This website recently reported growing resentment among bethelites over the constant downsizing that’s taking place as the Governing Body hoards its dwindling resources in order to complete the Warwick project.
Further evidence of this resentment was re-posted on Reddit from a German-speaking website for former Jehovah’s Witnesses just last week.
In the open letter (posted here), someone claiming to have been a special pioneer of nearly 30 years laments how he was used up and spit out by an organization that claims to care for him.
Let me first state for the record that this letter cannot be verified because it is anonymous, but given the extensive downsizing Watchtower has been undergoing the world over, a letter like this can hardly be considered implausible.
The full letter is below. Keep in mind this letter has been translated from German, so I’ve cleaned up some of the language for the sake of clarity:
Dear Brothers.
This is my [response] to the way you dismissed me of the Special pioneer service [effective the first of] January 2016. The [fitting] “loving words” cannot reduce my disappointment.
As you mentioned, I experienced a lot of joy and went through a lot of challenges. I was willing to set the kingdom interests first and to [make] sacrifices to serve Jehovah, wherever you thought it is necessary.
In the belief that the end is near and that the organization is [led] by Jehovah’s spirit, I started pioneering in my youth. I [turned down getting] a good education in the hope that the organization needs me. Jehovah is the best employer, as I was told.
And now you decided that my special pioneer service will end [on the first of] January 2016. I ask myself what changed that you do not need my service anymore after nearly 30 years?
I am astonished that you advise me to serve as an normal pioneer in the future. If the end is near, why is my service as [a special pioneer] not necessary anymore? Is it the money? Am I too expensive for the organization?
Do you need the money, which is donated to support the preaching work for other activities? For example for building projects, like Warwick or temple farms? I really feel betrayed and exploited.
It seems to be the case that some buildings projects are more important for the “slave” than humans, who try to help others. Your offer to release me from my duty to reach the monthly hours goal, that I can do necessary things like looking for a job or for living, is really generous. Until January you want to pay my allowance as usual.
Really generous of you! To be honest it feels like a hit in my face or a kick in my ass.
I have no financial back up in my age and no education. I can probably not expect any support from my family, as they warned me [about getting into special pioneering].
As you mentioned, I did not expect this decision and I do not believe anymore that the Governing Body or the Branch Office are really valuing the work I did.
Your encouragement to trust at Jehovah sounds like derision. As I thought Jehovah provides for his servants through his organization. You do not want to lose my service and my experience, but you do not want to spend a single dollar for it anymore.
How else could I interpret this sentence? Quote: “In view of the valuable experience you have gained in your ministry, we hope your circumstances will allow you to engage in the regular pioneering”… “In that way, your full time service will not be interrupted. As a regular pioneer, you may choose the congregation in which you want to serve; however, we hope that, if possible, you can stay in your current assignment. If you move to another location, please talk to the circuit overseer or write to the Service Department to know where you might be more useful.”
I truly understood now, what is important for Jehovah`s organization: the only things that are counting, are efficiency and the gain for the organization, not the people.
Disappointed greetings.
Your Brother
(I do not want to tell you my name until I am not longer depending on you).
It is safe to assume that this man’s cause for agitation is far from unique, and that countless other bethelites and special pioneers are also being shown the door by Watchtower and left to fend for themselves.
The Witnesses who obeyed the prohibition on higher education and gave up their prospect of university or college education to serve in a full time capacity are now effectively being punished for their faith in Watchtower. Now they are abandoned —middle-aged, unskilled, unemployed and homeless — with not a cent to their name to show for the decades they spent loyally peddling cult propaganda.
Apparently, those who are being handed their pink slips are not walking away quietly as the Governing Body would wish, grateful for the privilege of serving a deluded group of cult leaders in New York. The realization that they wasted the best years of their life may be beginning to sink in.
Furthermore, a question should be forming in their minds, and in the minds of other thinking Witnesses who are beginning to see through the facade the Governing Body has set up to attempt to hide their financial woes: If the end of the system is near, nearer than ever before, shouldn’t the worldwide work of kingdom preaching be expanding rather than diminishing?
The best employer?
In the letter, the brother states that he was told Jehovah is the best employer. Those words ring hollow when you consider that employers, at the very least, pay their employees, not milk them of free labor for decades and then leave them on their own to starve.
Today, the best employers offer full time health and dental coverage, long and short term disability, paid holidays, 401(k) plans, conference and training budgets, above average salaries, and more. In the event downsizing occurs, employees are given severance packages, and in most countries, qualify for unemployment, so they can cover their basic expenses while trying to find a new job.
Full time servants who are dismissed by Watchtower receive none of those benefits, and instead are given three months to find a job and move out. And without any actual work experience or education that most hiring managers require, the rejected witnesses are in perhaps the worst position imaginable to find employment.
If Jehovah truly is backing the Watchtower organization, it therefore stands to reason that he is not even a mediocre employer.
Rubbing salt and lemon in the wounds
It appears the men Watchtower appointed to carry out the layoffs are not sensitive to the desperate situation they have placed full time servants in. As the letter quoted:
“In view of the valuable experience you have gained in your ministry, we hope your circumstances will allow you to engage in the regular pioneering”… “In that way, your full time service will not be interrupted. As a regular pioneer, you may choose the congregation in which you want to serve; however, we hope that, if possible, you can stay in your current assignment. If you move to another location, please talk to the circuit overseer or write to the Service Department to know where you might be more useful.”
Not only is the Governing Body deserting special pioneers so they can save money for their Warwick fantasy, they are downgrading them to regular pioneer status and still attempting to milk these poor people for more of their free time.
Call me materialistic, but putting myself in their shoes, my main concern would not be “How can I be more useful to this organization?” but “How do I find a job that pays enough to provide food and shelter?” How these slave masters can dare to control where their fired servants live and wring out every last drop from them is beyond me.
Keep warm and well fed
One can’t help but be again reminded of the scripture in James 2:15-17: “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
If this letter is any indication, this anonymous special pioneer will sadly not be the only full time Watchtower volunteer left to fend for himself by an organization he trusted to reward him for his years of service.
Further reading…
- Watchtower in crisis: Frustration grows at bethel as Governing Body focuses everything on Warwick
- Theocratic Ministry School GONE as 2015 Annual Meeting announcements leaked in advance
- More downsizing on the way? Multiple sources report bethel letter warning of further cuts
- Is Watchtower imploding? 10 reasons why the end could be nigh
- JWsurvey articles on Warwick
- JWsurvey articles on downsizing
I wonder what their employment status is ?
Employment law is a complex issue and there could well be claims against WBTS for unfair dismissal.
Sister drifter UK,
The Bethelites have to join a separate Religious Order, and make a vow of poverty. The vow and related paperwork is available on the Internet.
I should imagine the expensive lawyers the WTBTS adores have covered any inconvenient employment law issues!
However, morally, the WTBTS are guilty of outrageous abuse of the unfortunates who volunteer their time, money and energy to them.
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
(3rd attempt to get this posted – am I blacklisted here?)
