Overwhelmed...

by Tired of the Hypocrisy 9 Replies latest jw experiences

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  Tired of the Hypocrisy

  I have a feeling that the elders in our area are overwhelmed with responsibilities. My father in law some may recall is quite ill and has an abusive wife who is a regular pioneer. He has repeatedly asked for visits, shepherding calls and help from the elders to get his wife in line and tell her she needs to help him instead of everyone else. (I suppose she helps others because she can be seen helping them and perhaps she is not seen by anyone helping her hubby?) I had to go to the hall one night and put several elders on the spot and ask them in a louder than kh voice to PLEASE pay him a visit. (That was fun!!)

  This past memorial, my fil asked one of the elders to come to my house and see my wife who is very ill. He gave our number and address out. Not even a call. I suppose it is more credit to them to hound people and trap them in sins than to help the sick...LOL Probably just "Their Spirit " protecting them from my snide comments...

  What do you think?
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  SweetSweetApostasy

  I don't feel like Elders are villians, they're victims. Their only crime is to be too stupid or too cowardly to get the hell out. They aren't useless because they're bad, they're useless because they're helpless. Not even the slightest idea how to lead, help or coucil.
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  treadnh2o

  Well Said SSA!
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  freeme

  almost everyone is a victim in the org. its sad. i wish everyone in to have the courage for truth.
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  VoidEater

  Hi Tired:

  It's so strange...the Halls I grew up in were just not into helping the friends (gee, it just struck me, that's how we used to refer to others in the congregation, "friends"). So I never got the idea that the cong was a resource to call upon when ill or otherwise in need of help.

  Even after growing some and moving a couple times, my experience continued to be about the same - the KH was a place you went to for the meetings, but it never served as a community beyond that. You might form some friendships outside (after all, you couldn't really associate with anyone else), but it wasn't thought of as - well, a church. Churches sent out aid and comfort. We weren't a church. Churches were evil.

  Part of my own experience of course is heavily colored by my family of origin - isolated even by JW standards. Very introverted.

  I think my mom has overcome the insular behavior my dad "forced" on us, as time has passed. But it still surprises me that anyone gets "shepherding calls" or other caretaking from the elders.
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  Hope4Others

  Hard to imagine for me a woman being abusive yet it does happen, but I feel bad for your father-inlaw,

  she should be removed from the pioneer list pronto....

  hope4others
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  sspo

  Very often pioneers can excuse their abusive behavior toward others because of their pioneer status.

  Preaching is more important than showing love, ............."sick minds".

  Seen it over and over again.
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  Hortensia

  I'm sorry your father and wife are ill. I hope they feel better soon. It's so sad that JWs isolate themselves from the world, but don't find any solace or support in the org. No wonder so many are deeply unhappy.
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  ldrnomo

  Helping people is not the number one priority. This was demonstrated quite clearly in this year's DC drama. So as long as your wasting your time (two hours every Sat.) your saved and by the time your done with the two hours and maybe a waste of time study during the week you don't want to be bothered by having to help someone with real problems.

  Elders have to get at least 6 hours a month in the field circus as long as they are doing a few shepherding calls too. And those shepherding calls are usually done to try and get the sheep to go to meetings and in the field more not really to help them. It's all a show for eachother. Did you ever notice that whenever you use to talk to another witness one of the first things they mentioned was there last trip out in field service. That's because they wanted to let you know they were doing their job.

  LD
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  darth frosty

  I don't feel like Elders are villians, they're victims. Their only crime is to be too stupid or too cowardly to get the hell out. They aren't useless because they're bad, they're useless because they're helpless. Not even the slightest idea how to lead, help or coucil.

  Great take on the situation.