Posts by ABibleStudent

92

Febuary 21 2012 We could make a difference,if we want to. A World Wide Campaign sending letters to Govt. officials,newspapers, to Victoria Australia

by smiddy in

this is a sugestion i have to all members of this board ,members from all over the world, to let the victorian government in australia know that the world is concerned about protecting the children of victoria ,and theirby setting a precedent for the rest of the world, who are interested in the outcome of the criminal charges against the religion of jehovah`s witnesses in refusing to abide by the legislation to get "working with children checks"when required to do so.correct me if i`m wrong but i think if all of us sent letters to the newspapers here in australia ,the different members of parliment here,we would demonstate that the victorian judicial system here is under scrutiny to do the right thing in the eyes of the world.. we all complain that the wtb&ts/jehovahs witnesses is a cult religion that sucks,destroying family relationships,here is a chance to do something about it.

whether you agree with steven unthank or not,here is an opportunity to stick up for the children of jehovah`s witnesses and every other child that a witness calls on in their door to door ministry.. what do you think ?.

smiddy.

ABibleStudent

Thank you for your comments sizemik. They were supportive, cautionary, and offered alternative ideas.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

92

Febuary 21 2012 We could make a difference,if we want to. A World Wide Campaign sending letters to Govt. officials,newspapers, to Victoria Australia

by smiddy in

this is a sugestion i have to all members of this board ,members from all over the world, to let the victorian government in australia know that the world is concerned about protecting the children of victoria ,and theirby setting a precedent for the rest of the world, who are interested in the outcome of the criminal charges against the religion of jehovah`s witnesses in refusing to abide by the legislation to get "working with children checks"when required to do so.correct me if i`m wrong but i think if all of us sent letters to the newspapers here in australia ,the different members of parliment here,we would demonstate that the victorian judicial system here is under scrutiny to do the right thing in the eyes of the world.. we all complain that the wtb&ts/jehovahs witnesses is a cult religion that sucks,destroying family relationships,here is a chance to do something about it.

whether you agree with steven unthank or not,here is an opportunity to stick up for the children of jehovah`s witnesses and every other child that a witness calls on in their door to door ministry.. what do you think ?.

smiddy.

ABibleStudent

I sent emails to Australian Parliament Senators using the same general format that I used write to Victorian politicians. Because I had to do some internet research about the Australian senators, I decided to include two examples of the different emails. If you decide to write to these senators, please use mostly your own words in your email and tell them about your personal experience and opinion(s).

I sent an email to Senator Nick Xenophon <[email protected]> and completed a contact form for Senator Sue Boyce using her parliament website (www.aph.gov.au/senate/senators/homepages/senators.asp?id=H6V)

Dear Senator Nick Xenophon.: Thank you for co-hosting a National Conference on “Cults in Australia: Facing the Realities” on November 2, 2011. Are you aware that the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society (WB&TS) could be considered a dangerous cult and that Steven Unthank is prosecuting WB&TS’s leaders and organizations for not complying with Victoria’s child protection law? Administrative hearings about criminal charges against the WB&TS will be held in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court of Victoria in Gippsland, Australia (i.e., case ID’s B12083108, B12083367, B12083527, B12083833, B12082206) on February 21, 2012. Although I am not an Australian, many members of Jehovah Witnesses (JWs) Internet support forums, such as www.jehovahs-witness.net and www.jwsupportforum.com, are very interested in the outcome of Steven Unthank’s criminal cases against the WB&TS and discovering ways to free the minds of loved ones trapped inside of cults. From my personal experience of being exposed to the WB&TS’s doctrines and practices, I hope that more politicians and government officials will learn about the societal costs of dangerous cults like the WB&TS and enact/revise appropriate laws. The WB&TS is a dangerous cult that enslaves members to print and/or distribute literature and is not a religion, as promoted in WB&TS's literature. I hope that the Public Prosecutors Office of Victoria will use its full resources to prosecute the WB&TS leadership and organizations to the maximum extent of Victorian child protection laws. I also hope that Steven Unthank’s cases will inspire revising (or creating) laws to strengthen compliance with child protection laws as well as revise tax laws to exclude dangerous cults like the WB&TS from receiving tax exempt status or qualifying for government programs for charitable organizations. Thanks again for supporting efforts to educate people about dangerous cults. Sincerely, Robert

I also sent a different email to Senator Bob Brown <[email protected]> in which I tried to shorten the paragraphs as suggested by Band on the Run.