The German Branch has taken care of this about 4 years ago. Here is the translation of an excirpt of a letter dated 9/14/11 that was leaked by a “Special Pioneer”, entitled “To all members of the Worldwide Order of Special Full Time servants of Jehovas Witnesses”, that was sent out to all “SpecPis” in Deutschland (if somebody cares for the original, let me know, and I’ll send it to Cedars so he could post it):
“Members of the Worldwide Order have pledged to do what they have been commissioned to do … To them, their obligation toward the Order, the Religious Community (of Jehovah’s Witnesses), and toward Jehovah is much more meaningful than any obligation a volunteer, or a pro bono-worker has toward a public or social institution.
Therefore, the designations “Volunteer Worker”, or “Staff” for members of the Worldwide Order will henceforth not be used any longer. The term “Member” is more appropriate and has no connotation of employment”.
Here we go: “HAS NO CONNOTATION OF EMPLOYMENT”.
I guess that says it all. Theocratic warfare at it best (worst). Any questions?
As @excelsior noted, Bethelites and Gilead missionaries are Special Order, but pioneers and publishers are considered “independent” agents or contractors. As marketing agents they were not compensated by a Watchtower salary (although a stipend was once issued but I believe this was eliminated), and Watchtower does not “hire” pioneers thus there is no employment relationship.
But, big picture time–we have this whole rebranding effort, glitzy HQ offices, video production to rival CNN or MTV, McKingdom Hall as the new single approved layout, and layoff of DO, Bethel and special pioneer volunteer types with mostly high school education. With the landscape being razed of the riff-raff [https://youtu.be/JxLS-cpgbe0], HQ could bring in “elite” [Dolce & Gabanna-class] “helpers” [think Divinity degrees or Watchtower trained types with HQ ordination].
Mckingdom hall hahahahaha! That made my night. Thanks!
Chew em up. Spit em out. Borg style. #thankwhomeverforsatanswelfaresystem
In my country, Australia, they would qualify for welfare. Great. We taxpayers will have to support them. It’s watchtower’s mess but the taxpayer will pick up the tab.
Hmmmm the welfate state that is an integral part of Satans System…how ironic!
Yes, but it’s not much. Barely enough to feed yourself and hardly enough to pay any rent for. The average house in NSW at the moment is around $350 a week outside the city. $700 in the city. Single people are forced to share with a number of other people. Food and electricity costs are through the roof. Welfare doesn’t cover it. Payments are around $200 a week. This is not enough to live decently. That is why a lot of people are homeless here. Plus nobody will rent a house or room out to someone on welfare.
“How these slave masters can dare to control where their fired servants live and wring out every last drop from them is beyond me.”
Beautifully said, Kyle. To be honest, I don’t believe the GB are just deluded, to be this nastily sneaky. As they have all the hallmarks of people with Narcissistic Personality Disorder they could be quite cognisant of their actions, and the only justification is because they believe themselves to be superior to anyone else…like any cult leaders. They know their actions are reprehensible, but they just don’t care, and will never admit that they are wrong. This latest action shows exactly who they are, and as far as I’m concerned the gloves are off.
Btw, it’s lovely to see you Kyle. Great article. Hope you and your family are all well. :)
Let’s hope everyone who is dismissed sends a letter to Cedars and then we will have a whole lot more to talk about. Seriously though dosen’t your heart bleed for these abandoned souls. They really did give their life sacrifice and all to no avail.That is a really big wake up call but God works in mysterious ways. rl
Imagine how we felt after our awakening to the fact that the WT is not the truth and that it s a modern day cult? I know my self after over 22 years serving in my congregation and as a 110% JW it took me a long time to adjust that I may have wasted a great portion of my life.It was a real shock for a long time. Now put your self int he shoes of special pioneers who for the most part put in decades of services and hard work and trusted that they would be taken care of with at least basic human needs? Then on top of that being given your walking papers and telling them ok we do not need you and cannot pay the little we were paying you so SEE YOU LATER and have a nice day! It has to be very DRAMATIC and all these things happening at once.At least in the “NORMAL” JW life most of the time a person has a job or has been in the job world for some time and can maneuver around within the system to provide for themselves and hopefully have developed some employment skills along the way but a special long time pioneer may not have any of those skills at all and whe he is fired may not be able to cope well.It makes it much worse. We should have empathy for our fellow JW friends for what they are going to go through even though we have awakened we have been where they are.
Does anyone know how much a special pioneer would receive from the WT per month? I guess it would vary
per country but does anyone have an idea? It is a sad day in JW land.
They also receive a car if I’m not mistaken?
Can they keep the car?
@Jaak,
According to the website where they sell their older vehicles, there should be more inventory in December 2015. So maybe they won’t get their cars :S
http://www.circuitvehicles.com/home/
@Jaak @Ayde if memory serves, the cars were reserved for CO’s and DO’s, and special pioneers got cars from the kindness of strangers and sometimes a deal off the recycled car website. Buy a (fleet discounted) car for CO, 80-90k miles on it, then re-sell to a pio (or benefactor) above market value for a high-mileage auto.
And, that’s how I earned my Cartier watch..
I agree with you, Holy C. As much as I’m angry for these Special Pioneers and other higher-ups (A couple of crusty old, bitter Special Pioneers were the ones who ‘studied’ with my parents and indoctrinated them into the twisted people they became) I do feel sorry for them as well.
Like you said, I was a JW for 40 yrs and much of that time I was a 100% one. I felt they (the JWs) robbed me of regular emotional development and experiences but at least I did get an education and a good job. When I stopped going to ‘meetings’ I didn’t have to change anything.
I’m sure getting kicked-to-curb, in the fact that these Special Pioneers will lose whatever money and benefits were provided to them, will be a wake-up call for many. When they realize, like we did, that they WASTED time, opportunities and money on NOTHING BUT A GREEDY CULT then I’m sure it will be time for a trip to the doctor, at the very least.
I hope they do form a large class-action lawsuit against the WT! Hopefully some of the Society’s lawyers are waking up with all of these things happening! Then something really big could happen!
Here in the U.S. their monthly stipend varies according to the region they are assigned. Since some places are more expensive than others you could get anywhere from $500 a month to almost $2000. It used to be $500 per month no matter where you lived.
I hope that more letters like this one are forthcoming and made public. Public is going to be the key because the letters themselves are not going to change the gb mind. They have shown time and again that they don’t care what anyone thinks. If the rank and file see the complaints for themselves it may help to awaken them to the abusive relationship that they are a part of.
Many will make excuses for the gb no matter what. They’ll call any complainers weak in the faith and say that they should trust in Jehovah more. Meanwhile these people who were once prestigious members of the JW elite are forced to come face to face with the dire consequences of their devotion. The gb does not care. They could at least write them a check for $15000 to get them started in a life on the outside. They can afford that easily. Especially if they can afford to give away tens of millions in lawsuits and settlements.
Adding even more insult to injury is the statement made in the new O.D. book. Where it says that the elders can assist the poor in the congregation by helping them apply for government assistance. I have no doubt that this was intended to apply to the newly unemployed bethelites and special pioneers then to a lesser extent the rank and file. It’ll be the congregations problem soon. The gb will wash their hands of it and guilt trip the local congregations into “caring” for these faithful ones. Disgusting
Thank God for Satan’s evil, wicked system of things that we are to be no part of and that is doomed for destruction at Armageddon for providing welfare assistance!
