Miss.Fit,
(On Agreement)
I think there are many things we agree on. In addition to what you have listed I think there is agreement that:
- The past practices of the JWs (and almost all other religions) were terrible when it comes to protecting children
- That it is not just a matter of the failure to report the crimes of rank and file members:
o It is the history of intimidating families to keep quiet on pain of disfellowhipping,
o Using the "two witness" policy to bully victims into silence
o Keeping Elders and others in positions of authority after an accusation has surfaced despite failing their own "free from accusation" test (Titus).
- That the JWs have been slower than most to respond with positive change
- That religions should do more than the minimum the law requires given that they claim to be the authority on justice and morality.
- As it pertains to Stillin's original post, the general agreement is that all cases are not reported and that not enough has changed with the policies, practices and culture in the religion to protect children.
Now focusing on what we agree on is like attending the old Tuesday books studies. Everyone leaves with cookies but no one has learned a thing. It is by exploring our differences that we are challenged, learn, and grow. Religious and political viewpoints love to exist in echo chambers where people who all agree get together and mock those that don't. Whole networks in the USA are now echo chambers. For the years I have been lurking at JWN, what I have always appreciated is that this is, by and large, not an echo chamber.
Take Losts contribution, it was instructive to me to learn what she meant by the term "pedophile". It is very different than what I mean. We were talking past each other. Most of the time when the subject comes up everyone in the room agrees they should be killed or castrated. As a public statement of condemnation I can't help but support the sentiment. I think of Clifford Olson and I say, why DID we keep him alive? However, when having a considered discussion about the policies of JWs and what society should ultimately do, merely expressing mutually agreed contempt about the very worst cases contributes nothing.
I'm cherry picking cases that are less egregious to show that we should not, must not be so absolute in our statements and judgments.
I'm sorry to hear about your personal story. Although it is all too common, it is still heartbreaking. It is so hard to understand how the reputation of an "organization" can be put above the love, trust, and care of a child. But, when I was deep “in” I was just as blind.