I know the veracity of my story. Jesus knows its veracity. Indeed, I never state that the Society beat me. My father has the moral responsibility. I hear far worse stories. It has been my experience, esp. among women, that those who screech when incest is involved to not discuss it and look at a woman as beyond the pale for mentioning it, are incest victims in denial. Stories of rage are scary. This is my story, however, not your story. My aunt and uncle were active Witnesses with a wonderful home life.
My emphasis is not on my draconian or otherwise story. I seek to point out the maladaptive culture of JWs. We were painfully isolated. No one would talk to us. Furthermore, my father's story is illustrative of a Witness problem. Russell, Knorr and Rutherford were flawed humans. They were not enlightened, noble beings. My father was 6"4" and very brawny. He grew up in a coal mining town. When he graduated school, he was hired to shore up the mine and prepare it for other miners. His father ran a JW book study. They attended a local assembly. The brothers took a look at my father and recruited him to come to Bethel to serve as a bodyguard. His faith was not strong. Coming to Brooklyn must have been very hard. NYC is hardly a small company town. Bethel was extremely strict and small. Everything was noticed. They were sent out all over the NY area to strengthen congregations. Regardless of the circumstances, they were locked out with a curfew. My father and uncle spent many a night riding the subway until Bethel opened its doors again.
My father never disassociated from the Witnesses. In many way, my mother was privy to more dirt. Rutherford was not respected by the lesser Bethel brothers. They would spy on him through a crack in the floor romancing a woman not his wife. Nathan Knorr was extremely disliked for being a harsh task master. His organizational skills were readily acknowledge. My very meek uncle once told him to be his own stool pigeon. There are so many details I know from a time I was not alive.
My father risked severe injury at a convention at Madison Sq. Garden. A right-wing Catholic priest, Fr. Couglin (sp?) stirred up immense bigotry among Catholics. WWII was approaching and nationalism increased. My mom, who had not met my father yet, was present as saboteurs invaded the Garden and threw ammonia bombs on women and children. My father fought them off with the aid of other specially selected brothers from Bethel. I am proud of my father for those actions. Despite his track record of abuse that was documented, he always believed the Witnesses had an obligation to care for other Witnesses. Lives were destroyed and unlike other religions and groups, no aid was forthcoming. He could not understand how a Witness could go hungry or lack housing when the Society had such financial resources.
My mom lived through many Armageddon dates. Close friends became destitute. She grew up eager to see the Princes, Moses, Noah, etc. return to earth and live in a mansion the Society provided. They were told these Old testament figures would appear at the next assembly. Caught up with excitement, she could not wait to greet Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Isaac and others. They were a no show. It was explained that a literal return was an incorrect version, hoisted by Satan.
I've seen the occult and pyramids. Yes, I do consider most of this stuff "over the top." It is tragic because it is so incredulous that anyone would believe. I bear witness to my abuse and to the fallacy of the Society. I am a witness to history. My family was a witness. I testify. In this mission, I do not need to exaggerate to contrast. Truth itself is elegant and scary, too.
