by AK - Jeff 33 Replies latest jw friends
I don't know what they will do with long time faders.
I find it difficult to believe they would kick someone out whom they have not had a chance to talk with, even briefly.
But besides that, I do believe we are in the middle of a crackdown that very well could get tougher. The WTS must react to the wealth of information found on the internet. More people are fading and leaving now more than ever due to the accessability of the net.
I sincerely hope they DF all faders. Just think how fast the borg will fall apart when every family has to start shunning their loved ones after years of fellowship just because the freaks in Crooklyn are scared crapless.
As far as I'm concerned they started shunning walkaways in 1992.
The WTS is caught between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.
The congregations are filled with the weak and inactive. It may be that the GB fears that the level of apathy is reaching critical mass. JW culture is changing and it is becoming socially acceptable to ignore the shrill and strident calls for conformity and obedience. The Org may be willing to do a bit of pruning to preserve the hard-core elements from the erosive effects of the inactive and the faders. Following the debacle of 1975, the WTS lost many adherents, but these were soon replaced by new and significant growth. They may risk such a move (DA-ing faders) with a view to long-term potential for increase.
On the other hand, many less-than-zealous Witnesses remain only to preserve relationships with family and friends, or because they have no support network outside the Organisation. The GB must know this. If the WTS "offs" too many, they will inadvertently create such a support network. Watch the dam burst and the reservoir empty...
If you were in their shoes, how would you deal with the problem? (Don't suggest honesty, it's not their policy)
Yes, but I don't think it's anything new. I also don't know as it is organization-wide. From time to time various bodies of elders make a push to clear out the dead wood by approaching inactive publishers with a view toward getting them to either come out and say they don't want to be a JW or come back to the flock. It seems that is the case in my area recently.
I am in the habit of going to a particular bakery and coffee shop in my area on Saturday mornings. This place just happens to be where many of the local JWs take coffee break while they are out in field service. Most of them know me well and generally avoid even making eye contact.
A few weeks ago one of the elders who moved to my old congregation after we left actually approached me at my table and asked if he could ask me a question. This was rather strange since I am quite well known to be an "apostate" in my area. He then inquired about my wife's "status". I asked "Status regarding what?" and he replied "Her status with the congregation." So I said "Well, I guess that would be up to the congregation, wouldn't it?" He looked a bit surprised but continued "We have not had any contact with her for some time and were wondering if she still believes as Jehovah's Witnesses do." I told him that he would have to ask her about what she believes and he said he would call.
Now, my wife has not been in the Kingdom Hall in 6 years but does have some contact with some old JW friends. Back when I was an elder, the CO would occasionally get on us to get some long time faders who maintained some contact with JWs to "clarify their position" regarding the organization. This gives the elders the opportunity to make an announcement about someone who says they no longer want to be considered a JW or to "encourage" someone who does not make that statement to come back. I suspect this is the case with their sudden interest in my wife's status.
The sad thing is that her status seemed to be the only thing this young elder really cared about. He wasn't inquiring about her health, either physical or spiritual. One of the reasons I originally stepped down from being an elder was that I realized that we were not functioning as Biblical elders, but as organizational functionaries. This is what was going on with this elder. He was not acting as a spiritual shepherd, but as an organizational manager. When I talk with him next, I will have to ask him how he feels about that.
From what my sisters tell me, in Missouri, where I grew up, the elders have been on a "power" trip with this topic. She said it's like they need to do this to made themselves feel "superior" and in control. I have 3 sisters that have moved from the original congregation. They are ready and waiting for a visit. I don't think it will be pretty! LOL
shelley
THEY ANNOUNCED THAT I HAD DISASSOCIATED MYSELF (WHICH I HADN'T). WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM ON IT, THEY SAID MY SIN WAS NON MEETING ATTENDANCE! THIS WAS AROUND 15 YEARS AGO!
OUTASERVICE (SERIOUS SINNER)
One of the reasons I originally stepped down from being an elder was that I realized that we were not functioning as Biblical elders, but as organizational functionaries.
That's it exactly. Talk to people who've been on the receiving end of a visit from the elders and this comes through: They are not shepherding visits, but monitoring visits. One of the blessings of the role of an elder, though, is he's suually so downtrodden with all the tasks that are expected of him, that he cannot possibly keep tabs on everyone. I've heard of cases where active JWs slowly faded and eventually stopped going to meetings and not one person in the whole congregation even seemed to notice (that is, there was absolutely no response from the elders just like the fader had "disappeared" from the elders' memory bank.)
bennyk, thank you for your insightful post.
SNG
If they "society" went too hardcore with the 'if you're not with us, you're against us policy' people would be forced to honestly re-evaluate their motives, the org doesn't really want its members to think for themselves, this is why they hand feed people with pureed mush. The ship is sinking, I'm just glad I'm not going down with it. frog
