Jump to content
The World News Media

Arauna

Member
  • Posts

    4,627
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    115

Reputation Activity

  1. Upvote
    Arauna reacted to JW Insider in How many of you love your husbands? ha ha ha..   
    Born/raised in California. School and pioneering in Missouri. Bethel in Brooklyn. Got married and stayed around NYC and Boston [A D Little] for all my work post-Bethel. Worked in San Francisco and Paris for about 6 months each, too, but for same company.
  2. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from James Thomas Rook Jr. in Caption this photo for me please   
    We are here to assist each other and not be hypocritical in our love.  So we expose our bad sides when we are honest and way too often we may need adjustment - but this is good if we willingly adjust - because then we can be more pliable to be used by Jehovah and we improve as time goes by. We do not miss the mark as often!  LOL.
    I use the words from the Bible when I say that a sweet fountain will not bubble forth bitter water all the time....  And sometimes we can come across as too critical and bitter and we do not allow the sweetness to bubble forth.
    I had a friend like this in England.  She was too quick to see all the mistakes that everyone made and yet, ....    I learnt a lot from her about persistence under difficult circumstances. She did get some resistance from others because of this trait ... and I sometimes had to give myself a break from her because she was too much regarding her temperament to see the negative. On the other hand she was like a mother to me and taught me a lot.....
    To influence others in an beneficial way we need to not be afraid to show our sweetness, to be perceived as weak and vulnerable.  We then are true towers of strength.  We can show empathy.
    You have the experience of a lifetime.  I am sure you know a lot of positive things that other brothers can benefit from but you must gain their trust by allowing the wholesome, healing water to flow out of you.  Become a vessel for good use.  You seem to have the zeal! 
     
     
  3. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from SuzA in How many of you love your husbands? ha ha ha..   
    We must not think from our own perspective only.  There are many people in Jehovah's organization that come with a lot of baggage.  Some have never learnt to say " I love you" and others do not know how to show love - they have to learn this.  They may be in Jehovah's organization being healed from a bad life and they learn slowly how to communicate and show love.  One does not change overnight all the problems you had before by being baptized... so many are still on the road to learn.
    I was talking yesterday to a very nice young brother on field service.  He must be 32 years old.   He is seriously in love with a sister and he is troubled by the fact that Swedes do not show gushy feelings.  The love of his life is Spanish (people who show their feelings).  So he told me that a friend (not Swedish) gave him the advice to spill  his tremendous love for this sister and to be honest with her. But it is giving him sooo much pain to do this....he may never get to the point to do this.  
    This gave me insight in how different cultures can be - that a young man is so stifled in his communication to tell a girl he is crazy over her.   Yes - communication is the life blood of any good relationship and especially in marriage. 
    I was happy recently when I saw a photo of my son and his wife on Facebook and he declared to the world that she is his "best friend."  We must be best friends (one can tell your best friend anything and trust them with the revelations) as well as husband and wife.
     
     
     
