Do you know anything about Navigator, or did you just lash out as someone who you felt was ignorant of who you are, and who had a contrary opinion to yours?Littletoe, navigator might want to just come out and say what he means. If he disagrees, that is fine. I in turn get to say what I think of what he thinks. Free speech, remember? While Navigator was implying that I am "projecting" my own "guilt" on to the JW?s, I could also take it that Navigator was doing some "projecting" of his own. I simply will not listen to it.
You do appear to have a lot of pent up anger or maybe just frustration, which at another time I seem to recall got you barred from this board for a short period.
Frustrated? No. Littletoe, I am pissed. Frustration is only for those with no plan or course of action to get results. Frustration is for those waiting for a mental break-through. I have already had my break-through and it is my channeled anger that pulls me along. BTW, I had my membership suspended for a tiff with a mod. It is my understaning or impression that me and that mod have grown to understand where and where not to tread with respects to eachother. I like and respect that mod very much. It works.
On the other hand, two things come to mind - you are in the midst of legal action involving your child, and so now is NOT the time to do anything that might be perceived as irrational or excessive, by judiciaries.
I am on record as being supportive of my children?s Bible education. All evidence indicates that I have actually encouraged the children to keep studying and going to meetings. I am on record with the courts that I "share the same religion as mother, but father?s rules seem to be much more reasonable and closer to the norm". (Family Law Court Mediator wrote this to the judge concerning me.) Consider that it was my rational state of mind that enabled me to out-maneuver an experienced family law attorney and gain physical custody of them in the first place without any legal training or representation. What I am doing now tends to shine the spotlight on their irrational behavior and puts them all on the defensive which, as we all know, a JW makes some really dumb mistakes and begins to trip up on their own lies when "defending" their irrational behavior. Add up the prior documented abuse, mother?s lies exposed and failure to comply with the judge?s orders, the children?s own written testimony, their reluctance to go to meetings and be part of the religion, mom and step-dad?s coercive tactics, two suicide attempts, cover-up and failure to report child abuse and we suddenly understand why dad is so passionate in speaking out. They have shown to the courts that they have been taking swipes at my kids? jugulars and mine for years now. It cannot be ignored. See what I?m saying?
Whoa back Corvin. Navigator is a great guy who simply has a different perspective on this matter. His post was not a personal attack on you, he just offered a different opinion. You went way over the top on this one. Wait until you meet the man, then your opinion of his post will, no doubt, change. BugI was merely pointing out why his "opinion" is flawed to such a degree that if I were to listen, I would lose this fight. I?m sure Navigator does not want me to lose, but . . .
Whilst I admire the guts it takes to do such things, I also think that you're doing the wrong thing by picketing. This is just my opinion of course. I think that your ex can use this against you by saying you are fanatical about JWs and that this is clouding your judgement (or some such other thing she might think of, with her 100's of witnesses to your behaviour outside their church....this would look strange to a judge because judges generally won't understand your involvement and the problems with the JWs)Believe me when I say that even the tiniest, most insignificant word or action on my part has been twisted and used against the kids and me that picketing can only be seen as the natural course of things. They have expected me to just sit there and take it . . . to let them do or say whatever they want and just keep quiet. They have counted on that for far too long and it is time to get in people?s faces. It is time to speak the truth.
just following on from what sirona mentioned, during my court battles over access to my little girl, my ex tried to use my being a JW as one of the reasons for not allowing me access (she knew I wasn't one - had stopped before we met). It backfired, the judge said that he would not stand for religious intolerance, no matter what denomination. He also cautioned her about some other things too, but that's a different story!!
Good point, however, the laws here in the states are a bit different. This is how it works here:
The Actual or Substantial Harm StandardCourts applying this standard will restrict a parent's religious activities only if the other parent proves that those activities cause substantial or actual harm to the child. This standard is used in many states, including California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont and Washington.
Some states, such as Maryland and Ohio, may use the term "actual harm" in one case and "substantial harm" in another, even when the facts are similar. Other states treat actual harm and substantial harm as two separate standards. This may sound confusing, but in reality, the difference between the terms is minimal, and courts often use the language interchangeably. Just remember this: No matter what terminology these courts use, they all look for tangible evidence of harm to the child's physical or mental health.
The courts avoid making any ruling with regard to religion in custody battles, but they have shown that they WILL restrict a parent's First Amendment or parenting rights if that parent's religious practices are harmful to the child now and/or in the future. In this instance, it is not a stretch to prove "actual or substantial harm".
For those of you who took exception to how I responded to Navigator?s post, please accept my apologies. I might have been a bit strong, but this thing is entirely personal and it is hard to listen to someone telling me to cool it or that I am "projecting" my own guilt by my actions. I don?t see the reasoning there and stopping to "forgive" these people would be my children's demise. I'll forgive when they repent. Isn't that the way it works?
Best Regards,
Corvin