I'm glad to hear it! Easter is so much fun with the egg hunts and watching the kids get their treats out of their baskets. We put books, novelties, and smal toys as well as candy in them.
jamiebowers
JoinedPosts by jamiebowers
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Easter
by finally awake ini just bought easter baskets for my kids.
this will be the first year that they get to color eggs and have easter baskets.
i may even take them to the town easter egg hunt..
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Finally an Article About Unthank!
by jamiebowers inhttp://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/news/local/news/general/private-prosecution-gets-thrown-out-of-court/2468225.aspx?storypage=2private prosecution gets thrown out of court.
by louis nelson.
27 feb, 2012 01:00 am.
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jamiebowers
A Toongabbie man's personal quest to hold a religion "to account" over its past "refusal" to comply with child protection legislation has been thrown out of court.
Carpenter Steven Unthank, a former Jehovah's Witness member, took his former religion to the Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court in a private prosecution for failing to ensure its ministers adopted Working with Children Checks, as required by State Government legislation.
The prosecution, comprising a total of 35 charges against five organisations which make up the Jehovah's Witnesses structure, alleged religion elders had engaged "in child-related work at the Traralgon Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses ... knowing that (they did) not have a current 'Assessment Notice' as required under the working with Children Act 2005."
Mr Unthank said he hoped the court case, if successful, would set a precedent for all religions, nation-wide, who "refused to take leadership and the law seriously".
However the charges were officially withdrawn by the director of the Office of Public Prosecutions on Tuesday, as they were "not seen to be in the public interest".
The court, before Magistrate Daniel Muling, heard the Department of Public Prosecutions had applied to take over the conduct of proceedings to withdraw all charges.
Mr Unthank said he, and other members of the Traralgon congregation who wished to remain anonymous, were "disappointed" with the decision, and said it "sent a very clear message" to religions who "thought they were above the law".
The WWC was introduced by State Government in 2005 to ensure volunteers and employees, including ministers of religion, working with children went through background checks.
However, the Jehovah's Witness' corporate body, the Watchtower and Bible Tract Society, informed Victorian congregations their elders required the WWC in November last year.
Jehovah's Witness Traralgon Chaplain Albert Helbling said due to the "family orientated" nature of the religion, with Bible study classes "always conducted in the presence of family members", its six elders - some of which he said already held a WWC - had not seen the need for the background checks.
"Families are responsible for their children, they stick together and work together; that's how we operate;" Mr Helbling said.
"If a parent is not with the children, it's because the parent has agreed that the child goes alone with another family.
"As far as we're concerned, we've never had a problem with (not having the WWC); from our stand, is all we can see (Mr Unthank) is trying to cause ill feelings and problems."
Conjecture remains over whether Jehovah's Witness members, involved in door-to-door preaching methods in the company of children, referred to as 'publishers', were required to undergo the background checks.
In an audio recording of a letter from the Watchtower Society, read to a local congregation in late 2011 and heard by The Express, it was stated door-to-door activities were part of a member's "personal ministry", and 'publishers' were not representatives or volunteers of the Watchtower Society.
However the letter reading went on to state, "nevertheless, an individual may volunteer to apply (for WWC)", which Mr Unthank said was the religion absolving itself of responsibility, and putting the onus on individuals.
Watchtower Society senior elder Alan Wood, confirmed a letter had been sent out to Victorian congregations "about November" last year, informing elders of their requirement to apply for WWC.
This came after a Watchtower Society spokesperson told the Herald Sun in July last year it did not believe its ministers were required to obtain background checks "because they did not typically work unsupervised with children".
While Mr Wood said that "unclarity" initially surrounded the legislation and WWC criteria, he confirmed the Watchtower Society had been in discussions with the Department of Public Prosecutions, but would not comment on whether it was ordered to conform with the legislation, or had voluntarily accepted it.
Bold type is mine.
If I understand correctly, the case was trown out, because the Watchtower instructed the elders to comply with the law, but the Watchtower won't admit whether it was ordered to do so or if it volunteered to do so.
Theses bastards really leave everyone out to dry, don't they?
"Families are responsible for their children, they stick together and work together; that's how we operate;" Mr Helbling said.
"If a parent is not with the children, it's because the parent has agreed that the child goes alone with another family.
