I was doing some research on the WT CD, trying to find an experience I remember really frightened me into never leaving the org..(that's what it takes now to keep people from leaving...fright!) and I stumbled upon these quotes from the 3/15/96 Watchtower.....
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Loyalty to Jehovahs visible organization also means having nothing to do with apostates. Loyal Christians will not be curious about what such people have to say. True, those being used by Jehovah God to direct his work on earth are not perfect. But what does Gods Word tell us to do? Leave Gods organization? No. Brotherly affection should keep us loyal to it, and we should continue to "love one another intensely from the heart."1 Peter 1:22.12
Loyalty presents particular challenges to elders. One of these challenges is the matter of confidentiality. A member of a congregation may confide in an elder. Loyalty to that one will keep the elder from violating the principle of confidentiality. He will heed the counsel at Proverbs 25:9: "Do not reveal the confidential talk of another." That means not even to his own wife!14
There are other aspects to the matter of meeting the challenge of loyalty to the congregation and its elders. If there are somewhat troubled conditions in the congregation, this gives us opportunity to display loyalty to Jehovah and to those representing him. (See The Watchtower, June 15, 1987, pages 15-17.) When there has been a disfellowshipping, loyalty requires that we back up the elders, not trying to second-guess whether there were sufficient reasons for the action taken.So first they tell you, you aren't loyal if you listen to people who really know what's going on. (Scare tactic so you won't leave) Next, they basically incriminate themselves with regards to not making everyone aware of a molester, like they should!! My favorite part is how they can't tell their wives. If that's the case, how come elder's wives always know everything that's going on in the congregation???? Hmmmmm. And finally, we're supposed to back up the elders and their completely ludicrous decision making! I guess you can say I'm not "loyal" anymore.
Anyway, the experience I was looking for, (and maybe some of you will remember this, I hope) was in either the WT or Awake some time ago (I can't remember) and it spoke of a young man who one day decided he didn't want the truth anymore and told his parents. That night he went to a night club or something (again, I can't remember completely) and was shot and killed. And of course the moral of the story from the Society was if you even think about leaving, you will be killed. I was so scared when I read this and for years thought that if I ever made a conscientious decision to leave I would be killed. Hmmmmm.....that's funny......I'm still alive. Anyway, I mentioned in a couple of threads that soon I will tell my story. I will say this much......I've been raised in the truth and had the opportunity to work with Marilyn (aka Mulan) in the drama back in '95 in Tacoma, and was also in Reinhard Lengtat's congregation for several years. Details to come..........