What is the goal of the silentlambs organization?

by kenpodragon 35 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  kenpodragon

  Personally, and this differs a bit from yours. I say they change procedures that reflect the law, meaning do what is legally required. Everything else is religious freedom, and I would hope we never take that away. If they want to disfellowship, fine. It sucks!!! They do have the right though by law. Just do not harm children, or people ... that applies to all religions, not just JW's. So back to my point, is silentlambs looking to get them in line with the law ... or in line with what they want? I have learned in life when I get something perfect for me, 1000 other people see something they want done different. That is why their are laws, to set societies standards.

  My thought

  Dragon
• 

  Bendrr

  Does the society need to be destroyed or just corrected on procedures, so that they do not harm people?

  Just how would the Empire be stopped from harming people? By having all means to do so removed from them. Taking all their power away. In other words, destruction of the WTS.

  What Bill Bowen and others are doing with the Silentlambs movement is a far more realistic goal: changing some of the policies of the WTS to prevent future harm. I can't imagine Bill turning away an abuse victim from another religion, but other religions aren't the focus of Silentlambs.

  The fall of The Empire will come from within. Look at the figures. We're only here to help it along. Ex-jw's won't bring down the WTS, that fall will come from within.

  Col. Bendrr, [classified]

  Edited by - bendrr on 25 September 2002 21:14:29
• 

  Pathofthorns

  I realize what you are saying Ken and I am inclined to agree in principle.

  I will say though, that I personally feel the WT has created a harmful culture and permits it to exist. Yes it is legal and it might not be breaking laws but that doesn't make it ethical and I strongly believe if it's members were truly free to investigate the broader picture without reprisals that a significant number would not be happy about things.

  I support certain efforts whose goal at least is in part to present the facts to JW's, to make the organization a safer place for JW's and to bring justice to those who have been harmed by the WT's policies and advice. I admit I am uncomfortable that my support of Silentlambs includes a broader agenda of mine than that of just protecting children and changing policies. I realize that this issue has been particularly effective in exposing the WT and that it has advanced bad publicity against the WT on the backs of extremely sensitive and fragile people. I don't feel good about this at all and I am not sure if my position is ethical either but am hoping the end justifies the means. In other words, I don't care for the tactics but don't see any other viable options at the present time.

  Path
• 

  kenpodragon

  Should it be about one specific religion though, or only about the victims? I am sorry I keep pushing this, but I have no vendetta against the Watchtower. They are no longer part of my life, and I stay away from them. Again I ask though, what exact changes do you want done ... details. I ask, as I would not march into any battle without a exact goal in mind. It might come to a point where you sit down with the Watchtower and they say, "okay, what do you want to shut up" and you need a well thought out answer and plan.

  I don't think the motive should ever be about the religion's freedom to practice, it should be about making them obey the laws of the land they're end. Is that the purpose? If so, what laws exactly needs to be enforced or changed. Changing laws have a procedure and I have participated in it many times. Writing letters to Congressmen, signing and starting petitions, voting and marches on City Hall and other government buildings. Law is the set standard of the land, sometimes those have to be the focus to help children and other victims.

  My thought

  Dragon
• 

  silentlambs

  I find it hard to believe anyone could read the website and not know the goal of silentlambs. We have asked and stated it time and time again. The goal is to support abuse survivors period.

  How do we support them? Encourage them to report their molesters, speak out and tell their stories of abuse, get legal assistance if needed. We let them know they are believed and they told the truth.

  Now what about Watchtower? They must change a policy that puts children in danger, they have done NOTHING to address this properly. the demand remains the same since day one.

  1. Report child molestation to the police first and allow them to investigate.

  2. Never allow a child molester privileges in the congregation.

  3. Never allow a child molester to go from door to door.

  That is it, change that and we will shut up about WT policy and completely focus on supporting abuse survivors the real GOAL of silentlambs. These requested changes are the same that was submitted to the GB in 1992. To date they have never completely enacted ONE of them.

  I do not like these misdirection type posts that try to say something we have never done. Our goal remains the same and has nothing to do with trying to bring down a religion. We assist Jehovah's Witness abuse survivors, Why? We are experts on them and understand how best to help them. Do you know how many abuse support organizations there are out there? Thousands, with plenty of help to offer, how many or for JW abuse victims? When you specalize in one area you can do more good by focusing your efforts. IF other religions can benefit from silentlambs information that is fine, but the GOAL remains the same and will continue.

  silentlambs
• 

  kenpodragon

  Silentlambs

  Thanks for hating my post I still have a question, what laws are you targeting to change these problems. Have you thought about checking into regions to see what laws need to be addressed, and put together organized groups to support this through subpoenas and regulations. After all, as long as religions have freedom to run amuck and do what ever pleases them, it will take a lot to change them.

  You respond to harsh to people asking questions, I believe in what your doing and do not see why you would speak so harsh to me. In addtion, I saw in another post you said "it is about the children" and I have to ask, "is there ever to many support groups for abuse victims?"

  Take Care

  Dragon
• 

  hamptonite21

  Dear Dragon,

  I think that your questions have been answered. You are entitled to your opionions, but playing devils adovcate on such a sensitive subject may spark "harsh" replys. I assume that you dont know anyone that has been a victim because your post is so calis. It seems your true objective here is not to search answers to your "questions" but rather cause negative rubbish.

  Regards

  hampton
• 

  kenpodragon

  You should never assume!!! I see that there are rules to this board with you though, do not ask hard questions? I guess my question was to hard, and made to much sense. I wanted to know what connects point A to B and no one answered. I am sorry that was such a hard question and it causes you to give negative responses when it should have been such a simple answer. You have no idea what my objective was or is, and you assumed it was negative when it would have been something very positive.

  Remember this ....

  Assume = Is you making a ass out of you, while you try to make a ass out of me.

  I have supported this cause for a long time, and thought it was a wonderful purpose to the world, not just the world of JW's. Thanks for enlightening me to my error, because I am just some ignorant person who knows nothing. (Keep telling yourself that, and maybe it will come true)

  <throwing hands up in disgust that no one answered my question ... and then got told off for asking>

  Dragon

  PS : I just thought you might like to know I know several abuse victims, but I do not wear that friendship like some badge that gives me special rights.

  Edited by - kenpodragon on 26 September 2002 0:49:34
• 

  kenpodragon

  Sorry if the above post made me sound like a ass, but that pissed me off being told I could not ask a question. I thought that was rude. I would never tell someone to not ask questions. That is so Witness-like.

  My apologies

  Dragon
• 

  plmkrzy

  That is so Witness-like.

  amen to that. There is no reason to attack someone for asking questions. I read kenpodragons post and found nothing in it to be the least bit offensive and this is an observation from a veteran victim.

  Sometimes the GB attitude can be hard to shake free of, so it seems. Its like living on the defensive at all times, so it seems. It's ok to offer praise but do not ask questions unless you want to be viewed as "The enemy" For some, questions spark feelings of distrust.

  I put up with it for many years and I personally have no tollerance left in me for it anymore,

  as some may already know.