Posted by Gilead [Guest] on November 10, 1999 at 15:40:16 {AAJB0ph6mYysuHkrDaEoni6QXcPL8M}:
In Reply to: *Some thoughts on the WTS posted by MorePlease! on November 10, 1999 at 12:15:08:
LA
I am in a postion to answer your question, first I didn't say that many were opeing up their eyes. In fact many do not tend to think analytically. That's what keeps the permafrost in place.
As to who benefits, remember the benefits are not always monetary. How fine it sounds at an anual meeting to say, "Our increase is up X% or we are now in 250 lands or printing 23 Million copies. So the benefactors are those statiticiens who often fug=dge the numbers. That's right. Just think Brooklyn has no way of verifying that Columbia or Zaire actually has a 15% increase. And the publishers in the country don't have the whole picture. But the brother who sends the year end report does know how he got the figures.
I'll tell you about that later. I'm just answering your questions.
As to why many stay, think of the entire fabric of freinds relatives business contacts and others tying binds members have. In fact in Africa and Central America many JWs are all living in one compound. So to leave would mean to get out on ones own.
Case in point, My fleshly sister and husband are at bethel, he's been there so long he'd be hard pressed to make it own his own. I know our heavenly father would take care of him as a son and human being, but the thought of leaving bethel not to mention the org is all too horrifying for them. And it'g giving them what they need, recognition and glory.
He'd love to say how many showed up for his saturday talks, more than the CO, and how he got better accomadations than the CO or DO. Plane tickets to and fro for his saturday talks. Giving 3 memorial talks because he was so popular, now you aren't going to get that recognition outside the org. He'd be silly to leave on those conditions. He and many many more there love the attention.
I've had my fair share as well. Later I'll tell you of how the Missionaries in one country planned their 1998 collection from the friends back in the states, on conventions some would come back with upwards of $6,000 in cash money from the gifts of the brothers, thinking we were over in Africa slaving under the hot sun, when really it's a racket.
Most were in their rooms under the AC or told the local people to come and study at the missionary home. Or down town in the decent areas trying to look like business people. One had a lucrative gold connection going on till war came and broke that up.
So I've gotten windy here but I tell you some more stories from the front.
Best Wishes
Gilead