Everything has a beginning. And for me, the first glimpse of AAWA, albeit without a name, occurred during a phone conversation. I was writing a story about Bo Juel Jensen for jwsurvey.org back in January 2013.
After being interviewed, Bo remarked, “So Richard, why don’t we use a business model to get the Tower’s full attention? Let’s form a not-for-profit corporation to rally and unite the worldwide ex-JW community. A well organized and focused business could force the Tower to change many of its harmful policies.”
Having been a successful businessman for thirty-three years, what Bo said made perfect sense. Even so, I thought it couldn’t hurt to get a second opinion. So I phoned my friend John Cedars, and asked if he’d ever thought about using a business model—a business plan—to get Watchtower to rethink its damaging policies.
At first, Cedars seemed strangely irritated. It seemed the word business was a sticking point for him. He couldn’t associate such a word with activism against the Watchtower. I persevered, and figured out that it was all just semantics. After all, it does sometimes take a while for a Brit and a Yank to reconcile their English.
When it finally dawned on Cedars that Bo and I were suggesting we apply a business model to the development of an activist organization, he said, “Ooooh! About a month ago I sent John Hoyle an email pitching him that very idea. Would you like to see a copy of it?”
Bingo! Cedars had already drafted a preliminary business plan for a “Council” of Anti-Watchtower activists. It was a great place to start, so we began tweaking Cedars’ original email into a workable business document. We needed a Mission Statement, at least that’s what I called it. Cedars preferred calling it a “Charter.” Again, it was semantics.
An organization takes shape
I suggested that we needed to clearly define the culture of our company—our personal and business values. Amazingly, it didn’t take long to come up with a workable solution. Soon it was time to get advice from critical-thinking ex-JWs who we could rely on to challenge us on our plan, and recommend improvements. So we approached an international panel, bringing in Barbara Anderson, Bo, Paul Grundy, Danmera (Mickey Hudson) and John Hoyle for their input. What it would take to get their buy-in? What should we add, delete or change? And so, gradually, the “light got brighter and brighter” on our idea! The seven of us became founders, making decisions collectively. An organization began to take shape.
After much deliberation, we reached consensus on a name for our brainchild, The Association of Anti-Watchtower Activists (AAWA). The purpose for our business would be to to raise awareness and help people escape a damaging cult. No person in our organization would be allowed to rise to prominence, or use his or her efforts to further any personal agenda.
AAWA would be religiously neutral. Our gripe was not so much with JW beliefs. We all believe that most JWs are good people; all of us having JW family members that we love. AAWA will focus its efforts on five of Watchtower’s most harmful policies, which the Governing Body in their Ivory Tower needs to urgently address. We will extend an offer to meet with them in person to discuss these if they so wish. If they choose to listen and respond wisely, we close up shop. The five policies are:
- The shunning of family members.
- The mishandling of child abuse cases.
- The mishandling of domestic abuse cases.
- The ban on certain medical treatments involving blood.
- The stigmatizing of higher education (college) as the pursuit of materialism and a waste of time.
AAWA was incorporated as a non-profit company on March 7, 2013 and is in the process of being organized into specific teams. Lee Marsh, who has qualifications and experience in the field of support work, joined as an Advisory Board member on March 31, 2013 – bringing the total number of board members to eight. Lee will lead the Support Team, and we are grateful to be adding her skills and experience to our project.
More information about AAWA can be found on our new website at jwactivists.org.
Standing on the shoulders of giants
AAWA would not have been possible without the hard work and visionary minds of Ray Franz, Randy Watters, Barbara Anderson, Simon Green and his wife, Angharad – real heroes, who in my mind will take centre stage in the history books as those who bravely stood up to the Watchtower. All of them are critical-thinking people who have helped thousands of people escape the Watchtower’s mental chains. And the number of modern-day internet vigilantes continues to expand.
Marvin Shilmer‘s research and writing skills related to the blood issue are second to none. Ruben Ortiz has created a social networking model on Facebook that has helped hundreds of people, a model that can be used all over the world by ex-JWs. Brenda Lee continues to reach out to young women who have been disfellowshipped, offering them a safe community of friends.
