During CO visit, I took him for a Bible Study I was conducting. During the session, the householder said he believed Satan was not a person, but personification of evil within us. I left CO to handle householder’s doubt. CO tried as usual with WT answers (if Satan was a quality, it would mean Jesus was talking to the evil within him, but he was sinless …bla bla.). Unfortunately, householder did not seem to be convinced of CO’s reasoning.
On our way back, I told CO that the householder had a point. He said in the temptation account, Satan is shown as reflecting the erroneous belief of ancient time that shape of earth is flat, thus taking Jesus to the top of “a very high mountain” and showed “all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.” (Mathew 4:8, 9) The fact that Jesus did not correct the mistaken view of Satan shows the account of temptation is allegorical. Further, Jesus knew that Satan was only a personification of evil (Mathew 16:23; John 6:70) and categorically declared that “all evil thoughts proceed from one’s heart,” not from Satan. (Mark 7:21; James 1:14). There is nothing unusual with personification as Bible personifies even material riches. (Mathew 6:24).
CO did not respond to my comments. I thought that was the end of the matter.
However, I did not know that CO had registered a case against me with the Body of Elders. In the following week after CO visit, two elders approached me and asked whether I still stick to my view about Satan which I shared with CO. I really got angry within me thinking why should CO take seriously something I said so casually and informally. I responded: “If you both have come to build a case against me with two of you being the prospective witnesses to what I am going to say, here is my view. I do not believe Satan is a person, but a personification of evil tendencies found in all of us. You do whatever you want to do, and you don’t have to take the trouble of informing me what your decision is going to be.” After that I never went to Kingdom Hall.
After a few months, my friends in the congregation informed me that my disfellowshipping was announced. Reason: apostasy!