Posts by nugget

10

More exposure - Google "Jehovah's Witnesses" and what is the first item listed?

by sir82 in

jw
friends

hint: it ain't "watchtower.org"!.

.

yep, news of this court case is now the most popular result returned when you google "jehovah's witnesses".. you get links to the ny times, dauly mail, and usa today..

nugget

Google does return searches based I think on previous searches by you so it may not provide the same lists for everyone.

42

Its on the Daily Mail Website!!!!!

by cantleave in

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2160605/candance-conti-molested-jehovahs-witnesses-member-age-nine-wins-28milion.html.

nugget

I will fight my inner hate of the rag - and buy it!

97

Greetings from Candace Conti

by AndersonsInfo in

candace asked me to tell you thank you for all your kind expressions of support.

this really means a lot to her.

she wants you to know that she is coping well with all the stress and excitement, even though she's had years of anger and frustration because of being abused for so long, first by the molester, and then by the wt.

nugget

It is good to know that Candace is coping well. this has been a hard time and none of us can fully appreciate how much personal sacrifice and courage she has shown. The society is very good at shifting blame to victims and making them responsible for what happened to them and also placing on them the responsibility not to drag the organisation through the mud that it takes amazing dedication to rise above this. This means that other victims have a clear path ahead of them and an affirmation that this is not their fault, that the society has the responsibility to protect them and not itself.

It was a task that needed doing but only a very courageous person would see it through to the end. I am grateful.

78

Facebook Comments From JWs About Kendrick Case

by cofty in

i can't believe do catholic priest get hit with payouts like this.

definitely feel terrible what happened to her but to hold the society responsible for a person not living by bible standards is crazy.

what a pack of lies about secrecy and cover ups.

nugget

The JW comments illustrate how the society robs people of their humanity. They assume that this woman is lying and deseving of punnishment, they assume the society has done nothing wrong and will be vindicated. This is all persecution and they are the real victims here. This woman is no longer a witness so she is capable of anything.

They never question why an objective court made this ruling after seeing all the evidence nor do they look at the judgement critical of the society and ask what the society may have done to deserve it.

These people are sadly controled to such a level that their very words demonstrate how paedophiles are able to operate in congregations for so long. It is the very denial and certainty that these things do not happen in Jehovah's organisation that means that they are able to happen and it is the lack of empathy for the victim that means that they are punished and vilified. Whilst their comments disturb me I cannot help thinking about all the other people in the organisation currently suffering and coming up against their own walls of complacency.

65

The Watchtower Punished: Society loses legal battle over child abuse case

by cedars in

it's taken a while, but i've finally managed to put up an article on this remarkable court case.. a link to my article is below:.

http://jwsurvey.org/general-information/the-watchtower-punished-society-loses-legal-battle-over-child-abuse-case.

i've tried very hard to make the article as factual as possible by reading and comparing the various documents available.

nugget

great article nicely explained.

11

BBC News Program Not Broadcast Since 1995

by jamiebowers in

jw
friends

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhsnd5hei3s&feature=share.

.

i'm wondering if any of uk jwn members know any of these people or could pssibly look them up to see how they're doing today..

nugget

I thought it was a very balanced programme. I could empathise with what was being said. The assembly sequences were very disturbing what a shame they didn't catch anyone sleeping.

6

A California Court has just awarded $28 million to a WATCHTOWER sexual abuse victim (Candace Conti)

by Fernando in

for those who are not aware, or who wanted a quick alert/summary regarding a number of threads now running on jwn about this matter.. please feel free to add links (to other threads), summaries, clarification, comment....

nugget

So proud of all those who were prepared to bring up the past and face the organisation. This was not an easy thing to do and was an immense sacrifice they have made. The amount awarded speaks to their pain but cannot erase what was done to them.

This organisation is like whitewashed graves presenting an outward appearance of purity hiding behind gag orders to keep the sheep from knowing how rotten they are. I sincerely hope this gets as much publicity as possible.

4

Sorry, I hate to do this

by tjwTimothy in

jw
friends

hey fella's,.

the father:.

father: thomas, you have to understand god's guidance.. mother: we have to leave lucas behind us; otherwise, we might lose the hope ourselves.. father: thomas, you have to talk about this with the elders.. mother: thomas, please.. _______________________________.

nugget

{congregation is singing} Song:

In your name, we’re singing.

