Posts by Catren

14

Urgent: The WTS is using it's website to spread deceit about child abuse.

by Latin assassin from Manhattan in

http://www.silentlambs.org/

http://www.dirtclod.com/

http://www.watchtower.org .

Catren

GENERAL characteristics and traits of.....

Pedophiles....."Are primarily (but not always) male, masculine, better-educated, more religious than average, in their thirties, and choose jobs allowing them greater access to children".

....."Are usually family men, have no criminal record, and deny that they abuse children, even after caught, convicted, incarcerated, and court-ordered into a sex offender program. The marriage is often troubled by sexual dysfunction, and serves as a smokescreen for the pedophile's true preferences and practices".

*** "Celibacy isn't the reason priests prey on children. Sexual attraction to children, and sexual gratification from children, are the reasons."

From 'Profile Of A Pedophile', by Mental Health Professional and Social Worker Tammy Ruggles. Complete article available on Mental-Health-Matters.com. http://www.mental-health-matters.com/articles/article.php?artID=273

14

Urgent: The WTS is using it's website to spread deceit about child abuse.

by Latin assassin from Manhattan in

http://www.silentlambs.org/

http://www.dirtclod.com/

http://www.watchtower.org .

Catren

Oh, the vicious and cruel irony lying covertly in their deceit. Talk about manipulative!! The WTBTS twists things so drastically, yet at the same time manages to be so subtle in the way they lead their poor, helpless victims into their sticky spiderwebs, so that they can snare them before they even know what's happening to them. No wonder Jehovah's Witnesses are so hard to reason with. Their minds are treated like pretzels. How can they be truly rational when their minds are so played with? I bet the people who write these disgusting mind numbing, mind paralyzing Watchtower articles sneer and smirk at the rank and file behind their closed doors. Do they have to stifle their snickering and chorteling, too? Sick.

68

Who's To Blame For The Child Abuse Problem?

by Englishman in

just trying to get my head around this one.

with the jailing last week of a london dub paedophile, i was wondering: .

is it the religion itself that gives these perverts the feeling that they are invincible and immune from punishment when they commit these acts?

Catren

Here is a site that might provide some insight into pedophilia in general:

http://www.mental-health-matters.com/articles/article.php?artID=273

I found this article to be very illuminating.

37

JW friends, did you keep any?

by Victorian sky in

jw
friends

just wondering.

how many of you have kept any active jw friends?

i have a few i've known for years.

Catren

Hello, Victorian Sky, when your friends bring up any JW stuff, do they try to involve you in a discussion about it? If so, how do you respond? Especially if the subject gives you a queasy feeling. I understand that queasy feeling. I've had it myself just at the thought of ever entering a Kingdom Hall again. Do you feel comfortable with gently letting them know you really don't want to get into any conversations about JW issues and situations? Would they respect that? I know that when my sister occasionally brings up the JW 'religion' with me (if we run into each other somewhere), I feel kind of cornered, because she doesn't want to "hear" anything that is 'anti' her religion. So, I feel like I just have to take it. And she is displaying to me how upset she is with me for ever leaving the 'religion' - - and therefore her, also. Not. I'm here for her, but she doesn't want it this way. If I really, really loved her, why then, in her eyes, I would go back. Well, I really, really love her, but I will never go back. No question. Why is it okay for Witnesses to expound away, but we're not 'supposed' to the same ourselves? Especially when we really aren't in any way at all under the authority of the WTBTS as someone so wisely brought up on another forum here. It was like, HEY, yeah, we can talk to anyone we feel like, THEY'RE the ones who aren't supposed to talk to US! It's not the other way around. No way. If it happens again with my sister I am going to gently but firmly let her know that it is a two way street. If she can let me know all her thoughts and feelings about my being an EX-Witness, then I have just as much right to share my thoughts and feelings with her, that, in fact, the organization has no authority over me whatsoever, I can talk to her, it's that she isn't supposed to talk to ME. These people need to get this firmly in their heads. Sorry for going off on a tangent about my sister. You specifically mentioned friends. I have no former Witness friends in this area. Where I used to live I had a few casual friends who were JW's. I don't think that deep down inside I had a problem with having friends who were not Witnesses. All my life I have been painfully shy, so it's never been easy for me to develop friendships, in general, anyway, with Witnesses or "worldly" people. I do have some friends who are "worldly", wonderful friends who mean very, very much to me, and who accept me unconditionally. You have to be who you are. It can be so very stressful trying to keep parts, facets, of who you are hidden from your Witness friends. It could become a great strain on you, become very draining emotionally. My suggestion to you is don't hide any of who you are. True friends will take all of you into their hearts. Really. The whole of you. Shakespeare said (I'm not sure of the exact quote), "This above all things, to thine own self be true". If you don't do this, it will take a lot of joy out of your life. Be who you are. And love every minute of it. Learn more about yourself, and let the butterfly emerge. Enjoy your flight, and soar. Be you. Be yourself, your very own self.

38

How did you adjust to the world after leaving JW land ? friends/lonliness ?

by run dont walk in

how long did it take you to adjust to the real world ???

and make real friends, who didn't care about religion.

did you suffer from lonliness and depression after leaving ???.

