Posts by roybatty

9

Elder burn-out

by roybatty in

jw
friends

while responding to another post, i started to wonder how many other current or former elders out there have also seen the high turnover rate among elders.

before i left the jws a couple of years ago, i was an elder for about 4 years and within that time i saw the local elder body drop from eight to four people.

even before that it seemed that the elder body had a revolving door on it.

roybatty

>>They use so-called privileges to set the hook and lead you ragged and tired and will spit you out after years of loyal service.<<

Yeah, I get a little sick every time on my drive home from work and pass by the new KH and think about the time and work I put into that building only later to find out how much the WT Society benefited from my slave labor. Well, at least it’s by far the ugliest new building in the area (too cheap to put in windows or real wooden doors).
I don’t ever recall any serious talk among us elders on how to help former elders get “back on track.” Most of the time we just commented on how spiritually weak this men were. I guess it’s really no different then working for a large corporation, you’re just another “resource” to be used up. Wish every JW could experience what it’s like to be an elder.

9

Elder burn-out

by roybatty in

jw
friends

while responding to another post, i started to wonder how many other current or former elders out there have also seen the high turnover rate among elders.

before i left the jws a couple of years ago, i was an elder for about 4 years and within that time i saw the local elder body drop from eight to four people.

even before that it seemed that the elder body had a revolving door on it.

roybatty

While responding to another post, I started to wonder how many other current or former elders out there have also seen the high turnover rate among elders. Before I left the JWs a couple of years ago, I was an elder for about 4 years and within that time I saw the local elder body drop from eight to four people. Even before that it seemed that the elder body had a revolving door on it. True, one or two were removed for breaking the rules but others either started to have family problems or they simply got burnt out. Is this still a problem? I feel so sorry for all those guys out there that think that becoming an elder is the “golden ring” only to later find out just how screwed up the WT Society is. Anyone else have similar thoughts or observations?

8

Women in the "Truth

by hillbilly in

jw
friends

howdy all!.

first, i'd like to thank all of you for providing a diverse and enjoyable forum.

in my opinion, the lack of good "debate" and discussion of veiwpoints are some of the things that made my 'active duty' days less than enjoyable.

roybatty

>>If hubby is not "reaching out" wifey is not exposed to the political nonsense. It occured to me that elders, ms' and other key folks in the cong have dismal home lives because their priorities get distorted. <<

I agree 100% that priorities get totally screwed up. Soon after being appointed as an elder at the ripe old age of 27, I was conducting a bookstudy, doing the second school, and was the Service Overseer. Since there were only three other elders in our congregation of 100 people, we also had at least one part either on the school or the service meeting (usually two parts though). This added to making “shepherding calls”, being on judicial committees (groan), giving public talks, building a new KH and leading the “brothers and sisters” out in service left little time for my family. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t all bad, I really enjoyed helping people with their difficulties but I have to warn all male JW’s out there that becoming an elder will affect your family (and marriage) for the worse. As a general rule, when the CO comes around and hours are down or meeting attendance is down, he expects results and he doesn’t care how much time you as an elder have to spend away from your family to get it. Why do you think the elder turn over rate is so high?

25

US Cowards?

by Kent in

jw
friends

will they be the ultimate cowards, and make the biggest asses in history of themselves, or will they tell the israelis to start behaving?.

since 2 seconds after the first plane hit the wtc, the israelis has been busy running their own agenda - and they still are.

the last, peace negotiations are off!.

roybatty

Where is an Arab better off? One who is born in Israel or one who is born in Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Pakistan, Iraq, or Iran? At least in Israel they can become a citizen and have a voice in their government. Kind of ironic that "freest" place in the mideast for an Arab who to live is in Israel.

Israel, the only true democratic country in the mid-east.

5

The borg is an abusive spouse

by lauralisa in

jw
friends

hi..... last night i read a post by stevieb1 entitled "my personal turmoil".

i went to sleep thinking about his/her experience and appreciating the insightful responses to it, in particular neonmadman's.

like he, i found almost instantaneous relief from incapacitating depression when i extricated myself from the stronghold that the borg had on me.

roybatty

Interesting comparison. Abuse is abuse is abuse.

"Turning the tide, you are on the incoming wave
Turning the tide, you know you are nobody's slave" - Peter Gabriel

5

Familes of those DA'd & DF'd

by roybatty in

jw
friends

i was wondering what others have experienced after being dad or dfd with regard to their jw family.

im not wondering so much how they treat you but what are your feelings about them.

i was raised as a jw in a really close family.

roybatty

>>I get the feeling that UK dubs don't apply the DFing rules as strictly as across the pond, they seem to be much more half-hearted than over there.<<

Hey Englishman, I would agree with that. Actually, when I was a JW, the JWs from Europe that I met seemed a lot more laid back. Here in the States watching an "R" rated moving was a BIG no-no, but the JWs I met from Ireland, England and Holland didn't see what the big deal was. I kind of wonder if the rules about talking with df'd ones are also lax.

5

Familes of those DA'd & DF'd

by roybatty in

jw
friends

i was wondering what others have experienced after being dad or dfd with regard to their jw family.

im not wondering so much how they treat you but what are your feelings about them.

i was raised as a jw in a really close family.

roybatty

I was wondering what others have experienced after being DA’d or DF’d with regard to their JW family. I’m not wondering so much how they treat you but what are your feelings about them. I was raised as a JW in a really close family. I was DA’d a year ago and have gone through many emotions regarding my family, from anger to feeling sorry for them, from missing them to well, now not even thinking about them. I’m not sure what others did but I let my family know that I harbor no ill will toward them, I still love them and that they are more then welcome to contact me anytime they want for any reason. Their response? “You know the rules.” Cool. No problem. Adiós.

One recent event kind of gives an example of my feelings toward them. My sister and her husband are Bethelites and after hearing on the news about the tragedy at the WTC it didn’t cross my mind to find out how they are doing. I was glued to the news reports about the people who lost their lives and what I could do to help. Later on I thought “Oh, I wonder how my sis and her husband are doing?” Is that what happens as time goes by? Does one just forget about them? Is that a good or bad thing to forget about them? How about on the other side of the fence? Does one’s family also just forget? What are things like 5 or 10 years down the road? Just curious what others have experienced.

81

Nourishment for the Spirit

by Maximus in

jw
friends

my observation is that persons who 1) heal/adjust the most rapidly from their jw experience and 2) seem to have the most joy in life are those who read, read, read, in pursuit of what i call nourishment for the spirit.

i've really enjoy the pithy aphorisms you use here, which suggests you've distilled some wisdom from somewhere.

i'm going to ask your help in this thread.

roybatty

Don't know if it was mentioned already but the book "The Road Less Traveled" is an excellent book. Can't say that I agree with everything in the book but it's an good tool for examining one's life.

21

I Got a Witness Today. Yep.

by Farkel in

jw
friends

this morning i walked over to a 7/ll to get a cup of coffee.

as i was leaving, i was approached by this very timid asian fellow.

he wasn't in a suit.

roybatty

>>and finally leave it to the Indians as it once was!<<

People from India were the first ones here? As Johnny Carson use to say "I did not know that."

19

CAN I SAY 1 MORE THING?

by troubled in

jw
friends

i know i said i'm leaving this forum, but i had to say just one more thing about why.

please read my post to the thread about personal attacks.

(if you have time and/or interest).. thanks!

roybatty

Sorry to hear that you're leaving. I found your posts interesting. Just remember that this is just a message board, nothing more. These people don't even know you or me so please do not take whatever someone says personal.