the first study article is about getting bible studies and children baptized.
there is much more emphasis placed on parents to get their own children baptized rather than focusing on bible students.
they try to impress on others the need for urgency.
I’m pretty sure that previous WT articles, from years’ past, actually made the case for NOT baptizing young kids. I distinctly remember a WItness telling me, years ago, that “we don’t do child baptisms, as those Catholics do.”
It would be nice to have some references to the old articles which discouraged child baptism to shove in their faces.
let the reader use discernment:.
i was disfellowshipped in june of last year.
while i've been awake for nearly a year, i still often feel groggy.
And what's the funniest thing of all, is that you all are talking about it. That my dear is the point.
Right on, Heather. My perspective is that of a non/never been JW. I hate all cults in general, and I see the common thread among them: shunning, broken familes, “we’re the ONLY true religion,” huge commitment. (waste) of time and/or money, wasted lives, brainwashing, suicide & depression.
I see them as a cancer on society, and I believe that ANY action (nonviolent), which brings attention to a cult, is a worthy cause. Sure, it feeds the persecution complex of those already in the cult, which causes many to say, “why bother?” Just “live your life.” If I had been a JW, then I might share that mindset, out of a desire to stay as far removed as possible any memories of my association with them, or to distance myself from friends & family still in the cult. As an outsider, I see it more as informing the general public about this cult. The more publicity there is about their blood policy & needless child deaths caused by it, the better. The more publicity about their rampant child abuse coverup and their data-base of over 25,000 pedophiles, the better.
People were talking about Scientology before Leah Remini stepped in, but she’s since taken it to a whole new level. The same needs to happen to the Watchtower, for the benefit of everyone.
Sure, the rank & file cult member will pretty much nod their head up & down, lapping up whatever useless drivel pours out of their ‘dear leader’s’ mouth. BUT...if enough people make enough noise about it, then the cult leaders either change, runaway to a remote tax haven, or jump off a 50 story building. This, in turn, forces the rank & file to accept reality, or go insane. Kinda reminds one of the end of WW2, when the Nazis scattered, and Hirohito announced to the Japanese citizenry, that, in fact, he really WASN’T their GOD after all.
@Heather, here’s a quote you might like: “Lead me, follow me, or get out of the way”—-General George Patton
this has been brought up on another thread, but i thought to create a seperate thread just to get the word out about these guys.
they're badasses who stand up for abused kids.
they'll ride into the neighborhood, in a rumbling mass of loud v-pipe music (noise), and personally confront the abuser, if need be.
No problem. BTW, anyone with concerns may contact them: parents, teachers, counselers, ect. When an abuse case goes before the court, the bikers will appear to provide support to the victim/s, who must often face their abuser-- sounds like the JWs so-called "judicial committee," doesn't it? In this setting, the victim feels more confident, and the abuser is looking for the nearest exit, with a group of scary-ass looking bikers staring him down.
If you want to join, you'll have to pass a police background check, to make sure you can be trusted around kids. A misdemeanor assault charge from a bar-brawl, from a few years back, probably wouldn't be a huge issue. In fact, it might be a plus.
You'll also need a bike. But doesn't have to be a Harley, or even a V-twin. Kawasaki V-Star, or Honda Rebel would be my recommendation for a starter bike. FWIW.
this has been brought up on another thread, but i thought to create a seperate thread just to get the word out about these guys.
they're badasses who stand up for abused kids.
they'll ride into the neighborhood, in a rumbling mass of loud v-pipe music (noise), and personally confront the abuser, if need be.
