The "faithful and discreet slave" understanding of the Watchtower rubbed me the wrong way from the first I learned of the real depth of it. I have been "counselled" on many occasions to refer to the Governing Body and the Writing Department as the "faithful slave" or "faithful and discreet slave", instead of "the Society", which is the term I always used. I realized at a glance this was glaringly inconsistent and scripturally incorrect. I don't think many JWs (even elders) realize the literature is written by "other sheep", even though the Watchtower has made that fact clear. It didn't take me long to realize JWs don't have the best reading comprehension, which is probably why they're so willing to allow someone else to tell them what something they read "means".
One of the first pieces to fall into place in my stand for truth vs. "the Truth" tm was an argument I got into with my bookstudy conductor about the obvious difference between what the Watchtower defines as "the faithful and discreet slave" and "the remnant". He insisted they were the same thing and I saw that's not the understanding they were obviously promoting.
The idea of humans interpreting the Bible and forcing others to adopt their ever-changing interpretation has always been a clear violation of Scripture, to me. That was one of those secret teachings I discovered later. I realized they believed the old men in NY were the fds in Matthew, but I didn't know they were to be obeyed and worshiped until after I'd been in for a while. I was actually shocked about things I heard said by people I thought should know better.
Attempting to reason with them was the first thing that got me dragged into the back room. That was not a pretty sight and I've never been so disgusted by the blatant disregard for the Bible, God, and Christ as on that occasion. The elders admitted I was right, but it's 'not my place' to correct anyone and what I said could be considered "apostate". I asked "Telling the truth is apostasy?" That's when I started really examining what I'd gotten into. I was fortunate to be disillusioned quickly, before my whole life was wrapped up in the organization. I never put any faith in it to be shattered and I didn't form years-long relationships I fear losing. I can only imagine how it is for people with many close family members who are JWs, a JW spouse, many close JW friends, and all their beliefs hung firmly on JW doctrine, when it all comes crashing down.
I was rejecting teaching JW beliefs I couldn't establish in Scripture, from the beginning. It sounded good on the surface to most JWs when I told my studies "I only teach things in the Bible", believing that would equal JW doctrine. When it didn't, then they started backing off from me and tattling on me to the elders.
The way I figure, if they're the ones engaged in idolatry, they're the ones who need to adjust their thinking, not me. So, I still attend meetings and am still considered part of the congregation. I rarely get into conversations anymore where my loyalty to the Governing Body could come into question, because I can't really stand talking to hardly any of them, at all. But if it comes up, I stand for truth, despite any problems which might occur. I'm not walking away and if they decide to cast me out, they're just fulfilling Scripture that standing up for truth in Christ will make you hated, even "in the synagogues".
I won't leave (thus my username) and they hate it. When I pop up at the meetings, they look surprised, especially if it's been a few months. They know I will not go down without a fight, if they call me into the back room for anything else. I'm pretty sure they also know I'll record it, despite their demands otherwise; probably also aware it will end up online. They already know I don't acknowledge the hierarchy or the clergy/laity distinction they deny exits (but try to invoke in the privacy of the back room). They know I don't believe elders are appointed by Holy Spirit, because I've told them as much. They already know I follow only Scripture because I've told them as much. They don't dare confront me anymore on something not firmly based in the Bible, because I will humiliate them and show them to be the liars and hypocrites they are. ...again.
