Posts by Pathofthorns

29

Increase in Publishers for Canada

by William Penwell in

jw
friends

just heard today from my parents that a member of the canadian bethel said that there is a 1% increase in publishers from last year.

they made such a big deal of it but when you consider that this increase is mostly from jdub's that have been raised in it and are now starting to publish it is not such a big deal.

i was also told that they mentioned about the dangers of the internet and also about all the lawsuites that the "apostates" are bringing against the organization.

Pathofthorns

Someone had said they were expecting an increase this year. I still believe the fundamentals are too shaky in this country for them to be expressing any optimism.

To have gained only 1% after a mind-blowing event such as 9/11 or re-defining publisher requirements to only 15 minutes is absolutely pathetic.

Despite pockets of fanatical devotion by JW's in this country, for the most part a significant number view the routine as a ritualistic chore and are JW's in name only. The beliefs actually have little impact on their daily life and this appathy is what is destroying them here.

Path

13

Paradise Earth A Very Selfish Idea

by larc in

jw
friends

now according to the witnesses, people will live for ever in a paradise earth.

i think that most of you knew that already.

now, this is a really selfish idea.

Pathofthorns

By your reasoning any couple that chooses not to have children would then be selfish for not passing on life. I guess there are several ways of looking at these things though.

For most of us knowing JW culture, I think it is extremely ignorant of them to presume that they would make up "the nucleus of the new world society". Heaven forbid a whole planet under the direction of JW's.

Path

61

More Pics (2) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Larry in

jw
friends

captions provided by outnfree - much thanks - ll :) bill bowen awarding the first (uh-oh!

what is the official name?

) silentlambs courage award to corrie pandelo in front of 25 columbia heights awards will be given out quarterly to honor those who come forward as survivors or who advocate the protection of children from molestation.

Pathofthorns

Loved the JR Brown/Theocratic warfare sign... Nice pictures and congrats to all who made it.

Path

PS.. Is it just me or does the crowd appear smaller than the 125 persons indicated? Or are some photos being withheld until permission is granted from those in them? Just wondering...

18

An effective approach to the pediphile problem

by kelsey007 in

i thought the idea was to help the victims.

will silent lambs change wt policy?

could happen.

Pathofthorns

Kelsey...

I believe Silentlambs has already had a significant impact on WT policy and has concentrated a significant measure of attention to this issue. I also think that they will meet their objectives at some point in the not too distant future.

It is much easier to focus attention and force an organization to change under extreme pressure than it is to change governments in all 50 American states and countries where JW's have a presence. You also have to keep in mind that both lobbying the government and pressuring the Governing body to change are forbidden by JW standards and that both would be unnecessary if they willingly took these sensible steps.

It defies all logic and common sense that they do not make these needed basic changes - if only to stop the bad publicity. I believe they will make these changes but will do so somewhat quietly and to appear that they have made these changes on their own terms.

While laws may change and even JW policies may change, JW culture lives on for generations and what is inherently wrong and harmful will not disappear through legislation.

Path

16

Canadian trial ends......almost.....thanks to all

by needs_lots in

i wanted to give everyone who came to my trial a great big "thank you".

it was a very difficult 2 and a half weeks.

the support from this board was overwhelming.

Pathofthorns

I'm sure you must be exausted. You did really well and gave them a good fight.

I think you've given the issue good coverage in this country and have managed to make the JW leaders in this country sweat and maybe some elders are starting to think about what sort of accountability their positions might bring.

I really hope the judge will find even a partial judgement in your favour. Too many things went obviously wrong by men who should have known better and done better.

I also hope that no matter what the ultimate outcome is that things will go well for you and your family. Some of us might not have experienced the abuse you suffered but we are all grateful that you did your best to hold them accountable not just for what they did to you, but for many things that weigh heavily on us all.

Good luck vicki

Path

15

NEW Barbara Anderson News Story!

by UnDisfellowshipped in

thursday september 26, 2002 6:40 am .

tullahoma, tenn. (ap) - joe and barbara anderson have been abandoned by their peers.

their son won't talk to them, and won't let them see their 3-year-old grandson.

