Is there now a HUGE gulf between most R&F and the Elders ? (page 2)

pontoon

Why three? Just in case one can't follow through to the end the two left can without bringing in a new man.

hoser

Why three? Just in case one can't follow through to the end the two left can without bringing in a new man.

is that official policy? if one of the three elders quits then they continue on with two, or do they get a replacement elder?

I wonder where that is found in the bible?

Fernando

A very interesting observation Phizzy.

I believe it was true in my case as one of the R&F.

And yes so-called "elders" are appointed and called to serve their master the Sanhedrin (WBTS/GB/FDS) as part of the "ruling religious clergy class".

I wonder if it is a matter of statistics, where for example what you have observed applies in say 70-90% of all cases?

Where is JWSurvey.org when you need them? I miss Cedars' insightful analysis.

I had no use for the elders back in the day when I saw the preferential treatment and attitudes accorded their own children and other family members. But, yet these elders criticized and went after other people in the hall who did the same wrong things.

I even heard of people leaving the hall and attending elsewhere after certain big stinks occurred and the elders threw them under the bus.

LisaRose

In looking back at things, I now realize this was probably always been the case, but it seems it is even more so now. I was so naive, I didn't realize that elders were given different directions from what was published to the public and the rank and file. It was more than just the elders manual, it was a different organization than what I thought I was a part of. Things that seemed odd at the time now make a lot more sense. We we told when these seemingly unfair things happened to "wait on Jehovah" to fix in his own time. That would never happen because this was how the elders were expected to act.

Apognophos

I don't see a gulf at all in my congregation. Some Witnesses might be wary of some particular elder because of his attitude or hypocrisy, but there are plenty of "beloved" elders too who seem kind and are adored by the R&F. Unfortunately, as Phizzy said, they are all company men, and when push comes to shove, they will uphold the Society's harmful policies like disfellowshipping, and not feel badly about it (in most cases).

slimboyfat

When you are a real JW believer there is simply no such thing as choosing between loyalty to Jehovah and loyalty to the Governing Body. It is one and the same thing. To even make a theoratical distinction between the two is to put yourself immediately beyond the pale.

Vidiot

Phizzy - "Is there now a HUGE gulf between most R&F and the Elders?"

There's always been a gulf.

I don't know if it's "huge", but it sure ain't getting any smaller.

Narcissistic Supply

Keystone cops in a banana republic.

Thanks for playing.

Is there now a HUGE gulf between most R&F and the Elders ?