recently ive been doing a lot of research on judicial committees, as my friend is currently going through one, as mentioned here: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/118972/1.ashx
i just posted an update.
one thing ive noticed in my research, is that there is no scriptural support to back up the judicial committee system.
Hi Zico,
the Elders Manual is available for free download "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to the Flock"! (PDF or HTML)
http://www.reexamine.info/90s/flock_book_with_notes_small.pdf (9 MB)
http://www.reexamine.info/90s/flock_book_with_notes_large.pdf (53 MB)
Hope is helps your research. fts
i have a friend in my congregation.
he's completely indoctrinated, and genuinely believes everything the organisation teaches, but he's still a good person, and he stands up for things when he knows somethings wrong.
as you can imagine, this often causes problems, and there is an arrogant elder who he has had many run ins with in the past.
Zico, I’m happy you are giving the opportunity to open your friends eyes, actually the elders are the ones doing the job. I hope this experience will make him question the authority structure.
This brings back memories to me as well. I wonder who will be doing the talking to him and what he’ll be told. Well, the outcome will have an effect on his trust in the org. fts
i have a friend in my congregation.
he's completely indoctrinated, and genuinely believes everything the organisation teaches, but he's still a good person, and he stands up for things when he knows somethings wrong.
as you can imagine, this often causes problems, and there is an arrogant elder who he has had many run ins with in the past.
My friend has already spoken to the elder about his issues many times, with no success
Truth. It was other elders who have told him that he is not an MS because the elder in question has argued when he has been suggested as an appointment.
The poor brother has done all he can to find a solution, the Jesus way didn’t/doesn’t work within the JW congregation. Him kissing their feet will only make them take more advantage of his willingness to serve. A letter will get the ball rolling –not for him to become a MS- but to see that Holy Spirit has nothing to do with the directions given by the society and the appointing of servants. fts
i have been depressed, drinking and just got myself in a mess.
i know i can pull out of it, but feel that spirituality is important to me.
i don't believe the witnesses are the answer and will just add to my problems.
C T Russell would be disfellowshipped if he held on to his assessments of religious organisations like he stated in the early Watchtowers:
1893 There is no organization to-day clothed with such divine authority to imperiously command mankind...though we are well aware that many of them in theory claim that they ought to be permitted to do so. (Watchtower, Sept. 1, 1893, p. 266)
1895 Beware of "organization." It is wholly unnecessary. The Bible rules will be the only rules you will need. Do not seek to bind others' consciences, and do not permit others to bind yours. Believe and obey so far as you can understand God's Word today. (Watchtower Sept. 15, 1895, p. 216)
i have been depressed, drinking and just got myself in a mess.
i know i can pull out of it, but feel that spirituality is important to me.
i don't believe the witnesses are the answer and will just add to my problems.
The organisation concept was injected into us as jws. If you want to stay Christian, remember that Jesus said, when two come together in has name He is with them. The bible does not use the word organisation, it is the WTS and other cults that put so much emphasis an organisational membership. BTW, visiting another church does not make you a member. Paul, when preaching in Athens, took a good look at other religions and philosophies before giving his speech. Why not do the same? The first Christians may have felt the same way you feel when they left Judaism to become Jesus followers.
I think seeking professional help is good advice after leaving a cult. The fears and guilt is deeply rooted after many years of association. I’m not Christian, but I encourage you to read the gospels and find encouragement in the words you find regarding your relationship with Jesus –not organisations. fts
i like things the way they are right now.
the watchtower are never sure which direction the next 'assualt' will come from and we often get the jump on them.
but i was wondering if, in addition to all the solo efforts, it might be time to set up something a little more permanent.. i know that my disfellowshipping is only a matter of time - perhaps months - and when it happens i'll have the freedom to act in a way that i cannot risk at present.
Your idea is very good and worth developing. I’m sure there must be support groups in the UK. Every other city in Germany has support groups and government appointees to help people with cult experiences. And since 9/11 this problem is getting more attention, since the mechanisms of mind control are the same with all cults. fts
i have a friend in my congregation.
he's completely indoctrinated, and genuinely believes everything the organisation teaches, but he's still a good person, and he stands up for things when he knows somethings wrong.
as you can imagine, this often causes problems, and there is an arrogant elder who he has had many run ins with in the past.
Oh, and since you are willing to support him as a witness, why not sign his letter as a witness to confirm his experiences and observations. It will give evidence to the misuse of authority by his uncle. The whole matter will be taken much more seriously if other members ‘in good standing’ carry the same complaint and it will give your friend more reassurance. Or maybe you write your own letter regarding this. What do you think?
i have a friend in my congregation.
he's completely indoctrinated, and genuinely believes everything the organisation teaches, but he's still a good person, and he stands up for things when he knows somethings wrong.
as you can imagine, this often causes problems, and there is an arrogant elder who he has had many run ins with in the past.
As I was reading your post my first thought was send a letter to the society. The wts will not answer his letter, but will reply to the BOE. His uncle is not the PO is he? Your friend believes to be serving Jehovah through his earthly organisation and not the elders. So writing the society is the best he can do. What is wrong in writing the society? Well, the elders are not going to like it. Depending on the contents the DO and CO receive a copy. Who knows the society might ask what good reasons the elders have for not appointing him. Did they tell him what he should be working on or where he has failed? In this letter he should quote scriptures and wt articles about "reaching out". And let him not forget his removal from the pioneer ranks.
A letter will get the ball rolling, either he’ll get hammered by the elders or they appoint him as MS.
I got appointed only after I complained to the CO about many things and said I was going to write the society. Elders get nervous when you tell them that, so my experience.
fts
if you read my other post you'll get the context but since this will be of great potential interest here it is: .
the jws are soon(next few months) going to make a public proclamation against all other churches which he was confident would 'shake things up' and would make a few jws unhappy???.
is this the big announcement for september?