tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post2252963173558088365..comments2024-03-15T19:59:22.975-05:00Comments on DISMYTHED: Flip-side News: Opposers Want Ex-Criminals to Stop Confessing SinsDismythedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09872186295008632240noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-78843314776548656352017-01-02T20:41:09.946-06:002017-01-02T20:41:09.946-06:00Various child abuse case discussions go dormant in...Various child abuse case discussions go dormant in opposer's circles when there is nothing left to exploit. <br /><br />ThirdWitness itemized over a dozen cases that have been dismissed, yet, you'd never know they were ever heard in a court.<br /><br />Its been almost 2 years since anyone commented on the Conti case. Ever wonder why? Nothing left to exploit, so she's no longer useful to them. Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16222067990028193076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-44608588859163295852016-06-20T17:53:48.434-05:002016-06-20T17:53:48.434-05:00I appreciate the above experiences and thank you f...I appreciate the above experiences and thank you for sharing.<br /><br />This helps me to further appreciate the actual people who deal with these difficult issues, and how THEY feel and are approaching them. This also shows how our opposers are nothing more than vindictive.<br /><br />Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16222067990028193076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-47291781024890224482016-06-20T13:11:04.479-05:002016-06-20T13:11:04.479-05:00That's because they're more interested in ...That's because they're more interested in emotions than they are in facts...Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16222067990028193076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-126043261552421812016-06-20T08:08:18.266-05:002016-06-20T08:08:18.266-05:00Thank you for a fine experience sister, I will put...Thank you for a fine experience sister, I will put it under the name "Sara".Dismythedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09872186295008632240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-87118503092649960352016-06-20T08:07:30.051-05:002016-06-20T08:07:30.051-05:00Like you, I have childhood issues related to abuse...Like you, I have childhood issues related to abuse and Jehovah has indeed been a lifeline for me and my siblings. Because of my experiences I've always taken a special interest in children from dysfunctional families. Over the years I've studied the Bible with at least 6 of these young ones. In all of this, I had one horrifying experience. A sister asked me to study with her preteen granddaughter whose mother was inactive and overwhelmed. Of course I said yes and took her under my wing. Soon her 2 upstairs neighbor friends were joining in - what a handful, but why not? After some months, the sister's granddaughter told the upstairs girls that she didn't like the way I touched her. The girls told their mother who confronted me. I immediately did 2 things. First I got both the mothers and all the kids together and talked it through. It seems my young charge's mother was not very demonstrative, so this child didn't know what to make of me hugging her. I begged the mother to please hug her child and removed myself from the situation. I then spoke to my elders and explained what had happened. Oh yes, there was a third thing I did. I went home and cried for days. All the girls stopped studying, but some years later the "granddaughter" wrote me a letter, apologizing - I still have it. In it she explained she didn't really want to study then and that was the only way she could think of to get out of it. She then asked me to study with her again, but my husband said absolutely not, so the elders found a wonderful pioneer sister to take on the task. Today this mother and daughter are still hanging in there and I'm definitely cheering them on. But the point I'm making is the potential repercussions from any accusation are horrific. It seems highly unlikely that I'm on any kind of list, but if I was, why would the court need to know it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-86967223807963350152016-06-19T03:10:21.005-05:002016-06-19T03:10:21.005-05:00Thank you and thank you for the clarification.Thank you and thank you for the clarification.Dismythedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09872186295008632240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-44119681700563417602016-06-19T03:09:41.271-05:002016-06-19T03:09:41.271-05:00You are certainly welcome to use it, as I do belie...You are certainly welcome to use it, as I do believe it is an important perspective. I would like to correct I remark. I can't say with certainty that his name is on the list - just assuming - but can't think of any reason why it wouldn't be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-17271680673755757832016-06-19T01:54:03.779-05:002016-06-19T01:54:03.779-05:003 and a half months, now, and no one has provided ...3 and a half months, now, and no one has provided any better statistic. In fact, I know that many of our apostates have seen this post and yet only one has attempted to question the numbers or claimed to have been abused. You would think abuse victims would come out of the woodwork to say this article is mistaken. But all I hear are crickets.Dismythedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09872186295008632240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-90939366726895861942016-06-19T01:18:16.561-05:002016-06-19T01:18:16.561-05:00Thank you for your reply, sister. Your experience ...Thank you for your reply, sister. Your experience has just strengthened my faith and provided validation, not just for this article, but for everyone who reads it and especially those who wish to forgive and leave things in the past.<br /><br />Would you mind if I added your experience to the article itself?Dismythedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09872186295008632240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-61650467949767420972016-06-19T01:14:26.373-05:002016-06-19T01:14:26.373-05:00Thank you for this article. I'd like to share ...Thank you for this article. I'd like to share a relevant personal experience. 