hello, this is my first post, i would like to introduce myself and say thank you to every one on this forum, you have been a lifeline to me these last few years.. i had been a jw for 30 years when i walked away a few years ago disgusted by the treatment victims of child abuse, domestic abuse and rape receive from the wtbts.. at first i thought it was a local problem, elders personal opinions, the way they handled the situations, imperfect men etc., until i checked out jehovahs witnesses and child abuse/domestic abuse online.
that's when i realized they had the same modus operandi worldwide.
that led me here, tbuo this forum, and then to crisis of conscience, jw facts, watchtower documents, jw survey, old watchtower literature and cd s, reading a couple of steve hassans books, and more recently exiting the jw cult.. the feelings of shock, betrayal, anger at the wtbts, angry with myself for being so gullible, depression, reflection, loneliness, have taken their toll.
Hi there Noralee, welcome to the forum and congratulations on the freedom you now have to live your best life from now on.
I so agree with what LisaRose wrote.
We all leave the religion with scars and guilt. For some of us it's harder to move on from those feeling then it may take others. But the help out there is endless compared to the help offered at the KH. Find whatever it is that gives you peace of mind to start living the rest of your life excited for what's out there.
with many more cases in the offing the zalkin lawfirm will press the issue again and again and force gerrit loesch to testify.
what say you?.
.
I have a feeling they are hiring outside lawyers now!
Those child abuse files will have to be handed over eventually, I think they are just trying to control how and when.
They will take a few hits in order to save face for now. But it's going to expensive to keep it up for long. I would think, anyways.
hello people.. i'm tired and a bit sick at the moment but i can't let anyone think that this is going to go away.... i am able to tell you a few things in order to prevent any confusion in the minds of those who are thinking that nothing will come of this arc;that nothing will effect the wtbts in america and other places.. i have been there and given my testimony.
helen milroy and her assistants were there along with another group of people who are there to lend assistance if you crack up at any time during or after the hearing.
i did not crack up but can see how this happens.. security is tight and anonymity is sacred to them as they want to protect all who come forward.
Reading your words of courage under such stressful circumstances really brought tears to my eyes. I don't think anyone who hasn't had to share in depth their worst time of their lives could quite understand the strength it takes. I really hope you feel proud for doing all you can to help others and expose this religion for what it is.
I hope now you can take time to regroup however it is that brings you some peace of mind. I don't know you, but I wish I could give you a big hug and let you know I know a little of what you are going through and I applaud your courage.
our families have cut off contact with us for the last several months.
they found out that we were celebrating holidays with our non-witness family.
our families were our last tie to the organization, as our former friends stopped associating with us about 3 years ago.
nancy tells her story about the devastating effect of the watchtower's policies on her family.. http://www.4jehovah.org/nancy-ex-jehovahs-witness/.
Heartbreaking.
Such a dangerous religion with so much blood on its hands!
so as many know....ive been df'd goin on 19 years already.
i drive pops to meetings, and drop him off on saturdays for fs.. well yesterday, the elders ask to speak to me, and tell me that if i plan on returning to jehovah, i had better shave my beard off..
omg!!!!!!
Such a loving group of people those JW's are....NOT!!!
Thanks for sharing brandnew, nothing like a refresher course:)
Oh, let's not forget loving brother Mark. Thank you so much for reminding us what we are all missing back at the KH!! Yikes!!
with many more cases in the offing the zalkin lawfirm will press the issue again and again and force gerrit loesch to testify.
what say you?.
.
Well, it looks like he did get away with it in a sense. He's not in jail...but because of his refusal to testify as well as their refusal to turn over the list of known molesters Lopez lawyers asked and received Terminating Sanctions which threw out the watchtowers case and a judge gave a default judgement in favor of Lopez for 13.5 million.
They of course are in the process of appeals right now, which takes forever it seems.
i feel it is comfortable to say,.
yes her arc hearing has come and gone.. yes her hearing was so powerful, her allotted time was tripled!.
yes, information handed over "mind blowing" response from arc.
Such a brave woman! Its emotionally draining bringing up all you've been through, especially with others looking on.
I hope she feels all of our support.
through this forum of wonderful freaks, i have met someone who is coming with me to my hearing.
initially i was slated for next year, but will be attending in two weeks time.
all is in place from travel vouchers, support, where to go ............very efficient and well done.
background:.
i spent some time here awhile back as an unbelieving mate of a jw wife.
i learned a lot, and was able to be supportive and understanding when she decided to leave the jw.. unfortunately, my son seems to have internalized many of the jw teachings.
Absolutely, my young adults are struggling as well. Both in different ways but each need therapy and medication.
You can leave a cult physically, but it can take years mentally.