    By the way - I can add a few more sagely comments from husbands to the list above - but I may offend some!
  4. Upvote
    Arauna reacted to JW Insider in How many of you love your husbands? ha ha ha..   
    Where I am from the smiley face means sadness, so I was very confused and sad
  5. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from JW Insider in Katherine Jackson Receives Temporary Restraining Order against Nephew   
    Yes - sometimes people make the choices to stay in a marriage themselves (for the children or for some other reason) and then the elders get the "blame."  If her husband had an adulterous affair she had the right to divorce him but she may not have had the inclination to go the whole way - mental strength is needed to go through with this. Insecurity and lack of confidence and many other factors play a role in this. 
    Often women cannot support themselves financially (she had many kids) or they have the "absolute subjection" mentality.  Remember that Ms Jackson is a product of the 1930s mentality (when she grew up).  In this time period when people divorced they were basically ostracized by family and society.... it was a no-no because it brought disgrace.
    Older men from this era also have a "bunker" mentality - as someone named it above.  Many women suffered abuse up until the 60s.  Thereafter divorce was more prevalent.  I was a child in the fifties and remember well the attitudes of men and women. My grandmother divorced in the 1940's and she suffered tremendously because of this.  The 60s brought sexual freedom and more power to women because they did not fall pregnant (with new medication) and became more free.  More women were showing up in the work place as well. 
    A few years back I went on a call with an Arabic sister and the student had been abused by her husband (gun threats involved)  and the police took him to jail.  This sister was 80 years old and with her Arabic background and her age, she was "a time capsule from the Palestinian values of the 1930s".  So she ignored the "other' Bible principles and was telling this woman to "withdraw" the complaint to police because the "husband" is your head and master. There was also evidence of adultery. 
    Not only was this the worst advice but it could have erupted in more violence.   I went to and elder and asked his advice about this  - but the situation was too late to rectify... The case was already withdrawn and the man joined his wife at home again.  A little later, this man was put in jail - again - for putting a gun to his wives head.  The children had called the police. A restraining order was granted and later a divorce.... The single parent family are now thriving. Fortunately - no-one was hurt and this man later on turned out to be really vile. He was abusive to his children as well.
    We must never "tell" our students what to do - or for that matter - anyone else (because we can face the consequences, be responsible,  if the wrong decision is taken..... and the Witnesses can get the "blame".  We show them all the Bible principles involved and help then to think things through.  If you do this - he may do that - if you do that - he may do this...or that may happen.... to give the student options. But they have to choose what to do themselves.... no matter how weak or lost they feel.
    I enjoyed last weeks Watchtower study - because it taught us this fact: everyone must exercise their own free will - we cannot do it for them - no matter how well our intentions.  Jehovah knows the hearts. If a study, who is suffering violence, goes back to her husband it is not our place to judge her or give comment. Or if she decides to leave - it is also not our right to judge.... and all must be cautious to give the organization the "blame"  for other individual persons' actions and the decisions involved.
     
     
     
  6. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from Queen Esther in How many of you love your husbands? ha ha ha..   
    I think we all have some conceit somewhere deep down and we have to learn to control it.  This week's Watchtower is sooo good reminder to watch ourselves!
  7. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from JayDubya in How many of you love your husbands? ha ha ha..   
    We must not think from our own perspective only.  There are many people in Jehovah's organization that come with a lot of baggage.  Some have never learnt to say " I love you" and others do not know how to show love - they have to learn this.  They may be in Jehovah's organization being healed from a bad life and they learn slowly how to communicate and show love.  One does not change overnight all the problems you had before by being baptized... so many are still on the road to learn.
    I was talking yesterday to a very nice young brother on field service.  He must be 32 years old.   He is seriously in love with a sister and he is troubled by the fact that Swedes do not show gushy feelings.  The love of his life is Spanish (people who show their feelings).  So he told me that a friend (not Swedish) gave him the advice to spill  his tremendous love for this sister and to be honest with her. But it is giving him sooo much pain to do this....he may never get to the point to do this.  
    This gave me insight in how different cultures can be - that a young man is so stifled in his communication to tell a girl he is crazy over her.   Yes - communication is the life blood of any good relationship and especially in marriage. 
    I was happy recently when I saw a photo of my son and his wife on Facebook and he declared to the world that she is his "best friend."  We must be best friends (one can tell your best friend anything and trust them with the revelations) as well as husband and wife.
     
     
     
    By the way - I can add a few more sagely comments from husbands to the list above - but I may offend some!
  8. Upvote
    Arauna reacted to TrueTomHarley in Caption this photo for me please   
    Of course you are correct, Arauna. I refer only to how his photo was immediately redirected to one of child sexual abuse. it seemed not right to me.
  9. Upvote
    Arauna reacted to Bible Speaks in Why Is World Peace So Elusive?   
    BIBLE QUESTIONS ANSWERED
    Why is world peace soelusive?
     
