Hi Alan: You asked on my post about the name of the CO who gave the idiotic talk about masturbation. You wondered if it was Don Amy. No, I don't recall meeting Don. But I did find the name of the CO I mentioned. It is Ray Horton. He was about 60 to 65 years old. I believe that he finally retired.
He was the CO that accompanied me on a Bible Study one time. I had just bought my Areostar Van. It was a used Lease, but only had 15,000 miles. It had a strong smoke smell left over from the previous owner.
When Ray stepped into the van, he started sniffing around, opened the ashtray and looked around for cigarettes. I asked him what the problem was, and he said there is a strange smell in the van and he was trying to place the odor. (I knew what he meant, but decided to toy with him a little.)
I told him that I didn't notice anything, and could he try to be more specific. He asked if I had any smokers in the family. I said no, and asked if that was the odor. He said yes, in a self-righteous way. I told him that was how the van smelled when I bought it, but that I had grown used to it, and hoped it would fade over time.
He suggested using his car. I said no, my van is good enough, and he can just try to ignore the odor. He got a real put-out look on his face, and refused to talk anymore. He was stone dead quiet during the Bible Study. And, he barely said a word to me on our return trip.
He was a strange man, as I have found most COs to be. He had some goofy ideas, and that is why I wondered if the special talk he gave on masturbation was his own contrivance ... stretching the scriptures beyond reason. But, then again, COs get their directions from the Big-O, so I have to believe that he was floating a trial balloon for the Society.
One thing I learned about masturbation talks, is that when they are given, it almost always brings out extra confessions. So, when the JC docket is running low, just schedule a 'special needs' talk on masturbation for the Service Meeting, and then watch the guys come flocking in to fess up.
I wish every JW could understand how Elders really work, the sarcasim they use in talking about the rank and file, and at times the sheer egotistical attitude toward people that develops among many Elders. If the average JW understood how they are really viewed, then maybe many more would leave the organization. - Amazing