Update on meeting with the Elders 12/28/21

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Driven said:
We just heard from the brothers. They are not going to do anything as long as we don’t proselytize our views. I didn’t agree to anything. I just listened to the Elder.
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I'm surprised that's the case. Well, it's for the best for now in my opinion. However, depending on the future updates and whatever info the congregation receives may end up taking some odd turns in which the pressure is on.
 
Dorothea said:
I guess that's a relief! But it's like being put under a gag order. Actually I feel like I've been under one this whole time. I wrote a letter to the elders last Winter about the vaccine issue and they never said a word to me about it. But one of them has definitely expressed his disapproval in a back handed kind of way.
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I suppose there have been many people who voiced their concern on the matter so the Org is trying to not lose many followers. Just my guess.
 
Dorothea said:
I guess that's a relief! But it's like being put under a gag order. Actually I feel like I've been under one this whole time. I wrote a letter to the elders last Winter about the vaccine issue and they never said a word to me about it. But one of them has definitely expressed his disapproval in a back handed kind of way.
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Yes, we didn’t really want a confrontation or the scarlet letter branded on our foreheads. :sneaky: But we will be inactive in 2 months.
 
Dorothea said:
I guess that's a relief! But it's like being put under a gag order. Actually I feel like I've been under one this whole time. I wrote a letter to the elders last Winter about the vaccine issue and they never said a word to me about it. But one of them has definitely expressed his disapproval in a back handed kind of way.
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Gag order …that’s exactly how I’ve felt as well.
 
PJ54 said:
I'm surprised that's the case. Well, it's for the best for now in my opinion. However, depending on the future updates and whatever info the congregation receives may end up taking some odd turns in which the pressure is on.
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Driven said:
We just heard from the brothers. They are not going to do anything as long as we don’t proselytize our views. I didn’t agree to anything. I just listened to the Elder.
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wow Driven. That’s amazing that they think they can impinge on your freedom of expression in this way. Good you didn’t agree to their terms. Who could agree to such terms? It seems to me that the elders just want this matter to go away by itself; perhaps you’re not the only one they’re dealing with. What a mess Watchtower has created.

Edit: i wonder what they’d say if you said something like i can’t keep these truths hidden; i must shine a light on them. would that be pushing it? lol. I’m just glad this worked in your favor. Jehovah is truly with you.
 
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Driven said:
John 12:42 & 43: “All the same, many even of the rulers actually put faith in him, but they would not acknowledge him because of the Pharisees, so that they would not be expelled from the synagogue; for they loved the glory of men even more than the glory of God.” And John 9:22: “His parents said these things because they were in fear of the Jews, for the Jews had already come to an agreement that if anyone acknowledged him as Christ, that person should be expelled from the synagogue.”
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Wow, it's hard to put into words how awesome that letter is. I found the above especially encouraging and on point. It is remarkable that they can rear that letter and not be ashamed! I think the part I quoted really sums up what is happening in the congregations... most have been so brow beaten into thinking a certain way they do not dare question the GB. I am certain the proof of everything in your letter will become impossible to deny by any reasonable person, and so we will find out what people are really made of, and those elders have been put on notice.

Nicely done.
 
Nomex said:
Wow, it's hard to put into words how awesome that letter is. I found the above especially encouraging and on point. It is remarkable that they can rear that letter and not be ashamed! I think the part I quoted really sums up what is happening in the congregations... most have been so brow beaten into thinking a certain way they do not dare question the GB. I am certain the proof of everything in your letter will become impossible to deny by any reasonable person, and so we will find out what people are really made of, and those elders have been put on notice.

Nicely done.
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Thank you but I would not have recognized the apostasy if Jehovah had not sent his servants to study the bible with me. It is his truth from the bible that exposes them. And Jehovah will use the letter or not use the letter according to his purpose. As I told the Elders, we did not want to take this stand, but we must take this stand. It is all true. But they don’t believe it or don’t want to believe it.
 
Driven said:
Hi All,
I said that I would keep you updated and I want to do that. But first I think I need to post a copy of the letter that my husband and I sent to the Elders in our congregation. It’s a bit long but it’s attached for you to read it.

After the initial pleasantries, there were only 2 scriptures they used to persuade us. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 “For just as the body is one but has many members, and all the members of that body, although many, are one body, so too is the Christ. For by one spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink one spirit”

We agree with the above scripture but it is by following the teachings of Christ, as stated in the bible, that we are part of his body. Jesus is the one who identifies his body and it doesn’t change our belief that the Governing Body has become apostate and is now teaching unscriptural ideas, such as the teaching that they are Jehovah’s channel of direction.