But in reality the instruction is run to the elders for advice on just about every aspect of daily life.
In an audio recording of a letter from the Watchtower Society, read to a local congregation in late 2011 and heard by The Express, it was stated door-to-door activities were part of a member's "personal ministry", and 'publishers' were not representatives or volunteers of the Watchtower Society.
Yes, spend your time and resources to publish and peddle Watchtower material, but by GAWD, you're not a representative of the organization.
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Wow, not seen this before....
by snare&racket inwow, not seen this before...... http://www.watchtower.org/e/jt/article_08.htm#only.
how openly ignorant and distasteful.
talking down cancer sufferers and alcohol addicts as wanting wickedness!.
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Please keep our buddy SD-7 in your thoughts (and prayers)!
by serenitynow! insd-7 texted me today.
his wife is in labor, has had some complications and is having an emergency c-section.
he asked me to spread the word to the folks on jwn.
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jamiebowers
I will say that I'm thrilled to know that the baby looks like him.
That's a relief! LOL!!
OMG, Broken Promises, I didn't mean it the way you took it! I meant that SD-7 is good looking, and I'm glad his son looks like him.
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Please keep our buddy SD-7 in your thoughts (and prayers)!
by serenitynow! insd-7 texted me today.
his wife is in labor, has had some complications and is having an emergency c-section.
he asked me to spread the word to the folks on jwn.
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jamiebowers
It's a boy, but I don't want to steal SD-7's thunder by spilling all of the details. I will say that I'm thrilled to know that the baby looks like him. Hopefully Junior also has his father's same keen intellect and wit. I'm patiently waiting for photos and video of the newcomer.
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Please keep our buddy SD-7 in your thoughts (and prayers)!
by serenitynow! insd-7 texted me today.
his wife is in labor, has had some complications and is having an emergency c-section.
he asked me to spread the word to the folks on jwn.
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jamiebowers
Everything is fine! I woke up to check my email, and there was a message from him that mother and baby are okay. Having a little SD-7 in the world is a wonderful thing!
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NEW TO JWN and Lovin it!! A Little about me
by Zordino inhello all, i've been on this site for a few weeks (reading for longer) and i have to say this site has helped me a great deal.
i see from reading all the posts that many many people share my views on the whole jw thing and i'm so glad i can express myself without getting into problems with getting reported to the elders or something.
i am currently in my late 30's happily married to a jaydub with 2 kids.
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jamiebowers
Welcome!
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Video: Take a look at N. H. Knorr's elevator to his office.
by freetosee inhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb2jsi_abv0&feature=related.
this wt video really shows the hierarchy within the wts.
watch the body language!
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jamiebowers
I fast forwarded, and the elevator ride to Knorr's office starts at 5:20.
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The family story I've never told
by Celestial inthis took place in the 1970s (i'm 38).. .
all members of the story are or were jehovahs witnesses.
i've known this all my life but i've never told anyone.
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jamiebowers
If your jw mom was being physically abused by her jw husband, adultery may have been the only way she could see to escape it, possibly even saving her life. As for your uncle in law, maybe he was driven from his marriage with your paternal aunt, because she was dysfunctional like her brother. There's no way to tell for certain, but one thing is definite; the stifling marital rules of the Watchtower cause people to do strange things.
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Scriptural Grounds for divorce.....
by stuckinamovement ini was watching a dumb show with my dear wife.
in the program a wife tried unsuccessfully to kill her husband.
i remarked to my wife "if you ever did that i would divorce you!
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jamiebowers
*** w88 11/1 p. 22 par. 11 When Marital Peace Is Threatened ***Extreme physical abuse is another basis for separation. Suppose an unbelieving mate often gets drunk, becomes enraged, and causes the believer physical harm. (Proverbs 23:29-35) Through prayer and by displaying the fruitage of Jehovah's spirit, the believer may be able to prevent such outbursts and make the situation endurable. But if the point is reached where the health and life of the abused mate actually are in jeopardy, separation would be allowable Scripturally. Again, congregation elders should look into charges of physical abuse when two Christians are involved in the troubled marriage, and disfellowshipping action may have to be taken.-Compare Galatians 5:19-21; Titus 1:7.
Bold is mine. Notice the abuser is an unbelieving mate. Watchtower rules are totally different when it's a jw who is the abuser.