Posts by Anders Andersen

4

Youtube (English subs) Dutch Government debate on JW Child Sexual Abuse

by jochie in

child sexual abuse within the jehovah's witnesses' community was on the agenda of a meeting by dutch representatives.

this is an editing of that meeting (only the relevant parts on jw) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7r_8blcw7q.

Anders Andersen

Thank you for translating and sharing!

14

So you're worried about the Big A, or the North Korean bombs? Sorry everyone, Japan is the one that has likely screwed us all.

by fulltimestudent in

jw
friends

heard much lately, about the fukushima nuclear disaster in japan?.

that is until earlier today when i found this article from last year, with dr. helen caldicott discussing the chernobyl disaster and fukushima.

she believes fukushima is uncontrollable and there is absolutely nothing anyone can do about it.. read the article: .

Anders Andersen

Skimming through the list of articles on that first website you refer to it appears to me as a somewhat sophisticated clickbait/conspiracy theory type website, not a reputable news source.

No doubt watching the video with the dear paediatrician doctor who has anti-nuclear books to sell would only confirm that feeling.

8

Late Night Show in the Netherlands - item about sexual absue and JWs

by jochie in

https://vimeo.com/256187135late night show in the netherlands, broadcasted 8 february 2018item about child sexual abuse within community of jehovah's witnessesenglish subtitles included.

i.

Anders Andersen

@RPT,

Regional radio and TV station RTV Noord has done several items on radio and TV as well. Not sure about others.
https://www.rtvnoord.nl/zoeken?query=reclaimed%20voices

And then there was the avalanche of newpaper/news site articles.

And still more to come.

The General Assembly (Tweede Kamer) will review the report of last week's meeting.
The Ministry of Justice will talk to JW leaders again.
A commission will investigate them.
The DA has been requested to go and collect the files from the JW.
Thirteen victims have already demanded their abuse case files from the JW.

All things that will generate more attention, more news....and hopefully, and most importantly: change for the better.

113

No Bible = No God?

by menrov in

some doubt about the bible completely, some partially.

what if the bible turns out to be a product of humans, nothing divine.

would you still believe in a creator?.

Anders Andersen

@menrov,

Fair enough. Works for me :-)

I believe there is a creator, as I think that design of a living thing is too complex to just have started.

This used to be my reasoning as well. Right until I realized that this creator would be 'living thing' having a 'too complex design' it/him/her/themself/ves.

To me it appears to be a reductio ad absurdum: life is too complex to come into existence by itself or from non-living matter (or non-living non-material 'things'), thus it needs a (living) creator. This creator is a form of life....thus...it also needs a creator....and so on and so on ad infinitum.

Or we must conclude the premise "life is too complex to come into existence by itself" is incorrect to start with?

Applying it to all forms of life except the creator would be special pleading.

Well, each person has their own thoughts about all that. As long as we're kind to each other I don't care :-D

8

Late Night Show in the Netherlands - item about sexual absue and JWs

by jochie in

https://vimeo.com/256187135late night show in the netherlands, broadcasted 8 february 2018item about child sexual abuse within community of jehovah's witnessesenglish subtitles included.

i.

Anders Andersen

Thanks for sharing jochie. Also thank you for all the time and effort you're putting into this. It must have quite an impact on your personal life to go public like this.

@D-sis, yeah I noticed the crosses as well. But to me much more important is the way Raymond and Nico behaved themselves during the interview. They were calm, respectful, and nobody can rightfully claim their words are hate-driven lies.

113

No Bible = No God?

by menrov in

some doubt about the bible completely, some partially.

what if the bible turns out to be a product of humans, nothing divine.

would you still believe in a creator?.

Anders Andersen

@menrov

Would you still believe in a creator?
I would.

I'm wondering if you are really able to set aside your Bible-induced preconceptions about this topic?

What kind of creator would you believe in?

A Yahweh-type of creator: one spiritual all powerful, all knowing being that is separate from creation, minus the Bible myths about his actions interaction with humans?

Or a creator deity as part of a pantheon of multiple or many deities?

Or would it be that creator and creation are one: the creator is creation and the creation is the creator?

Or would it be a race of other-dimensional aliens who simply created our universe in a lab?

There are many ideas out there about creator deities. I wonder if you simply stick to the idea your most familiar with?

25

Dutch JW to be investigated by government-appointed commission

by Anders Andersen in

today a government meeting re.

child abuse & jw was held.

see this post.

Anders Andersen

I wonder if the DA office is aware that ALL cases of internal abuse have already had details recorded and shared with Bethel on the S-?? forms (as per WT instructions) ?

The Reclaimed Voices Foundation is doing an excellent job at informing all of the public, the House of Representatives, and the DA office. Rest assured that the DA are very well informed of JW policies and practices.

25

Dutch JW to be investigated by government-appointed commission

by Anders Andersen in

today a government meeting re.

child abuse & jw was held.

see this post.

