While it's true that we were captives of the concept that WTS was God's representative, and therefore, we were really helping
the organization get people back in line, I am totally disgusted with the thought of one man that all these men would do the same
as he did- ignore a person's requests for note-taking and dismiss a frustrated person before he can form his thoughts, then just
go ahead and disfellowship him.
OTWO:
There is really no need to take this so personally my friend. I do not believe the former elder you efer to is saying that always happens, buit rather is likely to.
We are all aware of good men who are in the roll of elder. Before I left I could tell you who some of them were. Ones who stuck by their guns in helping people who had transgressed, tried to follow the bible and a rational interpretation of WT directives. I knew elders who were proud that they had sat on 12 committees and DF'd all but one, conversely I knew ones that DF'd 1 out of 12 and cried and laid awake at night over the 1!
In one of the larger districts in North America for dubs being the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) and after being a witness in several parts of that area for almost 40 years I can assure you that the caring and merciful shepherd was a rarity, and not a norm. Yes there were some who cared, but there was no reward for caring in the long run and some who started that way eventually went with the flow or are simply trounced by the wicked ones who gang up to remove him as an obstacle to their own blood lust. Shoot first and ask questions later.
It is hard to believe that things can be so rotten, but the sad truth is that the WT elder arrangement is a "UNTRAINED" power position with little or no scrutiny. This allows the corrupting influence of absolute power to play out with penitent victims behind closed doors. It is a crooked arrangement and those who have created know it is a license for abuse.
What is there about the history of justice that tells you that the JW JC is not a recipe for witch hunt trials and inquisition?
What you need to ask yourself instead of why wouldn't elders let an accused person take notes, is why are not such rights clearly outlined to all of JW's before they get in trouble? Or more importantly, why are not JC recorded so as to keep everyone honest?
Why are not the accused who must face 3 men, schooled in the procedural world of JW does & don'ts of excommunication, allowed a learned advocate to help them defend/present their case?
I think you know the answers.
Tell us what your experience is with appeals. Out of 100 JC who df'd and were appealed, how many would you know for sure got overturned? I would say less than 1 in 500 - 1000 if that! In the years I actually paid attention to such matters I can recall only 1 appeal committee helping to overrule a decision. It took almost 6 hours until the original committee could be convinced to change their mind. Afterwards the chairman of the appeal committee announced he was moving to another province unexpectedly.
Frank75