The thing that gets me is that the rule book, the Secret Elders Manual, "Sheepherding the Flock", is off limits to anyone, except Elders ! You can get accused, have a trial (with or without you), never see or know or get to question your accusers and you do not have access to the "WT law" book so you will know your 'rights
Spot on Rabbit. And what ever happened to the right to "face your accusers" as per Mathew 13?
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Several years ago, at the begining of my "life in a humpy" (see photos in my photos thread) I invited my father-in-law to come camping for a couple of weeks. Alan died a few moths ago but was an Elder at the time. We got on fine till we entered the subject of early christianity and its origins.
The old yorkshire man kept accusing me with "talking to apostates!" I protested that "yes, I have," but everything I was telling him was from my own research much while still an active witness. Eventually he solemly asked whether I would ever be going to meetings again. I thought about it and answered no. He was happy and relieved with that. I was clearly no threat to the flock and wouldn't require judicial action. We could remain friends.
A cynic like myself would say that the whole point of "sheparding the flock" is to protect society assetts. The Brooklyn Mafia are amassing a fortune on the backs of the humble "publisher." At HQ people are just data entry. The true value of the lower ranks is their free labour. Any corporation would love several million unpaid volunteers. The WTBTS is a smooth run business and I predict many changes to make it more profitable. E.G: I won't be surprised if the Kingdom halls one day get sold off/assett striped and the congregations are charged rent (rent for something they should own).
unclebruce