I have been around Jehovah's Witnesses over 40 years now and I was taught to answer all questions to the best of my ability with respect and honesty. If I did not have an answer I was taught to research and find one. When I started to find answers that prove the watchtower organization to be wrongly positioned as God's organization I still answer truthfully even if the answer makes the society look bad. What I see going on in online forums is a lot of angry and scared people trying to defend something out of base instinct. Jesus said we would know His disciples by their fruits. Many and not all mind you but many of the JWs tend to demonstrate more fruitage of the flesh than of the Spirit with their fits of anger, arrogant and dismissive attitude and lack of respect for the feelings and faith of others.
Much of what I see is when one of their doctrines cannot be supported with biblical evidence or when a flip flop of doctrine takes place we must accept the canned and scripted answer that Brooklyn poops out. And if we do not accept the word of sinful men over what is in the Word of God, we are apostates or otherwise unworthy of a truthful answer. Well, if I am an apostate I can say that I am in good company. Jesus was also condemned as an apostate by the hypocritical leaders of the then so-called chosen people of God. I would rather base my faith on what is in the Bible than what is in a bi-monthly magazine any day of the week.
The Bible never changes and neither does JHWH, The Rock. The watchtower changes when a few votes are cast by 9 sinful and senile old men in a board- room in Brooklyn New York
False Dates Slideshow
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Is The Hubristic Pride Jehovah's Witnesses Display A Mark Of Insecurity In Their Beliefs?
I posted the following at yahoo answers. It is amazing how some of the JWs responded.
Over the years I have noticed a lot of arrogant and puffed-up JWs go on the attack when confronted with questions they cannot answer. A study I was looking at indicates that some of them may be suffering from an inferiority complex.What is your take on this?
Is The Hubristic Pride Jehovah's Witnesses Display A Mark Of Insecurity In Their Beliefs?
Reference to the study at Live Science:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20081028/sc_livescience/grouppriderootedininsecurity
Here is the star post from an active JW that goes by the moniker "Desert Rose".
I have notice that you are in all the meeting ...but behind you criticize them....in front of them you are a good JW...but behind you attack them....Why people in this forum will pay attention to someone that acts as an hypocrite??Why you are not enough brave to leave them if you think they are false...that make you an hypocrite....Stand up and leave the KH of Jehovah ´s witnesses...be a man for once in your life..not a coward....people are seeing that you are insecure of your manhoodCANDI: I don´t go to churchs to make believe I am agree with them and behind criticize them....cowards do that...."
you email me: "Hi Rosie, to answer you honestly, I have to say that I attend meetings and when I have a question or a problem with one of the doctrines that sound unbiblical to me I approach the elders, hon.
"Like what?' that is false this planet will be ruled by Jesus Christ and transformed in a paradise?? and humans will inherit the earth?? that is false...right? prove it is unbiblical...if that is false prove me with the bible and what is the true if that is false
Source(s):
I am a Civil engineer professional working on my masters degree in Structural design
_______________________________________________________________
Amazing response wouldn't you agree?
Over the years I have noticed a lot of arrogant and puffed-up JWs go on the attack when confronted with questions they cannot answer. A study I was looking at indicates that some of them may be suffering from an inferiority complex.What is your take on this?
Is The Hubristic Pride Jehovah's Witnesses Display A Mark Of Insecurity In Their Beliefs?
Reference to the study at Live Science:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20081028/sc_livescience/grouppriderootedininsecurity
Here is the star post from an active JW that goes by the moniker "Desert Rose".
I have notice that you are in all the meeting ...but behind you criticize them....in front of them you are a good JW...but behind you attack them....Why people in this forum will pay attention to someone that acts as an hypocrite??Why you are not enough brave to leave them if you think they are false...that make you an hypocrite....Stand up and leave the KH of Jehovah ´s witnesses...be a man for once in your life..not a coward....people are seeing that you are insecure of your manhoodCANDI: I don´t go to churchs to make believe I am agree with them and behind criticize them....cowards do that...."
you email me: "Hi Rosie, to answer you honestly, I have to say that I attend meetings and when I have a question or a problem with one of the doctrines that sound unbiblical to me I approach the elders, hon.
"Like what?' that is false this planet will be ruled by Jesus Christ and transformed in a paradise?? and humans will inherit the earth?? that is false...right? prove it is unbiblical...if that is false prove me with the bible and what is the true if that is false
Source(s):
I am a Civil engineer professional working on my masters degree in Structural design
_______________________________________________________________
Amazing response wouldn't you agree?
