Posted by Friend [Friend] on November 18, 1999 at 07:42:35 {KEdmzBXaT6rRIg7iiOekOgnjR4Br/g}:
In Reply to: *********AP and AF posted by AF on November 18, 1999 at 06:35:49:
AF
Publishers express utter outrage to local elders all the time about things they think are mishandled or done wrong. I have sat and watch publishers lash out at JWs coming from every corner of the JW spectrum. Unless those publishers are perceived as representing some sort of threat to other JWs they are at best listened to with attempt to help or at worst ignored. Perceived sowing of discord is the key to whether shunning action should be initiated.
Publishers speak casually with one another all the time about areas where they disagree with the Society. It is commonplace. The only time elders get involved with such circumstances is if those discussions take on a discordant effect. Otherwise publishers (including elders) talk amongst themselves all the time about things they would like to see changed, etc…
My own case is not special because I have expressed my divergent views to the Society since long before I was used in any special capacity. Your case is not special because plenty of individuals with “connected” family members have been disfellowshipped for various reasons, including sowing discord with divergent views. Pretending you are/were insulated from such action is against the norm, since the norm is in question. Too often it is those very people that are picked on. If anything your circumstances made you a target, as have mine.
Why your wife being shunned by her family I cannot really comment on. Families shun fellow members over all sorts of things, sometimes for ridiculous reasons. I do agree that past Watchtower comments have contributed to that shunning, most significantly where official shunning has been invoked. In cases where official shunning has not occurred what fellow family members do ranges from nothing to the bizarre. We can deduce little more from that than some people are matured or learned more so than others are.
Friend