Response to John

As you may recall silentlambs received this email,

--------------------------------------------------------------

Comments="Is this a christian site. I have two brothers who are JW's. I am not one but I find it funny in my view that christians are much worse than JWS and THAT IS A FACT AND I WOULD LIKE TO PROVE THAT TO YOU.At least the JW's go door to door and preach the good word of the bible to all and they do not go to war unlike the christians who on many occasions kill christians on the opposite side they are fighting .They read the bible in depth unlike the christians who are oxymorons. I am sorry to criticize you but don't you think you have spent enough time and resources attacking the JW'S. Clean up your own faith before you criticize others. I was a catholic and as far as I am concerned there are a site more murderers and child fxxkers in the Catholic religion and the christian religion.

I would like your response if you have the balls magot.See I can use those words as I am a fence sitter, an observer but a true realistic outside observer and honest.

Merry Christmas, happy birthday, happy halloween, happy easter bunny,

john "

-----------------------------------------------------------

We asked how would you respond and the response was overwhelming. We thought it might be interesting to see the varied comments from those that wrote so here below are all of them. It was about thirty-three pages on the word processor but many good points were made.

So what did we do? We just decided to send a link to this page to John and see if he wants to read it, otherwise the passion of so many for speaking out is a good thing to learn from.

Silentlambs

-----------------------------------------------------------

Hello Bill,

I would respond by saying that:

JW's go to war with one another.  The High profile cases in the news where the society goes to lengths to defend child molesters are perfect examples.  This "kills" the victims when they see how those who they believed to be their brothers and sisters despise the ground upon which they walk.

Jehovah's witnesses go from door-to-door and carry their bibles and preach.  It sounds so wonderful until you realize that they are not telling the people they visit that they believe they are scum that will be destroyed by god.  they sweetly ease them into the fold and teach them to be mindless.

while they are wooing people into the front doors of their kingdom halls, they are secretly kicking others out of the back door.  I am one of those people.  Because they could not understand my problems and needed to "help other people that they could really help that didn't take up all of their time," they branded me demonic, not worthy of their attention, and put stringent restrictions on my activities in the religious circle when I was not ever there.  I was at home only listening to the meetings on the telephone.

JWS don't kill as conscientious objectors to war.  JWS kill by loving conditionally and removing and evidence of showing it when they no longer have use for you.  How many people have taken their life because JWS have told them they are not worthy of God's love.

Now if that makes them better than other Christians, why have you not joined them?

Regards,

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, I'm not sure where to start, for your e-mail was full of mistruths and misunderstandings. 

Fact:  Jehovah's Witnesses ARE Christian. 

Fact:  This site does not criticize the Jehovah's Witness religion. 

Fact:  Child molestation is against God's law and Man's law.

Fact:  Jehovah's Witness must obey man's law as long as it does Not conflict with God's.

Fact:  There are some Child sexual molesters who are JWs

Fact:  There are some wife ab user s who are JWs.

Fact:  There are some child ab user s who are JWs. 

Fact:  No one is perfect... we are all human.

Fact:  The Watchtower Bible and 'Tract Society and JW elders have allowed abuse and

        Molestation to occur and continue under their policy. 

Fact:  The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society protects the privacy of molesters over the

         Safety of the victims.

Fact:  Their policy allows for more abuse and molestation to occur. 

Fact:  Jehovah's Witnesses believe they have the only ONE True religion. 

Fact:  Jehovah's Witnesses believe they need to be an example to the rest of the world. 

Yes, JW's don't fight in war

Yes, JW's know their bible

Yes, JW's go door to door. 

Question:  Will the next person who answers the door to a JW, and studies the Bible with a JW, have their children be molested by a JW? 

Question:  Does all the good they do make it OK for children to be molested? 

As far as I can see, this site only criticizes JW's for their policy regarding abuse and child-molestation.  It is not accusing JW's as being a false or wicked religion. 

My four year old son was butt-fucked by his father who is still in good standing.  Do you want that man going door to door in your neighborhood?  Do you want that man to have a bible study with your son? 

I've noticed, many child-molesters try to defend other child-molesters. 

  Where do you stand?   When it comes to Child-molestation... there are no fence sitters. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

So just because JWs don't go to war and kill other Christians, that makes how they

allow sexual child predators to get away with murder of another type, okay? Puh-lease.

Grow up E-mailer, and get some balls, we know you are either a JW yourself, or you

are a sex offender who has found paradise with the JWs!

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This e-mail is obviously from a pissed-off JW who doesn't have the balls herself or himself to come out and state that is what they are. They may even be one of the many sexual predators who loooove the JW organization that shelters them, and they obviously want it to stay that way. I hope they read this as they are the maggot.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't know that I would bother to answer.  Only you can say whether you are a Christian site or not so I would let that answer come from you. You could use some of the points below.

Door to door is an effective way to witness and many religions including Christians use that method, in fact the church I attend does it regularly bringing a message of salvation, not an end times message with false dates. We don't have to go door to door we go because we want to.!  We need not fear at death that we might not have done enough.

