by ozziepost 2 Replies latest jw friends
In view of all the discussion about elders' accountability, you might be interested to read the Society's attitude:
Aware that they must render an account, the elders were happy to assist a repentant fellow believer The Watchtower September 15, 1996 (page 21)
Aren't you glad to know that?
Cheers,
Ozzie
"You can know the law by heart, without knowing the heart of it"
Philip Yancey, What's So Amazing About Grace?
Ozzie,
Yes, how often we hear this. I just hate the fact at times that the Elders can make such ridiculous errors in judgement, and yet we are told that if we have enough faith in God, we can overlook these mistakes! I once had to go before a committee with my husband, as he was attacked on his job by lunatic who had a smart assed spoiled son who would continually harass my husband, giving him the finger, etc. Well, long story short my husband has never hurt anyone in his life, but because this idiot believed his sons lies, this attack ensued.
This idiot attacked my husband in full view of employees, etc.( the guy did not even work there). Anyway, the attackers wife is a JW- meaning this guy already knew how to work the system. Calls the Elders with this totally false story of how my husband started this altercation( I call it an attack!!) Next thing we know, Elders call and demand a meeting w/my husband to determine facts of the case!!! I could not believe this. Even the police reports gave evidence of what happened, not to mention all the eyewitnesses who saw what happened!!
But, in the process, elders told us that a "worldly persons" testimony could not be used in a judicial matter!!! What!!!! The man who attacked my husband was worldly, and that was ok for him to accuse my husband to the point of the elders forming a committee!!!!! I dont get it. How stupid can you be!! Then to add insult to injury, the son of this guy was married to a DF'd Witness(you get the picture of what kind of family this is already) and since they already said that non jw testimony is not admissable, they used this DF'd wife as a"credible witness"!!!! Now , don't get me wrong, i am in no way saying DF'd people are automatically dishonest or something. I am just making a point that all these rules the Elders were quoting they were not even following themselves!!
Well, I could go on and on, but the ending was good, they dropped the committee after I threw a complete fit and demanded they put a stop to the nonsense! My husband was badly injured anyway from this attack and the elders did not even look twice at that!
It really makes you ponder things you never did before. What really motivates these Elders at times? The cleanliness of the Cong. or a witch hunt? And all the while, they are telling us that "God's holy spirit is upon the committee!!" There is more that the elders pulled in this story but you get the general picture. I just cant believe anyone could be that dense!! I even got told that becuase I was a woman, i should "remember my place in the cong" and that I had no right to be doing any "investigating of my own" because this was the "Elders Job". I was absoulutely infuriated. So, what, is it now up to them to decide how guilty or not guilty he was? Are they blind??
It was so obvious what had happened in the first place!!!! Then, they had the nerve to tell me that because I did not witness the attack, I should just stay out of it and let them handle it!!!! I told them "hey, you were not there either!! and furthermore, i amhis wife, I am entitled to do what i feel is necessary"!!!
Well, that's the story. I just wonder why at times this garabage is allowed to go on. And in the end, guess who gets blamed for having the "wrong attitude" because you were angry. Duh, of course we were furious! Would'nt you be?
Thanks!!
Once contributing reason it is allowed 'to go on' is because the rank and file JW allows it to go on. My own daughter, who is still 'in', told me...'Well, I never saw anything bad, and everyone always treated me well," blah blah blah.
2 different people have come into the chatroom and say they are 'studying'. Even after reading all our experiences, and perceiving all the obvious pain, sadness, rage here, they both say.."well, the Witnesses are nice to me.." blah blah blah. What is to be expected when an organization is made up of people like this?
I am guilty of this a little bit myself. Many people have been getting hurt for a long time in this org, but I, too, didn't feel very much untill it was my turn. Perhaps it is just the way of things.
Better late than never. <sigh>
Life is a roller coaster. Get in, sit down, shut up and hang on!
