That link doesn't seem to work
Try this instead : http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-18/shattering-silence-surviving-domestic-violence-in-church/8788902
darkspilver
JoinedPosts by darkspilver
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An opportunity for ex Jehovah's Witnesses survivors of domestic violence, to tell their story to the media
by jw news 2017 infor *australian* exjws who have stories of domestic violence, use email in this story to share.
(link: http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-18/shattering-silence-surviving-domestic-violence-in-church/8788902) .
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darkspilver
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Sandra Melgar convicted of murder in husband's brutal stabbing
by darkspilver infyihouston woman convicted of murder in husband's brutal stabbing.
wednesday, august 23, 2017jurors discount her claim that intruder was responsiblemelgar maintained her innocence in the dec. 22, 2012 killing, which occurred the day before the couple's 32nd wedding anniversary.http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/houston-woman-convicted-of-murder-in-husband-s-11954131.php.
sandra melgar guilty of killing husband, faking home invasion on houston couple's anniversary night.
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darkspilver
UPDATE:
Woman gets 27 years in stabbing death of husbandThursday, August 24, 2017
Sandra Melgar was sentenced Thursday to 27 years and a $10,000 fine for killing her husband.
An hour earlier, prosecutors said she manipulated her family, her church friends and even her lawyers, in closing arguments of the punishment phase of the 57-year-old's trial for murder.
"They drank the Kool-Aid," prosecutor Colleen Barnett told jurors. "The devil is in the details. When you put together all the little details, it all adds up to guilty."
The housewife was facing a punishment ranging from five years to life in prison after being convicted Wednesday of murder in the 2012 stabbing death of her husband.
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Jury-deliberates-fate-of-housewife-convicted-of-11955509.php -
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NEWSWEEK: After Ban, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia Harassed by Police During Religious Services
by AndersonsInfo inhttp://www.newsweek.com/jehovahs-witnesses-russia-ban-police-589791.
after ban, jehovah’s witnesses in russia harassed by police during religious services.
by jason le miere on 4/25/17 at 4:48 pm .
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darkspilver
FYI - a 1,900 word article....
Jehovah's Witnesses are banned in Russia. That doesn't stop them from worshipping.Vox, Thursday, August 24, 2017
In Putin’s Russia, Jehovah’s Witnesses are labeled “extremists” and accused of being American spies. Still, they keep their faith alive.
MOSCOW — “Stay in the car,” Yuri says. He looks out the window, up at the grey Soviet-era tower block we’re idling outside. An old woman is staring out the window. “She’s looking at us. She’s suspicious.”
Eugeny and his wife, Lyudmilla, have already gone inside. But Yuri (who, like everyone quoted in this article, has asked to be identified by first name only for security reasons) is worried that entering as a group will attract attention. Attention means somebody might call the police. And when you’re a Jehovah’s Witness in Russia — labeled by the government as a member of an “extremist” sect, the same designation they use for neo-Nazis and ISIS members — dealing with the police is the last thing you need.
Still, the community has developed a strategy to keep its faith and worship alive. They enter the building in twos and threes to avoid attracting attention. They mix up the homes they use, to keep it difficult for government forces or potential harassers to track. They set a table laden with food, which, during the Saturday worship session I attended in July, goes entirely untouched. It’s there so that if police arrive, they can claim that they’re simply gathering for a party. And, Yuri tells me, they always keep a few bottles of vodka on hand. If the police come, he says, they can down it quickly. The police will smell their breath, notice their inebriation, and believe that they’re been carousing, not worshipping.
READ MORE: https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/8/24/16095496/jehovahs-witnesses-banned-russia-still-worshipping -
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Finland, Turku - JW killed in attack
by darkspilver innow confirmed - fyi following my post yesterday here:.
https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6355488641908736/_post/6151316533411840.
it has now been confirmed via jw.org.
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darkspilver
FYI
Featured on the front page of the Finnish Åbo Underrättelser newspaper with full article over the whole of page 2 - via Google Translate
They thank for the support
Åbo Underrättelser, Thursday 24 August 2017
The controversial society lost a member of the knife attack on Friday.
On the western corner of Salutorg Square, Turku grows the sea of flowers and candles in memory of those murdered in Friday's violence. Tim Renvall, resident of Pikis in St. Karins, knows the place well.
