Posts by SkyGreen

25

AUSTRALIA | Jehovah's Witnesses and Watchtower Society Appear Before Child Abuse Inquiry | Thursday 11 April, 2013

by jwleaks in

jehovah's witnesses say it is not their responsibility to report child sex abuse to police unless mandatory reporting legislation is in place.. a victorian inquiry on thursday heard that when a jehovah's witness leader hears allegations of abuse they are directed immediately to contact the society's legal department to check their obligations under state law.. jehovah's witness legal counsel rachel van witsen said elders were not expected to know their legal obligations.. "this is done to ensure elders fully comply with any legal requirements that may be applicable in the state in which they reside," she said.. "in victoria if there was mandatory reporting the immediate advice would be to report that immediately.".

the society's director terrence o'brien said the decision to take the allegations to police lay with the victim.. "without mandatory reporting we don't feel that as ministers of religion that's our obligation to do that," mr o'brien said.. however, the organisation would encourage the victim to report it and would co-operate fully with police, he said.. ms van witsen said elders would make an exception if they felt the child was threatened.. "we would report that to appropriate authorities," she told the inquiry.. "we're about stopping child abuse.".

two ministers have been removed from the society for child sex abuse in 40 years of records, the parliamentary inquiry heard.. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/04/11/20/59/jehovah-s-witnesses-stay-in-line-on-abuse.

SkyGreen

I know of many decent elders who would definitely encourage reporting, but others that see things differently and would want to keep it all hush hush.

Im all for mandatory reporting in all states. That way, they are legally compelled to report even suspicion of child abuse/neglect etc. Same as school teachers. The WTS should be erring on the side of caution here, if they are really "about stopping child abuse", then why wait for the law to compel them to report. I guess they are worried about defamation.

Where is it in the elders handbook that they should encourage victims to go to the police?? That direction needs to be there. And elders should be reminded of it!

I know of some witnesses who see the elders as the final authority and want them to act as policemen, because that is the way they have been led to feel by all the brainwashing - there needs to be a WT article about this.... are you reading this WTS??!! Some witnesses take the WT as gospel and they wont do anything unless a WT encourages it!!! YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE PEOPLE!!!

Rant over.

31

Are you prepared to apologise even when it is not you fault?

by usualusername in

jw
friends

are you prepared to apologise even when it is not you fault?.

.

uun .

SkyGreen

Yes, in the "Im sorry that things are so tense between us... can we talk about it/make up now please? I miss you" way

but not in the im so sorry i did wrong (even tho i didnt) way

Just this weekend I bawled my eyes out to my husband and my mum (seperately) and said, Im so sorry that this hurts you, I hate that you are upset. I just cant be a hypocrite and remain active when I dont believe it all anymore.

I am genuinely sad for their pain and stress, but im not sorry for my actions.

5

The joyfulness of being grandparents. LOL

by jam in

i get a kick out of our kids when they freak out, they can,t.

understand why there children misbehave.

hello , have you forgot.

SkyGreen

i have to remind myself all the time they're just kids and not to expect so much of them!

Mine are holy terrors and little angels all at the same time!

45

The CO 'encourages' Julia to meet with THREE elders- the latest episode in the best-selling drama, The Fade of Julia Orwell.

by Julia Orwell in

jw
friends

it was yesterday morning and hubby and i were having a huge sleep in.

it was just after ten, and with me being a bit flu-ey i was quite capable of staying in bed longer.

hubby was feeling it too, and we were pleasantly drifting in and out to the sounds of birds.. then suddenly, cloomp, cloomp, cloomp up the front stairs, then "rap-rap-rap" on the front screen door, that rapid-fire, strong knock of the practiced door-knocker.

SkyGreen

"princecharmant"?? Hardly a prince with that comment. People come here for support and advise, not that kind of sarcasm. I dont think Julia is getting any kind of "kicks" out of this, she is probably just as relieved as I was to find an online community where she could uburden herself and not feel so alone. Her story is helpful to others here, even if its not to you, please dont discourage her.

Sky

10

Men & Women - How true this is!

by SkyGreen in

http://s80.photobucket.com/user/dot_rpg/media/man-woman-switchboard.jpg.html .

SkyGreen

http://s80.photobucket.com/user/DoT_RPG/media/Man-Woman- Switchboard.jpg.html

24

just curious. How about blood?

by never a jw in

jw
friends

i have never been a jw, but i have lived literally surrounded by them since i married my wife, almost 20 years ago.

since i never raised a fuss before, i guess i was also brain-washed into thnking that their religion was harmless and the leaders were well intended.. i have been reading your comments for many months and have come to realize how harmful the religion is.

your comments have been mostly about the pain inflicted by shunning, deception in the literature, and the views on higher education.

SkyGreen

Thanks for that reference StoneWall, Ive bumped that thread.

63

A Mother's Story of loss of her son..............

by Balsam in

some names have been changed or removed to protect those in the family who would not want their names known, or are still active jw's.

ruth .

a mothers regret for a religious devotion.

SkyGreen

Bump - this thread was just mentioned in another more recent thread, and I feel all lurkers, faders, especially those who are parents need to read this beautiful heartfelt story.

Thankyou Balsam, a thousand times for sharing your story. It has given me courage in my convictions.

i recently wrote a letter to my local childrens hospital revoking my previous stand on blood transfusions, and also updated my own health directive. I will not allow my children to die, or leave them motherless if it is preventable. It has caused tension with my husband to make this stand, but it is worth it if it could save their lives or mine one day.

Telling of your loss, WILL save other people from the pain you and your family have suffered.

Love, Sky (((())))

14

My Story

by braincleaned in

here's where i am coming from.

i have spent over 45 years in religion.

i was deep into it, as a jw.

SkyGreen

marked

looks like a great story but i have a toddler climbing on me so havent read it all. at first glance, your childhood self sounds exactly like me "all in"

Best wishes to you

Love Sky x

35