by greendawn 36 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
In much the same way the unorganized free software community has flourished with the development of Linux, and hurting large Unix OS companies, such as Sun, the Internet is allowing the ex-jw market to flourish and is hurting the WTS. No need to organize here. This paradigm really does work.
j
In addition to the fact that most ex-JWs most fervently don't want to be part of some organization, there are other problems.
Who would even want the job of leading (individually or by committee) such an organization? Experience shows that people capable of doing such a job would not want it, and people who would want it will invariably let the job go to their heads.
In my opinion, individual effort, with individuals coming together for awhile to do specific jobs, is extremely effective. You don't have the problem of organization, and the Watchtower can't focus on some 'rival' organization.
AlanF
There have been a lot of points made and I will try to answer them if not in this, in a subsequent post.
Steve2, you seem to be strongly anti organisational and as Blondie mentions it may be due to your experience with the JWs so I must repeat this is not going to be an org that will seek to moralise and control the lives of its members it will not be a religious organisation. Its charter will be the extermination of the WTS using only legal means it will be an ideological and moral extermination. Much like they seek to exterminate ex JWs. Also to help out ex JWs to adjust to a normal existence.
As for the JWs seeing such an anti JW org as a form of persecution they have to be mature and realise that in this world they must expect criticisms just like they themselves criticise and often very fiercely other religions and groups. The point is that we actually want them and especially their FDS (who is the GB to all intents and purposes) to come out and reply to the accusations made against them and say all they wish in defence of their positions, we don't want to have the entire field to ourselves, to play foul as they do with their dissenters who instead of receiving decent replies to their opinions they get thrown out.
Surely not all organisations are bad otherwise there would be no Greenpeace or Amnesty International for example. And if the WTS are a relatively small villain in the world they still do a great deal of harm to millions of people.
Gopher surely a lot of good anti WTS work is being done but gaps remain to be filled. Still many people leaving the dubs suffer unnecessary anguish for too long. I may be wrong but most if not all people leaving the org have emotional difficulties or issues for several years afterwards as if constantly haunted by an uncanny power emanating from that demonic organisation.
Blondie, it is not necessary for all ex JWs to join and be actively involved at any one time. Only a critical number of individuals is required to be active for it to function efficiently. Others may decide to make a once off monetary contribution to support its work once it becomes established as trustworthy.
The word organisation shouldn't imply tight control of members or an undemocratic nature as is the case with the WTS org. Political parties are also orgs.
Dorayakii, I think again you, like others, are misperceiving the nature of the proposed org it only seeks to organise some aspects in life ie the collapse of the WTS and help for ex dubs. People may or may not wish to be part of it, they can come and go as they wish.
There is no centralized ex-jw movement, and there never will be. I believe this to be a good thing.
It is much better for us to work as individuals or small groups. If a group becomes to big, the struggle becomes more about a group rather than the facts they wish to discuss.
I have talked about this many times too. The reason it hasn't happened is there is lack of interest--and by that I mean lack of people interested enough to actually take action. (Ironic since the jws are always saying "we" are "an organization" with an "agenda".)
Just last month I tried to collect signatures on a petition that had the potential of actually changing something palpable, something that would deglorify the cult and expose it for what it is--but after many attempts I got only 26 signatures. 26 out of a large international mass of people.
Contributing $ would be no problem if someone set up an official nonprofit organization. This takes several hundred $ in the US and takes many months, but it could be done. Then there would be accountability for donations and they'd be tax-deductible (US).
I think the biggest thing an organization like this could do would be to do press releases, and that costs nothing. Position statements could be released to the media on related news items, such as the release of "Knocking" or on International Cult Awareness Day (if there is one). Getting news in the media is the best way to educate the public so more innocents don't get snared.
When I was webmaster of www.jwinfo.8m.com, I created an online database of print materials so people could utilize them when they wanted to do educational work. My goal was to keep adding to the database so anyone who develops something could share it. It would be great if there were Powerpoints too, so anyone wanting to do a presentation wouldn't have to re-invent the wheel. Sharing materials like that would be a great time saver. Alas........I didn't get much participation with that either, so most of the materials on there are of my own creation.
My experience so far has been that a minority of people think organizing is a good idea but most people don't end up taking action. Sorry to be the wet blanket--that's just been my experience. Maybe some day that will change.
I hope so. I long for the day when XJW's will take to the streets in mass protest (peaceful) and demand that the government look into this deadly cult.
After reading all the posts so far, I have to say that becoming organized is probably not the best way to handle our situation.
I appreciate all the fine minds that presented their views, and I have to say that I am convinced.
I did appreciate too Danny Hazzards invitation to get on his list, and I think I will do that, and if there is an opportunity to assist him, I think I will do that, as well as look up Bill Bowen and help out there.
I want all of you guys to know how much I appreciate your intelligence and discernment.
Brant