Like one of Friday's victims, a member of Jehovah's Witnesses church in Kyrö, he himself has been in the corner of society's journals and literature.
"The last time I stood here was the Tall Ships Races," says Renvall, when the ÅU meets him and Jim Knief at Salutorget.
ÅBOBON Knief is a member of Jehovah's Witnesses Finnish Assembly in Österås. Renvall is a member of the Swedish assembly in Turku, which also includes members of society in Pargas.
They tell us that when Friday's knife attack rolled up in the media they reacted like everyone else.
"I called to check that my daughter was with her mate, then to relatives and friends," said Knief.
WITH the first pictures from Salutorget, there was also concern, says Renvall.
- I recognized the place, and on one picture one could see that a victim was a woman in skirt. Clearly you thought it could be one of us.
When it was clear that this was the case, Renvall and Knief started calling friends in the parishes to make sure they were safe.
They did not know the victim personally, but Jehovah's Witnesses are a fused society and the murder a hard blow.
It is common for people to hang out over parish boundaries, says Knief.
"We usually play football and bobble together with friends. We feel we are close together.
RENVALL tells us that after Friday's violent acts, those who tend to be out among people to spread the message of society have gathered to talk about what happened.
Members have comforted and encouraged each other.
"We have asked questions and we have talked about the fact that this is a traumatic issue and that there is no wrong way to respond," says Renvall.
Have you changed your opinion about standing in Salutorget?
- No. I think, after all, that it was not directed at us. The Bible also teaches that unpredictable events can occur.
In society, members have reacted to the knife attack in different ways, says Renvall, but no one has questioned that Jehovah's Witnesses should continue to be out among people.
FASTER, society has increased its presence among people because overall feedback has been positive.
"It is popular among community members to stand outside. In addition, we easily recognize each other in Jehovah's Witnesses when we move in other countries, "Knief says.
EVERYTHING Knief, society has also received a lot of support from the rest of society.
Jehovah's Witnesses are a controversial movement. Therefore, it is extraordinary that people showed their participation, he says.
HOW do you interpret violence as it is on Friday if you compare with the social debate currently under way?
"Our vision differs from the rest of society. We believe that we live in the last days of evil and that the murder of this battle, but also all other devastation, is a sign of it, "says Renvall.
KNIEF flies in that, although their interpretation of the Bible is nothing but the ongoing discussion of immigration, police resources and legislation, Jehovah's Witnesses appreciate the police's efforts for law and order.
- Therefore we pay taxes. Our religion does not allow us to prejudice anyone.
Is there anything in your faith that makes you handle these things better than others?
- Both yes and no. There are certainly people who are trained to do this, but the Bible gives us comfort. It is an additional support, "said Renvall.
"But we are not robots," Knief said.
WHEN Jehovah's Witnesses stand out with their magazines and literature, they never take the initiative to talk to people. The conversation is always started by someone else.
Neither Renvall nor Knief have been involved in unpleasant situations, but the community has given instructions on how to act if they occur.
"Will it be suddenly serious, then we leave. The magazine and literature shelves are not important in such a situation. First of all, we try to calm down potentially violent people by talking to them, "says Renvall.
"But we will not get up and scratch but try to keep a positive tone," Knief says. -
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Apostasy: The Movie - Directed by Daniel Kokotajlo
by darkspilver indaniel kokotajlo's new film apostasy has it's world premiere at the toronto international film festival in september 2017. apostasy.
family and faith come into conflict for two jehovah’s witness sisters in manchester, when one is condemned for fornication and the other pressured to shun her sibling.. this fresh, unadorned first feature from director dan kokotajlo carries an unmistakable note of authenticity from its very first scenes.
set in a jehovah's witness community in england, the film's strength and power lies in its directness.. apostasy depicts the growing rift in a family — a mother and two daughters — who are rigorously devoted to their religion.
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darkspilver
This has been picked up by the trade press:
I don't believe the above articles add anything new to what we already know from this topic's OP - but still interesting to see the coverage it's getting...
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Sandra Melgar convicted of murder in husband's brutal stabbing
by darkspilver infyihouston woman convicted of murder in husband's brutal stabbing.
wednesday, august 23, 2017jurors discount her claim that intruder was responsiblemelgar maintained her innocence in the dec. 22, 2012 killing, which occurred the day before the couple's 32nd wedding anniversary.http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/houston-woman-convicted-of-murder-in-husband-s-11954131.php.
sandra melgar guilty of killing husband, faking home invasion on houston couple's anniversary night.