Catren

Well, Mr. Lebowski, I think your post was excellent and very helpful. I was impressed! I really appreciate what you said about meditation and yoga, because I have been kind of hung up about these kinds of activities. There is an article about meditation in a recent 'Time' magazine that mentioned how very popular meditation has become and that it really helps people in a variety of ways - - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It sounds pretty wonderful! But, I find myself wondering about whether people might really be opening themselves up to demon influence with these activities, as I was taught as a Winess. It's been approximately twenty years, too, since I have been a Jehovah's Witness! So it's like, should I, or shouldn't I? I don't know if I am being silly or what, but I guess I carry around some residual influence from my Jehovah's Witness days - - about a few things, anyway. I'll tell you, I have absolutely no problem with birthdays! Being able to give someone a birthday card on their day feels wonderful to me after not being allowed to acknowledge loved ones' birthdays as a Witness. It was like being denied the right to do something that should be and feel so natural. Just letting someone know you are so happy that they were born and you want to celebrate with them their birth date, to celebrate their life, what on earth can be so wrong with that. It's a beautiful thing. It seems so cold to me now the idea of not recognizing families' and friends' birthdays. Especially with children. Mr. Lebowski's analogy of anger with a dead horse is excellent. If the feeling of anger is not used constructively, it will just cloud focusing and hinder moving on. It can be immobilizing if isn't utilized appropriately, if you get stuck in it, and it builds up around you like mire. It can be like a stepping stone to go forward. Use it, but don't let it take you over. The flip side of anger could be depression or any number of other things. I understand that anger is actually a secondary emotion. I think the three steps Lebowski offered are great! Best wishes to everyone whether you are just coming out of the Witnesses, or just recently come out, of have been out for many years. Take care, and hang in there.

6

Meditation

by Catren in

i've been an ex-witness for approximately twenty years, but i still don't know what to make of yoga and other related activities.

the most recent issue of 'time' magazine has an article on meditation and how extremely popular it has become.

it's been proven to be very beneficial to people in a variety of ways - - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Catren

I've been an ex-Witness for approximately twenty years, but I still don't know what to make of yoga and other related activities. The most recent issue of 'Time' magazine has an article on meditation and how extremely popular it has become. It's been proven to be very beneficial to people in a variety of ways - - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Does anyone else feel torn about meditation? As for yoga, someone told me it would be good for me. What are the thoughts of other former Witnesses on meditation, etc.?

60

TIME TO IMPLEMENT THE GARYBUSS PHILOSOPHY!

by Dansk in

in view of what has recently happened to rozalyn (rebel) i believe anyone who is considering attending a judicial committee should take note:.

i have always tried to love others from my own childhood upbringing.

i have been treated like a traitor.

Catren

I think I agree pretty much with Donkey about Witnesses having something like a disease. It's extremely stressful and painful being shunned by family and/or friends who are Jehovah's Witnesses, but it does seem like they have a sickness, some kind of mental illness that prevents them from thinking clearly. If you've ever tried to talk with someone who has a mental illness, say someone who is bipolar and in a manic state, there is no way you can convince them that their thinking and behavior is inappropriate and incorrect. They think everyone else is wrong. They are not able, until they are back on track with their meds, to see things in a reasonable, rational way. They can't. Until their brain chemistry gets back in balance they just can't comprehend that they may be wrong. Of course, the kind of sickness that our family and friends who are shunning us have isn't due to a chemical imbalance in the brain, but it has somehow been inflicted on them by insidious, cunning, and manipulative means. There is nothing I can do about being shunned by my family members, but I can always be here for them when and if they come out of their deluded way of perceiving things. Yes, I agree that they made a choice to shun me, but I also believe their perspective is damaged. I don't blame them, but I feel intense anger toward the WTBTS for what it has done to people's minds and personalities. I think it is inhumane what the society has done to the Witnesses.

60

TIME TO IMPLEMENT THE GARYBUSS PHILOSOPHY!

by Dansk in

in view of what has recently happened to rozalyn (rebel) i believe anyone who is considering attending a judicial committee should take note:.

i have always tried to love others from my own childhood upbringing.

i have been treated like a traitor.

Catren

Please recognize that there is no authority to recognize. The elders simply have no authority over you. Period.

9

Witnesses to Abuse (New Hampshire JW Abuse Story)

by UnDisfellowshipped in

http://www.1590.com/stories/0,1413,222~23678~1492331,00.html

article published: thursday, july 03, 2003 - 8:38:27 am est .

witnesses to abuse

Catren

I agree, kgfreeperson, this is unspeakably depressing. We just can't seem to get out of the dark ages. However, we must not let setbacks stop us. We have to get up, brush ourselves off and forge ahead! Everyone, hang in there.

67

Adventures at the District Convention

by RunningMan in

jw
friends

well, after a 15 month absence from the kingdom hall, i once again found myself in the biggest kingdom hall of all the district convention.

as in previous years, the material presented was dull and repetitious, so once again, i was forced to provide my own entertainment.

so, like last year, i am pleased to present a further installment to my assembly adventures, called:

Catren

This was just too funny! Thank you for the biggest laugh I've had in a long time! I was practically doubling over. I even bonked my head on the computer desk one time. You should compile all your material and send it to a publisher. You have TALENT!! I wish I could share it with my Jehovah's Witness family members, but they may not see it in the same light. :-) This was truly hilarious. Thanks again.

Catren