Posts by nugget

28

Jehovah's Witnesses Scripturally Based Position on Child Protection

by humblepotato in

news room > legal developments > legal resources.

jehovah's witnesses scripturally based position on child protection.

i am having trouble understanding paragraph 5. it says: .

nugget

The quote is from the child protection policy.

Firstly the Elders are instructed to consult the branch not the police. The branch will tell them if the law demands they report it if not they are not obligated to do so. The balance is that they don't. No change really.

They can tell the authorities if the child is deemed to be in danger so in theory if the matter has come to the attention of the elders then they may feel that the child is no longer in danger since the parents are aware and will take precautions. If the abuser is a parent then they may feel that if the other parent is aware then they will take responsibility for the safety of the child. The policy states that the parents have the responsibility to protect the child not the elders.

The policy also calls child abuse a sin not a crime. It should say that child abuse is a crime and should be reported to the authorities on every occasion. The elders can then deal with the spiritual aspect if they wish but the police will be able to carry out the investigation and prosecution.

The policy is extremely weak and not fit for purpose. No other organisation would be able to get away with this approach. The bottom line is children attend meetings, they are encouraged to fully participate in congregation activities and make a commitment to the organisation as early as possible therefore they have a right to expect that the adults overseeing congregation matters will take safeguarding seriously.

12

So much wrong with today's text....

by doubtfull1799 in

"jehovah takes the initiative to bless his loyal servants.".

this statement is a contradiction or on oxymoron or something.... if they already had to demonstrate loyalty before he acted then he did not take the initiative!.

our faith is not complete unless we are convinced that jehovah will reward....yes faith involves the certain expectation of gods promised blessings.. so they condemn people for "serving to a date", the carrot if you like, and being disappointed when there blessings do not materialise at the promised time... yet say that the carrot is an important part of faith!!!.

nugget

It is hard to see what blessings have been poured out. They will suggest that the blessings are all spiritual whilst people want for education, food to eat, places to live, loving families and physical help.

A life with little joy is lacking the basic components to be a successful life. When the kids ask whats for dinner I'll let them know that blessings are coming.

10

I think I was terribly wrong...

by sinboi in

i have once commented under the topic "are you better off as a worldly person or a jw?

i am a born-in but left nearly a year ago at age 16. i would say when i was a jw and was still fully convinced that it is the truth, i was happier.

i have a hope then.

nugget

I was 10 in 1975 when the world was supposed to end. I was not expected to leave school in this system.

I was 22 in 1988 when they had the talk " Responsible childbearing in this time of the end" where I was told that there were no children on Noah's ark and couples should postpone starting a family until the new order.

I was told as a young adult not to pursue education or a career because my life in this system is temporary I would not grow old.

I am 53 this year had I followed their advice I would have missed out on family life. I would be struggling to make ends meet. I would have lived an unfulfilled life, Knowing sooner and getting out whilst you have a chance to live the life that makes you happy is so important. If you waste the opportunity then that is on you.

62

Proposed Georgia(USA) Assembly Hall Collected Funds, 3.5 Million Dollars, donated to the World Wide Work

by James Jack in

from 2012 thru 2016, congregations in georgia and alabama collected funds to build a new assembly hall in south atlanta.

to date, 3.5 million dollars was collected and 75 acres was purchased.

the branch decided that this assembly hall was not needed.

nugget

Just wondered any news of building projects in Africa and India etc where supposedly the money from these cancelled projects is being utilised

62

Proposed Georgia(USA) Assembly Hall Collected Funds, 3.5 Million Dollars, donated to the World Wide Work

by James Jack in

from 2012 thru 2016, congregations in georgia and alabama collected funds to build a new assembly hall in south atlanta.

to date, 3.5 million dollars was collected and 75 acres was purchased.

the branch decided that this assembly hall was not needed.

nugget

If the money was donated for a specific purpose it shouldn't be used for something else. Certainly if any was obtained through bequests it seems dishonest to take it whilst knowing that the plan was to absorb the money into the worldwide work.

27

Do any of the JWs go out door to door with a territory any more?

by Spiral in

i actually had a neighbor ask me that the other day (she knows i'm an "ex" jw) and i didn't really know the answer.

i know there's a bit of cart witnessing going on (small town) and a lot of driving around to return visits.. but are they actually doing territory, not-at-homes, all of that?

the neighbor said that eight years ago, when she bought her house, the jws were by "all the time".

nugget

where we live has always been seldom worked but I have to agree that I don't see witnesses around as much as I used to. It is a genuine surprise to see them on first call at all whereas before I would see them more regularly.

