Hi everyone,
Recently sociologist Rodney Stark made some comments that angered
many of those who have left the JW religion. He appeared on a segment
of a video under the topic how of the reliability of dissidents.
Srark said that the views of dissidents are the most reliable. This
is true. The views of those who are upset at a religious organization
and leave with emotion and biases that could taint informtion, but
this does not mean everything that is said by a dissident in 100%
wrong. I have run into countercult organizations who are so biased in
what they do it is hard to separate fact from opinion, misinformation
and disinformation.
Stark did say there are a few reliable souces. He also said that
these reliable sources are sometimes exploited. This is also
possible. I do not think it is a matter of what Stark said, but
rather a matter of how the Watchtower Society presented it.
Also the attack that Stark is a Christian Scientist has been raised
by several people. Be carful with this kind of attack. Attacking the
person's character, rather than the argument presented could
backfire. Besides in Religion, Deviance and Social Control by Stark
and Bainbridge the Christian Scientist religion is called a "cult."
I do have some questions about some other facts and figures presented
in that video.
1. The Watchtower Society keeps talking about a supposed policy
regarding pedophile cases, but I have
yet to see a written policy that outline what to do in such
cases. I would like to see this policy in writting
and the date is was put into effect. It is not enough to say
there is a policy. For all I know this policy was
started right after the pedophile issue erupted.
2. My next concern is the untrained clergy in local JW congregations.
Are JW elders willing to go through
some sort of crises intervention training for child victims of
sexual crimes? This might help them in there
ability to be spiritual sepherds.
3. One thing that Stark said that I will dispute is this: Its hard to
get into trouble in a group like this.
Stark does not realize that the JW religion is strict, and you do
what you are told or you are disciplined
I hope this is able to help everone.
john123
JoinedPosts by john123
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1
Pro-JW video interview
by john123 inrecently sociologist rodney stark made some comments that angered .
there is a policy.
for all i know this policy was .
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john123
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3
Rodney Stark issue
by john123 inrecently sociologist rodney stark made some comments that angered .
there is a policy.
for all i know this policy was .
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john123
Hi everyone,
Recently sociologist Rodney Stark made some comments that angered
many of those who have left the JW religion. He appeared on a segment
of a video under the topic how of the reliability of dissidents.
Srark said that the views of dissidents are the most reliable. This
is true. The views of those who are upset at a religious organization
and leave with emotion and biases that could taint informtion, but
this does not mean everything that is said by a dissident in 100%
wrong. I have run into countercult organizations who are so biased in
what they do it is hard to separate fact from opinion, misinformation
and disinformation.
Stark did say there are a few reliable souces. He also said that
these reliable sources are sometimes exploited. This is also
possible. I do not think it is a matter of what Stark said, but
rather a matter of how the Watchtower Society presented it.
Also the attack that Stark is a Christian Scientist has been raised
by several people. Be carful with this kind of attack. Attacking the
person's character, rather than the argument presented could
backfire. Besides in Religion, Deviance and Social Control by Stark
and Bainbridge the Christian Scientist religion is called a "cult."
I do have some questions about some other facts and figures presented
in that video.
1. The Watchtower Society keeps talking about a supposed policy
regarding pedophile cases, but I have
yet to see a written policy that outline what to do in such
cases. I would like to see this policy in writting
and the date is was put into effect. It is not enough to say
there is a policy. For all I know this policy was
started right after the pedophile issue erupted.
2. My next concern is the untrained clergy in local JW congregations.
Are JW elders willing to go through
some sort of crises intervention training for child victims of
sexual crimes? This might help them in there
ability to be spiritual sepherds.
3. One thing that Stark said that I will dispute is this: Its hard to
get into trouble in a group like this.
Stark does not realize that the JW religion is strict, and you do
what you are told or you are disciplined
I hope this is able to help everone. -
18
Another JW murdered by the Watchtower
by john123 inhey everyone,.
i just wanted to let you know that we have a disassociated jw who is about to die from ovarian cancer.
the cancer spread because she would not take a blood transfusion during an operation that attempted to contain the cancer while she was a jw.
