Should we go to the Elders with our problems?....

[Florida Sunshine]

I wouldn't go to the Elders with leagl things, I have seen 1st hand how this just does not work and how they hide the truth from authorities.

Minor things to do with the congration? Yes, I would just because thats what they should be doing..

[Jace]

Florida Sunshine wrote:

I wouldn't go to the Elders with leagl things, I have seen 1st hand how this just does not work and how they hide the truth from authorities.
Minor things to do with the congration? Yes, I would just because thats what they should be doing..

Elders try their hand at all task regardless of qualifications

5029

[red blood relative]

i noticed that the jws who take everything the jw gov body and their elders say, with a grain of salt, and never went to the elders for anything, were way more balanced.

one of the fastest ways to either leave jws or commit suicide, is to go to the jw elders with all of your probems.

i did it with my marriage.... i was married to a jw pioneer.... oh my god..... the stuff the elders came up with!!!..... i kept wondering how come they couldn't figure out the truth, and gave me counsil that was pretty much the opposite of truth and justice, and often even a wicked sprit would surface through them at a committee meeting...... i kept thinking, well, its possibly just this congregation.

but, i finally figured out the holy spirit wasn't guiding their organization.... that was at the point where i was about ready to committ suicide, cause some of the stuff they come up with is lethal to people, spiritually.

i mean, they condemn the lowley righteous for being human, and promote the con-artist liars, all according to who is in tight with them.... its a real trip.... if you believe its coming from god, you end up thinking god hates your guts.

just about then, i figured out 1914..... poof, i was gone..... what a relief..... but then came the slandering of me.... oh well, i was already used to that...

[MAMMON]

From 16 to 18 I was in the library to many times to count. It was always the same crap, the elders wanting to know if I stuck a finger in her, did I have a hard on, did I get off, how far I was willing to go, if I touched her breast and about every other inappropriate question you could ask a minor. There was always one elder playing the good cop and at the end of their questioning they decide that they can't do anything since all we did was kiss. Instead you don't get invited out after the meetings and you get stuck with all elders out in service because everyone knows you stayed late in the library.

What a wasted youth.

[jace]

red blood relative wrote:

i noticed that the jws who take everything the jw gov body and their elders say, with a grain of salt, and never went to the elders for anything, were way more balanced.
one of the fastest ways to either leave jws or commit suicide, is to go to the jw elders with all of your probems.
i did it with my marriage.... i was married to a jw pioneer.... oh my god..... the stuff the elders came up with!!!..... i kept wondering how come they couldn't figure out the truth, and gave me counsil that was pretty much the opposite of truth and justice, and often even a wicked sprit would surface through them at a committee meeting...... i kept thinking, well, its possibly just this congregation.
but, i finally figured out the holy spirit wasn't guiding their organization.... that was at the point where i was about ready to committ suicide, cause some of the stuff they come up with is lethal to people, spiritually.
i mean, they condemn the lowley righteous for being human, and promote the con-artist liars, all according to who is in tight with them.... its a real trip.... if you believe its coming from god, you end up thinking god hates your guts.
just about then, i figured out 1914..... poof, i was gone..... what a relief..... but then came the slandering of me.... oh well, i was already used to that...

what i found is that the elders are not speical, but merely reflect the views of society in general

some folks you ask advice on will give you good advice, others will give you crappy advice

the problem in the org is the appearance is presented that just cause the man is an "elder" he will be able to spout forth WORDS OF WISDOM-

THE SAD fact is too many are clueless on so many issues the wt expects them to address and the wt teaches its members they can seek advice from these men from

so you end up with a guy who thinks he knows what he is talking about cause he can parrot the latest info from the slave and a poor rank and file member who believes the man knows what he is talking about since is QUOTING THE WT ON THE MATTER

terrible combination

[Hoodwinked]

One word....No!

[Apple_]

those faithless christians will sort man instead of God when with troubles.

not knowing that cursed are those who trust in mortal man.

[lise2468]

No they are not trained social workers or therapist in any form not matter how nice they are imo.

[acrobat]

I'm going to report myself for using the word "tampon" in anything but the following sentence:

"I went to the store to buy tampons for my wife, but I didn't know what to buy because I am a stupid husband".

Hopefully they'll go easy on me..

[Nomi]

As I have said, I have deep regard for the Elders...and I am sure they intend to follow the Bible, as best they can. BUT I think unless it is something quite serious, its best to try and work it out on your own. If it is criminal, I agree with those who suggested going to Law Enforcement.