And now an international army of AAWA supporters is emerging. Nestor & Toni Kuilan (former missionaries and a District Overseer from Spain) and Roberto di Stefano (former Watchtower translator in Europe and an ex-JW activist) have already committed themselves to help make AAWA’s vision a reality.
My guess is that the Bullies in Brooklyn have underestimated the growing army of passionate people who are saying, “Enough is enough!” We will not remain silent. The leaders of the Watch Tower Society must be held accountable for the harm they inflict daily on current and former JWs alike.
Richard E. Kelly is the author of Growing Up In Mama’s Club, and The Ghosts From Mama’s Club, which are available on Amazon.com
Visit AAWA’s official web page at jwactivists.org
AAWA’s inaugural video…
Anybody out there?
Sorry for the delay, I’ve had my hands rather full. Your question is answered!
MANY people seem to be in error on the main purpose of AAWA. They seem think it exists to get current JWs to leave the WT. Key Objective #2 is to “assist those who WISH to leave”. Even S. Hassan has said if someone doesn’t want to leave a cult, they won’t. AAWA’s Objective #1 about exposing the WT inside & outside makes it unique &, I believe, is it’s true strength. Unsuspecting people still join this cult. I applaud the brave individuals who are putting this together. The WT is a viscious cult that hurts people with impunity & needs to be vigoriously exposed to the world. I say go get ’em AAWA Board. Don’t get discouraged!
Folks, we need to stay focused on the objectives of this group. We won’t all agree on everything all the time, but any headway we make in educating the general population, helping those who want to leave, and putting public pressure on the Watchtower to recognize its human rights violations is success in my book, which by the way is called “Out of the Cocoon” (just threw that in for those reading this who may not know me).
No group is free of growing pains and we will certainly have many. However, let’s not lose sight of why we are here to begin with: The Watchtower lies to, abuses, and tries to control individuals both inside and outside the organization. It has abused ALL of us. These human rights violations need to stop. Now is the time! Let’s all stop talking about it and DO something!
Brenda, I read your book and it was very interesting. I never put it together that you were the one in this book. I remember a post where you made a comment that you were writing a book and I never saw anything after that. Thank you for the time and energy you give to help others!
1.The shunning of family members.
2.The mishandling of child abuse cases.
3.The mishandling of domestic abuse cases.
4.The ban on certain medical treatments involving blood.
5.The stigmatizing of higher education (college) as the pursuit of materialism.
These policies are damaging, I agree. Many misuse the Bible principles and harm trusting sheep. Especially children, teens and the elderly. Many JW’s are loving and kind, they would never willing harm precious individuals.
I believe much of what the magazines say is helpful even though many do not practice the fine guidance. My aim is to get reinstated and search out genuine loving ones including my children to give my time to. My aim is also to stay away from ones who support the damaging practices.
Cedars, please dont send me anymore posts. Your efforts to expose have worked with me, and now, as we do not have the same aims it is time to part company.
I wish you all the best to teach others what you have taught me.
Warm regards
70wksofyrs
Thanks 70wksofyears – I wish you well on your journey. Feel free to return if ever you tire of the lunacy of the organization, or if only because you miss us so much! :)
The one area of Human Rights that should be targeted is the European Court of Human Rights in relation to the family, the family has rights that no corporation can interfear with. Organizations are quick to go to this forum and demand their rights. How would it look that such an organization was withholding family rights?//// Human Rights!!!
If you want to be an activist, then put your case together and present it to the European Court of Human Rights. In all fairness give the Watchtower notice of your intention. Registered mail. If ignored present your case and let them decide. The rights of the family will not be ignored. They are the foundamental foundation of all communities, governmental and religious. When the rights of the family are abused society falls apart. Every mother,father,son and daughter,brother or sister,grand mother or grandfather, aunt or uncle is important. As the European Court of Human Rights will confirm!!!!!!
