The Caring Elders

by cantleave 50 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  BluesBrother

  I love Freddo's letter ..She HAS to summon the courage to use it ..The B O E will have to act, even if he is influential . She should not keep the facts secret. When others see the damage she should tell them what happened. It is the truth and she has less to fear than the elder. If she does not get satisfaction then she must be prepared to use the courts, no matter what the WT says. They cannot take any action against her for so doing, it is just not recommended.

  BTW Kingdom Hall car parks are a pet hate of mine. When busy, the dubs park all over and box you in..Once I was a visiting speaker at another congo. During the talk a late coming sister pranged my car when attempting to park next to it. Thankfully she did the decent thing and paid for the damage. She was nice about it..
• 

  cantleave

  Thanks Everyone I will retype Freddo's letter and give it to my Friend to pass on. I really hope this is resoved properly, but from what I have been told about the Sister involved is she single without any other family in the org, she is somewhat meek and will be reluctant to make a fuss. If I can influence her to pursue this I will.
• 

  lepermessiah

  I hope you get through to her cantleave.

  Let her know that being kind, mild, and meek doesnt mean you have to be a push-over.

  If she is alone in the organization, that is all the more reason for those involved to give her consideration. Although, when it comes to shelling out money and people in the congregation, its amazing how many peoples' true personalities come out.

  She can handle it kindly and in a Christian manner.

  She may just have to be Christ-like in the way Jesus was with the money changers in the temple!
• 

  zions watchman

  I had a Elders son to steal my sons car and did a great amount of damage, I told the elder that if he did not pay for the repairs I would take him to court... Wrote me a check The point is DON'T let the fact that he is a elder get in the way of you being compensated. HE chose to go out and move your car.
• 

  Mary

  Let's face it: This woman is an active Witness and according to the first post, she is by nature, non-confrontational. If she sends that letter (and yes, it was an excellent letter Fredo), she will have her ass hauled up on the carpet in record time by the other elders. They will almost certainly side with Brother Kantdrive and will tell her that she needs to drop this matter for one or more of the following reasons:

  1. He can't afford to pay for the damage
  2. He was trying to display the fruitage of the spirit by helping her out of a tight spot, and she shouldn't think of trying to make him pay for it;
  3. They will site the scripture about letting yourself be defrauded rather than sue a fellow-Witness;
  4. It would bring shame and reproach upon Jehovah's Organization

  We all know that if she insists on pursuing the matter when she's been told by the powers that be that she needs to drop it, she'll be "marked" and treated like shit from the rest of the congregation. They'll probably even have a "local needs" talk about it where everyone will know who it's referring to, which will embarrass and humiliate her in front of everyone, which of course is the point of a talk like that.

  If Witnesses are warned not to take brothers to court over the raping of children, you really think the powers that be are going to give a shit about a sister's scratched car?
• 

  HappyGuy

  This sister needs a lawyer. First, the car was on Kingdom Hall property. Second, a representative of the congregation took it upon himself to move the car. Third, I don't buy the insurance company's excuse that the sister was not driving the car, insurance is on your car, not you.

  At the first meeting with the lawyer the sister should ask for an opinion letter on what her rights are and what the responsibilities of all parties involved are:

  1. Her insurance company.

  2. The elder.

  3. The congregation that the elder was representing on the night in question.

  I know the way my insurance company works, if I have a claim, I make it to the insurance company, if the insurance company feels that there are other responsbile parties then it is up to them to go after those they are holding responsible.

  If the insurance company has to pay the claim then THEY will go after the elder and the congregation.

  If the insurance company is not liable then both the congregation and the elder are liable. The lawyer should send letters to that effect to: 1. The elder, 2. The PO of the congregation. 3. The city overseer.

  In the lawyers letter he should mention the brush off that the elder gave the sister.

  If the elder has insurance, his insurance may cover the accident. My insurance covers any car I drive.

  The scriptural admonition not to be taking each other to court does not apply to matters like this. Also, getting a lawyer to press someone for your rights is not the same as taking someone to court.

  If the insurance company is not liable then the congregation has to make this right as the elder was operating on their behalf. They won't of course, which is why the sister will need the lawyer.
• 

  HappyGuy

  1. It would bring shame and reproach upon Jehovah's Organization

  I think the elder already did that with this shameful behavior. The sister needs to get a lawyer.
• 

  cantleave

  Thank you all for your helpful and practical advice. I'll certainly be passing on the thoughts from here, whether she takes your advice remains to be seen. What is encouraging is that everyone feels similarly about the situation.

  Thank you all again.
• 

  HappyGuy

  Give me the elder's name and phone number and I will go explain it to him in person. I guarantee you he will be very anxious to ease his concsience.
• 

  Mary

  Give me the elder's name and phone number and I will go explain it to him in person. I guarantee you he will be very anxious to ease his concsience