abbagail

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Posts by abbagail

• 
  59

  HELP!!!! I NEED FEEDBACK PLEASE!!!!

  by Prisila in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i really need your feedback .

  i am really down on the dumps regarding being shunned and torn apart about da (i haven't yet).

  a week ago i wrote to dr. phil on oprah and wrote briefly about jw practices on shunning.

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  abbagail

  For all those visiting this thread... I tried to find an email addy for Dr. Phil, but couldn't find a direct email address. HOWEVER, here is the link to the page/online form which Priscila must have filled out and which GOT Dr. Phil's/Oprah's ATTENTION. We could ALL use this same online form to talk about JWs and shunning, as Priscila did, and/or JWs and Child Sex Abuse, and/or any of the other issues which JWs and xJWs have. The more that write in, the better, eh? Of course, the online form says you have to be willing to go on the show. But if you got sick and couldn't go on the show when it is time for taping, at least they were "informed" of the JW issues and may do another show later on, right? -- Hey, free trip to LA (Dr. Phil Show) and/or Chicago (Oprah Show). ;) GRITS

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• 
  59

  HELP!!!! I NEED FEEDBACK PLEASE!!!!

  by Prisila in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i really need your feedback .

  i am really down on the dumps regarding being shunned and torn apart about da (i haven't yet).

  a week ago i wrote to dr. phil on oprah and wrote briefly about jw practices on shunning.

  1. 
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• 

  abbagail

  Hi Priscila: Wowow! What a big decision. I agree 100% with those who have written that it is entirely up to whether you are ready to go public or not, and VERY PUBLIC at that (TV). Personally, I would be a nervous wreck about being on TV under ANY circumstances, but if you WANT to do it and feel you can handle not only the show, but the aftereffects, then by all means go for it!

  I LOVE DR. PHIL!!!! I have been watching him on Oprah from the very first day he was on, and I have never missed a show yet (VCR comes in handy!) Yes, it is TUESDAYS that he is on Oprah, for those who wondered. In the beginning he did come across as sort of a hard-A**. But over the years, he has mellowed very much, and has spoken more about himself, his own personal life, etc., and I have grown to LOVE THAT GUY! I'd give anything to have a father (or husband) like that! He really really is VERY LOVABLE and has great compassion, and he shows it more and more as the years have gone by. He says Oprah has taught him ALOT. Also, He is a self-confessed "reformed" CONTROL FREAK, so it only makes sense he would be very interested in High Control (cult) Groups!

  Btw, whoever wondered, Dr. Phil is nowhere on the level of Mr. & Mrs. Scum Jerry Springer-Jenny Jones. I agree that in the world of "talk shows," Oprah (and now Dr. Phil with his own show), are the ONLY HIGH-CLASS "talk shows" on the air today. I wouldn't even be caught dead in the Audience of those other shows, much less on their stages.

  In the early days of Dr. Phil, the joke was "Nobody wants to be in the 'Hot Seat' with Dr. Phil"... due to his "No Beating Around the Bush" approach. But in the setting for which they have called you, Priscila, you would NOT be in a 'Hot Seat," but would receive the utmost CARE & COMPASSION as someone SUFFERING the EFFECTS of a High Control Group. I would feel VERY SAFE with Dr. Phil. Though, I agree with whoever said, "Safety in numbers," and "The More the Merrier." In other words, if you would feel more comfortable with supporters with you, then by all means explain your deepest fears/anxieties/concerns, etc. to the producers, and that you would like someone to be able to come on the show WITH you.

  Also, since B.Bowen is being shunned/effects of High Control Group, I think it would be perfect if he and/or Barbara Anderson, etc. could be on the show also. They could discuss the SHUNNING, and if a little blurb about the sex abuse just happened to be brought up and got on the air as well, then all the better.