It's good to examine one's religion.  I could never let my child die for lack of a transfusion.  Read Lev. 17 and see what the Jewish law and the punishment was for failure to keep that law.  where did it say you could not have a transfusion and where did it state   that you could have certain components of blood but not whole blood.  Did it name the components?  If not, how would you know which you could use. is it really eating blood or is it going into the circulatory system?

How many homeless shelters does the WT have, how about soup kitchens? 

Can a religion that breaks up families be from God? 

Why is Jesus not the mediator for all, only the 144,000? Of course your Jesus can't be mediator , he is only Michael the Archangel .

Christians have given their lives for people like you, giving you a freedom that war brought about.

Christians did not have to rewrite the Bible to fit their doctrine.

If you are truly honest you would check out WT pedophilia. 

It seems as though because I have told you the truth I have become your enemy, Gal. 4:16

Reread the book of John in an unbiased Bible and see that only Jesus is the Way.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear John: In response to your email stating " I am sorry to criticize you but don't you think you have spent enough time and resources attacking the JW'S. Clean up your own faith before you criticize others." You see John, Silentlambs does not do the attacking! It is the child molesters that do the attacking on innocent children! John, since you have never been a Jehovah Witness and only know of it form your brothers, you obviously do not know what you are talking about! I am the mother and sister of incest survivors, who were molested by a JW, who was a ministerial servant at the time and also the biological father and brother in law of the victims. You can not possibly understand the horror these poor children went through, only to be mentally abused by the elders when their ab user was not disciplined by the Watchtower Org. Children who are molested have to face their ab user s, thousands have to live in the same household, and attend meetings with these perps, the victims lives are turned upside down with years of after effects facing them. Sure other religions are at fault for the thousands of victims of abuse also. BUT, Silentlambs is helping these victims and survivors, because they were abused by other JW's. Silentlambs does not attack people, don't forget this, CHILD MOLESTERS and those who condone their actions and look the other way, and those people like yourself are the ones who are the attackers!!! If you would like to email me,I give Silentlambs the authority to give you my address. John, you need to wake up and pray for insight and to have God open your eyes to reality. J Mother of Incest Survivors and Former JW

----------------------------------------------------

With kindness and with facts. He is wrong on most points. My guess is he is a JW.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would not reply because the sender has nothing to say........perhaps "Merry Xmas ,John" ,might be in order. Cheers

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a response to X Catholic John Who claims that your web site picks on JW"s. First I do have the BALLS as you so mildly put it to answer you. The JW"s are the phoniest Bunch of people on the planet and I should Know I was one for over 20 yr's. As far as the catholic Church is concerned at least they are owning up to there mistakes. . And as far as being a bunch of murderers by fighting in the wars of our nation , there would not be any JW's because If Hitler had won WWII he would have exterminated them all along with the Jews. You show how ignorant you are by the language you used in your E-mail. to the Lambs. Further more I am a practicing catholic since I came to my senses, I am a 4Degree Knight of Columbus , A member of the American Legion, VFW, and a proud Vietnam Veteran . Also I read my bible daily also scripture What for  which the JW's feel aren't in the bible Like the Maccabees.  So as to Quote your ignorance (maggot) Why doN't you jump off that fence and join the MARINES and Learn to be a Man!! 

          Yours Truly A Proud Catholic And A prouder Vet. GOD BLESS AMERICA you Maggot.     

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please forward this to "john."


Dear John,

I received your comments from a friend with SilentLambs.

I was born and raised a Catholic.  I am unfortunately also a survivor of nun sexual abuse which began in the 4th grade at age 9 and continued for 2 more years.
But I'm fortunate to have survived - many of us have taken the ultimate escape from pain.  Truth and reaching out would have given these souls a fighting chance.

Do I still go to church?  No, not at this time.  I am passively looking for a church or faith that is courageous enough to tell the truth.  Do you know of one?

There is no room anywhere for sexual abuse of children, young teens, or vulnerable adults.  I believe you would agree with this and especially agree if the sexual predators are hiding behind and among habits, collars or any religious sect.

We try to survive with the life-long consequences of abuse.  It isn't easy and we work, hope, and pray to stop this abuse.

It takes truth to heal - not only for survivors, but for churches, and for those in the pews/congregations.  A truth many religious sects fail to reveal. 
Why? Isn't truth important to them?

I hope you would agree that healing for the victims and the prevention of future abuse is most important followed by healing for the churches and their members.

I would argue that anyone who confuses these goals as an attack on their own church or faith is really not secure with their church or faith.

