I ran into an active JW...surprised (page 2)

krejames

Hey Parakeet - if your Mum didn't hear it yet then she probably won't- it was probably about a year ago. I got the impression it was an aside rather than being in the outline - you know how some of these COs like to sprinkle their talks with lots of personal opinion...but wouldn't surprise me if this is the way things go in future.

Londo111

The latest Yearbook gives an example where an inactive person is shunned, therefore giving a nod toward the practice without actaully stating it in print.

Cutting and pasting from page 55:

Later that day, during lunch, Katty, an inactive

deaf Witness, approached Gabriela to ask about

the convention. Gabriela replied frankly: “It was

beautiful! But now as a baptized Witness, I want to

stay faithful to Jehovah. So I must let you know

that I can’t be your friend anymore because you live

an unclean life. Being your friend can affect my

friendship with God. You need to change. It’s important

to pray to Jehovah and also to talk with

the elders. I know you can change for the better.”

Thanks to Gabriela’s forthright but loving admonition,

Katty talked with the elders, received spiritual

help, and became active in theministry once again.

LostGeneration

Isn't your wife still active? I'm sure she would have told you (or thrown a lamp at you) if they had DF'd you!

edmond dantes

What would the JWs say if everybody in the World shunned them they would claim persecution right well that's just what they are doing to all their ex members who no longer agree with their nonsense . Shunning is a way of keeping the rank and file in line and woe betide any member thinking of becoming a whistle blower it would cause the Governing Body to throw their toys right out of their collective prams.

Tell them straight that they are going to grow old and die just like everybody else on planet Earth. I was right in 1965 they were wrong when I told the so called elders the same thing and sure enough most of them have gone now or are on the way out . If anyone wants to shun you tell them to grow up and get a life and do something useful.

nolongerconfused

YES! she's still active, I told her what happened and she just laughed....

she would have told me...at least I hope so...but the fact that the top elder there still texts me, and tells me I will always be his friend tells me something

either he's waking up, or he's trying to trick me

Londo111

I would lean toward the latter. Remember there is never an "off the record" discussion with an elder. Text and emails can be used as evidence in their secret tribunals.

respectful_observer

In one of the talks our last CO gave, he commented that we shouldn't have any contact with people who managed to "get around the system" without getting disfellowshipped...

Haha! That reminds me when an elder mentioned that "apostates" had leaked the book online. When I asked what the big deal was, he response was:

"Well it will allow people to 'game the system!'"

"What system?" I asked.

"The judicial process. The book contains very specific directions regarding conducting committees."

I feigned ignorance and replied, "Wow, that sounds a little like someone getting arrested for a crime, but they're not allowed to have a lawyer or even read the text of the law they're being held in violation of."

That response did NOT go over well with him.

respectful_observer

I doubt they " officially" disfellowshipped you, but once you stop going they treat you as if you are

I have an aunt, who when referring to those that have been away from meetings for long periods will say: "Well, you know, they're basically apostate!"

"Really, are they going to a different church? Were they speaking against the Org?"

"Well...not that I'm aware of, BUT...."

Julia Orwell

Even before I learned TTATT this would have made me cringe.