Posts by StrongHaiku

48

Dr Applewhite and Child Abuse

by snare&racket in

jw
friends

i am shocked that an expert would simply examine only the literature given to her by the organisation she was defending and simply accept it.

also the ease she has in making huge sweeping statements when comparing the jw's to all other international religious organisations simply undermines her professionalism.. i am also thoroughly shocked at her blatant, 'expert for hire', 'will defend anyone' apparent decision making, the organisation is responsible for covering up thousands of abuse victims by its own records, in australia alone!

never mind their judicial process being heartless and traumatic!.

StrongHaiku

"Expert witnesses" are a dime a dozen.

In the United States, it is possible to drag someone off the streets and certify him/her as an "expert witness" without any deep qualifications. I can get an "expert witness" to argue that the earth is flat. Hell, I can be an expert witness. In the US, the onus is on the Judge is to decide if they are qualified to be an "expert". Unfortunately, the judges typically do not do their homework to determine if the person is following the generally acceptable scientific consensus.

16

Back again!!

by Sweetp0985 in

jw
friends

back again since about 10yrs ago.

last year attended the international convention in new orleans and was feeling some type of way afterwards.

went to a couple of meetings and then the thrill was gone.

StrongHaiku

Sweetp0985, like other posters, I empathize for those familiar feelings. For what is worth, here is what I do:

I spend all of the time (I would have spent in the Organization) refining my work/craft, learning about the Universe, making friends, being with someone I love, enjoying life, etc.? The one cure to that feeling is to go make new memories

Lastly, a long time ago, I used to get that feeling of "what if they're right?" (basically Pascal's wager). Here is how I deal with it - I DON"T CARE IF THEY ARE RIGHT. The God of the Bible they represent and their Organization is immoral. I'm better than their God. And, if he is exists, I'm good with the idea of dying knowing I had the moral high-ground.

17

RC on CNN - Damn this is Damning!!!

by jw07 in

even cnn has picked up the ongoing royal commission hearings.

i'm sitting back and eating popcorn for this one, it's like a dream come through.. http://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/07/28/australia-jehovah-witness-sex-abuse-hannigan-lklv.cnn.

StrongHaiku

DATA-DOG - What happens if the GB try to spin this as a sign of the GT?

Using the 1975 debacle as a model, I can imagine a scenario. However, it relies on more and more scandals coming to light and more and more JWs knowing about them:

I can imagine a number of witnesses beginning to believe that the GT has started. I can imagine the GB creating more material about the GT, how to prepare for it, etc. and some fuzzy/non-committed statements (in order to have plausible-deniability later on) that the GT has started. Something like "While we cannot say the GT has started, JWs today are facing unprecedented persecution as prophesied..." blah, blah, blah. I doubt that they can put a solid stake in ground about the start of the GT without taking some major long-term risks.

I can imagine that the effects of "implying" the GT has started, at least for the short term, could lead to renewed interest and effort on the part of the members. And, I have no doubt the GB would ride that wave as far as it can take them.

8

It's a great time to be alive: 'Star Trek Impulse Drive' works and could get us to the moon in 4 hours. Mars in 70 days.

by cappytan in

jw
friends

yes, star trek impulse drive was click bait.

but this british designed engine has been compared to that.. interplanetary travel could be a step closer after scientists confirmed that an electromagnetic propulsion drive, which is fast enough to get to the moon in four hours, actually works.. .

the em drive was developed by the british inventor roger shawyer nearly 15 years ago but was ridiculed at the time as being scientifically impossible.. .

StrongHaiku

Great news. Very cool. If we don't want humans to end up being an evolutionary cul-de-sac, one of the things we will need to do is become a space-faring race.

37

Clip of shocking testimony from Day 2 of the Royal Commission hearing

by cappytan in

i posted this as a reply to another thread, but thought it deserved it's own thread to draw attention to this important moment in the day 2 testimony.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl4fobrocc8.

