Writing private letters to the Society.

spectromize

For anyone who's ever written something of a private nature or asked clarification on certain beliefs have you ever had the unfortunate experience of the elders calling you in the back room or a sheperding call ?

The reason I bring this out is that newer brothers or sisters don't know that everytime you write the society the society sends a copy of your letter to your local cong. elders. So if you thought that you were discussing private confidential things, forget about it, you could be in very serious trouble.

I recall an experience in one of the cong. that I had attended one sister being in real hot water because she was trying to warn the society about some certain elders wayward ways. Next thing you know, the society sends a copy of her letter to the very same elders she's trying to warn about and next thing you know a judicial meeting was called in order. She never got disfellowship but it came close, she was told to mind her own business in no uncertain terms and to write the society again explaining her foolishness and apology in writing that letter.

To me it is quite a disturbing thing to know that the society would practice such a thing as to reveal your confidential matters. Could any of you please give a reason why they do this?

Frenchy

The Society does not like to act on individual cases apart from the local body of elders. After all, these men are appointed by the Society to care for that particular congregation. They would know the circumstances better than anyone else. They would know things that were NOT said on the letter! Whatever action, if any, would be taken by those brothers and they would certainly have to be in on what is happening.

What you may not know is that the C.O. also gets a copy of that letter. In the event of charges against one or more of the elders he would contact the body and inquire into the matter. If it's something that can wait until his next visit then he waits. If it cannot, then he will at the very least talk to the P.O. and set something up in the near future.

Unfortunately, sometimes elders 'back each other up' and cover for one another and what is a legitimate complaint may be 'glossed over.' HOWEVER, if the sister is persistent and writes to the Society again (sending a copy of the letter to the C.O. and giving a copy to the body, noting in the letter to the Society that she has done so, will go a long way in her being taken seriously. There will be someone assigned to look into the matter. In such cases where there appears to be a legitimate complaint, a special committee is appointed to look into the matter. The committee consists of brothers that are used prominently in the circuit, perhaps a retired C.O., assembly overseer, substitute C.O., etc.

I have been in a situation (the complaint was not against me, I was not an elder at the time) where such a committe was called in. The brothers there did an excellent job in getting to the truth and the entire body was chastised for some 'questionable practices' including covering for each other.

I was also told of an instance by a District Overseer wherein a C.O. was removed because of an injustice perpetrated upon a pioneer sister by her elders in which the C.O. backed the elders instead of giving due attention to the sister's grievance.

spectromize

Frenchy,

Yes it is true, sometimes elders will cover up for one and other which is exactly why I think the society is doing a terrible injustice by sending a copy of the letter that someone writes, to the problem elders. I personally believe the society should contact the person sending the letter and advising them that the c.o has a copy and the matter will be looked into.

Many write the society to out of concern for the cong. and because of the very fear of repercussion from the body of elders, that's why they want to keep their letter private asking for help and advise, supposing you did have a few problem elders. By the society sending off that letter to the problem elders without even letting the brother or sister know is hurtful and can bring lots of trouble upon the person. I can't see the justice in that. I think personally it is a high control tactic.

Frenchy

Dear Spec,

I believe I know what you are saying here however I respectfully beg to disagree. My personal opinion on the matter is this: If there is a problem with the elders then the C.O. is the one that will have to tend to it so he needs to know exactly what the complaint is, i.e., a copy of the letter. You or I would certainly want to face the one accusing us and we would want to hear from his own lips what it is that he is accusing us of. For this reason, the elders see the letter and read exactly what the grievance is. At some point the complaint will have to be read to them in the presence of the accuser anyway so why not inform elders by means of the letter that was sent in to the Society?

What would the C.O. tell the elders when they ask: “What is the complaint against us?” And why would not the elders have the right to face their accuser? Speaking for myself I would definitely want to know what it is that I’m accused of and who is doing the accusing. It’s far too easy to be critical anonymously. It’s another matter entirely to have to ‘throw the first stone’. It has a tendency to make to more judicious in your accusations.

That’s just how I view it. I hope you don’t take this to mean that I don’t appreciate your view of the matter either.

spectromize

Dear Frenchy,

I respectfully beg to disagree on some points in your last reply.

Do you know how fast a body of wayward elders can fabricate and cover up when they are provided with the opportunity to do so such as having a letter sent to them ? Why not wait till the c.o gets there so that they can all discuss it together?
Because of the c.o."s scarce visits the person can be ostracized in the mean time by the wayward elders and possibly finding themselves df.

I do agree that a person should know what he is being accused of and in this specific instance that I'm mentioning because of the very fact that elders have enormous powers within a cong. wouldn't you think it would be wise for the matter to be resolved when the c.o would get there?

Another point I would like to make is this,

How many brothers and sisters know what happens to their letters when they write the society?

Fact of the matter is the majority don't have a clue that a letter will be sent back to the local elders. And if they did, a lot more would be discreet and not write for the simple fact that the individual wanted to correspond with the society privately not with the local body of elders or they would of have done so.

Also do you know how many have been marked possible apostate and kepted on file for asking clarification on some doctrines ?

It should be a sobering thought, all you have to look back on is the GENERATION doctrine back in 1995 and it's change and anybody who didn't agree with it would be marked.

Another point I would like to mention is about knowing what you are being accused of. I have been brought in the back room on a couple of occasions at the hall on a fishing expedition by elders because of some individuals gossiping in the cong. I have to tell you the elders never divulge the names of my accusers which I wanted to know and I never was told of what the meeting was about. In some congs. justice by elders leaves much to be desired. So you see why I write the way I do is because you shouldn't use two sets of standards when dealing with individuals. It is more common in the congs. then you think especially when it comes with the very procedures of a jd meeting.

Again I do have to say that the example that I mentioned here was a specific one and that I'm also aware that there are some fine elders as well as individuals who do try to make trouble by writing to the society but I have tried to illustrate why I believe the the society uses a high control tactic.

Frenchy

Dear Spec

You bring up some valid points. I agree that in some cases the elders should not have advance notice in order to 'prepare their defense' inasmuch as we don't like to give the publishers time to cover their trail!

I'm old enough and have seen enough not to be naïve anymore. I will readily agree with you on “… how fast a body of wayward elders can fabricate and cover up…” Unfortunately I have seen it happen. I believe that accusations against elders should be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. If it proves to be true, I think disciplinary action should be taken. If it proves to be false I believe that the publisher should be made to account for the damage to that brother’s name.

As to your other point: “How many brothers and sisters know what happens to their letters when they write the society?” I would venture to say that not many know this.

waiting

** Message Removed at Posters Request **

waiting

I just posted about my disfellowshipped daugher and my letter to Society. I forgot to mention my distress in all these years about not being able to pray for my disfellowshipped child. After all, being Christian, it would seem that a sinner needs God's help, particularily a rape victim.

But, no, to my understanding, the Society says we should not pray for unrepentant sinners. So I always asked Jehovah "if he wants to spread his spirit, love, and help around - to please look at my daughter, if he wants too."

Sometimes, we are a pitiful people. When did God's love get so confused?

spectromize

Dear Waiting,

Don't give up on your child, very few people understand the nature and the emotional problems that child molestation could cause an individual. I know I speak from experience.

Frenchy

Whew! That's some experience! I feel for you. I have to echo Spec's words, Don't give up on your child and don't stop praying for your child...and don't forget to say a prayer for yourself as well. You have been through a terrible ordeal and you need some compassion and understanding as well.

Writing private letters to the Society.

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