by inbetween 19 Replies latest jw experiences
I got the same response with my JW mother in law when I taped it for her and let her watch it. (She asked to see it as it aired on a meeting night).
She commented that she didn't know any pedophiles in the organization then asked us all if we did ( I didn't answer)..so that was that..Jehovah would take care of it!
No other reply needed..
Snoozy
It would be nice if you could somehow mention the organization's policy for child abuse stating that if the accused abuser doesn't admit they did anything, the elders have a meeting with the abuser and the child together. That is so wrong! Why would Jehovah allow them to have such a backwards policy? That child would be so frightened.
Little seeds like that might keep adding up and eventually your wife will see it's just like any other religion.
Hope she gets out eventually. I never knew about 1919 or the selection or how to come to 1914. Just focused on paradise earth and proving Satan a liar and seeing prophesy getting fulfilled. Seeing dead loved ones again was a strong draw as well as pleasing family by making "right" decisions about the "truth."
Talk about idealism in general, and why/how it can be bad and overcome a person's life.
If she continues to be open ....perhaps you can approach the realization that idealism can be so strong - that seemingly good people will not report child abuse or pedophiles to the proper authorities, will not help children in desparate need (to save the group reputation), will tell abused wives to be a better wife (to make the marriage appear 'better', again, for the group reputation), to keep quiet within the congregation of terrible wrongs (again, the group is greater then the individual), etc.
Then, have her watch some documentaries on other cults - or print off an article about another cult so she sees the simularities. Then, make a comment that people in cults are absolutely programmd to deny it's a cult.
Skeeter
Inbetween: I think i would focus on three things. First off her feelings... be there for her and give her comfort so she feel she has a safety net. i think thats the most important thing. invite her out and be nice to her, take time of and be together, that sort of things.
in terms of raising doubt, i think i would try two things. Make sure she know that you think there are many apostates who are spreading misinformation and lies, and who are just proposing other religions... its the unfortunate truth, and it is much better that she hear it from you than that she is able to label all apostates into one category of "OMG Russel and teh freemasons are the same!!!!1" crazy people.
If possible, i would paint myself as having the view that the witness may have the truth, but you have by accident read some things other have written you just cant find answers to in the witness litterature no matter how hard you try, and you dont know what to do because your confused and afraid of X, Y and Z. She might identify herself with the situation, and the answer as to what you obviously should do might be clearer to her in that situation than it is on her own.
Second, I think you should work on the question if its good or bad to investigate ones own religion and check its really true.. spin it like if it is true, investigating it will make one stronger, and one can serve God with an honest heart.
Does God want his subjects to make sure they are in the truth? or does God want subjects who are afraid to investigate their own belief? and eventually when all cards are on the table it will be clear who are right and wrong. here are some good questions:
http://www.freeminds.org/psychology/cults/opening-the-closed-mind.html
Eventually, when she is ready, i think it is a good idea to try and sell her the idea if its good or not to read one critical book of the watchtower now she has read dusins of supportive litterature.. use an example of a mormon who only study mormon litterature. have CoC ready, perhaps as a gift you got from someone at work, just in case.
good luck...
inbetween - Here is a link to the official JW media site that has their child abuse policy: http://www.jw-media.org/aboutjw/article23.htm It also mentions what happens if the accused denies it.
"If the accused denies the charge, the two elders may arrange for him and the victim to restate their position in each other’s presence, with elders also there. If during that meeting the accused still denies the charges and there are no others who can substantiate them, the elders cannot take action within the congregation at that time." (2nd paragraph)
Inbeetween,
I would ask her to show you what she watched and then click on other links that deal with the child molestation issue in the WTS. Right away tell her "it's probably not true..but apostate talk"
Then tell her lets google the names of the molesters mentioned and hit the news button, that way we can see if it's really true or just apostates trying to make trouble.
A few great ones that have many news stories on them are Fredrick McLean and Gilbert Simental. Once she reads in real newspaper articles she may open her eyes a little wider.
Wish you well.
but you have by accident read some things other have written you just cant find answers to in the witness litterature no matter how hard you try
There is no need to own up to reading anything from apostates. That just sets off alarm bells. You have to get your message through while their guard is still down.
Just ask the question. There is no need to say how you came by it. Say you have a problem and ask for their help to understand it. Let her tell you that WT litterature doesn't answer the question, or has been dishonest.
Oh this is so easy! First off, tell her that her discovery was so upsetting that you did your own research and found another news report where you learned about James Henderson...see link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLAC9kS_EqM
Then tell her from there you found Barbara Anderson's website where she cites court documents that list Merton Campbell as covering up for James Henderson. I can't remember exactly where it's at, so you may want to ask Barbara about it....see link below:
http://www.watchtowerdocuments.com/
Then show her the March 1, 2008 Watchtower page 29 where old Merton is featured as a faithful servant of Jehovah. That should get her to thinking.
In the summer of 2007, my Dad told me about a pedophile that had been in his previous congregation. This man is still there.
I quietly said to him "Dad, if there are pedophiles in the congregations, then this is not God's organization."
He hung his head down. I don't know if he was crying or if he was ashamed or both.