35 years ago my 5 year old daughter was molested by a male cousin in his early teens. When I was made aware of it, after a week of denial, I told my sister who told her husband, who confronted his son. The abuse stopped immediately. Years later when he married and had a daughter of his own, the full weight of what he had done compelled him to come to her and beg for her forgiveness. My daughter's attitude, expressed to me was, "That's what he did but not what he is." Many years later, someone she'd confided in as a teenager, decided to send a letter to our elders, accusing him of this abuse. Since my daughter was now grown and married and no longer in the area, I was called to speak on her behalf. I shared her expressed feelings and my belief she would not want this painful experience re-visited. So the issue was dropped, but now his name is on the list. And I'd like to know just what purpose would be served if we exposed this truly repentant person to the scrutiny of the courts, let alone the impact it would have on my daughter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-87516537733008899192016-04-17T11:28:11.751-05:002016-04-17T11:28:11.751-05:00Speaking of the list they are going after, the Lop...Speaking of the list they are going after, the Lopez case is not over and the judge wrongly excluded the organization's defense. Now it has been appealed and the appeals court vacated the original decision.<br /><br />http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/apr/14/jehovahs-witness-lopez-sex-abuse-appeal/<br /><br />In my opinion, they need to ask for what's relevant to the case, like the documents relating to Campos. <br /><br />Also in my opinion, the tactic by Zalkin and no doubt apostates to go after the list in order the "expose the watchtower to the world" have apparently delayed justice for the survivor. If there is another trial, it could be several more years.<br /><br />Whomever is representing that man needs to ask for what's relevant, instead of trying to damage the reputation of Jehovah's Witnesses. <br /><br />It begs the question: Is this about justice for the victim, or someone's personal vendetta against JWs? <br />Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16222067990028193076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-71844334323891778292016-03-07T14:21:40.314-06:002016-03-07T14:21:40.314-06:00When it comes to claims that elders threaten victi...When it comes to claims that elders threaten victims with disfellowshiping if they go to police and that's why they don't go to police, that lie is really designed to absolve the abuse victim of his responsibilities and lay blame on someone else. There is no disfellowshiping (implied or otherwise) for reporting abuse to police. Dfing has nothing to do with reporting abuse.Robert Murpheyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16222067990028193076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-8091380729376931162016-03-04T17:33:58.985-06:002016-03-04T17:33:58.985-06:00Well, here's the issue. If you ask for verific...Well, here's the issue. If you ask for verification on claims about alleged sexual abuse or victim count etc, they usually try and turn the tables on you emotionally by insisting that you're trying to protect the organization by asking those questions and that you don't care about the victim. <br /><br />So basically anyone questioning them and their claims are trying to "defend the wt".<br /><br />So I guess every Judge that ever questioned any survivor in an attempt to ascertain facts, did so so to defend the abuser because they don't care about the victim. <br /><br />How can people take them seriously?<br /><br />And just so our readers know, we do care about survivors. I've even went on record as saying that anyone proven to have covered up abuse should be punished -- no matter WHO they are.<br /><br />But we also care about facts and truth as well. Asking for evidence is not denying the abuse happened. Our opposers are simply trying to shame people into not asking questions...<br /><br />And, really, who's trying to control who's thoughts?Robert Murpheyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16222067990028193076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-79018040767147365542016-03-04T07:46:53.217-06:002016-03-04T07:46:53.217-06:00It's interesting how they accuse us of being s...It's interesting how they accuse us of being so bone-headed as to accept everything we're told without question, but then spout nonsense as if their readers are supposed to accept their word without question. Hypocrites.Dismythedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09872186295008632240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-36482578420831475532016-03-04T07:13:00.490-06:002016-03-04T07:13:00.490-06:00Well, I think something needs to be mentioned. Opp...Well, I think something needs to be mentioned. Opposers either cannot show exactly why they disagree while backing it up, or they are only interesting in making unsubstantiated claims while fully expecting those claims to be accepted without question.<br /><br />Its like how they twist "thousands of pages of court documents" into meaning "thousands of abuse victims". In fact, if there were thousands of abuse victims, there would be tens of thousands or even millions of pages of court documents.<br />Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16222067990028193076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-33312213093718107692016-03-03T18:50:33.091-06:002016-03-03T18:50:33.091-06:00I'm posting this a second time in 3 days, the ...I'm posting this a second time in 3 days, the 4th day since I posted the blog post.<br /><br />I've gotten disagreements about the 11-17% claim, but no one pointing out anything from the study I cited as more accurate. That was my interpretation of the information, but if anyone has an honest, and not cherry-picking, interpretation of the information, please quote the study.Dismythedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09872186295008632240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-70327761914429540642016-03-02T10:14:43.873-06:002016-03-02T10:14:43.873-06:00Recidivism was mentioned during the RC. Some took ...Recidivism was mentioned during the RC. Some took issue with our mentioning the FACT that professionals, though well-educated in the field of child abuse, don't have a monopoly on human behavior.