Diogenesister

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Posts by Diogenesister

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  24

  “The Right to Shun: Ghent’s Misguided Jehovah’s Witness Decision“ Matthew P. Cavedon

  by AndersonsInfo in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  https://canopyforum.org/2021/04/19/the-right-to-shun-ghents-misguided-jehovahs-witness-decision/.

  in march, the criminal court of ghent, belgium fined the congregation of jehovah’s witnesses (jw) for “inciting discrimination and hatred or violence against former members.” the case centered on the jw practice of “disfellowshipping.” while the court’s sensitivity to the individual impact of shunning is laudable, its decision regrettably assaults the freedoms of religion and association.. first, some background on jw beliefs and disfellowshipping.

  jw was founded in the united states over a century ago and is headquartered in new york state.

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  Diogenesister

  An excerpt from the piece:

  None of this comes without a cost, one with which Mr. Introvigne is personally familiar: “I am a Roman Catholic, and one who is divorced and remarried. . . Some of [my friends] are conservative Catholics and, no matter what the Popes might have said [about merciful inclusion], have decided to cease any association with me.” Despite this, he believes liberty in structuring personal relationships and communal commitments to be important. “The end of these friendships was certainly painful. Yet, I respected their free decision not to associate with me any longer, and certainly did not ask a court of law to compel them to continue our friendship, nor did I sue the conservative theologians who support this behavior asking for damages or fines. This was not generosity. It was simply common sense . . .” Common sense, that is, borne of a healthy appreciation for freedom.

  More clap trap from that notorious cult apologist Maximo Introvigne.

  Note he states that *despite* the pope's statements on merciful inclusion - (I'm guessing forgiveness....after all we are supposed to be Christians right ...RIGHT??) - his friends *decided* to cease associating with him. Of their own free will.

  This lawyer seems not to be aware that there's a great deal of difference between a religious body *mandating* the shunning of family, and the free choice of friends not to associate with one any longer.
  
  
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  53

  Those members who passed away

  by Gorb in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  who of those passed away jwd/jwn members, do we think of??.

  oompah and the lady from australia, are there more??.

  g..

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  Diogenesister

  often think about OOMPAH, he was a biker as am I. His situation could so easily have been mine.

  Poor OOMPAH. Devastating. The cruelty always damages the best hearts. That all happened as I started ......I wanted to say cruising 🤣What's the word? Lurking.
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  34

  Lawsuit: I said GB member Barr that my Bethelite stepfather abused me; he did nothing

  by Corney in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  here's an excerpt from the recent lawsuit deborah hines v. watchtower bible and tract society of new york et al (paragraphs 158-180), one of 29 known cases brought against the org pursuant to the ny child victims act.

  what should be kept in mind is that gerrit lösch apparently worked in europe (the austrian branch and eastern europe) at the time when the abuse was allegedly reported to him (not a gb member then).. plaintiff was raised a member of the jehovah’s witnesses.

  she primarily attended meetings at various congregations in arizona.

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  Diogenesister

  AFAIK, Lösch spent the entire part of his life preceding 1990/91 in Europe, where he was born, which doesn't necessarily mean he didn't visit the US Bethel at that time but certainly raises questions.

  It certainly does. If she's absolutely sure it was Lösch, and she doesn't mean she reported it to him historically, there must be some way to prove he'd travelled to the USA or not. Although I have to say if he was purely a Bethel visitor, as such, he's a strange choice to report it to. You'd think she'd choose a permanent member of staff.
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  34

  Lawsuit: I said GB member Barr that my Bethelite stepfather abused me; he did nothing

  by Corney in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  here's an excerpt from the recent lawsuit deborah hines v. watchtower bible and tract society of new york et al (paragraphs 158-180), one of 29 known cases brought against the org pursuant to the ny child victims act.

  what should be kept in mind is that gerrit lösch apparently worked in europe (the austrian branch and eastern europe) at the time when the abuse was allegedly reported to him (not a gb member then).. plaintiff was raised a member of the jehovah’s witnesses.

  she primarily attended meetings at various congregations in arizona.

