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| pcw |
Monday, March 1, 2010
@ 10:08 AM |
M.A.N.
M.A.N.
Please purchase the book "Losing My Religion" if you
haven't
already. There is a wealth of information of innocent
child/parent betrayals, and the same stories as read here
in
the guestbook of Silent Lambs. The author, William Lobdell
is a powerful religious writer who has enlightened his
readers of what really takes place with leaders of religion
from a behind the scene approach. He so reminds me of the
SilentLambs founder, Bill Bowen. |
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| LB |
Saturday, February 27, 2010
@ 4:23 PM |
Interesting site. I grew up in JW but made a conscious
decision in my teenage years that it wasn't for me. Based
on my own perceptions, and experiences, I feel that the
organization shelters a lot of unhealthy behavior. They
ignore mental illness, which keeps people from admitting
and getting the help they need. I myself was a victim of
a mentally ill elder with a lust for impressionable
teenagers. I hope folks find the help they need through
this site and realize they are not alone. |
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| DJB |
Monday, February 22, 2010
@ 8:15 PM |
To Jam...
Nicely said you make some good points. Some consider their
tolerance\treatment of victims leading to grieving God's
Holy Spirit. I say a BIG yes to this...DJB |
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| M.A.N. |
Monday, February 22, 2010
@ 5:01 PM |
Hi everyone
I wanted to check in to see how everyone was doing. It's so
nice to read these posts from new people. I still am
preparing to visit law enforcement here in Central Florida
with the information I have. As some of you know, I've had
health problems on and off and I can't do too much. Oh, hi
PCW, I'm glad you still post. I've read some of the latest
news on Freeminds. My encouragement to new people, whether
JW's or not, is to ask yourselves just one simple question
that, ironically, the WT is very fond of asking when trying
to make you exercise your conscience according to THEIR
personal beliefs. That question is: "Would Jesus Christ, if
he was alive today, associate with individual known
pedophiles who were unrepentant and actively offending?"
And
the same question to the leaders and GB: "Would Jesus or
God or any self-respecting angel have ANYTHING to do with
you perverted liars??" Somehow, I think honest-hearted
people know the answer to these questions. Jesus often
lambasted the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. We all know
that the GB have the Pharisees beat by a mile. Yet they
support Satan by tolerating child abuse. If any JW is
reading this, you are NOT in trouble with any God anywhere
if you quit this cult. You might actually save your life.
I'll check back when I can.
My best to all. M.A.N. from Florida. |
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Friday, February 12, 2010
@ 5:53 PM |
To Renee Shelton
I am glad you are free now, too! I'm sorry about your
childhood and about the elders in your congregation who
were pedophiles. I hope all pedophiles in the
Jehovah's Witnesses are exposed, also! |
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| Renee Shelton |
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
@ 9:33 PM |
Thank you Jesus I am free!
I grew up in Middletown, Ohio. Raised by a mentally ill
mother and a pedophile step father who was a minister in
the org. I thank God that He set me free and has healed me
from the abuse of not only what I had to deal with at home
but also by the grown-ups who neglected me and turned the
other way. Especially the Elders. Unknown to me there were
Elders who were sexually abusing their own children during
that time. Some are still in the organization and now have
grandchildren. I pray that they will be exposed.
God bless, Renee |
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
@ 11:25 AM |
To PCW
Thanks for the information on the book! |
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| pcw |
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
@ 2:04 PM |
A Must Read Book
Has anyone heard of, or read the book "Losing My Religion:
How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America and
Found Unexpected Peace (Hardcopy) by William Lobdell? I am
halfway through the book and am astonished at what is going
on in churches. You would be amazed at this man's talent,
research and patience. Please purchase a copy. It is worth
your while. |
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| |
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
@ 11:52 AM |
To Marie
I'm so glad you're out, too, and I'm glad that you no
longer suffer from guilt over leaving! There is nothing to
feel guilty about. You did the right thing when you left.
