The WAY the doctor conveyed the information may have a bearing on your feelings , but would you let that determine your decision ? Probably not. Likewise, do NOT allow the wAY you are admonished to prevent you from listening to those whom Jehovah and Jesus may be using to let you know how you can help protect yourself spiritually. "
Oh how this article makes MY blood boil too as it brings back so many memories!! For one thing, I would have thought the term 'elder' meant just that. A man who had the wisdom of age behind him, not 20-30 year old upstarts, often still living at home with Mommy who were suddenly presented with far too much power than was good for them. And now they are being compared to Doctors. Give me strength
Back in the day when I was an active JW I can remember many occasions when groups of sisters (myself included) would need to bite our tongues and try to control our raging blood pressures as these inexperienced youths would Lord it over us all, telling us how to conduct our lives even though many of us were old enough to be their mothers or even grandmothers. I can recall several older sisters on various occasions being upset and humiliated and saying how they had prayed to Jehovah to give them the humility they needed to accept the rather dubious 'council' they had been given.
Even as an active JW I thought how wrong the situation was, and how much more sensible things would have been if the roles had been reversed and it was the mature, experienced, intelligent and compassionate older WOMEN who had authority, as there were times when a difficult domestic situation needed the guidance and advice of a knowledgable older female.