@chiafade – yes, even Satan’s greedy corporations [I can’t even a hold a straight face writing that] hold out a severance check, even if only 2 weeks, when they give “deadwood” the boot. Useful wood gets even more…
@Jbob. I remember going door-door in
a territory on my day off during the middle of the week and we would work this aerator where many JW’s lived and it was kind of a government assisted low income housing area and all the JW”s would be out working the territory and not working bc if the made over a certain $ amount for the month their rent would go up so one “ELDER BROTHER” tole me it isn’t it worth it for him to work more than 3 days a week bc if he did they would take away his housing voucher and he would be working for nothing so it was better for him to NOT WORK so he could go out in field service!It is good Satan’s system provided for him isn’t it? So he goes door-door proclaiming Satan rules the system and government and then goes home after field service to take a nap and not work so he can “QUALIFY” for the benefits of Satan s system! That would really bother me back then. I was doing a hard laborious long hour tedious job day after day 10-12 hours a day and on my day off go out in FS to support the group and get my “time in” lol and these lazy JW’s were all living in a lower income housing area just so they would not have o work. No differnt than anyone else.
Jehovah has always been a bad employer. I do not know a single person who has worked joyfully with him/her up to the end. “All is well that ends well”! Whay there is almost no happy ending with Jehovah.
Just few examples:
MOSES was severely punished and died before it was planned (to prevent him from seeing the land he had fought for), King SAUL died a sad death and family destroyed; King David’s wives were raped and family experience devastation with a sword and stories of rape among his children.
John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, was decapitated and Jesus end up hung on the CROSS or the STAKE depending on whether you are a Catholic or a Jehovah’s witness.
Today’s Jehovah’s Witnesses are cheerfully awaiting ARMAGEDDON… Stories of bad endings continue.
@Hakizimana Moses is the only one that I felt didn’t deserve to be punished. Jesus knew that he would suffer many things, including death. That was the purpose of him being sent forth to earth. John was innocent too.
But, Why did king Saul die a sad death? Why were king David’s wives raped? Why was that David had a lot of problem in his family?
Saying that King Saul and David worked joyfully to Jehovah up the the end, just show your lack of biblical knowledge. You must know that King David deserved to die because what he did with bathsheba. He committed adultery with her and when she got pregnant he decided that her husband deserved to die. According to the law back in those times, punishment for adultety was death. Why wasnt King David held responsible for adultery?
It’s easy to talk, but do your research before you talk nonsense. Now, regarding if jehova is a bad employer, you guys know jehova has not hired anybody. Governing body is the one hiring here. So don’t blame jehovah for that. Are you guys recognizing that jehovah is leading wt society organization? Doesn’t matter what the governing body claim, you guys never believe in that. So don’t believe jehovah is a bad employer because for many of you he doesn’t even exist
@Starlight of fire,
I am really saddened to read your comment.
You say “King David deserved to die because what he did with bathsheba”! It seems you have Jehovah’s mind…
If you had been David, what would you have chosen between your death and your wives’ rape by your own son (Absalom)?
You want to mean that David deserved death and then was spared at the price of his wifes’ rape?
Read Jeahovah’s mind from here http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2005365?q=%22calamity+out+of+your+own%22&p=par I will tell you who you are: A robot or a human!!!
Well lookey here! A bethelite perhaps? It’s nice to see that you have one foot out the door. Your being here proves that.
Please explain how God is backing this organization while it is ,at this very moment, suffering the same indignities as Christendom? When churches close and people stop attending its all “see Babylon’s waters are drying up! God’s judgement!” But when kingdom hall’s are sold all worldwide construction ceases (except for Warwick of course the retirement home) its “the end must be close the slave is simplifying”.
You can’t have it both ways. Or maybe in the future you may at the Mckingdom hall or the burger kingdom Hall whichever you prefer.
@Starlight of fire, how do you know that Jehovah is leading the Watchtower Organization? Can you prove that? If so, I would like to know what your proof is.
@Anonymous: read my comment again. Am I saying that jehova is leading at organization? What I’m @saying is that IF you know that Jehova is NOT leading Wt society, why can you say he is a bad employer? He can’t be a bad employer because he is not leading Wt society, governing body is the one to blame.
@Hikizimana: that was the law in David time. Many people died because adultery. It’s funny that you cited a watchtower article. Do you have the wt society as your authority? Do you believe in what they are teaching? Do you share jehovah mind regarding to what happened to David?
I don’t mean that his life was spared at expenses of his wives rape. That was the consequences of his sin. It was jehovah who punish him in that way.
@Chiafade: I’m not saying jehovah is leading wt society. It was a question. when you blame jehovah for being a bad employer, at the same time YOU are recognizing without any proof that he is leading the society. But because he is NOT LEADING the society, why do you blame him of being a bad employer?
@Starlight, I get what you are saying. My bad. I misunderstood what you were saying. Thanks for setting me straight.
It’s not my business, but I think maybe Starlight is defending Jehovah, rather than defending the Org. I think she/he is making the point that no one here should call Jehovah a bad employer, given the fact that no one here really sees it as being Jehovah who does the hiring in the Org, or who backs the Org. English may be Starlight’s 2nd language (I say respectfully).
But I’m wrong a lot, so who knows…
Exactly! Don’t blame the True God for someting He isn’t responsible for, because “The prophets (i. e., the self-appointed JW.ORG-prophets) are prophesying lies in my name. I HAVE NOT SENT THEM (!!!) OR APPOINTED THEM OR SPOKEN TO THEM (!!!). They are prophesying to you false visions (the end comes in 1877, 1878, 1914, 1918, 1925, 1975, before 2000, sooooooon), divinations (the UN will destroy all religions, and only JW.ORG will survive), idolatries (the FADS is your god & boss) and the delusions of their own minds (JW.ORG is a spiritual paradise, all is well, we are the best)”, see Jer 14,14 et al.
This probably goes without saying, but the purpose of my comment above was simply to clarify what Starlight’s premise may have been. It wasn’t an endorsement of her/his position.
Faded 20 years & never ever thought anything like this would ever happen in WT.
Its getting rid of the elite troops.
Myself I’ve been redundant twice, both times cushioned by redundancy money. But its also the loss of identity the I’m a “…..” is no more. I knew men who hated their job, with tears in their eyes at redundancy. It can hit a person on so many levels, I think the going rate is one suicide per 800 or so -I was told at the time. Some will be fine. But unskilled many will work long unsocial hours for low wages, been there too. What a group to treat so cruely, persecution would be much easier to bare.
It does look like a salvage & scuttle operation.
Buddy can you spare a dime
So glad my wife and I woke up after we grew more and more of the suspicious of the constant changes.So i started pokeing around on the internet to get information and stumbled onto this website. At first sceptical. Then I checked out jw facts..came back to this website and bam! Found the smoking gun…the secret rule book full of deluded nonsense..the secret letters lying and deceiving the members with the stealth thithing..The hidden paedophilia.. The screwed up generation teaching…the shunning. The socalled new light. Same old s.h h.i.tt..All those betelites needs to wake up and walk out and not allowed themselves to be continually duped. This organization is a cruel and vindictive litigious organization. The love they claim is only a thin veneer.
To Caltenese: Wouldn’t it be great if all the Bethel workers went on STRIKE! Mn, that would be a great new story. I can see it now on the o’clock news!
