I'm a postman with the Royal Mail and was assigned to train a new starter yesterday. My line manager introduces me to 'Dave', within seconds my JW radar was on maximum! In his mid to late 30's, politely spoken and with that haircut - I just knew it.
The post he'd applied for was Saturdays only, he said he did a lot of volunteer work. Okay mate. I put it to one side and we get on with the job at hand. I actually like him, he reminds me of myself nearly 20 years ago. He was clearly nervous and awkward around these worldly chaps with their bawdy banter and I felt a twinge of empathy for him.
Finally, we're done on the manic sorting floor and into the calm privacy of a postal van. It's just me and Dave for the next few hours.
Me: "So what kind of volunteer work do you do Dave?"
Dave: "I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses . . . "
Me: "I thought so, I used to be one too."
After a few seconds silence I assured him it was all cool and not to worry, and he opened up. Dave's been working on decontamination at the Chelmsford site, has served in Eastern Europe (met his wife there) and spent six years at London Bethel. He's an elder just waiting for his cards to be transferred to the new congregation and be made up again.
He never once asked about my 'status' or in fact anything about me at all. I found that I wasn't offended by that, I understood. Driving back to the office l made it clear to him that though I haven't been disfellowshipped I have left 'The Truth' but that I was more than happy to work shifts with him again.
Now here's the odd thing, I felt protective of him knowing how much of a fish out of water he's going to be on that sorting floor. I'll be watching out for him and, once the other guys suss him out, they'll accommodate his reticence and maybe tone down their language . . a bit.
He was so obviously powerless outside of JWdom and he shook my hand firmly when we parted, he seemed genuinely happy to know that at least one person 'got it' even if I didn't go to meetings anymore.
It was a very odd day but this rabid apostate and the uber-spiritual, ex Bethelite Elder might just be at the start of a beautiful friendship . .
See you around guys!