had this one in my files for a while,
DIARY OF AN ARMAGEDDON SURVIVOR-
Michael Pendley [email protected] ..
DAY 1
Well, the Big A is over and I survived. I made my way down to the Kingdom
Hall this morning. By the end of the day, most of the congregation had
gathered at the Hall. Some brothers and sisters are still missing. Ed
Thorn, our presiding overseer, told us that those who were missing should
have spent more time in field service.
DAY 2
Brother Thorn called a special meeting this morning. He announced that he
and the other elders would now be assuming full authority over our new
community until contact was reestablished with headquarters. All decisions
regarding community regulations, living arrangements, work assignments, and
other matters would be at the sole discretion of the elders. Sam Greene
objected to this dictatorial policy until Thorn pulled out a letter from the
Society dated several months ago which stated that, after Armageddon, the
local body of elders would be responsible for all decisions until otherwise
directed by the Society. Sam voiced no further objections. The rest of us
also accepted the new arrangement. The first new rule was not long in
coming – all brothers and sisters were required to report to the Kingdom
Hall at 8:00 every morning to receive work assignments and other
instructions.
DAY 3
Brother Thorn has assigned me to the burial detail. It seems that most of
us single brothers have been assigned this unpleasant duty. The dead bodies
are already starting to get to me. It sickens me to watch the birds and
other animals scavenge the corpses. I actually saw a raven pluck out an
eyeball today. Disgusting! Rob Johnson got a bulldozer running and has
begun to dig a large common grave. My job is to go around collecting bodies
and load them into the back of a pickup truck.
DAY 4
We had our first judicial hearing today. Larry and Sue Winters had moved
into the McRae mansion in what was once the exclusive Cypress Oaks
subdivision. The problem was that Sister Thorn had already had her eye on
the place and, as wife of the presiding overseer, she figured that she
should have first choice. Brother Thorn told Brother and Sister Winter that
they had no right to claim anything without approval of the elders. They
were ordered to get out of the house by nightfall. The Winters were very
disappointed but they agreed to move out.
DAY 5
At the morning meeting, the Thorns announced that they would be moving into
the McRae place. The Winters were livid, but they didn’t say anything. It
was also announced that the surrounding estate homes had been assigned to
the other elders. Position has privilege, even in the New World. Some of
the brothers have started calling the area “Elder Hill”. It was also
announced that anyone wanting to appropriate a home must first file a
request with the elders. I have decided to stay in my own house. It doesn’
t seem right to move into someone else’s home, even if they were worldly.
It makes me sad when I go into someone’s house and see the family pictures
and personal belongings. Most of the others don’t feel this way, it doesn’t
bother them to loot the dead.
DAY 8
The elders announced a new meeting schedule at the morning meeting. On
Sunday, we will still have the public talk followed by a study of old
Watchtower articles (until we get new magazines). On Tuesday night, we will
have a congregational book study. The Service Meeting has been canceled (no
need for it anymore) along with the Ministry School. They have been
replaced by an instructional session to be held on Friday night. This new
meeting will instruct us on how to conduct ourselves in the New World
Society. The best thing, of course is no more field service!
DAY 10
This burial work is taking a heavy toll on me. I can’t help but feel
saddened at the waste of so much human life. Why couldn't Jehovah have
found a way to save more people? The children are the worst, I can’t stand
to see their little bodies anymore. I don’t think I’ll report for work
tomorrow.
DAY 11
I didn’t go to work today. Ed Thorn came by later in the morning and asked
me why I wasn’t at work. I told him I didn’t feel well. He told me to get
to work, that everyone feels well all the time in the New World. He also
told me that depression and mental anxiety were things of the past. Of
course, he doesn’t have to bury the bodies.
DAY 14
It’s been two weeks now. I really miss things like electricity and running
water. I wonder if we’ll ever get those things working again. Rob Johnson
and I borrowed a generator from the Hall last night and hooked it up to my
television and VCR. We had a great time watching some “Star Trek” videos
and a tape of last year’s Superbowl. I really miss television.
DAY 20
Still no word from the Society. We have spoken to representatives from
surrounding congregations but the elders are not allowing any travel. Carol
Woods wanted to visit her sister in the next county to see if she made it
through okay, but Brother Thorn told her to stay put and be patient. After
all, she would have plenty of time to see her sister later. I think that
was a cruel thing to say.
DAY 30
We finally finished most of the burial work. I am so relieved. The
scavenger birds are still hanging around. I have grown to hate the sight of
the fat, disgusting creatures. One of the damn things attacked me today. I
guess they have acquired a taste for human flesh.
DAY 45
Many of the brothers and sisters are getting sick of being bossed around by
the elders. They run things like an old South plantation, we are the
slaves, they are the overseers. I have been reassigned to work on the
communal farm. It is hard work, but it beats the burial detail. Sam Greene
is organizing a Committee to speak to the elders about some of the
complaints that we all have.
DAY 47
The elders found out about Sam Greene’s attempted “rebellion”. At the
morning meeting, he was publicly reprimanded and told to pray for a humble
spirit. No one is to speak to him until he has shown proper repentance. I
can’t believe that we are disfellowshipping people in the New World!
