goodbye AAWA--good luck (page 4)

The Quiet One

ThinkAboutIt: 'I think I have read that the AAWA group added many people to their organization without their consent..' -- If you mean Facebook group, yep they admit that here.. http://aawa.co/blog/a-new-name-and-an-apology/

talesin

zound - it sounds like you've been involved in some activism yourself. :))

It's good to have passion, but if it's fueled by rage, however justifiable and righteous that rage is, hasty decisions are likely to happen, and may have serious consequences. Hell, I have rage .. sometimes it gets misdirected -- hahaha, look up my history here, there are a couple of episodes that I'm not proud of. BUT, I apologized right away, sincerely, and you know what? I always ended up meeting a good person who accepted my sincere apology. After that, our debates may have been heated at times, but in a fun way.

mwah haha,, you know who you are, and high-fives to all!

I truly believe that the bulk of the people involved in this group are sincere in their desire to help survivors of the LIE, and a big 'heads up'. Some of you - US - remember we are on the same side, and this, too, will pass - are reallyfor a good reason angry at the GD,, ****kin' I hate them TOO WTB&TS TM , and hey I HAVE BEEN THERE. I ****in' hate them too! Just read my stuff, or don't waste your time, and trust me. xoxo

(I canNOT call this an 'organisation', it has no legal status. Its President is an internet alias, need I say more?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khSIYmTzt6U

There are one or two 'glory hounds', but mostly empassioned volunteers, who have little experience, but LOTS of talent and a passion to get something done. It's the organizers who need to step back, gain a bit of humilty, and realize that in this crowd, the TRUTH will out. Own it, deal with it, and let folks heal ... slowly build a grass-roots following. There is a way to salvage this operation. Volunteers - don't let the leaders run "YOUR" group! They need you.

Do you really want to be led?

No one ,, I repeat ,, NO ONE leads me. PERIOD. It's up to you, if you want this to work, do it.

t <----- FWIW

talesin

:P

I thought the pizza was a nice touch ... but seriously folks! let's SHOW the Tower that we can have a BIG problem,,, fight ... shake hands and buck up .. move on!

woo hoo!

okay, maybe I overdid the cheerleader thing a bit ,, but I do look good in a cheerleader's outfit ... still ...

mwah haha!

*ahem*

jws

I disagree with the original picture. There are several lesbians in my running club. If a cute girl comes out running, there are some of them that definitely try to convert her. I've also seen a group of gay guys do the same to a male member of the same club.

And, I suppose vice-versa, I've seen straight guys trying to convert the lesbians. Whatever your sexuality, you see somebody you're attracted to and you want to sleep with them, you're going to want them to go along, even if that means converting them from their normal preference.

jws

The AAWA really needs to shut down. It's tainted. It's like a porn star running for president. How can they be taken seriously from now on? People can always point to their unprofessional past and discredit their efforts, no matter what positive things they have to say in the future.

I'm not even sure the people now associated with this group should be involved in a future group. They have the stink of AAWA on them as well.

This reminds me of the Witnesses themselves. No matter what they say now, they have Russell the womanizing man and his strange teachings in their past to deal with. Followed by the drunken, womanizing Rutherford. And people who look into it find themselves surprised. They can always say they're on the right track now, but their past will always haunt them.

Time to shut it down or change mission. They can run a corporation to do things like "Flip the bird" and to create memes. They can organize protests or whatever. And maybe when they do, they can refer people to a future more professional group.

still thinking

Activism - you're doing it wrong.

thanks tal...

zound

I was initially interested in some kind of global JW recovery support, but I couldn't sign up because I didn't support their charter - which they very explicitly say you must support.

I don't think trying to discuss with the Watchtower how they can change their policies is in the least bit realistic. Which makes me think either the organisers are completely deluded, or they are trying to make the point - "Look, Look! See! The watchtower are not co-operating with us! We're offering a hand of friendship and only have good intentions but they refuse to talk to us! (could be something to do with... oh I don't know... encouraging everyone to give the finger to kingdom halls maybe?) We're victims! We're victims!"

The watchtower don't negotiate with apostates - end of story. Having that in your charter just makes you look stupid.

My suggestion for AAWA? All the organisors and volunteers disband and start up support groups in their local cities for recovering JW's. This will have a knock on effect that the people helped will in turn want to help people themselves. Should it be organised and formalised? No. Should experiences and techniques be shared worldwide? Sure. Just don't start calling people publishers and expect them to hand in time cards each month with the amount of hours they put in. And don't ask for donations (especially on the first day of launch!)

Thankfully AAWA are making such ridiculous rookie errors that most smart people will smell the stench from a mile away and keep clear. That leaves the inexperienced or vunerable people, or the type of people that think taking photos of themselves giving the bird to Kingdom halls is helpful. Throw in a few people that have an unchecked hate for the Watchtower and violent tendencies and it's just another Bulgaria situation waiting to happen.

That's why I have no problem with denouncing the AAWA. I think it's potentially dangerous to perhaps a small amount of people, but to people nevertheless.

People who really want to be helpful to ex JW's and JW's? Don't put all your hopes in AAWA because its the only thing out there - it sucks, it will hurt more people than help. Make it your mission to help personally just one single JW or exJW you know and you're doing okay.

talesin

I hear you. My comments are, to be honest, what I feel is good for the general membership of the DB.

Personally, I belong to NO anti-watchtower or healing exJW groups online .. for me, this is it .. I've moved on, though JWN will always be one of my 'tribes' .. and, I don't see any large group getting a LOT accomplished........ as far as 'activism' is involved. Does Greenpeace REALLY get anything done anymore? No. How about the Sierra Club? uh, not much! But check your local, grass-roots organizations. Hell, yeah.

Above all, though, I am pragmatic, and would rather encourage readers / lurkers to be cautious in general, and make up their own minds.

For me, leaving the cult was about freedom, and individual choice. Justice for all, and working separately for a common cause, and sometimes together. We are rebels, don't ever forget that. Each one of us is a born leader.

t

iamwhoiam

well put talesin. that is what true activism is all about.

its interesting how you can actually organize something without having to start an organization. when you start organizations...you start to bring control into the picture..and that never works out very well...especially in the information age.

human nature is a funny thing. the more people try to force an issue or start a war, blowback will always follow..and the cycle repeats.

144001

<<<<We are rebels, don't ever forget that. Each one of us is a born leader.>>>>

goodbye AAWA--good luck

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