Hi Barbara,
Hope these thoughts may be of use to you:
4. I understand your emotional feeling as a woman regarding the molestation of teenage girls and women by members of the organization and the manner the in which the policies are applied in managing the issues, but shouldn't you have waited for Jehovah's own time? Deuteronomy 32:35
You could here point out that the way these cases were/are being handled was precisely why you started to doubt the organisation was being used by God. Would Jesus or the apostles have allowed multiple children to be abused by an elder across different congregations?
5. I understand the hypocrisy you are trying to highlight but is leaving the organization a better choice? Remember John 6: 66-70; 1Samuel 16: 7-9
So there isn't an obvious candidate for God's Organisation. Why is that a problem? Which organisation was being used by God in th 14th century? 15th? 16th? Apostate Christendom? Islam? Buddhist?
6. What is then the hope for salvation or have you believed there is no salvation for mankind?
For me Barbara I would say I don't know, but that doesn't mean the Organisation is therefore right.
7. Is your anger directed at the leaders or you have believed there should be no religion to worship God? Remember Acts 28:21
For me I believe religion is a snare and a racket...and I've read ISOCF.
9. As a man, I hate rape and child molestation, but shouldn't there be reasonable evidence to convict somebody of a crime?
Which the police are far better to find that JW's. So all cases must be brought to the police. If you found a dead body in the KH with a knife sticking out would you call the police or ring the Branch for advice? It's a no brainer surely....
10. I understand your frustration with the two witnesses account policy but if someone denies the allegation, the organization have no means of establishing the truth without adequate evidence. In this case, shouldn't you have thought that vengeance belongs to God? Remember Romans 12: 17-19; Luke 12: 52 -59
There are other ways of applying the 2 witness rule. A successful court prosecution could be considered a seperate witness to one childs abuse, (the altar in Israel was a 'witness') thus initaiting a Judicial Commitee (at least two children need to be abused under present rules).
Plus anyone who has ever abused a child must never be allowed to serve in a position of responsibilty or be alone with a child again. Ever.
11. On the issue of higher education, I do not think the organization banned members from seeking higher education. There a lot of witnesses in Nigeria that are in the higher school of learning. Except you can provide me with evidence to the contrary. What I understood was members should be careful not to be overtly pursuing higher education when they have a qualification that can provide them a basic means of sustenance e.g. if you are a degree holder, at least it could provide you a decent living so why go further when the time spent for further education can be used for God service. As an individual, I do not think anyone can talk me out of my personal dreams. The issue in religion I see amongst people generally is the application of the doctrines. Some are bigots while others are liberal.
Just point out that the level of education needed varies from country to country varies and as the scriptures have no clear guidelines on this then this should be a conscience matter.