Dear Senator Bob Brown: Thank you for trying to expose the Exclusive Brethren, as a dangerous cult (i.e., use thought/behavioral techniques to control its members). Would you be interested in supporting a private citizen, Steven Unthank, to criminally prosecute leaders from another dangerous cult, the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society (WB&TS)? Administrative hearings about criminal charges against the WB&TS’ leaders and organizations for not complying with Victoria’s child protection law will be held in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court of Victoria in Gippsland, Australia (i.e., case ID’s B12083108, B12083367, B12083527, B12083833, B12082206) on February 21, 2012. If you would like to learn more about these cases, please visit Steven Unthank's website (www.jwNews.net) to read about these cases. Although I am not an Australian, many members of Jehovah Witnesses (JWs) Internet support forums, such as www.jehovahs-witness.net and www.jwsupportforum.com, are very interested in the outcome of Steven Unthank’s criminal cases against the WB&TS and discovering ways to free the minds of loved ones trapped inside of cults. From my personal experience of being exposed to the WB&TS’s doctrines and practices, I hope that more politicians and government officials will learn about the societal costs of dangerous cults like the WB&TS and enact/revise appropriate laws. The WB&TS is a dangerous cult that enslaves members to print and/or distribute literature and is not a religion, as promoted in WB&TS's literature. I hope that the Public Prosecutors Office of Victoria will use its full resources to prosecute the WB&TS leadership and organizations to the maximum extent of Victorian child protection laws. I also hope that Steven Unthank’s cases will inspire revising (or creating) laws to strengthen compliance with child protection laws as well as revise tax laws to exclude dangerous cults like the WB&TS and Exclusive Brethren from receiving tax exempt status or qualifying for government programs for charitable organizations. Thanks again for supporting efforts to educate people about dangerous cults. Sincerely, Robert

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

92

Febuary 21 2012 We could make a difference,if we want to. A World Wide Campaign sending letters to Govt. officials,newspapers, to Victoria Australia

by smiddy in

this is a sugestion i have to all members of this board ,members from all over the world, to let the victorian government in australia know that the world is concerned about protecting the children of victoria ,and theirby setting a precedent for the rest of the world, who are interested in the outcome of the criminal charges against the religion of jehovah`s witnesses in refusing to abide by the legislation to get "working with children checks"when required to do so.correct me if i`m wrong but i think if all of us sent letters to the newspapers here in australia ,the different members of parliment here,we would demonstate that the victorian judicial system here is under scrutiny to do the right thing in the eyes of the world.. we all complain that the wtb&ts/jehovahs witnesses is a cult religion that sucks,destroying family relationships,here is a chance to do something about it.

whether you agree with steven unthank or not,here is an opportunity to stick up for the children of jehovah`s witnesses and every other child that a witness calls on in their door to door ministry.. what do you think ?.

smiddy.

ABibleStudent

Azazel - Thanks to all.Just had a bad day after having to sit thru the first day of CA.i am so far away from this religion doctrinally but have to go.in the short term its to try and save my 3children from it. . . .

Hi Azazel, Have you thought about writing about your experiences trying to save your 3 children from the WTBTS? It is just a thought. It might help others with similiar reasons for being active and may be someone will suggest an idea that may help you.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

92

Febuary 21 2012 We could make a difference,if we want to. A World Wide Campaign sending letters to Govt. officials,newspapers, to Victoria Australia

by smiddy in

this is a sugestion i have to all members of this board ,members from all over the world, to let the victorian government in australia know that the world is concerned about protecting the children of victoria ,and theirby setting a precedent for the rest of the world, who are interested in the outcome of the criminal charges against the religion of jehovah`s witnesses in refusing to abide by the legislation to get "working with children checks"when required to do so.correct me if i`m wrong but i think if all of us sent letters to the newspapers here in australia ,the different members of parliment here,we would demonstate that the victorian judicial system here is under scrutiny to do the right thing in the eyes of the world.. we all complain that the wtb&ts/jehovahs witnesses is a cult religion that sucks,destroying family relationships,here is a chance to do something about it.

whether you agree with steven unthank or not,here is an opportunity to stick up for the children of jehovah`s witnesses and every other child that a witness calls on in their door to door ministry.. what do you think ?.

smiddy.

ABibleStudent

If JWN is a support forum for members, how can members help each other and still write about their previous experiences without demoralizing other members? What would happen, if posters complimented other posters about thier ideas and tried to offer suggestions about how to improve a concept in addition to posting about thier previous experience(s)?

This post may be a little off-topic for this thread, however I feel that in threads trying to campaign for change in the WTBTS, some members try to build each other up. Other members want to write about their previous experiences and may inadvertantly give the impression that they are trying to debunk an idea.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

P.S. - I had to take a break from JWN by going to my favorite coffee shop for hot chocolate and a bagel and do some errands before I could write this less critical critique about how I feel about some posts.

41

Why is it that serious /important topics seem to be overlooked and fluffy inconsequential topics get all the attention

by smiddy in

jw
friends

just curious .

smiddy.

