Hey Alligator Wisdom, would you mind transferring to my congregation? I just don't have the stomach anymore to say the boatload of crap you just did. But, man it sure would be nice to point you out as a looney tune and let my kids think that you're what a "real zealous witness" is all about. Now that I think about it, do you think you're just seen as someone who's a little too gung-ho and off balance? If so, I'm not sure your strategy will work. "Oh, Brother Alligator is a little bit out there, but we still all know we get our food in due season from the F&D slave." Or, do you think some in your congregation are beginning to doubt the authority of the F&D slave? If so, congratulations! I applaud your objective and hope your strategy works. Keep us updated!
As for me, it's a little seed here a little seed there. I try to look for dub issues or doctrines that affect someone personally in a negative way. Or, conversely, I'll promote something healthy & positive and then either have it taken away by a nosy elder or I'll just point out that we need to keep this to ourselves or someone's going to try butting in and stopping us. A good example is my son taking music lessons from a private teacher who happens to rent studio space in a local church. He slinks in and out, looking over his shoulder, and knows that if the dubs find out he'll most likely have to stop taking lessons there all because of extreme paranoia about Babylon the Grape.
I've maintained my "good standing" and hopefully some credibility in my family's eyes when I raise questions. I'm very careful who I voice doubts to. Primarily it's just my immediate family. And I usually finish up by saying something like "but don't go repeating that or some super-sensitive person will go reporting it and then I'll have to take it all back".
My way could take years and ultimately, may never work. But I'm not giving up on my family that easily.
Open Mind
