DannyBear says:
Simon recently asked if he was damaging Silentlambs cause. I ask the question is Bill Bowen/ Silentlambs by these recent actions, march, public accusations and pleadings for witnesses to step forward, throwing stuffed animals at wt workers, vauge and unsupported accusations against current or former Gb members, going to help my loved ones break free from wt grip? I doubt it one little bit.
I am for a truth and positive action, but the recent events supported by Bill are from it. He needs to apologize not Simon.
I agree with you wholeheartedly.
While I support the silentlambs cause, which is supposed to be about the children, I question the latest round of actions by Bill Bowen.
His latest actions (including this rather foolish letter) make him appear to be a fanatical, disgruntled JW more than anything. This is playing directly into WT's hands. Why not stick to the facts and hard evidence instead of resorting to sensationalism? That is how you win support, not by making empty threats.
silentlambs says:
The letter is not a joke, I do not play games. I have followed theocratic procedure since day one regarding this matter. While theocratic procedure was not followed in dealing with the five of us, it will be applied in dealing with the GB. These are valid charges that any brother or sister would have to answer to, why not the GB? Are they above God?
Have you?
Every action Bill has taken since the inception of Silentlambs has been in direct violation of wt 'theocratic' policy.
1. Use of the internet, to promote his message.
2. Use of the media to pressure the 'faithful slave'.
3. Silentlambs organization tied to apostate sites like this one, jwd.com
4. Testifying against the organization in media and courts of law.
5. The entire effort of Silentlambs is considered as turning on Jehovah and his congregation.
You have to clue me in on, how this strategy can be construed as 'theocratic' in the eye's of any jw.
Do you still believe you are a Jehovah's Witness? Summoning a judicial hearing?
DannyBear said:
A few weeks ago I posted a thread Reforming the Ireformable, wherein I asked for reformers like Bill to answer a few simple questions. No one answered. It appears that Bill is still one of Jehovah's Witnesses at heart. He apparently believes the dogma, albiet less the stand on 'child abuse'. If he sends this letter, all of his hard work goes up in smoke. It is pure juvenile pay back for unsubstantiated accusations.
Gimme a break. Bill, you are disfellowshipped. Why are you continuing this ongoing nonsense? If you were so content with being disfellowshipped, as your pictures of the event displayed (complete with uber-cool sunglasses during the event).. why do you choose to attempt to follow their "theocratic guidelines"? As previously stated, your every action prior to this is rigidly in defiance of their "theocratic arrangement".. and this would include the internet, speaking to the media, etc. Either you as an individual choose to abide by their belief system or you do not. You cannot have it both ways.
Pathofthorns stated it well when he said:
I would think it is time to abandon "theocratic procedure" and focus on lawsuits and media coverage of these. It's time to stop playing games.
ashitaka:
I think people are letting emotion and drama get the best of them. We hate molesters, too. I just think that a more calculated attack would serve Silentlambs better. This is a bit dishevled, too angry. We live in a lawyer's world, and anything can be used to attack credibility in a trial. This might be one of those documents the JW lawyers will use against the cause if Bill appears in a trail.
AGREED.
Englishman:
I must confess to a feeling of unease with all of this lest it costs us our credibilty. A massive legal onslaught of the WT is fine by me, but somehow this smacks of plain sensationalism. Once we appear to be just out for vengeance - which is how this could well be interpreted IMHO - we cease to be of any use to the very people that Silent Lambs are there to protect.
AGREED.
Funkyderek:
To me, this letter appears petty and pointless. I'm not sure what it's supposed to achieve and it could very easily backfire. Publicly accusing five members of the GB of being child molesters without some evidence seems like a remarkably stupid and dangerous thing to do. It can only damage the cause of the abuse victims if Bill is seen to be making wild accusatiaons against Watchtower leaders. He could very easily appear to be obsessive, resentful and vindictive, or just another offbeat conspiracy theorist with his own agenda.
AGREED.
Seeing individuals jump on the bandwagon and automatically assume that each and every accusation against the 5 Governing Body members is true.. I forewarn you:
Regarding the accusations against the GB members, again I find this to be sensationalism. Satanic rituals? A sex ring? These are extremely vile accusations without any proof, especially considering 3 of the 5 Governing Body members who stand accused are dead, and not able to defend themselves. Remember, until proven guilty in a court-of-law, that is exactly what these accusations remain... alleged.
In no fashion am I a supporter of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society. However, I would hate to see such a noble cause as the silentlambs (again which is supposed to be about protecting the children) be damaged because of wild accusations and a man's own personal vendetta.
Now when these Governing Body members are convicted in a court-of-law for these alleged crimes, I will be the first to thank him. But until that day, I remain hesitant and reserve judgment. The Watchtower Society is notorious for stereotyping, labeling, and pronouncing judgment on people. We should not stoop to their level. I would hope the majority of the people here are above that.
Edited by - Reborn2002 on 5 October 2002 14:8:35
