Posts by slmdf

23

Ciro Aulicino - Watchtower Man for Life

by VM44 in

using various online databases i looked up what was available on ciro aulicino who is well known for getting the watchtower signed up as an ngo with the united nations.

the following information was returned.

note that his residences have all been at watchtower owned addresses.. considering his age, and dependence upon the watchtower for most of his life, ciro probably won't be considering any change in his relgion!.

slmdf

VM44 -

Here is a link to the talk that I mentioned. it's 2 hours long of his 5 hour talk: http://www.filesend.net/download.php?f=95e364ff9cd784ce3781cc2f44538330

44

When YOU went out in the field service.....

by JH in

when you used to go in the field service, did you go out to have 2 more hours on your report, or did you really want to save somebody's life by preaching a message of salvation ?

slmdf

As a kid, I did it cause I had to. But mostly, I just like talking to people. It was fun to chat with them. I could stand at their doors and talk for an hour and not even mention anything JW related. Did you ever come across those people? The kind who just like to talk at the door. I would usually eventually get into the "presentation" but I typically liked just to talk to people. I also liked talking to people who had problems cause it was a chance for me to just listen to them, and many times, that's what they need... just someone to listen. Then, I might try to read a "comforting" scripture.

Other than that, as many others said, later in life, especially as an elder, I typically just hoped no one was home.

23

Ciro Aulicino - Watchtower Man for Life

by VM44 in

using various online databases i looked up what was available on ciro aulicino who is well known for getting the watchtower signed up as an ngo with the united nations.

the following information was returned.

note that his residences have all been at watchtower owned addresses.. considering his age, and dependence upon the watchtower for most of his life, ciro probably won't be considering any change in his relgion!.

slmdf

I liked Ciro's talks. He's definitely got passion. His talk about the illegal trial of Jesus is actually an all-star talk in my book. He get's in trouble a lot at Bethel cause he's got some wild and non-conforming ways about him... he's kind of a loose cannon.

But... as you say... he probably won't be going anywhere soon. He's so smart... I'm surprised he still believes the crap.

26

Our grandfather died a week ago- guess why we didn't know.

by professor in

jw
friends

my sister and i who are disfellowshipped have a jw elder as a father.

guess why mom and dad didn't tell us that our grandfather died a week ago?

thanks watchtower for denying us our grandfather's funeral.

slmdf

Truly incomprehensible. So sorry. I hope my family uses more sense when faced with this kind of thing.

My sincere condolences.

89

How I handled Child Abuse cases when I was an Elder (1996-2006)

by slmdf in

hey ya'll.

i know there is a lot of buzz due to the nbc story.

i thought i'd share my experience as an elder dealing with abuse.. i attended 23 different congregations in my life and served as an elder or ms in 9 of them.

slmdf

Almost -

>>3.) the family/guardian has every right to go to authorities with no repurcussion.
Did you get the impression that this was the intent of the "don't discourage" comment, or are we inferring bad intent where none exists?

Well, my honest opinion is that it depends on the elder making the statement. Some would say it with the inferrence that it's preferred that they don't go to the authorities until it's handled by the congregation first. Some would even share scriptures about slander and/or the two witness rule. That would cause some to think that they may be doing something wrong spiritually if they inform authorities based on an accusation.

However, I also knew many an elder (including me) who would say exactly what I wrote above in #3. I would then further explain that this meant they have every right to go to authorities and the elders, the congregation... anyone who happened to know about what was going on would not think any less of them. No matter what their decision, we would be supportive of them and continue to deeply care for them. In other words, we stand by them whatever they choose to do. The only caviat I would mention is that I couldn't make a recommendation as an elder either way as to whether to tell authorities or not. But, again, whatever their decision, we would support them.

I could tell that sometimes my lengthy 'rant' about how they could go to the authorities would make other elders nervous and uncomfortable, but they didn't typically say anything in front of the person.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask more if you have more questions.