This has been brought up on another thread, but I thought to create a seperate thread just to get the word out about these guys. They're badasses who stand up for abused kids. They'll ride into the neighborhood, in a rumbling mass of loud V-pipe music (noise), and personally confront the abuser, if need be. Though some of these guys look like they're straight outta the Hell's Angels, they actually work in conjunction with law enforcement and local courts, to offer protection to the abused, and to support the child, and often their single-parent, IN the courtroom. Their goal is also to indimidate to living fuck out of the abuser, or molester as the case may be. The courts normally refer cases to B.A.C.A., but I wouldn't be too surprised, if you got to know them a little, or if you became a 'prospect,' that they wouldn't mind roaring by the Kingdom Hall in your area. They HAVE been a presence at some of the Westboro Baptist Church protests...you know, the ones with the "God hates Fags" signs, who protest funerals of fallen military.
B.A.C.A. has chapters in every state, and in several countries (kinda like the H Angels, but they're the good guys). Here's their main website:
And, since I mentioned it, here they are in my home state, sticking it to the Westboro Baptists. I was there, and it was fucking awesome:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64xhcoowr6y.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhuvmvbjk-q.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bejhmfrzl0.
B.A.C.A. is a 501c non-profit, so they might take a donation, or a ration of grilled burgers & steaks. They often show up at court hearings to represent the child, and basically stare down and indimidate the fuck out of the abuser/molester. That being the case, the Mayor of Warwick, a judge, sheriff or city attorney would very likely be familiar with B.A.C.A., and would probably welcome them with open arms. To anyone organizing this event, I would STRONGLY suggest you contact a such a local official, and explain the JW child abuse problem to them. Maybe some former victims can talk to them as well. I'm sure they've already been contacted about the protests in general, so I would not think of it as a stretch to get them on board with B.A.C.A., and to make contact with them. But, best to get on it like now. First thing in the morning.
That's not to say that you/organizers shouldn't contact B.A.C.A. as well, but the city officials in Warwick likely have an existing rapport with the group. BTW, these Harley riding, scary looking, wooley-mammouths-in-human-form, ALL undergo a thorough police background check. They also receive intensive training in counseling, ect. I think there are a few ex- 1 percenters from waay back when, but all good dudes (& chicks).
Here's the anti-Westboro meetup I went to. As you can see, the cops were right there. Westboro protesters were chanting "God Hates Fags" & "Down with Soldiers," ect, but they couldn't compete with V-TWIN PIPES. Haha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64xhcoowr6y.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhuvmvbjk-q.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bejhmfrzl0.
Sh!te! While I'm thinking about it, there's a B.A.C.A. (Bikers Against Child Abuse) chapter in Staten Island, which is probably the closest one to Warwick. The chapter Prez goes by "Demo," and their local hot-line is tel: 347-216-6531
It's short notice, but if any of the November 5th organizers are in this site and want to give em a yell, they might...just maybe, be able to organize a rumbling mass of Harleys to cruise up to Warwick and make a stand. I went to a similar event against the Westboro Baptists. I think there's Youtube video of it out there.
I hate cults.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64xhcoowr6y.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhuvmvbjk-q.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bejhmfrzl0.
AND MAKES JWs FEEL THEY ARE REALLY THE TRUTH!
No doubt it will. Just as there are diehard Scientologists are probably more convinced than ever, that theirs is the ONE true path. Yet, the heat is VERY much on their leadership. Japanese Emperor Hirohito was considered a GOD by many if his citizens during WW2. That was until he was forced to surrender, and make a radio address in August of '45, in which he announced the surrender of the Japanese Empire, AS WELL AS his admission that he was NO GOD.
PRIOR to his "NO GOD"/surrender announcement, there were mass suicides among Japanese civilians in Siapan and Okinawa. They were told that allies were devils (read apostates), and that they were engaged in a "Holy War." Isolation on these Pacific islands prevented them from hearing anything but the propaganda. His announcement changed that overnight. My uncle walked around in Tokyo the following month in his Navy crackerjack uniform, as part of the occupation. No attacks against him, no violence...in fact he said the population was somber, yet very polite. All because their GOD revealed himself to be a fake.
I don't know how it would play out with the JWs, but it seems that Geoffrey Jackson did, somewhat reluctantly, admit to NOT being God's earthly representative, during the ARC commision. Last spring, was the Watchtower magazine's admission that "we aren't necessarily inspired or infallible." Something to that effect.
