I know The ARC is old news i know i am preaching to the converted but I had to express how I feel because most of my JW friends and family don’t want to hear
So this is how I feel
I have faithfully served as a Jehovah’s Witness for over 25 years.
I was deeply distressed by the reports coming out of the ARC into child sexual abuse with in our organization
When I heard the testimony from the victims, how there innocence and trust had been ripped away from them by so-called “brothers” I was heartbroken and so deeply saddened I cried.
Jesus said,“ There is nothing hidden that will not become manifest, nor anything carefully concealed that will never become known and not come out in the open” Luke 8:17
I still can’t get the thought out of my mind that these animals have ruined hundreds of thousands of young lives, and their suffering is still on going. I feel disillusioned thinking how could this be happening in Jehovah’s spiritual paradise?
When the ACR was in session, there were thousands of news agencies worldwide running Critical headlines like “The ARC has brought to light evidence that the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses child abuse policies have fail to protect children, have traumatize the victims, and protect the abusers.”
I feel deeply saddened that the way organization has handed cases of child abuse has brought so much negative criticism on Jehovah’s people and reproach on Jehovah’s name.
I understand that we are all sinful and imperfect, but I am still really shocked by the fact that there are so many child abusers within our organization.
I remember being out in the ministry and pointing the finger at the Catholic Church when the media first started revealing the truth about pedophiles in their church, I remember saying
“By there fruits you will recognize them” But now feel like a hypocrite
The information the ARC reviled was from Bethels own secret files and the testimony of elders that showing that we do have a serious problem with child abuse, In regards to child abuse I see we are no different from other religious organization, but it is not just the fact that we have this problem, its all the secrecy and the way abuse victims are treated that really
Upsets me, Jesus said “whoever stumbles one of these little ones who have faith, it would be better for him if a millstone that is turned by a donkey were put around his neck and he were pitched into the sea” Mark 9:42
As a Jehovah’s Witness, I know I have to remain silent, about what I think and feel if it is in any way critical of the organizations child abuse policies, because that would be viewed as causing divisions. But if the organization wants to know how I feel about the ARC I feel disillusioned, depressed but most of all you silencing any criticism make me feel helpless.