[Hoodwinked]

Nomi wrote:

As I have said, I have deep regard for the Elders...and I am sure they intend to follow the Bible, as best they can. BUT I think unless it is something quite serious, its best to try and work it out on your own. If it is criminal, I agree with those who suggested going to Law Enforcement.

totally agree! Crimes should be immediately reported to the police, the elders can wait.

[array]

Jace wrote:

<quoted text>
Elders try their hand at all task regardless of qualifications
5029

many really do care about the welfare of the b/s, but they are not doctors and no amount of advice on personal issues such as mental illness can really help, they can only give spiritual direction, and I have heard many times, that one needs to pray more, study more and do more in the field service this gets ones mind of their own problems, everyone cannot be put into the same basket, I have seen so often that they usually apply one set of thought to many differnent individuals.

Some things cannot and should not be discussed with elders, especially if it concern child sexual abuse, it basically is none of their business unless of course it happened in the congregation and even then its wait on Jehovah.

I agree with HW, one should by pass the elders and go straight to the authorities, even if we are told that the elders should be notified first, because they just go straight to the bethel lawyers for advice, the abused is usually always left to wait, and wait and wait.

[Nomi]

Actually, the Elders have enough to do, keeping the Congregation going...I prefer not to take every little thing,(to add to their worry)to them. We should have enough Spiritual maturity to work out most problems ourselves, using the Bible, and with Prayer.

[array]

Nomi wrote:

Actually, the Elders have enough to do, keeping the Congregation going...I prefer not to take every little thing,(to add to their worry)to them. We should have enough Spiritual maturity to work out most problems ourselves, using the Bible, and with Prayer.

some do take little things to the elders, but mental illness is not a little thing, nor is child abuse.

no one was referring to little things, and I agree that the elders have enough to do.

We have lost three to suicide in the past three years, and mental health issues are a real problem with JW, not talking about the blues but chemical depression, anxiety issues, mental illness is mentioned a lot lately in mags and at assmeblies.

[merlioncity]

if possessed with evil spirits, have to go find the elders.

if minor things, pray yourself, as not all have the same faith.

[Mythbusters]

Nomi wrote:

Actually, the Elders have enough to do, keeping the Congregation going...I prefer not to take every little thing,(to add to their worry)to them. We should have enough Spiritual maturity to work out most problems ourselves, using the Bible, and with Prayer.

Would you discuss your obsession with glorifying halloween to them?

http://georgiasgifts-catblog.com/tag/hallowee...

[acrobat]

Nomi wrote:

Actually, the Elders have enough to do, keeping the Congregation going...I prefer not to take every little thing,(to add to their worry)to them. We should have enough Spiritual maturity to work out most problems ourselves, using the Bible, and with Prayer.

Oh if only more people felt like this (this subject)! Seriously!

[acrobat]

array wrote:

<quoted text>some do take little things to the elders, but mental illness is not a little thing, nor is child abuse.
no one was referring to little things, and I agree that the elders have enough to do.
We have lost three to suicide in the past three years, and mental health issues are a real problem with JW, not talking about the blues but chemical depression, anxiety issues, mental illness is mentioned a lot lately in mags and at assmeblies.

Again though, we need to exercise common sense. Elders are not trained law enforcement. They are not medical professionals/psychologists.

They are, for the most part, just good average men who are trying to keep themselves and their families afloat spiritually mentally physically etc, all while caring for the congregation. They try and help with such matters as mental illness etc, but things like clinical depression and the like are far beyond their ability.

Best to seek help from professionals straight away. Think of it this way: if you visit your family doctor, he/she is likely not trained to deal with mental health issues. What is the first thing they are going to do? They are going to refer you to someone who is, and for very good reason.

[array]

acrobat wrote:

<quoted text>
Again though, we need to exercise common sense. Elders are not trained law enforcement. They are not medical professionals/psychologists.
They are, for the most part, just good average men who are trying to keep themselves and their families afloat spiritually mentally physically etc, all while caring for the congregation. They try and help with such matters as mental illness etc, but things like clinical depression and the like are far beyond their ability.
Best to seek help from professionals straight away. Think of it this way: if you visit your family doctor, he/she is likely not trained to deal with mental health issues. What is the first thing they are going to do? They are going to refer you to someone who is, and for very good reason.

i agree, but some can be very black and white, most though are trying to do their best. They do not like any b/s going to a psychologist though, psychiatrist yes because they prescribe the drug and monitor the progress of the patient. I think some b/s have problems that are beyond the elders comprehension deep inside, as many mentally ill patients have a history of abuse, something that the elders are not trained in dealing with.

[acrobat]

Sorry what does "b/s" mean?