ranmac - quote : Ive never heard a public
needs talk about child molesting,and theres been
quite a few in the congregations Ive been in.
Here you strike at the core of this issue.
Its an insane world in the Kingdom Hall, where
men, with very limited formal education,
who during the day might be janitors or working at
minimum wage jobs, put on their suits and ties
and are transformed with titles like "elder" and sit in "committees"
listening to confessions of pedophiles or hearing abuse victims
plead for protection, then keep it all "secret" and hide the truth
from Child Protection, or proper legal authorities who could
intervene in these crimes and stop the abuse.
The wealthy elders cannot dirty their hands or involve themselves,
they tell you it is "out of their sphere of influence" and
"these are perilous times" They promise "it is being handled"
These people, the victims, are seen as the problem. Too "messy"
They do not fit the mold of the "happy healthy congregation"
The absolute vanity and arrogance of this little make-believe-world
in which how you dress, or if you have a beard, or if your lonely
little girl ( avoided by two parent familes )wants to join Brownies.
This becomes the "priority", no worldly friends for you, and none
in ANY congregation unless you are "In with the IN crowd "
A thousand little "rules" and sanctions, and implied rules,
and "suggestions" that if not taken will result in the most vulnearable,
the weakest, the most isolated ( like single moms) and teenagers,
will be scorned, ignored, marked, and further isolated, and these
petty cruelties so dominated the thinking of the whole congregation
that the pedophiles are never the issue. The man who beats his wife and
children, or worse punishments. For those of you who say you have a
" Healthy Happy Congregation" I ask you; Are you married ?
Is your husband an Elder ?
Does he have a business and make a lot of money ?
And his partners and customers are witnesses ?
Is your personal social circle made up of others in your same position ?
Do you befriend the poor ?
Do you include, problem, sad, isolated teens ?
Do you seek out single moms in you festivitities,
and parties, and holidays ?
Or do you secretly believe those that are suffering
are just "weak in the truth"
And the poor, dressed so shabby, well its really an
embarrassment isn't it ?
Thank goodness for money, and inherited wealth,
and the ability to simply not have to deal
with problematic people.
They are obviously the problem, not you.