    Only a government that can change people’s hearts will bring world peace 
    The Bible points to two main reasons. First, although humans have accomplished marvelous things, they are not created with the ability to direct their own steps. Second, human schemes have failed because “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one,” Satan the Devil. Thus, human efforts have not been able to bring world peace.—Read Jeremiah 10:23; 1 John 5:19.
    Human self-interest and ambition have also made world peace elusive. Only a world government that can teach people to love what is right and care for one another will bring world peace.—Read Isaiah 32:17; 48:18, 22.
    Who will establish peace on earth?
    Almighty God has promised to establish a single government to rule over all mankind. It will replace human governments. (Daniel 2:44)
    God’s Son, Jesus, will rule as the Prince of Peace. He will eliminate evil from all the earth and will teach people the way of peace.—Read Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11:4, 9.
    Already, under Jesus’ direction, millions worldwide are using God’s Word, the Bible, to teach people how to be at peace with others. Soon, world peace will be a reality.—Read Isaiah 2:3, 4;54:13.
    http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2013408?q=why+is+world+peace+so+elusive&p=par
     
     

  10. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from JW Insider in WATCH: Russia: Manufacturer displays wooden gun building kit for ‘fathers and sons’....   
    I look forward to the time when this will not even be a collectors item any more!
    The plastic weapons which people now print on 3D printers are putting more cheap weapons into the hands of criminals....yes, the world is really changing for the worse.  Soon they can make a movie about the wild west set in 2025.... when people draw weapons on each other to settle issues....
  11. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from admin in #VIRAL: #Obama’s half-brother trolls Barack again, ‘reveals’ former president’s...   
    I come from Africa - it used to be the  most corrupt continent in the world - now other continents are catching up real fast!.   Do not believe everything from Africa, especially 'proof'  like this.  His half-brother was expecting favors - as they do in Africa -  and his high hopes were shattered when he received a cold shoulder.   It is a smear....
    A friend of mine was scammed - went to see a high official in the minister's office to see if all is legit so he could trust the person to do business.  He later found out (after losses) that the minister rented his office out to the scammer!  (Added this paragraph to demonstrate how high up the corruption is - ministers renting out their offices to scammers who want to pretend to be high officials!)
  12. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from Queen Esther in In Russia, the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses begins all over again   
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2017/mar/09/in-russia-the-persecution-of-jehovahs-witnesses-begins-all-over-again
  13. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from The Librarian in In Russia, the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses begins all over again   
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2017/mar/09/in-russia-the-persecution-of-jehovahs-witnesses-begins-all-over-again
  14. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from Ann O'Maly in In Russia, the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses begins all over again   
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2017/mar/09/in-russia-the-persecution-of-jehovahs-witnesses-begins-all-over-again
  15. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from Abel Castro in In Russia, the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses begins all over again   
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2017/mar/09/in-russia-the-persecution-of-jehovahs-witnesses-begins-all-over-again
  16. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from JW Insider in In Russia, the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses begins all over again   
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2017/mar/09/in-russia-the-persecution-of-jehovahs-witnesses-begins-all-over-again
  17. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from ComfortMyPeople in In Russia, the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses begins all over again   
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2017/mar/09/in-russia-the-persecution-of-jehovahs-witnesses-begins-all-over-again
  18. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from ComfortMyPeople in A few things on Marine Le Pen, France’s ultra-nationalist presidential candidate:...   
    The European union has been forcing nations to take refugees.  Some smaller countries cannot deal with all the refugees.  The far-left EU government is ignoring any complaints regarding instability.  It is pressing the economies to the hilt.... where must all the money come from to support these people?  Most cannot speak the language and cannot work.  So the opposition  has a fear for the future and now a populist movement is growing to counteract the EU actions - which has banned anyone from saying anything about Islam.  But the EU recently removed Le pen's immunity from prosecution.  She is facing jail time for posting an ISIS photo of a non-believer being beheaded!
    It is so bad now in Europe that they are suppressing any negative news regarding this immigration - even though the crime rate of rape (to mention only this one crime) has spiralled uncontrollably high.  Many refugees are not from Iraq and Syria where the war is raging - most from Africa - Somalia, morocco and other African countries as well as Afganistan.  They all have one ideology in common: they are 'superior' to other nations and in the "final days" they must fight to take over the world  - this is if they follow the example of the perfect man - Mohammad - which one can find in the Siri and Hadith  (Qur'an only 26% of the trilogy of books regarding this religion). Mohammad raped many women which were non-believers and took slaves - so this is not viewed as morally wrong in Islam.
    Analyses: we are seeing a tide of political entities turning against a major religion of the world because they believe they must lift the sword to fight for their religion - this leads to a situation that is very explosive.  How far we are into the end? it seems to be the beginning of a new tide. Christians are militant too and are starting propaganda against Islam.  The people will easily take up arms.....and get involved in the political issues - they do not understand the term: neutrality.  
     
