Hello! I am brand new here. Just thought I would add my "two cents worth" as they say. I basically have become very hurt and feel so let down. I have been a JW for about 20 some years, never thought that I would ever be so bitter. I know that people are imperfect, and I try to be objective. But when you have been hit with the self-righteousness one to many times, you begin to wonder what really motivates people.
Last year was a rather hectic year. My husband had a heart attack and had to undergo bypass surgery,6 bypasses to be exact. The doctor said that there was a possibility that he may not be around to much longer if this wasn't done. In fact, they said that by the severity of his condition, he should have been dead! Well, long story short, he made it just fine and is fully recovered. But, 4 months later, he had a major accident on his job and was laid up again for about a month.
As you can see, a very stressful year for us. Consequently, my meeting attendance kind of slacked off. I was physically and emotionally drained. I just did'nt feel like going for a while. In the mean time, a friend of mine in the cong. came to my home about 2 months later and said that because we were not attending "enough meetings" they really could not associate with us. I just sat there, totally dumbfounded and speechless! She had a stack of printed info from publications at least an inch thick justifying they're reasoning. I asked her why? What had our family done that was that offensive? I said that you obviously know what we have been through, but that the meeting attendance would pick up. She then proceeded to tell me that"well, I can only go by what the society says" What is up with that!! Talk about kicking someone when there down.( as she was speaking to me, I had the flu and felt terrible). Her husband is an Elder by the way.
To conclude, this is just one of many negative experiences I have had over the years in this area. I think there is an underlying problem with some in congregations with people thinking that others must live up to they're own standards before you are considered acceptable in they're eyes. It seems to be a trend at times. I thought that being a christian meant just that-define the word- christ-like. Where is the christian in these " I am and you're not" attidudes. Looking forward to you're thoughts! Thanks.