And, John 6:48-69, which is too long to include but our response was that really all false religion could use these same scriptures to keep people in the fold. I feel they are a misapplication and I feel that it adds more evidence that the Governing Body has elevated themselves to the same authority and position as Jesus, which is idolatry.

So, they were taking our temperature and they will meet with the other Elders and let us know what they decide to do.

Thanks to you all for the comfort that I find in “talking” to you all on this forum and the previous forum.
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That was quite the letter Driven. It contained some really strong points on the vaccine. I’m not sure how it will play out. If you haven’t spoken about this among others in the congregation, you aren’t sewing the seeds of division. However, as the Mob would say, you’re a “loose end”. The fear of you spreading your views might be enough to get them to execute a preemptive strike - as it were. If you’re DF’d, it then immediately discredits anything you say going forward. It cuts off the loose end. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
 
BillyRay said:
That was quite the letter Driven. It contained some really strong points on the vaccine. I’m not sure how it will play out. If you haven’t spoken about this among others in the congregation, you aren’t sewing the seeds of division. However, as the Mob would say, you’re a “loose end”. The fear of you spreading your views might be enough to get them to execute a preemptive strike - as it were. If you’re DF’d, it then immediately discredits anything you say going forward. It cuts off the loose end. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
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Dear BillyRay, We have already had our meeting with the Elders and we are not trying to convince anyone one way or another. We are not looking for followers, we just wanted the brothers to understand why we will no longer participate in meetings or reporting field service. So, they decided to do nothing. But whatever happens going forward, my conscience is clear. Thank you for your comment.
 
Driven said:
Dear BillyRay, We have already had our meeting with the Elders and we are not trying to convince anyone one way or another. We are not looking for followers, we just wanted the brothers to understand why we will no longer participate in meetings or reporting field service. So, they decided to do nothing. But whatever happens going forward, my conscience is clear. Thank you for your comment.
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Driven…. I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear in my writing. I was actually saying that since you HAD NOT spread your beliefs on the vaccine to others in the congregation…. and WERE NOT trying to convince others of your point of view…. that it would have been hard for the Elders to have disfellowshipped you. And I’m glad that’s how it worked out.

As to my other point, I’m glad that they didn’t see the need to preemptively remove you, out of fear that you MIGHT say something in the future.

Be well….
 
Driven said:
Hi All,
I said that I would keep you updated and I want to do that. But first I think I need to post a copy of the letter that my husband and I sent to the Elders in our congregation. It’s a bit long but it’s attached for you to read it.

After the initial pleasantries, there were only 2 scriptures they used to persuade us. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 “For just as the body is one but has many members, and all the members of that body, although many, are one body, so too is the Christ. For by one spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink one spirit”

We agree with the above scripture but it is by following the teachings of Christ, as stated in the bible, that we are part of his body. Jesus is the one who identifies his body and it doesn’t change our belief that the Governing Body has become apostate and is now teaching unscriptural ideas, such as the teaching that they are Jehovah’s channel of direction.

And, John 6:48-69, which is too long to include but our response was that really all false religion could use these same scriptures to keep people in the fold. I feel they are a misapplication and I feel that it adds more evidence that the Governing Body has elevated themselves to the same authority and position as Jesus, which is idolatry.

So, they were taking our temperature and they will meet with the other Elders and let us know what they decide to do.

Thanks to you all for the comfort that I find in “talking” to you all on this forum and the previous forum.
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Bravo! You made some excellent points. What they will do is use the scriptures you quoted to start a judicial case. My advise for the next visit:

Have ready the scriptural points you made, but also have ready the Watchtowers that explain their applications. When they confront you on your "personal" application of a scripture, grab the corresponding watchtower that supports your application of the scripture and ask them to explain what Watchtower is saying. Anticipate their answer and have appropriate publications ready and repeat
 
KevinB said:
Bravo! You made some excellent points. What they will do is use the scriptures you quoted to start a judicial case. My advise for the next visit:

Have ready the scriptural points you made, but also have ready the Watchtowers that explain their applications. When they confront you on your "personal" application of a scripture, grab the corresponding watchtower that supports your application of the scripture and ask them to explain what Watchtower is saying. Anticipate their answer and have appropriate publications ready and repeat
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excellent advice ^^^^^^^^^^^
 
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