Point being, that none of these admissions by the Gibbering Body would've surfaced, without external pressure from the courts and media coverage. My opinion, FWIW, is that yes, the diehard J-dubs will feel emboldened, as the heat is put on their dear leaders. But, eventually something's got to give...a GB member is gonna step down, or be forced out. Maybe someone they will splinter off and try to go 'mainstream,' as the Worldwide Church of God seemed to do. Better to do something (legal and non-violent), than to do nothing.
Btw--I say non-violent, but if I hear of a kid getting abused, by an elder, or other adult...that's different. "Don't fuck with us" 😊
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64xhcoowr6y.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhuvmvbjk-q.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bejhmfrzl0.
The vids could use some polish. The one with the drum-beats & Stealth Bomber in the background was pretty good. Just need some good, quick, simple 1 or 2 minute promo vids without too much chit-chat, esp if you want to attract a wider audience (would be cool if Leah Remini showed up).
If anyone knows "Fateful Slave," perhaps can send him this one. He could call it: "MISSION TO WARWICK"
not to be overly harsh...but if you just left, what the hell were you thinking?
between 1995 and now, you never did an internet search of "jehovahs-witness" or "watchtower"?
good god.
I've often wondered the same thing, but couldn't bring myself to put it so bluntly, to an ex-JW. As a few members of my extended family got involved with the JWs, in the early 90s, I never became drawn to it. For me, it came down to always having a skeptical mind, thanks in part to my dad & brother. They turned me on to books by Tom Wolfe, Kurt Vonnegut and George Orwell, while in my teens. In college, I ran across the book, "The Four Major Cults," by Hoekema. That led me down the path to discover the 1975 debacle, Russell's obsession with pyramids, and Rutherford's booze intake and his authoritarian style. This all spelled CULT to me, in huge neon, capital letters, before the internet even existed. Had I NOT had an upbringing which encouraged critical thinking & the questioning of authority (when appropriate), and had I NOT gone to college, would I have been more susceptible to joining a group such as the JWs? I dunno. But, I could see how a lack of such an upbringing could make one more vuberable, I suppose. That's especially so for the ones 'born-in' to the cult.
I wasted alot of breath in the 90s, trying to convince some in my family as to the history of their organization. All the flip-flops, the failed prophecies, the fall of Babylon date, and the encyopedia references which were taken completely out-of-context, and flat-out LIED about in their publications. I even pointed out contradictions in their OWN fucking MAGAZINES, and they still DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG!! It drove me nucking futs to say the least. To this day, I don't fully understand how a mind can go into 'lock down' mode like that. Steven Hassan's books have shed some light for me, but I guess I'll never fully understand what it's like, since I've never actually 'been there' myself. I try to understand, and my hat goes off to those who do manage to wake-up and find they've been duped. I don't know how I'd feel...probably a mix of sadness and anger, but eventually a sense of pride in finding my own way in life. It'd be a tough pill to swallow, for sure.
I think that many who never became JWs, and stayed 'on the outside, looking in,' probably have the same "WTF were you THINKING," response as Edward Gentry. Again, personal circumstances, upbringing & family involvement in the religion are key factors, IMO.
question: an individual (non-jw, let's say) loans a car to a jw family member, to drive for a year.
car is intended to be used for basic transportation needs.
the non-jw gets car back, only to find that it's basically been driven into the ground, racking up countless miles being used for d2d preaching, and shuttling other jws around.
Okay...multiple business trips...in and out of the states. Wear and tear not apparent cosmetically...though revealed during compression test, and oil analysis. Tires worn, but might have been caused by extensive weekend of drag-racing. Don't know. Again...just curious as to whether it's true that elders, or others with influence tend to "mooch" off those with wheels. That's really all I'm asking here.
This is really turning into a John Cleese skit from Monty Python. "I would like to buy some cheeeese.."
