I never saw a Governing body member live a simple life.
I wonder how we fell for it? The paedophile protecting rock star popes demand you live a 'simple life(tm)' while they build their luxury compound in Warwick.
Damn their eyes, I say.
We live a simple life
by hoser 28 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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WTWizard
Material things are not the only things that complicate lives. Attending boasting sessions does. You need to waste time preparing, dressing up, and attending. Work those hours, you can maybe buy that Silver Kookaburra you have been meaning to before they become unaffordable.
Field circus complicates lives. You prepare for each call. You need to stock an approved bag with approved items, make sure your device is loaded and charged (if you are using one), and then brave heat, cold, rain, wind, and snow to reach people that may not even be home. Suit dry cleaning bills add up, not to mention the fumes from the cleaners being a cancer risk. You eat fast, good-tasting poison for lunch every single day. This costs enough money so, if you skipped a morning or afternoon of field circus and went to APMEX that day, you could buy a couple of kookaburras (or more, if you are paying gas and wear on your vehicle) while they are still available. Plus, owning silver is easier than owning and cleaning suits.
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Giordano
From Rutherford's era onward the WTBT$ has been incredibly reckless with the health and welfare of it's followers. They have turned themselves into an ignorant death cult on par (at least in results) with the leadership and followers at Jonestown.
Their followers are martyr's of nothing...........
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Heartsafire
I once told a pioneer that I had to get a job. She told me, "You don't need a job, just rely on Jehoober." It was a face-palm moment. My palm, her face.
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Gulf Coaster
Saename, good for you for going to university. Seems like it's more accepted by the JWs these days, or at least most of them. In my day, it was verboten. Hence, I did not get to go to university after high school, despite being a stellar student. I got in with a good company who paid for part-time night school to upgrade my skills, so I could work my way up and earn a very good salary. I still would have done a bit better with a proper degree though but I managed quite well anyway. Learning a good trade is another wise option.
Living within your means is always good advice, and the JWs didn't invent that. But to deliberately hobble yourself educationally and financially is stupid advice, and the JWs did invent that one. The end is just around the corner apparently.
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Saename
Gulf Coaster, I'm glad you did okay despite your past experiences with JWs.
University may be more accepted by the cult these days, but I guess it depends on age and culture. I'm sure you would experience different reactions even today, depending on whether the JW is young or old, and whether s/he lives in a first-world country, a second-world country, or a third-world country (if I may use this particular classification.) After all, the poorer the country is, the more religiously committed the citizens are. It seems to be one of the reasons the Governing Body continues to discourage pursuing higher education and material possessions.
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Ame SF
We watched the video just yesterday at our Tuesday meeting, and I was just shaking my head the whole time.
So basically what the video is trying to do is discourage others who are economically stable and just stable all together, to give that up and possibly face very tight budgets and more stress. Yes, in the video the couple had stressful jobs, but other than that they had a pretty great life. Great house, great food, financial stability, everything.
I agree, you shouldn't be TOO materialistic, but what is wrong with having a big house, a nicely paying job, and good looking cars? Is the organization afraid that such ones who have those things will be overly-praised because of the things they have?
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Gulf Coaster
JWs always paint us normal people & our lives in the worst possible light. Not all jobs are stressful and few jobs are always stressful. Plus, some people thrive on stress and find it challenging and exhilarating, especially if it pays well. Most times, there is the option of getting another job if you can't take it.
But it would be far more stressful to be financially unstable and not have enough money to live comfortably while working and after when you're retired.
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blondie
Whenever an elder came up to me to encourage me to live a simple life, I would say, "you first" knowing his wife would never let him sell their "mansion."
I kept experiences of poor parents with six children who regular pioneered....and would share with some do gooders.