Sincerely,
S
(and if you feel it is necessary to call me maggot, there is nothing I can do about that).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi,

I think I would file in my file under "crazies" and ignore it entirely as far as responding to  him. Just reading  his message reveals his ignorance. And you have far more important things to do than wasting your time explaining yourself to him. As a good friend of mine says, "don't get in a pissing contest with a skunk!" If it appeared on a mail list instead of email ... that many other persons saw, I probably would post a response like we got when we were in our group: "thank you for sharing."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

All I can say, he sounds like a JW himself. He's a crude illiterate one that doesn't deserve a response. Maybe he's the one that would have no problem letting his children be alone with the pedophile.

D

-------------------------------------------------

For me getting into " who or is worse conversations" is a no win situation. Comparison conversations create division and he said they said conversations. Taking a common goal approach unites people to one cause in this case children . I would turn the comparison conversation around to one of making the children visible and say there is enough hypocrisy in both religions (all religions for that matter) and that worrying about which one is worse will get all of us no where. Rather let's spend time holding both accountable ( all churches --all states--all peoples)  for the violations against children. In other words instead ---lets get away from comparison and focus on the rights of children globally ---regardless of the religion. "Worse than conversations" are stone throwing debates with no end to how many rocks can be thrown---and in the end when everyone is tired of throwing all the rocks the children are totaled buried under the rocks. What has been accomplished in the end? Nothing but a pile of rocks ---with more to throw the next day.

with care, L

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

How do you respond to such rubbish? This guy is obviously dealing with anger issues or he is so caught up in himself that he didn't bother to read the site, and the good information that you provide there. I am not sure exactly the point he is trying to make? Is it that he thinks we are blaming his brothers because they are JW's for any pedophilia that goes on there? Many of us who visit this site have been JW's and pedophilia appalls us. We have never excused the other religions for their cover ups. But that doesn't mean that we should turn our backs on the victims among Jehovah's Witnesses either! I think this guy needs to calm down, take a step back and look at the site a little closer. With some further examination and follow up research I am sure he will agree that what you do here is good work. Thanks for sharing!

D

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

My reply to John,

Comparing people is silly. If you are not a J.W. then why are you defending them with blanket statements? I was a J.W. for 20 years and it's true they do not go to war, etc. but many have a false front for covetousness. They want people to THINK they are righteous while covering up hurtfulness.  Every person who becomes a Christian, or follower of Christ has an individual responsibility to be genuine and not to judge others, they and they alone are responsible to keep their own light shining. This is the problem with J.W.'s they judge and often unrighteous and cruelly.

I watched, "The Scarlet Letter" the other night and know full well what it means to carry the letter "A" around by malicious men. I wasn't an adulterous, or an apostate but I did speak up and THEY CANNOT STAND THAT, not from a lowly woman. Like those religious men in the Scarlet Letter, the elders put demonist clothing on anyone who dares to speak of  any of their injustices or wrong. Arrogance is not Godly and these men are arrogant, what they practice is arrogance, like the Pharisees.

I say, respect them for what is genuine and Christian and speak out against what is not, but do not judge or condemn anyone.

A former J. W. who will never go back due to the harm done and the unrepentance of the elders who take for themselves what is God's work and position.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've been away for a while, Bill.   But I think this sums up what I would say to this fool.   I hope I'm not too far off.:

Have you read the site?
You say you are a 'true realistic outside observer' and you say 'honest'.   I ask again, have you read the site?  Because, had you read the site, you might have noticed that it is for abused individuals.  Granted, they are of the Jehovah's Witness faith, but none-the-less they are abuse victims.   The events that are chronicled on the site are not fiction.  They are 'true' and 'honest'.   It just so happens that victims within the Jehovah's Witness faith don't happen to have another outlet for their grief and anguish.  If they did, they wouldn't be congregating here.  This site serves a purpose.  If you don't understand that purpose, then congratulations, because that means you don't need it.  I hope you never do.   Since it is obvious that you don't understand the purpose, please, take yourself elsewhere.  You have no need to be here, and we don't need you here.  Have a little respect for the victims.  They've gone thru enough already.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

a recent email

>i think he doesn't know what he is talking about better to keep quiet if he doesn't have the facts that is the easy way out by being a bench sitter get off and get to work before he is pushed off. R

---------------------------------------------

What kind of abuse were you subjected to as a child? The level of anger you exude needs to be faced and worked through. Someone has to step forward to protect the children. Yes EVERY religion has people in their organization who exploit their position, take advantage of weaker members, such as children, women, and the inexperienced or uneducated. For ones who are aware of injustice and do nothing but complain, no transformation or altering of policies and procedures is possible. Holding adults accountable for actions that harm our children and insist on policies being re-established and written into their code book to protect ones who are unable to fight back is what Silent lambs is all about accomplishing as well as providing an outlet for people who have been abused to speak out and be supported and heard with empathy, understanding, and affirmation. There are many good hearted people who are Jehovah's witnesses and are totally unaware of what goes on behind the scenes, being involved in this religion work's for them and benefits their life at this time. For others it has been a trauma they are working through in order to live a joyful, productive life. I love the analogy of two people holding up a coffee mug, one on the handle side and one on the other, each person sees the cup from their perspective and realizes that to dispel anger and animosity we must seek to understand where the other person is coming from; what is their frame of reference? Why do they view the world the way they do? The more people who seek unity and peace, based on love and joy, the sooner we will transform our planet, one person at a time.

