Subjugation of Women

by Band on the Run 39 Replies latest watchtower scandals

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  Band on the Run

  This area bothered me even more than the ban on college. I was born a feminist, popped out that way. Before the women's movement, I hated their attitude of hating women. After being here a little more than one year, the men on this board do not seem to be wifebeaters. May I ask what you thought of your exalted position? Most men would love the statistics of so many sisters competing for one brother.

  The women who were adults while in the Witnesses: how did you separate the attitude towards women from your participation in the ministry.
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  jwfacts

  There seems to be a paradox, as although women are subjugated, men are emasculated. I have heard non JWs mention how weakly JW men are. On the otherhand, my father was a CO and one common problem was wife beating. A number of elders were put down from their positions because of it.

  I would say that many JW men do become abusive of women because of the way the GB make all JWs feel somewhat worthless, but the dynamic exists for the power hungry to progress through the ranks and take advantage of others and be abusive.
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  Fernando

  My spiritual journey has led me to identify as SBNR (Spiritual But Not Religious) and into fellowship with organic (natural) faith communities where the idea that a woman should be silent in fellowship now seems quite preposterous.

  When I interpreted the Bible as error free AND within a religious framework I simply was not able to see just how ridiculous the whole "Christless Christianity" box and dice was.

  Truth be told though, women may want to be eternally grateful they were prevented from joining the Pharisaic, self-righteous, apostate, criminal and bloodguilty ruling religious hierarchy dominated by power hungry and power mongering men who are spiritually blind, naked, confused, inebriated and insane! And having been silenced by the hierarchy how can women be culpable (aside from GB worshipping and fawning elderettes)?!!
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  dinah

  Facts................I think you nailed it. Men are supposed to have complete control which is impossible without violence....................
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  Fernando

  Enjoyed your descriptions of the problem, jwfacts and dinah.
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  journey-on

  BOTR....Did you know Barbara Grizzuti Harrison, by any chance?
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  Band on the Run

  No. We are about the same age. I knew her from MS. magazine articles and other feminist writings. When I heard she had been a Witness and even was at Bethel, I was shocked. I bought her book about her life asap. She was in the NYT magazine.
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  Londo111

  I never felt exalted. I was a ministerial servant twice, and it was allot of extra work and little glory. Truth be told, I secretly wished that sisters were allowed to do more, so that it would ease the workload. After a few meetings of running a microphone up and down the aisle, it loses its thrills real quick.

  I never knew of any wifebeaters…that was always viewed with distaste by the brothers I knew. I only heard of an experience where a man verbally provoked his wife into hitting him so that he could claim 'physical endangerment' and have 'grounds' for separation. Of course, the sister he was cheating with was equally as devious.

  I never experienced many sisters competing for one brother. Usually I saw many good brothers have extreme difficulties finding a mate. My observation is that some JW women were shallow and picky…perhaps they all were competing for one brother, but overlooking many others.
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  elderelite

  Band, im gonna be honest. I see a lot of frustration from you toward the men who were running this cult and their local flunkies. I get it. Im in the cult also. I have a daughter(s).

  Im also a strong man with a very strong personality (at times) and dont mind taking charge when needed. When called on i will punch someone in the face, tell them to go to hell and fightto the death to send them there for all i love and believe in. But im soft and cuddly and and easy going usually, much rather hug and kiss and lavish praise and attention, give anything to make people happy, especially the women in my life...

  Topics like this seem so general and sweeping, seem to paint every man with the same brush, give no room for individuals and individal motives and actions. I live with a witch of a woman who is selfish beyond words and thinks only of herself. She cannot deal with me or her own children without some directly selfserving reason. She dosent know the word give unless its followed by "to me". I have meet a whole lotta spoiled selfish women in this organization who act like that.

  But its not all. And its not just dubbie women. Its people. Not every woman is the one im currently legaly obligated to.

  Please band.... Give us guys in the cult a little room... Cut us some slack. We are in a cult just as you were and it affects us too. Not all of us are bad men, cruel and dominating, wolves looking for a victium.... Some of us are decent and caring, good providers, compasionate, loving and willing to share our lives in a balanced relationship. I know plenty of men on the cult who are good men and husbands and fathers, doing the best they can. I know i personally do my best...

  Little balance please :-)
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  Chemical Emotions

  Little boys got to read easy parts from the Bible, yet little girls had to actually ACT OUT scenes. Little boys get to carry mikes but little girls have to sit down and stay dow. I disagree with a male in the Org and am told I am arrogant and confrontational by my own mother. It's so idiotic. Even standing on the platform made me feel a little horrible, like only the men REALLY belonged there, and us sisters were just beng allowed up there as long as we were good and obedient.

  When I was a child, I used to wish I was a boy sometimes, just so I could be recognized as someone of worth, like the boys who got to do all sorts of things that I felt guilty for wanting to do, like look at the audience on the platform.