NAOSCILLATOR - yep, you absolutely nailed it. Thanks for the assist! (I was so angry when I wrote that I could hardly contain myself -- could ya tell? ;) )
WT Society Makes Light of Child Abuse Crimes by Portraying them as Cartoons
by flipper 49 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse
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Cadellin
I, too, think the blobby cartoon monster was misplaced, mostly because it's not the faceless stranger that usually molests but someone the child knows and trusts. While that fact was mentioned by the father or mother ("Even if it's someone you know!" or something to that effect), it was undermined by the visual image of the "scary" monster, with the implication that molesters are, well, scary. And they often aren't, at least, not initially. But, on the other hand, how do you convey that in a video for a small child?
No, that aspect of the whole thing wasn't the worst. It was what BoC said about using the idea of the child's conscience, as if the child was some kind of willing participant. Yikes. Your conscience protects you from deliberately doing something wrong, NOT from a grown up pervert. So it's the same old blame-the-victim strategy, albeit dressed in a smaller size.
And what was with whipping out that old Awake on the New Morality? I couldn't believe it. Do these dunderheads REALLY think child abuse is tied up with the so-called new morality of the 60s and 70's? That it's just one more alternative lifestyle, like being gay? Correct me, someone, if this is wrong but isn't it (child molestation, not being gay) considered a psychological disorder? Admittedly, being gay once was considered a disorder and criminal and that's all changed. But the key difference is that the gay relationship is one of knowledge and consent, and that's not the case with child abuse.
I don't have the stomach to watch the broadcasts but I was visiting family members who eagerly put it on and ate it up as Jehovah's wonderful provision. Yeesh.
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wifibandit
Just the cartoon: https://youtu.be/K4fnrUY-waI
For those who dare watch, a non-borg mirror: https://youtu.be/ghspcMOqgmQ
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flipper
Thanks for all the replies ! Was working out of town last night so finally got back to respond. Very good replies , thanks. I like the idea of going to the media with this by the way .
FAST JEHU- Good point you make about making this molester in the video being somebody the child would know- not some fictitious Tasmanian Devil from Warner brothers. I mean what good does it do ? As you stated most children are molested from someone they thought they could trust- so the way the WT Society portrays it is SO unrealistic and useless in teaching children the reality of the dangers.
OUBLIETTE- Thanks for the link.
BREAKFAST of CHAMPIONS- You are very welcome.
FINKELSTEIN- What's interesting is the REAL world looks at child molestation as a grievous crime as you stated- but the WT leaders do NOT look at it as such. They make all kind of excuses for hiding it, covering it over- then act in a fake manner like they really PROTECT children- when the truth is- they don't.
LISTENER- I agree the blob in the cartoon is useless- does no good at all. Most children KNOW their molesters. And to make a child feel guilty by telling them to follow their conscience ? How in the hell can they do that when sex is forced on them by a molester ? it's insane reasoning.
JUSTVISTING- Your question, " Casting call - Need middle aged brother who can act like a pedophile. Where would they find someone like that in all of Bethel " ?
With a pedophile list of 23,000 JW's who are known sexual offenders- I think a good cast could be found of middle aged pedophiles in Bethel- no problem.
GOINGTHRUTHEMOTIONS- That's really good that you warn your children about child abuse. Good for you. Exactly. Go directly to the police if you hear of children being abused- screw going to the elders- that's no help whatsoever.
BRANDNEW- Exactly, I'm with Goingthruthemotions as well.
STRONG HAIKU- Good point you bring out about the WT Society doing " victim blaming " by telling the children to follow their conscience- but NO admonition for the parents ! It's appalling. How can a kid protect him or herself from a molester ? It's typical religious guilt that WT leaders try to put into children- it's disgusting. Also a good point- WHY doesn't the WT Society encourage JW parents to go report child abuse to the police IN THE VIDEO ? Too much embarrassing exposure for WT officials ? It's insane is what it is.
TECH 49- Good point. I think due to all of the bad media publicity and JW's finally WATCHING this on network television about WT child abuse it has JW's talking among themselves and the WT leaders were FORCED to add this to their assembly program. It's like they are trying to stop an avalanche before it happens- but message to the GB - It's too late. The avalanche is halfway down the mountain gaining momentum. It's what the GB deserves.
