Trauma Hound- I never mentioned your name- I do not recall you having been part of the things that were said. As a supporter of abuse victims who has not lied about others you should not take offense. There are many good hearted people- well meaning- that show great support for the silent lambs program. It is too bad that some who are taking the lead in the program have chosen to use the silent lambs vehicle to spread untruths about others. It is equally of no value to use a positive effort to throw out accusations that are false or unprovable.
I have noted that the national press in this country has stood clear of broadcasting stories about the silent lambs WT abuse victims while they nationally broadcast catholics picketing- given that earlier on the momentum was gaining- I have to wonder if the movement (silent lambs) has suffered a credibility crisis with the american press. Could it be that, like many here, the well trained, experienced news media shyed away because of the freely thrown accusations- that if provable and vaild would have drawn great continued media attention? The media does their own investigations as they cover stories. Just because a handful of people stand up and make statements does not mean that it is taken as fact at face value. Though pediphile issues exist in the WT and the two witness rule is applied by thier judicial committees- Silent Lambs founder and spokeman Bill Bowen with supporters has thrown out figures, accusations and charges against individual GB members as well as local congregation elders and ex-jws in such a way that has diminished the credibility of himself and his cause. In other words IMHO things have been thrown out a bit to freely- The circumstances of abuse are very serious- the charges are very serious and the feelings of abuse victims- both sexual and emotional- suffered by all ex-jws- is very real and equally serious. Many spend much time on this board and others like it because they suffered abuse of all sorts from the WT and their policies. Lost family members, lost friends and in the case of Mr Franz- lost careers- wasted lives. To not be empathetic toward ALL who have suffered WT abuse and to not be forgiving toward ALL for the actions and and support they gave the WT for many years of their lives is hypocritical. To put oneself in a leadership capacity and not have these qualities and have this understanding makes one as bad as the WT itself. How many here suffered from lies and rumors within the congregations? How many here had motives imputed and were marked due to unfounded gossip? Is such talk now- outside the organization- any less damaging than it was within the organization? Especially for those with tender hearts who are still recovering from the WT abuse? Many find needed fellowship and a certain amount of solice here and within silent lambs.org. Do any of us need lies and wild accusations to make us heal or to make us hate the WT even more? Though I am certain that sexual abuse occurs within the WT, life has taught me not to get caught up in fervor without facts. I am deeply saddened about the things that have happened and the policies of the WT that we all here suffered from. Likewise I do not want to become like those that we would condemn for bad practice. I am sure that many here sat in front of three elders and begged and cried and poured thier hearts out only to be shunned by all that they loved. We felt betrayed because rumor and false accusations took precedence over truth or heartfelt expressions of self defense.