Friday, October 24, 2008
Why Can't JW's Pledge Allegiance To The USA When Their Leaders Do?
Jehovah's Witnesses are instructed by their leaders to never salute a flag, pledge allegiance to, or ever to sing the national anthem of any nation because this activity is idolotry.
QUOTE
"There are other challenges besides persecution that call for courage on our part. For some, talking to strangers about the good news is a challenge. The courage of some schoolchildren is tested when they are called upon to recite a pledge of allegiance to the country or to the flag. Since such a pledge is virtually a religious expression, Christian children have boldly resolved to act in a way that pleases God, and their fine record has been heartwarming" (Watchtower of 3/1/2003 page 9 paragraph 5)
End of quote.
This has been going on for decades and I doubt that any JW would dispute my source. My question has to do with why the presidents of the Watchtower Organization are allowed to do this:
Further, I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of The United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations, or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
So, Why Can't Jehovah's Witnesses Pledge Allegiance To Any Nation When Their Leaders Do?
Reference Sources
Watchtower Documents web page
http://www.watchtowerdocuments.com/downloads/2008_Jehovahs_Witnesses_and_National_Oaths_of_Allegiance.pdf
WT 9/15/2002 Pages 21-22
Watchtower of 3/1/2003 page 9 paragraph 5
Scan of WT Pres. Nathan Knorr's signature swearing allegiance to the United States of America.
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/oathknorr.jpg
List of other WT presidents who also pledged allegiance to the USA in stark disregard for watchtower policy against idolotrous activities:
Application for United States passport #B1494270 issued to Nathan Homer Knorr on May 21, 1971, at the New York Passport Agency (approved May 19, 1971)
Application for United States passport by Charles Taze Russell issued March 7, 1910, (Passport Application Number 21454)
Application for United States passport by Joseph Franklyn Rutherford issued April 1, 1922, (Passport Application Number 136794)
Application for United States passport #733078 issued to Milton George Henschel approved September 22, 1952
QUOTE
"There are other challenges besides persecution that call for courage on our part. For some, talking to strangers about the good news is a challenge. The courage of some schoolchildren is tested when they are called upon to recite a pledge of allegiance to the country or to the flag. Since such a pledge is virtually a religious expression, Christian children have boldly resolved to act in a way that pleases God, and their fine record has been heartwarming" (Watchtower of 3/1/2003 page 9 paragraph 5)
End of quote.
This has been going on for decades and I doubt that any JW would dispute my source. My question has to do with why the presidents of the Watchtower Organization are allowed to do this:
Further, I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of The United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations, or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
So, Why Can't Jehovah's Witnesses Pledge Allegiance To Any Nation When Their Leaders Do?
Reference Sources
Watchtower Documents web page
http://www.watchtowerdocuments.com/downloads/2008_Jehovahs_Witnesses_and_National_Oaths_of_Allegiance.pdf
WT 9/15/2002 Pages 21-22
Watchtower of 3/1/2003 page 9 paragraph 5
Scan of WT Pres. Nathan Knorr's signature swearing allegiance to the United States of America.
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/oathknorr.jpg
List of other WT presidents who also pledged allegiance to the USA in stark disregard for watchtower policy against idolotrous activities:
Application for United States passport #B1494270 issued to Nathan Homer Knorr on May 21, 1971, at the New York Passport Agency (approved May 19, 1971)
Application for United States passport by Charles Taze Russell issued March 7, 1910, (Passport Application Number 21454)
Application for United States passport by Joseph Franklyn Rutherford issued April 1, 1922, (Passport Application Number 136794)
Application for United States passport #733078 issued to Milton George Henschel approved September 22, 1952
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Why Not Admit To Being Part Of The WT?
When out in door to door service I always identified myself proudly as one of Jehovah's Witnesses when asked what church I was with or if I was associated with the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. God hates a liar and a coward.
So I was on a blog a minute ago and read how I was wrong to be doing that! Imagine, I was baptized in 1981 and since then I have been wrong when I tell people the truth when asked my affiliation.
Here is a scan of the February 1989 Our Kingdom Ministry telling us to avoid telling that we are part of Jah's visible organization:
So I was on a blog a minute ago and read how I was wrong to be doing that! Imagine, I was baptized in 1981 and since then I have been wrong when I tell people the truth when asked my affiliation.