I’ve also heard or read that these ones are being told to “trust in Jehovah.” Isn’t that rich?
Leaders clearly aren’t riding the “trust train.”
You have an aging, unskilled, group of people who are now told to go into a world they left years earlier. These people are already educationally and financially disadvantaged, now add in the fact that many of them are in their declining years and may face health problems. And they have no type of medical plan.
Once again, we see that the organization is put ahead of people.
If there is any bright side, some may awaken.
The special pioneers I feel bad for becuase their life was placing cult literature. In the case of this letter decades!
I know some bethelites are skilled in construction trades so at least they may be able to make it. One bethelite who I know personally was a systems engineer in Brooklyn 90 sands building for over 20 years. He was asked to leave in his mid forties. No wife and no family in the org. When they met with him and asked him where he wanted to pioneer he said “I’m not going to pioneer!” “It takes money to live here so I’m getting a full-time job in the city”. He landed a job as a systems engineer in a factory just north of NYC making $10,000 a month. Would you like to know the jewel that some of the brothers were telling him when they found out? Be careful brother Satan could be using this to distract you from kingdom interests.
There you go! Satan takes better care of you than the organization will.
No doubt, even if the letter is a fake, with bethel’s closing down many find themselves in this position. No homes, no jobs and very few possessions, it’s very sad. Without question the Watchtower should, and rightly should, be made to pay and support these individuals. The government should hold the Watchtower responsible for the bill. If the Watchtower knew this was its policy then without doubt it is liable to provide aftercare for these ones.
“A worker is worthy of his wages’.
It was no doubt because of this ( trying to hold the Watchtower responsible) the Spanish bethel closed:-( Terrible treatment of the sheep indeed:-(
I have been in full time service for 15 years, including special pioneering and bethelite. My assignment in bethel was tied to legal and public relationship, in secular terms: lobbying. My conscience always faced the following dilemma: during the week I was working closely with witnesses coming to my office in bethel as external consultants, all educated in universities and driving luxury cars; at the same time we were sending letters to the bodies of elders which clearly stated that any elder “openly” promoting higher education should be removed.
I was raised as a witness and did not pursue higher education at the time, however, as soon as I climbed the Watchtower corporate ladder I realised that there was NO security. Humble full time servants were sent home so easily; brothers in high positions, as I was, could also be dismissed in a second due to internal politics that follow the same pattern of the corporate world. The higher I climbed the more I needed to watch my back.
This is a message for the many witnesses that choose to join the “internal secret resistance” (they try to change or fight the system from the inside): think ahead! Your situation is not sustainable! You may be afraid of fading and being shunned but there is a BIGGER problem you may have to face: poverty!
My advice is: go back to school, get a qualification, it is never too late! This is what I did: I prepared myself to safely leave the organization. When I made the big jump everybody was shocked: I was a very popular convention speaker, a shiny elder with authority (bethel desk, special committees bla bla bla): in a week I was gone, happily working as manager for a multinational. I got messages from brothers worried (or whishing) that I would end up homeless under a bridge… after ten years living on the ridiculous Watchtower allowance. Well… I had planned my escape: evening studies, side jobs, savings.
The emotional impact of loosing an income can be dreadful. Fear that MORE than loosing your circle of friends in the congregation. I don’t want to sound patronising but I AM INVITING THE HESITANT TO FEAR POVERTY MORE THAN FEARING SHUNNING.
My plan worked out: few years after fading away, I had completed a University Master Degree, I run a financial consulting firm, I remarried with an amazing girl (my ex wife left me because she could not imagine not to be married to a top-level powerful elder), and we have beautiful children.
Friends, if you pioneered for many years you developed very useful skills, because basically you were a commercial, a seller, and an operations manager for years: you can make a living with those skills. If you were a witness for years, you spent tons of hours studying, reading and preparing essays: instead of studying watchtower nonsense, study for a secular school at night and get some qualification, it will be less demanding than preparing public talks.
A final note about the legal implications of watchtower slavery: it has been tested on courts and unfortunately watchtower always won. Full time servants sign a legal document, the so-called vow of poverty; additionally, the religious or charity status of watchtower does not compel the borg to comply with standard employment laws. I don’t speak on hearsay: I was in the branch while some of those cases were brought to court. Also for experience I can add that watchtower is very powerful at lobbying: it was part of my job to develop contacts, having lunches with judges, participating in law reform groups etc. Oh, in case you find this surprising… forget the “no part of the world” rule that applies to everyone else: from Hospital Information services to Legal department, from Building Committees to International Convention Committees, the most important roles are performed by the watchtower lobbyists which use the same methods and political leverages of any other large corporation. Doing that job is what opened my eyes to TTATT.
Me 3.0 all I can say is, “Wow!”
You were the person I was hoping would finally come out and say something!
I am just so proud of what I believe to be young people ( I am 57) your bravery is inspiring.Your generation is not as trusting and intimidated by authority…
I love you guys
@ME 3.0 — The best public talk I every heard.(Me applauding at the end.) :-) Amen. As a matter of fact my youngest daughter came home a little upset a few nights back, because the CO was on the platform talking against going to college. I just flat out told her she could go to college and when she is older and has to pay her bills, no one form the organization will be looking to help her out.
@Me 3.0: Thanks for sharing your personal experience. This is very eye opening. Now we know “the truth about the truth”!
ME 3.0 – I wish you would write a book about your experiences if it did not compromise your identity.
Exactly what i was going to say! You are our hero!
IS this true? if so you are morally obligated to inform the rank and file by letter to all congregations. We have been duped on all levels but if you have high rank information then you have work to do. Dear friend i’m not angry at you but the system and its corrupt practice.How long did you see the rot so inherant in the system? I feel so ashamed to have put my name to this bad org but at least we are seeing some transparency. The elite are a wicked lot shameful and one day God will say “Let her drop” ruthless/ruthlee.
Great post and advice Me.3.0! – I agree – you can make it anywhere with the right attitude and willingness to buckle done and learn / work hard. Happy to hear that you are living a happy balanced life now. This corporation instills a feeling of helplessness in its members as they are continually taught to wait, rely and listen to it’s take on the world and by definition their life course – it takes a lot to break free of such thinking. My heart goes out to the older and infirm ones that were kicked out – even at this later stage in life I do believe that you can find happiness and contentment if you believe in yourself and your abilities whatever they are.
I completed an online degree when I was still in and I can personally vouch that this improved my earning ability dramatically which lead to a major change in my quality of life. Many online courses are cheap or even free – https://www.coursera.org/
Me 3.0
Very interesting and informative letter for those still sleeping in the organization. I was no where near to where you have been in the organization, but I did wake up, and like you,got my education and now make a good living and am free from those greedy and lying men and organization.I always believed the WTBTS was just a publishing corporation (we were/are called publishers), but you have provided a large amount of inside information confirming that they are no different from any other business corporation and worse than many of them. Thanks for all the information.
Panhandlegirl
@Me 3.0
I must add that your inside information is valuable and beneficial for all of us who have left.
Thank you for all your replies to my comment. You highly motivated me to share more of my experience and of what I know. The main issue with WT is not simply the damages and the errors but the fact that they are FULLY AWARE of what they are doing. too many folks still inside the org. justify all sort of things with the mantra “we should not expect a perfect organisation”. The problem I have with them is not about not being perfect but about being wilfully deceitful, masters of organised deception. Te issue is not doctrinal but ethical.
