It is frightening to consider the future facing a bunch of 60+ yr old Circuit Overseers and their alcoholic spouses.
Imagine,
-you are born into the "truth", you withstand the sacrifices and humiliation of going through the public school system as a JW during the cold war.
-you drop out of high school, get married to a fellow believer and take on menial labor jobs of some kind and start "reaching out" in the organization, maybe pioneering. The fact that you put on a suit 3 times per week gives you a lot of self esteem after cleaning toilets all day. Your JW family and friends hold you in high regard.
-in the early seventies the "elder" arrangement comes along and you are catapulted into the inner-sanctum. You are an elder! You sit on judicial committees, give public talks and dish out counseling to others. "Hey, I guess I'm not a loser after all!" Come on Armageddon! I be ready now!
-by the mid 80's your physical body is starting to show the effects of hanging sheetrock, roofing houses or laying carpet 40 hours a week for 25 years. You have accumulated zero in savings, have no retirement plan, rent the house you live in and the witch doctor chiropracter is not helping your f'd up knees, spine, or whatever you have worn out trying to make a living.
-ah, Jehovah blesses you and you get into the Circuit work! Put a new transmission in the old Dodge, pack your life into a 23 ft used travel trailer and go to Bumfuck, Kansas.
-after five years this lifestyle soon takes it's toll on your menopausal, severely depressed wife who is now going through a case of cheap, screw cap burgundy a week.
-the only "joy" you are getting out of life is through becoming an arrogant, self-righteous and egotistical prick. You have become addicted to the paltry respect and deference your position brings.
-then you get a letter from your handlers in Brooklyn (that you have to read three times to get through the "loving arrangment" bs and realize you are being made redundant.
Holy shit! pass that jug, Mabel!
That is the single funniest thing I've read on here all year. Hall of Fame!!!