89

How I handled Child Abuse cases when I was an Elder (1996-2006)

by slmdf in

hey ya'll.

i know there is a lot of buzz due to the nbc story.

i thought i'd share my experience as an elder dealing with abuse.. i attended 23 different congregations in my life and served as an elder or ms in 9 of them.

slmdf

You say you followed the rules but didn't your conscience kick in?
What if it had been your child.
I thank your for the input but I still wonder how people can be so controlled.
I was a JW too and never would have let this crap go.

Sacrebleu - I appreciate your thoughts. I really do. As I said, none of them went without legal punnishment. I would be forever terrorized if anyone I dealt with had not been reported and I finally came to my senses years later (now). I am so thankful that's not the case. I was incredibly assimilated into the Borg. I believe the VAST majority of JW's (especially elders) are. As a male especially - you have to perform (at least that's how it was in my family). You have to be the best, give better talks, be better examples, and do more than the other males so you can get appointed. It's sick. And to buck the system would put your "performance" as a "healthy" JW on trial and all my life I was taught that nothing comes before what the organization says.

Please understand... I don't feel that way anymore. It's one of the reasons I left and won't go back. It's rediculous. I can't imagine the heartache and emotional distress I would feel had I known I dealt with known child molesters and they weren't dealt with appropriately by the legal system.

I agree... you would think one's conscience would kick in. But, my conscience, up until this year was ruled by the JW theology - 1st and foremost of which is, "Do what the Mother Organization tell you".

I am happy to say that I believe with all my heart... I now have a working conscience and would definitely do the right thing, not only what I'm told.

Thanks for the feedback.

14

got a question

by ninja in

my boy is giving his first bible reading on the main platform tomorrow.....i want to show him i am proud of him for standing up in front of everyone doing his best.....but at the same time i dont ever want to go back to that den of iniquity...he he.....what should i do.....p.s i think i already know....so talk me out of it

slmdf

Sounds like you did the right thing! What's most important is that your "wee one" knows that you love and supported him. Sounds like mission accomplished to me.

29

funny thing about being sad...especially now of all times w/ snow & NBC

by oompa in

jw
friends

i have to get feeing better soon.

i don't mind some ups and downs, but staying low for days at a time just ain't right.

somebody here was talking about snow the other day and how the elders would almost never cancel the meeting.

slmdf

Hey Oompa... I always love your posts. This one made me sad. I'm sorry you're going through all the emotion you are. However normal it may be, it still hurts.

When I left in June, I had to leave everything behind and start new. I just knew I couldn't do it alongside others that I knew "loved" me, yet condemned my very thought/belief system because it conflicted theirs. I just had to leave and make a new start. I moved out, and got my own place and continue to provide for myself and my new life as well as my wife, whom I left behind. She's moving on and doing well. So am I. We are growing as individuals. It's really quite nice.

My heart is with you. I can't say it'll get better, cause I've not lived through a similar experience. But know this... we do care and you are not alone.

Write anytime... and yes, I did read your entire post.

Take good care.

89

How I handled Child Abuse cases when I was an Elder (1996-2006)

by slmdf in

hey ya'll.

i know there is a lot of buzz due to the nbc story.

i thought i'd share my experience as an elder dealing with abuse.. i attended 23 different congregations in my life and served as an elder or ms in 9 of them.

slmdf

Nvr - that's a great question. And you're right... it's very clear that they are first and foremost concerned that the "Organization" will be drug into a "congregational" matter. Congregations should think about that cause if they don't do just what their told, sounds like the WT will leave them out to dry if need be - to separate themselves from the "wrongdoing". Cutthroat as hell.

40

Elder Pedophiles that you personally know of . . .

by JK666 in

after the ambiguous response by the wts to the nbc broadcast, i would like to know how many of you had an "elder chester molester" in your own congregation?.

we had an elder that molested his daughter's best friend when she was 14 years old.

the elders in the congregation tried to keep the matter quiet and handled the matter privately.

slmdf

I know of 1 elder who molested 3 different little girls and one other non-elder who got arrested for child porn. Not sure if any molestation was involved. And, there were other cases of 'brothers' doing stuff, but no other elders that I know of. Ugh.