I'm sorry your father was abusive! I hope your life is very,
very happy now! |
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| Marie |
Monday, February 1, 2010
@ 3:22 PM |
Thankful its over
I was raised in and out of the org. I never felt at
home in any of the 10 congregations we attended. I was
always "on the fringes" as they say. I couldn't understand
what was wrong with me for not just "getting it" like all
the others. Why I had questions that couldn't be answered
to my satisfaction. I was told it was because I lacked
the right heart condition or somethings we have to take on
faith. What kind of answer is that? But I had a love for
god and a hunger to know him so I continued to go to the
meetings. My father was a very abusive person. Both
mentally and physically. The JW's knew and did nothing.
Even when I begged for help or would come to meeting red
faced and crying. I'm free of that religion now and all of
guilt that came with leaving. I'm so thankful to read
everyone's accounts. It validates my own feelings! Thank
you all for sharing your stories. |
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| |
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
@ 12:31 PM |
The abuse
The JW elders and Catholic priests who refuse to report
abuse and to help the victims might as well be slapping God
in the face. THEY are the ones bringing reproach to God and
to Jesus. Not people who report the abuse to the proper
authorities and to social services! The WTBTS misleads
elders and congregations to the nth degree, and that is
totally deplorable! Pedophiles commit heinous crimes
against children - - and get away with it?! How crazy is
that?! The elders who aid and abet the abusers are simply
accomplices to the crimes and are no more than criminals
themselves. Again, THEY are the ones who bring reproach
against God's name in their refusal to do the only right
thing, which is to protect and provide for the victims by
reporting their abuse to the appropriate authorities. How
could they not and have clear consciences? Their behavior
toward the victims is ABHORRENT! |
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| AGM |
Monday, January 18, 2010
@ 7:02 PM |
Now I know (too late)
My family has been torn apart because of the WTBTS.
It is a high control sect. |
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| PJ |
Sunday, January 17, 2010
@ 12:19 PM |
Ireland- Finally getting out of the dark ages!
The recent state commissioned investigation into child
abuse covering the period of the 1960’s to 1980’s has
resulted in a long awaited apology from both the Catholic
Church and the Irish State itself. Many senior figures
within the church have had to resign, while others are
considering their position based on their inaction when
cases were reported to them or where they deliberately
covered up cases to protect the Church. It’s interesting
that the Gardai (police force) came under criticism for
being reluctant to take action, and that the investigation
also stated that elements of the state colluded in the
covering up of abuse.
Investigators had to sift through over 60,000 previously
secret church files including some 5500 withheld secret
files by the Cardinal in his private vault. This
investigation found that 46 priests abused over 300
children in the Dublin area alone…. and that "the
reputation of the Church had been put above the welfare of
the children”
Many Irish people have described this as “the ultimate
abuse of trust” and that not enough has been done and have
called on the Pope to come to Ireland to say he’s sorry
for the damage done.
Do any of these comments sound familiar? Are Jehovah’s
Witnesses Ministers separate from this sort of conduct?
Do they apologize where there has been wrong doing in the
area of child abuse? Well, from my own personal experience
the answer is no.
I reported the sexual abuse of my daughter to the
Congregation Elders in 1992 thinking that it would be
dealt with and resolved in a Christian way. Instead the
next few years would be spent with the majority of Elders
intent on not only trying to cover up the case and pervert
justice, but also trying to discredit me in every way
possible so that they wouldn’t look bad. The sole issue
that was of concern to the congregation was that of the
Elders own personal reputation and position and second to
that was the name of the organization.
Was the reputation of the Elders and Congregation put
above the welfare of the flock? Well to answer that for
yourself, consider that during those years my family had
to contend with the attempted suicide of our abused
daughter and all the problems that come with dealing with
child sexual abuse with no support from the congregation.
Add to this the fact that the Elders had a report of
physical abuse of the abusers wife and the sexual abuse of
the abusers own daughter during those years!
Did the congregation move to have the case investigated by
the Gardai? No, quite the opposite, in 1995 the Gardai had
to threaten the Congregation overseer with prosecution
just to make a Garda statement after I had reported the
case to the authorities for investigation. Prior to this
I was told NOT to release the name of the abuser to the
Health Authorities or to inform the book study conductor
in the abusers new congregation of the accusation against
him.
Interestingly, after the investigation got under way the
Circuit Overseer’s advise was that I didn’t have to turn
up in court if the prosecution against the abuser went
ahead and that the case would fold! This suggests that
they knew the case was true and would go to trial.
