under the radar

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Posts by under the radar

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  7

  Who am I talking about?

  by neat blue dog in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .. is anti-gun, police and war?.

  is subject to government but really anti-government?.

  is prone to alternative medicine and science?.

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  under the radar

  I would say those traits are particularly rife within the far-left wing of the former Democratic Party.
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  12

  Trade union membership

  by Panka in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  hi, i am currently supporting a jw colleague with some work problems and have advised them to join our trade union for official support.

  am i right that jehovah 's witnesses can't vote or contribute to political funds, but they can join trade unions?

  thanking anyone who can help me understand.

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  under the radar

  My father was the Congregation Servant, the equivalent of the Coordinator of the Body of Elders today), from the mid-50's. He worked in a paper mill and a member of the union there from the late 40's till her retired in the mid-80's. I'm not aware of any firm rule against being a member of a union, but I'm pretty sure picketing or anything else that could be construed as political activity would be frowned upon.

  I myself was a member of one union for 10 years and then a different one for almost 30 years. Over those years, I have received many, many benefits and protections that I would not have had otherwise. In fact, certain of my union benefits continue even though I am retired.

  Not that it makes any difference, but I have not been a JW for well over 20 years. Whether or not JWs approved of unions mattered not a whit to me.
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  11

  "She could have just walked out."

  by Lost in the fog in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  can you really imagine that a young teenager in a room full of stern grown-ups is going to say "i've had enough of this and i am walking out."?

  i really hope it will go to trial.

  utah high court weighs case of woman who says church made her listen to audio of her rape as a teenager.

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  under the radar

  Nitty-Gritty: I haven't seen anything that indicates to me they've changed their position on this. They make a big point of saying they report "when required by law," but they do not report otherwise. Even when they do report, they try to do so anonymously. They also say that victims have the absolute right to report their abuse to authorities, but they do not actually encourage them to do so. They merely allow it, but there may still be unofficial consequences for "bring reproach upon Jehovah's name."

  Watchtower's child abuse policies have not changed in any meaningful way as far as reporting to authorities is concerned. They now say a victim who is a minor will not have to face their abuser directly, and may have a parent or some other adult present during questioning. But that's about it.

  I still say there will be no progress in this area unless and until they separate the sin and the criminal aspects of child abuse and handle them accordingly. The congregation can deal with the sin aspect, but they must let the secular authorities deal with the criminal aspect.
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  11

  "She could have just walked out."

  by Lost in the fog in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  can you really imagine that a young teenager in a room full of stern grown-ups is going to say "i've had enough of this and i am walking out."?

  i really hope it will go to trial.

  utah high court weighs case of woman who says church made her listen to audio of her rape as a teenager.

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  under the radar

  This is an excellent illustration of why untrained and unqualified people should not be allowed to "handle" crimes as if they were mere sins. Sin and crime are not synonymous. Certain acts may be one but not the other, but they can certainly be both just as well.

  In this particular case, the elders were clearly not differentiating between the crime of statutory rape and the sin of fornication. The reason they made the girl listen to the tape was to convince her that they knew she was a willing and eager participant, not a victim of forcible rape. They even established that she sneaked out of her house to meet this creep for the purpose of having sex. Thus, she was clearly guilty of the sin of premeditated fornication and of lying about it. The man involved was obviously guilty of the same thing, and bears much more responsibility than the girl because he was an adult.

  But legally, there is a big difference between the sin of fornication and the crime of statutory rape. Despite proof of her consent and eager participation, she was legally incapable of granting such consent and therefore having sex with her was a serious crime. These laws are in place for a reason. Our young people are not to be targets of opportunity for those who would seduce them and tempt them into inappropriate and highly illegal and damaging relationships. It has long been established that young people are simply not prepared mentally, emotionally, and in some cases even physically to make such life-changing and consequential decisions. This guy deserves everything he gets for his crime, including a long stint in prison.

  My point is the tape establishes that there was a consensual sexual escapade in which the girl was a willing and eager participant. It is not a recording of a forcible rape with the victim screaming for help. The elders were focused on establishing that she was a willing party to the sin. That said, it was still extremely inappropriate and likely traumatic for her to be forced to listen to it in front of others, including her parents. Again, that is why untrained and wholly unqualified people should not be allowed to carry out such investigations or adjudicate the consequences.