Cedars, thanks for your reply. I get your point and I understood that perspective prior to my post. Obviously you don’t know us (posters) personally and this is not favorable to whom you would trust to go into business with. You did say this was being set up as a business entity. So I’m refering to data, raw data, like any business would gather and analyze prior to and after launch. It’s just basic marketing.
The same model (JWsurvey) “cannot be applied to forming an organization whose sole intention is to oppose the Watchtower.” Yes, I get that. “Do we really want to include Watchtower apologists in the formulating of strategies and a sound business model?” Not preferably, but actually you may even find useful information there as well that could be used to your strategic advantage. I’m sure you know marketing data is meant to be analyzed and parsed for business purposes. You can always discard what is undesirable. Surely, by asking the right questions something of value in line with AAWA objectives could be gained from visitos and the community you have participating on this site. No?
The zeal in nobility of the cause and the need for action can often supercede the methods of operation. When part of your brand and marking stategy is positioning your organization as the voice for the voiceless (as a global collective) and taking action in their behalf and others to “oppose the Watchtower,” you may be sanctioning what you will say or do without reasonable and fair consent of the majority. That majority that you claim connection to (and in part hope to recruit) may in fact have ligitimate concerns and resevations about AAWA which have initially gone unsollicited and now seem to be irrelevant. However if you market AAWA as a secular entity funtioning solely in its own interest, for its own purpose, with its own agenda, without the promotional props (like the voices have been heard, now AAWA is ready to act) …. well, that’s different and then my point would be mute.
You concluded “If anyone wants to approach it differently and get all and sundry involved in a similar project, they are welcome to try.” So I guess that answers my question as to wether you will be polling the comunity here for input. Certainly you don’t have to have anyone’s input outside your inner circle to start a venture but I think most business minded people agree that if your business is going to touch so many people in so many ways, it can be wise and enhance success when you do so.
Look, I know it is what it is. It’s already done and I’m sure it will be tweaked along the way. I praise your effort and the cause and I wish you success. Thank’s for letting me have my say.
Paul Grundy made some very interesting comments and provided the logical arithmetic equations from The Watchtower Society itself in his site JWfacts.com, regarding the practicality and realstic notion of only active Jehovah’s Witnesses being “Saved” at Armageddon.
Anyone who has travelled or experienced life in any measure of fulness knows the kinds of diverse conditions that people are living under in the world are so extreme and unbelievable that to the traditional western, “Leave it to Beaver” mindset…they are but unfathomable!
Aside from war wich is ever present, there is famine and indentured servitude, imprisonment and enslavement as well as enslavement to poverty and crime, violent abusive sex industry etc. Home abuse that is unspeakable and tribal and religious circumstances that prohibit any knowlege of other religious instruction. Physical and emotional disabilities in and out of institution whether in state or family custody that are far too profound to negotiate religious instruction.
1/2 of the world’s population alone is contained in India and China together and that does not include the religiously detached, isolated and somewhat suppressed Islamic nations of the Middle East. Circumstances that are far beyond the control of the many.
Well, for so many years the Society has staked dubious claim over the lives of “Human Souls” as the Bible says and made claim as well over what activities would take place in the end while directing such vile and abusive condemnations at other Religions who were due such wrath as part of the “Great Harlot”. We were told over and over how, “I will never see mourning” and all the entitlements applied to the evil entities of all other Religions but not The Watchtower Society who alone would be spared the wrath of the Governments when they turn on the Harlot.
But nowhere in the scriptures is there a provision for a legal or corporate, organized entity to survive through into the new world! Can anyone find such a basis? Only “A great crowd out of every nation..standing before the throne and the lamb”
What a shock it would be if the Evil Slave were counted among the Great Harlot or worse! “Beaten with the greatest severity” and only true worshippers of Jehovah were spared or anyone else according to Providence when “Gog of Magog” finally turned his wrath to them directly? (As described in Ezekiel)
No one here is a Prophet or claims to be but it will certainly be interesting to see how things pan out as opposed to how they were portrayed!