  Also, if at all possible and you get to correspond/communicate more with Dr.Phil himself or his staff between now and the show, Dr. Phil has MAJOR INFLUENCE IN OPRAH'S EYES. They have become very close friends. (He is the "Life Strategist" who was by her side and kept her from going off the deep end when she was sued by the Texas Cattlemen over the MEAT issue, the long trial down in Texas. That's how she and Dr. Phil hooked up... just a little bit of history).

  So if you, or any of us for that matter, can "put a bug in Dr. Phil's ear," so to speak, about the JW Pedophile Problem and ask Dr. Phil if he would talk to Oprah herself about doing a show on that subject alone, THERE MAY BE HOPE BB and the Silent Lambs could have an entire hour with Oprah. -- For the person who said nobody cares about the barely-known JWs, I would have to disagree. Oprah, as was stated already, is a victim of sex abuse herself. She STILL does shows about it, so it is not totally forgotten from her memory. And if Dr. Phil himself ASKED OPRAH to do a show on JW Pedophiles/Coverup, without a doubt she WOULD do a show about it.

  Side note: Jesika: Has BB ever written Oprah directly about SL yet?

  Another thought for Priscila between now and the High Control Group show... there is tons of info online about JWs and CULTS. If you have a chance and can direct the Dr. Phil Show producers to such links, it would give them gobs of info ahead of time, which would help them help you present your info more comfortably.

  C'mon guys, what are all the LINKS to those articles? If we can get an email addy for the Dr. Phil show, we could start emailing them saying, "We hear you are doing a show on High Control Groups, and I thought this information on the JW Cult at this URL would prove helpful..." and include the links. Here are a few I had handy:

  http://quotes.jehovahswitnesses.com/cult.htm

  Randall Watters < [email protected]> (former Bethelite)
  http://www.freeminds.org/

  Steve Hassan, e-mail the freedom of mind resource center http://www.freedomofmind.com an educational organization dedicated to upholding human rights, promoting consumer awareness and exposing abuses of destructive cult groups. You can also call the center at (617) 628-9918 or email: [email protected]

  Any others?

  If in the end you decide not to do the show, none of us would blame you one bit; besides, there are all these others begging to go with you, or in place of you should you decide not to. ;-) Either way, how cool that they called you! Obviously your honest hearted email to them touched their hearts. Good going and best wishes!

  Grits
• 
  34

  Appeal Letter 7-29-02

  by silentlambs in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  draffenville congregation of jehovahs witnesses.

  judicial committee elders of:.

  murray congregation of jehovahs witnesses.

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  abbagail

  LOL!!! to Soscarra on the "Don't Mess With Bill" song! I remember it well, was it the 5th Dimension? Tooooo Funny! :-) A little humor is GOOD at a time like this!

  Caveman, I cannot speak for BB, but I would think he must still want to be in the org or why bother with the letters? Also, it would seem to me he could be more effective in helping those lambs who are IN AND OUT of the org if he was STILL IN. As we all know, when one is OUT/DF'd, they are "dead" in the eyes of the average JW, so how can a DF'd person be "believed" in the eyes of the JW who is still in? I guess you could say it's the PRINCIPLE of the thing. Besides slandering BB and the personal unkindness they have shown, being DF may mess up his credibility on behalf of the lambs in the eyes of not only the active JW but also the world in general. See what I mean? Also, a major GOAL of SL, I think, was to (hopefully) effectively communicate with the WTS (who said something to the effect of, "We welcome dialogue and comments from our members...") but if BB is DF'd, they will never meet with him at the Silent Lambs March on the WTS set for 9-27-02. (Of course, that is probably EXACTLY the reason they went ahead and kangaroo'd him unjustly, so that they will NOT have to talk to him on 9-27-02, which is a CRYING SHAME!!!) Just MHO...

  Here's a lineup of the scoundrel Governing Bugs, if anyone wants to fire off a letter to them!

