by Gill 7 Replies latest jw experiences
There are many on the board who formerly, and some who still do, hold positions of power in the bORg.
Would you describe yourself as having been a 'good' Elder, or a 'bad' Elder?
Did you leave because you 'couldn't live up to Jehovah's standards' or did you leave 'because you woke up and smelt the Bull shit?'
I was a damn good ministerial servant = I was brain dead, never thinking for myself but always loyal to the (un)enlightened Org.
As soon as I knew I'd been lied to, e.g. 607 BCE, the GB being anointed, etc., I was straight out of there!
Ian
Dansk - I believe it is only the 'honest hearted' ones who actually get to see the 'light' when it comes to the bOrg. People such as yourself who could be honest with yourself and have your position because you really wanted and believed in what you were doing. Such people cannot lie to others let alone to themselves and power does not go to their heads.
I can think of one relative who remained an elder to his death. But, I believe he really hated the Organization. I believe he became sick and died because of it and what the people in it did to him. BUT, his wife would not let him resign from his position. She loved being an Elderette!!! The other Elders would not let him resign because they needed their sunday morning lie ins and he was the ONLY Elder in their cong to EVER go out on a Sunday in FS!!
IF you can't be honest with yourself then you can't be honest with anyone. Well done for getting out of there Ian!!!
I was the one that was asked when inquiring about organizational, historic, grammatical and sometimes theocratic matters. I guess my good memory earned me that capacity. I knew e.g. the 607 was in error since I was a youth, but stayed "loyal"... I was an elder who did not believe in the global deluge either... I never, however, talked about, just refrained from answering, giving talks etc on "dubious" topics. I only took part in one Judicial hearing during my decade as an elder, never liked the DF policy either, or rather, the shunning policy.. I was never the first to be asked when people had personal problems, having a large elder body, I guess I was never consideres as one of the strict, heavy ones... I was always correct though... Glad I am out
Like others here I thought it was a true privelege to serve with kindness and try to love others and help whenever as I thought that was what Jesus would want as he set such a fine example. Damn I was dissallussioned as time went on as I saw so many of the servant body not have the same spirit I tried to show ,and how perplexing it was to try and get others to share the shepherding work together and just be dissappointed when they only ever talked about this work when the CO was coming and hardly ever did it.
But man were they ever quick to handle a DF'ing when someone erred. Once I had the DO and CO in my home asking me what could be done to help the problems in the congo ,I directed them to a Watchtower on shepherding and they got the point - interesting to note they came to a lowly MS at the time for help when they had not even fronted the elder body yet.
I was the kind that good people loved and assholes hated. I wasn't a company man. I never voted with sending cong. funds to the Branch. I thought I was doing the right thing for the right reasons. I wish I could have seen it all sooner.
From my posts on the subject, you know I thought I was a "good" guy.
I left cause I couldn't take it anymore.
I just couldn't fake it. I felt sure that if I stayed on as an elder, I would have a nervous breakdown.
Once I resigned, it was easy to walk away from it all.
Do I still have "issues"? Sure I do.
But I've never felt better, never enjoyed such mental clarity. I deeply appreciate the help JWD( all of you) has given me.
I would like to think a kind, hiding place from the wind.
Liberal elder. Played video games and listened to the kids music with them. My talks were masterpieces with eyes glued to me during the entire part. Even took time to prepare interesting things for meetings for field service.
Didnt pull punches though and said what was on my mind.
Stayed as long as I did to try and be a subversive influence esp. w/ the young. Just couldnt take FS or meetings anymore. Couldnt sit on another JC.
Left as loud as possible because I didnt want anyone thinking I still believed any of that crap anymore.