    The coalition against her is too strong -  other parties will form a coalition against Le Pen - she mayl only win some seats.... but it is unpredictable.
    Here is a 'true' situation in Sweden -  2017- short  video.   "They say there is peace - where there is no peace"

  19. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from The Librarian in A few things on Marine Le Pen, France’s ultra-nationalist presidential candidate:...   
    The European union has been forcing nations to take refugees.  Some smaller countries cannot deal with all the refugees.  The far-left EU government is ignoring any complaints regarding instability.  It is pressing the economies to the hilt.... where must all the money come from to support these people?  Most cannot speak the language and cannot work.  So the opposition  has a fear for the future and now a populist movement is growing to counteract the EU actions - which has banned anyone from saying anything about Islam.  But the EU recently removed Le pen's immunity from prosecution.  She is facing jail time for posting an ISIS photo of a non-believer being beheaded!
    It is so bad now in Europe that they are suppressing any negative news regarding this immigration - even though the crime rate of rape (to mention only this one crime) has spiralled uncontrollably high.  Many refugees are not from Iraq and Syria where the war is raging - most from Africa - Somalia, morocco and other African countries as well as Afganistan.  They all have one ideology in common: they are 'superior' to other nations and in the "final days" they must fight to take over the world  - this is if they follow the example of the perfect man - Mohammad - which one can find in the Siri and Hadith  (Qur'an only 26% of the trilogy of books regarding this religion). Mohammad raped many women which were non-believers and took slaves - so this is not viewed as morally wrong in Islam.
    Analyses: we are seeing a tide of political entities turning against a major religion of the world because they believe they must lift the sword to fight for their religion - this leads to a situation that is very explosive.  How far we are into the end? it seems to be the beginning of a new tide. Christians are militant too and are starting propaganda against Islam.  The people will easily take up arms.....and get involved in the political issues - they do not understand the term: neutrality.  
     
    The coalition against her is too strong -  other parties will form a coalition against Le Pen - she mayl only win some seats.... but it is unpredictable.
    Here is a 'true' situation in Sweden -  2017- short  video.   "They say there is peace - where there is no peace"

  20. Upvote
    Arauna reacted to Bible Speaks in How Does A Camel ? Fit Through An Eye Of A Needle?   
    Do you think a Camel that can go through an eye of a needle? What did it mean in the Bible? What does it mean that Riches may keep us away from gaining life in God's Kingdom?
    (Matthew 19:16-24) . . .Now, look! a certain one came up to him and said: “Teacher, what good must I do in order to get everlasting life?” 17 He said to him: “Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is that is good. If, though, you want to enter into life, observe the commandments continually.” 18 He said to him: “Which ones?” Jesus said: “Why, You must not murder, You must not commit adultery, You must not steal, You must not bear false witness, 19 Honor [your] father and [your] mother, and, You must love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him: “I have kept all these; what yet am I lacking?” 21 Jesus said to him: “If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower.” 22 When the young man heard this saying, he went away grieved, for he was holding many possessions. 23 But Jesus said to his disciples: “Truly I say to YOU that it will be a difficult thing for a rich man to get into the kingdom of the heavens. 24 Again I say to YOU, It is easier for a camel to get through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of God.”
    Jesus made reference to the camel in an illustrative way. On one occasion he pointed out that it would be easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to get into the Kingdom.
    By means of this illustration, not meant to be taken literally, Jesus was pointing out that just as it was not possible for a literal camel to go through the eye of a literal needle it was even less possible for a rich man, while continuing to cling to his riches, to enter into the Kingdom of God.
    NEEDLE’S EYE
    In an illustration pertaining to entry into the Kingdom, Jesus Christ said: “It is easier for a camel to get through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of God.” (Mt 19:24; Mr 10:25) Some have held the needle’s eye to be a small gate through which a camel, if relieved of its load, could pass with difficulty. However, the Greek word for “needle” found at Matthew 19:24 and Mark 10:25 (rha·phis′) is drawn from a verb meaning “sew.” Also, the Greek word appearing in the parallel passage of Luke 18:25 (be·lo′ne) is used to refer to a literal surgical needle. Regarding these Greek terms Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words notes: “The idea of applying ‘the needle’s eye’ to small gates seems to be a modern one; there is no ancient trace of it. The Lord’s object in the statement is to express human impossibility and there is no need to endeavour to soften the difficulty by taking the needle to mean anything more than the ordinary instrument.”—1981, Vol. 3, p. 106.
    As a hyperbole, the illustration emphasized how difficult it would be for rich men not simply to begin serving God but actually to enter into the Kingdom.
    (1 Timothy 6:17-19) "Give orders to those who are rich in the present system of things not to be high-minded, and to rest their hope, not on uncertain riches, but on God, who furnishes us all things richly for our enjoyment; 18 to work at good, to be rich in fine works, to be liberal, ready to share, 19 safely treasuring up for themselves a fine foundation for the future, in order that they may get a firm hold on the real life." 
    www.jw.org