Great idea to create a united front. However, with regards to this comment, I think frank v. has some highly valid points, and I would have expected you to not have been so quick to dismiss them all. To be more open minded is something I thought many ex-witnesses would be trying to be after having been closed minded as part of the WT organisation. I have only bothered to comment on this comment because as a previous reader of this blog I was a little surprised to read this response from Cedars.
Frank V was dismissing AAWA before it has even started doing anything, using sensationalist expressions like “frontal assault” and “mental terrorists” to drive his point home. If you prefer his viewpoint to mine, I can put you in touch with him and you can ask him to start his own website which you can subscribe to. But I won’t put up with people on here who deliberately lie and exaggerate just to get their point across.
Michael, think twice on what do you mean by open minded. Being “Open minded” does not mean being “NARROW – MINDED”! Failing to understand clear and timely initiatives like “AAWA” for me equals being “narrow minded”. Frank V. needs more exercise to think widely and let “AAWA” move ahead freely!
I agree with Michael’s comments. The way I see it, Frank V was only questioning the name of AAWA and suggesting an alternative ‘human rights’ angle. He may have got a little excited in the way he expressed himself, but don’t we all at times when we’re passionate about something?
I noticed several others have offered similar comments and I too think he has valid points.
And I agree with with Frank and Sal. Witnesses love it when they can show they are being persecuted. Same with demos outside Kingdom Halls. It simply confirms what they have been told namely that they will be persecuted for speaking what they see as the truth.
I generally respect your reasoning powers, analytical thinking, and ability to communicate ideas effectively through your posts. While I did find it a little more difficult to understand where frank v. was coming from immediately, I ultimately interpreted his perspective to not be against the AAWA initiative, but simply highlighting how the name could prevent heavily indoctrinated WT members from listening. As you may have deleted some posts I could have missed something though. However, I considered frank v’s mention of ‘a frontal assault’ to be referring to the potential perspective of WT members who have been trained (like we all were) to resist and flee away from negative sentiments concerning the WT society and their beliefs in general.
I personally haven’t made up my mind as to what would ultimately be the best approach when it comes to a name for something like this, but I think the name may be more important than some say, and worthy of community discussion, if community discussion does interest you.
Please continue your well balanced posts, and all the best with your passionate pursuit of the new venture.
I think the name is fine. It’s descriptive and to the point.
Setting up a non-profit that disputes the policies and procedures of a religious organization doesn’t qualify as persecution. Persecution means to oppress or harass. That isn’t happening. The fact that the Watchtower Society has broadened the definition to include ‘opposition to their viewpoint’ doesn’t change it’s true meaning.
If you changed the name to something like “Advocates for the Right’s of Jehovah’s Witnesses” or something, you would only be dismissed as a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’. I think it’s much better to state that you oppose the Watchtower directly.
I also don’t think the goal of AAWA is convert the deeply indoctrinated (Cedar please correct me if I’m wrong). It appears the purpose is to highlight the questionable policies and make the public aware of them. This is protective of certain individuals who may get caught up in all the ‘feel good’isms that are pumped out by their publishers. It’s dissemination of information. You aren’t going to get every Witness to reconsider their beliefs, nor are you going to prevent every new bible study or baptism. But the fact that AAWA exists and highlights certain things that the Watchtower attempts to sweep under the rug gives individuals a better shot at making an appropriate decision for themselves.
If someone decides that they aren’t going to consider every angle, and pretend that these issues don’t exist, there isn’t much you can do for them.
I don’t wish to be drawn into an issue that is not mine but in Cedars’ defense and in all “Frankness” ( no pun intended) , Frank V although very intelligent and having offered some excellent points at times on this forum has a propensity for turning on those who don’t align themselves with him and his thinking. He did so with me in the past.
He virtually commandeered and attempted to drive me from the site once. Read back through the forum if you will…
I believe that Cedars’ patience are remarkable actually and far beyond the limits of mine!
