My first letter to the body of elders (from the beginning of the fade) (page 2)

AWAKE&WATCHING

I am very impressed - that was a fine job.

truthsearcher

OTWO, I am guessing that the reaction (or lack thereof) of the elders to your letters and fade has only helped to reaffirm (not that you needed it) the falseness of this religion.

Have you ever thought that if this had occurred in most other churches, the concern and effort to contact you would have been vastly different? I know that at our church, you would not have been "let off the hook" so easily. We would have really, really, really tried to understand and reach out to you. This would have been true "shepherding".

I know that is not what you want (to be bothered by the elders) but I wanted to let you know that you are worth that kind of effort and deserve so much more than this unloving and minimal treatment.

OnTheWayOut

OTWO, I am guessing that the reaction (or lack thereof) of the elders to your letters and fade has only helped to reaffirm (not that you needed it) the falseness of this religion.

I already knew this religion was false. I was very surprised that the C.O. washed his hands so
quickly and the BOE followed suit. It showed that they were possibly afraid of what I might say
or else (for the elders) were trying NOT to DF me.

Have you ever thought that if this had occurred in most other churches, the concern and effort to contact you would have been vastly different? I know that at our church, you would not have been "let off the hook" so easily. We would have really, really, really tried to understand and reach out to you. This would have been true "shepherding".

My best friend has tried to "reach" me. Other than him, nobody. I only thought of how
inadequate elders are really trained to handle stuff. If it's not solved by saying "Do more"
than it's beyond them.

truthsearcher

I was very surprised that the C.O. washed his hands so quickly and the BOE followed suit. It showed that they were possibly afraid of what I might say

Did you have damaging information about them specifically or just about the WT in general?

or else (for the elders) were trying NOT to DF me.

Another example of the famous double standard for the "good old boys' club"?

You said your bf tried to "reach out" to you. How is that relationship standing now?

OnTheWayOut

Did you have damaging information about them specifically or just about the WT in general?

I had nothing on them. I think the C.O. told them not to try too hard on me, as my
"doubts" might affect the elders negatively. That's what I really meant by "afraid of what I might say."

the famous double standard for the "good old boys' club"

Definitely. I was one of them. Don't DF him if he just keeps his mouth shut.
Don't hate the player for using the rules. Hate the game. I just try to get out
unscathed.

You said your bf tried to "reach out" to you. How is that relationship standing now?

My best friend is still a friend. He won't read any books I have, admitting he doesn't
want to introduce doubt into his own mind. He is doing everything a good elder should
do, but he is not an elder. We can talk freely, he doesn't look to turn me in, and agrees
that study and questioning should not bring disfellowshipping. I don't think it will last
much longer. He soon will have to reinforce the doctrine in his own mind and cut me
out. I don't think he will totally give up, but will have to let me be for a spell.

oompa

“We should have confidence in the channel God is using.”
Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using

Otwo, I can sure tell you spent a lot of time researching and meditating about this before you wrote this. It is excellent, and I am going to borrow snippets of it to send once in awhile to my dad. My wife will NOT listen to any radio station in the car if it has the least bit of static, (I will if the tune is good enough). TV is even more critical, sight and sound. If it is not a clear channel, you just can't keep watching it, no matter how much you want to see (believe) the program. If this FDS is gods channel, his signal is damn weak.......................oompa

besty

great letter - anything that works is great....

Always cracks me up when I see Acts 20:28 - a highly contentious if not completely dishonest rendering in the NWT.

Here it is in the NIV:

"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood."

And in the NWT:

"Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son."

- spot the difference :-)

Dorktacular

Dude! That was one of the most clear and concise "Drop Dead" letters I have ever read! Awesome. And it's all true. How could any JW NOT have doubts? Look at all the crap that's changed! My dad was an elder and he stepped down, too. He couldn't do it any longer. He's in a congregation now that has a shortage of qualified elders and they keep asking him but he won't accept the appointment. The WTBS is definitely a sinking ship. Too many doubts and unanswered questions.

OnTheWayOut

How could any JW NOT have doubts?

My best friend admits he has them. My wife pretends there is no reason to doubt but
I can tell she has doubts. My mother is so wrapped up in wanting the Great Tribulation
soon, but I know she has doubts.

A few of my elders from the cong. They have no doubts, at least out loud. They are just
so sure that Jehovah is overseeing this. Anything bad is proof that the end is near, and
anything good is proof that Jehovah's blessings are there. If something is changed in the
organization, then the light got brighter, so the end is nearer.

misanthropic

That was a very well written letter. I have to apologize, from the posts I've read of yours before I hadn't realized you used to be an elder.

My first letter to the body of elders (from the beginning of the fade)

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