends

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  Band on the Run

  I hated Memorial every year. The service sounded so spooky. I was terrified I might die if I came in contact with the emblems. No one, except the already ancient, partook in my time. I can't believe the numbers who feel qualified now -- even as the WT discourages people. The whole congregation observed if someone stupid enough would partake.

  The good part about Memorial is that my mom made certain we all had brand new outfits. I pretended it was my Easter outfit. My other JW relatives always made new outfits. I felt so sophisticated and normal in my "Easter" clothes. My mom always sewed the outfits.

  I focused on what special outfits sisters were wearing. Also, I wonder if others found the Memorial much spookier than other KH services. MY ggf was active since Russell's days when everyone felt anointed. It was strange to hear about the remnant and think of him going to heaven. When he died, I wondered if he could see me bathing and getting dressed. I reasoned that Jesus put blinders on him. Growing up in a very Roman Catholic neighborhood, I see how Catholic beleifs shaped my understanding of the Witnesses.
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  TOTH

  The memorial always seemed even more morose and lame to me than the regular groul they served up. And yes, everyone wore FANCY duds and doodads to the memorials I attended too. Us three kids got new suits and a dress and so did my folks. I recall when I attended the West Sacramento Spanish congregation, one of the overlords wore a WHITE suit. I suppose it made him feel holier...LOL He looked like an ass. white suit, light blue shirt and a white tie. He did NOT give the talk, but he passed out the emblems....No doubt because HE had been to Patterson to do some construction he was superior and holier. What an ass he is.
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  WTWizard

  Those morbid wastefests were dreadful. I remember getting to the Kingdumb Hell, which was rearranged with chairs filling the whole place. First, parking is a hassle--attendants were often directing people in different directions. You got into the auditorium and picked out a seat, and the hounders would find some excuse to move you (often several times). Once the party starts, you sing a dreadful song (even back then, they were dreadful--they are worse now). Then you listen to a boring 45 minute talk, half of which directs who is not to partake. Then you waste the time passing crackers and spoiled grape juice (no one partakes). There is a final talk hounding people to attend the next special talk, and to talk to any witless who will be glad to start a LIE-ble study (using washtowel littera-trash for that). Then exiting is a big hassle.

  Just about anything else is better. Regular church at least allows you to actually partake of the wafers. Their talks are usually better in quality, and their music is not as dreadful. Granted, I don't even necessarily advocate that--but it sure is better than going to the Kingdumb Hell. And, if you partake in independent groups, you might not even have to support some foreign-land-raping missionary work by putting anything on the collection plate.

  Easter itself, and its predecessor Ashtar, are both fun. I get to put up colorful decorations that people actually enjoy. Rabbits and chicks, along with eggs (some of them close to 30 cm long and 20 cm wide), grace the halls. I even got some wreaths with eggs stuck on them (plastic eggs mind you, but eggs nonetheless). I managed to find a couple of garlands where they put plastic eggs on them along with flowers. And pastel LED lights are starting to become available. This creates the air of spring. Along with that, there are some 9 big rabbits (stuffed ones or buntings/doormats with rabbits on them). Then I find out that the goddess Astaroth, one of the main goddesses of ancient times, used to feature those very items to adorn the Vernal Equinox (I started putting the stuff up in mid February, even before Feb 14).

  Either way, you can do better than those wasteful outfits at the Kingdumb Hell. This looks like people are trying to get in tune with Astaroth in their own way, even if they are prohibited from doing so in more direct ways. The spring colors and fancy clothing are their only way to get with the natural gods and goddesses (that used to be worshiped in ancient times) without getting disfellowshipped. Of course, the talks and procedures would dishonor all these gods and goddesses, just as much as they dishonor Jesus.