-----------------------------------------------------

DEAR BILL: I WOULD TELL THE FELLOW THAT IF HE WERE MORE INVOLVED IN THE W.T.B.T.S. HE WOULD SEE THAT THEY ARE ONE OF THE WORST KIND OF CULTS THERE ARE. THEY TELL THE RANK AND FILE THAT THEY HAVE TO DO WHAT THE GOVERNING BODY SAYS,OR THE CREATOR WILL KILL THEM. HIS TWO BROTHERS THAT ARE SO INVOLVED SERVING MEN THAT THEY CAN NOT SEE THE FLOWERS GROWING. THEY BELONG TO A CULT THAT PROTECTS PEDOPHILES AND ARE IN THE SAME CATEGORY AS THE CATHOLICS. THE W.T.B.T.S. IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAR WHAT GOD IS TELLING THEM. THAT IS WORSE THAN ANY OTHER CULT IN MY EYES AND THEY ARE FOLLOWING A COURSE OF DESTRUCTION. IF HE WANTS TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT CULT, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO TELL HIM MORE. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BILL. YOU ARE ABOUT TO FORCE THE BIG BOYS BACK IN BROOKLYN TO GIVE UP THAT LIST OF 2,720 PEDOPHILES FROM THEIR FILES. F

-----------------------------------------------------

My response is: She will never know until she has lived it. I was raised as a JW. It is a constant change of ideas in that religion.

I love my family but there are so many things that were just wrong.

I was date-raped by a witness when I was 17. My requirement for going to my prom was that I go with a witness that was a friend of the family. I felt so guilty about being raped. Like it was my fault even though he was 23 and someone I grew up with. But I was publicly censored and because he denied it, he was disfellowshipped. It only took a few months for him to be reinstated as a witness. (This would not be his last encounter with the committee of Elders or his last

discipline.) My parents didn't want to bring reproach on Jehovah's organization, so making a report to the police was out of the question. I know that they are good people. That isn't an issue.

It never has been. It's that they are so brainwashed to follow what the Watchtower Society says as true gospel. I wasn't allowed to go to college. That idea was supposedly to protect the young people from "worldly" association and influence. But NOW it is encouraged that young people go to college and get a 4 year degree. It wasn't okay to receive organ donations or to be a donor. NOW, it's a issue of conscience. How is it that the "true" organization of God be so wishy washy? The Bible hasn't changed; just it's interpreters have.

Is it a matter of time before blood transfusions are just a matter of conscience? Or Christmas? Or Birthdays? It's truly funny how people who happen to stumble across this site are so self-righteous and self-entitled to criticize it. It's obvious that it is not a site for you. If you cannot relate or cannot have an open mind when you visit this site then you should just move on.

Thank you for this site Silent Lambs. It made me feel like I wasn't the only one on earth to feel like I was on the outside looking in.

I'd prefer not to have my name published as my family might just happen to stumble onto this site as well. It's just comforting to know that there are people who can relate.

---------------------------------------------------

I would like to respond to John.  John, if you read Revelation chapters 2 and 3 you will find Jesus' critique of 7 congregations.  There may have been no murderers in them, but Jesus did say to a few of them that he ' had some things against them.'  Paul criticized the Apostle Peter.  lf some of the silent lambs are Witnesses, why would they be any different than Jesus or the Apostle Paul?  In the book of James 1:27 it says that the form of worship that is pure and undefiled is this, to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation.  If some of the silent lambs are witnesses, it causes them anguish that what they regard to be true religion has been defiled by the witnesses lack of tender regard for the victims of abuse.  I agree that there are religious groups worse than the Witnesses.  There were persons worse than the Apostle Peter.  But when he wouldn't eat with Gentiles when Jews from Jerusalem were around him, the Apostle Paul called him on the carpet for it.  Jehovah's Witnesses are then within their right to call their leadership on the carpet for not showing love among themselves in the way they know Jesus would have shown it.  Read John 13:34, 35 where it shows we would know the disciples of Jesus by the love shown among themselves.
       And, in case you ask, no I am not one of JWs.  My wife and I are Biblical Unitarians.  But we have compassion for the Witnesses who seek justice for the unprotected ones in their midst.  J

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bill,

        Like with anything John has no idea. He has failed to notice that the Catholic Religion stepped up to the plate and has tried to clean it up as it were. The JW's simply hide it, deny it, remove the non offender... in some instances they act like the Child Protection Scums I deal with always making the totally COMPLETE WRONG move EVERY SINGLE TIME!

 Now as you know I have chosen an eclectic paganistic approach to my life.... I am one of a growing population of neo pagans who embrace Christ and the Goddess.... It was not an easy decision to allow myself to go back to "church" and I know there is much to be desired in this world.. What I have found is those who celebrate life and earth a goodness tend to be the most honest about other things as well.

