I believed it BEFORE I was an elder and saw the real interworkings of things as they shelter the young MSs from all the crap, but once they get the next calling, look out! You see how it all REALLY works. I think I was convinced of it even after serving as an elder on several decisions. Now I think it was just time and unforseen occurance.
After years of observing however, there are just toooooo many things that would prove otherwise.
Elders who continue to serve for years and are still assigned circuit & district parts and later it is revealed that they were carrying on affars with other women (or men) for years; or elders that were fired from their secular jobs for stealing or drunkedness or failing drug tests but it never became public knowledge in the JW community. Guess the HS didn't know those things were going on?? And typically those guys were the worst of the "Ax Men" on JCs.
Elder bodies that hide or minimize wrongdoings of their fellow elder buddys. Surely they are worried that then next time it will be them being called on the carpet for something that surfaces and they'll expect the same good ole boy treatment.
Try sitting in on a group elders meeting where 2 or 3 or 4 diff congs share the same KH. I've nearly seen blood flow. OH THE LOVE........