Elders and Culpability Revisited
Since the issue keeps coming up no matter what (Watchtower ingrained in all JWs the position elders had and how no one should question the elders. On the other hand, we should all turn in errant publishers).
I would like to say first that I have said some harsh words on the subject, to Amazing and to Marvin Shilmer and to Jst2laws and Hillary_Step (I read the book "Into Thin Air" and I know what that means now!!). As for my feelings about what I said, let me say this:
That I have since met Jst2laws in person and have talked to Amazing on the phone. My feelings for THEM have changed considerably and my postion on the issue has softened somewhat.
The problem with the issue of "Elders and Culpability" as it was presented and debated in those five or so threads over some fifty pages over a period of almost two months by some one hundred people, is that, just like Watchtower would have us do, it was all or nothing, and this is NEVER warranted, people are not all good or all bad and I wish I had had the insight to express my views in a way that reflected this simple truth. I needed more practice toward that goal, and believe me since then, I have gotten it. Meeting Bill Bowen in person twice hasnt hurt either, and a few other individuals. These men have personalities that would melt solid rock. For anyone who feels, like I do, that they have been hurt by elders, meeting men SUCH AS THESE in person is an absolute must.
However, it was pointed out to me that elders, too are victims in a sense. "Do you really believe," I have been asked, "that I SET OUT to have my family to live at such a low standard of subsistance? I WANTED them to have better vacations, better clothes, a nicer car, I would have LOVED for my children to have better and more extended education so they wouldnt have to work so hard. NOBODY sets OUT to be this kind of parent." Which made sense to me. "And, too, I could have gone to college, been a doctor or a lawyer or a scientist, I would have LOVED to have contributed to the world somehow---but I couldnt do that any more than any publisher, Watchtower doesnt let elders off the hook that way any more so than the publishers" Upon finally exiting the Watchtower, "We have all the same regrets, all the same realizations of the life we could have had and the life we could have given our families, as you did. We have to live with that the rest of our lives just as the exiting publishers do."
I could not argue with such logic.
On the other hand, it is nothing less than absolute emotional abuse to say to a publisher hurt by an elder, "Just get over it. That is atrocious, and let it be known that not only was this attitude presented MANY MANY times by persons I had come to RESPECT, but this attitude still exists TODAY. Several times in the last couple of days, disruptive and abusive posters were spoken of as "Theyve made lots of progress, give them a break, be nice to them." But there are posters on this board, not part of the in crowd that express themselves fearlessly right or wrong, good or bad, easily understood or notthat HAVE exited the organization and ARE trying to straighten out their lives and ARE trying to help their fellow man and fellow ex-jws----and they get called names such as whacko and psycho and over emotional and illogical and everything else, even though they do not break board rules.
Their only crime is speaking out as to what they think and how they feel.
OH BOY is this familiar.
In any case, this did not go to the crux of the whole elder and culpability issue, which WASand still IS-do those still serving as elders in the Watchtower regime bear extra culpability for Watchtower atrocities.
Watchtower says they do. "There have been some elders who have screwed up." "There have been times when action should have been taken and it wasnt, and assistance should have been given and it wasnt" and finally "it is possible that a few of the 77,799 elders of Jehovah's Witnesses have not followed the direction that they have been given regarding investigating and reporting child abuse." Regardless of the truth of these Watchtower statements, (and their truth is questionable at best) obviously even Watchtower deems elders responsible for some of the organizations problems. Not ALL elders mishandle congregational matters so badly that they end up on national television or in a courtroom.
But in any case, without a doubt, many many elders really did NOT know the Watchtowers history, not even Ray Franz knew some of Watchtowers history and he was on the governing body. For myself, I will no longer judge anyone in the Watchtower except on a person by person case. Having been in and around the organization myself for almost thirty years, I would want the same for me.
Peace to all of you here on the board, and to the walking wounded yet to join us. We all need it.