A JEHOVAH'S Witness
Elder who dared to question the Watch Tower Society over its
policy on blood transfusions has been disfellowshipped.
Ray
Hemming was an Elder and member of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Telford,
for 19 years.
While looking up information on the internet, concerning
the 1914 Generation doctrine, he came to the web site 'New Light
on Blood'.
"I was stunned!", said Mr Hemming.
"This web site had people who are Elders and Hospital
Liaison Committee (HLC) members, still operating within the Organisation.
How can this be I thought?"
The enormous amount of information presented to him
included experiences of those affected by this policy, the history
of the Watchtower's shifting position with regard to medical
issues and scientific information.
"It caused me to overturn 'strongly entrenched things'
(2 Corinthians 10:4)."
Mr Hemming presented some of this information, in the
form of a letter to an Elder who's relative was a HLC member. He
then sent out letters to brothers who were appointed men in the congregation,
inviting their comments, none responded.
"These brothers, who were once close to my family and
I, proceeded to report me. I soon got a visit from the Elders.
"It became apparent that the control mechanisms that
operate in this Organisation strangled open comment, all were fearful
of speaking, even in private
to me," he continued.
"Soon a judicial committee was set up, the charge? Apostasy!
I agreed to attend the meeting in the hope of making them think about
this doctrine differently, and perhaps strike a cord in their hearts.
I never expected them to agree with me on the subject, it would have
put them in the same position as myself. I had four meetings. At
the end of the final meeting, they informed me that I was disfellowshipped.
This was no surprise to me. I then appealed to their humanity,
"Do you believe that this is Jehovah's justice and you
have acted with the love of Christ?
"I said this because these brothers knew the work I
had done in this congregation and the sincerity in which I applied
myself.
"The presiding overseer said coldly, that I would "die
at Armageddon", if I continued as I was. I left with a "goodbye".
Mr Hemming said; "The irony of all this is the Watchtower
could change its position regarding blood, as it has done in the
past and these same brothers would then have to argue in favour of
the new policy.
"The truth then is not the issue in these cases or loyalty
to Christ or ones own conscience, but loyalty to Organisational directives."
You can email Mr Hemming at ray@hemmo81.freeserve.co.uk