John will never see this of any religion... and clearly he missed the point as what Silent Lambs is doing is "Shining the light of scrutiny on buracracy.....it makes the cockroaches run for cover."

 I say we continue to make them run and when we catch them bind their feet to the very fires they bound my sisters feet to at Salem . In this system the only way to do that is through the courts, even though the JW's expound and Bible thump that all is to be left in Jehovah's hands .... That is all well and good if Jehovah would take those hands out of his pockets and accept the challenge that is before his people.

    My molester is now allowed to go in service and give prayers again at the hall. He is known to associate with families with young girls... this is a scary thing. But as a parent of a 12yr old girl... the lesson I learned has helped me be extra vigilant towards M. My mother never knew where I was and what I was doing half the time. In today's society a parent needs to be concerned when a child leaves the house just to go to school, never mind running foot loose like I did at her age. So to the Johns out there who just want to pee on our shoes and tell us its raining..... May you find some peaceful resolution to that anger inside and through it become a part of the solution rather than a cog in the wheel of consternation.

A

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clean up your own faith before you criticize others.

He's kidding right?  LOLOL!  Tell him to show us ONE article that the JWs have written about other religions where they don't CRITICIZE them and call themselves superior.  Poor sap...he isn't fence sitting...he isn't willing to give up his cigarettes, booze, sex and perhaps get his GED??? to JOIN the JWs so he just sits in the stands and cheers them on thinking his "support" will save his ass in the end.

Gotta love em.
D

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

John has issues and is probably a jw himself. Yes they do go door to door spreading their word which is nice. Catholics have their problems which are definitely out there BUT Catholics unlike jws don't go to the trials and testify FOR the priests! Catholics don't predict the end of the world and keep changing their prediction. Catholics will go into the army, vote in elections and TRY to make the country they live in a better country. Catholics will not shun a family member who leaves their religion for any other religion and will continue to talk to and love that family member. Yes and Catholics will celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th. Merry Christmas John!

---------------------------------------------------------------------

I would respond to John by telling him that JW's murder other JW's without there being a war. The door-to-door people murdered my brother by convincing him NOT to have surgery which would have saved his life. My brother was retarded and unable to preach door to door due to his lack of true understanding of the faith. The JW's convinced him that he would go to hell if he took blood, and NO surgeon could be found that would do it (not even the Cleveland Clinic) without blood. He DIED for a religion that would not even baptize him. Murderers.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

My response to this would be, firstly, this person sounds very angry, and it seems that he has a bone to pick with ex JW`s. What he fails to realize is that many ex JW`s are very bitter towards the organization because they have been treated badly by them,( my case being that i was disfellowshipped by an elder who had been trying to seduce me!) But that's another story! Getting to the point about child abuse within the JW`s, the reason why it is more shocking and unacceptable is the fact that because it professes to be the true religion, and has such high standards, and we totally believed that it was, and that it didn't tolerate any kind of wrong doing, we then find out that it is protecting child abuse by not exposing it! We (sincere and genuine people) then start to question if it is Gods true organization! Then we find more flaws, added with our own experiences, dissect it, and then question if it is what it professes to be! So if this angry person knows anything about the religion, he should know that it sets itself apart from the world religions, and calls it Babylon The Great! and they are the first ones to condemn it! Rest my case! D, England . Please send me feedback

about this, thank you.

-------------------------------------------------------

Suggested reply (if, indeed, a reply was considered helpful):   "Thank you for your good wishes.   "I fully understand your concerns with your own church and would encourage you to join with your fellow believers to support abuse victims. There may be more local groups in your area, but if not you could contact SNAP - The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests  ( www.snapnetwork.org ).   "We do not now have any religious affiliation and do not attack any religious organization. However, because of our own past experiences as Jehovah's Witnesses, we concentrate on aiding those victims of abuse whose special needs we understand.   "Please accept our best wishes."  

Kind regards,

K

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think that this person is maybe a JW in wolf's clothing, if you like, and does not realize that you are attacking those who are pedophiles and has not looked closely at the issue.   Obviously the brothers,  being JW's,  have not taught this person much about language or love, or even the little things to do with the sect's religion.   I believe the JW's to be a sect,  not a religion.   Oh and by the way,  possibly this person is just a teenager who has cottoned onto this site and making waves for the fun of it.       Regards, M

------------------------------------------------------------------ 

This writer should remember one thing: Silentlambs is about child abuse. Silent lambs does not engage in faith bashing. There are JW's who support silent lambs (i am one of them) because child abuse should be condemned by all regardless of what you believe in. The writer of the email is mixing issues.   S

------------------------------------------------

Probably not worth a response at all, is my feeling. I get mail like this everyday. Had to giggle when I saw "oxymorons" - but I think I'm just feeling particularly petty today. In any case, once words like "balls" and "maggot" appear, it's clear you're not dealing with anyone who is going to enter into authentic dialogue. It is very strange, but it seems to be a pattern in these emails that they start out with a semi-decent point, and then somewhere in the middle they twist into raving. Sites like ours invite the least stable among us. The voices of truth and compassion are a kind of overload and it seems to catalyze inner psychic violence.  My advice is not to respond to this one - just too unstable.   H

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I think this is a baby elder trying to bait someone into debate. It could, of course, be a baby elder who is attacking to cover up his own insecurities about the Tower. But it is a bait, imho.