  21. Upvote
    Arauna reacted to The Librarian in Caption this photo for me please   
    Maybe I should have been much more clear in the beginning.
    I feel similar to @Anna in that I was only wanting funny captions..... and look what has happened. Sigh.
    We should all try to practice opening new topics when forking a conversation in the future. Or is it that my inner Librarian is just not feeling organized?
    Anyways.....
  22. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from Anna in Caption this photo for me please   
    Yes there have been victims - as I said before - in every organization where children are you will find that this happens in secret.  It is heartbreaking.  But because you work in this field you are focusing just on one organization which you seems to dislike.  Please keep in mind this organization has put steps in place to curb this as much as possible and has corrected errors which it has made in the past.... it did not act fast enough to the new laws that were put in place in the first world countries (and only a few countries enforce it). 
    I personally know of a case where a young boy had only touched his cousin in an inappropriate place out of curiosity and the father went to a lawyer- who reported it to authorities.  This young boy was put into a reformatory at age 13 with his reputation ruined for the rest of his life.  This is how the law can also overreach.  There are two sides to every story.... and therefore one must acknowledge that human laws are just not sufficient to curb all wickedness..... and bring true justice.
    The alternative is to spy on everyone and create a police state situation. And this is the reason I said above that God assures us that there is a future life and all the injustices of the "past" and present" will be dealt with personally by Him. One either believes that God is going to do this  - or not. We cannot help 'all' people who have suffered from this crime BUT.... they are being reached by the Kingdom message.  If their pain is very great they can find consolation and comfort from Jehovah's promises.
    Many people only focus only on the 'now - the present'  and not on these promises.  If you are one of these people, I then suggest you start fighting religions where it is part of their religion to allow "thighing"  of young children already at the age of one year (the practice of sex on young children without penetration) - that is, if you really want to accomplish something and clean up all dirty" organizations and sexual crimes on earth.  Become an activist for all the children in Africa who are raped on a daily basis with no-one to stand up for them.  Or focus on religious organizations that are still moving their clergy around even though there now are new laws being put in place to assist them.  Do not focus on the one organization who is really trying to be aware of the problem while not excluding anyone with "repentance" to attend a meeting.  Or are you hardline on this too..." once a criminal - always a criminal" label"?
    I personally do not believe that molesters reform easily - but there may be a few who do - and therefore I understand the measures that has been put in place by our organization.
    I have told this incident before on this forum: a friend of mine brought a young boy to the meeting without his mother accompanying him. Afterward an elder called her and told her that it was a "fine" thing to bring him but she must not do it again.  She must be cautious and careful because people can turn around and accuse her of child molestation.... A simple act of kindness can turn into a nightmare.
    Most people in the organization are "clean" as you said  but Jesus himself said that there would be people within the congregation that will be "enemies" of the congregation and will bring reproach on it through their (secret) behavior. This is why God promises that these will receive their due from Him - all those who do NOT have the mark of survival given by the angel with the "inkhorn" will perish.  This angel is Jesus who is leading the "marking work" - and he knows all things that go on in secret.
  23. Upvote
    Arauna reacted to TrueTomHarley in Caption this photo for me please   
    There should not have been another thread. You said it too eloquently.
    Anna, who starts the now never-ending thread, protests that she did not deliberately start it. Her remarks were shuffled about by the overlords to make it appear as though she started it. How that came about I haven't traced. Who cares? It should have ended with you.
    Don't you hate it when you give so much effort to organize points so well as you have done and then find a few days later it is as though you never existed?
    I have seen none of the proceedings so I don't really know. I'm not holding my breath. But I am beginning to wonder, just possibly, if Jehovah's organization might emerge from this in the eyes of the authorites as honest, decent, ready to repair and help, and that the negative buzz about them originates from person who have their own agenda.
  24. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from TrueTomHarley in Caption this photo for me please   
