Hi everyone
Without going into details, I'm doing some work on the recent Feb 15th Watchtower article, namely the experience that appears to excuse a husband beating his wife who is not sufficiently showing Christian qualities, etc.
I am putting together a statement on the subject, and it occurred to me that the scenario of a violent husband beating his wife, then studying and becoming a Witness is not entirely new in itself to the publications. This alone is troubling, because there is repeated suggestion that staying with a violent husband is necessary in order to "win him over". (1 Peter 3:1)
I was wondering if any of you with Watchtower Library who have nothing better to do could help me? Please can you give me a complete list of all the references on the Watchtower Library of a husband being physically violent to his wife, and later becoming a witness? I believe the more references we get for this scenario, the more compelling the case will be.
Here are the ones I have so far:
Happily, all the couples mentioned above were later united in worship. Their vexatious experiences are now in the past. But having gone through them, they are in a good position to offer practical suggestions that could help to defuse potentially explosive situations and possibly bring about united worship in families that are still divided in this respect.
w908/15p.21DoNotNeglectYourMate!
Misunderstandings, blown out of proportion by poor communication, jealousy, loneliness, or pressure from relatives, can erupt into violence. A man who used to beat his wife admits: “I didn’t want to lose my family to a religion.” Another says: “I hated coming home to an empty house.” Perhaps they reasoned, ‘If words can’t stop this religious fervor, a few punches will.’
Happily, all the couples mentioned above were later united in worship. Their vexatious experiences are now in the past. But having gone through them, they are in a good position to offer practical suggestions that could help to defuse potentially explosive situations and possibly bring about united worship in families that are still divided in this respect.
w908/15p.21DoNotNeglectYourMate!
Misunderstandings, blown out of proportion by poor communication, jealousy, loneliness, or pressure from relatives, can erupt into violence. A man who used to beat his wife admits: “I didn’t want to lose my family to a religion.” Another says: “I hated coming home to an empty house.” Perhaps they reasoned, ‘If words can’t stop this religious fervor, a few punches will.’
w908/15p.21DoNotNeglectYourMate!
Misunderstandings, blown out of proportion by poor communication, jealousy, loneliness, or pressure from relatives, can erupt into violence. A man who used to beat his wife admits: “I didn’t want to lose my family to a religion.” Another says: “I hated coming home to an empty house.” Perhaps they reasoned, ‘If words can’t stop this religious fervor, a few punches will.’
Happily, all the couples mentioned above were later united in worship. Their vexatious experiences are now in the past. But having gone through them, they are in a good position to offer practical suggestions that could help to defuse potentially explosive situations and possibly bring about united worship in families that are still divided in this respect.
w074/15p.6WillCrueltyEverEnd?
However, you may wonder if lasting personality changes are really possible. Well, consider a real-life example. Martín used to yell at his wife right in front of their children and severely beat her. On one occasion, the situation became so bad that the children had to run to the neighbors for help. After a number of years, the family began to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Martín learned what kind of person he should be and how he should treat others. Was he able to change? His wife answers: “In the past, my husband was a different person when he lost his temper. Because of this, our life was in a shambles for a long time. I don’t have enough words to thank Jehovah for helping Martín to change. Now he is a good father and an excellent husband.”
w048/15p.10Mexico’sIndigenousPeoplesHeartheGoodNews
In Yucatán, the husband of a Witness was opposed to the truth and sometimes hit her when she came home from the meetings. When meetings in Maya began to be held, she decided to invite him. He came and really enjoyed them. Now he attends the meetings regularly, has a Bible study and, needless to say, no longer beats his wife.
Feel free to not limit your search to Watchtowers and Awakes, but also to Yearbooks and other publications.
I do appreciate your support and discretion, and I'm looking forward to receiving your help on this. If all goes well, this WILL make a difference.
Cedars