I think all the restrictions place unnecessary burdens on the people in Bethal. The ultra righteous might be sad people who are looking for validation in this world. You can't blame them for wanting to follow the rules and get acceptance, after all they are promised that God himself will favor them if they do this, this, and this. Then even after 20 years if they realize it's not right, what are they going to do? They've never held a real job, don't know the real world... they are stuck unless they have the a real survivor deep inside themselves.
I remember one of these guys, he took a vacation and stayed with a PO and his family. He wore the tacky hand me down clothes, he studied and read all the time. He was in his mid 40's and been in Bethel a long time.... and he looked sad. He looked worn out and sad. I can remember wondering how this guy lasted that long without having sex, and now looking at him, not that many girls would be attracted to him. No outside interests, pasty white skin, didn't work out, that robotic depressed state he was in.
Yes I knew many who were like that and its sad really. If you "read between the lines" you will see that many, not all, but many of these types were PO sons or ex-bethelites sons, forced to Pioneer and go to Bethel to prove that their family is righteous, blah blah blah. Its all a fascade, its not real and they dont even want to be there.
Then there are some who really believe all of this crap. These either end up in the Service Dept. at a service desk, eventually as CO's, or also washed up inactive's who the elders cant stand after they leave Bethel and so they are never appointed as elders. Anyway... its all a sham so it doesnt matter
I was a SR, at least in my actions (not heart and mind). I figured, if I am going to do this, let me do it right. (I've always been an overachiever, LOL.) I obeyed the speed limit and every rule they ever put forth (that one is 'obey Caesar').
Thing is, I do believe being a SR helped me to leave sooner. The stronger I would get into it, the more I would realize how much was wrong with it all and how depressing of a life it was.
I think this is why the elders were so disappointed to learn in my jc that I hadn't broken any of their rules. Dubs seem to love going around claiming the people who leave don't have the self-discipline to follow the rules, they're weak, etc....nope! Not me. I followed their rules better than they did. I left because I rejected them and their stupid way of life. Really pissed them off!
