WT tolerating alcoholism?

Smiles

Does the WT and JW big boys tolerate alcoholism among themselves?

Alcohol is very popular among JW heavy-weights and their wives. Ask any Bethelite.

Some members of the WT Governing Body own well stocked liquor cabinettes.

Many elders and traveling overseers are not shy when it comes to having a "few" drinks.

Get any of them just talking about alcohol and you will see their passion for alcohol. Especially after they just had a drink or two...

Any JW that actually does get indicted for alcoholism is usually just your average JW or a young JW... Rarely do you see JW big boys being indicted for alcoholism, even though it may be common knowledge in the congo.

Why is this?

Is there some kind of unspoken alcohol requirement for JW hierarchy?

It seems many of the JW and WT "who's who", drink regularly, to the point where it could easily be alcoholism.

Is this a prerequisite for the JW heavy-weights?

Does this promote them to a "made member" from the general JW hierarchy?

Why is little done to address this popular behavior among the JW hierarchy?

Comments please............

czarofmischief

Well, you can't condemn anyone for owning a liquor cabinet. It's a nice thing to have, especially well-stocked. There's nothing wrong with drinking, or being intoxicated, or whatever. The Bible, even translated literally, is unabashedly pro-booze.

I agree the stance is hypocritical, but what the hey, why are we trying to correct all the hypocrisies of a religion we've abandoned? Screw em. If they want to drink themselves to death, that's fine with me.

CZAR

Lady Lee

Well it seems to me that since Rutherford set the precident for alcohol and dysfunctional systems that it would make perfect sense that the top brass live in a bubble of denial about the problem of alcoholism

I went to a hall where an elder lived in the basement with his wife (the alcoholic) and their teen-age daughter. Booze was always going in the back door of the hall. Everyone knew it but nothing was ever done.

minimus

I don't think that tolerating "alcoholism" is the real issue, here. OVERDRINKING would be most appropriate. ALL of the Bethel heavies that I have known drink in excess. I know this because I always encouraged it so I could hear some of the inner "dirt". Most of the wives were notorious drinkers! But who could blame them? I know, no excuses.....The ONLY way a Bethelite can get into trouble for drinking is by getting drunk in front of the rank and file. Usually, these "special representatives" of the Society will only socialize with persons that have been proven loyal to the Society,hence, fellow Society men and women. No one would dare tell on someone in position.Besides, then you'd never get any more assembly parts. It's funny that you can easily get disfellowshipped for just "questioning" an issue, whereas, if you get rip roaring drunk, it was probably because you hadn't eaten properly during the day........You gotta love it!

gumby

I was an Elder for years and believe me.......many drank "pretty good" Some came to meeting and gave parts regularly with booze on their breath.

The council from the society was for servants...( and others ) not to drink before a meeting.....but it was really never enforced.

Alcohol is a Witnesses only "legal drug" and scriptural drug they can use.( other than pills which many are on ) If weed was legal, and not frowned upon......the meeting's would probably be filled with "stoners". ( actually theres a few in each hall now )

Edited by - Gumby on 25 December 2002 9:25:39

LeslieV

Well my JW elder, annointed (or so he says) ex-husband is an alcoholic. I went to the brothers repeatedly for 10 years to get him somekind of help. I will quote what was said to me by the elder body. "You are just to sensitive about alcohol use." "He goes to work and makes the meetings he couldn't have a problem." The only ones that saw his alcohol abuse was "worldly people." When I got divorced many people came to me and said, " I can't believe you lived with that drunk for so many years." The elders see what they want to see. Oh by the way he is still a JW elder who professes to be of the annointed. Says he is sober...Yeah right.

Leslie

CC Ryder

I've had the same observation. The only ones that I saw get busted for "heavy drinking" , me included, were R&F dubs. While I was an MS I always drank before a meeting and never got counceled for it. When I was deleted (due to not measuring up in field service, meeting attendance, and marital problems) The Elders began pressuring me on the drinking topic. When I moved south, I noticed that heavy drinking was very previlent in the higher ranks.

I feel the same as Czar does, who cares what they do, we're gone and free, thats all that matters. It's just sickening to see the self-righteous hypocrites preach the "hollier-than-thou" crap and not living up to their proclamations.

CC

Pathofthorns

... an elder once said "it is the only vice we are allowed to have".

As long as you drank in certain circles, didn't make a scene or get a DUI it was all good. And if u were in bethel and covered your 2-4 of beer with a garbage bag when u brought it in, it was a-OK...

Path

mouthy

Lady Lee ??? You must have known the same one I knew Cutforth???

I have the husband of a witness gal who comes to our support group.The husband not the JW - He came last week asking what he can do about his wife? she is drinking whiskey VERY HEAVY!! he says as soon as she comes in from work she starts, & if a meeting night she waits till she comes home from that. Then goes to bed half-cocked... He wondered if he should report to the elders. I said no !! she is allowed !! Reminds me of when I first joined the dubs in 1963 - I was a teatotal.. & I would have bible studies who would insist I have a shot in my coffee etc: I would refuse..... The elders took me into the library to tell me I was stumbling my bible studies by not drinking with them!!!!!So I suffered for Jah!!!!I drank it (I hate booze) I am really glad I am NOT stumbling now by NOT drinking.....What ever your conscience allows --- do! That is what I do now.....I have choices THANK GOD!!!!!!

TR

As long as you're a good functioning alcoholic and not staggering around and puking, you're cool wit 'd 'hovah society.

TR

WT tolerating alcoholism?

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