ABibleStudent

Terry - Look at your Subject on THIS topic.
What if you had titled it: ARE SERIOUS/IMPORTANT TOPICS BEING OVERLOOKED?
When the topic is telling, teaching, accusing, explaining, demonstrating, ranting, promoting etc. little room is left for response.
When the topic is asking, inviting, sharing, quizzical, mysterious, funny, personal, etc. the door is open a bit wider for the feelings and thoughts from the gang.

Terrry for your very insightful comments about how to increase participation in a thread. I have also noticed that more people like to comment on WTBTS apologists' threads and about controversial (hot-button) comments that are not general accepted by many on JWN.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

92

Febuary 21 2012 We could make a difference,if we want to. A World Wide Campaign sending letters to Govt. officials,newspapers, to Victoria Australia

by smiddy in

this is a sugestion i have to all members of this board ,members from all over the world, to let the victorian government in australia know that the world is concerned about protecting the children of victoria ,and theirby setting a precedent for the rest of the world, who are interested in the outcome of the criminal charges against the religion of jehovah`s witnesses in refusing to abide by the legislation to get "working with children checks"when required to do so.correct me if i`m wrong but i think if all of us sent letters to the newspapers here in australia ,the different members of parliment here,we would demonstate that the victorian judicial system here is under scrutiny to do the right thing in the eyes of the world.. we all complain that the wtb&ts/jehovahs witnesses is a cult religion that sucks,destroying family relationships,here is a chance to do something about it.

whether you agree with steven unthank or not,here is an opportunity to stick up for the children of jehovah`s witnesses and every other child that a witness calls on in their door to door ministry.. what do you think ?.

smiddy.

ABibleStudent

Azazel - im just so tired of this shit
Tired Az

Hi Azazel. I hope that you feel better soon. May be you need to take a break and do something relaxing for a change (i.e., a ride in the country, tea at a local shop, etc.) I know that I have to take a break every now and then from JWN - I just don't post that I am taking a break. Also, thanks for the information about Bob Brown.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

92

Febuary 21 2012 We could make a difference,if we want to. A World Wide Campaign sending letters to Govt. officials,newspapers, to Victoria Australia

by smiddy in

this is a sugestion i have to all members of this board ,members from all over the world, to let the victorian government in australia know that the world is concerned about protecting the children of victoria ,and theirby setting a precedent for the rest of the world, who are interested in the outcome of the criminal charges against the religion of jehovah`s witnesses in refusing to abide by the legislation to get "working with children checks"when required to do so.correct me if i`m wrong but i think if all of us sent letters to the newspapers here in australia ,the different members of parliment here,we would demonstate that the victorian judicial system here is under scrutiny to do the right thing in the eyes of the world.. we all complain that the wtb&ts/jehovahs witnesses is a cult religion that sucks,destroying family relationships,here is a chance to do something about it.

whether you agree with steven unthank or not,here is an opportunity to stick up for the children of jehovah`s witnesses and every other child that a witness calls on in their door to door ministry.. what do you think ?.

smiddy.

ABibleStudent

@ Azazel: What would I compliment Mr Bob Brown for that is related to cults or helping Steven Unthank's case/cause? I read information about Mr Bob Brown on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Brown) and couldn't find anything related to either topic. Mr Bob Brown may be a maverick politician, but I need something specific to compliment him on, especially since I am a foreigner. It is a lot easier to compliment Senator Sue Boyce and Senator Nick Xenophon because they co-hosted a national conference about cults in Australia in November 2011.

@ Band on the Run: I will try to shorten my paragraphs in future emails/letters. I was also concerned about contacting Australian politicians by email and that is why I contacted Steven Unthank by email to get his opinion. Steven Unthank recommended which politicians to write emails to and what to thank them about. I tried to follow a format like what Azazel recommend of complimenting the politician, identifying myself, explaining my personal experience, trying to seperate the WTBTS from religion by labeling them as a cult, expressing what I hope happens in the future, and then thanking them again. Since only Azazel, Smiddy, and I appear to be writing seperate letters, I don't feel that politicians will feel that they are being innundated by a letter writting campaign.

@Sizemilk: I wrote to Steven Unthank to get his opinion about writing to politicians. I'm trying to follow Steven Unthank's advice that is in his email and I shared in this thread. If you read what Steven Unthank wrote about some politiicans, you may have noticed that those politicians have questioned public officials for not actively enforcing Victoria's child protection laws.

