Knowing that we all need mercy, Jesus said that "with the same judgment we judge others, we will be judged."
Speaking for JUST MYSELF, this principle is not a Christian principle only. This is a standard of all decent people.
I don't hate elders, COs, DOs, Bethelites, ex or otherwise. My attitude and belief is that regardless of their intentions, they will live with the results they spent a lifetime to create.
How is this any different from the rest of us? Don't the rest of us also live with what we created? Why are these "older men" immune from criticism?
I do not enjoy the victim mentality from any perspective. Truly it was said best, the only VICTIMS were the children who had no choice (what else is new?) All of us, at some point in our lives, are victims of something bad, or hard, or evil. The question is--do we allow it to continue?
Victims of the WT are different from victims of spousal abuse, as an example. "Victims" of the WT are in that situation because at their core they choose to believe that out of 6 Billion human beings, Jehovah chose them to be his special chosen few. 1%. That's laughable, even from a mathematical perspective.
If it makes you feel better, I believe that most people living in the United States RARELY think deeply about their lives and the effect they have on other human beings in the world. JWs are not special.
Lisa