Oh man......I assumed that this was public knowledge. I had no idea this was going to happen and now it's on my head for opening my mouth. I am very upset about the boards at silentlambs, this is true. Not because Bill doesn't feel the need to have them, but because he gave the Lambs what they wanted, then stripped it away without asking them, or even listening to their plea. His excuse being the 'negativity', and then suggested using the guestbook again. That guestbook was the source of more negativity than I've ever witnessed in my life, so that's why I am so upset. If anyone needs proof, go take a look at the guestbook archives on silentlambs.org (or silentlambs.com)
ok, as for the link. I can't tell you what to do, obviously. And you are your own man, obviously. And you own this site, obviously. I understand that every man has his breaking point, although I never imagined yours would come in the same thread I was ever near. I feel partly responsible for this, and I am shocked that this happened here and now, after all that has happened. Frankly, I supposed you'd never remove the link because of the same reason I'm afraid to speak my mind, because there is no-one else standing up to fight for the same cause as Mr. Bowen is now. On a side note, I wonder sometimes if someone should, but not one person, perhaps several if anything. This one person, one man rule is, in itself a downfall, yet on some level is serving a purpose, for some. Maybe the problem here is that there IS only one rule in this cause. Anyway, if you MUST remove the link to silentlambs, is there anyone willing to put the information that is not copyrighted up somewhere that you can link to? Or perhaps build a section of this website to do so? Or even if you needed space, I have one opening up in the next week with silentlambs moving off my server (joke:). No, really, I will be willing to host information, and it can contain basically everything silentlambs has, and more even. I don't think Bill would have a problem with that, it's information that he wants out there to the public, so I can't imagine under the circumstances he'd mind at all. I'm just thinking that if you MUST remove the links, this will at least keep the information alive for your visitors. That way you have no ties to Bill, and you'll be still serving the purpose, and promoting the ideas and information that you've always believed in. I think, however, you should think long and hard on whether or not you really want to do this. Or maybe you have, I don't know. Maybe you've hit bottom and can't take anymore, and I am no-one to judge you, but on the same token I can see the harmful effects that 'can' arise from this. I must admit, even though I know you've taken alot, I can't help but feel the guilt in my soul knowing it came directly after my 'ranting'. Not knowing the full story and history here, this is not going to be easy for me to live with. I fear I've said to much, and yet believe me, I've held back greatly, even though I just want to scream from the rooftops my feelings on all of this. There's another thread started recently which I'm also going replying to right now. This will explain alot of why I am going to clam up here. http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.aspx?id=42519&site=3
I fear that even though I fight for freedom of speach, I've crossed the line. I've tried my best to look at the grand scope of things throughout my involvement with silentlambs, and avoided really voicing my negative comments regarding the organization, for the good of the cause. I've allowed silentlambs to come between me and my own family members for this reason. I've argued with the lot of you defending Bill and the cause, sometimes even against my better judgement, because I truly felt in my heart that that was what I needed to do. Call it WTBS mentallity if you wish, but I felt it my duty to back up the only man who seems to be pushing forward and putting the pressure on the Governing Body. I came to realize recently that that is not helping. You can't fight them, you can only hurt them. How do you do that? By making sure everyone on this planet knows what they're made of. Suing them until they have not one dime will help, but it won't solve all (not that we shouldn't, mind you). Why? Because with 6 million members worldwide, they will ALWAYS stand up again. I'm not saying those within the organization are a lost cause, I am saying just the opposite. It's time to quit trying to chop down the tree from the top......it will get you nowhere. Our only hope is to hit that trunk, the 'pillar' that holds the Governing Body so high. The trunk may seem strong, but it's only made of weak R/F.....pick one piece off at a time, and eventually the tree will fall, and if it never does? Well, if we save one child along the way, whether they be JW/ex-JW, or 'worldly', it's all been worth it. We should be concentrating on the children, and I see no children at Brooklyn bethel. We should be informing every parent, aunt, uncle, gramma, and grampa on this planet that THEIR loved one(s) may be in danger, whether they be JWs or not. They see us on the news and they think nothing of it, and go on with their lives. How many people saw the Dateline episode? 11 mil was it? How many remember it today? The JWs maybe? The same JWs that are now shaking their heads yes, and Amen when their Elders spat out their silly excuses?
Ok, there I go again ranting, so I'll shut up lest I do more damage. Here is a 'portion' of the email I received from Bill regarding the 'paying' of a new Webmaster. Whether he's telling the truth or not I cannot be certain:
I have been out most of today and just got in. XXXXXX is not taking
over I may use him to assist with certain things such as the video
stuff. I am currently talking to a local webmaster to pay him a fee and
have him run the site. I believe this will be a simpler way to go and
take the stress off you.
There's much more, but apparently posting an email from someone on here doesn't win you any awards :)
As for the part about staying away from JWD. I have messages from Bill, and no, he didn't 'demand' that I stay away from here. He is on here every day, and anyone that's close to Bill knows they get an email that they've 'been spending alot of time on JWD, it's best to stay away, they'll only tear you down' (loosely quoted). It's like you can't go anywhere without being followed, it's very creepy. Also, I've received reports of downright 'demanding' to stay away, but again, that is 3rd party info. I only have what I've been told by Bill to go on, and that's all. I only have personal messages via email and the Private Message system at SLD (now LRD), and to post those may be violating trust, so I will refrain. I've learned my lesson in that regard.
I have to think about all this for a while, like I said Simon, this is your site and you need to do what you feel is right and just. I can't decide that for you, obviously, nor would I try. But I beg of you to think things through and make sure you feel in your heart and soul that this is what needs to be done.