StrongHaiku

A number of posters have commented on the embarrassing and clumsy way the JW elders/representatives have presented themselves on these hearings. Totally agree. But I would argue that it wouldn't matter which elder they picked, GB member, Jesus, or God himself, etc. to provide testimony.

Their position is fundamentally absurd and immoral. When your position is indefensible it does not matter who presents it.

37

Clip of shocking testimony from Day 2 of the Royal Commission hearing

by cappytan in

i posted this as a reply to another thread, but thought it deserved it's own thread to draw attention to this important moment in the day 2 testimony.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl4fobrocc8.

StrongHaiku

DATA-DOG - Poor bastard!! I feel sorry for him, I really do! He's a poor, ignorant man. He's a victim of abuse and doesn't know it. He's been thrown under the bus by his gurus!

I had a similar sentiment until I imagined him in a priest or cardinal uniform.

34

If Disfellowshipping pedophiles protects the congregation, what does it do for "Those Outside" they are expelled to?

by Wasanelder Once in

we all know the wt basis for disfellowshipping, (1 corinthians 5:9-13) 9 12 for what do i have to do with judging those outside?

do you not judge those inside, 13 while god judges those outside?

remove the wicked [man] from among yourselves.. if removing "the man" is a protection for the congregation and no police are called, what does it say about the witnesses view of the world?

StrongHaiku

cappytan, thanks for posting the video.

Wow! It's like Bowditch had to reboot after each question. His answers seem to boil down to "We don't care what happens outside of the congregation. You'll are bird food as far as we're concerned." The only thing missing was him standing up after his deposition, dropping the mic, and giving everyone "the finger" as he walked out.

58

Governing body deceiving members on purpose?

by wwjdnwt in

i was born into this religion.

i was a jw for well over 30 years.

i did much research before i had internet, i compared bibles and prayed deeply to help me to know if this was the truth.

StrongHaiku

The OP's question keeps popping up and I think it is possible that the latest scandal (e.g. the hearings in Australia) may be able to provide a clue as to whether the GB is delusional or con men. If the history of cults is any indication, and If they are delusional, they are likely to become more draconian, insular and settle for a smaller number of JWs that are COMPLETELY committed no matter what and will follow the "God Inspired" GB to the very end. If, however, they are con men, I can imagine that they are likely to bend and flex a bit more to accommodate the authorities and keep the game running.

However, no matter which path they choose, they will suffer. If they become more draconian, insular, etc. they will likely loose a younger demographic. If they flex and bend to accommodate the authorities, they risk loosing the older demographic which may see this as a weakness that maybe shake their confidence in the GB.

Can't wait to see how the GB counter-punches this last scandal. That should say a lot.

34

FMF Rant on Abuse and JW Apologists: The Single Root of the Whole Issue(s)

by freemindfade in

for the jw apologists, they debate certain factors to down play all the recent sex abuse information in the jehovah's witness organization.

and there is so much focus on "two witness rule" and "parents can report" the "elders aren't legal authorities" and many other smoke screen issues.

a lot of these issues and discussion are down stream from what i believe to be the root of the issue.

StrongHaiku

freemindfade - I may send a softer version of this post to my wife. Im sick of the in apologists brushing it off as nothing...

How about you edit the information as if it is a "Catholic Church" or other religion involved in the scandal and send it to her first? And, if she has any humanity left in her, get her sense of outrage. Then maybe reveal to her that this is actually about the JWs. Just a thought...

34

FMF Rant on Abuse and JW Apologists: The Single Root of the Whole Issue(s)

by freemindfade in

for the jw apologists, they debate certain factors to down play all the recent sex abuse information in the jehovah's witness organization.

and there is so much focus on "two witness rule" and "parents can report" the "elders aren't legal authorities" and many other smoke screen issues.

a lot of these issues and discussion are down stream from what i believe to be the root of the issue.

StrongHaiku

You summarized a lot of what I have been writing, thinking, and reading from others. Nothing I can add. Nicely done.