Posts by Spiderman

16

To the owner of Silentlambs website

by Spiderman in

jw
friends

hello sir,.

i am very interested in your work.

i have read through your website and cried at some of the stories told.

Spiderman

While I respect Bill's intentions to protect children, I still remain unclear how mandatory reporting of these allegations to the authorities respects a victim's right to their dignity if they feel too embarrassed over what happened or if it is their desire not to testify in court. I realize that it is extremely important to get child molesters out of society, but prosecuting these individuals and protecting other children must be balanced with the protecting of the mental and emotional health of the victims.

You have a very good point there. I did not think of it from that angle. You are right, the wishes of the victim must be taken into account.

I believe the Society's stating clearly they will not discourage victims of abuse from going to the authorities was a significant step.

I agree.

I also would like to see CONVICTED molesters banned from the door to door work. While a convicted molester is required to work only with an elder, this still does not sit well with me and neither would it with the public. Anyone being investigated by the authorities for crimes of this nature should have all "privileges" suspended until proven innocent of the charges.

After meditating on your statement here, I have to agree. It is very dangerous as we meet all kinds of people, older ones, women, and even children at the doors. I know that, personally, I would not appreciate a child molestor coming to my door, even if he is with an elder.

I don't know if anyone has mentioned it before, but i believe a major problem is Christianity itself and the teachings that all sins can be forgiven on the basis of Christ's sacrifice. While I respect people's right to believe this, this particular doctrine appears to present a conflict in the Church. Since Christ's sacrifice supposedly covers over the most horrible of crimes, how does the Church deal with "forgiving" these men who have been convicted of abuse crimes and served their sentences?

I don't see it as a problem. Jesus gave his life so that all our sins can be forgiven, but even if we are forgiven, we must face the consequences of our actions. Jehovah balances his perfect love with justice. Even in judicial cases, an unrepentant sinner is said to be disfellowshipped as a protection to the flock. Jesus sacrifice would cover that sin, if the person was to eventually show repentance. Even at that, Jehovah's flock would have to be protected. This is the case of a molestor. Reform is possible, repentance of course would have to be shown and Jesus sacrifice would cover the sin, but the congregation must still be protected from the sinners tendencies.

16

To the owner of Silentlambs website

by Spiderman in

jw
friends

hello sir,.

i am very interested in your work.

i have read through your website and cried at some of the stories told.

Spiderman

Thank you for your response. You letter was very good and you explained your purpose well. I agree with your three suggestions:

1. If a child is molested call the police first.

This would be very good as it would scare potential pedophiles. The current policy, I believe, is that they need to call the legal department first. This is good and in many states, the elder calling is adviced that the authorities should be contacted. I think the elders instruct the molestor to turn himself in within a short period of time, if he does not then they must contact the authorities themselves. This should be done not only in every state of the USA, but in every country.

2. No brother or sister who molests children should be allowed privileges in the congregation.

This is a very good suggestion and as you noted on your letter to the GB, the '97 Watchtower said this same thing. I think the other letters you refer to where instructions to the body of elders so that they would examine and weigh each case separately instead of making one huge rule. I strongly agree that the instructions given in the '97 Watchtower should be followed.

3. No brother or sister who molests children should be allowed to go in the door-to-door ministry.

I agree with you on this one, but as I was examining some scriptures where Jesus gives everyone the responsiblity of preaching the good news, I don't see how the organization could ban someone from preaching, unless of course they were disfellowshipped. Your suggestion is clear, but would it include a ban on informal witnessing also? I think setting a rule of that magnitude would confusion. Also, Jesus never held the past of one of his dissiples against them if they had changed their ways. I am reminded of some of the prostitutes and other sinners that came to him. He did not forbid them from preaching the good news. Of course I can see where a child molestor is more than a sinner, since there could be some mental problems involved. Indeed, it is a tough call for the GB to make.

Once again, I thank you for your post. I hope you accomplish your goals and that you find peace in your heart and conscience. Meanwhile, as one of Jehovah's Witnesses I will continue to give my support and help to the victims within the organization. I have had some interesting conversations with some of the elders in my congregation and the circuit and these have been very positive. I've humbly shared my views on the molestation issues and all have listened to what I have to say.

A friend in the inside,

Spiderman

16

To the owner of Silentlambs website

by Spiderman in

jw
friends

hello sir,.

i am very interested in your work.

i have read through your website and cried at some of the stories told.