They don’t sell damaged goods out of negligence or incompetence: rather they are VERY DILIGENT AND COMPETENT in manufacturing and distributing what they themselves know is a damaged good.
3.0 great comments, I am still deep into the organization and so far all the exit doors lead to very difficult outcomes. Jeriamiah said he was just going to keep his mouth shut but the word of God was like a fire inside of him….over the last 20 years have repeatedly reminded myself to keep my mouth shut and thoughts to myself. ..but it’s not working.
Go for it pow. Is pow ,prisoner of war or POW dynamic and powerful? i think the spoil of this war will be our lives and our dignity because that is all that is promised. we will support you in our own feeble way but at least you know you are among friends not fiends and frenemies. ruthlee
@Me 0.3, you are totally write. The damage I have witnessed from “Other sheep” when I was a ministerial servant especially in sex matters (fornication, adultery, treachery, etc.) was not just happening, it was a surprise it was linked with Bible stories such as Angels having sex with humans (Gen 6:2-4), David and Bathsheba (2 Sam 12:11-12)! They were excuses for many people to justify their “crimes”…
The spiritual food JWs feed on is 100% aphrodisiac! Too much sex in the food….
*** g95 2/8 p. 16 Why Do I Have These Feelings? ***
It may be that a mother unwittingly aggravates the situation by disparaging her husband or by being overly possessive of her son. One study of effeminate boys made this observation: “Some of the parents had wished for a girl instead of a boy and had subtly encouraged their young son to dress as a girl or dressed him that way.”
Me 3.0 you have just answered another one of my biggest questions; Do the people, who are the higher ups in the JW org, know what they are really doing???
I mean, do they know it is all B.S. and all the bad stuff that is happening to the people who are deceived in the congregations.
So my answer from you is “Yes they do!”
I went to college while being a JW, my children all have degrees and are working on masters and JDs. We just never tell people and they do constantly ask. Some brothers gave me hell for going, a few were supportive. One elder grabbed me by hair once and asked me what the hell I was trying to prove. A 20 year old boy at the Kingdom Hall.
My parents taught me to never to listen to men as the bible warns us of that and it even includes the GB. I am happy as hell that I went and can make a very good living. And the funny thing is all the people that make comments at the hall about higher education always seem to come to me for legal advise. I always tell them I would love to help them but I am “cutting back to pursue my spiritual goals, you understand” and they have to say yes. Funny to see their reaction.
So don’t be week and do what you want. And the funny thing is all my extended family that went to college (five of us) are still JWs and the ones that didn’t faded away.
Me.3.0 Amassing story and I knew it was true all the time when I would get closer and closer to the ORG.
And when the “BIG SHOTS” would come around I could see how they lived and how fake they were.
I must admit there were many humble honest Rank and File JW’s that really believed it at the time and had good hearts although the top brass and GB and many CO’s and DO’s were just corporate hard liners and were very much part of the world with their attitude and the way they treated people.
So ME.3.O since you have faded and left and I assume it has been quite a while now would you object to writing your information and sharing your experiences with the Public or is that something you wish not to do for personal reasons? It can be eye opening for sure. Great information. I to faded almost 20 years ago. Fortunately for myself I had a better than average business mind and always found economics interesting and I have done wqell with my own business but I do know the deeling and desperation of being jobless as I was in blue collar union for several years and when the economy detracted we would get laid off for months at a time.
It is funny when stared my own business years ago the JW”s would accuse me of being materialistic bc they knew I was doing well financially and then many of them would come to be for personal loans
which most of the time I did help them out. Even though I was materialistic in their eyes they still went to me for a loan!even though I had faded!
Problem is Most JW’s don’t have skills to make a decent living. It is a sad day in JW LAND right now.
Me.3.O if you could write your experience and publish it that would be eye opening for many.
After my “fall from grace” for turning to the police instead of keeping my mouth shut…i put myself through college..bifurcated masters in science/nursing and criminology.
I was av 100-120hrs/mo..had over 20 bible studies..most of whom took the “dip”. Had parts a assemblies. Worked very assembly, usually cooking or doing dishes. 30 yrs ago, college was frowned on, even threatened those who dared attend college.
Im old and spent now, but that does not mean the pain is less. Some wounds time cant heal
My husband received a email from a Witness cousin of his, telling him about all the changes that they were told about in the Sunday meeting last week and how she worded it was “Jehovah’s chariot is going to hyper speed”.
I had told my husband about the changes before the meeting and told him how I knew was by going to this web site. So, he knew ahead of time. He also knew about how the special pioneers were losing their position and all the Bethelites being sent home too. So, he knew about the down sizing of the special pioneers and Bethelites but the rank and file (like his cousin) are not privy to that information.
So, his cousin thinks that Jehovah is speeding up the work but all these special pioneers and Bethelites are being sent home and the congregations (like his cousin) know nothing about the down sizing.
That is a demotion on the Bethelites and special pioneers, but will the rank and file know why they are being sent home and demoted? No they won’t.
That will be be very embarrassing to those people, especially when they can’t go around and advertise why they were being demoted and sent home.
If the Governing Body had told the entire association of Jehovah’s Witnesses about all the demotions and lay-offs, it would be very embarrassing to the Governing Body and it would show the whole association of “brothers” that the work isn’t speeding up but slowing down instead, so what the Governing Body did was to keep it quiet and only tell the special pioneers and Bethelites, so as not to embarrass themselves and let the special pioneers and Bethelites be embarrassed instead. They are cowards and will throw even the most devoted of their followers under the bus to save their own skins.
If these people have to move to get a new place to live, it could be quite expensive as most places in the United States charge $700 to $1,000 for a one bedroom apartment and you need a lot of money for the first month’s rent and they want double the first month’s rent so it’s at least $2,000 to find an apartment in the United States now in order to move. The money these people are getting is only the monthly money they usually receive. I think they’d have to quit pioneering right away and get a job so that by the end of the year, they’d have enough to move. I also get the anger that special pioneer expresses in his letter that he did not get an education so now it will be really hard for him to find employment.
Just last week, my 38 year old daughter who is a regular pioneer and working full-time also, was crying her eyes out because of how much she hates her job so I suggested she look for another job and she cried that she can’t because she doesn’t have the education to find a better job. She can’t quit her job to go to school either so she’s stuck. I suggested she give up pioneering and she got mad at me and said “that is the only thing that makes me happy”. What can I say????
Anonymous, that’s the most agonizing part of this whole thing. By the time we realize it’s all a load of lies, the cult has wrapped so many tentacles around us that we’d have to practically dismember ourselves to be fully free of it– but even then, we’d have to deal with the anguish of having lost the family and friends we love who are still in its grasp. I hate the no-good-options nature of all of this. I hope the Org does keep ‘speeding up’ in making decisions that are ultimately going to bring about its own demise, so that your family members and others can see the real truth for themselves.
