Our section on H2O has grown to a notable JW site in our language. The site was mentioned at the district convention last weekend by Mr. Veikko Leinonen, a local branch committee member. During the convention the local ex-JW's had the first demonstration against the shunning policy and lack of religious freedom and expression among the JW's. We had a couple of banderolls, some flyers and signs and we advertised the Finnish section of H2O freely. This all hasn't been in vain because there seems to be some growth in view counts and many new writers. It's really thrilling to think that our efforts are having an influnce on the JW's here in our country. Now every JW in Finland knows where the critical information is available without forgetting the support and venting.
Could you describe what it's like to be a JW and then an ex-JW in Finland? Actually, just describe what Finland is like! I'm an American, so I don't know much about the rest of the world. Heck, 3/4 of us can't find the US on a map if you take the names of the countries off!
Telling people not to go to a specific site is a huge mistake. It tells them that organized opposition exists and it encourages arrogant fools to 'sally forth' to inform 'apostates' how misled they are - resulting in shocked defeat by those dumb enough to try.
Pornography was spread throughout the U.S. in the 60's by using the phrase "banned in Boston" as advertising - it backfired on the censors.
And finally, we all know about Eve and forbidden fruit, don't we?
Well, us South African Convention Demonstrator Apostate Guys have caused quite a stir. We picket and jump up and down a lot at the Conventions getting really excited whenever we hear the words "Faithful & Discreet Slave", "Organization", or "Truth". Sometimes we even start screaming and talking in tongues and doing "holy rolling"! Yeah, both of us are menaces to doctrines of the JWs!
Happy to hear the "good work" is progressing in Finland!
All future demonstrations in the United States need to include website addresses. For example "silentlambs.org" and "freeminds.org" are super easy to remember. Put them on banners, flyers. Chalk them on sidewalks (rain washes it off easily), etc. Do so at conventions or in local kingdom hall parking lots.
Voltaire, I think being a JW or an ex-JW is essentially the same here than everywhere else. Of course there are cultural differences and tones, but JW's have their own sub-culture which is rather coherent despite the nationality. I, for example, can easily understand the folks here and their emotions. The borganasation doesn't allow too much differences from country to country.
If you need to know more of my country, you can take a look on, for example, Microsoft's Encarta Encyclopedia or Encarta World Atlas. These good sources to start with.