About your strength and dominion.

Yes our father, your name will be restored.

From house to house, is being spread,

the word of God, that gives us guidance.

Praise his name, yes show remorse, stay eternally loyal to Jehovah God. ______________________

{2 boys hanging on a bridge}

Thomas: Com’on, jump.

Jonathan: You go first, you’re the eldest.

Thomas: Are you scared or something?

Com’on prove to me you're not.

{Under the bridge, pretending the baptism}

Thomas: And then there'll come a brother, who will grab your arms. Like this.

________________________________

{at dinner table, family together, praying}

FATHER: Jehovah, our loving heavenly father, we are delighted with the hope you provide. We are glad with the path that you've shown us, we won’t be decieved in satans wicked world, and rather will be saved from the coming judgement. Please help Thomas, he has dedicated his life to you, support him with his dedication. We are sincerely delighted about Jonathan's decision to get baptized. He's putting his life in your hands. We know he will have to endure trouble, please take good care of him. This prayer we send up in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, Amen

_________________________________

{The mother is fixing the old suit of the shunned brother for Thomas}

THE MOTHER: Well, Lucas was of course a bit bigger than you, you know. Yes, this will do, no, wait, that's better, right?

_______________________

{Thomas visits his shunned brother in Brussels}

Phone: Lucas THOMAS: Good day to you sir, we would like to talk about the hope the bible gives us... Lucas hangs up the phone. ________________________

{Lucas is looking at a earring}

THOMAS: What are you doing?

LUCAS: Doesn’t it look good?

THOMAS: Com’ on, sit down.

_______________________

{Thomas is preparing to set the earring}

THOMAS: Jonathan is getting baptized. You'll come? You know, you can look from a distance.

LUCAS: Does dad know you're here?

THOMAS: Dad told me that you’re not doing well.

LUCAS: Com’ on, put in that earring.

{earring fixed}

________________________________

{In the car, in front of the parents house}

LUCAS: It was nice that you dropped byThomas, I really do appreciate it. But I won’t go to Jonathan's baptism. You don’t have to think, Thomas, that you can solve everyth…

{Parents discover Thomas and his shunned brother}

______________________________

{parents try to convince Thomas to see the elders}

FATHER: Thomas, you have to understand god's guidance.

MOTHER: We have to leave Lucas behind us; otherwise, we might lose the hope ourselves.

FATHER: Thomas, you have to talk about this with the elders.

MOTHER: Thomas, please.

_______________________________

{Thomas is praying on his bed}

THOMAS: Jehovah heavenly father, help me please, help me please, help me...

_______________

{Judicial committee}

ELDER1: Thomas?Do you understand why you ar here? You’re less active in the preaching work than before. You arealso isolating yourself. You are going the same way as your brother. You understand you can’t visit him anymore.

ELDER 2: To understand that, you must know that Jehovah doesn’t want you to be with an apostate.

ELDER 3: Look up 1 Cor 5:31 {finding text}: But now I am writing you not to be in the companion of anyone, once called a brother, who is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, and not even eat with such a man.

ELDER1: What does this text tells you?

THOMAS: But Lucas isn’t like that.

ELDER 3: Thomas, not only is this text about Lucas, Math 10:37 as well. Would you read it for us? One who has greater affection for father or mother than for me is not worthy of me; and one who has greater affection for son or daughter than for me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not accept his torture stake and follow after me is not worthy of me.

ELDER 3: Are you worthy of Jesus? Do you have greater affection for Jehovah than for relatives? ...

ELDER1: Thomas?

{Thomas murmurs}

ELDER 2: But, you dedicated yourself to god, you've put your life in his hands.

ELDER1: Why else did you get baptized?

THOMAS: But I was 14.

ELDER 2: That's just 2 years ago, has so much changed?

ELDER1: If you don’t put Jehovah first in your life, we'll have to follow God's guidance strictly. If you don’t show remorse, Thomas, We'll have to remove you from our congregation. That’s not what you want, right?

THOMAS: No, off course not.

ELDER 2: Think of the things you put on the line for this. Is Lucas so important to you, that you rather lose everything within this loving congregation? Your bond with God, your parents, your hope for eternal life? And Thomas, Think about Jonathan for a minute. You can’t attend his baptism if you are considered a bad association.