I wish I could wave a magic wand and make everything better, but I’m not codependent–it is what it is. As dismal as the situation here seems, and as miserable as she thinks the job makes her feel (oh, what a good counselor or therapist can do to aid in thrashing out the source of feelings), there are countless examples (including Me 3.0) who have added skills (evening classes do wonders) while working, pioneering and raising family. Secular individuals do this under the heading of “reinventing oneself”–bankruptcy, divorce, death, downsizing, other life-changing events [STRESS] can cause a reinventing of self and purpose, not to exclude belief structure. This too shall pass, or that which does not annihilate us, makes us stronger.
I believe for those of us who survived(surviving) our experience with Watchtower, Inc, we are stronger, better, faster–more nimble and agile. That younger special pioneer may find herself going back to college, gaining a marketable set of skills, married and raising children well-rooted in Biblical beliefs, but with a self-determined future rather than living for Warwick and positioned to make contributions at the local, national and/or global level. The more mature special pioneer may well land as a “fixture” in a Watchtower congregation with honor and praise, or like many “out there” turn their experience into lessons for the Christians wanting to know “what’s up with those Witnesses”.
That’s an optimistic outlook. I hope you’re right. Personally, I’ve managed to un-invent myself, but I haven’t mustered up the energy to reinvent myself yet. But hopefully I’m the exception, rather than the rule. Oh well, somebody has to represent the “living in a van down by the river” contingent. There, now I’M whining to you TOO! You’re getting it from all directions, lol..
Isn’t it ironic that those who were possibly considered weak, materialistic and worldly are the very ones that the Watchtower turns to to help bail them out of the financial difficulties because of THEIR overspending, and those that the Watchtower considered spiritual are thrown on the scrap heap . . . Keep warm and fed and don’t forget to do your hours. . . Words fail.
Great job Kyle.
Thank you for your hard work on that article for all our benefit.
Perhaps a person with a legal mind/training could give an answer to this principle, it would be much appreciated.
Recently in the UK’s High Court a victim of child abuse, abused by a Jehovah’s Witness, was awarded £270’000 in compensation. The abuser was considered to be an employee (though a volunteer) of the Watchtower Society, therefore the Society was held responsible.
Could not that same principle be applied to employment law?
It is an outrage that the Watchtower Society when finished with its volunteers expects the state (to whom it pays no taxes to) to pick up the bill through our taxes. Could the Watchtower be held legally responsible to pay for I.N. Contributions, health insurance and pension plans and is this a possible reason for the recent closures in light of the recent legal standing mentioned in the High Court?
Apologies for the poor English.
@Jake .. ALWAYS ENJOY your Comments!! Always Well Reasoned Out & Logical!
You Don’t need to Apologise for your English ! It is 100 times better than MANY of the JW Supporters who criticise this site.
I Couldn’t Care Less someone’s BAD English or Grammar if they are KIND , REASONABLE & REALLY APPRECIATES This Site!
BUT I Critcise Someone’s English & Grammar IF THEY JUST COME ONTO THIS SITE to PRAISE The 7 GREEDY MEN in BROOKLYN who Like Rutherford & Beth SARIM …. More Concerned with LUXURIOUS BUILDINGS for the 7 PYGMIES than for the Bethel Workers & Special Pioneers & District Overseers!! …. JESUS Had NOWHERE to LAY HIS HEAD!! ..
APOSTLE PAUL … Supposedly One of the First Governing Body Members … WORKED as A TENTMAKER So as NOT to be a BURDEN on the Brothers !! He Travelled in DISGUSTING CONDITIONs on OLD WOODEN SHIPS which were at the Mercy of the Elements.., SHIPWRECKED on Occasions ; Attacked by Highwaymen,STONED & LEFT for DEAD!
The ONLY WAY RUTHERFORD was STONED was with BOTTLES of WHISKEY !!! & He DROVE Around in EXPENSIVE CADILLACS !!!
The GB are Like the Pharisees & other RIP OFF Religions !!
Hi Jake,
I am a lawyer in Australia and I presume, without having looked at the facts of the case, that the Watchtower was held vicariously liable for the actions of the rank and file member, if that member was held to be an employee. At least that is what the legal principle in Australia would be and our system is based on the British Common Law system. Vicarious liability is essentially an extension of liability to a controlled entity or a subordinate, so for example, employer/employee, but a Canadian decision has also held that Vicarious Liability’s ambit stretches to religion/priest.
It is an interesting argument because if you could establish the fact that they are in some manner of speaking “employees” or subordinates under the control of the WTBS, pursuant to the definition of control, not the control we think of, then you could ostensibly bring an action against the WTBS for a whole range of breaches of employment law principles, and their vicarious liability, noting their failure to adequately provide training, education etc. As a faded witness and now burgeoning atheist, I would like nothing more than to see the WTBS pay through the nose and support these people who have given their lives on a false premise and forgone, in many cases, the opportunity for higher education.
My extremely devout elderly mother (who lives with me) wanted to know why I was so irritated taking her to the meeting. I simply stated that I was angry at the society for getting rid of district overseers & special pioneers just be cause they didn’t want to pay their insurance or living expenses anymore. I told her they are now elderly and uneducated and can’t get a job or a home. I also told her that in the US that is considered abuse of the elderly. She didn’t have any reply to me…which was interesting because when I told her I was angry in the past on how they handled pedophiles she said I need to trust in Jehovah.
I wish there was someway to contact all the DO’s and special pioneers that are elderly (55 or older) and do a class action lawsuit.
…. my Master is delaying ……
….. by their fruits you will know them ….
Some of us have not suffered as they will.
I feel a sort of survivors shame.
Construction, “sacred service”, increases. Spiritual food decreases. Love of neighbor decreases. A physical activity is more important than a spiritual activity.
Like a rolling stone. Bob Dylan.
And I don’t mean to be rude but I lost count of how many times I was looked down on by Jehovahs Witnesses.
It’s accepted how we have, including you, been treated. No one is any better than anyone else and I love that. For those who are self righteous and look down on lordship
Sympathy for the Devil, Rolling Stones.
Today with the internet there are many resources to prevent investing an entire existence in supporting myths and proclaiming speculations as truths. If people love God and the neighbour there are many ways to do it without joining extreme denominations.
I am touched for example by people that do volunteering work to entertain children in hospitals.
http://www.childrens.org.au/ways-to-give/volunteer/entertainment/
This is more satisfying then standing next to a cart formally dressed engaging with people once every 10 hours if you are lucky.
Thank you “Cedar” for the information you researched and sharing it with us. I became a JW, baptized at Brooklyn in 1971. I got out of the WT around 1978 but for many years I was in “limbo” till 1997. Then I bought my 1st computer and finally I found enough evidence to prove to myself my decision to abandon the JW cult, it
was the right one. Today I don’t have any religion. I don’t believe that the Judeo Christian religion is true. “Religion is the opium of the people” (Karl Marx)
The WT definitely is downsizing and I wish will disappear from the face of the earth, together with bloody Islam. The rest, oh well, people need crutches to find any explanation of our existence.
@ Edward D’Agostino
My post-JW examination of religion has taken me to the same place – I feel the same way about religion; I share your sentiments about religion. I too am now religionless but do believe that a Supreme Being is responsible for creating the universe.
Same boat, only still hold to the Bible. If your ever looking for the http://www.JWfacts.com version of Islam please visit http://www.falseislam.org
Me 3.0,
I appreciate your comment and the insights you shared.
