VIDIOT- Very good description, I agree.
ORPHAN CROW- Thanks for the links and yes, child abuse is a huge problem within organized religions. Thanks for exposing it
been thinking about this lately after almost 14 years out of the jw cult myself.
when you think of the language used within the jehovah's witness organization in such a closed society environment in how the wt society promotes almost absolute " trust " in the elders , the governing body, and trust even in the " friends " in the congregation themselves- is it any wonder that unscrupulous child molesters can enter any congregation pretending to be " spiritual " and take advantage of unsuspecting children or the parents ?
think about it : an individual is judged as a " spiritual " person within the jw organization based on what wt functions or duties they are good at performing.
VIDIOT- Very good description, I agree.
ORPHAN CROW- Thanks for the links and yes, child abuse is a huge problem within organized religions. Thanks for exposing it
been thinking about this lately after almost 14 years out of the jw cult myself.
when you think of the language used within the jehovah's witness organization in such a closed society environment in how the wt society promotes almost absolute " trust " in the elders , the governing body, and trust even in the " friends " in the congregation themselves- is it any wonder that unscrupulous child molesters can enter any congregation pretending to be " spiritual " and take advantage of unsuspecting children or the parents ?
think about it : an individual is judged as a " spiritual " person within the jw organization based on what wt functions or duties they are good at performing.
ZEB- Great idea . Thanks.
VIDIOT- Exactly. If there was more honesty and transparency in the WT organization - perhaps a child abuse policy that actually protects children might work. But WT leaders don't want to be transparent- they want to deceive
been thinking about this lately after almost 14 years out of the jw cult myself.
when you think of the language used within the jehovah's witness organization in such a closed society environment in how the wt society promotes almost absolute " trust " in the elders , the governing body, and trust even in the " friends " in the congregation themselves- is it any wonder that unscrupulous child molesters can enter any congregation pretending to be " spiritual " and take advantage of unsuspecting children or the parents ?
think about it : an individual is judged as a " spiritual " person within the jw organization based on what wt functions or duties they are good at performing.
DOUBTFULLY YOURS- I respectively disagree with you. If the WT Society made it mandatory for elders to first, foremost , and automatically report child abuse offenses to police authorities - I'd tend to agree with you- but WT leaders in the legal department try to HIDE child abuse crimes from police authorities by INSISTING that elders report to WT legal first. So it fosters distrust in a child abuse victims JW parents towards the elders and WT Society because the abused child's parents KNOW elders try to keep these sex crimes " in-house " . It's an abuse of power by WT leaders AND elders to keep child abuse on the down low.
And as regards parents/families trying to be more protective of their young ? How in the hell can they do that as JW's when elders or ministerial servants are assigned to work out in service with younger congregation members in car groups ? There have been many child abuse crimes committed in JW land where an adult brother was assigned to take young ones with him- then he took them to his own house to molest them ! That happened in the Candace Conti case. And the stupid WT leaders order it's members to OBEY those taking the lead , i.e. Ministerial servants & elders- so WTF ?
It's an abuse of power- plain and simple. There is TOO MUCH trust expected from children and congregation members in it's leaders and too much coverup when these leaders do wrong. It fosters lack of trust and secrecy which fosters conditions making child abuse easier to occur
been thinking about this lately after almost 14 years out of the jw cult myself.
when you think of the language used within the jehovah's witness organization in such a closed society environment in how the wt society promotes almost absolute " trust " in the elders , the governing body, and trust even in the " friends " in the congregation themselves- is it any wonder that unscrupulous child molesters can enter any congregation pretending to be " spiritual " and take advantage of unsuspecting children or the parents ?
think about it : an individual is judged as a " spiritual " person within the jw organization based on what wt functions or duties they are good at performing.
been thinking about this lately after almost 14 years out of the jw cult myself.
when you think of the language used within the jehovah's witness organization in such a closed society environment in how the wt society promotes almost absolute " trust " in the elders , the governing body, and trust even in the " friends " in the congregation themselves- is it any wonder that unscrupulous child molesters can enter any congregation pretending to be " spiritual " and take advantage of unsuspecting children or the parents ?
think about it : an individual is judged as a " spiritual " person within the jw organization based on what wt functions or duties they are good at performing.
Another thread here I thought I'd bump up as it deals with the serious issue of child abuse and the atmosphere that fosters or encourages abuse of power in the JW organization. Your comments and observations are invited definitely. Thanks
hi there i am new to this and want to get some advice.
i think i was abused as a child by someone in a hall in central california a long time ago.
i have been seeing on here for a while, two names keep popping up to get help.
