8 serving elders with some interesting views... shame they don't all serve on the same body!!

by cedars 11 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • cedars
    cedars

    Hi everyone

    I thought I'd take a look at how the 2012 JW survey is progressing, and I was particularly interested to note the broad spectrum of responses from the 8 serving elders who have so far voted. I thought I would share these with you...

    Question: In what capacity do you currently serve as an elder?

    1 CoBOE (formerly the "Presiding Overseer"), 1 Service Overseer, 2 Secretaries, 3 Other congregational roles, 1 abstained from voting.

    Question: Do you serve in any of these other roles?

    1 Hospital Liaison Committee member, 2 RBC volunteers, 2 regular pioneers, 3 abstained from voting.

    Question: Do you currently serve at a Branch Office or the World Headquarters of the Watch Tower Society?

    7 said "no", 1 abstained.

    Question: Have you ever served on a judicial committee?

    100% said "yes".

    Question: Have you ever regretted a decision that you have arrived at on a judicial committee?

    5 answered "yes", 3 answered "no".

    Question: What is your view of so-called "apostates" - those who disagree with the Society's teachings?

    71% ticked "some may have legitimate concerns", 57% ticked "I regularly participate on 'apostate' forums and websites", "I consider myself a secret 'apostate'", and "some are justifiably hurt by the way they have been treated." 43% said "I would join them if I had the opportunity" and "I still have love for them." 14% ticked "they are bitter and vindictive", and "I feel sorry for them."

    Question: What is your attitude regarding shunning?

    57% ticked "I object to all forms of shunning", 43% ticked "I believe that shunning is to keep the congregation clean, and should have no bearing on family ties".

    Question: What factors do you feel motivate elders to serve?

    83% ticked "a desire to help and shepherd the flock", 67% ticked "a desire for prominence" and "a desire to fulfil people's expectations", 50% ticked "a desire to comfort those in distress", "a desire to teach from God's word in an expanded way", and "an ambition to succeed." 17% ticked "a desire to set a good example."

    Question: Do you believe that Jehovah's Witnesses represent God's spirit-directed organization?

    6 ticked "no", 2 abstained.

    Question: Do you believe that elders are appointed by holy spirit?

    6 ticked "no", 1 ticked "yes", 1 abstained.

    Question: Do you believe that you are free to express a difference of opinion within the Witness faith?

    7 ticked "no", 1 abstained.

    Question: Have you ever been the subject of a judicial committee hearing?

    6 ticked "no", 1 ticked "yes", 1 abstained.

    Question: What is your personal stance on blood?

    4 ticked "secretly, I would accept treatment with blood if my life was at stake", 2 ticked "I would rather not say", 1 ticked "I refuse whole blood transfusions, but accept treatment with fractions", 1 abstained.

    Question: Have you ever known or heard of one of Jehovah's Witnesses committing or attempting suicide?

    6 ticked "yes", 1 ticked "no", 1 abstained.

    Question: Have you ever researched Jehovah's Witnesses on the internet?

    7 ticked "yes", 1 abstained.

    Question: Do you believe that the Watch Tower Society can (or should) be reformed?

    5 ticked "the Society should undergo reform, but I cannot see it happening", 1 ticked "no, the Society doesn't need to reform in any way".

    Question: Which of the following beliefs/practices of Jehovah's Witnesses do you DISAGREE with, if any?

