great thread, ithinkisee. it should give everyone food for thought.
my story contains many many asides and details which i will not list, but the major ones....
l)my father had questions re wt articles and nobody would give him the time of day (not the gb, many of whom he knew personally, to the local elders, who simply told him "don't ask questions."), as if that were the righteous course.
2)my bethelite fiance (to become lst husband) who told me anyone who had any questions was viewed as a"wacko" within the bethel community
3)personal experiences within local body of elders who lied to me.....about even the most mundane personal things.
4)elders who would not answer questions honestly, even though evidence was placed directly in front of them.
5)elders who said they did not agree with wts but would not back it up when tested...showing their positions meant more to them than "the truth".
it was all built on shifting sand and appearances.