Okay. I want to make this clear - if possible. The JWs are sneaky people. Don't think that they aren't.
They more than likely KNEW that they would need a security guard if it was known that they had alcohol at the service... they just neglected to mention this to the person that they talked to about renting the building/room for the evening. It's like, when I was a JW, I always saw the 'No Solicitors' signs at the homes of people that we bothered with our door-knocking - and ignored them.
When the person would come to the door, upset, and ask if we saw the sign, we would reply, "We're not solicitors." or somesuch.
I will tell you this - if they HAD held their service at the rented building, they would be crowing about it later, "Yeah. We were supposed to have a security guard present if there was alcohol involved. But we sneaked it in, and no one was the wiser." - or some such. It wouldn't be the first time they have lied, and it won't be the last time, either - if it serves THEIR purpose - it's okay (theocratic warfare, remember?).
A final tale. When I was a lot younger (a teenager), my mother wanted to hold a gathering, and rented a building. She and my older sisters hauled our big and heavy stereo and 33RPM records over to this place, and they held a square dance party. No alcohol. Sodas, chips and cookies.
A lot of people attended (over 100 - if I recall correctly) and had a great time. Most were worn out and went home happy.
Well, the local elders got wind of it later, and called my mom onto the carpet (one of the elders was there actually, and had a great time). Their concern? What did people do AFTER the party? My mother was to be held responsible if anyone committed any acts of... !gasp! misconduct.
My mother and older sisters took it hard. My mother even wrote to the society, told them what we did, and quoted a lot of WTBTS references and stuff about how to have parties. They basically asked if it was okay to hold gatherings based on this. They actually got a reply which said that it was okay to do so.
Soooo... my mother called the elders and set up a meeting at our house. She showed them the letter. They were not happy. They were very mad in fact, that a woman had gone round them and over their heads - and also that they were wrong in their 'words of wisdom'.
Well, they left it by telling my mother that if we held another party, we would need to hire a security guard to patrol the parking lot - to prevent any trouble from happening.
My mom did. Out of her own pocket. Back then, I don't remember how much it was, but it was probably another $100 that she had to spend on this gathering.
Again, lots of people came and had a great time. The security officer was a bit confused, as he had very little to do except stand around and eat cookies and drink soda.
The elders were still not happy, and basically told my mother that she could only hold gatherings in our personal home after this - which she did.
My point to all of this?
What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
Regards,
Jim TX
