Active Elders who post on JWD (page 8)

Seeker4

Not to change this thread, but Gary1914, what kind of congregation has a judical hearing because a kid got caught masturbating?? NOT a DFing offense that I know of (the Bible is strangely completely silent about masturbation!), and therefore you cannot have a JC meeting on it.

Mutual masturbation is another story.

Tell me if I'm wrong, but if your congregation is holding JC meetings because someone got caught "shaking hands with the unemployed" a few times, they are way out of line. You ought to be overjoyed not to be doing JC meetings then!

S4

brunnhilde

Sir82's comment made me realize that ironic as it sounds, elders still on the inside can serve as a "craggy place of shelter" in the middle of the nuthouse that is the congregation. At least they can run interference warding off the crazed fundie elder (let's face it, every cong has one) determined to DF everyone who doesn't meet up to his standards.

Another thought is, IMHO, it's really the Borg that's to blame here, not these poor guys who are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Changling is right, they COULD step down, but often that brings it's own host of problems with family.

brunn

Mum

To the active elders and other JW's posting here: I truly respect and admire you. I understand why you need to be stealthy about making your exit. If I were in your position, I would probably come apart at the seams. Oh, come to think of it, I did come apart at the seams!

If I had it to do over, I would have sought professional help and advice before leaving, although I don't know where the money for such advice would have come from. I was being very careful, but I paid consequences I did not expect. My daughter suffered terribly because she could not understand the situation. There is no easy way to escape from The Tall Tower of Terror.

Respectfully,

SandraC

changeling

Seeker4 you've just taught me a new euphemism!

(I corrected my spelling)

Seeker4

I think there are more metaphors for masturbation than almost any activity you can imagine. There's actually a whole book on them!

S4

changeling

You have interesting reading habits! lol

Open mind

Hey there Seeker4,

Here's the latest light on the wonderful world of "drooling wankerism" to borrow a phrase from Terry.

"Burping the worm" is not itself a cause for a JC. Of course if a person persisted in this vile practice and was dumb enough to admit same to the local illdoers, eventually he could be perceived as engaging in "loose conduct". Flagrantly ignoring scriptural council and theocratic order. Of course, this could be said for anything from loud ties to chewing gum if you did it with a big enough chip on your shoulder. I've never personally heard of a JC being convened for "shaking hands with the unemployed" though. (BTW, thanks for helping me make one more entry to my list of masturbatory euphemisms.)

Viewing porn, though, is another story. Have you read about the latest on this one? There were threads on it a few months back. If a dub has a history (established practice) of viewing the current WT definition (yes they had to spell it out in gruesome detail) of super-duper hard core porn, it's DEFINITELY judicial, and most likely a "done-deal" DFing. Pretty strange, huh? This was first read aloud at the Elder's "School" a couple years ago. Apparently quite a few BOEs went crazy DFing and removing elders right and left so a special "damage control" letter to BOEs had to be issued, spelling out exactly what was considered "super-duper hard core". (Ok, the WT didn't say "super-duper" but you get the idea.)

And the Talmud get's one rule thicker.

Doncha miss it Seeker4?

Open Mind

Dagney

First off I want to show my appreciation to all who come here, no matter what their status. That is the beauty of this board. Thank you to Simon and all for the caretaking of this board.

When I first walked away, I went through some angst regarding the people I knew who wanted to remain in regardless of their new found "truth." I didn't understand...after all...weren't we taught to stand up for the "truth"! Sit down in front of 60,000 people during the anthem, sit in a library at 6 years old during any and all "worldly" school celebrations, endlessly preaching the paganism of "everything" that everybody was doing...you get my point. "Make your stand", it's the "truth!" You don't have enough faith, are spiritually weak, drawing away from Jah...whatever if you weaken in your stand. So the feeling I think was natural to lose patience with those not ready to make their move with their new found information.

But now I have learned to support everyone in their journey. No one should dictate to anyone what they should or shouldn't do, IMHO. Had enough of that with the WBTS. I am sooooo happy I made my decision when I did; it's behind me and "phew," don't have think about doing it in the future.

I have always thought that the only way the Society will feel the pinch is if there was an exodus of elders and pioneers...because they are really the only ones who count, and it would hurt them. It's a dream still...but I'm sure that is all it will ever be.

But you elders here, kudos to you for your courage and bravery to continue to ask questions and investigate things against all counsel.

Strength for the journey.

Doubting Bro

Willyloman,

I felt exactly the same way as you did. Knowing that other elders had seen the things I had seen and felt the way I felt, it really helped me see that I wasn't the one who was insane (well, maybe the jury is out on that one!).

I remember some of the first posts I really read were Sir82's recap of the elder school that I was about to attend. When I heard word for word some of the things he brought out, I knew that not only he and some of the others were legit, but they were right about the ramblings of the WTS and in particular their Talmud.

Gary & Open Mind & others in the same situation - Your posting here may be of more help to a struggling JW than anything you say in the KH. So, I really hope that you continue!

Sir82, you talked about being the voice of reason, which is great. You realize that you won't be able to do it forever, but since you're there, even if you help just one person feel a little better then I applaud you. I tried that as well, but finally couldn't deal with it. My wife couldn't understand why I would come home after an elder's meeting and be in a generally bad mood. I just got tired of the fighting and the thickheadedness of some of my fellow elders. Again, I had a great excuse that I was able to exploit which made it much easier for me to step aside without the 3rd degree.

Seeker4 - you're right. But, if there was "hard core" porn and masterbation, that could be enough to be considered "loose conduct" and thus a JC. But, without the "hard core" porn, the most they can do to that kid is take away some privileges. Edited - Open Mind "beat" me to it!!

By the way, it was a thread by Seeker4 that finally moved me from a lurker to a poster and you have no idea what a positive experience that has been!

Bobbi

I was pleased and a little nonplussed to find active elders posting here. I was raised a JW with a non believing father, in a small town. I looked up to the elders as surrogate fathers and believed them when they told me that I needed a "Spiritual" head to survive until the end. My mother, sister and I lived under the thumb of whatever congregation we attended, and until my teens I didnt' question them. Having an elder here that I can talk to helps me. I now know I am not the only one with these thoughts. Yes, Paralipomenon is my husband, but he is too close. If he had DA'd himself years ago I would have left him, no questions asked. He faded quietly and subtly enough that he didn't raise any red flags. When the time came that I was willing to openly admit I had doubts, I was surprised at how far he had gone. We almost divorced over this whole thing. Everyone has to make thier own choices and do what is best for them. For me having an active elder on these boards is very comforting to me.

Bobbi(striving to be a loving supportive wife)

Active Elders who post on JWD

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