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darkspilver
FYI
Houston woman convicted of murder in husband's brutal stabbingWednesday, August 23, 2017
Jurors discount her claim that intruder was responsible
Melgar maintained her innocence in the Dec. 22, 2012 killing, which occurred the day before the couple's 32nd wedding anniversary.
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Houston-woman-convicted-of-murder-in-husband-s-11954131.php
Sandra Melgar guilty of killing husband, faking home invasion on Houston couple's anniversary nightWednesday, August 23, 2017
A Harris County jury Wednesday convicted Sandra Melgar of murder in the 2012 stabbing death of her husband Jaime Melgar.
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Verdict-handed-down-in-trial-of-wife-accused-of-11953566.php
Jury deliberating in murder trial of Houston wife accused of stabbing husbandTuesday, August 22, 2017
Prosecutor Colleen Barnett said Melgar was motivated to kill her husband and stage a break-in for a $500,000 life insurance policy. She also said Melgar's religious beliefs as a Jehovah's Witness made her look for a way to get out of the marriage without a divorce, which would have left her ostracized.
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Jury-deliberating-in-murder-trial-of-Houston-wife-11950857.php
Described as 'model family,' wife now charged in husband's deathFriday, August 1, 2014
Her son is dead and daughter-in-law is charged with murder, facts that Ines Melgar just can't fathom.
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Described-as-model-family-wife-now-charged-in-5663724.php
Couple tied up in home, husband killedMonday, December 24, 2012
A husband was tied up and stabbed to death and his wife was found restrained in a closet last night in their Kelsey Meadows home in what appears to be a deadly home invasion.
http://abc7chicago.com/archive/8930172/ -
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Jah Jireh Care Homes
by pale.emperor inhttp://www.jah-jireh.org/.
they have care homes in england and wales: wigan, leyland, blackpool, methyr.and one in canada http://www.jah-jireh.on.ca/.
these are not funded or subsidized by watchtower.
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darkspilver
The Fall Guy: I had limited (personal) dealings with the home in Cumbria, north-east England several years ago. http://www.jah-jireh-maryport.co.uk
I believe that that one is independent of the OP's Jah-Jireh homes
As I understand it:
Jah-Jireh Charity Homes (AKA Eddie Delaney) runs the care homes in Wigan, Leyland, Blackpool and Methyr
Miss Joanna Hindmoor runs the care home at Maryport, Cumbria
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Jah Jireh Care Homes
by pale.emperor inhttp://www.jah-jireh.org/.
they have care homes in england and wales: wigan, leyland, blackpool, methyr.and one in canada http://www.jah-jireh.on.ca/.
these are not funded or subsidized by watchtower.
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darkspilver
tijkmo: surely he can't still be alive
Bill Bull an ex DO was a trustee in UK last time I checked
He died on Wednesday 5 August 2015
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Jah Jireh Care Homes
by pale.emperor inhttp://www.jah-jireh.org/.
they have care homes in england and wales: wigan, leyland, blackpool, methyr.and one in canada http://www.jah-jireh.on.ca/.
these are not funded or subsidized by watchtower.
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darkspilver
pale.emperor: http://www.jah-jireh.org/
They have care homes in England and Wales: Wigan, Leyland, Blackpool, Methyr.
And one in Canada http://www.jah-jireh.on.ca/There are similiar ones around the world and the UK:
The first residential care homes specifically designed for Jehovah's Witnesses were founded in 1985 by Jah-Jireh Charity Homes of Great Britain. These homes are a testament to the blessings that come from the generosity, support and hard work of our brotherhood. Similar nonprofit homes are located in the Czech Republic, Poland, Netherlands, Canada, South Korea, and Denmark, with more under development in other countries. While each of these organizations is independently operated, there is a common recognition of the needs of our aging brothers and sisters.
http://www.jah-jireh-maryport.co.uk
Also, what about the WT's Fishkill Estate in upstate New York?
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interesting EX-CO AMA ( Ask Me Anything) over on exjwreddit
by Diogenesister inex-circuit overseer here, ama.
https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/6usaky/excircuit_overseer_here_ama/.
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darkspilver
More AMA Answers....