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john123
H.S. Claiming that we cannot know for sure does not refute nor invalidate my statements. Note the word of CJ's Disassociation letter:
"Regarding the so-called blood issue: I have a terminal cancer. My illness (ovarian cancer) was diagnosed approximately the same time last year as the information the WTB&TS published on accepting a variety of blood fractions. I did not examine the article at the time due to my being ill and refused a blood transfusion for my hysterectomy. My surgery was cut short because of my low blood count; a complete debulking could not be done in which more small cancer clusters are removed from tissue surrounding larger more obvious cancer masses, thus affecting my prognosis (I am a single parent with two young children). At the time, I was glad to take a stand on the blood issue. Now I have concluded that there is no such Biblical issue. Blood parts are blood. The command not to eat blood is just that, not an injunction against blood transfusions."
We can argue all day that we cannot really know this or that. To me there is sufficient reason to conclude this.
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18
Another JW murdered by the Watchtower
by john123 inhey everyone,.
i just wanted to let you know that we have a disassociated jw who is about to die from ovarian cancer.
the cancer spread because she would not take a blood transfusion during an operation that attempted to contain the cancer while she was a jw.
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john123
Hi everyone,
I will go into some more detail. During the surgery the doctors got the cancer, but were not able to continue on to remove the surrounding tissue because of the drop in her blood count. Apparently there were some cancer cells left over in the surrounding tissue. The cancer spread. CJ's story is found in the "Womens Issues" section at freeminds.org. I hope this has answered everyone's questions.-- john
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18
Another JW murdered by the Watchtower
by john123 inhey everyone,.
i just wanted to let you know that we have a disassociated jw who is about to die from ovarian cancer.
the cancer spread because she would not take a blood transfusion during an operation that attempted to contain the cancer while she was a jw.
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john123
Hi j2bf,
I understand where you are coming from, but in mind control or undue influence groups it is being debated as to whether the person actually has free will or choice. This is a subject that was also discussed in my philosophy class in college last night. The debate between free will and determinism. For example, David Hume taught what is called "soft determinism." People have free choice apart from coercion and compulsion. On the other, hand Immanuel Kant taught that human behaviors are determined, but human choices are free.
In my opinion my statement is not unfair. What she does with her life now is what counts. Take care
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18
Another JW murdered by the Watchtower
by john123 inhey everyone,.
i just wanted to let you know that we have a disassociated jw who is about to die from ovarian cancer.
the cancer spread because she would not take a blood transfusion during an operation that attempted to contain the cancer while she was a jw.
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john123
Hey everyone,
I just wanted to let you know that we have a disassociated JW who is about to die from ovarian cancer. The cancer spread because she would not take a blood transfusion during an operation that attempted to contain the cancer while she was a JW. Her name is C.J. I talked to her today, and she says she has weeks to live. Our Support group may hold a service in memory of her. Whoever would like to send flowers or cards please send them to:
C.J Mauer
c/o Approaches To Education, Inc.
6901 E. Broadway Blvd. # 138
Tucson, AZ 85710
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Is the Bible Really the Word of God?
by gumby inis the bible really the word of god?
while sitting in my garage having a smoke, i reached up to an old publication (which i keep handy on my shelves).
it was the book stated above.
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john123
There is a pre-biblical flood epic, but the hero's name is Gilgimesh. You may be able to find information about this epic on the web. I hope this helps
Edited by - john123 on 19 October 2002 3:21:50
Edited by - john123 on 19 October 2002 3:22:25
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All bookstudies at the KH???
by Intuit39 ini know of a congregation on the east coast that is having all bookstudies meet at the kingdom hall!
that's right--no bookstudies in private homes, at least for now.... has anyone else heard of this?
and what could be the reason?
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john123
Oh hell, I don't know why the book study is going to be at the kingdom hall. Maybe the whole congregation has been disfellowship for loose conduct, i.e., not wanting to kiss some elder's ass.
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Anybody from Los Angeles,CA
by carlitos71 inlooking to get in contact with any xjw's in la, especially in the southeast-downey,hp,bell
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john123
Robert, are you related to the Nobles in the Orange Congregations
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attend the JW elementary school in Tucson AZ?
by peacefulwarrior in.
was a witness in tucson from '79-'91.
looking for any other black sheep.
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john123
My wife and I live in Tucson currently. I was a JW, she was not