Posts by Hmmm

wollersheim v. the church of scientology was a 22 year court case, finally settled in may of 2002 with the payment of $8.6 million by the church of scientology.

it raises interesting issues of freedom of religion, and how responsible cults must be for the results of their actions.

case history summary.. in 1980, lawrence wollersheim filed suit against the church of scientology of california (csc), claiming damages for intentional and negligent infliction of severe emotional distress.

Hmmm

Good post, Expat.

From what I've read, I agree that the COS makes JWs look tame.

I'm not sure I'd directly compare auditing with Bible Studies and JW meetings. Bible studies certainly seek to get converts to consider nothing but "approved" material, but they don't seem as aggressive as COS indoctrination practices. (You think JWs don't like the mental health profession...)

I also wouldn't compare DFing with dead agenting; more like an extension of the 'disconnect' process for believers, mixed with a little coercion of dissenters. However, I think the society's practice of preemptive and calculated DFing and slander against people like the Andersons and Bill Bowen--along with such old-time apostates as Franz et al--is dead agenting.

Implications for the WT? Dunno. While the comparisons aren't exact, there are enough similarities that I wonder if a similar suit wouldn't find some success. I doubt it.

Hmmm

32

I was a JW child

by CBeMe in

my mother started studing with the jw's when i was 2 years old.

she became more involved with the organization over the next few years.

i was very young so i don't remember much about my early years in the jw's.

Hmmm

CBeMe,

Your thread has obviously touched many posters here. While unique to you, and more extreme than many of us have faced, it carries the same hallmarks of family dysfunction, religious obsession, yet awe-inspiring strength that is such a common theme told by children raised in this religion.

Many old-timers have popped in to say 'welcome', but I'm struck by how many new posters have responded here to say "me too." You've struck a chord with many.

Welcome CBeMe and all the other new members. This place can be a one of great healing; but barring that, the frequent flame wars will surely help you toughen up your skin!

Hmmm

4

How to remove a bad Elder or GB member

by Elsewhere in

jw
friends

i was posting on another thread and quoted the following scripture... then i noticed something toward the end...*** 1 timothy 3:1-7 ***.

3 that statement is faithful.

if any man is reaching out for an office of overseer, he is desirous of a fine work.

Hmmm

When I was a young up-n-comer, I was told of a CO who went to counsel a sister privately about some matter or other. She accused him of raping her, though she supposedly had a history of lying or sumthin. The moral of the story was that even though they were pretty sure the CO was innocent, and the sister eventually confessed to making it up, this poor brother had to step down because he was no longer above reproach. It was a story, perhaps completely made up, to impress upon us young brothers not to even get into situations where our honor could be called into question.

However, the society has a long and varied history of NOT holding themselves up to their own standards. The bottom line is that any accusations against favored brothers--especially GB members--will be ignored, regardless of how much circumstantial evidence is presented or how much reproach it brings upon Jehovah's Great And Holy, Awe-Inspiring Name.

How much easier to ignore such accusations if these 'people on the outside' are evil, slavering apostates or associate with them.

Hmmm

21

If you could afford to would you?

by WildHorses in

jw
friends

.

i don't want to name who this is about, just in case we can't make it possible.

thanks in advance, shari

Hmmm

Who was Simon going to hire for Ms Spears night of passion.
If I could afford too..... hmmmmmmm

LB, I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I don't come cheap.

Hmmm

15

Jehovah Allows Serena to Win 8 Titles This Year

by blondie in

the 21-year-old american captured her eighth tournament victory of 2002, one more than her older sister venus.

serena already took her sister's wimbledon and u.s. open crowns, as well as the french open championship - all coming over venus..

"i am very happy to have won my eighth title this year," serena said.

Hmmm

I think what the Williams sisters have pulled off is nothing short of amazing. To have the #1 and #2 players in the world (that can change, but they're certainly the two most dominant players) hail from the same country would not be noteworthy. But to have them come from the same state--the same house!--is astounding.

If the stories that are so oft-repeated are true, Richard Williams was watching a tennis tournament, saw how much prize money the winner received, and decided that he was going to raise a tennis star. He did it not once, but twice. Add to that the fact that they lived in a poor black section of LA, with no fancy schmancy country clubs and tennis coaches beyond their self-taught father, and it sounds more like a Hollywood script than reality.

That they both seem to really love each other, not take fortune and fame too seriously, and have stayed down to earth is good to see. I couldn't care less what religion they were born into. I doubt either of them have ever practiced it seriously, anyway.

If the Williams sisters' success causes the WT to loosen their death grip on the social lives of its young people, or just gives other young Witnesses the excuse to ignore their out-of-touch leaders, then it is a cause for celebration. (The hypocritical silence coming from the society in view of the Williams' draping american flags over themselves at the Olympics is rather deafening, but I just can't get myself to care that much.)

Hmmm

Edited by - hmmm on 1 October 2002 15:26:45

71

JGnat Says Hi

by jgnat in

i have been wandering around the board for a while now, and have decided it is time to contribute a bit of my history.

i have described my involvement with the witnesses as being from the outside looking in.

my sweet honey has been trying for two years to get reinstated.

Hmmm

Beautifully written. Enthralling. I RIKE it!!!

Hmmm

7

target zone

by teejay in

the thought was recently presented to me that pedophiles might be trolling ex-jw boards to find out about apostafests and when they (pedos) would be able to meet children of ex-jws at said gatherings.

absurd?

yeah... i know, but since i have a daughter, it got me to thinking: when is a pedophile most likely to strike?

Hmmm

Great advice, Eric.

Beautiful daughter, Teejay.

Tim

23

Dungbeetle's Review of the NY March

by teejay in

jw
friends

i got dungbeetle's persmission to post this here.

it's very good.... ====================================================================.

i almost feel sorry for the watchtower .

Hmmm

Amazingly eloquent and moving post, Dungbeetle.

Avengers,

Who would collect the money? Probably lawyers, but hopefully the people (or their families) who have been devastated by the WTs policies on abuse, blood, military service, etc... and I'd like a couple of bucks for skipping college.

Hmmm