The night I decided my C.O. was an apostate

Olin Moyles Ghost

The following took place several years ago in a congregation in the United States.

We had this Circuit Overseer who was a real piece of work. 40-ish MTS grad, I believe. Well, Mrs. Ghost and I were attending a congregation that had some...well...interesting personalities. In particular, two families had serious issues with each other. To further complicate matters, both families were very active in the congregation (pioneers, elders, servants, you get the picture). Fortunately, we were able to stay out of the fray, but Mrs. Ghost and I knew everything that was going on between these families. People like to talk, you know? Honestly, everyone involved in that situation just needed to grow up.

Anyway, when the C.O. comes, he gets an ear full from both families. When the time came for his Tuesday night service talk, we were expecting the usual routine (go out in service more, start studies with the Knowledge book, etc.). Well, we could not have been more wrong. Instead, he proceeds to spend 45 minutes on stage describing the situation between the families--without names, of course--and taking sides with one of the families against the other! I was blown away. I thought I had seen a lot in this organization, but had never seen anything like this.

But that wasn't all. During his talk he mentioned that sometimes when friends want to decide whether to participate in an activity that is a matter of conscience, they do research in the Society's publications. He said that sometimes, when elders counsel friends about so-called conscience matters, the friends will show the elders the research they have done. Well, he said that is not appropriate! Rather, the friends should just do what the elders say, regardless of what they find in their research in the Society's publications.

I could not believe what I was hearing. I whispered to Mrs. Ghost "are we in a Baptist church?" (no offense to any Baptists here) At this point, I wanted to walk out of that meeting immediately. I was shocked. He was saying not to do personal study, but just to follow the consciences of men. This went directly against my JW upbringing and what I understood my religion to stand for. Now bear in mind that at this point, I had zero doubt that this was God's organization, and this talk did not change that feeling. In fact, I told Mrs. Ghost on the way home from the meeting that night that I thought the C.O. was an apostate.

I did not begin examining my religion with an open mind until several years after this night. But, in retrospect, this talk opened my eyes just a bit. And every little bit counts.

IP_SEC

Layla33

I'm confused by the title of this thread and then the story itself. There are a lot of hypocrites in the JW religion, who bend and mold this religion whatever way they feel. There's so many of us that can tell you about it. I just can't use the definition of apostate by the JW religion as what was going on in this situation.

I don't believe he was "the apostate".

cognac

Listen to the Elders??? lol, every elder you go to you get a different opinion...

outofthebox

Wow!

And yes. Every little bit counts!

FreedomFrog

Regardless if he was an "apostate" or not, the talk was a starting point for your research. A little does go a long way.

FreedomFrog

Oh, never mind...I went back some of your previous posts and got my answer...sorry.

Edit to take out a question I now found out...lol

troubled mind

I remember a talk that always stuck in the back of my mind even before I started questioning things . The new elder stated in his talk that" we should always remember We serve Jehovah not an Organization "...That really always made me think hmmmmm . Then the baptismal question was changed ,and the last assembly I went to talked more about following the organizations lead than Jesus , and well the thinking came full circle .

mkr32208

I actually left the organization years before I became an "apostate" I became agnostic but defended the witness beliefs at that time. I wasn't a good witness but I was one of the brothers who could really break down the beliefs and come up with circular logic to help people to justify them in their minds. (I was a big talk giver, not much for service or living a role model life but I could sell ice to the eskimos!)

One night at the meeting an elder got up and read and article from better homes and gardens from the platform as a local needs part. It was an article about the witnesses sure but he just read the whole thing... Took 30 minutes... He read it word for word and about halfway though I just thought "WTF am I DOING here?"

Other than one memorial I've never gone back since that night, never. So yes sometimes it's the little things that can wake you up.

flipper

OLIN MOYLES GHOST - Welcome to the board friend ! I love your avatar ! I know what you mean about doubting what these circuit overseers say or elders say, when it's just based on their own opinion. I was raised a witness and remember as a kid, a close family friend tell me, an elder, he said, " Mr. Flipper as you progress in the truth people will give you all kinds of opinions on how you should act. But remember they are JUST opinions. Make sure their opinions harmonize with the Bible because it is the final authority ! "

So, when I got older seeing elders and authority figures giving out personal opinions on issues - I'd take their opinions with a grain of salt. I think keeping that open mind view enabled me to leave the cult later ! Peace out, Mr. Flipper

The night I decided my C.O. was an apostate

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