I was compelled to ask this question because I have seen several of the youtube videos on JCs. On striking similarity among all these videos is that most of the people bringing the arguments to the elders are pretty much atheists or have turned to another religion altogether.
I can easily see that the common concern in most of the people involved, is their ability to keep in touch with family and friends, which by all means would be my concern as well, when and if I ever end up in one.
However, I can't help but to notice something. It is difficult enough to think of the day that the WT would accept a loose canon in their ranks, let alone someone who openly claims to no longer believe in God. My point is that regardless of the rules the elders are following, a point of contention among your family could be the fact that it is ok if you disagree with the WT but if you no longer believe in God, then for sure we don't want you around.
In other words, would it not be easier to confront the elders saying you still believe in God (even if so pretending) and Jehovah but you are concerned with the direction of the WT? Would you relatives not be more inclined to ignore the shunning rules if you did not speak against Jehovah? At least from my experience, most JWs I know would assure me their loyalty is to God and that if the GB ever commanded something against the word of God, they are not obligated to listen. By all means, I know the idea of the GB ever doing so is far fetched in the minds of JWs. But... would your argument be easier if you took that approach? Would it be easier in your relatives to see you as someone who disagrees with the leadership but strongly (again if so pretending) believes that Jehovah still knows what is best for you and you believe?
I see in many cases people bring up failed predictions, doctrine reversals and the elders always pulled the "we are just imperfect humans" card.
How about this?... how many times did the WT explained why God allows evil by saying that Satan challenged God in front of humanity and therefore God is allowing Satan to rule the world so that humans would know what it is like? How many times have they not said that the example is similar to a student challenging the teacher in front of a class. They question... would it be honest for the teacher to expel the student without allowing the student to prove his point? Or do they not say that the just approach for the teacher would be to allow the student to demonstrate his point so that the teacher would be confirmed correct? If God allows this to happen to the extent that he puts lives at stake in order to do so, who is the GB or the elders to remain unquestioned and unchallenged?
In one of the latest videos I saw, the elders walk around the shunning issue by saying that even if they did not DFd the guy, his family would shun him anyway because the person involved openly admitted he did not believe in God anymore. They guy kept on arguing that his family would shun him because the WT says so. In the minds of most people they are doing God's will, not the WT will. If your real purpose is to maintain association, would you be able to do so by denying God? Would you not be doing the elders job for them by telling your family this? Would you really be earning the rapport with your family as Hassan has suggested?
Any thoughts?
