I had an interesting day today. Early this afternoon I was sent an email by a sister who was chastising me for claiming to not be disfellowshipped. She wrote she had just spoken to the Oregon Service Desk and was assured that I was DF on no uncertain terms. She was also told that all information on the web site could not be trusted as it was from a DF person, namely me. When she asked if I was DF for the information on the website he stated that it was not due to the website but other “problems” with my conduct that came later. He went on to say I have a vendetta against the Society and was stirring up much controversy among the brothers which shows another part of the basis of my DF.
After receiving the email and reviewing the content carefully I began to review the events of the last year. I have never sat before a judicial committee nor have I ever been charged with breaking any law within the organization. As a matter of fact I am no longer “shunned” when local brothers and sisters see me in public, instead they just “run” the opposite direction whenever they see me coming, thus not affording me the opportunity to offer a greeting. So after considering that a fellow brother had offered disparaging remarks to a sister regarding my status within the organization it left me with only one option. I must apply Mt. 18 and try to regain my brother. So I called the Oregon Service Desk.
After all the connections were made I heard a male voice on the line that identified himself as the Oregon Service Desk. I identified myself as Bill Bowen at which he stated he did not know who I was. I then stated, “A sister just sent me an email that stated the Oregon Service Desk told her I am DF, is that true?” After trying a little further to pretend he did not know who I was I went on to say, “I am the founder of the silentlambs organization, you know the one that speaks up for JW’s who were molested.” At this point he said he did know who silentlambs was. So I asked him again, “Am I DF?” He said, “I am saying Bill Bowen is DF.” I said, “Do you mean ME?” He said, “I do not know who you are.”
“I am Bill Bowen of silentlambs, are you telling me, Bill Bowen, that I am DF.” He replied, “Bill Bowen is DF.” I responded, “So you are saying I am DF? If so, why was I never informed of any charges nor given the opportunity to respond to a judicial committee?” He says, “I am not saying you are DF I am just saying Bill Bowen is DF.”
I am Bill Bowen, I have a website silentlambs, have you been telling brothers and sisters that Bill Bowen of the silentlambs website is DF? (long silence) He says, “I could have made a mistake, let me check something.” (long silence) “Yes, there was a mistake since the call was from Oregon I thought you were a Bill Bowen in Oregon who is DF. I apologize for the mistake.”
“So I am not DF?” He said, “Right you are not DF.”
“Well I appreciate you clarifying that for me and I would appreciate that in the future if anyone calls you would be careful to make that distinction.” At which he said, “I do not see any point to further conversation.”
I was able to engage him in a few more remarks about the 97 wt and the 97 BOE with which he offered some disturbing reasoning to say the least, but to make a long story short he repeated about five times, “our conversation is over,” to my concluding remarks about the problem of how WT policy is hurting children. I did not feel the “spiritual paradise” as our conversation ended, but at least I “gained my brother.”
So in conclusion, you might wish to pass this along to any brothers and sisters who claim they have called the Society and have been informed I am DF. Sadly, it is yet another WT lie used to discredit and prevent those within from seeing the real truth of how WT policy endorses the “pedophile paradise” that they are required to support.
As of 4-24-02 I am still standing. I remain a JW in good standing who openly condemns what the GB has allowed and continues the harm against innocent children and those who are molested. To “whom it may concern” I remain,
"Brother”
