like soft+gentle, i just finished reading the trial transcript.
during the process of digesting what i read, i was reminded of a concept that i learned, ironically, during a phone conversation with an elder in the service department.
i dont remember what the issue was that i was calling about but i do remember him mentioning the concept of a "realm of confidentiality.
DNCall: The notion that even a repentant child abuser might be offended if he found out that the parents had been warned by the elders, and that he might sue the Watchtower for slander, is simply absurd.
When a person commits a crime they lose certain rights. Also, truth is an absolute defense to slander.
The priorities of the WTBTS are all messed up. The only thing they care about is protecting their precious organization.
addressing the false claim that jehovah's witnesses do not think "independently.. .
http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2013/02/addressing-false-claim-that-jehovahs.html#.
from a wt apologist.. .
Because these quotes say we must reject 'independent thinking' it is NOT referring to' independent research' or 'independent reasoning.'"
How is Independent Thinking different from Independent Reasoning?
Don't worry. I don't expect an answer. That would require thought.
she was prevented from going to the authorities?
details of the policy have been published in jehovah's witnesses' publications and press releases issued by their office of public information.
if there is evidence to suggest that the alleged perpetrator did abuse children, congregation duties are suspended.[8].
The strength of Wikipedia is that anyone can edit; the weakness of Wikipedia is that anyone can edit.
Trying to bring balance to a controversial, biased article on WP is an exercise in futility. In many ways WP is a MUD.
If you think you get frustrated by some of the users here, prepare for a whole new level of frustration.
here's a few guesses.... the brooklyn waterfront is a convenient place for the society to make their videosgrowing up as a jw when your friends have cellphones and you don't is "kind of rough" and a "kind of sad story"suddenly it's ok for jw youths to "go out" with worldly friends?
?you should listen to what your "peers" say, so long as they're jws on a society video.
anything else is peer pressure.playing by yourself with a frisbee is the preferred sport for young people (no teams or competition involved)young jws don't have a clue how to communicate with the opposite sex via text messages"it's really up to you how you choose to communicate with this wonderful tool that you have"... even though it clearly isn't.the society's video-making department are already running out of ideashttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se_iuspg_14.
frankiespeakin: the Governing Body are trying to stem the tide by making this video on not text messaging the opposite sex with expression of romantic nature.
Because, evidently, texting leads to fornication! It's a gateway drug.
here's a few guesses.... the brooklyn waterfront is a convenient place for the society to make their videosgrowing up as a jw when your friends have cellphones and you don't is "kind of rough" and a "kind of sad story"suddenly it's ok for jw youths to "go out" with worldly friends?
?you should listen to what your "peers" say, so long as they're jws on a society video.
anything else is peer pressure.playing by yourself with a frisbee is the preferred sport for young people (no teams or competition involved)young jws don't have a clue how to communicate with the opposite sex via text messages"it's really up to you how you choose to communicate with this wonderful tool that you have"... even though it clearly isn't.the society's video-making department are already running out of ideashttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se_iuspg_14.
On the meaning of "Normal." A Primer for the WTBTS:
here's a few guesses.... the brooklyn waterfront is a convenient place for the society to make their videosgrowing up as a jw when your friends have cellphones and you don't is "kind of rough" and a "kind of sad story"suddenly it's ok for jw youths to "go out" with worldly friends?
?you should listen to what your "peers" say, so long as they're jws on a society video.
anything else is peer pressure.playing by yourself with a frisbee is the preferred sport for young people (no teams or competition involved)young jws don't have a clue how to communicate with the opposite sex via text messages"it's really up to you how you choose to communicate with this wonderful tool that you have"... even though it clearly isn't.the society's video-making department are already running out of ideashttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se_iuspg_14.
OTWO is right about the WTBTS leaders wanting to appear normal. I think there's a scripture or two about that somewhere ...
“Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to ? YOU ? in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits ? YOU ? will recognize them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they? Likewise every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit; a good tree cannot bear worthless fruit, neither can a rotten tree produce fine fruit. Every tree not producing fine fruit gets cut down and thrown into the fire. Really, then, by their fruits ? YOU ? will recognize those [men]. - Matthew 7:15-20
or this one:
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps transforming himself into an angel of light. It is therefore nothing great if his ministers also keep transforming themselves into ministers of righteousness. But their end shall be according to their works. - 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
THOUGHT EXPERIMENT: Try picture Stephen Lett appearing "normal." It's impossible, you can't do it. Nope, nope, no way, no how. It ain't gonna' happen!
The harder they TRY to appear normal, the more abnormal they reveal themselves to be!
00DAD
here's a few guesses.... the brooklyn waterfront is a convenient place for the society to make their videosgrowing up as a jw when your friends have cellphones and you don't is "kind of rough" and a "kind of sad story"suddenly it's ok for jw youths to "go out" with worldly friends?
?you should listen to what your "peers" say, so long as they're jws on a society video.
anything else is peer pressure.playing by yourself with a frisbee is the preferred sport for young people (no teams or competition involved)young jws don't have a clue how to communicate with the opposite sex via text messages"it's really up to you how you choose to communicate with this wonderful tool that you have"... even though it clearly isn't.the society's video-making department are already running out of ideashttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se_iuspg_14.
I for one was very glad to learn that cell phones are more than just phones. I did not that, no, no, no, I did not.
For example, before watching this highly informative video I did not know that cell phones are also a GPS, a computer, and that you can send email and text messages! This was new information to me. Fortunately I was able to watch this amazing video presentation on my laptop streaming it over wi-fi network.
Jehovah's Organization really keeps us up-to-date with the latest cutting edge technology. Praise be Jehovah for yet even more New Light! I better get me some Theocratic Sunglasses.
(BTW, Can someone please tell me what a GPS is?)
I am happy to report that I always watch what I text to the opposite sex. In fact, I watch EVERYTHING I text. I know some people can text without looking, but I gotta' look! (BTW, when did "text" become a verb?)
I admit it. I deliberately try to stir up emotions when I send text messages. My wife loves it when I send her little text messages like, "I miss you!" or "I love you" or "I can't wait to taste your sweet kisses!" Does that make me wicked?
I am confused though?!? If it's really up to me on how I choose to communicate with this wonderful tool, then why bother making a JW-PSA telling me anything about it?
It's beginning to feel like there's a creepy little passive-agressive subtext or something going on here. Maybe it's just me ... but then again that police siren at the end was a little creepy. What was the subliminal message there?
I'm just sayin' is all!
00DAD
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Quendi,
There's not much I can add to what either BOC or Irondork wrote, great comments from both.
I do think Irondork might be on to something about some possible jealously there. He may also be jealous that you're living a life he wishes he could live. That has nothing to do with he sexuality, just that fact that he is still a captive and knows it, hiding a big part of his life.
Give him some time. You've been friends a long time and he might need to digest this news.
00DAD
some people recently raised concerns about security of the site relating to whether forum members could be watchtower plants trying to obtain information about people.
apparently, this was because a previous forum that was setup was either owned by or later handed over to someone who used it to collect personal information about people which was then used to harrass them.
i don't know all the details, i'm just paraphrasing what i've heard and recognize that it's a concern to some people.. i want to first of all put people's minds at rest: i've been running this site for what will be 13 years next month.
Simon: if you receive PMs that you think are attempts to probe for information please let me know so I can investigate.
Thanks for this post. I really appreciate it. You have a PM
00DAD
in my area, i am labeled an 'active apostate', among other things i am sure.
i live in a very small town, and bump into elders who hate me beyond words.
if they could, i am sure they would gladly stone me before the entire villiage while chanting 'apostate, apostate.'.
"When are you coming back? We miss abusing you! You were our favorite."
