Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life, I Mean Nervous Breakdown

by Perry 23 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Perry

  When I was still active, I asked an elder and his wife once about some of the Society's policies on child abuse both emotional and physical. Now, this is way back in '93, way before Silentlambs and all the media attention.

  They both agreed the policies were backwards and should include more professional counseling. The elder even volunteered his own pet peave about how the Society constantly extols the plight of those who escape a violent end (thru divine protection as a JW of course); and how that only makes JW'S who have actually lost someone in some tradegy seem like Jah doesn't care.

  After an enjoyable chat, the elder and his wife warned me not to think about it too much. They said that they once had really good friends who started asking similar questions and now they are out of the truth. We both agreed that that would be a diaster. The dissonance did its work.

  My experience cannot be isolated. The cognitive dissonance must be simply overwhelming for some. I know two fleshly brothers who are both elders who haven't had a decent night sleep in years. Though clueless as they are as to the source of their disturbance, they must know that something is high-jacking their conscience. Hell, I know ex-jw elders who are now out that are still disturbed when they contemplate the lives they helped destroy through the shunning policy on committee meetings they sat on. In many cases, those lives and the family relationships they cultivated over a lifetime are forever abolished. A truly frightening crime before God if there ever was one.

  Unless the Society comes up with another 1975 deadline or a Generation Doctrine that nails down the global bloodletting to 'a few short years', which by the way is the only real cognitive tool elders have to justify playing the facilitator for the society's hideous policies; then I strongly suspect that more elders will, through sheer mental necessity start to step down and possibly have the guts to leave an apology behind to the members who still cling to the Towers' nipples. And, that is exactly what is needed: more elders to speak out, in the organization, about their shame in being a stooge for a lying fascist cult.

  OOOOPS, there I go getting all worked up again. Another lobotomy please!
• 

  Tashawaa

  Many elder have left - even Ray Franz, GB, wrote a book exposing the falsehoods and the crisis of conscience. IMHO, this has no effect on those who wish to remain suckling. Don't forgot, those of who left are labelled "weak" "disobedient" "rebellious" etc.

  I've had conversations like you described when I was in. These folks are still in (hmmm, the use of the word "folks" jolts my mind to the Reasoning Book... like who really ever uses this word?!?!?)
• 

  stillajwexelder

  Hell, I know ex-jw elders who are now out that are still disturbed when they contemplate the lives they helped destroy through the shunning policy on committee meetings they sat on. In many cases, those lives and the family relationships they cultivated over a lifetime are forever abolished. A truly frightening crime before God if there ever was one.

  Exactly where I am right now -- guilt feelings -- will God ever forgive me for the disfellowshippings I have taken part in ? Sad -- I thought I was doing God's work at the time
• 

  Perry

  will God ever forgive me for the disfellowshippings I have taken part in ? Sad -- I thought I was doing God's work at the time

  stillajwexelder,

  I had a friend once that was disfellowshipped. A few years later, he got back in just so that he could do the fade and still talk to his mother. Anyway, while doing the fade, he talked to one of the elders that did this to him. The elder admitted that he probably should have never been disfellowshipped.

  While this is a far cry from an apology, I could literally see the weight of shame and guilt lifted off my poor friend. It confirmed what he suspected, that he was not worthy of death.

  Elders always do the society's dirty work while believing it is God's work. Otherwise they would be psychopathic as opposed to just deceived. However, as they say in business; It may not be your fault but it is your responsibility.

  It is not God whom ex-elders need to be asking for forgiveness, he understands their stupidity. The people whom elders have wronged are the ones that don't understand and continue to carry the dung heaped upon their name by unscrupulous pawns of the Society.

  If you truly want to be responsible; Have you tried contacting those people whose lives you helped destroy and apologized?

  I enjoy reading the "Great Escape" novels that ex-elders are famous for writing about on this board as much as anybody.

  But, what I'd really like to see is more stories how ex-elders tracked down the people they wronged and asked how they were doing.
• 

  stillajwexelder

  Perry -- do you know - -that is a great idea- -- perhaps I could even make that my mission in life -- the only otherway strange as it may seem -- is for me to reach out again -- become an elder -- but refuse to do judicials --and only do shepherding - -however, I would then be guilty of shepherding people to keep them in a religion which is based on lies, deceit, misrepresentation and ruining peoples lives -- no I think your idea is best
• 

  Flowerpetal

  Perry:

  ......then I strongly suspect that more elders will, through sheer mental necessity start to step down and possibly have the guts to leave an apology behind to the members who still cling to the Towers' nipples. And, that is exactly what is needed: more elders to speak out, in the organization, about their shame in being a stooge for a lying fascist cult.

  I wish there was a way to contact these elders and let them know that there is a big, whole group of people behind them to support them if they did speak out. IMHO, something is going to happen somehow...things just can't keep going the way they are going.
• 

  sf

  Hell, I know ex-jw elders who are now out that are still disturbed when they contemplate the lives they helped destroy through the shunning policy on committee meetings they sat on. In many cases, those lives and the family relationships they cultivated over a lifetime are forever abolished. A truly frightening crime before God if there ever was one.

  Hell, this is the core of much of my hate towards TheseMen and TheirGoverningBody. Weird to see it in writing!

  It too is the core of why I don't see Bowen, Franz or any other exjw man who has gone 'against' WTBTS, as a saint. Well, maybe PB and Tommy. Look at the damage that what one day they uttered in the name of their religion has and is still causing. How can you consciously overlook this monumental dynamic? I can't!!

  I'll never get over what was uttered to me ThatDay, 26 years ago. I can only imagine what was said all those days later in the congregation. What is still told to my mother about me and my actions today? Now, as an ex elder, how can you ever really get past the damage you had a gainful hand in??

  sKally
• 

  Frannie Banannie

  Another lobotomy please!

  LOL, Perry!!! I no labotha you, you no lobotha me....eh?

  Frannie B
• 

  Euphemism

  stillajw... just wanted to say one thing.

  The hurt on those various people was a product of their entire JW experience. You were just one cog of the machine.

  I'm not trying discourage you from endeavoring to find these people and help them... that would be a great work. But the harm done to these people is far more than what you may have had some hand in.
• 

  stillajwexelder

  well thankyou euphemism -- I think that makes me feel a little better