Here is a scan of the February 1989 Our Kingdom Ministry telling us to avoid telling that we are part of Jah's visible organization:
Source: ...publishers do well to avoid representing themselves as agents or representatives of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., or any other corporation used by “the faithful and discreet slave” to advance Kingdom interests (February 1989 Our Kingdom Ministry page 3).
Were you aware of this? I know I was surprised to read that.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Jehovah's Witness Elders Accused Again of Failing To Report Pedophile!!
Lori Coolican , Canwest News Service
Published: Monday, October 20, 2008
SASKATOON - Two women who were sexually abused in their adolescence by a trusted older relative say elders of the small-town Jehovah's Witness church in which they were raised did not report the situation to police after he admitted touching them inappropriately during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
"We were left to endure years of guilt and shame," one of the women wrote in a victim-impact statement read aloud by Crown prosecutor Krista Zerr during the man's sentencing hearing in Saskatoon Court of Queen's Bench on Monday.
"I felt like damaged goods."
Due to a publication ban on information that could identify the victims, the convicted man's name cannot be published. He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault earlier this year, on what was supposed to be the first day of his trial. In exchange, the Crown dropped charges of sexual interference and sexual touching, as well as a charge related to a male complainant.
Both victims, now ages 31 and 32, testified against the man at an earlier preliminary hearing. They did not attend court Monday. Justice Neil Gabrielson reserved his decision on the man's sentence until Nov. 21.
The two women grew up in a town of about 500 people, east of Saskatoon, and were not allowed to associate with anyone outside their religion, except during school hours, court heard. They frequently spent time at the home of the older relative and his wife, who were church members in their early 20s at the time.
"We trusted them, as Witness families would," the victims' father told the preliminary hearing, according to Zerr. "We assumed (the girls) were in a safe environment."
During one such visit, the man's wife suggested the girls allow him to give them "oil massages," Zerr said. One of the victims, who was 13 or 14 years old at the time, told court the massage involved lying face-down on the couple's bed with the door closed, naked from the waist up. It ended with him fondling her breasts repeatedly.
Her sister testified the man touched her breasts and vagina on several occasions when she was at the couple's home, starting when she was 12 years old.
The girls were given vodka to drink on some of their visits, and were invited more than once to try on pieces of lingerie belonging to the man's wife, who sold it as a source of income, court heard.
After telling each other about the abuse, the two sisters informed their parents. Their father confronted the man, who did not confirm or deny what had happened, and the matter was subsequently reported to church elders, Zerr said.
"There was no report to the police at that time."
Instead, the man received a lecture from the elders, and many in the community rallied around him because he regularly attended church meetings - while the girls were "treated like troublemakers" and encouraged to let the whole thing go, one of the victims wrote.
Their father and their abuser later became "dear friends, and would go for coffee daily," a situation which continues to this day, she added.
"We were trash-talked and slandered throughout the community . . . the religion abandoned us."
The Crown is seeking a jail sentence of two years less a day - which means the man will likely avoid a penitentiary term - while defence lawyer John Will argued Monday for a conditional sentence to be served at home.
Will gave the court several character references in his client's favour, signed by fellow church members and others, including the town's mayor.
Aside from "some serious mistakes many years ago," the man has led an "exemplary" life, Will said.
Saskatoon StarPhoenix 2008
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=c9d1bb57-3db6-4c5d-81d1-6f70fd9f1b4d
_________________________________________________________________________________
Mister Lorenzo here to say that this sort of activity is not only criminal but immoral. How can an organization that breaks so many civil and moral laws and still say it is God's Theocratic Organization? Something must be done to stop the abuse of our children by these monsters.
Published: Monday, October 20, 2008
SASKATOON - Two women who were sexually abused in their adolescence by a trusted older relative say elders of the small-town Jehovah's Witness church in which they were raised did not report the situation to police after he admitted touching them inappropriately during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
"We were left to endure years of guilt and shame," one of the women wrote in a victim-impact statement read aloud by Crown prosecutor Krista Zerr during the man's sentencing hearing in Saskatoon Court of Queen's Bench on Monday.
"I felt like damaged goods."
Due to a publication ban on information that could identify the victims, the convicted man's name cannot be published. He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault earlier this year, on what was supposed to be the first day of his trial. In exchange, the Crown dropped charges of sexual interference and sexual touching, as well as a charge related to a male complainant.
