Hi everyone.
So this weekend I decided to tell my Dad about my being re-adjusted by the Elders. I gave him a cliff notes version of my meetings. I let him know that I was being disciplined for questioning certain procedures and being accused of bad-mouthing the Elder Body and that the term apostasy was mentioned. I also told him that I believed that JW Leaders do not know everything that they think they do, and that IMO a day was coming when they would be called to account. I also said that I found it disturbing that I was not allowed to have an opinion without being labeled as devisive or a candidate for apostasy.
I felt nervous because even though he is " worldly ", he is studying. I feel that he is studying to make my mom happy, and I really do not think that he will ever be baptized which is fine with me. He was very frank. He said that I should just do what I can while not letting anyone harm my marriage or my family. He also said that people in positions of power tend to become corrupt and want to hold on to that power. I know this doesn't sound all that important, but we DO NOT really talk so this was a double whammy for me. Without saying it, he seemed to be telling me to watch out for myself and my family. He also told me that I can't really change anyone's thinking and could make things worse for my family if I argue with the Elders. I replied that there is no defense against " authority " and he agreed. He said it will all come to light. I also told him that I felt compelled to speak up if something was not true, but I realized that you cannot reason with some people. I am hoping that I have taken a first step to some deeper conversations. Still I have to be careful because many in my family are Elders.
My dad also realated an intersting story to me. I have a brother who is DF'd. He was df'd about 16 years ago. I know for a fact that my brother experienced some abuse when he was young. So he acted out in different ways, and was eventually DF'd. I was always led to believe that the Elders really tried to help and that he was just so stubborn that they had no choice except to DF him. My Dad tells me that he was present for much of the proceedings and that the Elders were very cold and calloused. One in particular was extremely unkind, judgemental, rude, insulting, hatefull, pompous,ect.. My dad said that he had to excuse himself on occasions because he was afraid that he would say or do something to the Elders that would have made my brother's case worse. It did no good because he was df'd anyway. To hear my Dad say how evil he thought some of them acted was eye-opening. I asked " Why would **** ever consider going back after being treated so horribly?". He agreed that my brother wouldn't be motivated to return to the Dubs. Then he said that those Elders would get whats coming to them some day.
I am sure there was more but that is the gist of it. So what do you think? Have I opened a door? Should I just proceed with caution? Is there a direction that I should take this? I feel that I should just kinda wait and see. The crazier the Borg gets the more we can talk....