by Funchback 30 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Growing up, our vacations were either camping, or centered around the District Convention, or both, so we didn't go to the KH on vacation. And sometimes my parents would take Sunday off from the meeting (GASP) and take us for a picnic to the beach!
I've been to far more AA meetings on the road, than to vacation KH meetings!
Boy do I hate that phrase! More cult bullcrap. And yes, I did go the KH during my honeymoon and our only out-of-town trip to Chicago. Both were a gag!!! The witlesses at the KH we visited didn't give a crap that we were there, no one extended us any hospitality or even took the least bit of personal interest in us. But I can't blame them. JW's aren't encouraged to have social skills. Just think about it. All we hear is how we're supposed to be a 'brotherhood' and to 'love the brothers' but when you're part of an 'organization' that dictates everything you do for them but tells you nothing specifically about what to do for others ...if you don't know, you don't do anything. That's just my perspective, as one who tried very hard to be a faithful witness.
If they would encourage people to take a break when they feel the need to they'd be a lot better off! If I had been able to do that I may not have left. (yeah right!!!)
In my experience, visitors attract an elder followed by a pioneer or two. A few pleasantries are exchanged to determine the spiritual status of the visitor. A JW is then left alone. Unless they have some juicy gossip to share.
Of course, if there is any suspicion that the person might *gasp* be a walk-in visitor, more attention will be dispensed. You will likely be asked for your address and phone number.
This is another one of my pet peeves, with both the evangelical-millenial churches and with the JW's. Isreal had their seasonal holy days. Jesus relaxed around the table with friends. God recognizes that people need a break from the daily grind. We mark those days to remember, to celebrate successes, to have fun.
Where in the heck did the Jubilee go?
jgnat - AMEN SISTER!
I remember lots of vacations w/my JW mom and we always went to the local KH wherever we went...I loved getting to meet unfamiliar J-dubs (and ogle a variety of fine upstanding young men) who for the most part I found to be friendly and hospitable (after we passed the 20-questions test, of course)
I also remember weekend campouts. I found Sunday meeting in a forest on a mountaintop to be far preferable to being in a stuffy building...listening to the birds, gazing at the clouds, sitting on a mossy fallen log with my underlined magazine and raising my little hand to make that all-important Jesus/Jehovah comment.
~Merry
Vacation away from the Kingdom Halls are great!
As one of you said in a post to this topic, going on a vacation is to break away from the normal routine of things.
I also used to have a "sick" feeling in my stomach whenever I had to go to the meeting on a day off from work (i.e., Thanksgiving, Christmas). You were off the entire day, relaxing, until around 6:00 PM. That is when you had to get ready for the meeting that night.
We didn't just have to go to all the meetings when we were on holiday we had to the mornings text and have a family study too! It was unbearable! Also, unlike holidays now where I sometimes make new friends in a bar and keep in touch, we never stayed in touch with or made any friends particularly at any of the congregations we went on holiday too. That despite the fact we took our annual holiday at least once every year in South Wales and went to the same congregation.
I do thank my lucky stars that dad didnt make us go out on the service too - that would have been too much!
When people go on vacation they want a total escape from daily routines so for one or two weeks they should be left in peace even by jehovah.
GROAN!!!!!!!!!!!!
How well I remember! The year after I got baptized we went on vacation (camping) after the DC. Figured I had done my duty, and was looking forward to doing LOTS of lounging and reading non-WTS publications!
As LUCK would have it---didn't my congo have several families that were related by blood, by marriage, etc----and they all had campers. (Brought a new understanding to circle the wagons, believe me!) So every meeting day or night, wouldn't they all stop dead in their tracks and put on meeting clothes and head for the nearest KH.
Many of the JWs worked at the Nestle's plant that had a two-week shutdown and my hubby had inadvertently taken his vacation at that same time---so I had to practically run and hide when this procession went through. I WAS told about this "no vacation from Jehovah" crud, and I was very irritated. Only ONE of all those meeting-bound JWs had a hubby who was not a JW, and he was off fishing most of the time anyway. It looked baaaad for me!
I felt that I wasn't going to "fall away" (gasp) in two weeks time, especially when we were surrounded by JWs 24/7. Can YOU say CONTROL???? Even way back then---I saw it---but it didn't make me stop and THINK!!!
I'm a slow learner.
Annie