    Yes there have been victims - as I said before - in every organization where children are you will find that this happens in secret.  It is heartbreaking.  But because you work in this field you are focusing just on one organization which you seems to dislike.  Please keep in mind this organization has put steps in place to curb this as much as possible and has corrected errors which it has made in the past.... it did not act fast enough to the new laws that were put in place in the first world countries (and only a few countries enforce it). 
    I personally know of a case where a young boy had only touched his cousin in an inappropriate place out of curiosity and the father went to a lawyer- who reported it to authorities.  This young boy was put into a reformatory at age 13 with his reputation ruined for the rest of his life.  This is how the law can also overreach.  There are two sides to every story.... and therefore one must acknowledge that human laws are just not sufficient to curb all wickedness..... and bring true justice.
    The alternative is to spy on everyone and create a police state situation. And this is the reason I said above that God assures us that there is a future life and all the injustices of the "past" and present" will be dealt with personally by Him. One either believes that God is going to do this  - or not. We cannot help 'all' people who have suffered from this crime BUT.... they are being reached by the Kingdom message.  If their pain is very great they can find consolation and comfort from Jehovah's promises.
    Many people only focus only on the 'now - the present'  and not on these promises.  If you are one of these people, I then suggest you start fighting religions where it is part of their religion to allow "thighing"  of young children already at the age of one year (the practice of sex on young children without penetration) - that is, if you really want to accomplish something and clean up all dirty" organizations and sexual crimes on earth.  Become an activist for all the children in Africa who are raped on a daily basis with no-one to stand up for them.  Or focus on religious organizations that are still moving their clergy around even though there now are new laws being put in place to assist them.  Do not focus on the one organization who is really trying to be aware of the problem while not excluding anyone with "repentance" to attend a meeting.  Or are you hardline on this too..." once a criminal - always a criminal" label"?
    I personally do not believe that molesters reform easily - but there may be a few who do - and therefore I understand the measures that has been put in place by our organization.
    I have told this incident before on this forum: a friend of mine brought a young boy to the meeting without his mother accompanying him. Afterward an elder called her and told her that it was a "fine" thing to bring him but she must not do it again.  She must be cautious and careful because people can turn around and accuse her of child molestation.... A simple act of kindness can turn into a nightmare.
    Most people in the organization are "clean" as you said  but Jesus himself said that there would be people within the congregation that will be "enemies" of the congregation and will bring reproach on it through their (secret) behavior. This is why God promises that these will receive their due from Him - all those who do NOT have the mark of survival given by the angel with the "inkhorn" will perish.  This angel is Jesus who is leading the "marking work" - and he knows all things that go on in secret.
  25. Upvote
    Arauna got a reaction from TrueTomHarley in Caption this photo for me please   
    I am not writing this to cause a debate - I'm actually tired of people who have the education to gather a lot of  'information' but have not learnt to think about all sides of an issue and put it in perspective.  They become stuck on the information and then they judge everything on this one-sided information and become belligerent.
    1.  Sexual abuse of children is in every organization on earth - wherever there are children. This is why we see government institutions intermittently in the media where children were found to have been abused - the tip of the iceberg - even though the perpetrators know the penalty if caught .  This practice is insidious and 'hidden' and it is hard to pinpoint and it is prevalent amongst  ALL levels of society - judges, doctors, policemen, gardeners. People can also be falsely accused - but one should always act to protect the child.
    2. People who react so nasty to religious child abuse (whatever the church or organization) - look back at time with "modern" views. They know that it is not accepted by law -  now - but what about 50 years ago?  Most people do not look at the history of the 'laws' against child abuse.  
    3.  Governments are now launching inquiries so they can be seen to be 'doing something about the issue" and trying to understand the issue.  Why only now?  Because decent laws to protect children have only been in place for a relative short period of time - in most first world countries. Children have been suffering for a very long time, long before this overwhelming outcry, cases coming forward, and media attention been given to it in the past 30 years.  Why were governments negligent to bring laws against child sexual abuse for such a long time and why was the media complicit in its silence?
