i googled my childhood best friend that i grew up with in the cult.
he's my age and has shunned me for the past 4 years despite my efforts to reach out to him.today, i noticed a listing online that states he is a director of his congregation.
i suppose only elders can fill this position (he wasn't an elder when i was a jw).
In my jurisdiction every corporation has to appoint directors, it is mandatory and not something for shallow appearance. We routinely pull the corporate records for all new customers to ensure directors are signing our legal paperwork. If not, we have an Officer's Certificate done up wherein a director can appoint another signing authority to bind the corporation.
Nothing to see here.
i was something like 20-21 and there was this young sister, maybe 16 who i happened to like back in the day ... uh oh ...we met in the summer convention because i made the first move while she was playing board games with her friend.
we kept in touch via skype and text messages because lived kinda far from each other.
eventually her mother heard of the stuff and said to her daughter that the chatting must stop.... well, when two people have a little crush on one another, it sure doesn't.
The bottom line.... Underage is illegal. Against the law regardless of the "cultural norms" of the JW cult.
The conversation keeps equivocating on this point. Is the issue the law, in which case you have to consider the location of the OP and whether the young lady was 16 or 15, or is the issue what is acceptable, normal, and not creepy?
I think the pertinent issue is the creepy factor. When the law is brought up, you have to be willing to accept that US law on such things as alcohol consumption, gun ownership, or the age of consent (which varies by state, anyway) is not somehow the moral yardstick for the rest of humanity. America is pretty damn important, but not THAT important.
i was something like 20-21 and there was this young sister, maybe 16 who i happened to like back in the day ... uh oh ...we met in the summer convention because i made the first move while she was playing board games with her friend.
we kept in touch via skype and text messages because lived kinda far from each other.
eventually her mother heard of the stuff and said to her daughter that the chatting must stop.... well, when two people have a little crush on one another, it sure doesn't.
There is a wide gulf of experience, emotional and intellectual maturity. I mean, what's he going to do, help her with her math homework?
That made me laugh... so true.
i was something like 20-21 and there was this young sister, maybe 16 who i happened to like back in the day ... uh oh ...we met in the summer convention because i made the first move while she was playing board games with her friend.
we kept in touch via skype and text messages because lived kinda far from each other.
eventually her mother heard of the stuff and said to her daughter that the chatting must stop.... well, when two people have a little crush on one another, it sure doesn't.
Pedophile?
Or how to ensure the original poster dismisses your otherwise well thought out post. That last insult was uncalled for and completely invalid for the situation under discussion.
i was something like 20-21 and there was this young sister, maybe 16 who i happened to like back in the day ... uh oh ...we met in the summer convention because i made the first move while she was playing board games with her friend.
we kept in touch via skype and text messages because lived kinda far from each other.
eventually her mother heard of the stuff and said to her daughter that the chatting must stop.... well, when two people have a little crush on one another, it sure doesn't.
i was something like 20-21 and there was this young sister, maybe 16 who i happened to like back in the day ... uh oh ...we met in the summer convention because i made the first move while she was playing board games with her friend.
we kept in touch via skype and text messages because lived kinda far from each other.
eventually her mother heard of the stuff and said to her daughter that the chatting must stop.... well, when two people have a little crush on one another, it sure doesn't.
I agree, the effects can be devastating. I've also seen it first hand.
16 is ok, why not 15? The kid we are talking about might be 16. Why not 14, it's only the difference of a year. Could we push for 13?
Doesn't the same logic work with any other age? If 18 is ok, why not 17?
Anyway, I never made any of the laws, I'm just a Bubble Puppy. I told you that I find the 1/2 age plus 7 to be reasonable guide. I'm not defending the different laws or societal norms, just pointing out what they are.
Don't get all mad at the JWs for child molestation on a young teenager when at the same time you are ok with someone playing with this sort of fire.
Um, are you talking to me or is this meant for another poster?
i was something like 20-21 and there was this young sister, maybe 16 who i happened to like back in the day ... uh oh ...we met in the summer convention because i made the first move while she was playing board games with her friend.
we kept in touch via skype and text messages because lived kinda far from each other.
eventually her mother heard of the stuff and said to her daughter that the chatting must stop.... well, when two people have a little crush on one another, it sure doesn't.
Big difference between legal and "perfectly acceptable" cognac!
But, yes, what you call child molestation is perfectly legal in many other countries. In some, it is even perfectly acceptable. I'm sorry this is upsetting, is this new information for you?
It seems you are incorrect about the US age of consent laws. What is perfectly legal in Washington state and Nevada is a sex crime in California and Oregon.
i was something like 20-21 and there was this young sister, maybe 16 who i happened to like back in the day ... uh oh ...we met in the summer convention because i made the first move while she was playing board games with her friend.
we kept in touch via skype and text messages because lived kinda far from each other.
eventually her mother heard of the stuff and said to her daughter that the chatting must stop.... well, when two people have a little crush on one another, it sure doesn't.
GrownMidget,
You are right, morality and the law are not the same thing. The age limit is 16 in Canada, too, so a 16 year old with a 50 year old is perfectly legal here too.
But, as you say, "socially acceptable or not...."... feelings about social acceptance influence how a parent reacts. It can also depend on the maturity and experience of the youth and on the family's sense of morality. I simply don't have enough information to condemn either yourself or the parents. As Simon said, though, parents often err on the side of protection and that is good thing. Therefore, without condemning anyone, I'd answer your original question with a, "likely not".
i was something like 20-21 and there was this young sister, maybe 16 who i happened to like back in the day ... uh oh ...we met in the summer convention because i made the first move while she was playing board games with her friend.
we kept in touch via skype and text messages because lived kinda far from each other.
eventually her mother heard of the stuff and said to her daughter that the chatting must stop.... well, when two people have a little crush on one another, it sure doesn't.
i was something like 20-21 and there was this young sister, maybe 16 who i happened to like back in the day ... uh oh ...we met in the summer convention because i made the first move while she was playing board games with her friend.
we kept in touch via skype and text messages because lived kinda far from each other.
eventually her mother heard of the stuff and said to her daughter that the chatting must stop.... well, when two people have a little crush on one another, it sure doesn't.
If you are 20 or 21 it is illegal to have relations with someone under 18 in the US? That is surprising. I was under the impression age laws were state by state and that some have age proximity exceptions, like we do in Canada.
At any rate, this doesn't speak to the OP's range of 15 to 21. In Canada the age is 16 nationally with a 5 year close in age exception, so it is near the border depending on the exact ages.
I've always thought the half your age plus 7 rule captures the limits of creepiness fairly well. 14<>14, 18<>16, 20<>17, 24<>19, 46<>30 My brother in law, however, is in his mid 20's and has a long term relationship with a gent approaching 60. Seems like a good relationship, so there are exceptions, just not on the low end.