I would call Zalkin because from what I've seen - he is the most actively involved attorney at the moment and last few years trying to bring justice for WT child abuse victims. He sees the big picture and he's trying to hold WT leaders accountable. So that's my 2 cents. Good luck to you, hang in there, Peace out, Mr. Flipper
anything i should be aware of?
i am not sure i will go, since i just moved away from home a month ago.
it is not cheap to travel 250km and pay for hotel here in denmark, and i am not exactly rich.
" Anything I should know about the upcoming convention ? "
Yeah, don't go. Save your mind. Save your free thinking ability
my dad died of a blood clot as a result of surgery late last year.
to say that his death created a bottomless void in our family is an understatement.
i think about him every day, sometimes constantly.
MY NAME IS NO CONSEQUENCE- I'm going to PM you my home and cell phone numbers and my personal E-mail address. Please check your PM's - O.K. ? Take care, Peace out, Mr. Flipper
i think that christianity's teachings pose a very unproductive world view and are a danger to our survival.
their teachings that man is sinful and worthy of death and in need of a savior to rescue him and free him of his sinful tendencies or else feel the wrath of god.
these things that condemn man as sinful are his own powerful drives given to him at conception which he now must deny due to indoctrination and consign to his shadow(jungian).
BROKEBACK- Yeah, I agree with you. I mean if people are insecure enough that they feel they need something in their lives like the Bible or religion to lean on- well and fine- for them personally - but I don't agree with people pushing , proselytizing and forcing Christianity down other people's throats as a " cure all, be all " - because it's NOT a " cure all, be all " solution at all.
In fact, as you wrote very well, Christianity and I feel most religion teaches this self hatred thing that we were all " born sinners " and need " forgiveness " or need to be " saved " . Which I've always felt is a bunch of crap. I mean think about it- what " loving, heavenly father " would sacrifice his own " son " , have him killed in order for a bunch of people to live ? That's freaking insane. What's so " loving " about that ?
The fact of the matter and REAL truth is this- when babies are born into this world they are pure, young children are loving, they don't LEARN how to hate or be prejudiced towards others until the family , the parents, grandparents, whoever they are around or environment they are being raised up in - TEACHES them to hate and be prejudiced ! Then this chain of hate and prejudice and not accepting of other people gets handed down from one generation to the next over hundreds if not thousands of years ! It's fucking insanity man. If you don't believe me- just look at the middle east and their hatred . Or look at the allegedly " Christian " population here in the United States and how hundreds of years of thinking that they were " chosen " by God or " manifest destiny " to " educate " all the native indigenous people here who lived here for centuries without white man's interference - look what that caused- enslavement of Native Americans on reservations and they had their land stolen by these " Christians "
I'm like you Brokeback , I'm on the same page here- I have very little tolerance for self righteous " Christian " bigots who think they are " better " or " holier " than everybody else. Some of the most " Christian " acting people I've ever known are atheists and agnostics. Not " Christians " , And that's the truth
my dad died of a blood clot as a result of surgery late last year.
to say that his death created a bottomless void in our family is an understatement.
i think about him every day, sometimes constantly.
MY NAME IS NO CONSEQUENCE- My deepest condolences on the loss of your father my friend. I'm very sorry for your loss. I'm sure he is in your heart everyday still. I lost my mom in December and I still have spells at times where I just break down into tears 7 months later. Your dad will always be a part of you . You have his DNA and I'm sure a good measure of his personality and good character within you as well. Sounds like he was a great dad and a caring man. Take that part of him- what he taught you about humanity , empathy, and caring and make what he was - possess that within yourself as a gift from him to you.
It's how I'm gradually healing over my mom's death- taking what she taught me about love, kindness, and empathy- and now trying to make that a deeper part of me in my life. I also got some grief counseling in February - several sessions - which really helped me put everything in perspective - even my relationships with my elder dad who survived after my mom's death. Your dad and my mom gave us gifts in being good human beings - all we can do is honor that by being those same gifts to our living family and friends. It takes time to heal from the loss of our parents - the hurt never leaves, but through the years we appreciate the lessons they taught us within. Be kind to yourself and feel your grief and cry if you want to, it's normal to do so. We are here as friends as well if you ever need to talk, O.K. ? Sending my love, Peace out, Mr. Flipper