I've seen elders run the whole spectrum from being extremely helpful, kind and resourceful to others who were mean spirited and stupid. In my view, the trend strongly favors the latter description.
Lee
Lee Elder
JoinedPosts by Lee Elder
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27
DID AN ELDER EVER HELP YOU?
by minimus inthere are so many horror stories about elders.
many people dislike or can't stand elders, in general.
a number here have been truly hurt by some.
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On The Art Of Fading
by expatbrit inin october of 2000, i faded away from the watchtower.
like most people, i have family and friends who are jw's (including my wife and parents).
fading is generally the best method for people in that situation.
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Lee Elder
Yours is a very good description of a properly executed fade. Moving to a new congregation, combined with "poor health" and/or being
"stumbled" over some issue (just watch for an opportunity - mean spirited, stupid elders are always providing them) is the perfect recipe to disappear. Building the proper foundation in advance is essential. Extracting family members and friends is complex and risky. I had a fair amount of success but it was not easy and came close to backfiring several times - primarily when ones I assisted getting out tried to get others out and mentioned my name. I don't see much to be gained by formerly disassociating oneself.Lee
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Sheila Bowen's Letter To the GB!
by Ranchette ini knocked on the locked door of the appeal hearing last night after they had dismissed bill and told the six elders that i had something to say to them and told them it was summed up it a letter i had written.i then asked them if i could read it to them and they could have their own copy when i was finished.they said that would be fine.. here it is.
governing body,.
25 columbia heights.
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Lee Elder
Hi Sheila,
That is one terrific letter. Kudos!
Lee
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CAN YOU BE DISFELLOWSHIPPED AND STILL BE EFFECTIVE
by minimus inin view of the fact that bill bowen and others who have supported the silentlambs agenda have been disfellowshipped, do you think this means the end of their effectiveness?
comments on the board suggest that now, jw's won't come forward to bill because witnesses won't want to talk to a disfellowshipped person.
and some have said that this was the reason why they were fighting their disfellowshipping.
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Lee Elder
I believe that abuse victims looking for support are already pretty disillusioned by their WT experience. Most of them will not be greatly concerned that the Silent Lambs folks are disfellowshipped "former" JWs.
Lee
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Who Here Believes in God?
by The_Bad_Seed inpersonally, i do not believe god ever has or ever will exist.
i have my reasons -- i guess i could be considered an agnostic, rather than an athiest.
i was curious to see what the larger part of the former borg community believed, now looking from the outside in, rather than the opposite.
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Lee Elder
Do you believe in God? Its an intriguing question but perhaps the wrong question. Without some reliable context or basis to define what God is, the question is somewhat meaningless. Roughly equivalent to: Do you believe it _ _ _ ? (Fill in any three letters).
If by your question you mean do I believe in the God of the Bible my answer would have to be no. That God is the invention of the ancient Hebrews and a compilation of various ancient tribal entities. As for my personal belief, I am a Fideist and also consider myself a liberal Christian.
Lee
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leaving well enough alone
by spider inits late and i am tired but i'm kinda stirred up.
i forgot it could get like this.
i left the religion behind and its fine really - nicely in the past - of course i got issues and i get angry sometimes but i left it all behind - all the friends.
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Lee Elder
It may well be that its impossible to maintain a meaningful relationship with a JW
in your situation. We are only human. -
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Lee Elder
My thoughts exactly.
Lee
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Pedophilia and the WTS 's Irrational Arrogance
by Lee Elder ini am shocked and outraged by the recent actions of the watchtower society to silence child advocates who's only agenda is to stop the rape and molestation of jehovah's witness children and protect them from the known pedophiles operating within the organization.
those in the organization who are responsible for these reprehensible actions must be sanctioned.
i sincerely hope that voting members of the watchtower society will insist on the removal of all corporate directors who support the current policies that harm children and protect pedophiles.
