Is child abuse becoming the 'Benghazi' of exJW's?

by Simon 20 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse

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  ctrwtf

  Agreed
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  Phizzy

  I agree too Simon, and I said as much at the beginning of the Candace Conti case, that we have ONE chance to get it into the Media, and that should be when the case is finally concluded.

  The problem is that, as you rightly say, if we keep on about Child Abuse in inappropriate settings/posts etc, it will lose its effect.

  Surely our aim should be to protect future potential victims, by forcing the JW Org to adopt a proper Protection Programme for the vulnerable, whilst at the same time recognising the pain and suffering of the existing victims.

  We do not want to reduce ourselves to the pathetic levels of some apostates of the past who have simply fulfilled the view of apostates as presented by the WT/JW Org.

  Our aim should be at a credible target, and we should only fire when we " can see the whites of their eyes".

   
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  kaik

  I don't think so. JWs do not care about child abuse. They follow "save the rod, spoil the child".  Child abuse cannot be Benghazi of the JW's faith, because it does not shake their beliefs. Child abuse is just NOT one of them. Court cases all over the world are full of JWs abuses of their children for decades. In Czech Republic, JWs are known to abuse their children since 1960's, and there are numerous documented court cases. Children were taken away by CPS and many of them lived in foster homes and state institutions. The abuses were documented by investigative journalism in CZ republic in 1999 and 2000, where JWs were hiding behind the faith and freedom of worship. These witnesses never saw themselves as a child abusers, but as martyr for their faith. Czech Department of Interior considers JWs as one of the biggest child abuser in the country, but it is crucial to say that the Department mentions that the abuse is failing of individuals than systematic approach from the organization.
  
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  prologos

  Benghazi cost the Republicans and Romney the election. ( Fox wasted precious airtime) 

  Wt is probably glad some here focus exclusively on this lamentable all-pervasive human tragedy. 

  There is real damage done by the WT Inc, is elsewhere, 

  Look at Libya today;-- "Benghazi" was a picnic by comparison,  

  Wait until Wt confronts the real issues. 

  
  
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  BluesBrother

  I do agree, Simon... I find the smearing of "elders" , saying that on masse they are closet Paedophiles is distasteful , untrue and likely to put off lurkers.

  That said, when I first read of the issue I thought it was ridiculous.  The guys I knew were not like that and I did not believe that the problem was real. However, given the weight of solid facts and Court Cases I had to accept that this was true.

  My point is that factual accounts and newspaper links are invaluable and lets keep them coming , as long as we need to . Just that there is no need to generalise baselessly
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  Simon

  I do agree, Simon... I find the smearing of "elders" , saying that on masse they are closet Paedophiles is distasteful , untrue and likely to put off lurkers.

  That is my concern.

  I think it makes claims stronger and more credible if they are provable. If they are provably false or overreaching the they risk being dismissed.

  There are things the WTS does wrong and there have been cases within the WTS of child abuse being covered up or at least not dealt with how they should be, including not being reported to authorities.

  Trying to claim that all congregations or all elders are culpable would be a huge mistake in my book and far less likely to convince an onlooker that the claims are true. Remember that 'onlooker' may be a journalist as well as a JW.
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  neverendingjourney

  Part of the problem is that there isn't anything particularly pernicious about the Watchtower's treament of child sexual abuse as compared to other major religions.

  It's hard for us who've been personally affected by this religion to keep its importance in perspective.  It simply doesn't register in people's consciousness.  It would garner perhaps a footnote in a history book written about our era.  So everyone's attention is focused on similar issues that occurred within the context of larger more established religions that they actually know and care about.  

  I'm sure it's frustrating for those who want to call attention to pedophilia issues within the Watchtower, but the reality is that people don't see the need to focus on a problem in a minor religion that's already been extensively covered in the context of the Roman Catholic Church (among others).

  Perhaps some of that frustration is expressed on this forum in the form of repeatedly bringing the issue up where it may not really  belong.
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  snugglebunny

  The child abuse issue is always going to surface because such a thing is anathema to most people. It's a normal part of our development for us humans to feel ever-more protective towards little ones as we age. Watch any adult walking down the street with a youngster and observe how protective the adult is towards the child, keeping him safe from the traffic and any other manner of danger. It's an instinct that's built in to us, unlike the instincts acted out by child molestors.
  
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  prologos

  There is a recent Item on BBC? regarding Japanese attitudes toward "Lolita situations", refused legislation.

  like snuggleB. said, with maturity (of the race in general) attitudes change, and some change slower than others.

   The issue will carry more weight in some countries than others.  
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  Crazyguy

  I think the child abuse issue and their blood doctrine can not be mentioned enough! They have killed thousands of people with their doctrine on blood and it should be brought up more!! I wish their was a god that cared and there is a place called hell because these guys need to go there for awhile.