@Smiddy: I do not like Witness bashing either and would never do that to victums. On the other hand I have no problem labeling the WTBTS as a cult to politicians to reduce their reluctance of appearing anti-religious to their constituents. Hopefully, what I wrote to politicians will peak their interest at following Steven Unthank's cases and they will make their own inquires of the Public Prosecutor of Victoria. If you read what Steven Unthank wrote about some politiicans, you may have noticed that those politicians have questioned public officials for not actively enforcing Victoria's child protection laws.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

37

Hello Everyone :-)

by new one in

jw
friends

i've only recently joined but i've been lurking for well over a year.

i'll just start with a bit of my story so you'll have a better idea on were i'm coming from, i've read that much of most of your posts that i feel i already know you all anyway lol.. i'm 32 years old now and for most of my life i've had jw's around me at times, my mom used to study on and off with them all through my child hood alough she never took the plunge i'm not sure why because even to this day she say's she holds the same beliefs but somethings held her back so there's doubt somewhere!.

anyway, having had the magazines around me for most my life i'd read them from time to time,but, when i reached about 17 years old i discovered nightclubs, alcohol and, well you know the rest ;-).. fast forward to my early 20's and i'd had a failed attempt at setting up my own business, my parents had split up after 25 years together and long story short i had a nervous breakdown.

ABibleStudent

Wecome new one (Chris) to JWN. I'm glad that you didn't get dunked. Are you still friends with any JWs?

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

92

Febuary 21 2012 We could make a difference,if we want to. A World Wide Campaign sending letters to Govt. officials,newspapers, to Victoria Australia

by smiddy in

this is a sugestion i have to all members of this board ,members from all over the world, to let the victorian government in australia know that the world is concerned about protecting the children of victoria ,and theirby setting a precedent for the rest of the world, who are interested in the outcome of the criminal charges against the religion of jehovah`s witnesses in refusing to abide by the legislation to get "working with children checks"when required to do so.correct me if i`m wrong but i think if all of us sent letters to the newspapers here in australia ,the different members of parliment here,we would demonstate that the victorian judicial system here is under scrutiny to do the right thing in the eyes of the world.. we all complain that the wtb&ts/jehovahs witnesses is a cult religion that sucks,destroying family relationships,here is a chance to do something about it.

whether you agree with steven unthank or not,here is an opportunity to stick up for the children of jehovah`s witnesses and every other child that a witness calls on in their door to door ministry.. what do you think ?.

smiddy.

ABibleStudent

Hi Azazel, Although I disagree with you about referring to the WTBTS as a religion - it is a dangerous cult -, I do agree with you about people need to word their own letters to politicians, government officials, and news organizations and to do some research to thank them (no matter how small the effort) for their contributions.

I completed writing to the following Australians using information from Steven Unthank's email to thank them for supporting Steven Unthank's cases/cause:

Mr Neale Burgess <[email protected]>
Hon Robert William Clark <[email protected]>
Hon Edward (Ted) Norman Baillieu <[email protected]>
Ms Colleen Hartland <[email protected]>
Mr Frank McGuire <[email protected]>
Mr Andrew Katos <[email protected]>
Mr James Anthony Merlino <[email protected]>
Mr Russell John Northe <[email protected]>

I basically used the following letter and modified it as necessary to thank them for their individual contributions:

Dear Mr Russell Northe: Thank you for continuing to support Steven Unthank’s prosecution of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society’s (WB&TS) leaders and organizations for not complying with Victoria’s child protection laws and promoting child protection to members of parliament. Although I am not an Australian, many members of Jehovah Witnesses (JWs) Internet support forums, such as www.jehovahs-witness.net and www.jwsupportforum.com, are very interested in the outcome of Steven Unthank’s criminal cases against the WB&TS. From my personal experience of being exposed to the WB&TS’s doctrines and practices, I hope that more politicians and government officials will learn about the societal costs of dangerous cults like the WB&TS and enact/revise appropriate laws. The WB&TS is a dangerous cult that enslaves members to print and/or distribute literature and is not a religion, as promoted in the WB&TS's literature. I hope that the Public Prosecutors Office of Victoria will use its full resources to prosecute the WB&TS leadership and organizations to the maximum extent of the Victorian child protection laws. I also hope that Steven Unthank’s cases will inspire revising (or creating) laws to strengthen compliance with child protection laws as well as revise tax laws to exclude dangerous cults like the WB&TS from receiving tax exempt status or qualifying for government programs for charitable organizations. Thanks again for supporting Steven Unthank, and protecting children in Victoria. Sincerely, Robert

I think that I will also write a couple of more emails to Queensland's Senator Sue Boyce and South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon thanking them for co-hosting a national conference on Cults in Australia on November 2, 2011 and to the Director of Public Prosecutions of Victoria thanking that office for assisting Steven UnThank's prosecution of the WTBTS. Other than writing to USA politicians to revise the IRS tax code criteria for qualifying as a charitable organization and writing to news organizations to report about Steven Unthank's cases, do you have other ideas about who to contract?

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

19

WT Letter To Ray Franz

by Bangalore in

.

bangalore.

ABibleStudent

Its interesting that the GB records what happens in its meetings. If the records are retained, it might increase the risk for the GB if an attorney requested those records during litigation.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert