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1-25 Of 971 Entries In The Guest Book [Next 25 Guests] Thursday, May 15, 2008 @ 3:13 PM Whoops Well, it looks like I'd better proofread and check my spelling before I send my posts! Blush. By the way, I think the spelling is criticism, but in my dithering old age, I'm not so sure anymore! I probably need to start reviewing the alphabet a couple of times a day. Still, I hope the thrust of my post got through okay. Lack of freedom of speech and the pedophile issue are a terrible, horrible combination!! The WTBTS needs to get its act together! Lives have been getting ruined and destroyed at the mercy of the governing body's policies! Get with it, WTBTS and elders! Thursday, May 15, 2008 @ 2:13 PM Frustrating Sometimes I get the feeling that any critism of the WTBTS flows off them like water sliding off a duck's back, that they just don't care or take critism seriously! They just keep pulling their their dirty tricks like business as usual. This is so exasperating, their indifference to any negative opinions toward them! As long as they are getting away with their dirty crookedness they'll just keep it up. How can they basically ignore the heinous pedophile issue?! How can they DO that?! They just keep on misleading the public in their door to door work! When I mentioned to a JW that Jehovah's Witnesses can't even express doubts, she acted indignant and said that yes, they can, and that even elders have doubts about some things. Okay, well, how do they deal with those doubts? Shrug them off? Because after all, their 'religion' is the 'TRUTH'? How sad is that?! Don't they get it? That any religion that discourages its members from the freedom of expressing those doubts has something fishy about it? That any religion that tells its 'congregants' not to tell anyone, especially the police, about the horrendous, horrendous pedophilia issue, a situation that is so far out of hand, is basically a dictatorship. I don't care what this JW told me! I really believe that Jehovah's Witnesses are barred from truly free speech. Human beings should not be treated that way! I couldn't stand it!! Just thinking about how the WTBTS works is upsetting and nauseating! All the arrogance and pompousness in the governing body and in many elders, also, is just disgusting. Their authority isn't even real! It's all a sham, bogus! Ugh!!! J Sunday, May 11, 2008 @ 12:20 AM I'm sure Bill can give the exact date later. He'll be interviewed on a live telephone conference in a couple more weeks. Rick Fearon is the moderator. M.A.N. Friday, May 9, 2008 @ 6:55 PM Re: Clergy class Your post was very thorough and accurate. When I was a Catholic, I never worried about being "excommunicated" just because I disagreed with one of the church's teachings. Yet the WT constantly goes to court to win the right to "free speech", yet that free speech is ONLY for the GB. No one else can disagree or ask too many questions. It is truly sad that JW's cannot see the hypocrisy that they are part of every day of their lives. Sometimes you don't know how miserable you really were until you leave something. I know that those who have left the WT are better off and happier. Wednesday, May 7, 2008 @ 2:40 PM Clergy class For a religion that says it has no clergy class, it sure does act like a religion that has a clergy class! From the WTBTS down through the elders there sure does seem to be a "clergy class", yes, sir. And all the little sheep, the "rank and file" just better mind their 'p's and q's' if they know what is good for them. If that doesn't sound like a clergy class syndrome I don't know what does! It is a stifling, suppressing, oppressing so-called religion, and no wonder so many 'congregants' can add depressing to that list. Freedom of speech, my foot! Don't ask questions, don't express doubts, opinions, feelings or any autonomous thoughts if you know what's good for you! Asinine! Why, oh why, would anyone want to be a part of such a controlling "religion"?! How can they be happy in such a "powerful", conforming context? How can they stand it, unless they don't really see what is going on, unless they don't really understand, comprehend, how their lives are being so controlled? How can people in that religion tolerate it? I know that there are Jehovah's Witnesses who truly believe their "religion" is THE TRUTH, the one and only truth, and that they are blessed to be under the authority of the WTBTS. Thumb is more like it, one heavy, big ol' thumb! That won't even let the "rank and file" report child abuse! So, the WTBTS is a champion for freedom of speech, huh?! I don't think so!!! Wednesday, May 7, 2008 @ 12:58 PM Awesome posts! There are so many great posts here that they are hard to keep up with. I have been away for awhile due to, well, life, and I can only use the computer here at work for the time being until I am able to get a laptop of my own. Anyway, as I was saying, there are really great posts here, and I can't wait to catch up on them all! I know a Jehovah's Witness who lectures me sometimes. I feel as if I am being henpecked by a woodpecker and as if I'm full of little holes. I can see how people can get worn down until they give up. It can just be easier to join the crowd and avoid all the conflict. But, that's chickening out! I am so glad this site is here! Even though most Witnesses wouldn't touch it with a mile long pole! This place is a refuge. A haven. Someone said something about being disconnected from God. Well, we are in a way, aren't we? This JW I know says that God does have an organization here on earth. Wouldn't that make the organization the mediator between God and humans? Huh?! She also stresses that there is no Trinity. I have no idea if there is a Trinity or not! Besides, I think there are more important things to care about. Take the pedophilia issue, for instance. I am positive that God, whether He is part of a Trinity or not, loathes and despises pedophilia and how it affects children, what it does to them. Pedophilia is abhorrent to the nth degree! It is so disgusting that all the horrible things that can be said about it are really understatements. How can ANYONE look at a child and see that child as sexual, as a sexual object for their gratification?! What a gross, sickening thought!!! I agree that maybe pedophiles, since they can't seem to help themselves, should perhaps live in a closed society, away from other people and their children, far, far, far away from children! I don't care if the pedophiles are "religious" or how "religious" they are, because there is simply NO excuse for seeking sexual pleasure from innocent, vulnerable children! Having a religion and being active in that "religion" is not an excuse. In fact, it makes this loathsome, despicable act even worse. If the Watchtower Society and the elders cannot see this, then they must be blind and deaf! PCW Monday, December 3, 2007 @ 12:14 PM Putting Their Faith In Man Hi, In catching up on my visits to this site, I came across the following, which I find shocking and would appreciate further information or a source to research this enlightenment: "But if you look at their record all the way back a hundred years you will read discriminating comments about black Americans being somehow less than others, you will read of the myriad of changes in their dogma which they call new light when they are proved wrong." This would make an excellent topic of discussion and argument since the Jehovah Witnesses are famous in saying "... people from all walks of life"... Thank you JB Monday, December 3, 2007 @ 9:07 AM Donations It's really hard to come up with extra money this time of the year with the holidays and the additional costs of winter weather, but I just wanted to encourage people to give what they can to the Silent Lambs. I can never afford to make a hefty donation, but at least what is given is a little more than what they had. DJB Saturday, December 1, 2007 @ 4:50 PM Apostasy must come first!!! I was just talking to a couple of witnesses lately as they had stopped at my daughters for a chat. I thought of when I was in their place at one time not questioning anything. Then I shake back to the present and think of everything I have suffered and my children have suffered. One of their magazine articles was on preparation for Jehovah's Day about to begin...It got me thinking about the warning in 2Thess 2:2,3 it tells us "not to be quickly shaken from your reason nor to be excited either through a verbal message or through a letter as though from us to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here", in verse three it gives the reason "let no one seduce you in any manner because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed..." I believe at one time, as God's people, doing God's work and on the surface, when most of us got involved, we thought they were. So when we take a stand for the children and against the watchtower policy they try and make us feel like we are in the wrong...But according to this scripture we are not to be quickly shaken from our power of reason as when we take a stand for what is right Jehovah God is pleased. They may preach Jehovah's Day but as it says it won't happen unless the apostasy gets revealed... Who preaches Jehovah's Day? There is only one group but I'll say it again the bible says Jehovah's Day won't happen unless the apostasy gets revealed...Isn't their treatment of the children apostate and are not we revealing it as the scripture says? Isn't allowing practicing pedophiles to preach accompanied by an elder apostate and are not we revealing it? This apostate class and/or individuals represented by man of lawlessness the bible talks about is being revealed here is it not? What could be more apostate than child molesting? In verse 8 it promises that when he gets revealed "Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence." All the work for court cases and the web site is doing...all the work, I believe, is revealing this apostasy, and that we have the support of Lord Jesus who will bring them to nothing... Many of the victims have endured so much as the scriptures say this is "proof of the righteous judgment of God leading to your being counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which you are indeed suffering." So further on it promises relief and vengeance at the hand of Jesus and his powerful angels. This is why I believe we are doing a very important work here. AND ITS GOD'S WORK!!! DJB NF19 Saturday, December 1, 2007 @ 2:30 PM to Earl You said some good things and I hope people listen. You said that if someone's child was molested they would believe it. When MaN used to post he said his girl was abused and many jw's and his wife also, defended the Wt and it's rules. I think some people are so dumb no matter what you show them, they won't believe it. Earl Friday, November 30, 2007 @ 5:29 PM putting their faith in man is the problem for jw's. They have unknowingly or knowingly ? for the most part made the WT org. their god. Most are convinced and someone pointed out that when you are baptized you are baptized into an org that believes the WT leaders are somehow hand picked and anointed. But if you look at their record all the way back a hundred years you will read discriminating comments about black Americans being somehow less than others, you will read of the myriad of changes in their dogma which they call new light when they are proved wrong. You will see many years of false prophecy, people giving their lives for rules that eventually change. Belonging to a group they bad mouthed for years - United nations etc. etc. Was there any chosen man from Bible days with such a dismal record? Did we see Paul or the other apostles making up things as they went along? Did their prophecies come true-of course not. In WT's own words they say anyone who makes a claim to future development and is wrong is a false prophet but when it comes to them they use a deceptive excuse that they have new light. And then I remind them that there is nothing new about trying to predict the end times as Jesus frowned upon such things as he said even he did not know. Now wouldn't anyone reading that be a bit nervous about ignoring what Jesus said.? So at that point someone in the WT org. decided they knew better than everyone else and the leaders exalted themselves above every other legitimate Christian Org. in the world and decided to set dates and when the dates did not come to pass instead of saying we were wrong and shouldn't have done it they make up that Jesus already appeared but no one saw him. Can anyone see the insanity here? So when the dates for destruction came and went they continued predicting another date right up until 2000. I believe 1897 or there abouts was their first doomsday date. So we have over a hundred years of false dates. When I pointed out this information and the pedophile situation to my witness sister she said "well I am the org." At that point I knew I was talking to a very brain washed individual that with months of conversation with me and my showing how the WT had deceived the members she still would not allow her mind to believe what was shown to her in black and white. The only thing that might convince her is to have her daughter abused by someone in the congregation. That is so sad but it shows the power of cults to control the members entire life. I did my part and warned her and I suspect she will watch the kids more closely now. But what about all of the other unsuspecting parents in the group that can't be warned for fear of disfellowshipping. If the org falls it will be because they exalted themselves and when you do that you will be humbled sooner or later. The members will then be able to deprogram and join a real Christian church. The abuse and the cover ups and this whole situation still angers me and I use that energy to get the word out to as many as I can. Friday, November 30, 2007 @ 4:54 PM To mm and all I have some thoughts regarding baptism and the WTB&TS. To me, baptism is an open testimony to one's commitment to Jesus Christ as his/her saviour, NOT to an organization, any organization - - Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc. I think that baptism is a highly personal gesture for Jesus Christ. I do not, cannot, accept my baptism many years ago as a devotee toward the Jehovah's Witnesses' organization. Maybe at the time I did somewhat, but my understanding was so vague and limited, I didn't really see that. No, I prefer to think of my baptism as something profoundly personal and beautiful between Jesus Christ and myself. That's how I'd like to see it for everyone. From that perspective, a lot of heartache could be prevented when it comes to the policy of disfellowshipment and so on. A person simply places their faith in and their loyalty to God and His Son Jesus Christ, not in and to the organization. As far as I'm concerned, what does the organization really have to do with it? Baptism is about Jesus. People shouldn't feel intimidated by the organization after being baptised, because it really isn't about the organization. People should feel refreshingly free to ask questions, express doubts and so on. If the Jehovah's Witnesses actually have the TRUTH, then the so- called governing body and elders wouldn't have problems with the questions, etc, because the truth can stand up to it all. It's a sign of cowardice and small-mindedness to give people trouble and grief for just wondering about some things and for expressing their thoughts. It's very narrow minded of a religion to have this attitude toward the so- called "rank and file". It's awful that people must feel so daunted and intimidated! MM, that quote you mentioned from the August 22, 1984 Awake regarding the Catholic Church as seeing itself as the salvation for millions of people was great, because it came from the WTB&TS, itself - - "Any organization that assumes that position should be willing to submit to scrutiny and criticism". Straight from "the horse's mouth". The WTB&TS painted themselves into a corner with that statement!! JB Friday, November 30, 2007 @ 9:27 AM Another Dead Child, Thanks to the WTB&TS http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22032266/wid/11915773?gt1=10613 I just read this