Writing to Bethel

by Gadget 8 Replies latest jw friends

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  Gadget

  How many people have written to bethel about a problem in the congregation, and what sort of reply did you get?

  I have a sutuation where elders are trying to bully me, and using other things to basically blackmail me. Elders in other halls are indirectly involved in the situation, and say they are out of order for doing it, but are unable to get involved because of the circumstances.

  Others have recomended I write to the bethel complaining about it, but I'm not sure if doing this would sor it or just be making a rod for my own back. Obviously if I did so I would make sure the letter was appropriately worded, in that I was only acting out of concern for the congregation, ect.

  Anyone here done that? and what was the result?
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  rocketman

  Hi Gadget, I never have, but some here have posted their experience in writing, with variable results. Maybe if you do decide to write we can get peek?
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  Gadget

  will do, but I'll wait until I've given them oppurtunity to reply first. I don't want their answer to be tainted by their seeing a copy of the letter on the web before they reply.

  Those who have gotten a reply, how long did it take to come through?
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  No Apologies

  5 months. And then what they sent me back was basically a form letter, that would have taken about 5 minutes to write. They didn't even bother to proofread it.
• 

  rocketman

  Cool avatars on this thread - a Homer Simpson feast. Ooops, I digress.

  Cruzanheart posted a thread concering her dad and their reply. It took about three months I think. In their reply, they accepted no responsibilty for what happened and in fact basically placed blame with Cruzanheart, which was an awful thing to do.
• 

  Gadget

  Seems writing to bethel doesn't do much good. what about to the cirdut overseer? I remember reading a that a few on here had some success getting things sorted by approaching him direct. Would you suggest waiting until his next visit in abou 3 months, or writing to him c/o the society, or would I be better sending it via a local congregation? I already have a good letter written out and would be a shame to waste it.
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  rocketman

  I think much depends on what the topic will be. Could the CO view it as of such a nature that he would want to appoint two elders to investigate? Before long, you could end up being viewed very negatively by them.

  By writing to the Society, you keep things a bit more distant, and, though they could contact your local congregation, they may just encourage you to talk to the elders.

  It's really hard to say without more knowledge of the subject matter. I hope some folks with more experience in writing to them and/or to the CO can help you out here Gadget.
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  Sam Beli

  Hello Gadget,
  
  It has been years since I have written to Brooklyn. I had hoped that some with more recent experience would comment here.
  
  My experience: Like many large corporations, things can get mixed up a bit. Letters crossed in the mail and the left hand did not always seem to know what the right hand was doing. However, some good was accomplished in my case. The local elders had made such an egregious mistake that Brooklyn had no choice but to correct them. They did it in a kind way, actually. After all, these men were their own appointed representatives locally.
  
  In a follow-up to the original problem, however, they did not respond to me directly. Instead they sent their reply to my letter to the other elders and I was never allowed to see the letter though they did read it to me. It contained a very important doctrinal exception to their stated (printed) position. Perhaps that is why they did not allow me to see it since I was the one protesting their position.
  
  Be prepared that any correspondence you send to the Society will be forwarded to the local elders. You may get a reply directly or the reply may come by way of the local elders or in a few cases from the CO.
  
  Regards,
  
  Sam
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  Gadget

  Rocketman, you can find the subject at:

  www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/53312/1.ashx

  My letter is from the veiwpoint of wanting to get reinstated, but in my position as described in the above thread being concerned by statements made by the elders and the consequences this would have on my girlfriend and her safety.