Were The Elders "A Hiding Place" To You?

by minimus 23 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Quirky1

  Some of the elders I knew were a condemning bunch. They actually sought out people to get them into trouble, DF, etc.. Just to make a name for themselves.

  I knew of one who physically went to ones home and this person mentioned that he did not wish to discuss anything at that time and he was DF'd on the spot. (That's the story I was told anyway).

  Others, including the one mentioned above, just liked to pry to gather information. This included the interrogation of the teenage children in the hall to get them to tattle on the other kids.

  And it worked until I turned the table around on the elders for not setting a good example themselves. Drinking and driving, drunken parties, etc..

  Prior to that I was always included in their private "getogethers" to get intoxicated.

  After that, oh well.
• 

  dinah

  Still, if A**holes could fly, Bethel would be an International Airport.

  THAT was funny.

  I have no idea Minimus. I spent most of my time hiding from the elders.
• 

  Kinjiro

  Only 2 in my times... a very old guy who was loving and patient... and me, I really really tried to do what at that moment I thought would be helpful and I was very vocal about showing love etc etc which got me removed because and I quote "you have a rebellious nature and elders cannot have that"... In retrospect, that was the beginning of the end for me, and I am very grateful they did it....
• 

  sacolton

  Hard to say ... they always had the same answer to any problem you confessed.

  Depressed? Do more in your ministry.

  Drowning in debt? Read your bible. Do more in your ministry.

  Stressed? Are you doing more in your ministry? You should.

  Physical pain? Read some encouraging stories in our literature. Do more in your ministry.

  Car problems? You can walk. Do more in your ministry. Don't skip meetings!

  Child in hospital? Read our literature. Do more in your ministry.

  Death in the family? You'll see them soon. Do more in your ministry.

  You get the idea.
• 

  orangefatcat

  I did have some profound respect for some elders until they disappointed me or wouldn't listen to me when I needed some help with a problem that would affect me life. The one elder asked me how old I was and I said I was 23 and he said and you can't figure out what to do for yourself? I was taken down by at least 10 pegs as it were. My problem was of a serious nature but they didn't want to help and I thought well what the hell what are they there for. On another occasion I was hauled before a committee on false accusations and hadn't been given any notice what so ever. As I left that elders meeting I ran to the bathroom crying my eyes out, one of the pioneer girls came in and saw me crying and asked what was wrong and so I showed her a letter that they were sending to the society about me but it was all lies. As we left the washroom she said lets get the gang and go for pizza and I was in no mood to go and as we were getting ready to leave the CO who lives in that KH and who knew my very well asked me what was wrong and so Ilet him see the letter and he read and laughed and said what on earth is this all about it. I said I think so and so has had it in for me for a long time and now she has lied and I am being told I have to stop pioneering. he said give me this letter and leave it with me. So I did and ten us gang of pioneers went for pizza including the liar. She knew not to come even near me and all the other pioneers wouldn't sit with her she had to sit all alone. The next thing that happens the CO walks in to the Pizza place we all go to he and his wife sat across from me and us gals and he smiled at me and all I could do was just try not to burst into tears as the lies were so vicious and he knew it to. But he said reste tranquille Terry and so I just tried my best. Well we all left the Pizza place and unfortunately this sister liar lived in my home and so when we got home I told her in no uncertain terms that she was to call her mother and father and she had until the next day to get the hell out of my home and if she didn't she would find her things on the road. She was dumbfounded. I said you'll regret the day you ever met me. So I told her and went to bed. Next morning with much apprehension on my part I went to the KH for service as much as my heart wasn't in it but I went anyway. Just as I openned the door to the Hall the CO was walking up the stairs and I said hi and said wow you look terrible as if you hadn't had any sleep , and he said I haven't I was up all night with the elders and I want you to know this that the letter that was sent to the society has been intercepted and will not be getting to the WTS. I said how why what where how what happened. He said I knew what was in the letter was all lies, I know you Terry really well and if I know it to be lies the elders should have known it to and for them to listen to that sister and then they didn't speak to you they just made a committee and decided on their own to with out going through theocratic procedure is not right. But what was in that letter was all lies and that was the issue too. The elders didn't even ask you they just jumped all over you and didn't ask for facts or anything. Now it is all settled and you will be okay now. Well it was as if the greatest load had been lifted off of my heart and mind. That sister knew she blew it. Her parent came and got her out and she left. All the other young pioneers were delighted I was vindicated. Of course it wasn't the last time I would be hauled before a committee because of lies of others in the KH, I just can't figure out why would witnesses make up lies and then think they could get away with it. It just made me crazy and eventually affect me as to my desire to leave the organization albeit it took still several years. But at least it happened years later though. Even if I did find some good elders most were not A Hiding Place they were more like an open sore that was rubbed with salt . Ofc.
• 

  Honesty

  Only on the surface.

  Underneath the surface they always will toe the Watchtower line.

  Remember that BEFORE you confide in them.
• 

  minimus

  The "do more" counsel was irritating!
• 

  WTWizard

  They were the storm, not the hiding place.
• 

  snowbird

  They were the storm, not the hiding place.

  You go, Wizard.

  Sylvia
• 

  minimus

  We hide from them wanting our hide.