Posts by darkspilver

14

SCOTLAND: JW warned court will deliver judgment

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

from the east coast of scotland, just north of dundee...... the courier - friday 10 february 2017 - page 8. jehovah’s witness warned court will deliver judgment .

a church figure has been told by a sheriff that the courts will deliver judgment on his domestic offending and not the jehovah’s witness group he is a member of.

.

darkspilver

crofty: The article is badly written with a run-on sentence

Ah, the demise of the sub-editor?

19

Stranger asks about your kids mental wellness. ..

by purrpurr in

last night at the meeting there was a suggested presentation about the new mags, which cover the issue of depression in minors.

the jw jumps straight from "hi how are ya" to "how is your kids mental well-being " and of course the hh is more than happy to discuss the inner workings of their child's mind with a stranger whose just knockedmon their door(!).

if it was me i'd be majorly creeper out!.

darkspilver

Londo111: Is there a transcript for this?

Yes, and video

Sister: We're calling out of genuine concern for our neighbors and children. It seems that reports of teen depression are increasing at an alarming rate. May I ask do you have teenage children?
Householder:Yes I do. I have a thirteen-year-old son and a seventeen-year-old daughter.
Sister: Well I'm sure that just like any good parent you're concerned about their well-being.
Householder: Of course, and so far they're doing pretty well.
Sister: I'm glad to hear that. When you consider the problem of teen depression, what do you think can be done about it?
Householder: I really don't know.
Sister: At Matthew 5:3 Jesus Christ emphasize the importance of satisfying our spiritual need. Notice what it says 'happy are those conscious of their spiritual need.' Do you think that could help teenagers to deal with depression?
Householder: Perhaps.
Sister: This magazine offers additional suggestions on how teens can deal with depression, and how their parents can help. Would you like to read it?
Householder: Sure that looks interesting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDgPzCOol0g

14

SCOTLAND: JW warned court will deliver judgment

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

from the east coast of scotland, just north of dundee...... the courier - friday 10 february 2017 - page 8. jehovah’s witness warned court will deliver judgment .

a church figure has been told by a sheriff that the courts will deliver judgment on his domestic offending and not the jehovah’s witness group he is a member of.

.

darkspilver

From the east coast of Scotland, just north of Dundee.....

The Courier - Friday 10 February 2017 - page 8

Jehovah’s Witness warned court will deliver judgment
A church figure has been told by a sheriff that the courts will deliver judgment on his domestic offending and not the Jehovah’s Witness group he is a member of.

60

Stephanie Fessler v Watch Tower - Trial on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017 in Pennsylvania

by AndersonsInfo in

http://avoidjw.org/2017/02/stephanie-fessler-v-watch-tower/.

stephanie fessler v watch tower.

stephanie fessler was brought up as a jehovah’s witness by her parents, jodee and kevin.

darkspilver

It does seems strange that there have apparently been NO updates what so ever - and even more puzzling partly due to the OP's reference to 'daily updates.'

I understand the jury selection was all completed on Friday 3 February 2017, with the actual trial therefore ready to start on Tuesday 7 February 2017.

There was a 'pre-trial' story published early on Tuesday morning setting out a brief overview of the case, including the fact that the plaintiff had refused to settle prior to the trial

That pre-trial story also stated that it was expected to last for five or six days.

Therefore, IF it keeps to that timescale, and the IF those days are consecutive without breaks - and allowing time for jury deliberation to reach their verdict?? - it would seem that we are looking at any time from Wednesday 15 February 2017 for a verdict??

I do not know what the reporting restrictions for court cases are in the State of Pennsylvania - for example reporting on an 'on-going' court case, or even if this case is being held incamera - although we have not been told that.

19

Watchtower alternative fact - JWs were among the first to expose concentration camps

by slimboyfat in

i am currently reading the new history of the holocaust by british historian laurence rees and it reminded me of a comment in the awake!

magazine i read years ago and trusted as factual.

i quote both passages without comment.

darkspilver

Yes, there is a distinction between 'concentration camps' - established from the time at the Nazis came to power in 1933. These where fore-mostly prisons and forced labour camps, although many died at these camps - through, for example, ill-treatment, hunger and executions - that was not their main purpose.

This is in contrast to the 'extermination (or death) camps' that where established primarily in Poland following the invasion and occupation of that country by the Nazis in 1939. These camps where designed and built to kill and where part of what is known as the 'Final Solution' - the extermination of all Jews. As such JWs where not sent to these camps, with the exception of Auschwitz - although it should be noted that Auschwitz itself comprised of a number of camps, not all that would be called 'extermination camps', and this would have been after the start of the war.