The GB as individuals may not be brilliant men, but they were smart enough to surround themselves with brilliant men. They have access to people who understand business such as the rebranding they are attempting. They have access to people who understand how to manipulate the masses through various means, including intellectual intimidation and the constant platitudes and bromides designed to make everyone feel good but are really empty and valueless. Their treatment of these faithful ones is unconscionable as is so many “rulings” they have made throughout the years that have cost lives and families in all sense of the word.
They have been preaching Armageddon since about 1884 and time and again have proven wrong. They are holding out a carrot that has come and gone. My own personal studies have convinced me that Jesus began ruling in 33 ce and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 ce was Armageddon. Further studies have led me to some “interesting” conclusions. I don’t blame God one bit for the false teachings of men. After much struggling with my conclusions and trying to wrap my head around them, I am finally free and at peace with my own beliefs. I continue in a role that I have been at for over 40 yrs for the sake of family (except I’m an informal, Bible only person for ministry) but one of these days my boldness may take over and I might spell it out for them. In the meantime I take refuge in this site. I learn from others and I find strength in finding so many who share the same struggles and joys. Some who comment have a wonderful sense of humor that brings a smile, we need that. Okay I’ve had my say, haha. For any reading this, have a wonderful day!
@eyes opened? So it sounds to me like you still attend meetings and go door-door? Yet, you do not believe what the WT teaches? Very amazed hat you can do that. What do you talk to people about going d-d if you don’t believe the WT? Do you say goos morning and Identify yourself as a JW and offer them a bible study? I understand hanging around for the sake of your family bc of shunning but to go d-d and the meetings and identify as a JW would be impossible to do for me especially if I o longer beleive it. How do you handle that?
JW.ORG is busy spending money on http://imgur.com/EWxGIv3
They are busy spending money on the Warwick retirement residence for the 7 GB lunatics while the laid of Special Pioneers & Bethelites have no such cushy retirement to look forward to……..these unfortunate ones may even have to continue working well into their retirement years. SAD.
Wifi, they make me sick. I think it was you posting Tony3 at this summer convention. Saying he was getting to choose his lodgings at Warwick, but not in Heavean, or some such drivel. I guess he and “Potato Head” Jackson will just have to discuss that with Christ Jesus when they see him.
REGARDING: “… downgrading to regular pioneer status to milk these poor people for more of their free time.”
The Governing Body hasn’t given up on its quest to ruin lives. In the Watchtower’s October 2015 Monthly Program, a pair of witness DINKS (Double Income, No Kids) are shown working their jobs, paying their mortgage and barely having time to attend meetings and go out in field service.
This couple is inspired by another couple that has simplified their lives and become full time pioneers. The DINKS decide that the road to happiness requires making a few sacrifices in order to accomplish this simplification.
They quit their jobs, sell all of their possessions and sell their house. It’s possible that they donated all of the money to the Watchtower. Since they aren’t shown selling their car, I assume they were living in it. Then they start their own business — Washing Windows!
Finally, the young couple gets a letter from the Watchtower and they end up in what looks like Africa, peddling Watchtower publications. It is doubtful that these two will be Special Pioneers for long, now that all the money is going to the Warwick palace and grounds.
Here is that part of the video: https://youtu.be/4d_N_kCO1Mk?t=29m49s
TY for sharing the link… smh that this is somehow *not* cult-behavior in their eyes.
Thanks for the link to the video. I’ll bet that section with the window washing couple was made before all of the Bethel layoffs.
@SCOTTW. No to put down a window washer but this is typical JW propaganda. Window washing and Janitorial services were 2 of the great skills a Bethel worker could learn. How many JW’s were snookered into doing janitorial work at night so they could PIONEER during the day.
Outside are the dogs and those who practice spiritism and those who are sexually immoral and EVERYONE WHO LOVES AND PRACICES LYING. from their mickeymouse silverabomination bible .That i may add they have taken out scripture which no one should do.verses 18 ,19 same chapter. Ezekiel chapter 7 the whole chapter!! This is not christendom this is those oh so holy guardians of the silver sword it will be turned upon them as they have self appointed greedy individuals to carry that name.ruthless
Sounds like a future group lawsuit to me
I left the organisation almost a year ago. It was just after the announcements of ‘mortgage-reliefs’, no debts towards the society, but instead giving at least the same amount of money every month, including a fair amount of all the savings. As a conditioned ‘organisational thinker’, I accepted it and highlighted only the seemingly positive aspects of the whole arrangement. “Wow what a loving arrangements, the brothers are relieving us from all debts!”. Of course, this twisted version was the main talk in the congregation. I can clearly remember my doubts that came up: “is this a loving arrangement? In the end we spend much more money”. But as a trained witness you quickly push that thought away…
Several months later I withdrew myself from the congregation. Not at all because of these issues, but because I am gay and I always tried to fight it away as something that just shouldn’t be there. It made me tired, sad, depressed and lonely. It’s a looong story that I can share with anyone who wishes in the future. I served as a regular pioneer, as an elder, served where the need is greater, visited MTS. After all, keeping busy was the way to keep up the fight right? Well………No………..it wasn’t.
To cut a long story short, I wrote a letter of resignation and left still thinking it was ‘the truth’. It wasn’t until later that I educated myself with sites like these and found out the real story behind everything. I was shocked initially, but right now it helps me to put my new life into (positive) perspective even quicker. I wasn’t trying to find information to justify myself, but bumping upon this information was a lifesaver and prevented me to go into even more mental conflict. As you’ll probably understand I was kind of tired of all the mental conflicts ;)…
I’m now married to a beautiful husband, who has been a loving, much needed support for me. I feel great, feel even closer to God than in the past! And oh boy, do I wish this for all the many zealous workers in the organisation that are still trapped into that mental pattern. I sincerely hope that this information will wake up even more people and will prevent more hurt. I sympathise with the many ‘special pioneers’ who are put off just like that and the many sincere, hard working Bethelites who will be tossed out without the loving care that they really need.
But I know from experience that if they wake up and change their thinking and rewire their mental pattern, they also will be able to create a beautiful, fulfilling life for themselves and their loved ones!
Thank you so much for this much needed information! I will use it whenever/wherever possible to help people to free themselves and build up a beautiful life in this beautiful “system of things”! Because that’s how I choose to view life now: beautiful! :)
Very well put, Stefan. Congratulations on getting free of this life-wasting cult. Thanks for your positivity. And it’s nice to here a story with a happy ending– or rather, a happy new beginning!
Stefan, loving respect to you. So glad to read your post. I believe you are going to help more people than you might think with your bravery.
Adventure onwards, Stefan, with your authentic beloved one, and your authentic beloved life!
I guess in hindsight this shouldn’t come as a surprise, since it wasn’t that long ago that they changed missionary school to only include Witnesses they were already housing and paying for, like special pioneers and bethelites. I haven’t kept up with that, but I’m guessing they’ve changed that again since then, if they’re getting rid of s.p. and a bunch of bethelites. My guess is it won’t be much longer before they get did of missionaries too. And along with that start selling off the Kingdom Halls they took control of and direct Witnesses to start meeting in houses again. Or maybe they’ll swallow their pride and start having commercial advertising on the Watchtower and Awake.