Spiderman

Hello sir,

I am very interested in your work. I have read through your website and cried at some of the stories told. It really hit home. My wife was sexually molested at an early age by an older sister in the congregation. She never told anyone but myself, but even after twenty-five years I can still see her pain as she sometimes recalls that molestation. She never told her parents, nor the elders as she was embarrassed. Although the molestation only happened once, it had a profound effect on her.

I understand that the organization has made some improvements in the way they handle child molestors and abusers. My question is simple, what more could be accomplished?

What are your goals as you continue your work? Could you outline the changes that would satisfy you and the victims of abuse?

I await sincerely your response. I would like to share your response with my wife and see what she thinks.

Thank you in advance for taking time to answer these questions.

26

I need help really bad!!!

by joelbear in

jw
friends

i am having a complete mental breakdown.. my nerve endings on the right side of my body are burning all the time.

i can't face the stress and the pain.. i can't sleep, i can't rest.

i can't think.. i don't know what to do.. please help me.. joel

Spiderman

Mr. Joel:

Hi, I'm new here, but I am very worried about you. Your words sound like you are suffering from depression. Have you been to a doctor about this? I have a very good friend that was diagnosed as Bipolar which is a new word for Chronic Depression.

Sometimes it is hard to find a good Doctor that will listen to you, even a psychiatrist might be necessary. Don't look at that as something bad, but as needed help. If you want to talk to someone in private, please use my email link.

Your new friend,

Spiderman

37

Hello, I am new here...

by Spiderman in

jw
friends

i am from barcelona, spain and i recently bought a computer and got on the internet.

i was searching for jehovah's witnesses as i am one of them.

i found this site.

Spiderman

Puede un Testigo de Jehova ser amigos y tener amistades con personas fuera de su religion?

Yo creo que sí. En mi caso tengo muy buenas amistades con algunos que trabajan conmigo. Tengo muchos familiares no testigos que son muy buenas personas. Pero la verdad es que los testigos de Jehova muchas veces estan tan ocupados con su vida teocratica (llendo a las reuniones y tomando tiempo para la predicacion) que no tienen mucho tiempo libre para asociarse con personas no testigos. Claro esta que uno tiene que tener cuidado con quien se asocia, testigo o no-testigo.

37

Hello, I am new here...

by Spiderman in

jw
friends

i am from barcelona, spain and i recently bought a computer and got on the internet.

i was searching for jehovah's witnesses as i am one of them.

i found this site.

Spiderman

Prisila: mucho gusto, soy de Barcelona. Puedes hacer la "ñ" usando "Alt" + "164" y walla la famosa ñ. Alt + 165 = Ñ.

37

Hello, I am new here...

by Spiderman in

jw
friends

i am from barcelona, spain and i recently bought a computer and got on the internet.

i was searching for jehovah's witnesses as i am one of them.

i found this site.

Spiderman

Six, I see how your experiences would be of value.

AjaxMan, thanks for your welcome, I'm happy that you know castillean, you know that it's the real spanish, right? LOL. By the way, have you noticed Barcelona's team? Ajax might me in trouble.

brutalbee: you said "You're really catching on fast.", thanks but I must give credit to the creator of this forum. When I registered there is a link with a tutorial on how to use the code used in this forum such as

, etc...
Adonai: Thank you for your kind words, I will keep them in mind. I do love Jehovah very much as he has blessed me in many ways.
TS: Interesting question you ask. Please do not take my comments as an insult as that is not my intention.
You say:
Please explain where in the bible it is stated "Satan was once an angel and part of Jehovah's invisible organization in heaven." I cannot find reference to it.
You will be able to find the answer in the book of Ezequiel.
You also asked:
what do you hope to accomplish here by telling 'both sides of the story', since you too are being led by men (because I know that God doesn't write the WT and AWAKE)?
I think the problem with this question is that you are assuming that I am a follower of men. I am not, I follow the one and only true God Almighty Jehovah and his son Jesus. I make a sincere effort in everyday life to follow in the footsteps of our savior. When I am confronted with decisions I do not ask myself, "what would the GB do in this situation?", but I ask myself "what would JesusChrist do in this situation?". This is what guides me in life. I have seen many bad men and women inside the organization, but since I am not a follower men, it does not cause me to be stumbled. I always wait and allow Jehovah to guide me as my loving father.
Now to answer your question directly, I hope to accomplish what I said at first, just to give my opinion from inside Jehovah's organization.
Valis: You picture looks very painful, LOL, I could never do something like that, I guess I'm a wimp. I will also keep your words in mind and try not to preach from my bound volumes, but from my heart and soul.
og: I will look at the site later, thanks.