Today I believe there is a tendency, especially in general conversations, for people to use the word 'concentration camp' to reference both types of camps - which is sad, because there was a clear distinction. (In the 1930's the British public was aware that Britain had also operated concentration camps in which thousands had died).

As you highlighted, with clear 'black and white' newspaper examples, the 'names' of Auschwitz, Buchenwald, Dachau, and Sachsenhausen (all camps to which JWs had been sent) would have been known to those in Britain who read those articles - this means that the names of those camps where clearly more widely known amongst the general population than the WT article makes it appear - and thus the WT was wrong and misleading to make such a statement.

4

Audio Of JW News Report On Radio - Child Abuse

by pale.emperor in

jehovahs witnesses and the goddard enquiry made the news on bbc radio 4. it talks about how they've deliberately destroyed evidence after being told to hand them over to the courts.. listen to the first minute then fast forward to 33mins:.

https://youtu.be/5sz7szs8sei.

darkspilver

I believe it is from a year ago - Sunday 14 February 2016 - and was discussed on this forum at the time:

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6299878221152256/bbc-radio-4-14th-february-2016-sunday-program-article-on-witnesses-child-abuse#

when I believe both of you - cobweb and Slidin Fast - listened to it at the time of broadcast last year and commented about it in the above thread.

39

UK: Paul Shields "abused girls after luring them with video games"

by darkspilver in

fyi from north-east england:.

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/johovahs-witness-abused-girls-after-12538877.

jehovah's witness abused girls after luring them with video games, court told.

darkspilver

UPDATE Tuesday 7 February 2017

NOT GUILTY - jury returns unanimous not guilty verdicts

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/man-cleared-sexually-abusing-three-12571878

Man cleared of sexually abusing three young girls during 1990s

Paul Shields, 57, was found not guilty of seven charges of indecent assault
A man has been cleared of sexually abusing three young girls during the 1990s.
Paul Shields, 57, was found not guilty of seven charges of indecent assault against the girls, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
Mr Shields, who has been a Jehovah’s Witness since birth, told a jury that although he had regularly put the girls on his lap, he had never sexually assaulted them.
Following the accusations, he had been ostracised from the church and become a pariah in Jehovah’s Witness circles because of its policy to shun those accused of such crimes.
Mr Shields, who was living in Guisborough at the time of the alleged incidents, said his 80-year-old mother, who is also a Jehovah’s Witness, and other family members of the same faith had not spoken to him since the allegations arose.
The married father-of-two said that church elders had even told his two sons not to talk to him following the accusations, which he insisted were untrue.
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/man-cleared-sexually-abusing-three-12571878

9

1-844-600-HELP

by JunkYardDog in

jw
friends

saw this phone number on t.v.

ad.

stating if you been abused by jehovah witnesses call this law firm..

darkspilver

It's a series of TV and newspaper adverts in the tristate area - see the following two posts

2017 Circuit Assembly: Lesbians at school demonstration

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

steve2: is there some way this can be presented so that it is crystal clear what was actually in the demonstrations and what was added?

i guess some will think it should be obvious - but this is where misunderstandings arise because we end up wrongly attributing something to jw organization that was never said.. circuit assembly theme: maintain love for jehovah!.

note to speaker: warmly encourage young ones to prove their friendship with jehovah by observing his commandments and defending his standards.

darkspilver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIwS22Ejt14

The demonstration is based on material in the YPA Vol 1, Chapter 23

Young People Ask Vol 1, Chapter 23: How Can I Explain the Bible’s View of Homosexuality?