THE DOCTOR 10- You are right- the WT leaders are SO disconnected from reality it's not funny. But it's what they get for being so arrogant. A tidal wave of child abuse lawsuits.
ESSE- Yeah brother elder, ministerial servant , so many child molesters within the organization- it could be anybody there. Why it needs to be stopped and exposed.
Have to go eat some dinner, will be back later to address page 2 responses. Thanks again for your replies ! +Keep them coming ! Very good points you make ! Peace out, Mr. Flipper
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Listener
John Cedars has made a blog
http://jwsurvey.org/child-abuse-2/tony-morris-scapegoats-gay-people-in-bizarre-child-abuse-denial-rant
There are a number of posts in response to it and one in particular about the cartoon by 'Barb Moor' which is very thoughtful and reposted here
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Caleb, Sophia! It’s YOUR fault for getting abused; your conscience was too weak! Bad boy! Bad girl!
The new video featuring the animated pair is really sneaky. Yes, kids should run away from predators. BUT, no focus is given on the predators themselves (such as known abusers within the organization). The way it is portrayed on the video, the burden is put on children to prevent abuse, according to their “trained” conscience. It doesn’t illustrate the reality that the parents could be the abusers themselves. It doesn’t show that there are times when it is physically impossible to get away from a predator (Elder Handy in the car group).
And what if the abuser threatens to kill beloved Mommy or Daddy (or baby brother) if Sophia does tell on them? Well, Sophia then has to decide: save them or myself? Sophia loves them so she’ll likely keep quiet, because predators are PROS at manipulation and deceit. This will go on and Sophia will comply with the predator thinking she’s protecting her family. You can picture Sophia in group therapy 15 years later with an addiction to meth to cope with the years of abuse, made worse by listening to talks that will make her think she is guilty for the abuse. All those talks on fornication will make her wonder, was I committing fornication? Why DIDN’T Mommy protect me? Why did Brother Creep give a talk on telling the truth at all times then tell me to lie to my parents?
She will have seen him at assemblies or meetings: maybe even giving a talk about porneia? Poor Sophia: her conscience wasn’t strong enough. She didn’t outwit a cunning adult with years of manipulative skills! And then, why didn’t Jehovah protect her? Was she not worthy of protection, given all the theocratic examples of children who were spared suffering ‘because they listened’? Apparently not, because it happened to her. Sophia will end up depressed, lonely, fearful, and likely lacking in any sort of faith. If she even remains in the organization (she’ll have so little self-worth she may stay in it out of fear), she’ll become one of the “weak” ones looked down upon by the strong because she’s not perky and happy and glowing with the good news. She’ll go downhill, while the way this organization works, the abuser will be promoted.
Ironically, the watchers of this stupid video will likely be praising the organization for its helpfulness and loving concern, ignoring that Elder Handy and Brother Creep are right there in their hall, maybe sitting next to them at meeting. Other elders in the hall may know, but they won’t warn parents. Because the loving organization that has cared SO much for SO long has said not to divulge those little details. You’re on your own, Sophia and Caleb! Good luck with that!>>
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punkofnice
How brilliant it is to educate children about the dangers of child abusers...wheterh it's a cartoon or not....once again the WBT$ shows their total indifference to anything other than their own finances.
On a side note, I hold the theory (with no evidence I admit), that members of the GB are or historically there were members that were child molesters. That's why they don't recind the 2 witness rule....IT'S TO PROTECT THEMSELVES!
Otherwise, all they have to do is simply say.....inform the police immediately!
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JustVisting
The Mom in the cartoon does instruct Caleb to tell "even if it's an adult you know and trust". However, she does not make the logical connection that "brothers and sisters" in the hall are the only adults that kids should trust! -
flipper
PISTOFF- Yeah, it's like the WT leaders are making a " perfunctory " video about child abuse just to say they did something about it.
BAFH- No, they don't say anything in the video about perpetrators possibly being anybody you know like - elders, ministerial servants, or even parents themselves ! The video makes it seem like the threat would always come from the OUTSIDE of " God's " alleged organization. Pretty creepy.