    Only 50 years ago - only the first world countries - started to look at this problem.  Before this - society was closed and it was a taboo subject to talk about.  The sixties brought a sexual revolution when people started to talk openly about sex but it took another 15 years before people started to mention this taboo subject in public. I also know that reporters did not write much about the issues regarding this.  Some countries had insufficient laws and procedures which made it impossible to prosecute a child molester.
    I was working for a newspaper myself (not an English one) and a case came up where the entire nation was shocked because a child molester had stolen kids and murdered them.  I told my friend, who was a reputable reporter, to use this time of media attention - to bring to the attention of society - that most people could not take a child molester to court because a child could be cross-examined in court.  This meant that even a small child had to become a "victim" a second time by having to face the perpetrator in court and then be cross-examined. Most often a conviction could not be had. The way evidence was collected also did not favor the child.
    I know that a law (to protect the child during court proceedings in America) was only ratified as late as 2003.  Consequently - if I were a lawyer in a court case where millions was to be paid out - I will point to finger to the lawmakers (congress) - who were supposed to be the protectors of its people.   If there were not proper laws in place to get a proper conviction - why would an organization put themselves out there and fight the legal system - whatever the organization? 
    After all these inquiries (Australia, England) into child abuse and the procedures followed by religious organizations - hopefully these governments will bring in laws to cover the holes still left in the legal system and provide clarity to (religious and other) organizations on proper government procedures to follow when someone is accused of child abuse.
     4.  There are many countries with laws against child abuse - but the age of consent is between 12 - 14 years. Belgium comes to mind (13).  Most pedophiles travel to Thailand and other countries to indulge in pedophilia.  There are many countries across the world with strong laws against child abuse but it is never enforced because child abuse is not viewed as an important issue - they have more pressing problems such as hunger or socio-economic problems.  It is part of daily life in some third world countries.  What this indicates to me is that world-wide organizations, who have children in their midst at any time, have to try to adapt to the many different laws (in many countries - child marriage is still allowed) and cultures regarding this issue.
    5.  We expect religious organizations to have 'higher' standards - but in the past no-one spoke of these things and people did not know how to deal with it....with lawmakers and media complicit.  The Watchtower organization has not been perfect but it has adjusted and put the best possible procedures in place for every country (but it will never be fool-proof, perfect or sufficient).  Child molestation is not an easy crime to determine.  One needs experts to examine each case - and even experts can be fooled. 
    6. Religious organizations cannot ban people - so child molesters can attend meetings if they wished.  This is why it is important for brothers and sisters to obey instructions to take their own children to the toilet, to let their children only visit with supervision etc. An unbelieving relative like a grand-father can perpetrate this crime (happened to a friend of mine).   So to sum up - parents are responsible for the safety of those in its family unit - and it has never been easy to intervene in family affairs if the father is the perpetrator. This is why it is better that it becomes the government's responsibility!  It seems that governments are now doing enquiries into the procedures of organizations - so they can put proper laws and procedures in place to take up this responsibility in a proper way -  at last!
    In the end - it is only Jehovah who will do the final judging of all people who have lived on earth. He is justice personified and he is the one who sees the things that go on in secret. He promises that all suffering will be done away with under his future government and it will not even come to mind of the victim!
    I live in Sweden now (who is in denial of all the rapes going on) and I read recently that a case was thrown out of court - a young woman who was raped by six refugees. The reason: she must have consented. My husband made the comment that even a woman who makes her money by this way of life will not consent to violent sexual actions by 6 different men.... but this is where our world is heading now.  No More justice....
     
     
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Service Confirmation Terms of Use Privacy Policy Guidelines We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.