  Write to each of them indvidiually, c/o WTBTS, 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11201. And as BB wrote in another thread, it wouldn't hurt to put a friendly handwritten return address on the envelope/letter so they think it is "fan mail," and to also enclose a dollar since then surely they will open it and read it! :-)

  Carey W. Barber (1905-) ...he is called to the Brooklyn Bethel, to be a Governing Body member in the autumn of 1977. Source: w82 11/15 10-14 (French).

  John E. Barr (1913-) In September 1977 is called to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses and from then on lives in the headquarters of the organization, in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.
  Source: w87 7/1 26-31 (French).

  Milton G. Henschel (1920-) On December 30, 1992 was selected to be the successor of Frederick W. Franz (who had died a week before, when he was 99 years old) in the Presidency of the Watchtower. Henschel was president of the Watchtower until October 7, 2000, when there was a reorganization in the leadership and Don Adams (not a Governing Body member) became the new President of the Watchtower. Sources: w77 7/1 394; yb80 112; w89 6/15 22; w89 9/1 26; w93 3/15 31 (French). -- Grits wonders: What is Henschel's status now? Is he dead?

  Samuel F. Herd (?-) On October 2, 1999, Samuel Herd was appointed to the Governing Body. He is the only Afro-American in the Governing Body. Source: w2000 1/1 29.

  Theodore Jaracz (1925-) On November 28, 1974, he was appointed to the Governing Body. Sources: w75 5/1 284; w77 2/1 95; w96 6/1 25; yb83 103-105 (French).

  M. Stephen Lett (?-) On October 2, 1999 was appointed to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. Source: w2000 1/1 29.

  Gerrit Lsch (1940-) On July 1, 1994 he was appointed to the Governing Body.
  Source: w94 11/1 29 (French).

  Guy H. Pierce (?-) On October 2, 1999, Guy Pierce was appointed to the Governing Body. Source: w2000 1/1 29.

  Albert D. Schroeder (1911-) On December 18, 1974 Schroeder was appointed to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. Sources: w83 3/1 10-17; w85 12/1 26 (French).

  David H. Splane (?-) In 1998 he was appointed "helper" of the Writing Committee.
  On October 2, 1999 he was appointed to the Governing Body. Source: w2000 1/1 29.

  Daniel Sydlik (1919-) On November 28, 1974, he was appointed to the Governing Body. Source: w85 6/1 21-26 (French).

  DECEASED GB Members
  Karl F. Klein (1906-2001) On November 28, 1974, he was appointed to the Governing Body. Died January 3, 2001. Source: w85 5/1 20-27 (French).

  Lyman A. Swingle (1910-2001) On October 1, 1945 Swingle was elected to the Directors Board of the Watchtower. Around 1984 he was appointed secretary-treasurer of the Watch Tower Society of Pennsylvania and Watch Tower Society of New York. Died March 14, 2001. Sources: w84 5/15 24; jv91; yb81 188 (French).

  GB Names/Info retrieved from: < http://www.geocities.com/osarsif/gb.htm>;
• 
  34

  LETTERS OF OUTRAGE TO GOVERNING BODY

  by orangefatcat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  why don't we show our support and our outrage at the same time to the governing body for their actions towards bill bowan, barb, and all the silentlambs and see how many we can flood into the wtbs headquarters.

  what do you think??

  edited by - orangefatcat on 26 july 2002 9:48:39edited by - orangefatcat on 26 july 2002 9:49:37.

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  abbagail

  Hey SilentLambs - thanks for the address AND the funny oh-so-true tip about enclosing a dollar!

  I saw this below link in another post at this forum. This website says it was updated 5-11-02, created in 2000. Therefore, this should give everyone a good start for GB names. According to this list, there would be ELEVEN GB members at present. If anyone knows of any corrections to this info, please advise. Also, I merely included below the pertinent info, but if you want to see Pictures of These Guys and/or More of their Bios, please visit the link directly. And by all means, let's get this post BACK TO THE TOP!!! /GRITS

  < http://www.geocities.com/osarsif/gb.htm>;

  Carey W. Barber (1905-) ...he is called to the Brooklyn Bethel, to be a Governing Body member in the autumn of 1977. Source: w82 11/15 10-14 (French).

