1975 -- you must realize that if a person isn't at least 50 years old they remember nothing about the 1975 fiasco. Thus those who do remember it first-hand have so many years invested in the religion by this time that many are likely hesitant to chuck it all away. It is a case of "where else would we go" because it's their life's network.
History repeated: pre-1975 trend of selling homes to ‘downsize’
by LongHairGal 34 Replies latest jw friends
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DesirousOfChange
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Foolednomore
Since I was looked down upon for going to college and getting an education and now these same brothers say that I should " share " my wealth with them. Such nerve. Where were they when I was working long hours putting my business together? Not all of them but most of those who ask who ask for a hand out, sorry, you have to work like I do.
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LongHairGal
FOOLEDNOMORE:
I totally agree with you.
The problem is: if you were still active and ‘associating’ in the Witness religion you would privately be confronted for money for all these ‘needy’ types who either never wanted to work OR who made stupid blunders like what is mentioned here and are now broke!
While I don’t have a crystal ball, it would not surprise me if at some point responsible people there not giving handout$ for all the ‘needy’ will be verbally attacked and ‘shamed’..I see this possibly happening.. They’d probably be shunned as well. Oh, the irony!
I really don’t see how it would even be possible to continue in this religion. You wouldn’t be left alone!.. Good luck to everybody but I’m Glad I got out for many reasons over two decades ago.
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waton
Sorry, but what? No one genuinely believes any of that!
Claiming the WTS have utter and complete control over everyone's life choices is demonstrably false, and just plays into their hands. This is NOT the message that we want to be telling people.Simon, I did not say that wt has complete control. just saying the wt message is: only if you obey us will you live, disobey us, you will die. we (wt) say "jump": you jump, then ask how high?, or "which cliff?".
wt wants its members to obey any patently unreasonable demands, with the proviso that only obedience wiil keep you out of gehenna, only unquestioning obedience will get you into everlasting life. it is a life an death issue the way wt defines it.
talking about criminal coercion cases. : life and death for Amanda Todd too:
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Foolednomore
Longhairgal- frequently I get "brothers" I know (some sisters) will be at my business and encourage me to return to the "Truth". Then, in another breath ask for money or a loan or pitch a business ideal that they need funding for. I tell them I'm not a bank. I don't give out loans. Some even tell me that it is my obligation to help my brother because I have more then he does, so I can give!?! I have helped some find jobs ( disappointment to my good name and theirs) so I don't anymore. All these people want is a hand out and don't want to work. Very sad shape.
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LongHairGal
FOOLEDNOMORE:
They aren’t looking for me because they know they’d get nowhere. But they’re certainly after you it seems.
The fact that they keep turning up at your place of business preaching and asking for $$ is very nervy and would make me feel uncomfortable.
Naturally, you have to be polite to actual customers. But, if somebody is not there to be an actual customer - what are they doing there?? Don’t have idle chitchat. Say, ‘can I help you’? If not, ‘have a nice day’.
Maybe for some JWs it’s too late to get an actual career (not yours or my problem). But they should try to get something.. Some won’t because maybe they are receiving a stipend for special pioneering and they need X amount of preaching hours to qualify. They are in a dilemma and hope to get contributions from people. They are relentless it seems.
The idea that I would have a bullseye target on me because of a business would make me do something to stop this unwanted contact.
Again, I predict they are going to get very strident and nervy asking for handout$ within their congregation..But, I also suspect they are ‘working’ on people who are Out but didn’t get far away enough like in your case. Be wary. Just my opinion.
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hoser
There ain’t no free lunch.
I see people make foolish financial decisions all the time.
It’s all about social stratification and being part of the clique.
There ain’t no free lunch.
If you want to accepted by the middle class you have to live a middle class lifestyle. You have to dress middle class, drive a middle class car, live in a middle class neighborhood, own middle class status symbols and put your kids in middle class extracurricular activities.
It ain’t cheap!
If you want to be perceived “spiritual” according to the Watchtower’s definition of the word you have to engage in “spiritual” activities. You have to go on a bethel tour, qualify to attend international conventions, pioneer in israel, sell your house to be a need greater in some Central or south American country, pioneer in March or April and at each circuit overseers visit. I could go on and on.
It ain’t cheap!
Institutions(religious and secular) and car dealerships use human nature of needing to fit in to steal your labour. It’s slavery and there are people lining up each and every day to be victims.
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LongHairGal
HOSER:
I guess I wasn’t ‘spiritual’ according to the definition of the JW religion.🤣
I wouldn’t quit my full-time job or do favors for Users to appease them. (Never mind that all the older people in the congregation were collecting pensions and living cushy lives. None of THEM apparently were stupid enough to sell their houses and go pioneering in some dirt hole like some suckers did.)
The younger people my age back then who wouldn’t be caught dead in a full time job are struggling and needing handouts today. They were the ones invited to special gatherings I wasn’t invited to. They didn’t like me. I accept that. I’m Retired now. What I do NOT accept, however, is any of them imagining I’m going to give them anything..I would run from them.
As you say, it ain’t cheap.
As you say, they were ‘socially stratified’ in the JW religion and part of a clique. So..Let them track down their ‘spiritual friends’ in their ‘Clique’ and ask THEM for money.
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joao
I was born in 1970. I was five in 1975. I started studying with JWs when I was 18/19 and no one ever mentioned that fiasco!!! Only when I started doing my research did I become aware of it! They are really good at hiding their dark side...
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luckynedpepper
born in 1972. I remember "family discussion" about the 1980 (?) "Sorry, not sorry" WT apology. Shocked at the circa 2015 Regional Convention where they said "We never said that"