------------------------------------------------------------------

How to respond? thais is a totally good question but here is one I am gonna come up with.

Dear John   Are you telling us that when a Jehovah's Witness molests an Innocent child the Molester should not be reported to the Police Dept at all?   I am well aware that not all Child Molesters in the world are Jehovah's Witnesses and not all Jehovah's Witnesses are Child Molesters.   I use to attend Kingdom Hall meetings and I fell for the Watchtower Teachings too and I use to think that virtually everyone in the Religion was Angelic even though the Aunt and Cousin I went to meetings with weren't always completely Angelic.   Of course even after I declared the Jehovah's Witnesses were not the truth faith I remained a bit of a sympathizer in a way like when Michael Jackson got accused of being a Child Molester back in 1993 I did not even want to believe he did it considering ok I had quit the Jehovah's Witnesses in 1987 (one of the factors involved was when he got told her was not allowed to talk to LaToya Jackson ever again back when the Watchtower Society decided to shun LaToya Jackson), and I thought to myself he knows better he couldn't have done it (although things are up in the air that give me reason to believe he probably has Molested kids but I am going to let the Courts decide the verdict thank you very much).   And I have to say I never would have thought that the Child Molestation case would have been brought up as far as the Watchtower Society was concerned but it has because it is absolutely true that some of the members of the Jehovah's Witness religion are in fact committing Child Molestation that is no lie, if it were a lie then how come some of the Molested Victims who absolutely were very Loyal to the Watchtower Society dared to report another Congregation member to the Police.   Of course the Watchtower Society does not like it when one member of the faith reports another to the Police but in my opinion if you do such a filthy crime then you gotta do the time I don't care if you belong to the same religion as well (and I happen to be a Missouri Synod Lutheran these days was baptized Lutheran 4 years ago).   Indeed while I would be as willing as possible to keep Sin confessions from another member of the Congregation a Secret (although such Confessions should be reported to the Pastor of my Church since he can keep most Crimes a secret in some states but in some states including last I checked my State the Pastor, Minister, Priest, Rabbi, Imam or other persons of Religious Authority have to report Confessions of Murder, Rape and Molestation to the Police Dept).   The Watchtower Society has a policy that is so Crummy I give Praise to Pope John Paul II for wanting to actually take Action on Priests who commit Molestation (including I do believe Excommunicating such Priests for the deed and in my opinion they ought to be Excommunicated from the Catholic Church as well as reported to the Police if they committed the crime, my Maternal Grandmother was Molested back in 1944 by a Catholic Priest).   About this crummy Policy a Jehovah's Witness who commits the deed of Molestation cannot be Disfellowshipped unless the Elder actually Eyewitnesses the deed (how many Molesters are going to be stupid enough to commit their crime in an Elder's presence, many Molesters are dumb anyways but loads of them especially in the Jehovah's Witness religion are smart enough to not get caught by those in authority and that includes the Police).   Also in the Policy you are not allowed to go to the Police about this, instead if it happens you have to report it to an Elder, the Elder does not even Excommunicate the person or even have a hearing held on the matter, instead the Elder decides the Molester cannot go door to door unless he/she is accompanied by another member of the Congregation so that the other Congregation member can make sure the Molester does not commit the crime.   However there is a problem with that, if the Watchtower Society thought the General Public who is outside of the Religion was never going to know a thing about this thing about because the Press loves to put Molestation on the Front Page they don't care which Religion is Involved.   And if the Jehovah's Witnesses who knock on doors think that being sprayed by a hose or pushed off the porch is bad enough then wait till some of those who are opposed to Child Molestation get chased off with Shot Guns and hear messages of get off my property you f***ing Child Molesters and think of how much Profanity Jehovah's Witness kids will have to hear if they're with their Parents going door to door and why?   I will tell you why, it is because the Watchtower Society is forbidding the Reporting of Child Molesters to the Police Dept as well as the fact the Child Molester does not even get Disfellowshipped from the Religion for doing the deed (that sends a message out to Child Molesters who usually want nothing to do with religion that, oh there is a Religion that is more relaxed on Child Molesters than the Catholic Church would ever dare to be, let's join this crappy religion, pretend we believe in the stuff and we can Molest and not have to go to Jail for it).   Even though Child Molesters don't get Disfellowshipped from the Jehovah's Witness religion loads of those that show very strong Loyalty to the Watchtower Society do (and loads of these are more Loyal to the Watchtower Society than the Child Molesters in the religion), who are these extremely Loyal people that get Disfellowshipped, Molestation Victims and why do they get Disfellowshipped? Because they did the right thing by reporting the Child Molester to the Police Dept, I mean for Pete's sake that Victim who reported the pervert to the Cops probably did not want others to go through what he/she went through and you know what I don't blame them.   Heck an Uncle of mine was Murdered in 1987 and I am so glad the man that did the Deed was arrested and sentenced to spend the rest of his life in Prison so that no other family has to go through what my Mom's family went through.   As far as the whole telling me that Christianity is a worse faith than the Jehovah's Witnesses you might wanna rethink these thoughts because there is a major difference between a true Christian and a false Christian.   A true Christian accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they devote themselves to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and if you wanna tell me that Christians don't knock on doors like the Jehovah's Witnesses do, you are very wrong about that because there are loads of Christians who have knocked on my door over the years from all sorts of Churches.   However one major difference is that when a genuine Christian knocks on your door they ask 1st of all if you already belong to a Church because yes I am a Lutheran but I do not wish to force a Methodist or a Baptist or whoever else to switch to my Church, plus the Jehovah's Witnesses claim themselves the only True faith whereas me while I say the true faith is Christianity I believe that the Christian faith exists not just within my own Denomination which is Lutheran but also in many many other Denominations.  