Weldon Howze dies in California

by SadElder 22 Replies latest jw friends

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  SadElder

  I believe there was some jealousy from the Service Dept and others at times respecting Weldon's popularity as a speaker. I helped him with the second go around of "Youth what is your future" tweaking the audio files to freshen it up a bit. He and several others, including myself, gave that talk in many places. All of us eventually got a letter from Service telling us not to give the talk.Those were the days. If you had a special self prepared talk that got a lot of raves the self righteous many began taking pot shots.

  I'll miss his candor and kindness.
  
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  the girl next door

  Weldon was removed as an elder in the late eighties because he had an "Independant" spirit, disregarding talk outlines and service meeting agendas laid out in the KMs. He was also a closet homosexual who talked intimately with young brothers struggling with the same "maladiction". But he was loved by many regardless all around the globe. What is interesting about Weldon is that you will find many who attest to his guidance strengthening their allegiance to "Jehovah" and just as many who declare he helped them walk away from the Watchtower.
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  Dagney

  Honestly, I was curious about that statement also.

  Weldon was removed as an elder in the late eighties because he had an "Independant" spirit, disregarding talk outlines and service meeting agendas laid out in the KMs.

  Ah...okay. The social group I met him in was very open minded, like we all were back then. Loyal yes to the organization, but also critical of most of the teaching, and verbal about it in safe company. Probably the ol' illustration, "the ship is turning slowly in the harbor. Remain faithful, it will get better." Nope...it didn't.
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  SadElder

  I remember when they removed him for a while. They used his visiting a disfellowshipped person in the hospital as the beginning of the witch hunt. I don't recall the ringleader's name anymore. In our talks back and forth I know he was hurt, but took it in stride in typical Weldon fashion.

  When I told him some years later of my exit plans, he simply said .... I understand completely.
  
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  LisaRose

  It doesn't surprise me that some saw him as a threat, he was too well known, a great speaker and loved by many, but he never quite fit the JW "mold", they couldn't have anyone like that have that much power. I suspected as much at the time but didn't ever hear exactly what happened.

  It also doesn't surprise me that he didn't condemn you for leaving, sadelder, he was a truly good and kind person, not judgemental at all. I am so glad I saw your post, otherwise I wouldn't have know he passed away.
  
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  startingover

  I never knew Weldon, but my dad was on his email list. I sent Weldon and email telling him of my father's passing and then I was on his list. It's interesting to read all the comments above from those that knew him. Thanks for posting the link.
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  joe134cd

  So I'm guessing he was disfellowshipped.
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  SadElder

  joe134cd: No he wasn't df'd. He was an active dub right up to the end.
  
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  joe134cd

  It just seems strange that a guy with such liberal views still managed to remain a witness even if he did lose his elder privileges. RIP Weldon.
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  steve2

  Joe I think he tended to toe the line. They had nothing to disfellowship him for.