Both victims, now ages 31 and 32, testified against the man at an earlier preliminary hearing. They did not attend court Monday. Justice Neil Gabrielson reserved his decision on the man's sentence until Nov. 21.
The two women grew up in a town of about 500 people, east of Saskatoon, and were not allowed to associate with anyone outside their religion, except during school hours, court heard. They frequently spent time at the home of the older relative and his wife, who were church members in their early 20s at the time.
"We trusted them, as Witness families would," the victims' father told the preliminary hearing, according to Zerr. "We assumed (the girls) were in a safe environment."
During one such visit, the man's wife suggested the girls allow him to give them "oil massages," Zerr said. One of the victims, who was 13 or 14 years old at the time, told court the massage involved lying face-down on the couple's bed with the door closed, naked from the waist up. It ended with him fondling her breasts repeatedly.
Her sister testified the man touched her breasts and vagina on several occasions when she was at the couple's home, starting when she was 12 years old.
The girls were given vodka to drink on some of their visits, and were invited more than once to try on pieces of lingerie belonging to the man's wife, who sold it as a source of income, court heard.
After telling each other about the abuse, the two sisters informed their parents. Their father confronted the man, who did not confirm or deny what had happened, and the matter was subsequently reported to church elders, Zerr said.
"There was no report to the police at that time."
Instead, the man received a lecture from the elders, and many in the community rallied around him because he regularly attended church meetings - while the girls were "treated like troublemakers" and encouraged to let the whole thing go, one of the victims wrote.
Their father and their abuser later became "dear friends, and would go for coffee daily," a situation which continues to this day, she added.
"We were trash-talked and slandered throughout the community . . . the religion abandoned us."
The Crown is seeking a jail sentence of two years less a day - which means the man will likely avoid a penitentiary term - while defence lawyer John Will argued Monday for a conditional sentence to be served at home.
Will gave the court several character references in his client's favour, signed by fellow church members and others, including the town's mayor.
Aside from "some serious mistakes many years ago," the man has led an "exemplary" life, Will said.
Saskatoon StarPhoenix 2008
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=c9d1bb57-3db6-4c5d-81d1-6f70fd9f1b4d
_________________________________________________________________________________
Mister Lorenzo here to say that this sort of activity is not only criminal but immoral. How can an organization that breaks so many civil and moral laws and still say it is God's Theocratic Organization? Something must be done to stop the abuse of our children by these monsters.
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Watchtower Society Is The Regimental Flag Of Jehovah's Witnesses
In my research of the Watchtower Society, I found a rather strange statement in the Watchtower magazine. Basically it says that JWs need to pay UNRESERVED LOYALTY to the Watchtower Society. It goes on to say that a soldier always follows his regimental flag and that the Watchtower Society is indeed their flag.
From my experience as a JW I know that the indoctrination process continues to this day that it is vital to PAY UNRESERVED LOYALTY to the Watchtower Organization. Today I understand that saluting a flag is considered to be IDOLOTRY by Jehovah's Witnesses. The watchtower is itself an idol and part of the worship of the Greek Goddess Artemis of Ephesus.
Is God Really Going To Destroy Everyone But Jehovah's Witnesses?
There are almost 7 billion people on Earth and of that number there are about 7 Million Jehovah's Witnesses. So, if Armageddon came today, approximately 1/1000th of the population would survive according to what the Jehovah's Witnesses teach. That would mean that of the 7 billion living souls alive right this second, 6,993,000,000 would be executed by the loving and organized God of the Watchtower Organization.When Satan fell he dragged down with him 1/3 of the stars or angelic sons of God (Revelation 12:3-4). When God made men He made us a "...little lower than the angels." (Hebrews 2:6-7) Why then is (according to the Watchtower), Satan able to lead astray .333 of the angels but .9999999999 of Gods earthly children? If we are only a little less than the angels wouldn't it seem more logical that a little more than 1/3 of us would be destroyed at Armageddon? Perhaps even as many as HALF of us?I am really questioning this teaching of their faithful and discreet slave class. Do you think God would really butcher nearly 7 billion people and save only the Jehovah's Witnesses?
I don't. So once again I am led to question the validity of anything the governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses says.
Reference
Watchtower 9/1/1989 Pg 19 Paragraph 7:
Only Jehovah’s Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the “great crowd,” as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil.
I don't. So once again I am led to question the validity of anything the governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses says.
Reference
Watchtower 9/1/1989 Pg 19 Paragraph 7:
Only Jehovah’s Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the “great crowd,” as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil.
