Why do elders not disfellowship inactive people?

by kenpodragon 43 Replies latest jw friends

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  kenpodragon

  To all

  I wanted to point out something, since it came up. The count of Witnesses is based on people who turned in time in the last service year. They take the peak month, which is normally a summer month because many people turn in two months at once because of vacation. Each card represents one person!!! If you did not turn in time this year, you have not been counted.

  Also, as for recent KM's. I have not read that garbage since 1996, but I do know it was only a short time ago that a in-law tried to turn me in and got the shut door. I will quote a DO at a Elders Meeting ...

  "We have enough work to do with keeping the flock who attends safe, if someone has stepped into the word on there own and want to stay that way. Leave them alone and treat them like people of the world. We need to take care of our own!!!"

  ... Of course the exception would be if you went out and raised a stink, like starting a anti-JW program or trying to tell people you were a JW in a public format. Then they do have to go after you and take you out of the religion in a legal way. If you are like me though, you really wont care anymore.

  My thought

  Dragon
• 

  Zechariah

  Kenpodragon,

  Certainy your situation is unique and does not fit that of the average disfellowshipped person. Most after walking away from the org still maintain close ties with friends or relatives who remain active and loyal. Some like myself even live with them. I wish I would practice some magic in my mothers house. I would be out on the street promptedly and the elders would be on me like white on rice trying to disfellowship me. They would be right too in doing so because as you said they feel themselves obligated to protect the congregation.

  I am willing to forgo many personal liberties to maintain a compatible relationship with my family. This would be the same in regard to anyone JW or not I would choose to coexist with.

  I realize it is your intention to sooth the fears of those who depart from the organization on their own yet fear disfellowshipping. But if a person who does so desires to remain in the sphere of influence of those that remain he risks action against himself. It is just one of many crosses a person must bear as he struggles for Christian freedom.

  Zechariah
  GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH
• 

  mustang

  I have found what Kenpo said to be generally true. I am in this position.

  However, moving thousands of miles helped. On the second move, I made absolutely no attempt to contact JWs.

  However, my Rutherfordite, vindictive, energetic [known locally as the Energizer Bunny] father dogged me and caused me trouble. Sometimes the RELATIVES ARE THE WORST, and everybody else will let you go in peace. That has been my experience.

  (Sidenote: My father is technically guilty of STALKING and would be doing Felony time, if all this was done in my state. That leverage, due to recent Penal Code changes is very powerful.)

  I want to inject a detail, that I have seen reference to, that is related.

  Apparently, there is some obscure ruling/writing in those secret rule books about an inactive person moving into a different territory. He makes no "waves", attempts at association or what-not. So he is technically not on the "rolebooks" locally and cant be dealt with.

  However, a FILE may be kept on him, probably in one of those sealed envelopes. It is in case HE/SHE SHOULD EVER DESIRE TO RETURN.

  Has anybody any experience with these? I am curious as, I have confirmed that PEOPLE THAT I HAVE NEVER MET, IN A KH I HAVE NEVER SEEN KNOW ABOUT ME.

  Mustang

  Edited by - mustang on 31 August 2002 13:45:44

  Edited by - mustang on 31 August 2002 13:47:36
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  kenpodragon

  Mustang

  They do keep a file on you, if you are inactive and had people report on you. That way if you ever return they can discuss these issues with you. That is very much true!!!! There is very little hidden secret info in the organization though, and I know a lot of people think there is. Most of the procedures elders follow can be found online. They are not like the Jews with some secret inner Temples. They are more compared to a business with a company hand book.

  Honestly though, for the most part ... they want to leave inactive people alone.

  Take Care

  Dragon
• 

  happy man

  hello kenpo.

  intresting that you talk about shamanism, one of my boys have this on his brain, and read books from a man called careda or something. Perhaps you can tell me what all this is about, fore mee it is just a lot of drug romantic, to help you find your one soul.

  And man what are you doing out in rumania, cant be to nice.

  greating from your old friend happy man
• 

  kenpodragon

  Happy Man

  The aspect of Shamanism that I practice is more about directing our earth energies to control our life better and to bring order to our mind. There are aspects to affecting other people as well.

  As for the Romania, I put that as a joke ... I am in the USA, Oregon to be exact. :)

  Take Care

  Dragon
• 

  Tinkerbell4125

  I have a brother that slowly driffed out. I think that's the best way to do it if you can. Lay low and keep your nose clean.

  In my bubby's and my situation, I think it was like a witch hunt, insisting that we meet with them. In the end, we had to tell them that we disassociated ourselves to get them off our backs. I wanted to slowly fade out, but it just didn't work out that way.
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  freedom96

  Kenpodragon,

  Just a side note, I think it is great that you got involved with martial arts. I have too. It was amazing to look back at articles the society wrote on the subject, and how uninformed they actually were regarding what actually takes place when learning the art. They think it all has to do with violence, but I found out much more, as it sounds like you did too. Good for you!
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  Farkel

  kenpo,

  : So if you walked away and you worry if they might hunt you down some day and DF you, don't!!

  Not true. Our own Cygnus had been inactive and had not attended meetings for three full years. He was hunted down and DFd.

  Barbara Anderson left NINE years ago and was recently DF for bullshit reasons which were ordered DIRECTLY by the WTS.

  And the flock book is purposefully not specfic about how "long" someone should be out before the elders won't bother with a DF. That tactic lets elders do whatever they want.

  I've faded away thirty years ago, and if they ever try to DF me I'll sue their asses and throw everything in a book at them. Besides that, I was baptized at age twelve and didn't have a clue what kind of a destructive cult I was getting involved with.

  Farkel
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  RR

  I stepped down, my wife and I walked away and never looked back. Despite a few over zealous ones who were snooping in our business, nothing was ever done. Over ten years later, nothing has still been done. And even if they were to track us down, as they could easily do, since we have family in the old congregation, we could care less. The family and friends who know, have been treating us like lepers anyway. So go ahead and DF us!