In fact on National Day of Prayer me and and some others from my Denomination as well as loads of other Denominations (such as Catholic and Baptist) came to the the Prayer event that was held near the Fire Hall and we all joined in not as Lutherans, Baptists, Catholics, and whatever other Denominations were there (I didn't ask who belonged to what I only knew Catholics, Baptists and Lutherans were among because of who said they did belong to which one), but we all came together as Christians.   As far as the idea of going to War, I 1st of all am indeed opposed to a Military Draft because I believe a Voluntary Military fighting force is much stronger because in that cause these Men are people who want so be in the Service and when the Join in they do so knowing full well exactly what chances they have of getting sent off to War and/or killed in the Service.   One new Soldier I talked to at my Cousin's graduation party said that even though he would like to be alice when he is out of the service (he even talked about what he plans to do after he is out of the Service), bet he did also say that he is willing to die for this Country if he has to.   Yes there are Christians that do join the service but there have been times when loads of Christians got drafted into the service when they did not wish to join at all.   One such man who happened to be a genuine Christian by the way did not want to be involved in War because he felt Thou Shalt Not Kill meant don't kill anyone (although when one looks at Original Hebrew the actually line in the Ten Commandments is You Shall Not Murder, and the word is Murder not kill, in fact Exodus 21:12 says "Any man that smiteth another so that he dies shall be put to death without fail" which means the Death Penalty is backed up by Exodus 21:12).   However during that time the same man with the help of a Minister got registered for the Draft as a Conscientious Objector which was unheard of at the time of World War I but he did get informed that loads of Christians joined the Service because they wanted to stand for America .   The guy did end up in the service and was sent off to War in Europe during World War I, he did not want to kill anyone at all if he could help it but one day when loads of his comrades were wounded and the German Army was coming he was like this is it I have to do something and 1 by one he spared his Comrades from death when he shot each German Soldier that was coming towards him.   Indeed War can be Hell and very Unpleasant but I do recall that in the Bible Ancient Israel did go to War, even this one Jehovah's Witness book I use to have called My Book of Bible Stories mentioned some of the Wars that Israel fought.   A Christian does not want to have to kill another Christian when fighting in a War and well Nazi Germany had a Military Draft and you went to the Death Camps if you refused a Draft.   Some people will complain that loads of Catholics and Protestants were friends of Hitler and while ok I do not deny that is a fact right there, some Catholics and Protestants did not support Hitler at all (especially the ones that were Genuine Christians).   In fact Jews were not the only religion placed in the Death Camps, loads of Catholics and Protestants who refused to bow to Hitler were sent there too, in fact loads of Jehovah's Witnesses got placed in the Death Camps too (in fact the Aunt I went to Kingdom Hall with, when she told me Jehovah's Witnesses got killed by Hitler that was believe it or not the 1st Non-Jews I had heard were among Hitler's Victims).   I had at 1st thought it was just Jews killed by Hitler until my Aunt told me he killed Jews and Jehovah's Witnesses but she didn't name anyone else he also killed (although I found out later who else was among his victims).   Whenever one is fighting in a War though you do not check to see if someone from the other side belongs to your religion at all because the other side is trying to kill you, and one of the things you do when you are fighting in a War is you are defending your Country especially from being taken over by a dangerous foreign enemy.   If it weren't for War we would not enjoy the Freedom we have including the freedom that even the Jehovah's Witnesses have to practice their faith as well as the Freedom the Jehovah's Witnesses possess to refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance (I wish Michael Newdow would examine the Supreme Court case of 1945 involving the Jehovah's Witnesses refusal to say the Pledge, especially since the Supreme Court ruled in the Jehovah's Witnesses favor saying it was ok to refuse to say the Pledge).   And I gotta say as much as I know just how twisted a lot of the Jehovah's Witness Teachings are I am totally impressed that they didn't pull a Madalyn Murray O'Hair with the Pledge of Allegiance and what I mean by that remark is Madalyn Murray O'Hair wanted to ban everyone from being able to pray even though her son who she filed on behalf of was totally being excused from prayer (and guess what her son repented of his role in the whole thing came to faith in Christ and happens to be a Baptist Minister).   But on the other hand the Jehovah's Witnesses never demanded that the Pledge of Allegiance be banned from Public Schools like Michael Newdow is, instead the Jehovah's Witnesses demanded they and their kids be excused from saying it (Hey it works for me that's better that telling me I can't say it because you don't like it and I have no problem with a Jehovah's Witness refusing to say the Pledge as long as I'm allowed to say it just like I have no problem with an Atheist refusing to pray as long as I'm allowed to pray).   But before you tell me we shouldn't be having a War, well John that would be nice if we did have no wars and I await the day that comes with the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who will end Warfare for all Eternity.   However there are people out there who wish to strip people like me of my right to my faith in Jesus Christ as well as my right to vote for whichever Presidential Candidate, Gubernatorial Candidate and so forth, some such people who want to take my Freedom also want me to have only once Presidential Choice on the Ballot as well as giving me the option of in P. Diddy's words Vote or Die.   Saddam Hussein is a good example of the kinds of people who stir up trouble and strip people of their Freedom, ask the Iraqi people what happened under Saddam Hussein and they will tell you of what he had done to them and if someone thinks most of the Iraqi people hate Americans, well I cannot determine what percentage do and don't but I know for a fact that most Iraqis are glad Saddam Hussein is no longer their Dictator and loads of such Iraqis thank President George W. Bush for bringing Freedom to Iraq (one Iraqi couple even named their baby in honor of our President , George being 1st name Bush the 1st of the several middle names and the rest of the Middle names are in Arabic like the last name of the baby, the couple said they did this to Honor and thank President Bush for freeing them from Saddam Hussein).   Also John I really don't understand how one can call themselves Anti-War when a War of words occurs within Families.   Well I have said all I need to say, if you want anything further go read the Bible and pray to Jesus for Guidance about all of this.   Sincerely R