We’ve all had some bad experiences and carry some heavy loads so it is a lot to consider when dealing with people on here…
I’ve read numerous comments here regarding the AAWA name and some good points have been made for and against. The “Society” is a seasoned pro at defending and protecting its interests. They paved the road of religious litigation and have deeper pockets than most of us can imagine. They are one of the best, if not the best in the business. They are masterful at camouflage and can change their color and skin to obscure detection or avoid attackers. They have developed an expert game plan to address serious dissension and emerging division among the rank and file. And they know how to neutralize opposers.
We’ve seen the playbook before and will likely see it again – Isolate, ignore, discredit, demonize. If necessary, separate and discard, regroup, apply name change. If you know your WT/JW history, you know they’ve already done this on an organizational level several times and can easily do it on a corporate level. (Note the Russell, Rutherford eras, modern GB maneuvers). The Society operates numerous corporations, if it wants to it can play the shell game as a public and legal cover. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporations_of_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses)
Just a thought – What happens if the WT succeeds in keeping the AAWA at arms length for an extended time while the AAWA is emerging and solidifying, then as a strategic move (though it will cost them a few pennies) change their legal name to something else? Wouldn’t the AAWA have to address this in their name and media materials as well in order to publicly target their activism and keep the ‘former’ WT Society in legal crosshairs? I’m thinking this could be expensive and problematic for a fledgling activist organization. The Society could have them fighting a ghost.
Another policy you might want to add to your list….
6) Refusal to exercise Christian humility and humbly admit when they’re wrong.
Cedars,
I have failed to post my comments for the last 5 days, what’s wrong?
Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Through the Watchtower Society is performed to perfection.
I’m afraid that people are powerless against wts
Cedars and everyong involved, Great job on the video!!! Well done on having a variety of people, yet none that monopolized the time. Expertly shot and edited.
Brenda Lee, I recently read your book and really enjoyed it. Glad to see you charted your own course and persevered in pursuing your education, freedom and happiness. You are right – we need to stay focused on the objectives and not get too hung up on whether we like the name. I was put off at first, but that is because I’ve only recently learned TTATT. Now, I look forward to lending support to this organization.
Dear Hakizimana Jean de Dieu,
thank you for your answer. I´m not for the Wt-trap… I only think, it´s ok to get some information and i´m sure, jwsurvey make a good job. But also it´s not our fight. I´m “apostate” since October 2012, only why we talking about our Lord Jesus. Nothing else, I don´t talk with the elders about subliminals, or other informations from “critical websites”. And I´m happy about many “new” Brothers and Sisters and in the last few years, I can help some of them, to kept there Belief. For many of us, it would be hard to see, that the WTO are a big liar. But when we only fight against the WTO, and don´t think about these biblewords, it may be, that we be to full of ourself. In Germany we say: nip the things in the bud. My comment are only a word of caution, nothing else.
Best regards to everyone…
Marco
P.S. Sorry for my grammatical faults … ;-)
Dear friends,
Thank you for AAWA! I’m in!
Your Belgian fellow ex-JW,
Patrick
I have to agree with the comments about changing the name to something without “anti” in the name. We know what you’re against but what are you for? It is an important distinction. I have been an activist since I left 35 years ago and names are important. For example, it is better to be for peace or non-violence than to be anti-war. You will turn off your target audience with anti-Watchtower in the name.
There is no trickery God watches over his sheep
Nathalie, God should watch over his PEOPLE TOO. I guess I am not talking to an”other sheep”, right? Do you read the Bible? If yes, Read Ecclesiastes 1:12-13 “I, the congregator, happened to be king over Israel in Jerusalem.And I set my heart to seek and explore wisdom in relation to everything that has been done under the heavens—the calamitous occupation that God has given to the sons of mankind in which to be occupied. I saw all the works that were done under the sun, and, look! everything was vanity and a striving after wind.” RUN THROUGH PAGES of YOUR BIBLE and read Romans 8:20 “For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will but through him that subjected it, on the basis of hope”
THERE IS NO TRICKERY GOD SHOULD WATCH OVER HIS PEOPLE TOO!!