Pathofthorns

For the first time, Joe and Barbara Anderson say they're reading religious books and trying to draw their own conclusions.
``It's not that we don't believe the Bible or don't believe religion or don't believe God,'' Barbara Anderson said. ``But we're having fun ... having the freedom to look around and to think about it.''

It's sad that such a pleasant ending to the above article is taken to be such a horrible thing among JW's. Heaven forbid they actually read the Bible and commentaries on it and actually started to "think".

Path

Edited by - Pathofthorns on 26 September 2002 13:44:43

35

What is the goal of the silentlambs organization?

by kenpodragon in

jw
friends

i have followed the silentlambs issue for awhile now.

i saw the special on dateline, and read a few things on newspapers and online links.

i have a question though and wonder if someone could answer it for me, as this was asked to me by someone "outside of the organization" and i did not know.. .

Pathofthorns

I think there are objectives that can be publicly stated and I think there are objectives that one needs to read between the lines. The reality is that Silentlambs means different things to the different persons supporting it. So it is wise of Bill to make public statements that encompass the common objectives of everyone while leaving their private agendas to themselves. As far as "harsh responses" to honest questions, I can only say Bill has mellowed alot (smile).

Path

35

What is the goal of the silentlambs organization?

by kenpodragon in

jw
friends

i have followed the silentlambs issue for awhile now.

i saw the special on dateline, and read a few things on newspapers and online links.

i have a question though and wonder if someone could answer it for me, as this was asked to me by someone "outside of the organization" and i did not know.. .

Pathofthorns

I realize what you are saying Ken and I am inclined to agree in principle.

I will say though, that I personally feel the WT has created a harmful culture and permits it to exist. Yes it is legal and it might not be breaking laws but that doesn't make it ethical and I strongly believe if it's members were truly free to investigate the broader picture without reprisals that a significant number would not be happy about things.

I support certain efforts whose goal at least is in part to present the facts to JW's, to make the organization a safer place for JW's and to bring justice to those who have been harmed by the WT's policies and advice. I admit I am uncomfortable that my support of Silentlambs includes a broader agenda of mine than that of just protecting children and changing policies. I realize that this issue has been particularly effective in exposing the WT and that it has advanced bad publicity against the WT on the backs of extremely sensitive and fragile people. I don't feel good about this at all and I am not sure if my position is ethical either but am hoping the end justifies the means. In other words, I don't care for the tactics but don't see any other viable options at the present time.

Path

44

'Prepare for Banning' A HOAX! READ INSIDE

by ashitaka in

jw
friends

my friend called me last night and said that his mother heard a letter read on monday night at her congregation meeting that said that the rank and file should be prepared to be banned, to go underground, and persecution is coming soon, that halls would be taken, and such.

that these things are definitely coming soon.

could this be the spin that the wt is heading towards.....instead of facing the hard issues, make the issues the boogeyman and shut down the halls, giving the elders ultimate power?

Pathofthorns

This shows just how much the member's minds have been conditioned to believe absolutely anything. It also is a good reminder for us to be cautious about running away with half a story because many of here (including me) are too inclined to believe anything sensationally negative regarding the WT.

Path

35

What is the goal of the silentlambs organization?

by kenpodragon in

jw
friends

i have followed the silentlambs issue for awhile now.

i saw the special on dateline, and read a few things on newspapers and online links.

i have a question though and wonder if someone could answer it for me, as this was asked to me by someone "outside of the organization" and i did not know.. .

Pathofthorns

I would say if they corrected every procedure that was wrong with them, they would cease to exist since these things to a large extent define what they are. If you correct everything wrong with this religion you have nothing left, or certainly nothing that makes them everything they have claimed to be.

In addition, change in effect says we were wrong, or we were negligent which opens them to lawsuits and settlements. They could make changes but it would cost them dearly. It would seem they would rather the human costs than the financial ones.

I would have liked to see them make an effort to change when these things have been brought to their attention. I realize such changes would come at a price but it would be the right thing to do for a group that supposedly cared about the welfare of it's members. Their inaction or reluctance to make positive changes speaks volumes about their hearts.

Path