A Time to Make Changes

by waiting 6 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  waiting

  Thnx-Thnx!!!PlzReadThis!! H20 post

  Posted by Seeker4 [Seeker4] on January 27, 2001 at 18:02:08 {LKFel14mdsubi2TgJVEgd9BhHXgWag}:

  Just got home from a day off with my wife - no computers or keyboards, no Internet. Blessed relief.

  But, checked my email tonight and found it literally flooded with responses from friends in four different countries to my request for experiences below. Thank you all so much. Literally dozens of people coming forward with exactly what we are looking for. But, KEEP IT COMING. I know there is tons more of this out there, and we want it all. Please continue to send your experiences.

  Just today I was able to get two or three more important leads, from the most unlikely sources. If others would do the same, we'll have a tidal wave of information and sources. Right now that's just what we need. The press wants to know that this is not a few disgruntled people and a few isolated incidents. We know it's not, and now is the chance to show it.

  Did you ever serve as an elder, MS, or pioneer, Bethelite, missionary and left because you could no longer accept WTS teachings, doctrine, practices, etc? Are you currently serving and deeply troubled by these things? PLEASE CONTACT ME. Can you imagine if in any other religion hundreds of its ministers and priests left at the same time because they could no longer support the teachings of the central church, while hundreds of others remained, but were similarly troubled? Well, this is exactly what has been happening among the JWs, but we've failed to understand the power of this.

  Just on H2O alone there are a number of brothers and sisters who fit this description, and all of us may also know dozens of others. Some may be willing to reveal their identities, while others, in order to avoid DF or DA, would like to talk about this but prefer to remain anonymous. Thats fine - I think it actually helps the story to show that many of us are afraid of retribution from the WTS for simply expressing doubts or criticism of the Organization.

  Please contact me. If there are COs, DOs, their wives, Bethelites, current elders, whatever your postion, and you are reading this and feel there are things you would like to say about your concerns with the WTS, PLEASE CONTACT ME. If you know of brothers or sisters in these postitions, please pass this post on to them. SPREAD THIS POST WHEREVER YOU CAN ON THE NET. I absolutely promise that I will not reveal any identities unless that is what you want. I will work out arrangements with the press, TV, etc., to keep your identities secret. But, this will very likely be the only way that you will get an opportunity to publicly see your concerns aired.

  Why is this important? Because we understand, as I'm sure you do, that the WTS responds best to the pressure of public exposure. Even if you have left the WTS, you very likely have family and friends still there, and would like to, at the very least, see the WTS become a safer place for them to be. THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

  The number of press people that I am personally working with at this point has DOUBLED in just this past week, and the scope of this story is growing in ways that are mind boggling. THIS is the opportunity to step forward. Do it anonymously, or go totally public with it, BUT DO IT NOW. The coming few months will see an unprecedented public airing of WTS problems.

  I want a fair and accurate accounting of what has been happening in the WTS, and I will work with you to make sure that is what happens. I will work for the most honest and respectful approach to this, and that is what the media is concerned with as well. I am neither DAd or DFd, but I believe strongly enough that the time has come to make the WTS accountable for both what it has done and what it claims to be, that I am no longer concerned about what it may do to me for getting this message out.

  The WTS can do nothing to me at this point, it has no power over me in any way. But, I honestly believe that we are at a time when we can begin to make the WTS examine itself, and change for the better for those members still loyal to it, many of whom are our loved ones.

  If there are honest and god-fearing men and women in responsible positions with the WTS, this is your time to speak. The offer has been made, will your conscience respond? It's up to you.

  A final note: some of the stuff that I hoped would be out this weekend is being delayed a few days. This is driving me nuts with anticipation, but it will all be well worth the wait. Keep checking here, tomorrow
  definitely, but all week long as well.

  Ravyn and others that I didn't get back to right off, my apologies. I shut things down last night and just had to get away - a far too busy week last week. Jan -triple thanks.

  Enjoy your Superbowl Sunday - and I think you may have a bonus in the morning. At least I hope so. Silentlambs - good job. But, I need to ask you a question. Can you call me in the AM? Thanks.

  S4
  **********************************************************************
  Whatcha say? Worth getting involved in?

  waiting

  Edited by - waiting on 27 January 2001 22:46:2
• 

  JAVA

  waiting:

  Whatcha say? Worth getting involved in?

  Like many others who post here, I've been around several ex-JW groups and Internet lists. I've seen well-meaning folks run with ideas similar to the one you posted, and I don't remember one that really got off the ground.

  The national press in the USA is not that interested in the dissatisfaction of members or former members. Unless they can do a body count of followers committing suicide, it's not hard news and doesn't sell papers or air time. For sure, sometimes the local press might carry an article about a local member who makes the news, but that's about as far as it goes.

  As Witnesses, we thought all governments, media, and religions were out to get us. As we now know, Jehovah's Witnesses are little more than an annoyance when they awaken people on Saturday mornings; they're just not that important. Testimonials of former Witnesses does little to stir the masses because the Witness religion is not nearly as important as the Witnesses think it is.