  • Young people are not to pursue higher education (100%, 6 Votes)
  • Witnesses who leave are to be shunned by family members if they are old enough to leave home (100%, 6 Votes)
  • Paedophilia: treated as a judicial matter rather than a crime (100%, 6 Votes)
  • Young people should not be involved in extra curricular sports (w11 12/15 pp. 8-9) (100%, 6 Votes)
  • Past mistakes and future refinements are due to “increasing light” from God’s holy spirit (100%, 6 Votes)
  • Beards are frowned upon, brothers with beards not used to give convention items (100%, 6 Votes)
  • Bible prophecy: Christ chose the Bible Students as his “Faithful and Discreet Slave” in 1919 (83%, 5 Votes)
  • Bible prophecy: Christ began ruling as king in heaven in 1914 (83%, 5 Votes)
  • Bible prophecy: the anointed “generation” of Matthew 24:32-34 “overlaps” with those anointed ones who witness the Great Tribulation (83%, 5 Votes)
  • Masturbation is wrong (83%, 5 Votes)
  • Sisters who are beaten by their husbands are not entitled to a divorce. They must remain married, or they will not be able to marry anyone else if they wish to remain in the faith. (83%, 5 Votes)
  • Paedophiles: not automatically prohibited from becoming an elder or ministerial servant in the future (83%, 5 Votes)
  • The Governing Body is God’s sole channel of communication (83%, 5 Votes)
  • Blood transfusions are to be refused, even if life is at stake (83%, 5 Votes)
  • Celebrating birthdays is wrong (83%, 5 Votes)
  • Paedophiles: two witnesses required to convince elders of molestation (83%, 5 Votes)
  • Apostates are “mentally diseased” (w11 7/15 p16) (83%, 5 Votes)
  • Outside literature or any other form of information is NOT to be consulted when researching bible teachings, ONLY Watchtower publications are to be recommended. (67%, 4 Votes)
  • Only those who are spirit-anointed should partake of the memorial emblems (67%, 4 Votes)
  • Giving no minimum age for baptism, which leads to many in their early teens (or even younger) getting baptized oblivious to the full ramifications of this decision. (67%, 4 Votes)
  • Jesus Christ is only a mediator for the 144,000, and not for any members of the Great Crowd (67%, 4 Votes)
  • The insistence on 607 BCE for the fall of Jerusalem, contrary to commonly-accepted historical evidence (67%, 4 Votes)
  • Bible prophecy: most prophecies in Revelation and Daniel for the ‘last days’ fulfilled in early 20th Century (67%, 4 Votes)
  • Paedophiles: names kept confidential from the congregation (67%, 4 Votes)
  • Disfellowshipped teenagers are comparable to Nadab and Abihu, the Israelite priests who were struck dead by Jehovah for offering illegitimate fire on behalf of the entire congregation (w11 7/15 p31). (50%, 3 Votes)
  • The Governing Body does not need to have any contact with the anointed remnant (50%, 3 Votes)
  • The treatment of women in the organization (50%, 3 Votes)
  • Refusal to accept aspects of evolutionary theory (33%, 2 Votes)
  • Others that are not mentioned above (please specify in the comments box below) (0%, 0 Votes)
  • None. I agree with all teachings and practices contained in Watchtower publications (0%, 0 Votes)

    • ... 2 abstained from this question.

    Anyway, I hope you find the above answers enlightening. Obviously, the results will be far more telling once more serving elders have participating, but it is interesting to observe the early trends.

    Whether you are a serving elder or not, if you haven't yet participated in the 2012 JW survey, please do so by clicking here!

    Cedars

  • cantleave
    cantleave

    8 is a very small sample and I can think of at least 4 of those who post here. That being said, I am sure this does reflect the thoughts of many elders within the congregations.

  • Phizzy
    Phizzy

    Thanks Cedars, I agree with Cantleave that we cannot quote the results as though it was scientific proof that satistically this goes across all bodies of Elders, as you rightly point out by your thread title.

    It is still both helpful and encouraging to me, it makes it worhwhile continueing with efforts to free those within the organization, as it must show that many have huge doubts, which means their cognitive dissonance is becoming more of a problem, they cannot keep ratoinalising away the doubts and questions.

    Thanks for your work, and for posting.

  • cedars
    cedars

    Thanks Phizzy and cantleave - I agree with those sentiments. It's a shame the sample isn't larger after 2 full months of voting, but hopefully more elders, publishers and ex-JWs alike will muster up the courage to step forward and complete the survey.

    On average we're receiving 1,000 unique visits to the survey site each month (the vast majority of which are first time visits), so the interest is there. Hopefully, over time, more people will realise that there is absolutely nothing to fear from making your voice heard in this way.

    Cedars

  • elderelite
    elderelite

    As cantleave noted, i know for sure one elder who took it participates here :-P I figure george took it too.... I just want to know which one thinks elders are appointed by holy sprit.....

  • Black Man
    Black Man

    You should also include as a survey question: Should JWs be required to record the time they spend in the ministry?

  • Black Man
    Black Man

    Great idea for the survey. Hopefully more elders step forward and fill it out!

  • elderelite
    elderelite

    Sorry glitch/double post

  • 00DAD
    00DAD

    Interesting but as noted by others, 8 is a small sampling. Also, the fact that they participated already indicates a bias toward disagreeing with the WTBTS heirarchy and doctrines.

    There is obviously no way to know, but it would be intriguing if we could actually survey 100% of active witness and get HONEST answers.

    In the meantime this shows that there are many people PRETENDING to go along with the program when secretly they disagree. Imagine if everyone is just waiting for someone else to make the first move!

    "The Emperor's naked ... and butt-ugly too!"

    Keep up the good work!

  • Broken Promises
    Broken Promises
    Also, the fact that they participated already indicates a bias toward disagreeing with the WTBTS heirarchy and doctrines.

    That is something to remember before getting too excited over the results.

    But, it's great that the internet allows for anonymous dissent against the WTS and these elders are making the most of this.

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