Posts by DesirousOfChange

68

Governing body

by moley in

are the governing body really in charge or are they just a figurehead with the real power being behind the curtain .

DesirousOfChange

This tells me that 75% of the publishers have vanished …..just like smoke!

AMEN!

65

Just had a thought…

by Vidiot in

i been reading quite a few experiences on reddit lately, and their seems to be a common theme coming up….

…dialed-up-to-eleven shunning of xjws by their witness relatives.. it reminds me of back in the day, listening to some of the over-the-top vitriol displayed by hard-core loyalists when the topic of evolution or apostates came up….

…i was gobsmacked when i finally realized these guys weren’t offended and indignant because they thought it was lies….

DesirousOfChange

…they were angry and hostile because, deep down, they were afraid it was true.
Cognitive dissonance is frightening!

3

Why Jehovah's Witnesses leave the Organisation

by Vanderhoven7 in

i like this guy's analysis .

https://youtu.be/vzkjbnjh5nu?si=ug_ahnird6ygsm41.

DesirousOfChange

I didn't mind most of those restrictions of being a JW. I still do not "celebrate" holidays although I acknowledge the birthdays or our kids, grandkids, and close friends. I still have conservative grooming and values.

I left because I came to realize there really was no divine direction at any level of the Organization. Yes, I had really believed that there was. I really thought there was some kinda voodoo "spirit direction" there. I was convinced I had experienced it -- had seen evidence of it. Now I call all that coincidence, because I am ever more convinced that there is NO supernatural force or being guiding anything or anyone at any level there. I was absolutely crushed upon coming to that realization. ALL that I had believed in came crashing down around me.

I now believe it is "mostly" good men/people who are trying to do their best at understanding the scriptures and applying it personally and conscientiously , but unfortunately some also going to the extreme in forcing their opinion or understanding of it on others conscience. There really is no such thing as a person's Bible trained conscience. There is the GB demanded conscience. If your conscience does not agree with their direction 100%, you're going to be in trouble there and likely forcibly removed from the group.

44

Three new lawsuits against Watchtower filed under NY Child Victims Act (CVA) this October, bringing number of CVA cases up to six

by Corney in

new cases:.

diaz case, filed on 10/21/2020 by zalkin law firm - two plaintiffs abused (here and hereinafter - allegedly) by two ministerial servants in 1970s.. iglesias case, filed on 10/19/2020 by eisenberg & baum, llp against various nyc and wt entities - abused by an "elder john doe" and "[travelling] overseer john" in 1970s and 1980s.. aldridge case, filed 10/06/2020 by zalkin law firm - abused by a congregation elder in 1970s.. older cases:.

tarry case (no 1 and no 2), filed on 09/17/2019 and 07/23/2020 by parker waichman llp - abused by a publisher in 1984. very weak case.

DesirousOfChange

'The Governing Body is Subject to Suit as An Unincorporated Association'

You can sue anyone, but can you extract any award you may win? It's the "no blood out of a turnip" thing.

68

Governing body

by moley in

are the governing body really in charge or are they just a figurehead with the real power being behind the curtain .

DesirousOfChange

Do they now encourage the elders or the parents to call the police, or do they still insist on the two witnesses rule? If not, what's changed?

It’s my experience that, yes, it has changed. Elders are quick to seek legal advice from the branch at even a hint that an incident could be “trouble”. Sorry, too incriminating to share specifics but I was concerned for the family involved and insisted they get legal advice, even recommending our attorney.

I believe they will be told to report it anonymously if WT Legal deems it reportable.

6

Request!----Atlantis Is There Anywhere Else The Watchtower Admits?

by Atlantis in

jw
friends

atlantis, is there anywhere else that the watchtower admits that disfellowshipping or excommunication is pagan?.

sure, they said the same thing back in 1880 about a lot of churches being like the beast for practicing excommunication.. as papacy established the priesthood over the church, soprotestantism has established almost the same, and there isno opportunity for the body to edify itself, every joint takingpart.

true, there is a seeming show of liberty at prayer meetings,&c., but it is only upon the surface, for the ordainedpastor is to watch zealously lest anything contrary to theteachings of his church should be expressed, and if so tosilence the audacious member at once, for the church creedis the rule, not the word of god.

DesirousOfChange

And do not forget, that the WT lawyer testifying in court in Canada swore that disfellowshipping does not require the shunning (or breaking up) of families.

I know some JWs are are accepting this as "New Lite" and have made the decision to have limited association with their DF/DA family members under the guise of "necessary family business".

WT Lawyer testifies DF does NOT involve shunning

68

Governing body

by moley in

are the governing body really in charge or are they just a figurehead with the real power being behind the curtain .

DesirousOfChange

I think their reasoning could be that if they can just get past the CSA scandals........ they will survive.

I believe they have plugged the hole in the dike by taking extreme measures if there is even a "hint" of any kind of misconduct involving a child. While they were once too lax, the lawsuits have forced them to review their policies and operations so as to avoid any more liability. (Yes, it is about avoiding the liability more than avoiding injury to a child.) But no one ever imagined various States relaxing the statute of limitations on victims seeking financial restitution. As a result, cases from decades past are finding their way into the Court system and costing them MILLION$. I suspect there are many more settlements (with gag orders) than there are cases that go to court. Both the victims and their attorneys are wanting to see the CA$H awards. It is much quicker to agree to a smaller settlement "now" than face years of jockeying back and forth in the Courts. Thus, attorneys push for a quick cash settlement to get their 30% fee rather than spend 10's or 100's of thousand$ of dollars and years and years of depositions, postponements, etc, etc for what might prove to be only a little (or even no) better of an award.

And of course, WTS/GB may be counting on Armageddon bailing them out before they are bankrupt.

14