Sandy,
One of the worst parts of this mess was that the brothers most stricken by a guilty conscience over this were the brothers in leadership positions in Mexico -- even the Branch Overseer of Mexico. He even gave a talk for all Bethelites when I was there on how the work was progressing in Mexico under the guise of social and educational programs. He didn't say anything about the contradiction during the talk, but he definitely brought up the comparison again to Malawi when doublechecking the GBs current stand on the issue. Ray Franz exposure of this travesty drove the GB to immediately redouble their efforts to get the JWs legalized as a real religion, ASAP.
In fact, I know of a brother who was at Bethel 25 years ago, (one of few with a college degree back then) who has remained a JW all these years, and has also studied sociology. He was in a Mexican border congregation until just a few months ago. As recently as last year, he asked JRBrown about the possibility of working on a book that discussed the great work JWs have done in the country with respect to increased literacy. He got no response on that issue, but suddenly was just disfellowshipped in the last two months for insubordination to the elders. That was the real charge against him, although on paper it was "causing divisions" or something like that. The charges were so ludicrous and trumped up that he is appealing. I can't say for sure that JRBrown is afraid of dredging up this old history, and I don't think this brother would have a clue about that Mexico-Malawi comparison as a possible motive.
Gamaliel
P.S. Sandy, I believe I have given enough information so that any WTS representatives could easily identify the brother I speak of, so I feel obligated to add the following here in the same post. I hope you don't mind. You may safely ignore the following:
To JR, if you're "listening:" At the risk of sounding haughty, as an outsider, I wanted to defend the work and intentions of this brother. From what I have known of this brother in the past, and after speaking with a relative of his, I would think the Service Department would prefer to consider granting his requested appeal and see what might be possible to do, so that no further obstacles or burdens be added that would keep this brother from continuing his good standing in the congregation. His desire to come back, his quiet nature, and the permission he requested of you speak to his loyalty. Also, the type of questioning and authoritarian attitude he evidently received from the local elders has the potential of becoming no small scandal in itself. If he later wishes to leave the Organization based on this type of treatment, many would think of it as due to a "stumbling block" brought on by the circumstances and personality of his particular, current Judicial Committee. Many would no doubt think it unjust to permit the stigma and/or shunning that a disfellowshipping can carry with it. I believe this to be the feeling of several who are currently aware of this case in his own and nearby congregations.
Thanks for your serious consideration of his request.