on msn.com. How sad! man711 Friday, November 30, 2007 @ 8:24 AM To mm: Many like me were baptised prior to that wording and I personally would pledge my allegance to men. cw Thursday, November 29, 2007 @ 10:43 PM robin can u please tell me where to find the official records web site my uncle is in it and i would like to see if he got what he deserved thank you Grace D Thursday, November 29, 2007 @ 9:40 PM Another witness on the web ... I found the information on this web-page to be very interesting, too: http://www.sixscreensofthewatchtower.com/2pedophileparadise .html I would advise all to visit this page and read the logic presented. They actually take on other topics as well. The references to the Watchtower's VERY OWN PUBLICATIONS are amazing. They reveal problems in other areas as well as the pedophile problem - they also show how similar they are in relationship to how errors and problems are dealt with. There's a common thread and a pattern for hiding what the Watchtower doesn't want to talk about - see if you can spot it. Cheers! Linda C. Thursday, November 29, 2007 @ 9:33 PM bible student appauled! I AM APAULLED AT THE PROTECTION OF CHILD ABUSERS. I UNDERTAND THAT WITNESSES ARE NOT POLICE, BUT THE PREDATORY BEHAVIOR IS BEYOND CRIMINAL AND THE CONSCIENCE OF THE CONGREGATION SHOULD ENABLE THE EXPOSURE OF ANY MEMBER OR ELDER WHO CREATES VICTIMS!!! I LOVE JEHOVAH, BUT THE ORGANIZATION BEHAVING LIKE THIS PREVENTS ME FROM BEING A MEMBER OR GETTING BAPTISED IN THE NAME OF A JEHOVAH'S WITNESS Thursday, November 29, 2007 @ 9:29 PM To JR Something IS terribly, horribly wrong with the Jehovah's Witnesses' policy on pedophilia (and other kinds of abuse)! Heinous things have been occurring among the Jehovah's Witnesses, and I think JR Brown's comments almost seem indifferent about all the abuse, like he's almost shrugging it all off - - like, 'Oh, well, that's how it goes'. His comments sounded, to me, insensitive to all the suffering and injustice that victims have been going through. Making excuses, that seems to be what the WTB&TS is good at. Something is SO wrong with the policy regarding pedophilia. I think the WTB&TS needs to make a tremendous, humongous adjustment in their attitude. They might try loving-kindness and compassion toward the victims and strive to guarantee them justice!! LA Thursday, November 29, 2007 @ 7:48 PM It is a CULT I first came across this website a week ago via a link I followed as a result of some research I was doing, I saved it, just now getting back to it. I’m so happy to have found this site! I thought, or was made to believe that I was the crazy one. To find information corroborating what I’ve known (and suspected) for so long about the Jehovah’s Witnesses is very reassuring and comforting. As many of you here know, they don’t want to discuss or even hear about any subject that cast a negative light on them, because we must surely be working for Satan in his attempt to destroy God’s earthly organization. I am also an ex-JW, my mother began studying in 1965 the rest of us were soon to follow. Growing up as a pre-teen and beyond within our congregation exposed me to many things, both within my family and many, many others. The congregation was structured a little differently then with no body of elders or ministerial servants. At that time there were only two, the overseer and the assistant overseer, they made all of the decisions concerning all matters within the congregation. On most occasions I think they acted swift and fair, the guilty party was almost always disfellowshiped and announced to the congregation after the Friday night ministerial service meetings. To be fair most were disfellowshiped for adultery, smoking, or rampant sex, or near sex amongst the teenage members of the congregation. I only knew of one case of a minor being sexually molested, he was my age and a good friend and she was the wife of a very well respected member of the congregation. I don’t remember my friend ever complaining about the experience, I’ve lost touch of him and his family over the years but he may not have such a fond memory of that experience now. She was overcome by guilt and confessed to the overseer’s. Afterwards she was subsequently disfellowshiped. In none of these events was law enforcement ever informed and for obvious reasons outside counseling was strictly discouraged. Another problem is the high number of suicides committed by both members-in-good-standing and ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses. The shear weight of guilt and repression saddled on innocent people becomes too much for some to endure. My mother, her brother and his wife all took that way out. Before my mother passed away in 1974 she planted the ‘seed’ in my wife. It did not take hold for some time but she has been baptized and an active publisher for over 15 years now. I really want to get her out of this cult … still searching for a way. I must apologize for the excessive dribble here, this post probably belongs somewhere else but I feel like a lot of pressure has been relieved. Thanks, this is a great web site! mm Thursday, November 29, 2007 @ 4:24 PM Imperfect or spirit directed? We do not believe that our system is perfect. No human organization is perfect." but to become a member you have to agree to this The second is: Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?" {WT Apr 15 1987 12}. And this is the standard they set for other