New article on AJWRB
http://ajwrb.org/experiences/debbie-shards-story
Debbie Shard’s Story
Posted on July 22, 2014 by Lee Elder
I was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness in a family that was associated from about 1910. I grew up truly believing it was the truth. There were many issues, as I got older that disturbed my conscience and I want to tell my story. My Dad was an Elder for many years. He developed kidney disease, which eventually stopped all kidney function, and he went on dialysis.
The subject of a transplant came up, and my parents searched the Watchtower publications to see what the society had to say, and found that it was not permissible, so he did not have a transplant. He was on dialysis for several years, but it was not enough. He died in 1978, and the society changed their policy, to make it a matter of conscience in 1980.
Name: Arvid Einar Moody – Born: Aug 1910 – Died: May 1978 in Cambridge Mass. To view the death certificate, click here.
I believe Dad was baptized in 1929, and I have a picture of his baptism…in fact lots of family pictures of all witness activities including assemblies, sound cars, etc…as well as the portable phonograph and Rutherford records…also a very large number of books going back to the turn of the century.
Dad was an elder in the Hyde Park Congregation on River St. in Hyde Park, MA. Dad designed the hall. He was sound servant for our circuit, and most district assemblies in our area. He was well-known in the area, and fairly well-known at headquarters. He was friends with Al Schroeder (Governing Body member), and Charlie Meng of the art department.
I have a 16-year-old son, who must attend the kingdom hall every other Sunday with his father (who is still a witness) He does not believe the Watchtower, and does not wish to attend. His father has even resorted to calling the police to force him to go, when he resisted. Recently my ex-husband gave my son a blood card to carry in his wallet. My son does not believe as my husband does, yet my ex-husband would have him carry this card, which expresses not my son’s beliefs, but his own…even to the point of risking my son’s life for something that my son does not believe. On the back of the card, my ex-husband scratched out (our) son and replaced it with (my) son, thus erasing my parental input in the matter. He signed it as though he was the only parent. Obviously, my son will not carry the card, but gave it to me instead.
The incredible control that the organization has over people’s lives still amazes me….and saddens me. May God bless your efforts!
In His Love,
Debbie Shard