Anders Andersen

Today a government meeting re. child abuse & JW was held. See this post

Yesterday, the minister for Protection of Legal Justice sent this letter to the House of Representatives. In this letter, he states he thinks it is important an independent investigation into JW child abuse issues is conducted:

With this letter I respond to the request of your House [of Representatives] [dated] 13 February 2018 for a written response for the general consultation on child pornography about the treatment of sexual violence within the community of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Sexual violence is unacceptable and has a major impact on victims. I think it is very important that victims of sexual violence are acknowledged for the suffering they have experienced and have access to the right care and support. Victims deserve support from their environment when reporting the unwanted sexual behavior to the police and when seeking help and support.
Reports in the media have shown that victims of sexual violence within the JW community did not receive support in reporting the incidents to the police or professional support agencies. It appears that reports of abuse are preferably solved in the community internally. I think this is very disturbing.
The DA's office is very alert to signals of sexual abuse from the Jehovah's community. To be able to start an investigation, it is important that victims report to the police. The DA's office does not want to involve a victim in criminal proceedings against his or her will, for that can be damaging again (secondary victimization). In addition, it is extremely difficult to start a criminal investigation in a sexual abuse case if the victim does not cooperate. The DA's office can and will act in the event of acute danger connected to the suspicion of abuse. I also note that in individual cases the decision to prosecute or not are to be made by the DA's office.
Both employees of my department and the police and DA's office have held discussions with representatives of the Reclaimed Voices Foundation. The Foundation received about 200 reports of victims in the few months of its existence. Insofar as victims have said something about the severity of the abuse, it is indicated that this varies from light to heavy forms of sexual abuse. The Foundation informs me that no current abuse cases are known. According to the Foundation, the most recent cases reported date from a few years ago. The Foundation has indicated that in the past 12 cases have been reported to the police. This has led to convictions in 3 cases. At present, there are no active cases with the police and the DA's office, although the lawyer of the Foundation indicates these will follow. *I call on all victims and those involved who seek help to report to the police** or to emergency services such as 'Victim Support Netherlands', 'Safe Home' and the Center for Sexual Violence. I also advised the Foundation to relay this advice to the victims who contact the Foundation.
In addition to the DA's office's criminal prosecution route, employees of my department are in consultation with the board of the Jehovah's Witnesses, in which the JW board is called to act in order to prevent sexual abuse and to support victims in reporting abuse. I have informed your House [of Representatives] about this by letter of 12 December. My serious concerns about sexual abuse have been communicated to the [JW] board members. I want them to take measures to prevent sexual abuse and that victims are encouraged to report to police or professional support services. In addition, it is important the suffering caused to victims if [officially] acknowledged. It has been agreed with the [JW] board that in the next meeting, taking place on 21 February 2018, they will show how they will give substance to this. In this second meeting with the [JW] board, I will emphasize that the community must take measures to promote a culture of openness and transparency. In this respect, I consider it important that an independent investigation be conducted[2] so that justice can be done to the suffering of the victims. I will inform the House [of Representatives] of the results of the second interview with the board of the Jehovah's.
The Minister for Protection of Legal Justice,
Sander Dekker

Source (Dutch)

Notes:

[1] Today 13 victims of abuse within JW have demanded JW to hand over the files of their abuse cases. In addition, Reclaimed Voices has requested the DA's office to demand all files on sexual abuse from JW. Link to news item in Dutch

[2] Today, during an official committee meeting of the House of Representatives, the minister explained that this investigation into the JW must be headed by a non-JW outsider, a heavy-weight (such as a former minister or secretary of state) who will make sure the investigation is conducted impartially and unbiased.

18

Dutch government to discuss JW abuse issue Thursday 15 feb between 10.00 and 13.00 [live stream]

by Anders Andersen in

thursday 15 februari 2018, between 10.00 and 13.00, a committee of the dutch house of representatives will discuss jw child abuse issues during a public meeting.. for those who speak dutch, you can follow along:.

program: https://www.tweedekamer.nl/debat_en_vergadering/commissievergaderingen/details?id=2018a00016.

live stream (video): https://www.tweedekamer.nl/vergaderingen/livedebat/groen-van-prinstererzaal.

Anders Andersen

@FastJehu,

Jochie's link is a direct link to the correct recording.
My link is to the general page with recordings. A direct link was not available at the time of my posting.

18

Dutch government to discuss JW abuse issue Thursday 15 feb between 10.00 and 13.00 [live stream]

by Anders Andersen in

thursday 15 februari 2018, between 10.00 and 13.00, a committee of the dutch house of representatives will discuss jw child abuse issues during a public meeting.. for those who speak dutch, you can follow along:.

program: https://www.tweedekamer.nl/debat_en_vergadering/commissievergaderingen/details?id=2018a00016.

live stream (video): https://www.tweedekamer.nl/vergaderingen/livedebat/groen-van-prinstererzaal.

Anders Andersen

JW leader will have another discussion with the Minister of Justice next week. The Minister is serious about the topic; he won't let them get off easy.