Lots of Bethelites Not Happy With Downsizing

by Seeker4 106 Replies latest jw friends

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  Seeker4

  I had a long conversation last night with an old JW friend whose sister and brother-in-law are Bethelites since the 1970s. She is an artist, and he runs a small but important department there.

  We were talking about the Bethel downsizing (my friend was well aware of it), and I told him I figured his sister and b-i-l would be safe due to the fact that they are now in their 60s and have something close to 4 decades seniority. But he said no, that they were worried that they would be asked to leave as well, sent into the circuit work or as special pioneers sent where the "need is great."

  My friend said there is a lot of resentment, disappointment and frustration among the long time Bethelites who were told at one time to consider Bethel as a "lifetime career."

  It was an interesting and revealing conversation. I can't help but see this as backfiring for some of these Witnesses. We will likely see some of them coming here.

  S4
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  serendipity

  Didn't someone here say that ex-Bethelites make the best apostates?

  I can imagine as they fan out into the congregations, they will vent and more people will get insider info on Bethel. My uncle & aunt were very nearly stumbled out of the org after befriending an ex-Bethelite in their cong who was more than willing to dish. They had too much to lose financially and socially to quit the JWs, though. So they chalk all the events up to human imperfection and live the lives of liberal JWs.
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  Nathan Natas

  Any of them would be welcome here, especially if they bring some dirty laundry with them.
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  jeanniebeanz

  especially if they bring some dirty laundry with them.

  I hope that their eyes are opened, even if it is by a rude awakening such as finding out that their service now means nothing to the organization they have served so faithfully their entire life. These people would definitely be welcome here regardless of if they brought their laundry or not. Just listening to honest experiences that they have had at bethel would be appreciated. Jean
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  What-A-Coincidence

  2 weeks ago I received news that a bethelite couple got asked to leave. as special pioneers you say? nope. just regular pioneers back to where they came from. so much for sending them were the need is great.
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  dinah

  Okay., so WT retirement is to get your ass back on the streets.

  I hate those bastards.
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  johnny cip

  this could be what we have been waiting for. give it about a year or 2. some of these bethelites , will become very bitter. who know info the wts don't want to come out. just wait, we will all be very happy. the wt kicked these bethelites on the STREET. without a pot to piss in. john
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  Phil

  THese people who are of retirment age (or close to that) will they get any social security ate age 65 or so? My daughter has been a heavy financial burden for the last few years due to illness. It appears that her husband has received a promotion of some kind. I wonder what is in store for her. Any ideas? She is in Patterson NY.
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  misspeaches

  My thoughts on this matter....

  If they went to Bethel considering it a lifetime assignment and have been there for some years then perhaps they have no work skills? Are they going to be forced out in to the big wide world expected to support themselves with no skills? I feel for these people. They are in for rude shocks.
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  blondie

  Phil, that is the sad part about older JWs leaving Bethel, they have not paid into social security nor has the WTS paid in for their "employees."

  They will have to work 10 years total and pay in to qualify for retirement benefits based on their 3 highest years of salary. Some people paid in for a few years before they went into Bethel but at a lower salary. That is why Ed Dunlap, registrar of Gilead School, had to work several years into his 70's hanging wallpaper...no social security benefits.

  Blondie