LIFE IS TOO SHORT- You bring up some VERY important points. It usually IS the ministerial servant that everybody trusts and thinks is squeaky clean that ends up being the child molester. I mean- look at Don McClean one of America's FBI's most wanted list the horrific JW molester who is on the run. He was portrayed as squeaky clean, good with young ones taking them camping - then BAM ! All the child abuses he did came tumbling out of the closet. So JW parents are TAUGHT to be naïve and gullible- way too trusting inside the congregations. And as you stated the WT uses guilt to make these children give in like " don't make Jehovah's heart sad " and all that crap. How is a conscience of a 3 year old supposed to protect against an adult child molester who is manipulating a child ? WT leaders ARE insane.
OUBLIETTE- Thanks for the link to your thread ! Very helpful .
PROBLEMADDICT 2- I think the main problem a lot of people here and elsewhere have with this video is the guilt inducing parents telling the children to " use their conscience " . How in the hell are children supposed to " use their conscience " when they are being sexually assaulted even violently ? And I have a problem in general with the minimizing of the child abuse issue by putting some freaky unknown monster running around in it- as compared to using REAL humans with REAL criminal actions taking place. This video does more harm than good. It doesn't warn parents OR children that sexual abuse comes usually from people they know- not some stranger. So how is that supposed to help them put their guard up in the kingdom halls or congregations ?
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS- My thoughts exactly. How in the hell is a kid supposed to use a conscience when they are being raped ? I mean, like you say conscience has nothing to do with it- criminal assault has EVERYTHING to do with it. Your point about someone needing to get this to the media I TOTALLY agree with. It needs to be brought out. Send a link to the video to the media someone !
FINKELSTEIN- The WT Society does cling to ancient rules that are archaic- but not useful in any way, shape, or form. And the " obedience " thing to the WT Society has totally taken the place of any obedience to " God " or a supreme alleged entity.
STRONG HAIKU- Good points. I think a lot of JW's go through cognizant dissonance trying to figure out why some JW's die in typhoons or get raped- yet they think other JW's get " protected " from Jehovah from these things. In time you would think that they could just see that it's all just random shit that happens . Random occurrences that occur with no explanations for except being terrible circumstances. If there is a God and this stuff happens he is either dead, asleep at the wheel- or he has never existed " God " is just a concept that man has made to help them deal or explain their own pain. That's what John Lennon said- and I tend to agree with him.
NAOSCILLATOR- I agree common sense and intuition are much better to use to ward off problems and crimes than guilt. Young people don't need to be made to feel guilty when they are fighting off a rape or fighting for their lives.
CADELLIN- My wife thinks that the WT Society is trying to make the victims feel guilty so that they won't sue the WT Society. Trying to intimidate victims by guilt to " fight " off or report child molesters. This blame the victim strategy the WT Society has will only backfire on them though. Any parent with half an acorn of sense should see this for what it is- intimidation through guilt.
WIFIBABDIT- Thanks for the links !
LISTENER- Thanks for re-printing Barb Moor's post from Cedars blog. That is EXACTLY on the money ! She nailed every important point regarding this farce of a cartoon on child abuse. The psychological damage that occurs to child abuse victims due to hiding child abuse within congregations is beyond damaging to them- it is criminal to allow it to happen. And THAT is what the leaders of this WT organization are: pure and simple CRIMINALS. With criminal intent to protect their financial holdings at the cost of thousands of child abuse victims lives within the JW organization. The GB should be locked up in prison and the key thrown away.
PUNKOFNICE- I agree with you that there HAVE been and possibly ARE child molesters among the GB and other high ranking WT officials. Otherwise they would just tell elders to go directly to the police with child abuse cases. We do know that Greenlees and Chitty were sent away from Bethel for sexual crimes and it was called being " sent on special assignment " and there was quite a bit of evidence that Ted Jaracz had molested children through the years as well. So I think your theory has a lot of merit indeed. Jaracz fought tooth and nail to not let the writing committee print the early 1990's articles against child abuse. He and then GB member Lloyd Barry had no love for each other- but Barry prevailed and got the articles printed in spite of Jaracz's aggression. I know of these things from reliable sources
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flipper
JUSTVISTING- Yeah, I think the video really needed to be specific in regards to explaining that child abuse comes usually from people that victims know and trust. It just kind of alludes to this fictitious monster running around- not real human beings. Pretty strange -
Vidiot
Misdirection, obfuscation, and fabrication.
x
Once again, for the newbies, lurkers, and trolls...
...if you have to cheat to defend your beliefs, your beliefs don't deserve to be defended.