organisations "The Catholic Church occupies a very significant position in the world and claims to be the way of salvation for hundreds of millions of people. Any organization that assumes that position should be willing to submit to scrutiny and criticism." {AWAK Aug 22 1984 28} Robin Thursday, November 29, 2007 @ 4:17 PM Re: could all this take the organization down? Could all of this bad publicity cause the headquarters to close their doors? I am scared for the good folks. They have built their lives around the organization. Could it all "tumble" down? I really feel for most of the JW because overall they are good folks. I still have many friends who are JW who would do anything to help anyone. I just feel that have been left in the dark. BIG TIME! Mary D Thursday, November 29, 2007 @ 2:11 PM Thoughts and Comments I have started to read the number of topics found in the "Thoughts and Comments" section, which in turn is found under the Personal Experiences tab (just under the "silent lambs header" above). I like how they are presented - no mug slinging, just facts and logic. I would encourage all new-comers (and old-comers if you haven't read these) to carefully read through these. Some are a little lengthy, but they have to be in order to prove the point(s) conclusively. After reading many of these (and I will be reading the others soon), there is no doubt in my mind that JW's leaders are NOT handling child abuse allegations seriously and more importantly, properly. But, don't take my word for it - read everything you can on this site and draw your own conclusion. You owe that to yourself and your family. JR Wednesday, November 28, 2007 @ 10:01 PM Saddened ... I'm so glad Silentlambs is here to speak for the victims and "potential" victims. When I read the letters and listened to the Watchtower's spokesperson (JR Brown), I'm struck by how shallow his responses are. They don't touch upon the real issues. (i.e. Not notifying those in the congregation about a potential child abuser in their midst, going to the police immediately regardless if it's a reporting state or not, etc). In one of the more recent letters (http://www.jw- media.org/newsroom/index.htm? content=/region/global/english/backgrounders/e_molestation. htm), towards the bottom of the letter, the PR spokesperson says this: "Our procedures have been refined over time. Over the years, as we have noted areas where our policies could be strengthened, we have followed through. We are continuing to refine them. We do not believe that our system is perfect. No human organization is perfect." Silentlambs have notified JW's leadership of loopholes in their policies - such that it would refine the process even more. So, I find it the above statement disingenuous and insincere - even hypocritical when you think about it! Lastly, to Jehovah's Witnesses, the organization is not known as a "human" organization - run by man. We call it Jehovah God's visible organization here on earth. Yes, they are still humans (who can indeed make mistakes), but the leaders are hand-picked by God (anointed by his spirit). So, you naturally expect more from the anointed and you expect their policies to be above reproach. Currently, they are not ABOVE reproach and the more JW's who find out about this, the more they are going to realize that something is terribly wrong with the policies. Wednesday, November 28, 2007 @ 4:54 PM Awesome posts!!! Wow, what a plethora of great posts with amazing comments and such good, pertinent points brought out! Everybody, please keep these wonderful posts coming! They offer a huge ray of hope for the victims and whistleblowers! Lately I find my JW sister's attitude toward my so-called "apostasy" so annoying that I want to make a facetious comment such as, 'I am such an evil person, such a wicked individual that when I wake up in the mornings and discover that I am still with myself, it's all I can do not to pound my poor pillow senseless'. I mean, I've about had it with Jehovah's Witnesses self- righteousness toward former Witnesses. I chose about 20 years ago to leave the JW religion. That should be okay. This is a free country. I'm not thrilled that she is a Jehovah's Witness, either, but I don't have an 'attitude' toward her. Man!!! The Jehovah's Witnesses religion is not really a religion at all. It is a dictatorship. I want to bang my head against the wall, because so many Jehovah's Witnesses are apparently too naive to recognize that they are being fed a load of.....um, insert impolite word here. The WTB&TS is encouraging elders and the "rank and file" to scapegoat victims and support abusers. When I saw Brian Williams' newscast last week about the pedophile issue in the JW religion, I was awestruck, soooooo very, very glad that the abuse was coming out in the open to millions of people! I can't recall if Brian Williams mentioned the gag order that was put on the victims or not, but I think that it is a vital point. I hope there is more and more about the JW pedophile situation in the news. I hope the media jumps on this and keeps talking about it! I was delighted, as I am sure many of you were, to hear Brian Williams bringing the pedophilia out into the open! Melody Blankenship Tuesday, November 27, 2007 @ 9:28 PM Support the Silentlambs! I would like to appeal to anyone who has been helped or blessed by this website to contribute to the cause. 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