DAY 51
Today a messenger finally arrived from the Society. Wade Peters, a young
Bethelite, arrived on horseback. He told us that the Society has moved all
headquarters staff to Patterson after the destruction of New York City. We
also received the first post-Armageddon Watchtower (now issued quarterly).
Many of us had hoped that it would contain information allowing us more
personal freedom but we were disappointed to read that we were to keep
following the instruction of the local elders until further notice. He also
gave the elders a copy of a new procedure manual (titled “ORGANIZATION FOR
THE NEW WORLD”), but none of us were allowed to see it.
DAY 69
My best friend got married today in a shotgun wedding! Rob and Sally
Kennedy were discovered together while engaged in a heavy kissing session.
Sally’s blouse was unbuttoned and Rob had his hand on her exposed breast.
After a judicial meeting, Brother Thorn announced that they were now
married, without a ceremony or anything! Rob objected strenuously,
explaining that he and Sally had not had sex. Brother Thorn, however,
declared that the decision was in keeping with the new elder procedure
manual. Sally seems happy enough but Rob is in a state of shock. I
remember he once told me that he liked Sally’s body, but thought that she
was as dumb as a box of rocks. Now he is married to her forever. I’ll have
to remember to keep my hands in my pockets when I date any sisters.
DAY 80
The newlyweds are not getting along. There has been a lot of gossip about
their horrible spats. Rob confided to me today that he went to the elders
in an attempt to get the marriage annulled. They told him that according to
the Society’s new procedure manual, no divorces or annulments would be
allowed for any reason. In addition, all marriages now have to be approved
by the local body of elders.
DAY 81
Sam Greene was reinstated today. He is still unhappy, but keeps his
thoughts to himself now.
DAY 89
We are all in a state of shock! Rob committed suicide today. I guess the
idea of spending eternity with Sally was not acceptable to him. The elders
refused to let us hold a funeral service. I volunteered to bury my friend.
Brother Thorn instructed me to bury him in the common grave where we had put
the worldly persons. No one came to the graveside, not even his widow. I
said a prayer for my friend. I will miss Rob greatly.
DAY 100
Life is becoming miserable for many of us. The elders keep placing new
rules on us every day. We are told we must lead holy lives of service and
submission. No dissent or discussion is allowed. It seems like we had more
freedom before Armageddon. I never thought I would be nostalgic about the
old world.
DAY 111
I can’t take it here anymore. I am going to travel to my brother’s place,
about a hundred miles from here. Traveling on foot, I think I can make it
in about five days. I wish I could get gasoline for my car. I’ll have to
sneak out, since the leaders still aren’t giving anyone permission to
travel. I have stored some food and plan to leave tonight after the curfew.
I hope my brother is still alive, maybe he will know if Mom and Dad are
okay.
DAY 112
I made it out of town today. I wonder if they miss me yet? The destruction
in the countryside is incredible. How will we ever rebuild everything”? I’
ve seen quite a few skeletons already. I guess there is still a lot of
burial work to do before we build a paradise.
DAY 113
I ran into a group of brothers from Westview congregation. I was detained
at gunpoint! Brother Thorn had gotten word to them to be on the outlook for
me. I am furious! Why can’t I visit my brother?
DAY 114
Ed Thorn and two ministerial servants arrived today to escort me back “home”
. They were all carrying guns.
DAY 115
After my attempted escape and several other disciplinary problems involving
other brothers, the elders have now set up a gun-toting police force. I
was, of course, disfellowshipped at the morning meeting. I have been
assigned to latrine duty.
DAY 116
I was instructed to report to the Kingdom Hall after work for “additional
instruction.” I saw Sam Greene and a couple of other “troublemakers” there.
We were subjected to an hour of “reindoctrination,” mostly the usual crap
about maintaining a servant’s spirit and not to think too much of ourselves.
We were told to come back next week for more of the same.
DAY 123
I blew up today at the reindoctrination meeting. I told Ed Thorn that I was
sick of him acting like a theocratic Hitler. I also told him that I was
leaving the community and that he better not try to stop me. Big mistake.
Thorn called his police force in and had me arrested. I am being detained
under armed guard in a makeshift jail cell in the Kingdom Hall basement.
DAY 124
My judicial hearing is scheduled for tomorrow. Sam Greene came by to see
me. When the guards were out of earshot, he told me that his efforts to
contact the Society about the local elders had done no good. He had been
told by the Society to keep quiet and obey the elders without question. Sam
is very depressed about this and about my situation.
DAY 125
My judicial hearing was held today. Ed Thorn acted as lead prosecutor. I,
of course, had no defense counsel and could call no witnesses. After the
hearing, which was held in secret, I was judged guilty of being an
unrepentant apostate. I was solemnly informed that according to the Society
’s instructions (as contained in “ORGANIZATION FOR THE NEW WORLD”), the
punishment for apostasy is death by stoning. My execution is scheduled for
tomorrow.
DAY 126
Well, this is the end. Later today, I will be led out for my execution by
stoning. I would rather be shot in the back of the head, but the Society
obviously feels that a stoning provides a better object lesson. If I get a
chance, I will throw one of the rocks back at Ed Thorn! The funny thing is
that I don’t really feel so bad about my impending demise. This New World
Society is not my idea of a paradise and I don’t want to live with these
people for all eternity. From paradise regained to paradise lost again.