22

WHY DID GOD CREATE WOMEN BEAUTIFUL BUT DUMB?

by new boy in

jw
friends

its easy "beautiful so that men would love them!

and dumb so that they would love men!".

but the real question why does the society love their people dumb?.

Spiderman

BUT the real question why does the SOCIETY love their people DUMB?
Of all of the Jws who were raised in the tooth, What % have a"higher Education?"

I would like to say that just because someone was not able to graduate from a University, that it doesn't make that person dumb. I have known many men and women that did not even have a full education, many attending school only until 5th or 6th grade, yet they were very smart people. Some were very good readers, that is, they read and educated themselves.

Higher education, such as a university, does create opportunities but it doesn't necessarily make you smart. In my line of work, I meet many professionals that are not too bright, yet they have bachelor degrees.

I think the organization has slowly modernized itself and is encouraging young ones to pursue some sort of extra education after high school, being a university, junior college or technical school now adays.

12

The only wedding vendor that ripped us off.....

by LDH in

jw
friends

was a jw.. i know i've posted this before (at the start of the forum)but thought you newbies would enjoy.. ~~~~~~~~.

about three years ago hubby and i got married.

we live in california, got married in pawley's island, south carolina.

Spiderman

Hi, I have had problems with JW and non-JW workers before. I don't think that just because someone is a JW, that it immediately makes them trustworthy. I think when hiring someone for such a delicate job, as pictures in a wedding is, that caution must be taken. I never choose just one, I usually try to interview the people and then I make a choice. Word of mouth suggestions are good. Samples would be nice also to decide if their work is appropiate.

I'm sorry you had trouble with the photographer. Of course the bad example of one JW in your wedding does not speak for the many honest and hard working JWs around the earth.

But it does serve as a good reminder to be careful with who we hire for such a memorable event.

37

Hello, I am new here...

by Spiderman in

jw
friends

i am from barcelona, spain and i recently bought a computer and got on the internet.

i was searching for jehovah's witnesses as i am one of them.

i found this site.

Spiderman

Thank you all for the welcome.

You know, maybe have a round-table discussion with us on this forum, or something like that.

I think the GB does have discussions winthin the body and also they take into consideration letters from the field, that is from District and Circuit Overseers. I doubt they will ever come to discuss Witness issues in this forum Six.

Are you sure you can handle coming here or are you going to use your spider sense to ward off apostate reasoning?

sleepy, that's a funny one.

You say that people "were stumbled by man", when at the same time these men are part of "god's visible organization on earth". You can't have it both ways - God's visible organization on earth composed of men, and people being hurt, not by god's organization, but a man.

Well, let's put it this way. According to the Bible, Satan was once an angel and part of Jehovah's invisible organization in heaven. Yet, he did stumble Adam and Eve. Although Jehovah can control everything and everyone, he chooses not to. In today's organization here on earth, men inside the religion cause others to stumble. Jesus gave warning about this happening in the last days.

How could I conscientiously remain associated with an organization that is dishonest?

Alan thanks for your welcome and I understand your decision. Is it not true that sometimes as human beings we look too much into human error and attribute that error to God? Do you still believe in the Bible and that Jehovah is the one true God Almighty?

Is your signature from "As Good As it Gets" with Jack Nicholson?

You got it right, Francois. That is a beautiful movie. I enjoyed it very much, one of my favorites.

When I was a kid, I loved Spiderman, and I am looking forward to the new flick. I hope it's as good as the actual comic and the cartoons that used to air.

I do too, DB. From the previews it's going to be very good. According to their website, it comes out May 3rd, but I think only in the USA.

TS, thanks for your comments and I will keep your thoughts in mind as I post in this forum.

Why don't you tell the elders in you congregation that you are visiting this board and see what they say.

I think I would get some serious counseling LOL. I do know the dangers of the internet, being spritual and even physically. Unfortunately the internet is also being used to distribute filthy material such as porn and hatred.

if you are truly looking for honest discourse you may be in for a rude awakening.

I think I can handle rude awakenings. I used to be a devout Catholic and then I got a "rude awakening" from a friend that was Pentecostal. They tought me many things that was wrong with the Catholic faith. I handled that one o.k. and abandoned the church. Then I received the visit of two regular pioneers at my door. I received a "rude awakening" on many false doctrines that are taught by Pentecostals. I was able to handle that one also. Now I am a Witness and have always enjoyed the study of God's word.