I was observing my loyal wife sending out anniversary cards to other Witnesses,
as she has done for many years. If we were ordinary Protestants, we would probably
have a Christmas card list.
Another difference? We would likely get cards in return - which almost never happens
despite decades of being in the 'truth' and being zealous in many different
congregations. Jesus said that even Gentiles do good to those doing good to them.
All too often, Witnesses don't even risen to that minimal level.
I bump into Brother Chronically Ill at a store. I express concern about his health
and recommend a new drug treatment many are using with success.
After finding out I barely attend meetings, he excuses himself.
How nice to know that brotherly affection is only shown in direct relation to meeting
attendance! What wonderful imitation of Christ!
Sister W. shuns her father - who actually is in good standing in the same congregation
she attends! Without any warning he dies of a massive heart attack.
As an elder, I used to wonder: Does she ever lay awake at night and let the
tears roll down her cheeks, while thinking she never got to say "I love you Dad"
one last time? As I looked at my hall, I realized her hard-hearted attitude was
common - so much so that arranging groups for service or assigning talks
in the Ministry School was often difficult because so many "weren't talking to
each other".
Shall I go on? Do I need to? Should I tell you about the cold robotic atmosphere
at Bethel? Should I tell you about how no amount of kindness or years of
association with my fellow elders ever resulted in any close trusting friendship?
Need I go on about Witnesses doing business with each other - with cutthroat
aims and meagre ethics?
And how about 'worldly people'? You know, the 99.9% of the earth's population
who are going to be slaughtered by God - Soon! Years of indoctrination made me
feel like an apostate when I first sent a check to Amnesty Int'l or Habitat for
Humanity. Join the Watchtower or die does not engender a heart full of
tender consideration. Take note of the loud heralding done in the Awake
magazine anytime they can find something unselfish Witnesses actually do
for others, beyond stuffing tracts in their hand -- or NOT KILLING them
in warfare ( makes you feel all warm and fuzzy, doesn't it?)
And the children of Witnesses? I am unable to imagine any greater damage
or abuse that Witness parents commit that this: failing to emphasize
charity, compassion - and unconditional love towards others - while filling
the spiritual vacuum in their children with Watchtower pretense.
Do you want a selfish child? Do you want them to grow up to be cold,
neglectful, heartless, unfeeling? Then KEEP FILLING THEIR HEADS
and HEARTS full of JUDGEMENTAL WATCHTOWER NONSENSE!
Countless Witness parents are sadly "reaping what they've sown",
sitting alone, forgotten, unvisited after years of teaching their kids to be
good little "Armageddon-expecters" and loyal shunners. When did they
remember that love is MOST important.
I knew a vivacious, highly intelligent, independent young woman with a very
ethnic last name. Since she was in the public eye, I asked her why she didn't get
a stage name. She replied that she had such high regard for her father, she
couldn't even think about it.
I thought about my own distant child, raised in all the cold programming
of the Watchtower. This 'worldly' woman made me cry.
I don't offer these anecdotes as rare events - I think they fairly represent what
the 'truth' has degenerated into these days - a collection of empty-hearted
pretenses and dead rituals with monthly field service slips that have no
place to "count" love or charity.
If you are lurking out there, uncertain and confused, think carefully about
what I'm telling you. Don't waste years of your life hoping that the organization
will "change" - loving change can't come from the hearts of elderly Theocrats
who never had it to start with. Don't expect any "reform" either. Why would
men who elevate themselves as "faithful and discreet" ever THINK that THEY
EVER need to "reform". Perish the thought!
Never allow the Watchtower to dull your appreciation of compassion
or that of your children.
metatron