I am posting this as a question to any who are lawyers or those who might be interested joining this effort.
I still suffer from the guilt and embarrassment from a meeting with the elders when I was about 17 years old. Myself and another congregation member the same age as myself were exposed of having homosexual conduct with each other. I went to the kingdom hall with my father to meet with the elders and they proceeded to ask me graphic questions about my activity with this other boy. Questions such as did you perform oral sex on him, did you perform anal sex, how many times did you have his penis in your mouth, did you enjoy it, did (name) ever put his penis in your mouth, how many times did you perform oral sex on each other? I believe this iterrogation has caused permanent emotional scars. I have problems maintaining relationships and still play that meeting over in my head (it happened 23 years ago). That in conjunction with the monumental embarrasment of having to sit in the congregation as they announce that you are bad association and then give a talk on how homosexuality is a sin. In my congregation it was customary to give a talk on the subject that the person was being disassociated or disfellowshipped right after they make the announcement about that person. So everyone knew that the reason I was considered bad association was because I engaged in homosexual activity. The other boy I fooled around with has been divorced 3 times (same problem with relationships) and is an alcoholic who tried to commit suicide by crashing his car when he was 20.
This brings me to my question. Are there any grounds for bringing a lawsuit against the society for this horrible ordeal? And if there is would it be considered a class action lawsuit if other gay ex-JW's became co-plaintiffs.
I am sure quite a great number of us have gone through a situation similar to this and am curious if anyone else would be interested in joining this lawsuit if it is a possibility.
I am not out for revenge but just to put this to rest and know that I made a difference for future gay JW's that might be in this situation. Could this set a precidence and maybe put an end to the public humiliation that the society brings upon someone who "doesn't follow the rules"? I know I am forever emotonally scarred from this and feel this is a way of reclaiming myself and hope that others might feel this way also.
I would appreciate any feedback on this from anyone who cares to comment.
Thanks,
Chris
Scarred for life by judicial committee
by ohiobigboy 2 Replies latest jw friends
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ohiobigboy
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Balsam
Ohiobigboy,
Boy you really went through hell didn't you? I am not a lawyer, but I lost a child to death because of the blood policy. It is very difficult to sue the WTS, there lawyers are very cleaver and unless you can afford to fight them your money would likely be better spent on getting some therapy from a therapist who understand the affects of growing up in a cult and is sympathetic to your being gay. I know there are so many horror stories of what people have faced in judical committees. They are awful.
Just know they are wrong the way they treated you, the bible is a good book to forget, because life does no depend on it. Look for support groups with the Unitarian Universalist Churches. They have folks who are gay and are welcome to life affirming services with those who are not gay. The services are very healing for those who have abused by traditional Churches. I've found much comfort in their freeness of thought.
Good Luck,
Balsam
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Undaunted Danny
I agree with Balsam.The sleazy lawyers are an obstacle.I've made it more focused and localized,cause s**t flows downhill....
Click my profile i am giving the bastard perjuring elder perps who wrongfully Dfed me a run for their money.
Squirm perps...