To cut a long story short the abuser resigned from the new
congregation, then admitted the sexual abuse of my
daughter in a meeting between myself, his own wife and an
Elder from his new congregation. My daughter & myself
agreed to drop the charges and accept a meeting with the
authorities and abuser to settled the case out of court as
had originally been done in another Irish congregation
according to the Circuit Overseer.
This never happened and the Elder involved in the meeting
has refused to report the abusers admittance to this day
to the Gardai, even though the abuser had resigned from
the congregation! He fled the area and has not being
charged. This case opened a flood of reports of child
abuse cases that had been swept under the carpet in nearby
congregations, although nothing was done about them in the
past, not surprising given the culture of Irish society,
it is my hope that the publishing of the Catholic Church
investigation will give new hope and confidence for
victims to come forward with their stories and to be acted
on.
The Cork Congregation in question has since changed its
name, due in some respect I believe to cover it’s past
reputation, but the Elders that carried out the ultimate
abuse of trust are still around, pretending there’s
nothing wrong, pretending that they have children’s best
interest at heart, pretending they are shepherd’s of
Christ’s flock.
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| Sweet Pea |
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
@ 6:15 AM |
Mothers Battle, Fear and Pray 4 Justice
I am dealing with fighting my entire county in order to
protect my little baby boy's life. No one seems to care nor
listen to the innocent cries for help when its from a child.
I thought that was our job, our duty, our god given and
treasured gift to find peace and assurance in protecting our
children. My heart aches with now knowing and seeing just
how wide spread child abuse is in our country. Child abuse
now being rated so to seem as less of a fault. When it is
the child that has fallen victim there is only an adult to
blame! Youth, innocence go ahead look that up, you will come
to find there is no other direction to look for fault with
such a horrible wrong thing. I will stop at nothing to do
the right thing and protect my baby boy. I am all he has and
he is all I have that I never ever can fail with. I will
make it through this, yes gain strength but at the same time
hold a lot of hatred for any being that is low enough to
risk the life or fate of an innocent child. |
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| J |
Saturday, January 9, 2010
@ 9:03 PM |
I grew up in the Vincennes Indiana Congregation
I grew up in Vincennes Indiana. I was a Witness throughout
my childhood and started raising my children as Witnesses
also. I believed the "truth" with my whole heart. It took
me years to finally break away and stop feeling guilty for
no longer being a Witness. The Vincennes congregation was
riddled with perverts during my years in the congregation.
People gossiped about it but NEVER reported any of it to the
police! I'm sad to say but my parent is one of those adults
that talked about these sick perverts but never picked up
the phone to save any of those children from the pedophiles.
All because it would bring reproach on Jehovah's name! How
warped is that?
Elders (one in particular, he was the presiding overseer)
would stalk kids and young adults trying to catch them in
the act of wrongdoing. They used intimidation regularly. I
was dragged into an elder's meeting at just 10 years old!
Why? Because I was seen by an elder walking down the street
with a 'worldly girl!' This was a friend from school. I was
an innocent child that had done nothing wrong. I had to face
3 grown men intimidating me and reproving me, for what? My
parent allowed this!
In the early 1990's some brother's from 'the organization'
came in. After several meetings with many people, the elders
in Vincennes were "removed". After a few years they were all
elders again and nothing ever changed. I'm so happy to be
free from the mental chains that kept me connected to
Jehovah's Witnesses!I now use my own mind and my own
conscience that God gave me. I'm so thankful for your website! |
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| HABW |
Saturday, January 9, 2010
@ 9:45 AM |
Alberta Canada Experience
Only recently have I discovered this organization that is
doing such a great and important job to expose the lies
and 'holier than thou' attitude of the WT organization.
One summer an itinerant JW (quite elderly) visited my
grandparents farm - and since there was no spare
bed . . .. need I say more! I was only 12 years old (male).
Wondering if there were others in the
Castor/Coronation/Stettler area of Alberta, Canada, who had
a similar experience involving a JW minister? |
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| |
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
@ 1:15 PM |
To J.A.M.
Those are some really good points you make! I hate
war, too. What bothers
me about Jehovah's Witnesses and their door to door work is
that they are
basically required to go door to door to earn points in the
organization.
