NoGoodDeed
JoinedMy name is Johannes. I was born in Bavaria and educated in the UK. I travel extensively and have visited most English speaking countries and all of the EU. Someday I hope to visit East Asia and Japan. Although raised in the church of Luther, I also attended Catholic and Church of England and Scotland services when I had time. I was never devout or much of a believer, I leaned toward a more liberal and secular view of the world. One of my very close friends became a very devout Jehovah's Witness in 1990. He convinced me to study with him and attend meetings at the closest Kingdom Hall. My first impressions were not positive, I soon decided to get baptized and become more active. I have no idea what caused me to take that step - as I really was not convinced at all - but I thought the people at the meetings were good and righteous and were trying to do good work. My profession as a scholar and researcher of European and American history took me many places. When visiting a new city, I would often try to attend at least a few meetings, usually Watchtower Studies. I soon realized that Kingdom Halls, like people in general, all had very different personalities and foibles. Geographic location had some part in that (for example the southern states of the USA compared to the Pacific Northwest). On the other hand I could recognize that elder bodies on opposite sides of the same large city could affect the attitudes and standards in quite different ways. Some elders were very self important while others were quite humble and helpful. Certain congregations had not disfellowshipped anyone in years, while others seemed to have back benches and conference rooms filled with errant and embarrassed brothers and sisters. That made me really begin to doubt that Jehovah's holy spirit was at all present in some - or any - Kingdom Halls. That also made me wonder about the leaders in New York. Were they really filled with spirit? Did they really care about anyone outside of Bethel HQ or themselves? Because I traveled frequently, I could go for weeks and sometimes months without going to meetings. When I would return to my home in the UK, I would have dinner with my friend and then we would talk for hours. One night, after much alcohol I am afraid, I became too conversational and started sharing my observations of congregations and elders in the USA. I can not remember what exactly I said because I had "a bit too much", but the fellow got up and left my room. For several days he would not return my phone calls or email messages. I was concerned that he might have become sick and may have gone to hospital. But that was not the case at all. Apparently I had said too much and been too honest. I had only been home a few weeks and attended Watchtower meetings sporadically, never answering questions, never being asked to speak or to pray on behalf of the congregation. I knew instinctively that I had become "persona non grata". I really didn't care and almost welcomed this not so subtle bit of "pre-shunning." Thankfully, I was given a temporary research assignment for the Swiss that would give me a chance to refresh. That was over ten years ago. I have researched the entire history of the Watchtower since then and became a regular reader of JW Facts and Watchtower Documents websites. I have been a lurker on this forum for several years, but never had the desire or time to engage until recently. I do not know how much I will contribute here, but I do have a few things to say. I look forward to participating and sharing my thoughts as I find time to relax and give proper consideration to the news and arguments that others on this forum present. I thank Simon for his dedication to keeping this site alive. If I don't always find the conversation here enlightening, I am usually entertained by it.