As a little background, my Dad became a JW in 1980 I think, went to Bethel, married my mom in 86' went back for another year and then I came along..
He worked in the auto repair shop at Bethel while he was there, and upon leaving, continued working in this field. My whole life they have been the type of JW parents that tell you how you will never get to high school, never graduate it, never get married in this system, never have children in this system etc.
I say this to illustrate the end is just around the corner attitude they have always had, probably because they fully bought/buy into the hype at the conventions/WT articles. My father has NO plan in place for retirement, and he is physically slowing down doing such hard laborious work. My Mom has not worked secularly in 30 years! She has been stay at home, and pioneering most of that time. I have no brothers and sisters I might add.
His job has been slowing down for a year or two now, and has been getting sent home early due to lack of work. He has just been laid off and I feel terrible for them, but instead of looking for jobs they both are having this sit back and wait on Jehovah attitude. My dad keeps saying how now he will be able to go "in the ministry" more now.
My mom has been talking to my wife, dropping hints about how nice it would be to move in with my family. Keep in mind my parents are UBER-HARDCORE JWs! I mean my mom gets up at 5:00 am everyday to do personal study, and meeting prep! I was raised where you never missed a meeting unless you were basically in the hospital, and never missed a week in FS! I on the other hand am slow fading, and trying to help my wife awaken and detatch from the cult mentality. I dont need them around the house leaving "loving reminders" and "encouragement", foiling what I am attempting to do!
It irritates me so much that the WT has been telling people that the end is around the next corner! DOnt get a career, education, retirement since this system wond be here! Just like the 69' Awake said "YOU WILL NEED TO FACE THE FACT YOU WILL NOT GROW OLD IN THIS SYSTEM OF THINGS!" Lies lies lies. Then they expect the similiarly poor children to subsidize them.
The thing is that they are not elderly, my mom has skill as a seamstress. Even if she got a medium paying job and my dad was on unemployment for a while until he could find work, they could make it. She would rather just continue with her pioneer lifestyle, hoping others take care of her needs. I feel bad that he lost his job, and I understand that it is hard to get back into the workforce afert 3 decades, but shouldnt looking for employment be the first thing she should be doing instead of trying to move in with her sons family? Also they could downsize, sell their home which has good value, and move into an economical apartment. Even the money from the sale would help them for a long while.
The WT truly ruins lives. It is sad to see how many bought into the promise that they would never grow old sick, and as a result have no plan for what should be the best years of someones life.. Yet the WT keeps at it telling the next generation of dubbies the same load of BS.
Your comments, thoughts are appreciated.