Hannibal -
Didn't mean to get overly defensive. I need to learn to let some of these things go. Before I decided to go public, I had to have a long, serious decision-making process and determine whether it was going to be worth it if mud started flying. But, I do have the truth on my side, and that gives me a foundation strong enough to battle anyone questioning whether or not I am telling the truth or questioning my motives. I was asked when speaking to someone on public radio on Tuesday if this was related to the Dateline stories - ABSOLUTELY! The instant that my friend and I realized that there is a legal way to stop problems like this from continuing, we knew that we had to do it. I spoke with Bill Bowen the Saturday following the Dateline airing, and Jeffrey Anderson two days after that. One week after the airing of Dateline, I was sitting in Jeffrey Anderson's office with "Jane Doe" telling him my story. I will forever be indebted to all 3 girls who told their stories to Dateline, and to Dateline for airing it. "Jane" and I have kicked around the idea of trying to tackle this ourselves, but had no idea how to go about it. Once we saw that we had legal options regarding what was done to us, we immediately followed through.
I understand your skepticism about why there would suddenly be a bunch of people filing suits, but I think you're not understanding the reasons behind this rash of suits (as I believe more will be filing). I think that the more people see this is an organization-wide problem, not just something happening locally, they will feel compelled to tell their story. And they will feel safer in telling their story, knowing that others have done it before them. If that makes you skeptical about their motives, then you have every right to question their motives.
Personally, there are many people who have "known" me, or believe they have known me because they sat near me in a KH or at an assembly, and they will have drawn all sorts of conclusions about me. Some think nothing but good things about me, some think no good things about me at all. All of that is fine. I expect this reaction (though it does still hurt) and I especially expect it from people who are afraid to think that this sort of thing could actually happen within Jehovah's organization. I know they would rather point at me and recount every sin I've ever committed than look at the people they entrust with their spirituality and have to start doubting what kind of people they really are. People's reactions to what kind of person I am are really neither here nor there - I felt compelled to tell my story to protect others from suffering the same thing at this individual's hands, and to make other people who HAVE suffered through this feel like they absolutely CAN stand up for what is right. Even against the WTBTS.
Not Interested, now you have sparked my curiousity - email me with who you are if you're comfortable doing that. Thank you all for your kind words. Bill, a special thanks for quoting me in just the way I wanted! You gave me a lot of courage to speak that I may not have had if you hadn't been there. Thanks again!
