Need to vent - being hassled by elders!

by wildfell 36 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Marjorie

  If you or a member of your family have any type if illness , I would suggest using that to encourage them to leave you alone.

  Well, that has worked in my favor.

  Early last year, as I was hospitalized, several sisters called me for the sole purpose of getting me to speak to the elders. No other reason.

  How do I know this? Because none of them could spare the time to visit they said, but it was of vast importance that I call the elders in my time of need. When I was discharged, only one sister called me at home, to once again reiterate that I get in touch with the elders. I told all of them, no. After all, what were the elders going to do for me - cure me by the laying on of hands? LOL!

  After that, zip, nothing, nada - until last week.
• 

  AllTimeJeff

  If your intention is to fade, then with all respect to others, any attempt to write a letter could be used against you. I wouldn't.

  Frankly, (and I don't know if others would care to comment) when I was an elder, I called on several who attended meetings sporadically, if ever. Many told me that someone caused them hurt feelings, and that they couldn't go back. Elders hardly ever look at that as apostate.

  It will create a certain impression about you to be sure, but a successful fade often requires throwing the elders off your scent. Imo, saying you are sick all the time comes across as evasive, if you gave them a reason like "I am offended", then I think the message will be given.

  I am sure others here will comment on my suggestion, as I hope they would. It always worked where I came from.
• 

  Mary

  They just kept on knocking and knocking. Finally, they started to actually bash on our screen door! Then the woman began to repeatedly shout out my name at the top of her lungs!!! How rude is that!

  If you've got family still in, then you're going to have to be careful how you handle this. If they call again, I would tell them at the door that you were very sick/had a migrane headache, etc. and were in no shape to talk to anyone. I would add that you could not believe their ignorant behaviour and that it did not go unnoticed by some of your neighbours. Did they really think that screaming someone's name over and over again and banging on a door brings honor to Jehovah (or something like that).

  I would politely but firmly tell them NOT to do it again and leave it at that.
• 

  sacolton

  I think the best reason is to say you are suffering from depression and wish to be left alone.
• 

  Marjorie

  I'm guessing that the reason it worked in my case, is that I have an ongoing illness that's well-documented, so the elders know that I am not pulling a fast one.
• 

  IWillBeDubbedNoMore

  Here is my two cents worth. Because your wish is to fade, I suggest you follow AllTimejJff's advice. It will take you off the apostate radar. They may keep visiting for awhile but eventually leave you alone. I would make no mention of the couple that came to your door. If their visit is ever brought up by someone, I would act shocked. " They were witnesses?" " I had no idea. They were banging on my door and yelling. I was scared. I almost called the police on them. Why would they act like that?" You put them on the defensive.

  Showing outrage for their behavor won't help your fade.
• 

  blondie

  I once had jw family "drop" by and insist on being let in....ringing the doorbell incessantly....the neighbor downstains came out and told them to leave or she would call the police...so they left.

  Just avoid them...eventually they soon give up since "love" is not the motive, just putting on a good show. jws lie when you talk to them, passing on a totally different version of what you said.

  Blondie
• 

  WuzLovesDubs

  Im sorry, but what CIVILIZED HUMAN BEINGS behave like this??? The frickin house was NOT ON FIRE and this is harrassment...pure and simple. Last time I checked being a JW was a VOLUNTARY choice. That you didnt SIGN ANYTHING and you dont OWE ANYTHING to this cult!

  I dont care if those people were members of the Governing Body they had NO RIGHT to put a SEIGE on your PRIVATE PROPERTY! They didnt know if you were watching a BABY who was sleeping..they didnt know if you had MOVED and that wasnt even your HOUSE any more. They didnt know if you were ILL or anyone in your family was ILL in that house!

  Im astounded....astounded that they are getting away with this behavior. You should write up what happened and have one of your neighbors sign it and send it to the Kingdom Hall, cc to the police... under the name of your neighbor.

  Not only unacceptable but rude and arrogant and unforgivable behavior.
• 

  JimmyPage

  Just tell them you became depressed after being offended. This lowered your immune system and now you have chronic fatigue syndrome and are allergic to perfumes.
• 

  AllTimeJeff

  Just tell them you became depressed after being offended. This lowered your immune system and now you have chronic fatigue syndrome and are allergic to perfumes.

  LOL!