what did he mean?

by anac94 5 Replies latest jw friends

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  anac94

  hi this is my first post, I've been on line reading as many of the posts as possible this afternoon, I never realised this site exsisted. I have to say, as an ex JW I was almost afraid to post. Old habits die hard I suppose. Anyway, I missed the panorama program last night, my parents watched it, my mum is also an ex witness my dad still a VERY fanatical practicer. After the program she challanged him on the issue, he completely disregarded everything that had been said during the documentary, calling the people apostates.

  He quoted scripture at my mum and told her that a special talk had been given at the meetings on Sunday morning to prepare the congregation for the program. During this talk it was explained that the "society" has a child protection policy in place which as we now know means that the unqualified elders decide on whether to report incidents to the police or not! It sounds more like a JW protection policy. Anyway, my dad sided with the governing body members and tried to say that they should not be hounded and that it was not fair of the press to hound these spiritual men! without listening to their side of the story... I just cannot believe that my dad who I always thought was a decent fairly intelligent guy despite his religous beliefs can swallow this bs. The society was given every opportunity from what I could learn on the panorama web site, but they refused to comment.

  Anyway, I cannot explain my frustration at the whole orginisation right now. How dare they pan people off with stupid statements, and how ashamed am I in realising that approximately 5/6 years ago I too would have stood up and defended them.
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  Mimilly

  Hi anac94 - and welcome!

  You said you couldn't believe that your father would believe their BS. Hon, his thinking and reasoning abilities are stunted by his blind faith. We all acted like this - to some degree, when we were in. Take heart though - perhaps a grain of truth is getting in his thought process and is making him completely terrified that everything he believes in is a farce. Not all is lost.

  We all tend to feel badly about having actually believed the Borg at one time. The positive thing is now we know better.

  As for them paning off stupid statements - it's all they CAN do, without incriminating themselves. Go easy on yourself hon. I've been out for ten years and I only found this great board this year. Pull up a pillow and make yourself at home.

  hugs, Mimilly
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  Gopher

  anac94,

  Welcome to the board! There's no need to be fearful, for you've come to a really good place here. (Sometimes it gets a little rough out here, but that's part of what comes with an open forum like this, one with a minimum amount of moderation.)

  Your comments about the organization protecting itself are right on! I judge a group or society by how it treats its weakest members. In that respect, the WT Society is a sad case indeed.

  I'm glad you found us, and hope to hear more from you.
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  ISP

  I think the WTS had every opportunity to say what their side was but they chose not to. You can hardly let this type of thing go without a challenge unless of course you have nothing to say.

  ISP
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  Marilyn

  anac, Welcome aboard. You can view the panorama program on line if you want to see it.

  It is hard to believe that Witnesses can dismiss the information so completely - yet they have no reservations believing that Catholic children are molested by Catholic clery. They have been the first to jump on the band wagon and use the pedophile problem in the Catholic church, as a sign of a false religion. BUT oh no, JW children are lying because JW men don't do that sort of thing. You kinda need to view the program to understand the depth of their denial. As it was pointed out by one policeman; Witnesses, don't believe the children, they don't believe the mothers, they don't believe the police they don't believe the jury, and they don't believe the judge. They just believe themselves.

  If you get an opportunity, ask you father why he finds it so easy to believe Catholic children are molested and impossible to believe JW children are?

  Marilyn
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  Mary

  The reason that faithful JWs completely side with the Governing Body on this, is because to do otherwise, would make them question other areas that the GB has screwed up on.......lets say like: PROPHECY!!

  As we all know, it is drilled in to each of our heads from day one that these men all have a direct line of communication with Jehovah God and that to question anything they say or do, is like questioning Jehovah Himself. This is most likely why your father completely dismisses the whole thing. To his way of thinking, it HAS to be apostates doing this! I mean, if it's NOT all lies and apostates, then that would mean (gasp!) that the Governing Body members are basically criminals because their protecting pedophiles which would call in to question every other decision that the Governing Body has ever made.

  As these guys are used to unquestioning loyalty and obedience, they are naturally incensed that they're being exposed as a bunch of liars, hypocrites and deceitful men, by "Satan's agents" (including CNN, Dateline and Panorama). They do NOT want 6 million Witnesses to find out what they've done, so they do what they always do whenever someone questions them: they call that person a liar and a agent of Satan and "apostates."

  Its no different than then Salem Witch Trials. All's it took is for someone to look at you and go "She's a witch!" and boom! your life was over. Evidence and logic were not necessary. The same thing goes today. If Witnesses actually watched these programs, they would probably realize that these people are not 'apostates', they're victims. But like I said, that would shake the very foundations of their beliefs, and many Witnesses simply are not ready to do that.

  Edited by - Mary on 15 July 2002 21:51:35