How Many Went On A Bethel Tour And Didn't Think It Sucked? (page 2)

undercover

I went on a private Bethel tour many years ago. It was arranged by a local elder who knew somebody high up. We got to see parts of Bethel that most tours don't get to see. I remember how everybody in our group was so excited. They were just amazed at it all. I tried to share their enthusiasim, but for some reason it just didn't make that kind of impression on me. It did make an impression although not what most JWs would be happy to hear; It impressed on me that I would never apply to go there and allow them that much control on my life.

I used to think it was me, that I just didn't appreciate all that went in to it, but I see now that I wasn't alone.

katiekitten

My ex sister in law and her husband were at bethel, and me and my ex hubby went there for lunch with them one day, and they do this thing where they have to ask permission to leave the table, and pass things in a certain way and stuff.

Well, I didnt know any of the rules, so when this sincere brother asked my brother in law if he could have permission to leave the table I laughed out loud (and I mean LOUD - cos I thought it was an ironic 'in' joke) and kind of mimicked him in a baby sing song voice, then looked round and saw I was the only one laughing. OMG.

It was like seeing someone slip, and you howl with laughter cos its so funny, then realising they have actually broken their neck and died.

tijkmo

i had a question about a wedding that i was due to conduct and so i needed to speak to ted buckingham on the top floor of the new london premises so we arranged to have lunch with a pioneer sis we knew who was working temporarily in the french translating dept in the same building but on a different floor..after lunch we went over to the new building with her and she went to her dept and we carried on up the stairs to the top floor and knocked on teds door

honestly you'd have thought i was a suicide bomber the uproar this caused as i didnt have an appointment...(the pioneer sis later got a rocket..none of us were aware of the appointment procedure)

and...i never got an answer to the question i asked...i got several other answers to questions i didnt ask and in the end i gave up asking

mind you if i went back now they would be right about worrying if i was a suicide bomber

candidlynuts

my sis went a few years ago..she was really subdued when she got home and i asked how it was.. only thing she'd say was " all these years i've struggled to raise 3 kids and donate donate donate every week and when they ask for extra money, i was shocked at the opulence of the theater, the grounds of bethel etc. and i look at my trailer and wonder what i could have done for my own family with the money i donated for all those years"

she's still in.. still pioneers 2 mos a year, but since bethel trip she's like a balloon thats been popped..she's deflated.

IronGland

I ve been. I can give you the experience of ACTUALLY BEING THERE via your computer.

Here is a picture of a factory. Stare at it. Continue staring at it for 1-2 hrs. While doing this,imagine there is a big exciting city right outside your door. Continue staring at picture for 2-3 more hours. After you finish staring at this, stare at

A kitchen for a few more hours. Imagine how it must be washing dishes and cooking for jehovah. Thrilling. What? You say you want to go out to dinner or a play? Maybe go see some live music or tour some historical sites while in a world famous city? Here's a better idea. Stare at this for 4 hrs.

It's a warehouse. Get on your treadmill and walk for 4 hrs while staring at this picture. Thank you for visiting bethel. Here's some magazines to hand out on your plane trip home.

katiekitten

tij - did you know someone called Mark Leighton?

tijkmo

no katie i dont recall that name ...is that your ex b-i-l...cos i was gonna pm you for his name

talesin

Did the Bethel tour on my one visit to NYC. I was only 15, so had no choice. It was soooo boring, the only part I enjoyed was watching the printing press (that lasted about 5 minutes), but I can do that here at the local newspaper! All I could think of was that I wasn't allowed to go see MOMA and the Guggenheim, and all the other exciting things that NYC has to offer. :(

tal

katiekitten

tij - yup - ex BIL name.

Candidlynuts - there was a regular pioneer in our cong who went on her honeymoon with her reg. pioneer husband to NY, and toured the bethel and the farm, and stayed in whatever accomodation it is they stay in that is provided at Watchtower farm.

When she came back and was describing it saying how wonderful it was I went bonkers - i felt pretty bad cos it was after a tuesday book group, but I just couldnt hush my mouth. She was saying how great it was all these chadaliers, and room service, and fantastic buildings worth kazillions of pounds. I was going 'I thought we were supposed to have no money, be humble, not showy' etc etc

I went home ranting about it - I just couldnt believe that she was living in humble poverty to pioneer and still thought expensive crystal chandaliers were somehow big or clever.

upside/down

When I came in The bOrg... the "Stanley" was "THE rage"...

being a Catholic...I was like...If it's fancy buildings and art you want... the Catholic's have got bragging rights...

"but they don't have J's spirit"... *****shut my sorry ass down quick****

u/d (of the never did "get it" class)

How Many Went On A Bethel Tour And Didn't Think It Sucked?

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