There is something so not real about that. Also, the New
World Translation isn't
really a translation. It's a sectarian interpretation. The
JWs' 'truth' is not the
truth. The so-called leadership allows for corrupt
teachings. When I was a
Witness I could not shun people. It didn't feel right. It
didn't feel normal or
natural. I have a sister who is a devout JW, too. She is
like your sister. She is
not going to call me and say, "Lets do coffee", or anything.
No way.
I appreciate your post! |
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| J.A.M. |
Thursday, December 31, 2009
@ 2:38 PM |
Are other Christian orgs
Even though I fully agree with the folks about the false
teachings and horrific abuse I'd like to advise some to
keep things in perspective. The Jehovah's Witnesses are
not all bad. Its the leadership that has allowed a small
percentage to corrupt the religion from within as they
have taken the lead in corrupting. Does this make
other "Christian" religions legitimate? How many of these
Christian religions have the courage to refuse to
volunteer their members to participate in the horrific
bloodshed we've experienced in the 20th and 21st centuries?
Would Jesus approve of these wars and the innocents who
get killed and maimed? Would he approve of the lies that
world leaders tell to incite the brainwashed people of ALL
countries to war with their fellow men,while the weathly
elite profit immensely from the bloodshed?
Jehovah's Witnesses have truly not learned war anymore.
How many other religions can say that about its members?
This doesn't excuse the lies and abuse but at the same
time -we need to acknowledge the virtues of, not the
orgainization, but how Bible based teaching has made the
members most likely the only non-sequestered Christian
religion that is free from the blood guilt of the world's
continual wars. |
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| Earl |
Thursday, December 31, 2009
@ 8:27 AM |
J.A.M. and all
You bring up some very good questions. My family was
raised as jw's, I was never baptised into the group as I
never believed they were the only ones on earth a part of
God family. This is just one of their many lies. After 40
some years of trying to defend them I realized I had to
make a choice as I had to deal with child abuse of a
little one in the congregation that no one was helping. It
was then I found Silent Lambs and realized that yes, all
Church's have an issue with abuse of some kind, but it is
how they handle it that makes them a church of God. When
I read the policies of the WT I got the idea that it was
written by a lawyer and not from someone with the heart
of Jesus. The two witness rule was never meant for child
abuse and it clearly protects the org. over the children.
Pedophiles do not generally have any witnesses when they
do their evil deeds. The WT is the only group on earth
that uses the archaic two witness rule. In the end they
are doing the same thing as the highly publicized Catholic
priests were doing and the WT was reporting on. Hiding
their sins and moving the elders on to another group. So I
too asked what was behind this group and did a lot of
research with the founding fathers like Russel, Rutherford
etc. and I realized they were very eccentric, narcissistic
people very typical of all cult leaders. When one studies
cults you will find they all have the same authoritarian
structure, they all pronounce that only they have Gods
favor, and control all activities of their members
especially their thinking. I came to the conclusion that
they are very much a cult org. My own sister proved how
blinded they are when she shunned me after I told her
about Silent Lambs. She basically chose the WT teachings
over her brother and has not talked to me in years now.
Anyone who publicly disagrees with the WT is called an
apostate and is cast off. So this all solidified my thinking
and I knew I did the right thing by exposing them and I was
able to reprogram my brain from all of their false teachings
and become a Christian by the
grace of God. Thanks to the Internet one can learn the
real fruits of the WT org. and all of its beliefs and
underhanded involvements in the world. I think one needs
to convince themselves so as to be able to help others,
especially the children who are helpless. Reading the
stories here at Silent Lambs one can see the sinister
workings of this cult and how strongly they mind control.
Even when a JW is caught and found guilty they refuse to
believe that the perpetrator is not a good man . They
don't want him sent away and would be quite happy if he
just apologized and continues in their hall. Very scary
thinking, but I consider them very blinded and actually
pray for them that they will come around. I don't see the
WT changing policy or making a public apology as the
Catholic church has done so my job is to keep exposing
them and warning others so maybe some will not have to
suffer at the hands of the WT org. Blessings to all, keep
up the good work and Happy New years. |
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| J.A.M. |
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
@ 12:29 PM |
How deep does this go?