And what’s next? Your own organisation with your own governing body? Why is it that we all need to feel that we belong to something?do you really need this?
Put up or shut up. Frank V told you like it is and you didn’t like it.
So what?
I’m just wondering why my last comments couldn’t get themselves posted? This seems like such an important dialogue. Is there a glitch in the machine?
Censorship.
I think I am like most jw’s and ex-jw’s in that my sense of trust has been very much shaken by my dealings with the wtbts who claim to care sooo much about me, but, they DON’T. So because of this fact, any organization that wants my support will want to be extremely transparent and responsive to and appreciative of all of the feedback that it gets! Anybody else out there agree with me?
“I think I am like most jw’s and ex-jw’s in that my sense of trust has been very much shaken by my dealings with the wtbts who claim to care sooo much about me, but, they DON’T”
You don’t get yet that you are dealing with a DEATH DEALING criminal enterprise? What will it take? The Steven Unthank Story wasn’t enough? Candace Conti wasn’t enough? All the Silent Lambs aren’t enough? All of the court transcripts around the US and the criminal proceedings and indictments/hearings in Australia aren’t enough? All that people posted and linked on this forum and all over JWN and topix and across the Internet wasn’t enough?
You don’t get yet that you are dealing with a DEATH DEALING criminal enterprise? What will it take? The Steven Unthank Story wasn’t enough? Candace Conti wasn’t enough? All the Silent Lambs aren’t enough? All of the court transcripts around the US and the criminal proceedings and indictments/hearings in Australia aren’t enough? All that people posted and linked on this forum and all over JWN and topix and across the Internet wasn’t enough?
It’s all very disturbing Anonymous yes, and I do not intend to hide and do nothing. I do not want to be guilted into choosing my course of action. Please do not do that.
Well it was pretty stupid if they did since they virtually built the Army themselves with their own wanton campaign of disfellowshipping terror! Just more evidence of no love and not having God’s blessing…as if any more were needed!
They should have seen it coming and growing far off on the horizon and all the grief with it…I suppose that was simply another symptom of the delusional pathology.
Maybe you have to be a German (I grew up in the West of Germany) to see what I see, but alone the word “watchtower” always reminds me of walls, that are built to separate people.
Metaphorically speaking it looks as if the Watchtower Company has built up a wall that is made of their believe, their truth and their business ideas. Those you are trapped inside that wall are not allowed to be part of the beautiful world outside, because the world outside doesn’t support the Watchtower business ideas. So the Watchtower strictly observes the wall and manipulates the trapped ones to keep them silent inside. The Watchtower tells them many lies about the world outside. Finally the trapped ones feel save inside. And of course, they are also afraid to resist against the Watchtower, now that they believe that the Watchtower protects them of the world outside, a world that finally turned ugly because of Watchtower propaganda. They don’t even dare to think about looking over that wall again. I could go on and on describing further metaphorical connections between walls and watchtowers due to historic events I have experienced.
In this internet age it is just not possible anymore to hide people away from the truth. Therefore the mental wall which the Watchtower controls got chapped. Someday it will break. Both sides of the mental wall will need a lot of help and time to feel united again, when the wall finally collapses. There will be a lot of hurt and emotional abuse to get over, but it will get better day by day and lots of families will find together again. I am sure, as years go by and wounds will heal, nobody will miss the Watchtower. Humanity does not need watchtowers.
Hi Cedars, I’ve seen some of the negative post you and your new website have received over on JWN. I’m sorry and feel bad that they have been so judgmental. I understand some of them were ‘outted’ to their JW friends and family. But I also know how Facebook works and it’s not your fault. I enjoy your comments and topics on JWN and if I could meet anyone on there and sit around a campfire and talk over a few ‘pints’, it would be you.
Gojira [My daughter] had to post a new topic explaining to people that ANYTHING they comment on, liked, or joined the group would show up on their Facebook page.
That is the chance any of us take when we’re trying to balance between two different lives. Keep up the good work to every one that is doing this to HELP people.
