This has always been my opinion, even as a 'loyal' JW! I thought that Elders were idiots.
I have only ever known one who has ever had any real education, a solicitor and he was an arrogant twonk, the rest were a pathetic bunch of bullies who 'appeared' to be loving and kind but were infact out to find out the shit about everyone and cause as much trouble for everyone as possible. Why weren't you at the meeting? Why weren't you out in service? Clean the toilet, sister! Weed the car park, brother!
They were self absorbed fools with their heads up eachothers arses and all kow towing to the local PO, CO and DO who were even bigger idiots!
Having said this, the biggest idiot I have ever known was myself, who was so afraid of these morons that she remained a JW until her 37th birthday! FOOL!
So, did you 'love' the elders? Personally, I'm sure there are many here who were Elders and still are and I don't see, how even with the best intentions in the world they could stoop so low as to judge anyone else in the congregations. Who did you think you were? Did you enjoy being called a 'star of the Congregation?' Did it boost your ego?
Did you enjoy being able to run Judicial committes, better known as Kangaroo courts?
I'm sure there are some who were well meaning.....infact as I type I can actually think of one Elder who was and may well still be a very nice, and even a caring bloke, but that is one out of many. I have several cousins who are Elders and think so much of themselves that when together the stand, chest out discussing 'important' congregational issues and attempting to control everyone with their austere stares, especially us 'bad' inactive faders.
I remember my Uncle and Aunt out shepherding an Elderly JW woman who was agoraphobic. The local Age Concern charity wuold collect her once a week and take her to her counselling. They visited her and told her that if she didn't return to the meetings Jehovah would not save her at Armageddon. They complained that she then started weeping bitterly at what they said to her. They said they thought they have made her ashamed enough to force her to return to Jehovah. In the end she never went to another meeting again.
I remember an Elder visiting me and my husband when I was pregnant and unwell and being told that, it was all very well having a nice garden but if we didn't become more regular at the meetings we would die soon at Armageddon. I must have cried for several days after that. This was in 1983!!!
As I said, 'I feel Elders are idiots!'
Feel free to ignore them!