When you mentioned how common adultery and fornication were in your assignment, do you think that was a product of the culture there, or do you think it's just as common here in the states?I tend to think adultery is more common there. I always had to have substitute speakers ready for assemblies because some elder would always be caught or confess to adultery. Prominent elders to not so prominent elders. I served as an elder here in the US and although there is adultery, I know hundreds of elders here and it's a very small percentage in comparison. I rarely heard of an elder here being disfellowshipped.
As far as fornication is concerned, my guess would be that over 90% of young people engage in sexual activity. Each week in each congregation I had to review recommendations for elder and servant and sometimes regular pioneer. It was extremely rare to see someone who did not have some judicial action in their past. I think the percentage is about the same here in the US, maybe a little lower.
Can you give any advice on how to best stay under the radar when the local circuit overseer visits? And maybe also regarding the elders. I want to avoid any shepherding call or making appointments with a grinning or kind of demanding person standing before me.Stay away. Or go and don't comment. Don't stand out in any way. I used to stand in the back of the Hall and look around and listen. Who is commenting? Who isn't? Who seems to be "reaching out?"
I didn't really look for rebellious ones who could cause problems, but if someone stood out by not sitting down and paying attention I might ask about them.
The advice given on this forum is gold. If the CO wants to talk to you ty to avoid it, and if you can't get out of it, just nod. Don't give any info.
This now marks the end of the Ask Me Anything (AMA) thread:Sorry it took me so much time to answer all of your questions on the AMA. I think I answered them all though. If I didn't, remind me please.
I know my writing is sometimes disjointed, I have two jobs and two little children and not a ton of education nor time. Plus my thoughts on your questions are sometimes disjointed, some things you ask I have never thought about. Some questions I answer no and then later realize I DID experience whatever you were asking.
OK so back to the circuit work. I think some in here are picturing a Circuit Overseer driving up in his Buick in his suit, a mature, experienced man who commands respect, his wife at his side, speaking in serious tones as he greets the elders then the rest of the congregation. I know not all are like that but you get the idea.
That wasn't me. In my assignment the new CO's were and are young, strong elders under 30 who are assigned to rural areas and can walk for miles in the heat and sleep on a cot. I rode the bus to my assignments my first two years in the circuit. Once I actually rode on the OUTSIDE of a bus, hanging on as I got covered in dust. I slept on a hard cot in the same room as the hosts with a curtain dividing us. I used outhouses and took bucket showers, no hot water in those areas. I walked all day on dusty roads and then gave talks on someone's back porch that doubled as a Kingdom Hall with a yeartext tacked onto the wall and their boom box for the songs. No microphone. Eventually I got the bigger circuits in the city and I got a car which I actually brought from the States, a salvage vehicle. Ask some of the posters on here who have served in those countries. They no doubt have crazy stories also.
Even worse was my life experience. I had hardly any. Raised a JW, not married, and working part time. I was arrogant and ignorant, the worst combination for a human being and even worse for a Circuit Overseer. I had my 600 pages of notes from MTS and my binder of letters from the Society to all Circuit Overseers. I was a true believer, clueless to the real world, clueless to real moral values and ethics. I was good at spouting Witness doctrine and I acted humble, inside I thought I was the coolest dude around. A missionary CO, what could be better than that?
So some of my answers reflect more my experiences as a missionary rather than a CO. I certainly tried to act like one, in fact I would meet with the CO when I was on vacation back home. I would literally hunt him down in whatever Hall he was at and ask him tons of questions on policy and procedure. All CO's are required to have several "service talks" on hand to use and adapt to local needs. I didn't have any when I started. I just copied talks I heard from CO's here in the States and passed them off as mine.
When I came back here to the States and re-entered the work force I was a joke. I missed a lot of work on purpose to prove how "spiritual" I still was. I talked like an elder to my co-workers. I had instant problems getting along with others and respecting boundaries. During work meetings I would agree with whatever the boss said, and raise my hand to support whatever he was saying and wondered why everyone laughed and called me a brown-noser. So much for my CO experience. At least now I have woken up. I am so thankful for all of you for helping me over the years.
So anyway, my experience as a CO was in a foreign country, although I did have a lot of interaction with CO's here and I did serve in Bethel here.
I definitely have some issues to work out, but thanks to all of you I feel I am headed in the right direction.