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  Diogenesister

  Dear god....I'm speechless. How horrible.

  I'm sure Gerrit probably commuted from both Bethel's, perhaps connected with his work with one of the East European branch "rebels" when the iron curtain came up...it's about the same time. He was back and forth back then.

  In other words I'd put money on them pretending he was full time in Austria to cast doubt on her testimony.
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  23

  Unfaithful spouse

  by Worstfear in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  my wife and i have been together for 12 years.

  married for 6. she was born into the truth, i studied for 2 years before we got married.

  we would attend meetings on a weekly basis, go to conventions, and memorial every year.

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  Diogenesister

  You didn't mention if you were active witnesses. I'm guessing not? Otherwise they would presumably know. Also, if you're not, telling the elders is kinda harassment. At least if they came around and bothered her it is.

  It seems all rather sudden. If it really played out as you say, I'm sorry. But I only have your side. For all we know you may be abusive, controlling etc etc Please don't get angry for saying it.... it's just my father tells huge sob stories about my mother leaving him to raise two kids...he just forgets to mention the bit about breaking her nose, throwing her out every five minutes and her sleeping in the car etc etc

  Taking things at face value I think Stephen LaLiberté said it best. Look back with fondness, try not to be bitter because it will destroy you and try to remain friends. " Jehovah's arrangement" may well be the reason it ended. Husband's being the head is an old fashioned and frankly damaging attitude. It's misogynistic to say the least. Perhaps if the two of you saw it as a partnership - and kept Jehovah out of your marriage bed - you may have still been together. It's a fact JW have the same rate of divorce as secular people, actually in some cases a higher divorce rate.

  I wish you the very best. Take care of yourself, maybe get to know yourself without cult influence, ensure you split things fairly and maybe find something you've always wanted to do/experience but couldn't due to commitments. You only live once and if you really love her you'd want her to be happy and she you. Be the bigger person and believe me you will be a winner in the end

  Meanwhile, research JWfacts.com.
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  53

  Those members who passed away

  by Gorb in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  who of those passed away jwd/jwn members, do we think of??.

  oompah and the lady from australia, are there more??.

  g..

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  Diogenesister

  Happy Dad Onacruise was a mod, too, no? Sounds like he was much loved by all, I read a tear jerker post by his nephew. Sadly passed on like Min.

  I miss Blondies great reviews and "steadying" influence on here. A great lass.
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  53

  Those members who passed away

  by Gorb in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  who of those passed away jwd/jwn members, do we think of??.

  oompah and the lady from australia, are there more??.

  g..

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  Diogenesister

  Leolaia's posts should be collected and printed in a book, they were that good.

  Agree. In fact JW.net could publish a book with her's and some of the best and it would be fascinating. A real keeper.

  
  
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  53

  Those members who passed away

  by Gorb in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  who of those passed away jwd/jwn members, do we think of??.

  oompah and the lady from australia, are there more??.

  g..

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  Diogenesister

  Gorby Yes he is. Borean Pickets channel posted some great videos of James Penton, 3 I think, on You tube. He gave talks on Watchtower history based on different eras ....so during Russell's time, Rutherford etc etc Absolutely fascinating.

  Also do you mean @wakemeup before you GoGo?
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  8

  Phizzy and Stan livedeath

  by Fadeaway1962 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  anyone heard from these guys ?

  it's been a while since they have posted ..

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  Diogenesister

  JHine please give Stan my very best. I really hope he'll still post occasionally. Stan cracks me up every time, I'll sure miss him if he's not around😔
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  16

  Will there be enough good questions on JWD now that minimus is gone?

  by slimboyfat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  a thread in honour of our departed friend minimus.

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  Diogenesister

  Did you notice with Min, after posing the question he always allowed the space for others to post their own views before launching in with his own straight away??

  I really appreciated that🥀