Are Holidays Really Not Biblical For Jehovahs Witnesses?
I was raised to believe that all holidays (Archaic: HOLY DAYS) are evil. In fact anything that is festive or celebrated by non-JWs is off limits and if a JW partakes in any of the festivities, and the elders find out about it you can be shunned and even put out of the congregation.I was researching this teaching and comparing it with the Bible and I found an interesting point that Paul wrote in Collosians 2:16
"So don't let anyone judge you because of what you eat or drink. Don't let anyone judge you about holy days. I'm talking about special feasts and New Moons and Sabbath days."
Now I don't like to cherry pick scriptures so in reading the entire second chapter I find that the context of verses 6-23 seems to be not allowing yourself to be forced into following people's rules or rather being free from the rule of men through Christ Jesus.How would you interpret this scripture in the context of chapter two? Am I right or am I way off base here by having Thanksgiving Dinner here at my home and doing the whole Christmas celebration at my brother's house this year?
"So don't let anyone judge you because of what you eat or drink. Don't let anyone judge you about holy days. I'm talking about special feasts and New Moons and Sabbath days."
Now I don't like to cherry pick scriptures so in reading the entire second chapter I find that the context of verses 6-23 seems to be not allowing yourself to be forced into following people's rules or rather being free from the rule of men through Christ Jesus.How would you interpret this scripture in the context of chapter two? Am I right or am I way off base here by having Thanksgiving Dinner here at my home and doing the whole Christmas celebration at my brother's house this year?
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Question At Yahoo about Bethelites and Retirement
Will You Help Jehovah's Witnesses At Bethel To Get Retirement and Health Benefits?
Why did the Watchtower Society fight Bethelites all the way to the Supreme Court of Spain in order to keep them from receiving Social Security payments? Don't these hardworking men and women deserve at least some sort of Social Security as they retire? How about Bethel here in the United States and abroad? Bethelites are being dismissed in droves with no retirement or health benefits. Do they need to sue the Watchtower like the Spanish brothers had to? Maybe we should!Below are some references. The letters are in Spanish for obvious reasons. If you don't understand Spanish, find someone to help you. Letter From The Spanish Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs Part 1: http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/...Letter Conclusion: http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/...A video I made in support of a friend and his coworkers at Patterson Farm and the other USA Bethel Offices who have been turned tot he street for growing old and infirm:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrH8kpexi...
Why did the Watchtower Society fight Bethelites all the way to the Supreme Court of Spain in order to keep them from receiving Social Security payments? Don't these hardworking men and women deserve at least some sort of Social Security as they retire? How about Bethel here in the United States and abroad? Bethelites are being dismissed in droves with no retirement or health benefits. Do they need to sue the Watchtower like the Spanish brothers had to? Maybe we should!Below are some references. The letters are in Spanish for obvious reasons. If you don't understand Spanish, find someone to help you. Letter From The Spanish Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs Part 1: http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/...Letter Conclusion: http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/...A video I made in support of a friend and his coworkers at Patterson Farm and the other USA Bethel Offices who have been turned tot he street for growing old and infirm:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrH8kpexi...
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The Promise Of Paradise & A Shovel
My folks got that knock at the door and received a married couple that were preaching about a coming paradise. They promised them fellowship with a brotherhood of true Christians who worshiped God with Spirit and Truth. What they got was something different. But more on that later.
The first thing that happened was my dad lost his job and we lost our home, because my dad's boss was diametrically opposed to the Jehovah's witnesses and he called them Watchtowerites and Russellites. Past experience is my best guess as to why he called them that. Either way my dad and the rest of us were out on our collective ass.
The couple just happened to have a vacant apartment with a store-front that they could rent to us. (Turns out everyone that lived at the old boss's place got a visit from this couple and they were all streeted and wound up renting an apartment from the JWs.) So we moved in and my dad opened up a electronics and communications repair shop in the store-front and we lived in back.
The next door neighbors were also JWs and were very nice people. We became friends with the kids and my folks became friends with the sister who was divorced and raising her kids alone. I also began my first year of school in a town that hated the JWs. My teacher was the Devil in Drag and made no bones about wanting to kick my ass every time I didn't salute the flag or draw a jack o' lantern or whatever else my folks forbade me to do.
Of course I puked every single morning before I got to school (Until 11th grade) and I cried for my little brother at lunch for a week, because he and I always had lunch together. I was not allowed any friends except JW's and we were a definite minority in that podunk little town. So I spent my time doing homework, fretting over the next day of abuse at school, and going to meetings at the kingdom hall three days a week.