34

JWs on campus

by Sarabethy in

jw
friends

it's my first time on this site though i am no stranger in the ex-jw community.

i come to you now asking for your assistance in what to present to the dean of students at my university.. why am i meeting with dean of students, you may ask?

because today, while innocently finishing an assignment in the school library, i happened to look out the window and see the jws with their stupid little cart.

nugget

I would also point out that ex members often choose to pursue education and their articles are extremely offensive to ex members. There was a Watchtower that openly stated that in ancient Israel people would be stoned to death for leaving the religion and only the law prevents witnesses from doing the same. it shows how much people who leave are despised. As this religion teaches intolerance it goes against the philosophy of the University community and can be intimidating i they are on site.

24

Are you better off as a worldly person or a JW?

by Jules Saturn in

i was having a conversation with a relative who has been inactive for several decades (part of the ‘75 generation) and he argued that a person that is a born in is better off staying in the organization rather than someone like him who lived as a “worldly” person but then became a witness later in life.

he argues that when you’re born in, all you know nothing outside of the organization, so you’re better off in than out, that’s why when born ins leave the org, they always come back.

i agree that as a born in, your social circle is composed of witnesses but i do feel that even born ins would be happier outside of the org than being in.

nugget

Born in means you have no experience of life outside, all your connections are JWs and you are conditioned to accept JW doctrine and to follow the restrictions in their lives You have never had a proper childhood since your parent's love is conditional on you sharing their beliefs. They have had a miserable childhood and adolescence and devoted endless hours to meetings, assemblies, field service and bible study. They may have married someone with whom they have nothing in common because options are limited and the pressure to marry the first person you date is huge. If you decide to leave you are facing the loss of all your family and friends, they are poorly educated and have limited resources.

If you came in later in life you have a network of non JWs you can connect with. You have had a chance of a real childhood, education and a chance to enjoy your youth. You have experienced unconditional love and had a chance to make something of your life. If you wake up to the bullshit you have more resources and more options.

Just because the JW life is all you know it does not mean it is in anyway better to the experience of a life of freedom.

16

Have Watchtower changed their polices to report to police child sex abuse?

by pleaseresearch in

hi all.

just speaking to a sister about the royal commission.. she said they they have now changed their guidelines so that they now report all to the police.. really?

does anyone know if this is true?.

nugget

I have been given the latest copy of the policy for the UK. Elders are told to contact the legal department and comply with local laws. Elders are not explicitly told to contact authorities.It acknowledges that parents or other individuals may chose to report it to the authorities but nowhere are they encouraged to do so. Elders will contact the police if they determine that the child is still at risk and after taking advice from the society.

The policy states that Parents have the primary responsibility for the protection,safety and instruction of their children. The implication being that it is their responsibility to protect their children not the elders responsibility.

Because the society does not provide Sunday schools or youth groups they do not fall under legislation for the protection of children.

The child will still be required to give evidence at a judicial committee but not in front of their abuser. The child can chose to have an adult representative to support them other than their parents although they will still be questioned by the elders.

Throughout the policy child abuse is referred to as a sin when it is in fact a crime.

The policy also makes the assumption that all abuse victims are girls which is a mistake as abuse victims can be of either sex.

A change seems to be that parents of minors may be told to monitor their childrens' interactions with a particular individual if elders receive this instruction from the service desk to do so.

There have been some changes but it falls far short of what is needed. No involvement of women in the process other than as an adult representative. Elders receive no specialist training in safeguarding and the policy shows that there are still gaps in understanding of what is involved and the need for long term support for the victim. I was disappointed with the policy.

25

My JW niece is getting married ... typical JW drama

by wannabefree in

we received an invitation in the mail yesterday for my jw niece's wedding.. i am posting this just to add for any lurkers to see typical jw practices.. 1st - and perfectly understandable for anybody who is or was a jw.

i'm not invited.

:) hey, i'm really not complaining about that.

nugget

JWs can make a drama over anything. I would suggest to your wife that as you are not included in the invite it may offend her brother if you contributed to the wedding by paying for your wife's travel and accommodation. Perhaps it would be better for his conscience if he funded it so that there was no taint on the wedding and you would then have no involvement.

JWs are happy to take from others but give nothing back they will expect gifts and goodwill from others but will give no compromise. Weddings should be a happy family event it is ridiculous that it becomes a staged advertorial for the organisation.

It is also concerning that the grooms family are behaving so badly and making a fuss about your daughter being involved in the wedding. It is none of their business who the bride picks.The wedding plans have changed so much that it now has nothing to do with the bride and groom at all.