Posted by John W. Wirtanen [JohnWWirtanen] on April 05, 1999 at 11:53:18 {6.uz.4vynMmCpMHrVMyIEn.OK4kK/E}:
In Reply to: *Missing the Cong. posted by Congr. Misses You .. on April 04, 1999 at 17:52:23:
Your comment:
"Despite the many sad stories about JWs on this site, in fairness, it should be noted that these are one-sided. The people accused, in most cases, cannot defend themselves from these accusations."
My thoughts:
And
even if you contacted them, they still
wouldn't be able to successfully defend themselves. My sister had been a regular publisher until a series of strokes in 1987 changed that. In 1988, she had to be placed in a Convalescent Hospital
(which is easily accessible by the Congregation).
I've at times recounted how the Elders and others in the congregation don't show the much touted "Christian Love" that the JWs possess. They never visit her despite my verbal requests before and after I disassociated. I followed up with written requests to both the P.O and Brooklyn after I disassociated. The result, no change. They still don't visit her for encouragement, despite her being a baptized member who's never done anything worthy of such treatment. And, this is by no means an isolated incident.
One of the elders, when I first told him that I was planning to disassociate, asked: "Is it because be haven't shown enough attention towards your family?" OOPS, guilty conscience showing through. It wasn't the reason, but it surely did add to my belief that this was not God's organization. If the congregation alone were guilty, then maybe it could be excused. But when Headquarters is advised and still nothing happens, then, my friend, the problem lies at the top and filters down.
So, I believe that people are just hiding behind wishful thinking that the matter would be any different if "the accused" were able to be contacted to "try" to defend themselves. Which, in probably 80%+ of the cases, they wouldn't be able to make a good case.
And, by the way, should you or any others wish to try to verify what I've said, be my guest. Write to Willie Lightfoot (elder), c/o Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1845 E. 3rd St., Benicia, CA 94510. My sister's name is Judith Wadley.