Posts by Lee Elder

28

The Royal Commission and Watchtower - A game changer

by Hidden-Window in

jw
friends

i had finished watching all the videos on the royal commission's investigation of jehovah's witnesses (yes, i know more videos are being released).

i am still processing the information of everything that has emerged.

i do not plan to cover it all here, but i would like to point out that it is patently obvious that some of the wt representatives provided misleading information.

Lee Elder

I can remember a ministerial servant back in the mid 90's standing up near the front of the hall with his son who was acting up and stomping done the middle of th aisle to take his son outside. He was removing his belt to beat the child as he was walking for everyone to see.

At the next visit he was recommended as an elder. I was the only one who objected. I am sure this is the kind of thing that varies depending on time and local custom but it was common and it was accepted.

The city overseer once cautioned the congregation about spanking their children in the parking lot for fear that a neighbor would call child protective services. Better to do it in your car!

39

Billy's comments to the RC #1 - "We always require at least two witnesses... except for when we don't."

by Billy the Ex-Bethelite in

i'm still trying to catch up on the rc broadcast posted to youtube, and i haven't been able to keep up with everything discussed here about it.

however, there have been a few points that i wish i could submit.

repeatedly it has been stated that unless there is a confession, jcs can only act on testimony if it is corroborated by two or more witnesses to the wrongdoing.

Lee Elder

I sent this to the Royal Commission which they acknowledged:

Their (WTS) interpretation of scripture to support their "two witness rule" seems quite convenient, doesn't it? I think its worth noting that in cases where the victim goes on their own to the police and the perpetrator is convicted, they will then be disfellowshiped from the congregation - regardless of whether or not there was two witnesses. Why are they willing to abandon their scriptural policy in this circumstance? In my experience, the saving of face and organizational prestige are primary motivators in policy formation. It is the appearance of being "clean or holy" that drives policy and decision making in far too many instances. What is needed is less "whitewashing" and more action to protect children. That and a recognition that police have the tools and training to actually investigate suspected crimes, not JW elders. It is really quite appalling. If a serious crime were to be committed at a JW facility, say at a Kingdom Hall, there is no doubt that the police would be called to investigate. They simply refuse to implement policy that would require investigation by the police when accusations of child abuse arise. Clearly, they don’t see child abuse as the serious crime it truly is. Hopefully, the commission will send a very strong and clear message that this won’t be tolerated.

53

Just wrote my DA letter....

by dubstepped in

jw
friends

my wife and i planned on fading but the elders now want a shepherding call and we are just done.

i know that many play the game to try to stay in, but i'm not a game player and neither is my wife.

our families already shun us because we reached out to a disfellowshipped family member.

Lee Elder

You don't have to play their game, but if you do - play it well as Marvin suggests.

36

Going to a bad place when i die

by 060702015 in

i've thought and said too much to ever gain jehovahs forgiveness and love if i want to be a christian again.

i made a topic on my unforgivable sin and blaspemy of the holy spirit.. i feel saddness everyday having no relationship with god, no religion and fear of the afterlife.

even when i was kid i feared death and the end of the world.

Lee Elder

Try reading this article:

http://www.babcp.com/Review/RTS-Trauma-from-Leaving-Religion.aspx

58

Governing body deceiving members on purpose?

by wwjdnwt in

i was born into this religion.

i was a jw for well over 30 years.

i did much research before i had internet, i compared bibles and prayed deeply to help me to know if this was the truth.

Lee Elder

The expression Ray Franz coined was "victims of victims". Individuals who have a "crisis of conscience" find themselves in a very precarious spot. I stayed for a few years as a "reformer" but eventually it becomes too heavy of a burden. I would guess that most members sincerely believe their own malarkey.

45

Governing Body, painted in a corner, now what?

by Wasanelder Once in

the governing body have painted themselves in a corner, so to speak.

if they acknowledge their response to abuse claims was insensitive, unloving and inadequate they are denying the belief that "god's way" is best and risk losing abuse cases.

if they stick with it and say it is "god's way according to the bible" they will be seen as cult leaders and risk losing abuse cases.

Lee Elder

I think its a bombshell. There is going to be immediate carnage in terms of people leaving, withdrawing financial support and possibly criminal charges for destroying evidence related to a felony - possibly multiple counts. There is also going to be fallout - making it more difficult to recruit new members. The organization has had years of brain drain and reminds me of a old boxer who has taken too many punches.

6

This misquote makes my blood boil! (Excuse the pun)

by ILoveTTATT2 in

this absolutely upsets me!they always keep doing this garbage, putting people into harm's way by not telling them the whole information!and plus, any blood info from australia is likely biased... the two jw's they hired to manage blood transfusions in australia are doing an excellent job at doing propaganda.

.

Lee Elder

They would like to Jehovah's Witnesses to believe that science fully supports the WTS policy, and they selectively go about sharing only the parts that "tickle their ears".

16

Synthetic Blood in 2 Years? How Will the GB Shoot This Down?

by DarioKehl in

interesting read.

if they already allow "fractions," there's no way they can ban this.. here:www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/nhs-to-give-volunteers-synthetic-blood-made-in-a-laboratory-within-two-years-10343279.html.

Lee Elder

We would welcome that development. That said, however, it would require a substantial reform of the current policy which forbids the use of red cells.

2

A Call for Government Action in Ghana

by Lee Elder in

in a new editorial, "the chronicle" is calling for government action on the jehovah's witness blood policy.

this thread has caught the attention of jw apologists.

i have already responded several times.

Lee Elder

In a new editorial, "The Chronicle" is calling for government action on the Jehovah's Witness blood policy. This thread has caught the attention of JW apologists. I have already responded several times. It would be good if others could also offer some thoughtful comments.

Editorial from "The Chronicle" in Ghana.

39

Jehovah's Witness woman refuses blood, then dies.

by Lee Elder in

another jehovah's witness woman has died while giving birth due to massive blood loss and refusing a blood transfusion.

she leaves nine children behind.

she finally consented to the transfusion but it was too late to save her.

Lee Elder

Another Jehovah's Witness woman has died while giving birth due to massive blood loss and refusing a blood transfusion. She leaves nine children behind. She finally consented to the transfusion but it was too late to save her. http://allafrica.com/stories/201506231495.html