Posted by Reen [Maureen] on October 26, 1999 at 18:51:26 {c/rgKhj4NcGyVFW8x0fwj33WEKyZD.}:
In Reply to: Post #5 posted by ros4GB on October 26, 1999 at 07:27:17:
Dear Brother,
I've read your various letters, including your open letter to the WTS GB with interest. If you are whom you say you are, then I wish you success in your endeavours. I really don't wish to look on the down-side of this, that is, if you are not whom you claim to be. I prefer to accept you for whom you are - a GB member. Remaining anonymous is important for you as it has been for many of us. How long you can remain in that status I do not know.
You state that you are now elderly, well all GB members are elderly, except for the newer appointees, and they are not particularly young.
Should the GB find out who you are, do you think they will dismiss you, throw you out of Bethel, disfellowship and shun you, like they did to Ray Franz and many others? Do you think the GB will make more fools of themselves? Perhaps! However, you know, and I know they cannot have a "traitor" in their midst, because that is how they will see you unfortunately. Giants fall heavily. Be that as it may, there is a worlwide support group should you require it - interestly, Beacon was my first port of call when I was questioning the society on many matters. It was very helpful to me also.
Have you read Crisis of Conscience and In Search of Christian Freedom by Raymond Franz - if not, I suggest you do. But then, you would know all about what happened to those brothers and sisters, as you were part of it all. I was so shocked when I read those accounts. I was in disbelief that I belonged to such a horrible, secretive religion.
I do hope you are having a crisis of conscience yourself. Whether this organisation is "reformable" remains to be seen. However, there are always the "hardliners" that will never change. Do you think the WTS will become just like the mainstream religions of today? Do you think the average JW will believe all this, about you and reform? I have tried discussing this with a couple of JWs - they look at me in disbelief, even though they KNOW many things are wrong, including the teachings, they stick to the organisation, why? because they have family and friends in there. If they walk away, they lose all that. I know, because we lost all our friends. The whole disfellowshipping, disassociation and shunning process is so, so wrong and an unchristian and unscriptural practice. We are learning to live again, and love life. Jehovah God has set his face upon us and it is to Christ Jesus we must follow, not men or organisations - if we do, that's idolatry, and unfortunately far too many JWs commit this sin without ever realising it - their worship of the organisation before their worship of God. Since 1985 members are baptised into this "spirit begotten organisation" - this I find quite disgusting.
Do you in all honesty believe that the GB/FDS are God's channel, God's spokesman? That this religion is God's appointed spirit-begotten organisation?
I did once, but saw through the flaw - it's deceit and dishonesty, something you have condoned through the ages. If you don't believe this, then you will be classed as an "apostate" like many in this forum. Most of us do not believe this organisation is God's at all.
The whole structure of the JW "preaching" work, (I dislike the word preaching anyway, no-one likes to be preached to) is wrong too. Persons should be free to discuss openly, when they can. Reporting is so wrong. Talking to others about God should be open and free, just like Jesus and the Apostles did. They didn't go from door to door......as the WTS claim. They actually stayed with people and Jesus taught them - but taught them bible truths, not half truths as WTS does.
The WTS should make available and public its financial status. After all, it is a public company and corporation. Why is it the average JW has no knowledge of what money comes into the society and where it is spent. No, the annual report is not sufficient. A total breakdown in finances should be published for all members of the public to see. Also what companies, and business the society own - after all, the society IS the PEOPLE - JWS. Without them and their donations the society would not have any of its reportedly millions of dollars, and vast amounts of property and real estate. A full disclosure is required.
There is much work ahead, if you can do good, then it is your duty as a Christian to do so. I wish you well.
Take care brother.
Christian Love Reen