I recently questioned my father about record keeping during a JC hearing because of the elders who were trying to avoid testifying in a child abuse case. I'm not surprised by his response I have pasted below.. What do you think of this?
After weeks of debate about the existance of God and the WTS, I was under the impression he was still an elder, I was wrong. His stepping down was voluntary, contrary to what I was told.
I have had more dialogue with him in the last month than I have in 35 years and this is soon coming to an end as it is becoming clear to him that I am Atheist to the end. I'm also getting tired of hearing "Jehovah is a loving God" and a lot of other phrases that make me sick.
Each matter may be handled according to whether it concerns : a personal problem an individual has perhaps a drinking problem that could result in disfellowshipping if it became habitual, an extramarital affair that has surfaced to the extent that it has become common knowledge, an accusation against an elder in the congregation,etc. All of these plus any other serious offense that resulted in disfellowshipping would require notification to the WTS. In addition, a file would be kept by the local Judicial committee. If the disfellowshipped person should seek to be re-instated, he/she would need to approach the original committee with their request. The committee would inform the WTS of their decision in the matter. The re-instated one would be put on a probationary period for years depending on the seriousness and public noteriety of his/her offense. This period of probation would require that t hat one would have no privileges of oversight in the congregation. This action is necessary to protect the reputation of the congregation, but most importantly to prevent Jehovah's name from suffering reproach. This has been the policy of the WTS as long as I have been a member. In answer to a previous question, I have never been disfellowshipped. When I left the Middleton Congregation in 1992, I went to the Salem Cong.. I was asked several times if I would serve there as an elder. I declined because I didn't feel I was in a position to give advice to others ,esp. parents because I felt that I was in no position to do so with six children not accepting my beliefs, for whatever reasons. Dad.
Did you talk to the elders this weekend? Are you able to tell us about it?