ELDER1: Thomas, we tell you this with the best intentions.

ELDER 3: Do you sincerely regret your behavior, and can you promise you won’t do it again?

THOMAS: I want to. But no. I don’t feel any remorse.

ELDER1: Then there's nothing left to do than to remove you from the congregation of God.

ELDER 2: If you do see your mistake Thomas, we hope you’ll find your way back to the congregation.

--------------

{Thomas' elder brother is not at home anymore}

_________

{Baptism of his younger brother}

MOTHER: Jonathan? Jonathan? Come.

ELDER 3: Come here, your family is waiting.

MOTHER: Jonathan? .

I don't think that a jc would have handled it in this manner and would discuss their ruling privately before letting him know their decision. An elder would need to advise.

Baptisms are formal. Family are not part of the process and would be observing from a distance. people queue up and enter the water one at a time. You hold your nose with one hand and you hold the elbow with the other. No words are spoken you are just dunked under the water.

3

In terms of religion is less really more?

by nugget in

when i was growing up as a witness i remember hearing news about the ever expanding preaching work.

the only number that went down was the number of annointed but over time the organisation seems to say they are growing whilst in fact they are shrinking.. district conventions were 4 days (fewer than the 7 days early on but still a challenge.

) these have been reduced to 3 days.

nugget

When I was growing up as a witness I remember hearing news about the ever expanding preaching work. The only number that went down was the number of annointed but over time the organisation seems to say they are growing whilst in fact they are shrinking.

District conventions were 4 days (fewer than the 7 days early on but still a challenge.) These have been reduced to 3 days

District conventions were elaborate affairs with food service and field service, hard back publications were released to thunderous applause.We got 2 dramas as well. All the frills have been removed including rubbish bins visitors must bring their own food and take their rubbish home and hardbacks have been replaced with paperbacks and soggy half arsed brochures. Sometimes they don't release a second publication just announce it.

Circuit assemblies used to be 2 a year and food service was offered at some of the facilities. Now 1 CA a year and a special assembly day. Again no food service.

Magazines have gone from 4 a month 32 pages to 3 magazines 1 study version, 1 watchtower and 1 awake. Public magazines have been reduced to 16 pages.

Branch closures and consolidations are happening all over the world and bethel staff reduced and sent out into the field.

Meetings have been reduced from 5 meetings a week to 4 and families are expected to have a family worship night. The public talk has been reduced from 1 hour to 45 mins and then down again to 30 minutes. But the watchtower just seems to ever expand to fill in the gap.

Hour requirements for pioneers have been reduced from 90 to 70 and auxilliary pioneersfrom 60 to 50 and 30 on special occasions. Publishers too can now report in 15 minute blocks rather than the minimum 1 hour requirement.

The witness world is also smaller with the people they can freely associate with being reduced to only the faithful and DA'd and Df'd people becoming vilified and hated like never before.

All this seems to go against my early upbringing where Jehovah was going to speed up the work in his own time and expansion was a sign of his guiding hand. God wasn't efficient but a happy spendthrift expanding acrosss the world and being visible in the most far flung places on the planet. Nowadays god seems obsessed with the bottom line and each new penny pinching move is a new loving arrangement. The religion is a pale shadow of the glory days and although it still holds people to it's doctrine it is a shabby small thing they worship. The only major increase is the annointed. Perhaps Jehovah is waiting for every one of them to realise they are annointed and then he will whisk them all off to heaven.

It strikes me that if the reductions are a new expression of Gods love then the most loving thing he could do is reduce the meetings and publications to zero and let people live their own lives.

12

Need some direction as to what to do?????

by harleybear in

hi all: i really need your advise and imput.

i am a born in.

have been a fader for over 20 years.

nugget

Only you know what is right for you and what you can tolerate. Only you can truly assess the impact of your decision on yourself and those you care about.

As has been said if you have a wife and children then their viewpoint and feelings need to come first. Your father is an important person in your life but in this case would not be the most important. A child leading a fake JW life is under a huge strain and being exposed to JW teachings can have a major impact on their self esteem and world view.

Your father needs his belief to have a hope of seeing your mum in paradise, her loss may be what keeps him clinging to the wreck of his religion. He has too much of himself to lose by walking away.