  JAVA, counting time at the Coffee Shop

  Edited by - JAVA on 28 January 2001 0:52:9
• 

  waiting

  hey java,

  Nice picture. I understand what you're saying. But that's true of anything. If no one votes in an election, obviously not much is going to change. And, the argument could be made that there is no change anyway.

  If silence is maintained, we can be pretty confident that the status quo will be held to WTBTS standards. They, like any corporation in the public eye, know the power of public relations. If they can keep people complacent enough to be quiet - they win.

  Maybe this time around, a letter to the editor won't do much good - by itself. But a thousand letters? Two thousand letters? To a group of newspapers? Might stir a little interest.

  Why, whole governments have been overthrown by individuals. The individual who uses his voice or pen is a threat much more so than the silent worker. Even Hitler knew he had to unite the Germans in a cause to get them to follow him.

  One never knows about what triggers news - who would have ever thought a dress owned by Monica Lewenski(sp?) would hit the national news?

  waiting

  You cannot ho pe to bribe or twist,thank God, the British journalist, but seeing what the man will do unbribed, there's no occasion to. Humbert Wolfe

  Edited by - waiting on 28 January 2001 1:10:35
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  TR

  Waiting,

  I would say that anyone who has been harmed by the actions of the WTS
  should get involved. I wasted 10 years, but I'm alive, I don't need counceling, I have my family. Any JW in a different catagory than mine, I believe should get involved. It's worth a try.

  JAVA,

  I understand what you're saying. Unless someone does a documentary or something of that nature, It seems that not much can be done. There are individual lawsuits I believe, but it seems they are hidden on back pages of newspapers, or on websites that the general population doesn't see.

  TR
• 

  JAVA

  waiting:

  Nice picture.

  Thanks, I'm trying to keep up with TR, but instead of displaying a guitar, I'm unveiling gray hair.

  If silence is maintained, we can be pretty confident that the status quo will be held to WTBTS standards.

  Agreed, and I don't advocate silence either. In 1993 the Dayton Daily News featured a large series of articles on the Witnesses in Dayton, Ohio. I called the paper, and as a result, the readers were exposed to a side of the religion that focused on shunning and control. I hear it really ticked the JWs in this area off because it ruined the paradise masquerade they tried to present.

  Web sites and groups like this talking openly about the JWs exposes the religion as a high-control sect making millions off followers forced into the streets. We should never remain silent about this! Put up a Web page, tell your neighbors, etc. However, don't wait for the national media to be overly concered about these issues--they're not. We live in a time when millions are added to the cyber community of the Internet weekly. This medium of information is hurting the Watchtower and sects like it because it's open to all without passing through editors interested in selling newspaper and air time, not necessarily news.

  Silence should never be encouraged, but I've yet to see efforts directed towards the national media pay dividends. I get daily email from folks reading my little Web page, and groups like this have a HUGE impact on exposing the Tower. The national media is in the business of making money, and exposing the Watchtower doesn't pay their bills. However, I could be wrong . . . it happened once when I joined a high-control religion.

  JAVA, counting time at the Coffee Shop
• 

  Xandit

  waiting,

  I think if people have some real hard facts on this particular issue, facts that show pedophiles were protected or that people were told not to go to the authorities, especially if threats are involved, then this may come to something and anyone with such information should get involved. But, anecdotes and outrage are going to get you nowhere. It has to be multiple witnesses and/or something in writing.

  I think you would have to have Circuit or District Overseer involvement to get back to the boys at headquarters, they are officialy members of the Bethel family so that's a direct link, otherwise it's just the locals that will have to pay a price, not that there's anything wrong with that. A few scalps hanging on the lodgepole has a real salutory effect on others.
• 

  Seven

  ...don't wait for the national media to be overly concerned about these issues--they're not.

  I agree. They didn't seem overly concerned about this:

  UP*06/13/00 Forty-four former students of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness(Iskcon), a leading Hindu religious organization, have filed a $400-million lawsuit in a federal court in Dallas, Texas, accusing senior gurus of sexual, physical and emotional torture of minor boys and girls ranging in age from three to 18 years, including rape and physical beatings. The facts as they are presented will reveal more than 1000 child victims, many of whom have already taken their own lives or are today emotionally and socially dysfunctional. Iskcon has been listed as the lead defendant, while 17 members of its governing body commission have also been named as defendants. The first gurukul(religious school) established by Iskcon commenced operation in 1971 and was located in Dallas. By 1978, there were a total of 11 gurukuls in North America. To avoid policing and scrutiny by the US child protection agencies, the suit says, Iskcon took a large portion of its
  boarding school activities overseas to India. The Indian schools were among the worst offenders and abusers of minor boys, and many of the Indian school teachers and leaders were also teachers, leaders and abusers in the United States schools, it adds. The lawsuit accuses Iskcon and leaders of having "enriched themselves" by granting special favours to large fundraisers and donors, even if some large donors were drug dealers and other criminal elements, and of suppressing evidence of the abuse since the 1970's.

  It has been ten years of silence for me. Would I like to become involved, name names and relive it all over again this time in the public eye? I don't know at what point, if ever, I'd feel confident and comfortable enough to do that. It may be worth a try.

  Seven