Posted by AF [AF] on November 03, 1999 at 11:57:26 {eZOTANvCI6DjRmAxB/kMdaOt1gg/Zk}:
In Reply to: Last Post to H2O posted by Greg Stafford on November 03, 1999 at 10:04:32:
I note with some amusement that you've thoroughly embarrassed yourself once again. The 1st and 2nd times were in your defense of JWs in your books; another was in your recent set of responses to me. To say that you've been caught with your pants down is a bit of an understatement.
I note with chagrin that you're suffering the fate of our dearly departed "You Know", who claimed to be anointed and "defended" his religion with enthusiasm. When people challenged him about his participation here, he claimed that it was no problem and that some of his elders knew and approved. Unfortunately, when he accidentally disclosed his identity some nice person threatened to expose him to his elders, and he promptly left the board.
You're also suffering the fate of several other JWs who attempted to defend the Society in print. A brilliant and loyal JW elder named Jay Hess wrote an informal booklet around 1988 entitled "Jehovah's Witnesses Are Not False Prophets", using much the same arguments you use in your books. The booklet was circulated sparsely among JWs. Several years later Jay was brought before a judicial committee on trumped up charges and disfellowshipped. The Service Department had appointed a Circuit Overseer specifically to do the job, and the situation resulted in about a dozen JWs leaving or getting booted out. Needless to say, Jay has changed his mind about "JWs as false prophets".
You're under a severe misimpression of why the Society doesn't want you defending them on Internet forums, and really, even in your books. The bottom line is that those responsible for putting out printed material are jealous of their turf, and they don't want to have to be bothered evaluating material written by faithful JWs. They simply don't want any competition or extra work.
You don't believe me? I've received information about this that directly concerns you, information that is not appropriate to post here. My earlier comments contain only a hint of what I was told. Believe me, you're in serious trouble! If you want to know what I was told, call me on the phone -- 914-627-2672 -- and leave a message saying when you can be reached. You're already on the road Jay Hess traveled and you can kiss goodbye any thoughts of following Sam Herd's footsteps. He had the sense to silently do what he was told, but you've shown that you're too independent minded to be trusted. Schroeder may have liked your stuff but he's not the one in charge. I think you're going to find that your Bethel sources have dried up.
As for our long discussion, I believe that after you've suffered the coming hard knocks, you'll see that what I wrote is correct as it stands, just as Jay was forced to change his mind. I think that you've come too far too fast in your Witness career, and the approval you've gotten from some Bethel heavies has gone to your head. Schroeder was using you and now you're realizing it. Your friends at Elihu Books are also at risk.
AF