All Elders Aren't Bad

sammielee24

I've read posts from time to time where it is obvious that people have been treated badly by either a JC or by individual Elder themselves while in the society. I'm sorry for that. I can honestly say that in all my years as an elder, I have never seen this side. Most elders that I have known are committed, honest and fair minded men, who believe in what they are doing and have complete and utter faith in the organization. These are humble men who no more like to sit before any person and ask them intimate questions, than any other person would, but they are told what to ask so they do. Year after year elders are told they are being too lenient and year after year they are given more direction on the questions to ask and how to ask them. Why do you think that is? Perhaps because most simply don't want to be involved in the sort of intimate questioning that is expected of them so they are seen as lenient. I'm not defending all Elders obviously, I guess I just wanted it known that for the most part Elders work very hard and they try to fulfill the expectations required of the position. Many burn out and most get little thanks from anyone for their work. So please remember that all elders aren't bad, there are many good, kind men who truly believe in what they are doing and are simply misled in their life's work.

jgnat

How can I tell? Nearly every elder I've met speaks mildly. But their words are less than kind. If there were some good and honest-hearted elders in our hall, why didn't they speak up when my husband was drummed out?

It seems to me that the bullies are in charge.

sammielee24

I can't speak for what happened in your husbands congregation or how the elders behaved. I can only say that I have seen instances where the strongest personality won out and the meek and mild men retreated. I'm not saying any of that is right, but it doesn't mean all elders are bad men regardless. I can't justify the actions of any bad elder. I can only say that most are not unkind. As for a JC - the information that is gleaned on these committees is not shared with all of the elders so in some of those cases, one elder may not be aware of what is taking place with another. I question at times the age of some appointed elders but that's just a personal point of view.

garybuss

"Note: Reports have been received where elders have revealed confidential matters to their wives or others in the congregation." (Pay Attention 1977 p.65)

Poztate

I can only say that I have seen instances where the strongest personality won out and the meek and mild men retreated.

My Dad was one of those meek and mild men...He let bullshit happen and backed off.His thought was to "wait on jehovah"

He died 10 years ago so I guess he is still waiting.

serendipity

Take any group of people and there will be good and then the truly evil. JWs are no different. Unfortunately, the meek and mild will be trampled on by the strong-willed and the bullies who tend to do the damage.

SWALKER

No one said that all elders are bad. There are some that are good men... just caught up in high control cult. To many of the posters on this website though that have been on the receiving end of a JC, this will probably not go over that great. Most elders fully appreciate the position they hold and accept the duties that go along with such. When they make these decisions that effect another person's entire life they have to accept the responsibility for their actions. The governing body sets the rules but they (elders) carry them out and see that they are imposed. Unlike the R & F, they are in a position where they could do the right thing, even it means stepping down and losing that position. When it comes down to the wire, it seems they always put themselves/position first. Think how many innocent children would have been protected had more elders done what Bill Bowen did! Think how many JW's have had their entire lives changed because elders had an ax to grind...it happens frequently. The elders are really the only ones who could fight to change these unscriptual policies and make a difference in how the WT organization operates. Too bad that they put that position above what they know in their hearts to be the right thing to do....

Swalker

ithinkisee

Most elders that I have known are committed, honest and fair minded men, who believe in what they are doing and have complete and utter faith in the organization.

These men are COMPLETELY CONVINCED they are God's sole channel and that Jehovah is using them and giving them holy spirit that guides them in their decisions.

No matter how nice or well meaning they are - that ONE FACT ALONE is a recipe for disaster.

There are many elders I love to death, and there are some that I have seen beaten down for their honesty.

BUt as another poster once said, the whole system is flawed.

-ithinkisee

upside/down

Neither are all Nazi's, KKK dingbats, Mobsters, Drug dealers etc....

"All that is necessary for Evil to triumph...is for good men to do NOTHING!"

u/d(of the formerly a "good" guy class)

p.s.- Why does "doing NOTHING" and "Waiting on Jehovah" seem like a distinction without a difference?

avishai

I guess I just wanted it known that for the most part Elders work very hard and they try to fulfill the expectations required of the position.

Prove it.

All Elders Aren't Bad

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