I just got this link passed on to me. Unbelievable....I have been looking for some support and validation of my assumptions for a while. There certainly is a lot to contemplate here.
My story is too long to tell in the amount of time of have before my flight. However, I was an elder, I had enough of the biased and hyporcritical elders meeting; lack of genuine concern for the flock (we better call on so-and-so since its time for the circuit overseer's visit); neopotism; inconsistencies (you can't visit your disfellowshipped father, meanwhile, the elder in the adjoining congregation associates regularly); and fundamental questions that you are asked to not think about, since there are some things "hard to understand".
II was an elder for a number of years. Always criticised for my travel or hours of work...even though I got >10 hours/mth, fulfilled all of my assignments (switching of if travel could not be avoided), took a bookstudy group and weekend service meetings. I was a very good speaker, which lead to more talks internal to the congregation and requests externally from other Kingdom Halls. You do all of this, but you are critized for being "too worldly". TI have not exaggerated one bit.
I left almost 4 years ago. And I can honestly say, I feel more liberated than any time when I was a Witness. I actually can say that I finally have a clean conscious. Before, I was made to feel guilty based on a 'materialistic, or worldly' lifestyle. God, this was furthest from the truth. I have a son in Bethel, a daughter pioneering, and another daughter just finishing college. Yet, since the day I dissassociated and left my wife (hers'is another story of hyposcrasy), not one of them has seen me, called me, or has chosen to have any contact with me. EXCEPT, they have no problem getting >$5K of support off me per month. Yes! That type of contact is fine by them....but doesn't that make them 'materialistic'?
I have sent letters to all of them. Only once my son responded saying, unless I was prepared to come back to the truth, "we have nothing in common" and he does not want to see me...that's loving.
I found my pioneer daughter is getting maried in the fall of this year through my family members (not in the Truth) and they were asked not to tell me. She is marrying a bethelite.
When I left, my Christian wife used my credit cards to run up bills, of which I still suffer from a negative credit rating today. She issued an affidavit that has since been proven false in court documents that I possess. I asked you, why does she do these things and get away without any implications whatsoever? This is truth? This is justice?
Today, I have founded and I am President of a global software company. I am having more fun than I ever had. And I do not suffer from guilt or shame. It is this peace of mind that they shelter from their members. They paint a picture that is completely opposite than reality.
Maybe more another day....I must run now.
Thanks for listening.
Sprocket