  Those elders and, by extension, their overlords at Watchtower should be held accountable for their mental and emotional abuse of this young woman. She may suffer from the anguish they caused for years to come.

  By not reporting every instance of suspected child abuse or exploitation, Watchtower is implicitly condoning or at least tolerating such behavior. Sometimes they even actively cover it up. This should be a crime in itself, and in many places, it already is. Watchtower could easily solve this apparent dilemma if they announced a policy of dealing with sin internally but reporting all reports or suspicions of crime to the secular authorities to be dealt with according to the law. It would be a win-win.

  Personally, I think they've dug their heels in too deep to act even in their own best interests. They deserve all the unfavorable lawsuit judgments and negative publicity they get.
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  5

  I'll take sad news for a thousand - Alex Trebek has died

  by frozen2018 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  it was no secret that it was coming.

  mr. trebek certainly showed everyone how to approach the end of life.

  rest in peace, alex trebek.

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  under the radar

  Under 'Class Acts' for 1000, the answer is: He was one of the world's most beloved and respected game show hosts of all time, without question.

  My response: Who was Alex Trebek?

  😢
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  44

  The Watchtower's Most Secret Book!

  by Atlantis in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the watchtower's most secret book!.

  the truth that gives you eternal life, bethel edition.

  the truth that gives you eternal life was published on watchtower presses, and is not to be confused with the truth that leads to eternal life published by the watchtowerbible and tract society.

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  under the radar

  RR, I too would like to thank you for making this book available. It was very unselfish of you.

  For what it's worth, I think you are very smart to dispose of your old WT literature on eBay or the like. There are folks who will pay big bucks for certain rare publications. Good for you!
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  4

  Party Poopers (my Radio Play)

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  party poopers a radio play.

  cast of characters.

  (narrator) terry (a crow wrangler).

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  under the radar

  Another triumph, Terry! I do have several continuity type questions, but unfortunately, you could't answer them on this family friendly forum. Still... thanks for the kick start to my imagination.
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  44

  The Watchtower's Most Secret Book!

  by Atlantis in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the watchtower's most secret book!.

  the truth that gives you eternal life, bethel edition.

  the truth that gives you eternal life was published on watchtower presses, and is not to be confused with the truth that leads to eternal life published by the watchtowerbible and tract society.

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  under the radar

  Petra, thank you so much for posting this! And the other links, too.

  An identical book, maybe this very one, was sold on eBay last week for almost $200. If I had to guess, I'd say it's likely that whoever bought it is probably the one who sent it to Atlantis, knowing that was the best possible use for it. By making it available here, you and Atlantis have done all us a great service. Thanks again!

  I don't know for sure who sent it to you, but please let them know that their unselfish gift may accomplish much good and is appreciated by many.
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  13

  I almost died ...allow me to explain

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in 1923 i almost died.. allow me to explain .... .

  i wouldn't exist for another 24 years ...but.

  for a few seconds, on top a building, my grandfather, jack hybarger, stood with tears running down his cheeks and a small caliber pistol in his right hand.

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  under the radar

  Yet another fine illustration that life turns on a dime. Even seemingly trivial events can ripple outward to dramatically affect the distant future. For example, what would our country look like now if that British sniper had shot George Washington in the back after all?

  On a personal note, my dad was a GI on Okinawa in the summer of 1945 (before the atomic bombs were dropped) and later was in one of the first units to enter Japan to begin the Occupation. I wasn't born until several years later. Things could easily have gone quite differently for me. Not that history would notice one way or the other, but still...

  Anyway, thanks for this thought provoking post. A delight to read, as usual.
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  24

  JW's Not Members anymore but Individuals

  by pistolpete in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i've been waiting for someone to post this and i've haven't seen it yet, perhaps i overlooked it since i don't visit that often.. but here is the link to the discussion.

  in it you will find letters and links to this new light.

  whether it's true or not, please verify.. as of .

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  under the radar

  You can bet there is some legal reason for this change. Probably has to do with lawsuits over liability or some such. It all boils down to protecting their financial assets.