Posted by LurkerJDub [Guest] on November 12, 1999 at 12:51:02 {CkRQXOxAaI3jEteUC0IMni6QXcPL8M}:
The subject would be: Disgruntled--Why I chose to stay.
I live in a third world country in Asia. My husband is a former ministerial servant but stepped down because of fatherhood responsibilities and due to sickness. I have a toddler. I have been disgruntled for years now because of the blatant disregard for the flocks' feelings and the lack of love from the WBTS to the people they said they are shepherding. But I chose to stay but I'll get to the reasons why later.
What prompted me to post here is because I feel so alone and I'm afraid that my friends and relatives will turn on me if I leave. These are the reasons why I want to leave:
**The WBTS has changed its policy regarding contributions for the magazines and books we are distributing. We used to ask for a small donation from the householders in return for the mags and lits. If they have no money which is the usual case, we would not leave the mags or lits. Didn't the Bible say that 'what you received free, give free'? Well, they made a 180deg turn around but with a twist. We can now distribute the mags and lits without free and can even get them free. The twist is we should never tell the householder that they are free and would emphasize the need to make a contribution for the worldwide work and would give them an envelope......I shuddered when a demonstration at the Service meeting was done to show us how this was done. I left the meeting that night with a bile taste in my mouth. Why can't we just give them free without the envelope if our goal is to save lives? Why can't we all go back to Jesus' way of preaching and just use the Bible?
**There was an incident here where one child of a Circuit Overseer committed wrongdoing and was disfellowshipped. But he deserved it. But the events that came from this situation showed once again how the WBTS takes care of its own specially those in the FTS. They sent out a directive telling all COs with children to resign. Mind you, these are men who have spent most of their youth serving the congregations and have sacrificed so much, didn't have anything materially and living in a third world country where the unemployment rate is at its all time high. These are men whose main source of living are dole outs from loving friends. These are men whose main goal is to help the flock. I personally know of one CO who got so depressed because he's unemployed, has a 7 year old and didn't have any employment history. I was so angry and at the same time so sad for these men who have sacrificed so much and got so little and were left out in the rain. Where is the love that Jesus said is the mark of true disciple?
But I chose to stay. Why? Because this is the only religion where living by the Bible's standard is stressed. This is a good training ground for my child as I want my child to grow loving God. I'm staying because my husband is staying and my Mom and siblings are staying and I don't want to feel alone as I am now. I'm staying because I have dear friends that I don't want to lose. I'm staying because I have invested so much time and years in this. There is so much to lose by leaving.