Big hugs to everyone who has worked so hard to make AAWA a reality.
“I’ve seen some of the negative post you and your new website have received over on JWN” – I personally don’t recommend JWN (Jehovahs-witness.net) to anybody. My experiences as “KDMensch” with my extremely important FBI posts before I was banned and deleted was that it is hostile and saturated with Watchtower operatives as well as run by an incompetent staff of Canadians who are purely “Hoser friendly” to the detriment of the serious interests that people are trying to convey. It was reported to the authorities for the potential threat that it is…
@Newly Enlightened: Who probably has the most interest in demolishing AAWA right from the beginning? Right, the Watchtower!
Erik – “I think I am like most jw’s and ex-jw’s in that my sense of trust has been very much shaken by my dealings with the wtbts who claim to care sooo much about me, but, they DON’T. So because of this fact, any organization that wants my support will want to be extremely transparent and responsive to and appreciative of all of the feedback that it gets! Anybody else out there agree with me?”
Absolutely.
A word of warning regarding the formation of an organisation. I quote from Ray Franz’ second book ‘In Search of Christian Freedom’ pages 555-6. He is quoting W J Brown, a former member of the British Parliament:
“Whether the organization be political, religious or social is immaterial….The point is, that the idea having embodied itself in organization, the organization then proceeds to slay the idea which gave it birth…..Any departure from the creed must be controverted and if necessary suppressed as heresy…..The organization comes to stand for the opposite of the idea which originally inspired it, is the tendency of men and women to become prisoners of the organization.”
The author was applying this to the Watchtower organisation, morphing over time to become something totally different from its original intent. Hence the danger of human organisation- even C T Russell said in 1895, ‘Beware of organisation’.
Jimmy, well said. Does there have to BE an organization to fight against one? Can’t we just HIRE an outside organization to do the job? :) Also I don’t want to be part of any club that would accept me as a member…
As a witness since my early childhood, my mother married into a large witness family. At one time in the 70′s, the family proudly boasted having over 40 members in the truth and doing well. I and my family have experienced the first 2 issues, namely shunning by relatives – which has destroyed my family. And also child abuse mishandling, where the perpetrator was an elder who progressed to a circuit overseer before I got involved and started the process of getting him removed. However, both my sisters who this perpetrator molested are still disfellowshipped, while he is still at large. One got married and moved on with her life and the other is damaged mentally and in very bad shape. My parents who have 12 children only really talk to 2 of them because of all of this mess. I agree that an association should be started to help fight these type of oppressive wolves. I am against all the gag orders, and feel the truth should shine forth in regards to all evil organizations.
I feel the energy should be put into negotiating compensation for victims and their families of these oppressive organizations. Thus counseling and help can be provided.
THAT’s another good reason WHY I’m a volunteer in AAWA and I’m ANTI!!
In my case, I was made to stand outside of the Kingdom Hall for months in the coldest winter of the century as a Disfellowshipped and disabled person. I endured physical violence and emotional abuse and lost all of my property was homeless for over 3 years and in transition from homelessness in Alaska and Mexico and back in Phoenix but wasn’t even disfellowshipped before most of that. At the hands of Mark Suddock and David Taylor and the Moon valley congregation with help from the Spanish North and Sierra Adobe and others.
The slander and harassment I endured which culminated in banning from the Kingdom Hall with absolutely no basis whatsoever. All of this to control who I may talk to and who may talk to me within the perfectly lawful and appropriate guidelines of the scriptures and the “society’s instructions” which I followed to the letter and is documented with witnesses!, God’s law and man’s!
That is the very, very short version! I could go on for hours!
That’s just the last few years worth…the whole 30 years is rather a rerun…
That’s my “spiritual paradise”
It was reported to the good for nothing Phoenix Police who did absolutely NOTHING!
However the FBI has it now along with everybody else’s and the whole big picture!
Hopefully the FBI will take the required action against the elders who acted in a shameful way and disgraced Jehovah’s name.