silentlambs

[Marque100]

Just a quick question; Whats the forums general opinion of this group?

M.

[watchman]

There are thousands of JW's who are victims of child abuse at the hands of other JW's. Collectively they are called silent lambs because of the muzzle the Society has put on them. As for the people who run the Silentlambs organization, Barbara Anderson and Bill Bowen, they seem to also be victims, in that, they allowed themselves to be stumbled by the Society's wicked doings. Very sad indeed.

watchman

[uglyandthin]

Hi Watchman:

I think I understand what you mean in your comment. However, even though it appears that the society will never change thier stand on how they have handled child abuse issues in the past or thier reaction when confronted with the U.N. NGO issue, how would we ever know about these things unless courageous and faithful individuals stand up and say "this is wrong, and it must change!" and continue to do so in the face of obstinence?

I don't know you or Bill Bowen or Barbara Anderson personally, and being unable to read hearts would never be able to determine what inner motivation there was to do what you and they have done, but from what I can see, the original motivation seems pure. As far as I know, you nor they originally went public with your problems with the Society (as I think it should be), but you all privately tried to extract change from the organization from within and in private before ever even thinking of making it a public ussue. Am I right in this assumption? In the same respect, I don't know how the motivations have changed in all these cases since the beginning.

We are all human, at least for now that is, and power does have a tendancy to corrupt everyone over time, and perhaps the small amount of fame and noteriety has corrupted these individuals (including yourself, I don't know) to a point. But their and your original disagreement still exists largely unchanged in the WTBTS, so the efforts to effect the desired change must persist. What would you have them and yourself do, quite? You are just as dead in the eyes of the Society as Bill and Barbara are, and I would think just as much alive in Jehovah and Jesus' eyes. It is true that you are seen as an apostate in the eyes of the WTBTS and many of it's members, but probably not in Jehovah's eyes.

If there were more individuals like yourself and Bill B. and Barbara A. perhaps some change would actually happen at Bethel. Perhaps not though, they are a pretty tough bunch. It probably will only be by Jehovah's power that they are disciplined, and that's how it should be, I suppose. Just wish it didn't have to be that way. Anyway, I am glad that you have put it on record that you think the Society has strayed from Jehovah and truth, and I am glad that Bill B. and Barbara A. have done the same with the child abuse issue. It is my opinion that they the (WT) are guilty on both accords. We shall shortly see. Probably, what I don't understand the most is why they can't just say, "We really screwed up on this issue (whatever it might be), and we will try our hardest not to let it happen again, even though we know it will. When it does, we will hopefully be just as repentent as we are now". What's so damned hard about that? Do you or I or anyone expect perfection from other humans, even the WTBTS? I don't. But I don't expect them to be unrepentant either, which they clearly are.

uglyandthin

[imjustaskin]

Regarding Bill Bowen, I am grateful he provided the means for revealing the problem and giving voice to the victims. At a gut level, I don't get a good feeling about him, he seems to have another agenda going on.

Something he said about when he was finally DF'd, how he caused trouble at the meeting that night, and then when home and celebrated with champagne. It just didn't sit right with me.

Oh, and then he showed up on Michael Jackson special. It seemed clear he was just there for the 15 minutes of fame.

My personal opinion only, of course!

[dgibson]

He doesn't seem camera shy! Then again he is zealous to make known a secret the WTBTS is harboring,and has been doing so for a very long time. They (WTBTS) just can't escape time, and the new communication devices we all have now. It was easy before, but they are losing the information battle to the internet. Expect it (the internet) to be under attack by religions very soon. At least that is what my gut thinks, and it is a big gut.:o:rolleyes:

[shikinah]

I suppose if he is a victim of abuse, perhaps the hatred and anger he still holds was directed at the organisation, and he feels vindicated perhaps for not being able to get back at his abuser, but for saving the thousands of silent lambs. After my friend who was also a victim of child abuse from 3 years old, about silent lambs, she was severely stumbled from the truth. She left Jehovahs org and went down the wrong road, was very sad.

Shikinah.

[Jahsdisciple]

I suppose if he is a victim of abuse, perhaps the hatred and anger he still holds was directed at the organisation, and he feels vindicated perhaps for not being able to get back at his abuser, but for saving the thousands of silent lambs. After my friend who was also a victim of child abuse from 3 years old, about silent lambs, she was severely stumbled from the truth. She left Jehovahs org and went down the wrong road, was very sad.

Shikinah.

Hi Shikinah,
This to me is the sad part of being in an Org,that somehow what they say is from them. They have their agenda and are doing their best. But a lot of what they say is fro Jah..from the bible.

However,if some get hurt while there and leave,its like they have to leave behind the many moral issues from Jehovah...and they suffer because of it.

I also know that people who have been molested feel guilt and then take a course of action that sees them being "punished" by bad consequences..taking a course of action that WILL cause them pain because they believe they deserve it. This is terrible because its not their fault,yet they 'act out' this shame and guilt. This is why they need to get councelling and learn to understand themselves. They do not deserve punishment of any kind. JD.

[shikinah]

Hi Shikinah,
This to me is the sad part of being in an Org,that somehow what they say is from them. They have their agenda and are doing their best. But a lot of what they say is fro Jah..from the bible.

However,if some get hurt while there and leave,its like they have to leave behind the many moral issues from Jehovah...and they suffer because of it.

I also know that people who have been molested feel guilt and then take a course of action that sees them being "punished" by bad consequences..taking a course of action that WILL cause them pain because they believe they deserve it. This is terrible because its not their fault,yet they 'act out' this shame and guilt. This is why they need to get councelling and learn to understand themselves. They do not deserve punishment of any kind. JD.

Yes that's very true J.D,
I personally know of three people who were sexually abused as children, and they have always felt they deserve to be treated badly and with disrespect, and there whole lives reflect this by drink, drugs and abusive relationships and these were individuals not in the truth.
So just try and imagine it being an Elder or someone in the congregation you trust, because there out for your welfare, because they speak so highly of Jehovah, this must be even more devastating, this go's very deep indeed. And then there relationship with Jehovah suffers as they feel they can no longer trust him, as in some cases these are supposedly selected by Gods Holy Spirit.
My heart truly go's out to these silent lambs, and how it must hurt Jehovah deeply to see whats happening in his name.

Shikinah

[arimatthewdavies]

i saw this post and i want to say to all those who have been their make it known! dont hold it in. drug abuse shame guilt resentment of jehovah and becomeing an abuser your self is what happens i had 4 years of inpatient therepy for all my symptoms of pshcopathologies be fore the root of the matter reached the light i dont speak of this to dishonor the society or jehovah i am now 49 ive seen it been their, it is real and its a travesty that it gets hidden,when i developed negative behaviors in latter life i was treated as a sinner and got no support at all from home base,so my advice is get treatment from a certified counselor this involves classes and a few private sittings and several thousand dollars but it worth it ,