by minimus 19 Replies latest jw friends
It is amazing to note that some Witnesses actually believe the Organization is totally "theocratic, run by the top down". I believe many Witnesses could never accept former JW's writing about their experiences because they just couldn't imagine all the backroom deals and questionable practices that indicate holy spirit has nothing to do with the process.
Did you experience "politics" within the Theocracy?
Yes.
If you spend ANY time at Bethel, you'll see that most things are run exactly like a corporation. This involves a liberal dose of politics.
-LWT
I refused to climb the theocratic ladder that all the other brothers™ were climbing with their puckered lips firmly planted on the ass immediately above them. The brothers™ who used their tongues climbed the highest.
W
If by politics you mean the PO getting his way by strong arm tactics and lobbying the fellow elders that he could control, then yes. If you mean the CO taking money (ie: Green handshakes) and then giving privileges to elders in the circuit, then yes. If you mean climbing the ladder in the congregation by having the most magazine sales, then yes. I would say then, yep. W.Once
I wasn't aware of it in the congregation where I grew up, but when I moved to another area to go to college, observed lots of politics and questionable actions.
I saw a lot of politics but didn't experience a lot myself.
I made MS at an early age but never made elder, partly because I didn't reach out for it and partly because the elders that could have fast-tracked me were bastards and I refused to kiss their ass. But I saw other brothers who were "smooth" but not necessarily "spiritual" move up because they kissed the right asses. That's all 20-20 hindsight now. At the time I wondered how some brothers were appointed and I wasn't even considered.
My favorite elder as an old guy who, despite being a zealous JW (his biggest fault I guess) could see through the bullshit quite well. Since he was PO for years and years, a lot of brothers tried to kiss his ass to move up. He saw through it every time. And if one was particularly brown-nosing, he would fight to have them not appointed when other elders would suggest them. But as in most things political, the other elders ganged up on him and eventually had him removed as PO and they took over. Looking at it from a JW point of view, the old guy was a good elder. Merciful, kind and caring but he got shuffled aside by a power gang of elders who were ruthless, power hungry, judgemental and harsh.
About any local congregation is proof positive that God's spirit does not appoint elders and MSs when you look at their attitudes and deeds.
Lets loosely define politics.... JW style
It's all about who you know, who likes you, and the handwritten reports that follow you.
Bethel is all about that. Old overseers are all about who they like.
Examples: I was made an elder at 26 because the DO visiting my congregation liked me and added his name to the recommendation.
Got to Gilead because of CO's who liked me. (and I played ball) The PO was an MTS grad who I cultivated a friendly relationship with.
This MTS grad became a sub CO because I was able to get his recommendation through our body of elders even though 2 didn't want to recommend them. But I ram rodded it through for political reasons... (I don't know if he is a sub still or got on the road finally...)
Well, sad but true, there is as much holy spirit in these appointments as in a mens room of a gas station.
I truly believe it is the MOST political organization I have ever been associated with by far.
I have worked for some large corporations that were much less political.
At the congregation level, people are often shielded from it, but most of the servant bodies I was on were extremely political. Many of them were run by iron-fisted P.O.'s who either had it their way or else. If you bucked the system, even if it was the right thing to do, you would often lose in a power struggle. People who were more meek and mild (often in it for the right reasons I felt) would get steam-rolled by these power-hungry controlling types.
Appointments in the congregation were very political - I knew several men who moved congregations and then proceeded to kiss major amounts of ass to get appointed. Hmmmm....the holy spirit didnt want them appointed in the first hall, but did in the 2nd hall???
I think the organization has gotten far more political over the last few years - you can see it at the top just as much as at the bottom. Its funny how they have tried to hide it by trying to put less emphasis on the GB (I always, even as a kid REFUSED to memorize the name of the members. I could tell you the roster of any sports team though- haha) president of the WTB$$$$, etc...........All in the appearance of "simplifying" and "the light getting brighter".......Please...........BARF.
All it is is the most Orwellian organization I can think of.
When people do actually see the politics, it can be the beginning of the end for them. There's a lot of dirty dealings going on. When Witnesses see the "holy spirit" in action, it gives reason to pause.
There's a lot of dirty dealings going on. When Witnesses see the "holy spirit" in action, it gives reason to pause.
I'm sure some holy spirits are consumed while some elders are negotiating their shady backroom alliances.
W