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Lee Elder
Marvin, I agree with your remarks. The WTS's action is one of "extreme and obscene immorality". There is something very, very wrong in Watchtowerdom. They would have to pass out "Kool-Aid" to the friends for there to be any stronger indication of the depth of the problems in the organization. The wheels are coming off the cart and it is careening out of control. As the last remnants of sense and reason escape, the vacuum is filling with stupidity, arrogance and fanaticism. It is time to leave.
Lee
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Pedophilia and the WTS 's Irrational Arrogance
by Lee Elder ini am shocked and outraged by the recent actions of the watchtower society to silence child advocates who's only agenda is to stop the rape and molestation of jehovah's witness children and protect them from the known pedophiles operating within the organization.
those in the organization who are responsible for these reprehensible actions must be sanctioned.
i sincerely hope that voting members of the watchtower society will insist on the removal of all corporate directors who support the current policies that harm children and protect pedophiles.
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Lee Elder
I am shocked and outraged by the recent actions of the Watchtower Society to silence child advocates who's only agenda is to stop the rape and molestation of Jehovah's Witness children and protect them from the known pedophiles operating within the organization.
Those in the organization who are responsible for these reprehensible actions must be sanctioned. I sincerely hope that voting members of the Watchtower Society will insist on the removal of all corporate directors who support the current policies that harm children and protect pedophiles.
I believe that the vast majority of Jehovah's Witnesses are disgusted by this scandal and want something done. It is simply shameful and those who support it are repulsive and immoral.
I have spoke with a number of inactive JWs who are so embarrassed that they have ceased to acknowledge ever having been affiliated with the WTS. My wife and I have pretty much reached that point as well. Even my elderly JW father is to the point where he will walk away if something is not done to stop these perverts from having what amounts to free reign in the organization.
I have never considered myself an enemy of the WTS, simply someone who felt a consciousness desire to do what I could to make the organization a safer place. I am quickly reaching the point, however, where I just want to throw my hands up and tell everyone to flee for their lives and put two torpedoes in the side of the WTS ship and let her sink. I imagine others are beginning to feel the same way.
There is a very clear message here to anyone in the Watchtower Society with a functioning brain: Change your policy on child abuse now! Turn suspected abusers over to the authorities or instruct those making accusations that the congregation supports their right to report to the police. Find some way to warn parents and children about known pedophiles. This is common sense and no twisted application of scripture alters that. Jesus would insist on taking every reasonable step to protect children and so should everyone in the WTS.
The message to the Pedophile community has been loud and clear for some time: The WTS is a safe place! This problem will only get worse if something is not done and conscientious JWs will stream out of the WTS if the status quo remains. The issue is simple and straightforward - it's about the children and the WTS had better start protecting them and jettison the wicked men who protect the pedophiles.
What seems to propel and sustain WTS leaders is their belief they are God's channel and thus whatever policy they come up with represents God's view on a matter. It is an irrational arrogance not supported by their published historical statements.
WT leaders would benefit immensely, and so would the JW community, if they simply listened to the outcry from the JW children and then acted like good and decent human beings.
Jehovah God is quite capable of protecting and sanctifying his own name should he choose to do so. The real question is, are WTS leaders capable of using a little common sense and protecting JW children?
Lee
Edited by - Lee Elder on 1 August 2002 17:38:15
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Joe Anderson Disfellowshipped
by silentlambs in8-1-02, addition to 7-31-02 press release .
joe anderson-disfellowshipped!
jehovahs witness child advocate.
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Lee Elder
This is quite a thing to watch develop from my perspective. I don't think that any of us that are familiar with how the WTS functions can really say that we are surprised by these developments, still there is a very surreal aspect to the WTS that fascinates me. They are captives to a concept and apparently many are incapable of objectively evaluating the situation they find themselves in. I suspect that many of these men will go to their graves convinced of their righteousness, completely self deluded and intoxicated by their self serving, toxic beliefs and policies.
Perhaps those who are disfellowshiped are the lucky ones - at least they have a chance to see the WTS for what it really is and perhaps affect some positive change in the lives of those forced to grow up as Jehovah's Witnesses.
Lee