by slam 18 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse
The answer to this question is simple... They want child abuse to be something that exists in the Catholics religion exclusively.
By the way, ever notice how the Watchtower has mentioned the Catholic religion a lot more frequently than other religions?... that's basically their bread and bitter for field service recruitment...
"Come over to this side all you Catholics who are on the fence... you'll never see such deadful behaviour in Jehovah's Organization"...
slam - "Why do the JW's cover up child abuse?"
Authoritarian regimes always try to conceal their weaknesses.
The more threatened a particular weakness makes them feel, the harder they work at concealing it.
Slam, I am so sorry to hear of your young life. Jeez, did the Old Bat ever get Df'ed or were the Elder's too afraid of her to touch her?
How are you doing now?
Do you have nightmares? Are you able to cope now?
How is your Dad and Mom and your siblings? How is your older sister? I can't imagine that any have stayed as JDubs.
Talking about the heat in Arizona in July makes me want to get a glass of ice cold water from the fridge.
I am so sorry Slam.
I am really happy to welcome you to JWN. To write and tell people about parts of my life has helped me out tremendously. I am sure it will help you to "tell" also. This is a public forum so only post what you feel comfortable with. After you post you have 30 minutes to change anything. Just use the little yellow pencil on your right.
(((((Hugs of Friendship and Concern to You Slam)))))
Just Lois
Slam, very sorry to hear of your horrific childhood.
Thank you for sharing your story. From what I was told by a tharipst, there is much healing in speaking up.
Slam, so sorry for what you went through... I was a born in witness and just left this yr after half my life. My life wasn't like that. I am so sorry for you. Glad you have survived and can vent now to people who care.
I think that most JW's truly believe they are the ONLY true religion. As such, when someone commits a despicable crime, they are mentally classed as "not a real witness". After all, how could a "real witness" do that they wonder. So, they cover it up and hide it so as not to bring reproach on gods name. They also feel that they will be classed with the person who commits these atrocities. I think in a way they feel that hiding it is the "right thing to do".
They are so concerned about gods name and their reputations as well, that they hide it instead of coming down hard on it like they should.
I think the way it is handled is completely wrong and a TRULY bad reflection on the god they say they want to worship. I do not agree with it or think it is right. I'm just describing what I think they feel from the 30+ years I was stuck brainwashed in the cult.
Because the Bible by way of the actions of its prophets is fine with it. elijah basically lays upon the boy he resurrects. given jesus copies this same action, they cant say a negative thing about jesus who in turn copies the actions that look like those of a pedophile. if anybody repeated elijahs actions today less the miracle, they would be in trouble with the police and rightly so.
@jgnat "Shame. Whitewashed graves. Appearance is more important than reality."
I tend to agree with this pithy statement. They cannot be "illuminators" of the world if they are tarnished by... reality.
Not to be insensitive, but this is something that they do across the board... with everything. Child abuse is the most horrendous manifistation of this but the use of covering over reality to present objects brighter than what they appear is saturated in the religion from the way one dresses to experiences given from an assembly stage.
Plus, there is also this (and I'm not sure how to describe this) concept of progressive effect of diminishing sins (at least in my own child abuse case). The greater the effect on the religion as a whole and the more elders who know about the situation dynamically decreases the importance of the sin committed. In other words, the individual elders themselves are VERY concerned and sympathetic (although not empathetic), and a small group of elders will put the child first and foremost in their thoughts and concern. But as the case goes higher on the food chain, the more distant and institutionalized the elders become. By the time it reaches lawsuit status, Bethel, Inc. is involved and it's a virtual wall of preactical denial and avoidence. Initially though, it is very intimate and heartfelt.
Like I said, this is just something I noticed with me, and I saw this in a few other cases I have only read about, not personally observed.
A belated but hearty warm welcome slam!
Thank you for taking the time to share the details of your experience as a born-in.
I imagine most exJWs have experienced some form of abuse and can relate - even if their abuse was less severe.
This is a great community with many insightful, helpful and kind persons - some of whom may be moved to post for the first time in response to your courage in coming forward.
May your beautiful faith continue to blossom, bless and guide you and yours.
Fernando
South East Quensland, Australia
Thank you for the warm welcomes and comments. I, like Fernando would like current JW members of this site to comment on my post. My hope and prayers are that current JW's will see from post like mine and others that the religion they are part of is not of love but of control and brain washing of its members and that the leaders or false prophets. Gods word in Matthew 7: 15-20 says to beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
