I hope the Royal commission will be able to force the JW organization to take a serious look at itself ,and will cause some much needed changes.
I have been following the trial faithfully ,and unfortunately it has dredged up some deep pains from years ago . Do you know how that is ? You think some of that old baggage is neatly packed away never meant to see the light of day again .....but then BOOM there it is again .
Hearing what BCG had to go through, and how she felt trying to get help from the Elders was heart-wrenching.
I remember the terrible way young women were treated in the 1970's . I honestly don't think much has changed ...or at least not enough has changed .
I know what it was like to be a very young impressionable girl (14-15 yrs of age) ,and to sit in front of a committee of three older men being asked deeply personal questions about sexual matters . How humiliating that is ....how traumatizing it is to think these men are directed by God ,but are asking such embarrassing private questions.
I was not even baptized yet ,but I was a publisher .
Do you understand what it feels like to be beaten down and disgusted with yourself inside ,and then have this supposed religious leader say to you ,"If you were baptized you would be disfellowshipped ! You show no remorse at all .Don't you care that you hurt your Mother ,that you hurt God by your immoral choices ."..... All of this because I acted numb instead of crying and bawling in front of them . I remember thinking to myself then ,'How dare you assume I have no remorse ! You don't know me ,you don't know what I have been through so far in my life .'
These men ,my Mother trusted so emphatically as worthy to judge her daughter . This was suppose to be a spiritual healing ?
They told me that I was now damaged goods ......Yes they actually said 'damaged'.
They told me that when I dated again that it was my duty to inform any future suitor that I was no longer a virgin ....because he had the right to know . I should be grateful if the young man decided to accept me. ( Yes I really believed I was somehow broken and unworthy .This is how brain washing works)
These men caused more trauma than they know . They had no right to speak to me that way . Elders then ,and NOW are not trained to deal with these sensitive matters . They are not educated on why young girls that have been abused may act out .They certainly have no clue on how to appropriately address what emotional ,mental problems she may be dealing with .
When it comes to sexual matters ,and underage children ,they need to leave it to Professionals .
Hearing the testimonies of these sniveling liars makes me sick ,but reaffirms my belief that they are in a cult . I am so glad to be free of all that now.
I will go now ,and neatly pack away the hurtful memories ,and move on into the glorious freedom of accepting myself.