I was a baptized Witness for around 5 years in a
congregation South of Boston MA. I have to say that I was
not surprised by these horrific accounts because of my
observations and interactions with others during my time
in the organization. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all
of you. I cry each time I visit this site especially when
I read about a certain woman who now lives in Ohio. My
heart goes out to you S.
I have to admit though the organization puzzles me. On one
hand, they do have a lot of very sensible teachings that
harmonize with the Bible. They also have the courage to
preach from door to door.
However, the duplicity of their more authoritative
members, especially the loyalty to the "organization"
rather than Bible principles is troubling because it seems
to be the norm and NOT the exception. Is this what they
learn in the Ministerial schools?
The penchant for sexual abuse reminds me of my research
into aristocratic families who make up the so called
global elite. At first I attempted to give them the
benefit of the doubt and reasoned that as God's true
people, they would be targeted by Satan more vociferously
than the false faiths.
However, the arrogance and contempt with which the Elders
treat the victims doesn't align with the demeanor of a
humble servant of God as is expressed in the pages of the
Bible.
Is this truly God's organization, that like the nation of
Israel in the Bible, has become corrupted from within to
where it has lost God's favor or is it simply as others
hypothesize, just some kind of mind control cult.
If it is a cult, who or what organization really founded
it and for what reason?
I haven't found any satisfying answers to this as of yet.
I wonder though that if we did we could get to the root of
this sickening behavior they condone. Moreover, its just
not the Witnesses, but other religions as well, including
the Catholic religion.
My fervent prayer to all the victims is that the
benevolent universal sovereign heal you and moreover, grant
you the peace and strength to be healed. |
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| Trudy |
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
@ 8:19 AM |
30+ years later
I am so happy to have found this site. I was raised JW and
left when I was 18
(really I left silently when I was 14). I have started to
research the history of the
organization and uncovered so much.
Now, remembering my childhood, I have revisited the accounts
of sexual abuse
that I knew about and never talked about. It's true: the
perpetrators were never
criminally prosecuted.
I am so enraged, saddened and inspired to come forward on
the victims behalf,
even though it is many decades later and it will only serve
to expose the truth.
The bottom line is that I am now considering returning to my
former
congregation and insisting to be disfellowshipped. I will be
honored. |
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| Earl |
Friday, December 18, 2009
@ 10:39 AM |
Silent Lambs coming up on ten years of service to the
victims that the Watchtower Org. has cast aside is
wonderful news. Sl is still very much needed for the new
and younger jw's coming up as well as the ones who have
not yet told their story. I plan on giving a donation this
month and hope that others will as well. The word is
getting out and we may never know who we help in this
world but I feel good knowing that a poor lost soul can
come here and finally get some help. Merry Christmas to
all and keep up the good works. |
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| Wil Reese |
Thursday, December 17, 2009
@ 12:57 PM |
Happy for all of you
It's great to see that all of the JW mess is still coming
out after all of these years. I'm glad that there are a
lot of people involved in this process. My family are
still JW's and they are still blinded by so much of the
Witness propaganda that it's sickening. I have heard from
more people that they are questioning the Watchtower
society way, and I am very happy to see that. |
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| Joe |
Thursday, December 17, 2009
@ 9:04 AM |
PLEASE DONATE NOW TO HELP SILENTLAMBS CONTINUE
TO HELP SILENTLAMBS.ORG CONTINUE, PLEASE GO TO THE MAIN
PAGE HERE, CLICK NEAR THE TOP ABOUT DONATIONS THEN
DONATE. KIDS DEPEND UPON IT; AND SO DO ADULTS WHO WERE
KIDS
WHEN ABUSED! |
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| |
Friday, December 11, 2009
@ 5:21 PM |
To C.L.
That's a good point you brought up about most Jehovah's
Witnesses not
knowing any members of the governing body. How can JWs know
if they are
being 'led' by qualified people if they are not even
personally acquainted with
any of these so-called 'leaders'? Why citizens of this
country know President
Obama better than Jehovah's Witnesses know their own
"governing body"!
That's just one of the odd things about this "religion".
Thanks for bringing this to our
attention, C.L.! |
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