  John E. Barr (1913-) In September 1977 is called to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses and from then on lives in the headquarters of the organization, in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.
  Source: w87 7/1 26-31 (French).

  Milton G. Henschel (1920-) On December 30, 1992 was selected to be the successor of Frederick W. Franz (who had died a week before, when he was 99 years old) in the Presidency of the Watchtower. Henschel was president of the Watchtower until October 7, 2000, when there was a reorganization in the leadership and Don Adams (not a Governing Body member) became the new President of the Watchtower. Sources: w77 7/1 394; yb80 112; w89 6/15 22; w89 9/1 26; w93 3/15 31 (French). -- Grits wonders: What is Henschel's status now? Is he dead?

  Samuel F. Herd (?-) On October 2, 1999, Samuel Herd was appointed to the Governing Body. He is the only Afro-American in the Governing Body. Source: w2000 1/1 29.

  Theodore Jaracz (1925-) On November 28, 1974, he was appointed to the Governing Body. Sources: w75 5/1 284; w77 2/1 95; w96 6/1 25; yb83 103-105 (French).

  M. Stephen Lett (?-) On October 2, 1999 was appointed to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. Source: w2000 1/1 29.

  Gerrit Lsch (1940-) On July 1, 1994 he was appointed to the Governing Body.
  Source: w94 11/1 29 (French).

  Guy H. Pierce (?-) On October 2, 1999, Guy Pierce was appointed to the Governing Body. Source: w2000 1/1 29.

  Albert D. Schroeder (1911-) On December 18, 1974 Schroeder was appointed to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. Sources: w83 3/1 10-17; w85 12/1 26 (French).

  David H. Splane (?-) In 1998 he was appointed "helper" of the Writing Committee.
  On October 2, 1999 he was appointed to the Governing Body. Source: w2000 1/1 29.

  Daniel Sydlik (1919-) On November 28, 1974, he was appointed to the Governing Body. Source: w85 6/1 21-26 (French).

  DECEASED (former) GB Members:

  Karl F. Klein (1906-2001) On November 28, 1974, he was appointed to the Governing Body. Died January 3, 2001. Source: w85 5/1 20-27 (French).

  Lyman A. Swingle (1910-2001) On October 1, 1945 Swingle was elected to the Directors Board of the Watchtower. Around 1984 he was appointed secretary-treasurer of the Watch Tower Society of Pennsylvania and Watch Tower Society of New York. Died March 14, 2001. Sources: w84 5/15 24; jv91; yb81 188 (French).
• 
  18

  Jw Learn From The Best

  by comforter in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the other day while i was at a discount center, a little girl offered me a tract about jesus.

  i looked at her and said, not today.

  but i wuz tempted ta say that i am already a christian and believer in the blood of jesus.

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  abbagail

  Hey comforter, then we have a lot in common. I am practically OCD about recycling paper. I have trouble throwing away any paper, even junk mail (I either cut it up and use as note paper, or flip it over and use the blank side for xeroxing and printing on the computer, etc.); I save cardboard off the backs of legal pads (they make great file dividers in the file cabinet); and I even will use paper towels until they are falling apart. :-) All true. Who in their right mind would confess to such things?

  :)
  Grits
  PS: Oh, and I still have my STUDY COPIES of all Watchtowers, all underlined and everything. Boxes full.
• 
  18

  Jw Learn From The Best

  by comforter in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the other day while i was at a discount center, a little girl offered me a tract about jesus.

  i looked at her and said, not today.

  but i wuz tempted ta say that i am already a christian and believer in the blood of jesus.

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  abbagail

  I'm with jjrizo and stinky on this one. I can't see refusing a kid even if I was an atheist. And who knows, maybe I'd learn something new in that flyer, or merely be reminded of some nice scriptural thought. "To the extent that you did it to one of the least of these, my little ones..." (paraphrasing, too tired to look it up... a flyer would come in handy about now).

