Posted by Jeffery M. Schwehm [JefferyMSchwehm] on April 07, 1999 at 07:59:11 {HTWDI6pmYg7mGcjg8rgIMdud7girzQ}:
In Reply to: No Reform on Shunning? posted by ros on April 07, 1999 at 06:07:44:
Hi Ros-
You raise some very interesting questions.
I believe that the JWs would find it quite interesting at how much criticism would evaporate if they did away with their shunning doctrine. This doctrine is nothing more than emotional blackmail to keep people in the organization and it is very effective.
I remember when I first realized that the FDS really did not have any scriptural authority. I thought to myself, 'You know, I could reach out for responsibility in the congregation and work for change in the organization and eventually the FDS will get straightened out.' For me, the problem with this strategy was that I would have to support actions that I considered immoral and reprehensible to get into a position to have any possibility of changing anything.
In addition, local elders may have the power to influence some things on a local level but this is very limited. I have seen what Brooklyn can do to an elder body or a single elder that it does not like. All it takes is for you to have one argument with a very aggressive CO and your little part of the world is history.
You see Brooklyn is so powerful that the only way any real change occurs is when Bethel makes those changes. The chances of any local elder being in a position to influence the GB is very low. Ray Franz was even a member of the GB and tried to reform the organization and look what they did to him.
In my opinion, and Ros points this out very well in her questions, the greatest way to effect change in the Watchtower is from the outside by speaking out against their policies that hurt people. Bad publicity hurts them because for them image is almost everything. That is why I do my best to point out to individuals, particularly those who are thinking of becoming JWs, the problems that exist in the organization so at least they know what they are getting into before they join.
Now, I am hopeful that the current reformers who choose to work for change in the organization from within are successful. I hope they prove me wrong. I pray that they are successful. But, I think it is largely an uphill battle for them.
Jeff S.