<br /><br />Of course, this is a classic appealing to authority by our opposers by suggesting that if a professional believes something to be true, then it must be true. <br /><br />Yet, Monica Applewhite's favorable testimony of Jehovah's Witnesses was dissected and rebutted by both the RC and opposers. <br /><br />Lol yeah, professionals are always right, well....as long as they disagree with Jehovah's Witnesses.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16222067990028193076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-92219075883263508672016-03-01T20:00:23.768-06:002016-03-01T20:00:23.768-06:00A few things you said that I would love to expound...A few things you said that I would love to expound upon:<br /><br />The two-witness rule is still grossly misrepresented. Apostates, who know better, still make the awful false claim that the rule requires two people to "witness" the act. This cannot be further from the truth. In a nutshell, its an accusation (Witness 1) accompanied with corroborating evidence (Witness 2) and it does not have ANY bearing on whether or not the victim wants to alert the authorities. One can alert the authorities if he has no supporting evidence, if he so chooses...and he will NOT be disfellowshipped.<br /><br />Our justice system employs a similar standard of evidence. You cannot be jailed in the U.S based only on accusations. Ever wonder why? A simple search can net you a laundry list of wrongful imprisonments, false executions, and ruined reputations based off of flimsy, insufficient, and outright fabricated evidence. Likewise, we have a high standard of evidence with ANY accusation...not just child abuse accusations. Why? Because people lie, forget, and omit things. We simply cannot be in the business of kicking people out of the congregation and putting their salvation (and OURS) in jeopardy just to pacify a few disgruntled, lying apostates. <br /><br />About speaking "up", in contrast to speaking "out": Speaking up simply entails one making known the crimes/sins committed against him to the people who can do something about it. In this case, we're speaking of congregational elders and authorities. Speaking up has never been discouraged -- there is no culture of silence. There is a reason why we call ourselves "brother" and "sister" such and such. It reminds us that we are a family. This makes members comfortable with each other which makes speaking up all the more easier. This is also why we are encouraged to "widen out" in our affections. That way, we are not just members of a church, we are family, which breeds trust.<br /><br />Speaking "out" is what apostates want. Why? They don't want you speaking to elders or those who can help you, rather, they want you going to the media or to them so they can publish your story on their websites and feed them to the media. Really, they want you to use you as a weapon against Jehovah's Witnesses. Why can I say this?<br /><br />Try disagreeing with them, or challenged their assumption about your case, and you'll see how much verbal abuse you'll face. They've referred to such ones as "victims still partially brainwashed" and many other disparaging terms.<br /><br />Apostates don't care about victims. They only want to harm the people who peacefully live their lives in their service to God and Christ, and if that means exploiting victims of abuse and other crimes, they've long prove they'll do it.<br /><br />Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16222067990028193076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-84894785042959049072016-03-01T16:56:07.742-06:002016-03-01T16:56:07.742-06:00It's hilarious how our opposers turn a handful...It's hilarious how our opposers turn a handful of court cases into "hundreds of court cases". i'm still waiting for those hundreds of court cases to manifest.Dismythedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09872186295008632240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-33020750195336287372016-03-01T06:04:30.583-06:002016-03-01T06:04:30.583-06:00To whom it may concern regarding so-called "U...To whom it may concern regarding so-called "U.N. membership": http://dismythed.blogspot.com/2015/02/flip-side-news-jehovahs-witnesses-and.htmlDismythedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09872186295008632240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-413969216273696296.post-78544950038931598122016-02-29T23:43:17.965-06:002016-02-29T23:43:17.965-06:00Two points I want to comment on that you mentioned...Two points I want to comment on that you mentioned:<br /><br />With apostates, they well understand that suggesting blanket mandatory reporting laws will only force people into hiding. It has not been proven to stop child abuse or it would have long been written into Law for every nation on this planet with NO exceptions.<br /><br />There is a reason why Jehovah is a God a mercy, because He knows people respond to mercy much more so than harsh punishment. (2 Peter 3:9) But Jehovah never let that negate his justice. This is the balance JWs seek to strike with sins of all kinds. On the same token, abuse survivors and their families are FREE to report to the police without any congregational sanctions. This is balanced. If an abuser doesn't ever see the inside of a jail cell, its not the fault of the Elders who have only second-hand knowledge of the crime. <br /><br />CJ said it perfectly, and apostates are not trying to get justice for survivors, or find ways to rehab the relatively small number of repeat abusers -- its all about Jehovah's Witnesses. Ask yourself: Why don't they ever articulate and offer alternative child protection polices that don't trample over the rights of the Witnesses? Because they care about getting "hits" on JW's much more than protecting children. In fact, focusing on protecting children will invariably take the focus off the Witnesses and put it squarely on protecting children, which transcends religious organizations seeing how its a human problem. Apostates don't want that. All they care about is us. For them, its all personal nonsense. <br /><br />For our readers, think about the PRECEDENT that will be set, as was mentioned. Is it worth putting the rights and freedoms of Americans and citizens of other counties at risk because a few disgruntled people cannot move on with their lives?<br /><br />Why should their personal beefs affect YOU?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16222067990028193076noreply@blogger.com