Hello friends!
My husband and I have this friend we have known for probably 17 years or more. He was an Elder for many years but stepped down
about a year ago. He was always there for us when we had a problem, always kind, a true "hiding place from the wind". Well, we
of course have not attended a meeting in over a year and we had not seen this friend in some time, several months anyway. He had
moved to another congregation just south of here due to problems he had with our body of Elders locally, which we were very
suprised when we heard he had switched congs.
He came by last night and stayed for probably 4 or 5 hours and proceeded to tell us that he no longer wishes to be a JW. Said
he could never go back to an organization that provides no means of solving problems for their flock. He said for the all the years he
had served as an elder many issues had taunted him underneath, but never could bring himself to "rock the boat". He compared the
feeling he has now to first realizing that there is no Santa Claus; you can never go back.
He said that there is such a gross lack of support from the Society on so many matters, even from COs, to DOs. Said it is
truly appalling in all reality.
He also stated that right here in Southern Oregon, he knows of 2 Elders who were accused of Child molestation some time back,
and the accusers were basically told that they were liars. To this day he said that these men are still serving as Elders with no
further investigation done to date.
It is really something that this friend of ours is in our position now. I never imagined that he would ever leave. He had such an
incredible faith in the Org. and in the bible. I remember him being on a committe meeting of mine years ago and he was the only
one that was kind and considerate towards me. He was and continues to be a true friend.
He is now facing losing his family, and friends that he has made over the course of some 30+ years. He figures that
the Elders will eventually catch up with him and deal with him "accordingly". He has a son who is serving a bethel right now
and he is facing having to tell him how he really feels.
But, he knows what is probably ahead for him. He said that he has to be true to himself and the people around him. He also
stated he could never preach door to door ever again as how could he encourage people to join such an organization??
Well, I know you all don't know this person at all, but I just felt the need to write about it. I am amazed now that we have
someone so close to us doing what we are now. I never thought it would happen, I figured we would be the only local outcasts.
Just to give you an example of the bursting Christian love in our local cong., one of the local elders recently stated to this friend that
the congreation has finally eliminated all the "dead weight".
Nice attitude.
Thanks so much for reading.
Love, Vita