It seems many could not digest the equal pay (practiced in Bethel)
as a good thing—some even called it communism. In fact, this aspect as the good
point is from a bethelite who has a glorious past career as a Prime Minister of
a country. He was brought to the Bethel as his wife had an exceptional talent
Bethel was in badly need of. They agreed to serve in Bethel without taking any
pay (what they call monthly allowance or PEA) as they were materially very
rich. Once I got a chance to work with him closely during a District
Convention, and I invited the couple to my house for a meal which they gladly
accepted. When I asked him what he liked the most in Bethel, he said “the equal
pay.” Remember, he has multiple Doctorate in subjects such as Political Science,
Economics .. and is an ex-PM.
One can dismiss this calling it as the aspect of failed communism.
This is like calling a nutritious and fruit bearing tree good-for-nothing just
because it could not with stand an avalanche. Communism could not withstand the
overwhelming and hostile environment around it. So what? Now I have my own
personal and intimate circumstances to back up my stand. I had a very nice and
peaceful atmosphere at home when my wife
and I were working as employees who could afford a decent luxurious life-style.
Then my wife started her own business with some people working under her. This
gave her huge income. Gradually, she began to view me as good-for-nothing (while
I am still the same old loving husband who still earns the same income working
as a Chartered Accountant in an MNC). This I have noticed in my family also
with my fleshly sisters and brothers. When they earn money using other human
beings as mere machinery, that same attitude becomes dominant even towards
their close relatives. I also know from my friends who are Chartered
Accountants for other companies how private companies make money robbing the
Governments.
[Like you, I too do not approve the expensive wrist watches ... and other gadgets the GB members have. It is better they renounce such things if sense of propriety rules them. That is for them to do. But it is understandable that a few witnesses behave like blind devotees of the paganism who believe that they will get special blessings from God if they gift out expensive things to persons such as GB, BC, Elders ...]