One fun thing that we did do was follow the brother/landlord around as he did chores on the property. We learned a lot about fishing too from him and gardening. Once my brother saw him covering up a water meter cover by kicking dirt onto it. (That is a good story)! My folks were studying the truth book with the landlord and his wife, going to all the JW meetings and planning on getting baptized. My dad also worked in his shop and got a good paying job out of town and my mom worked herself to death caring for us.
Several months later dad was paying bills and noticed that the water bill was FIVE TIMES higher than the month before. He was looking around to see if there was a leak or something and could not find the meter to trace back where the line was under the ground. He was looking and my brother asked him what he was looking for. He told him what it looked like and he said that So-and So had covered it up with dirt. He showed him where it was.
When he opened the cover my dad saw that all of the apartments and the landlord's house had their water lines going thru our meter. My folks were now supposed to foot the bill for everyone's water I guess. No way! LOL My dad went to talk with the landlord but he was not around, so my mom said that when dad was at work, if she saw him she would ask him to talk with dad about the water meter.
She got up Monday and saw the man walking the property. She confronted him with me in tow. It got ugly right away. He said it was not her place as a woman in God's arrangement to question him. She still demanded an answer and he got really upset and hit my mom across her hip with his shovel. She screamed in pain and told me to go get help. So I ran out to the highway and as luck would have it a State Trooper was driving by, so I flagged him down. My mom didn't press the charge but we did move. So much for the paradise and fellowship with a brotherhood of true Christians. That was when I had doubts about this group called Jehovah's Witnesses. But my folks stuck with it....
The first thing that happened was my dad lost his job and we lost our home, because my dad's boss was diametrically opposed to the Jehovah's witnesses and he called them Watchtowerites and Russellites. Past experience is my best guess as to why he called them that. Either way my dad and the rest of us were out on our collective ass.
The couple just happened to have a vacant apartment with a store-front that they could rent to us. (Turns out everyone that lived at the old boss's place got a visit from this couple and they were all streeted and wound up renting an apartment from the JWs.) So we moved in and my dad opened up a electronics and communications repair shop in the store-front and we lived in back.
The next door neighbors were also JWs and were very nice people. We became friends with the kids and my folks became friends with the sister who was divorced and raising her kids alone. I also began my first year of school in a town that hated the JWs. My teacher was the Devil in Drag and made no bones about wanting to kick my ass every time I didn't salute the flag or draw a jack o' lantern or whatever else my folks forbade me to do.
Of course I puked every single morning before I got to school (Until 11th grade) and I cried for my little brother at lunch for a week, because he and I always had lunch together. I was not allowed any friends except JW's and we were a definite minority in that podunk little town. So I spent my time doing homework, fretting over the next day of abuse at school, and going to meetings at the kingdom hall three days a week.
One fun thing that we did do was follow the brother/landlord around as he did chores on the property. We learned a lot about fishing too from him and gardening. Once my brother saw him covering up a water meter cover by kicking dirt onto it. (That is a good story)! My folks were studying the truth book with the landlord and his wife, going to all the JW meetings and planning on getting baptized. My dad also worked in his shop and got a good paying job out of town and my mom worked herself to death caring for us.
Several months later dad was paying bills and noticed that the water bill was FIVE TIMES higher than the month before. He was looking around to see if there was a leak or something and could not find the meter to trace back where the line was under the ground. He was looking and my brother asked him what he was looking for. He told him what it looked like and he said that So-and So had covered it up with dirt. He showed him where it was.
When he opened the cover my dad saw that all of the apartments and the landlord's house had their water lines going thru our meter. My folks were now supposed to foot the bill for everyone's water I guess. No way! LOL My dad went to talk with the landlord but he was not around, so my mom said that when dad was at work, if she saw him she would ask him to talk with dad about the water meter.
She got up Monday and saw the man walking the property. She confronted him with me in tow. It got ugly right away. He said it was not her place as a woman in God's arrangement to question him. She still demanded an answer and he got really upset and hit my mom across her hip with his shovel. She screamed in pain and told me to go get help. So I ran out to the highway and as luck would have it a State Trooper was driving by, so I flagged him down. My mom didn't press the charge but we did move. So much for the paradise and fellowship with a brotherhood of true Christians. That was when I had doubts about this group called Jehovah's Witnesses. But my folks stuck with it....
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