What is the Bible’s view of homosexuality? And if you live by the Bible’s moral code, how can you respond to those who label you prejudiced, judgmental, or even homophobic? Consider the following questions or statements and possible responses.
“What does the Bible say about homosexuality?”
“The Bible makes it clear that God designed sex to be engaged in only between a male and a female and only within the arrangement of marriage. (Genesis 1:27, 28; Leviticus 18:22; Proverbs 5:18, 19) When the Bible condemns fornication, it is referring to both homosexual and illicit heterosexual conduct.”—Galatians 5:19-21.
“What’s your view of homosexuality?”
“I don’t hate homosexuals, but I can’t approve of their conduct.”
Remember: If you’re guided by the Bible’s moral code, then that is your lifestyle choice, and you have a right to it. (Joshua 24:15) Don’t feel ashamed of your view.—Psalm 119:46.
“Shouldn’t Christians respect all people, regardless of their sexual orientation?”
“Absolutely. The Bible says: ‘Honor men of all sorts’ or, as Today’s English Version renders it, ‘Respect everyone.’ (1 Peter 2:17) Therefore, Christians are not homophobic. They show kindness to all people, including those who are gay.”—Matthew 7:12.
“Doesn’t your view of homosexuality encourage prejudice against gays?”
“Not at all. I reject homosexual conduct, not people.”
You could add: “To make a comparison, I also choose not to smoke. In fact, I find the very idea of it repugnant. But suppose you’re a smoker and you feel differently. I wouldn’t be prejudiced against you for your view, just as I’m sure you wouldn’t be prejudiced against me for my view—am I right? The same principle applies to our differing views of homosexuality.”
“Didn’t Jesus preach tolerance? If so, shouldn’t Christians take a permissive view of homosexuality?”
“Jesus didn’t encourage his followers to accept any and all lifestyles. Rather, he taught that the way to salvation is open to ‘everyone exercising faith in him.’ (John 3:16) Exercising faith in Jesus includes conforming to God’s moral code, which forbids certain types of conduct—including homosexuality.”—Romans 1:26, 27.
“Homosexuals can’t change their orientation; they’re born that way.”
“The Bible doesn’t comment on the biology of homosexuals, although it acknowledges that some traits are deeply ingrained. (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5) Even if some are oriented toward the same sex, the Bible tells Christians to shun homosexual acts.”
Suggestion: Rather than get ensnared in a debate about the cause of homosexual desires, emphasize that the Bible prohibits homosexual conduct. To make a comparison, you could say: “You know, many claim that violent behavior can have a genetic root and that as a result, some people are predisposed to it. (Proverbs 29:22) What if that was true? As you might know, the Bible condemns fits of anger. (Psalm 37:8; Ephesians 4:31) Is that standard unfair just because some may be inclined toward violence?”
“How could God tell someone who is attracted to people of the same sex to shun homosexuality? That sounds cruel.”
“Such reasoning is based on the flawed notion that humans must act on their sexual impulses. The Bible dignifies humans by assuring them that they can choose not to act on their improper sexual urges if they truly want to.”—Colossians 3:5.
“Even if you’re not gay, you should change your view of homosexuality.”
“Suppose I didn’t approve of gambling but you did. Would it be reasonable for you to insist that I change my view, simply because millions of people choose to gamble?”
Remember this: Homosexuals, along with most people, have some ethical code that causes them to deplore certain things—perhaps fraud, injustice, or war. The Bible prohibits those behaviors; it also draws the line at certain types of sexual conduct, including homosexuality.—1 Corinthians 6:9, 10.
The Bible is not unreasonable, nor does it promote prejudice. It simply directs those with homosexual urges to do the same thing that is required of those with an opposite-sex attraction—to “flee from fornication.”—1 Corinthians 6:18.
The fact is, millions of heterosexuals who wish to conform to the Bible’s standards employ self-control despite any temptations they might face. Their number includes many who are single with little prospect of marriage and many who are married to a disabled partner who is unable to function sexually. They are able to live happily without fulfilling their sexual urges. Those with homosexual inclinations can do the same if they truly want to please God.—Deuteronomy 30:19.

60

Stephanie Fessler v Watch Tower - Trial on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017 in Pennsylvania

by AndersonsInfo in

http://avoidjw.org/2017/02/stephanie-fessler-v-watch-tower/.

stephanie fessler v watch tower.

stephanie fessler was brought up as a jehovah’s witness by her parents, jodee and kevin.

darkspilver

Looks like WT offered $100,000 to settle?....

Below is an 800 word article - plus 23 pages of court documents.

http://www.pennlive.com/news/2017/02/jehovahs_witness_spring_grove.html

Did Jehovah's Witness elders fail to report sexual abuse? Trial starts Tuesday

Steve Marroni - February 07, 2017 at 6:00 AM, updated February 07, 2017 at 9:25 AM
When she was a teenager, Stephanie Fessler was sexually abused by a member of her York County church.
It was a place where she was supposed to feel safe, but it was the authorities within that church who not only failed to protect her, but they covered up the abuse, she claims.
And according to a lawsuit Fessler filed against the Jehovah's Witness church in Spring Grove, had church elders contacted the authorities as they were legally obligated to do, she would have been spared more sexual assaults from the same woman.
While her abuser, Terry J. Monheim, pleaded guilty back in 2012 in York County Court, a lawsuit Fessler filed against Monheim and the church is going to trial Tuesday in Philadelphia.
Her goal in filing the suit, besides personal justice, is to remove the secrecy within the denomination that allowed her abuse to continue after it was reported to church elders, her attorney, Jeffrey Fritz, said Monday.
"Her main motivation is exposing that the policies of the Watchtower and the Jehovah's Witnesses are not following mandatory reporting laws in Pennsylvania," he said Monday. "That's what led to this happening to her, and continuing to happen to other victims within the religion, as well."
http://www.pennlive.com/news/2017/02/jehovahs_witness_spring_grove.html
The above link also includes the court documents at the bottom.