1991 was the last full year I was an active JW. When I formally resigned in September 1992 my now ex-wife had already pretty much took all of the bound volumes and other Society literature.
The only thing I was left with was a few copies of the NWT and the 1991 bound volumes the Watchtower and Awake! I had not really looked at them in all that time since then but when I was cleaning up some of my old pack-rat boxes the other day I found them and placed in the downstairs restroom for perusing while sitting on my anointed throne.
With all of the publicity over child molesting in the JW ranks the past several years, the October 8, 1991 Awake caught my eye. The caption at the bottom of the page reads "Healing the Wounds of Child Abuse." Since the articles in this magazine was printed before all of the recent scandals, I thought it would be an interesting read.
The articles go on to discuss how damaging this type of abuse can be. It says molestation is a "defilement of flesh and spirit." It states that most of the abusers are usually close family members and friends, often the father.
Then the next article is titled "A Time to Heal." Surprisingly it often references secular books and experts on this sensitive subject. It emphatically states that IT IS NOT THE CHILDS FAULT and the abuser alone bears the full responsibility for what transpired.
It says the victim may find some resolution by confronting the abuser by letter, phone or even in person. The letter may state what the abuse has done to you and you can even declare some expectations such as an apology, payment of doctor bills, or even a change of conduct of the molester.
The last section deals with healing and recovery and states this can be done with help from Gods Word. By reading the scriptures and diligently applying its principals can ease the stress caused by these violations upon your person. One abuse victim stated "When I realized that Jehovah was aware of every feeling I had and that he cared - really cared - then I finally felt peace inside."
The article ends with the scriptural assurance that our "loving God, Jehovah" will wipe out every memory of childhood pain and that this hope will sustain and strengthen you as you travel the road toward full recovery.
After taking some Advil to alleviate the pain caused by the gut wrenching laugh I had after reading the article, what really stood out to me was that not once in the 9 pages of dealing with this hard-to-talk-about subject was the suggestion that law enforcement be contacted. You could tell your parents, friends and the elders but apparently the police was out of the question.
While articles in other issues suggested that calling the police was appropriate when you, the adult, was robbed, threatened or physically attacked, this option was not on the table when it came to the young and innocent. Rather you were to put your trust in the environment that was most likely the source of the abuse to begin with.
I formally declare that I have disfellowshipped the other 143,999 of the anointed body for conduct unbecoming even of an animal.