  Is comforter worried about the waste of the trees to make the paper?

  Grits
• 
  17

  Why do the Governing body remain unknown?

  by sleepy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  why do the governing body remain unknown to witnesses in general?.

  i used to think that the fact that the gb promote themselves (personnaly by name) in the magazines and don't name writers of watchtower articles, was a sign that the governing body was humble and meek.. but why did they take this policy?russel and rutherford were certainly not unkown.when did the transition happen?.

  my theory is that this annomimity is use to make the magazines look like they are not aurthored by men.if an article appeared with the writers name , witnesses may choose to reject what is writen as they can see it was writen by a man.but not nameing the writers makes it hard for witnesses to identify the writers as just human like them, and gives the impression the magazines and books have a divine source.. any other ideas?

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  abbagail

  Hey thanks messenger for that link with the brief info on each of the GBugs. That should come in handy for all the media people who we send letters/emails to about silent lambs. Let the media get a closer look into the EYES of the Governing Bugs.

  ;)

  Grits
• 
  2

  Data Base of Bishops who protected Priests

  by Nanoprobe in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  please glance over this news article.

  can we develop a similar database?

  can we interest news reporters in doing this type investigation?

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  abbagail

  Thanks for the info, Nanoprobe! Pathetic, isn't it?

  One way to find out, we could start by emailing these two reporters at The Dallas Morning News newspaper and asking THEM if THEY themselves would be interested in a similar project re: the WTS. Since these guys have experience with such a project, even if they are not interested, they might have some tips or leads as to how to get reporters interested in doing such an investigation.

  Just an idea!

  Grits
• 
  24

  Organization non-members ARE approved by God

  by YoursChelbie in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  does the bible contain accounts of persons who, while not active members of "organized" religion have god's appoval?

  if it does, this would contradict watchtower teaching, since they often claim that anyone who's not a baptized member of their organization will suffer destruction.

  further they claim that only active members of their "organization" have god's approval.

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  abbagail

  Musky asys YK: "Do you have proof that Jehovah uses the Watchtower.....?"

  Yes, I have proof! 'Cuz Freddie Franz SAID SO! Jehovah IS the Editor of the Watchtower! Read about it here:
  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=18930&site=3&page=1

  ------

  Seriously, good thread YoursChelbie, lots of good comments and food for thought.

  I especially liked being reminded of Jesus' comment about those expelling demons in his name but not of his immediate little group.

  And as far as impale/stake/cross, I heard today's WT says not to bother looking up the meanings of the root words anymore. Hmmmmm.... why is that?

  Grits
• 
  17

  Why do the Governing body remain unknown?

  by sleepy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  why do the governing body remain unknown to witnesses in general?.

  i used to think that the fact that the gb promote themselves (personnaly by name) in the magazines and don't name writers of watchtower articles, was a sign that the governing body was humble and meek.. but why did they take this policy?russel and rutherford were certainly not unkown.when did the transition happen?.

  my theory is that this annomimity is use to make the magazines look like they are not aurthored by men.if an article appeared with the writers name , witnesses may choose to reject what is writen as they can see it was writen by a man.but not nameing the writers makes it hard for witnesses to identify the writers as just human like them, and gives the impression the magazines and books have a divine source.. any other ideas?

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  abbagail

  I think the comments made by sleepy and stinky are right on the money; i.e., with anonymity we could all get cloudy in our heads as to where the info was really coming from; and as stinky said, they got tired of getting caught red-handed and having to "eat their former words."

  Btw, sounds like you two belong with the Seven Dwarfs, sleepy and stinky!) :-)

  In the court transcripts for the Moyles (?) v. WTBTS trial, Fred Franz said this: "In 1931, October 15th, as I recall, the "Watch Tower" discontinued publishing the names of any editorial committee on the second page."

  Here's the link for that info: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=18930&site=3

  Good stuff!

  Grits