My first letter to the body of elders (from the beginning of the fade) (page 3)

OnTheWayOut

I have to apologize, from the posts I've read of yours before I hadn't realized you used to be an elder.

I am sorry I used to be an elder. BUT- Why would you have to apologize?

Trevanian

Good question. I was wondering the same thing.

OTWO, are you still a JW?

Because your letter makes a case for more than only resigning from the body of elders.

OnTheWayOut

OTWO, are you still a JW?
Because your letter makes a case for more than only resigning from the body of elders.

I am totally faded. I attend no meetings, but my wife and mother are active JW's.

By the time I gave this letter, I had already removed doubts about the WTS being
a false religion. I just accepted the blame for falling short of the spiritual requirements
for being an elder because, while it may be a bit tongu-in-cheek, it leaves nothing for
them to dispute me on. I don't say the anointed outside of the Governing Body have
no input, or that the Governing Body is unknowable. I imply them.

I know that WTS is a false prophet, a mind-control cult. I just don't want to find out if
my mother will shun me as an Ex-JW. She probably won't, but my path has allowed
me to just fade from the congregation.

Trevanian

The Fade is certainly the most graceful way to extricate oneself from the tentacles of this religion.

(If you're lurking here and thinking about doing it *just do it*, really, you can thank us later.)

But here's the thing.

If you truly believe it's a complete crock, and not just something you're "not ready for in your life right now", if you deep-down know it to be absolute rubbish, then why not go out with a bang?

Well, because of wives and mothers and so on.

So, OTWO, I like your strategy of elegantly combining The Fade with The Big Bang.

OnTheWayOut

if you deep-down know it to be absolute rubbish, then why not go out with a bang?

That's a good way too. Everybody has their circumstances and will decide what they
will tolerate. Some feel that the fade is too restricting and won't allow them to do as
they really want to do. Some say it's lying to loved one. I choose to lie to them a bit,
but not really. I state my mind, but hold my tongue.

If you have ideas about a different way, post them, ask how it worked for someone here,
try it. Some have suggested neither fading nor a big bang, but just walking away all at
once without fanfare and without answering questions. That's the best fade if you can
get away with it.

misanthropic

I have to apologize, from the posts I've read of yours before I hadn't realized you used to be an elder.
I am sorry I used to be an elder. BUT- Why would you have to apologize?

I feel like I overlooked that before when I was reading some of your other posts, unless of course this was your first time mentioning it.

Sunspot

EXCELLENT LETTER!

I DO hope several JWs "of importance" will take the time to actually READ what you have said, and just not toss it off as foolish ramblings as they are known to do.

I honestly cannot see how anyone could argue your well-made points, but I am sure they will come up with something in Watchtowerspeak that will suffice in their own minds. I was only a lowly publisher in bad health that was not of much "use" any longer in the congregation, but when I wrote my DA letter, I hasd brought out how at my baptism that I had asked God for a good conscience.

From the thirty years spent IN the organization (and what was exposed ABOUT IT on the internet), it was becoming quite clear to me that what I was "sent forth to teach others" was now going AGAINST my conscience, and I, "IN GOOD CONSCIENCE" could not continue on with teaching OR believing what the WTS teaches any longer. I had no desire to meet with anyone to have MY attitude adjusted.....I had made up my mind long before writing the letter.

I would suspect that you had it all settled in your heart and mind when you did the same.

I wish you the very best in your future path AWAY from the WTS.

hugs,

Annie

OnTheWayOut

I was only a lowly publisher in bad health that was not of much "use" any longer in the congregation,

Thanks everyone.

Sunspot, everyone in the congregation should be a lowly one. They say that, but they don't mean it.
Your saying you were not of much use to the congregation- while sad, that really is how they feel.
As soon as I was rejecting responsibilities, I was of no use, they were done. Now, I am just a statistic
that is supposed to be addressed every now and then. Even there, they find that to be a burden.

The entire organization is about what you can do for the organization.

OnTheWayOut

Thanks jackcrabbe for opening up like that. When I spoke with a loyal jdub who is not an elder,
he said, "That's for minor sins, right?" He said, "They don't disfellowship a repentant publisher who
is not an elder either anymore for these sins, correct?"

My point is that he is typical of an attitude that, if they learn of this double-standard, they should make
excuses for it.

My words were carefully phrased. I didn't believe the elder should be DF'ed anymore than the publisher
should be DF'ed, but he should no longer be an elder when it happens. His judgment should be
heavier. Yes. Instead, the publisher must get back into his humble obedience to the organization
and lose his status (privileges) for awhile. Meanwhile, the elder who confesses the same is examined
to be doing a good job, so that's his proof that Jehovah is blessing his eldership. No reproof, no loss
of privilege, no embarrassing announcement, just the good old boys dismissing the whole thing in
an hour or two, then putting him back up there on the pulpit.

What untold rules do you suppose the Governing Body has for stepping aside from such responsibility?
"Well, he's just a frail human, making mistakes. But it is clear that since he votes with the majority,
God's spirit is upon him."

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

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