That would be great, San Diego.
Watchtower– Brought to you by: Beezlebubb’s Home Lobotomy Kit™. Want to keep believing you have the Truth? You’re gonna need our product!
Haha yup. Of course they’d have to start watering down their condemnation of business dealings with “worldly people”, just like they watered down their condemnation of the U.N. after becoming an NGO. One important bethel elder once talked about how just one small ad from Coke could pay for all their printing, but they were relying on Jehovah. If they did started using ads, it would be interesting to see what kind of spin they would put on that. The real question is, which would they capitulate to first: Advertising or bankruptcy?
I don’t think Coke would be interested in advertising in a Watchtower, San Diego. You see, there is a fundamental difference between Coke and the Org. What is that, you may ask? Well… wait for it… “Coke is the REAL THING!”
Boom! That just happened… (Unless that reference was lost on everybody reading it, in which case, I guess it didn’t happen, lol.)
Also do you remember “Coke adds life”. ruthlee
Brilliant, Ruthlee!
I really hope that anyone visiting this site that has been a victim of this organization before christfollowers agenda will contribute in exposing these wicked men.
This is a copy of the flat template letter these poor people are getting in Spanish.
http://m.imgur.com/4j4x8yh
Watchtower March 15,1969 p. 171:
“Many schools now have student counsellors who encourage one to pursue higher education after high school, to pursue a career with a future in this system of things. Do not be influenced by them. Do not let them ‘brainwash’ you with the Devil’s propaganda to get ahead, to make something of yourself in this wworld. The world has very little time left. ANY ‘FUTURE’ THIS WORLD OFFERS IS NO FUTURE!”
I feel very sorry for those laid off Special Pioneers and Bethelites who were misled by this crap and who will now have to fend for themselves.
Watching Star Wars episode 3, oh the irony.
FUTURE in 1969 dont make me LAUGH??? – (If you believe in a Creator and the Bible) – This corporation INSULTS the Creator by trying to work out when the end will come: King James Bible: “Matthew 24:36 – But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
My humble understanding of this passage is – be the person that your heart tells you to be – use all your faculties (including your brain) to follow all the Godly principles in your life without the need to work to a specific date or time – you would therefore a good EDUCATION, a regular INCOME and would have the ABILITY to SHARE your KNOWLEDGE, WEALTH and EXPERIENCE with your BROTHERS and SISTERS because if you are working to a DATE you will FAIL because only the Creator knows when the end will come.
@Kaput, they are very aware of that passage, but use it as a foil for deflating the Trinity’s definition of the nature of divinity thus it never registers as a defeat on “just around the corner” or “just ahead of us” urgency rousing speech. I think this verse was the best observation I learned regarding the human viewpoint basis for Watchtower beliefs and stop-thought. Some never thought beyond using the verse for counterpointing the Trinity, or if they did were chastised by the prequel to the GB 1.0 (beta-GB 0.2 w/Franz and Knorr?) not to worry their “pretty little heads over such trivial verses” [patronizing pat on head].
Ah, but don’t forget this little pearl of wisdom:
“If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things.” Awake! 1969 May 22 p.15
I first saw that on JWfacts. It is truly a classic!
Yes JB thanks for the pearl, I was 2 years old THEN – feeling slightly older NOW at 48…LOL
I was 5 and it was my first year of school. Still waiting……..rl
I am a similar age. I distinctly remember at about 4 years of age my parents telling me not to worry about going to school because Armageddon would be here by then. Then when I was about 10 not to worry about high school because we would be in the new system before I would be in high school. Then of course when I started at my menial job not to worry about dating because Armageddon will be any day now. Once I was married I was told maybe we should wait to have children in the new system because this wicked system is at its end, we are in the last days of the generation of 1914.
I am so glad we are not telling the same lies and putting that incredible pressure onto to our kids!
I am so happy (vindicated ) because those of us who left the cult for moral reasons did so because of the stuff we have seen come to fruition the last two years.My opinion of the WBTS has changed from decade to decade, year to year,and now from day to day,from what I thought was a good organization at one time, to one that was very narrow minded,to cult-like to cultist,to a international criminal organization. Much more dangerous that Jim Jones and more like the Russian Mafia.
With the blood issue,education,pedophilia payouts and cases ,change in doctrine,stealing of property and lay offs at headquarters,coupled with the internet, even the most faithful cult members will began seeing what going on.
I can’t wait for the rebuttal of the October broadcast. A particular piece of propaganda is an ex soccer player who quit soccer to serve Jehovah/organization more fully. He ended up in bethel. One statement he made is HILARIOUS in light of this letter and the bethel layoffs(past and future). “In the world you have no guarantees they use you up, but with Jehovah he guarantees everything”.
I couldn’t watch anymore it was a freaking disgusting piece of propaganda.
Most common reasons for people getting the sack–
1 business is closing down.
2 The need for a particular type of work has ceased
or been reduced.
3 a new process is being introduced.
4 a decline in business .
Other reasons may apply but always it’s the job or
the role that’s redundant, people are the casualties.
Business has no sentiment, even less so when it
fronts as a religion. The gb, has no legal obligation
to provide severance benefits, and it never fails to
to exploit that privilege to the limit. They send their
warm Christian love, but don’t bother looking for
the cheque.
Kyle, I especially liked your forceful comment quoted here in part,”…If Jehovah truly is backing the Watchtower organization, it therefore stands to reason that he is not even a mediocre employer…” He is not an employer at all in the every sense of the word.
According to businessdictionary.com, an employer is defined as “a legal entity that controls and directs a servant or worker under an express or implied contract of employment and pays (or is obligated to pay) him or her salary or wages in compensation”.
From that definition, is that Jehovah and/or Watchtower a good employer? By no means.
Perhaps the congregation elders could vote some monies to put stranded bethel,DO,SP on a parity with that of redundant staff of the respective countries?
When loyalty defiles conscience, it should be questioned.
I just thought of something. Isn’t going to be ironic when most of the workers left at Bethel have college degrees? I mean from a technology and professional stand point, IT Engineers, Doctors, Nurses, Lawyers, Financial planner and others have degrees for the most part.
Your comment made me sad because my poor brother has been in bethel for 15 years and you are right, they will probably only keep those with a degree (my brother has none). My mum and dad are CO’s in England and that is his only family so where can he go? I have told him I could help him but he doesn’t speak to me after I DA’ed.
@Scrubmaster .. YOU are SO RIGHT … IRONIC .. I said this to an Elder that how come when we had a Letter read to the congregation asking for Qualified ARCHITECTS,CIVIL ENGINEERS,STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS,SURVEYORS,Etc to work at New HQ at CHELMSFORD here in England , that ALL THESE JOBS NEED …. DEGREES before you can Apply to Trained for ? IRONIC INDEED !!!
Ironic indeed! What if all JWs did take the GB’s advice to not pursue higher education seriously, they certainly would find themselves in a spot of bother when they need the free labour of persons with degrees………all that money they would have to pay to worldly people to do the work.
The only way pursuing higher education is right is if the GB can get your free labour to enrich themselves.
God’s holy spirit seems to be very confused. On the one hand it is directing the GB to tell us to not to pursue higher education.
On the other hand it is directing the GB to recruit JWs with degrees for their various projects.