An old man's childish small-scale rebellion

by TheOldHippie 23 Replies latest jw friends

  • TheOldHippie
    TheOldHippie

    I was a Socialist / Communist and a hippie before turning a Witness, always looking out for chances to disrupt the harmony and tranquility, for putting sand in the machinery of the authorities. Was a "liberal" elder for 24 years, always thinking people's intentions and attempts were the main thing, not looking for faults or shortcomings. But it always amused me when I could tell the co-elders they had handled things not in accordance with procedures, as I was very good at remembering things and loved it when I was able to point to incorrect dealings from the side of the "hardliners".

    Anyway, I resigned as an elder after 24 years half a year ago, in protest, after having written many and long letters and made sure my action was read and received by many; the issue was the extent of one's contact with disfellowshipped children, where I was not in agreement with official policy. The circuit overseer made my kettle boil over, when he asked me what I would do if another child of mine was disfellowshipped sometime in the future, if I would then comply with official policy? He gave me two weeks to ponder. The question and ultimatum was so surprising that one of the other elders even denied the circuit overseer ever said it ....... Two of the other elders said they did not know how to answer that one, either, and that they probably would have sided with me. Left two hardliners then to side with the circuit overseer. That other elders had done the same as I had, in other congregations, did not impress the overseer at all. His line was the correct one, he was the one who was in step, all the others were not.

    OK, back to the point I am trying to make after these side-tours. In my childish manner, I have started taking my Christian freedom back. I have no arguments with the organization when it comes to theology, as I have stated earlier, and I respect them / it for the tremendous job done in bringing out worldwide valuable truths as to the soul, hell, Name of God, nature or realtionship between God and Christ (trinity etc.) - it is the authority, the legalism, the structure, the points where the Biblical basis is lacking or unclear, and the chronological speculations I disagree with.

    So what does an old, previously anti-authoritarian hippie go about doing this? In my small, childish manner,

    - I have started to grow a nice moustache;

    - I have started not wearing a jacket at the meetings when I have no ministry school talks etc. to deliver;

    - I and my family leave the service meeting before talks with the contents of which we disagree, such as the one on how to treat disfellowshipped family members lately;

    - we leave the meeting when the circuit overseer visit us (the one of whom I wrote above) and he is about to start delivering his speech;

    - we come to the meeting after the same circuit overseer has given the public speech on Sunday, stay at the Watchtower study and then leave again when he is to give his concluding speech;

    - we never reply to the paragraphs / questions where we disagree with the contents;

    - when I give school talks on topics such as why we have changed beliefs at times, I use a couple of minutes to deal with the Pyramids, vaccinations etc., to show what was once taught;

    - when someone asks for literature of which there are revisions, I ask them which issue they want, the one with the people of Sodom being resurrected or the one where ethey are not, the one with spanking children or the one with not etc.

    It's nothing, it's not a revolution, but then I don't want a revolution, I just want plain decency, and to be able to make use of my conscience and freedom. AND I DO IT! You may critizise me for remaning within, but I stay because I choose to, because it is my firm belief - but I make use of my freedom at the same time. It's great fun - and it works so far.

    I'm taking my freedom back.

  • larc
    larc

    Old Hippie, my heart goes out to you. I understand you better after what you have just written. I don't know what else to say, but I can say that what you wrote filled me with emotion. I wish you the best, my brother.

  • Farkel
    Farkel

    Old Hippie,

    I kinda wished I could have been a Hippie when being a Hippie was kewl. I was a dub. Dang.

    As I recall, you and I have had our battles over the years, but when I felt you were right, I always defended your side. I had the same relationship with GermanJW. In fact, I think he and I had some FIERCE battles a few years ago.

    Welcome to your new freedom and welcome to the "Dark Side." The light may be dim over here, but in it's dimness, it's real and not made up and imagined. One of the hardest things I had to face when I left was that it was true: there IS nowhere to go. It's up to each of us to figure it out. Whatever "it" is.

    : we leave the meeting when the circuit overseer visit us (the one of whom I wrote above) and he is about to start delivering his speech;

    - we come to the meeting after the same circuit overseer has given the public speech on Sunday, stay at the Watchtower study and then leave again when he is to give his concluding speech;

    ROFL! I can't help but wonder what he thinks every time he gets up to speak and you folks immediately get up and leave! That is hilarious, and he can't do a thing about it. I think there is no finer way to insult an arrogant CO than that. Even I'm not devious enough to have conjured up that one and I'm fearless!

    Good luck fortune in your new journey, wherever it may lead you and your family.

    Farkel

  • Sunspot
    Sunspot

    "You may critizise me for remaning within, but I stay because I choose to, because it is my firm belief - but I make use of my freedom at the same time."

    No, actually it's quite the contrary! It's got to be a hell-of-alot harder to be an active participant (going to all those meetings knowing what you do) and continue to put up a "believable front" while you go about "business-as-usual" at the KH!

    Interesting concept--but personally, I couldn't do it!

    Each one has to do what his heart and conscience dictates.

    Hugs,

    Annie

  • sunshineToo
    sunshineToo

    And they haven't arranged a meeting with the elders for you yet, Old Hippie? Wow, you'd must be quite sneaky. Enjoy your life!

    Farkel, I have to say that this is the second post of yours that didn't make me laugh; I guess you could be quite serious when you want.

    Thank you all for your thoughts!

    sunshineToo

  • TheOldHippie
    TheOldHippie

    Larc and Farkel: Thank you for your kind words - I am really very glad and encouraged that you two responded that quickly. I have also had the firm belief that no matter how strongly we argued against each other, there was sincerety in the discussions and not prejudice, and that one was quick to defend against empty arguments etc which were aimed at the other one.

    Thanks again, I appreciate you two indeed!

  • messenger
    messenger

    I applaud your stand on the basis of principle, it will be sad when you are disfellowshipped. You don't piss off a CO without reprecussions. I give you six months...

  • FreeFallin
    FreeFallin

    Dear Old Hippie,

    I admire you for your courage. What you're doing can't be easy. I especially like:

    when I give school talks on topics such as why we have changed beliefs at times, I use a couple of minutes to deal with the Pyramids, vaccinations etc., to show what was once taught;

    - when someone asks for literature of which there are revisions, I ask them which issue they want, the one with the people of Sodom being resurrected or the one where ethey are not, the one with spanking children or the one with not etc.

    That should get a few folks thinking. Good luck.

    Free

  • Pathofthorns
    Pathofthorns

    I have been facinated with your posts for a long time Old HIppy. I am facinated because there seems to be an increasing number of those who wish to believe most WT "christian" doctrines but have become frustrated with WT authority and their inflexibility and arrogance.

    I think you know where your "rebellion" will lead. The protest is not sustainable and ultimately you will concede your time can be better spent elsewhere. I am sure you are not afraid of the inevitable and Iwish you well.

    One day you will be putting on your "meeting clothes" and be heading out the door with the family to attend the meeting and you will ask yourself what you are doing and what the point of these games are. One day it just ends and you never go back.

    Path

  • TheOldHippie
    TheOldHippie

    Again, thanks for all the kind words. I truly appreciate it!

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit