by ThomasDam21 17 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
KERRY KING:
I always felt that those who pioneered and got fawned over with the special dinners and looked down their noses at people like me who didn’t pioneer were ‘having their reward in full’. That’s the way it seemed to me.
Anybody who did volunteer work for the religion better be asking the religion for money because that is who they worked for! Never forget this.
"But if anyone considers themself a true Christian, they will stil try to help these elderly people, and might even lead them to the true understanding of the two main commandments, to love the Lord out God, and to love our neighbour as ourselves."
I understand the compulsion towards compassion. The trouble with looking after destitute JWs, who spent their lives denigrating and demonising your church, which actually does have a charitable arm, is that there is a chance that you reinforce the WT arrogance. Instead of being grateful for kindness extended by people whom they have been always taught to hate, the risk is them telling each other: "Hey look, I'm living on dumb Christendom's dime; I'm plundering Satan's kingdom!"
It's a very fine line and a hard road to tread. No-one wants to see people struggle in their old age, even if the struggle is self-inflicted. It just feels like a kick in the guts when someone brags about "Jehovah™"* providing, when it's really Vinnie's** or Anglicare or the Salvation Army.
* A scribal error by a 13th century Catholic monk
** The Society of St Vincent de Paul (Catholic)
This will be the next watchtower scandal - after CSA, blood and shunning (particularly of minors) that governments will or should be investigating at some point. The big con, or 'vow of poverty' the "free workers" sign, in order that watchtower doesn't have to contribute to social security!!
The JW cult has never ever in my years in helped anyone. When I was young and my wife and I were having issues, it was always here is a watchtower read it and pray. It was as useless as tits on a bore hog. There was an elder who was an Alcoholic and same crap. He lost his marriage then took his own life. The guy had a horrible life, his first JW wife ran off with a lounge singer, literally. His second wife was a good person but could not take the drinking. JWs are not allowed to go to AA or any other outside help. such a disgusting cult. They destroy everything they touch.
It all depends.. Walking into the local Social Security office is really the only way to find out. Most Bethelites did some real work before Bethel and have some credits. They may need to go back to work doing SOMETHING to build up enough recent "credits" and retirement savings before eventually applying for Social Security at 62, 66 or 70s in the USA. Bethel contributed a little for me based on a minimum wage calculation based on my meager allowance and room and board. I have no idea what has been done more recently.
Bookkeeping, tax prep, window washing, apartment managers, sales, Uber Driving...anything a senior can (hopefully) physically do long enough that pays INTO the Social Security system to build up credits before actually filing to claim benefits in their 70s. No doubt they will make so little they will qualify for government subsidized groceries, housing and medical right away. They may be living in their car or on a park bench at first. :(
I always felt like a piss-on being in the Borg in comparison to pioneers,, ministerial servants eldubs or elders wives or whoever......circuit overseers & their wives whoever.....
Maybe its because of my practical approach to life. Like that of having a job with benefits,, mortgage & I pay my own utilities & bills.
Unlike some others who have had all these things done for them. Then left high & dry later in life when they are no longer of use & left for the dogs.
NOT FORMER:
I agree with everything you said in your post.
Today’s ’older destitute JWs’ not only denigrated and demonized other churches who have social programs that are keeping many alive - they ALSO denigrated people like me... I was a young woman who worked full-time and wasn’t buying any nonsense about doing housecleaning and full time ministry.. If I had listened I wouldn’t be retired today.
In all likelihood, these older needy JWs pioneered and didn’t ‘count the cost’! They enjoyed a great social life back then when young and got invited to those special dinners. How many times did they listen to derogatory remarks about working people like me? So, they are guilty in my eyes.
Too bad they didn’t do the math in their head when they saw older people there with cushy lives who were already in the workforce.. I was young and saw this and made sure I kept on working. Meanwhile, they were waiting for Armageddon to save them.
No, I don’t feel sorry for them and am Glad to not be around them or in the religion anymore…
JWs and ex-JWs on the forum who imagine anybody owes older needy JWs (who never really worked) anything are just plain mistaken. The RELIGION owes these people because that is who they worked for - and it is just gaslighting to say otherwise.
"This will be the next watchtower scandal - after CSA, blood and shunning (particularly of minors) that governments will or should be investigating at some point. The big con, or 'vow of poverty' the "free workers" sign, in order that watchtower doesn't have to contribute to social security!!"
It should be the next big scandal, Diogenesister, but I can't see it happening. The elephant in the room is the fact that the laid off Bethelites will not go to the media and the government to complain about their treatment at the hands of the ruthless WT empire. What little support they now have will be taken away from them if they badmouth the organisation. They'll be disfellowshipped* if they broadcast anything negative about their former "employer".
* "removed"