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If the JW organization is so wonderful, it's a shame that his association with his JW brothers hasn't had much of a positive affect on him.  He is too narrow-minded to realize that the site is not implying that all JWs are child molesters, but rather it is a forum to expose those who hide within the organization and go without being punished for their grievous acts against their victims.    Of course there are child molesters who are Catholic or other so-called "Christian" religions, and many are caught and prosecuted, never having the protection that the JW organization, by contrast, so eagerly provides for its perverts.    Thank him for checking out the website and let him know that if he is offended by any of its contents, he doesn't have to visit again.    

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I think you should respond to the email in a dignified and appropriate manner. I find it interesting that he is proud to say that he is a JWs and not a Christian.

-------------------------------------------

Hi Bill, I think that email was very one sided, But that doesn't surprise me, because it is to be expected, he is looking on the outside, the problem is internally, that organization, has pass the buck many times as you know, and we all that have been wounded.  Yes the Catholics are not any better but they don't profess to be God's organization on earth. And try to gain praise because they go door to door.  Witness are  not true to themselves or others in there own faith.  I could very well go to the token booth and put a token in the subway, and feel the same way they are token Christians with no feeling or remorse.  Go this website and see what I wrote www.ripoffreport.com   type watchtower and see the rebuttal sounds like you attracted the same idiot. Take Care M P.S. The best answer is no answer

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why respond to this? This guy obviously has no clue. It is probably nothing more than a childish prank. Apparently this person doesn't see the importance of protecting the children.   D

---------------------------------------------

Dear John,   This website takes no stand on whether or not we are christian.  That's not the point.  Simply put, this website takes a stand against any religion, christian or otherwise, that allows pedophiles within it's ranks and puts our future generations at risk for being sexually, emotionally, mentally, religiously, and physically abused.    I would advise you to seriously meditate and pretend you are a child. You are very young and someone your parents trusted or perhaps even a parent you trusted continually rapes you and abuses you.  What would you do to protect yourself?  Eventually you tell a parent or a trusted adult who informs the elders, council, priests, whatever and virtually nothing is done.  The pedophile is allowed to continue associating with other kids and you can't tell anybody else or you'll get thrown out of your religion.  How would you feel about sitting in front of, in back of or beside your ab user at your religious meetings?  Would you wonder how this person can consciously consider themselves a christian when they are doing despicable things to children?  Would you wonder if other children have suffered the same fate as you?  Would you wonder why nothing was done to stop this person?  Would you feel safe?   The purpose of this website is to protect and support those who have suffered all kinds of abuse from whatever religion.  It just so happens that many of those abused were or still are Jehovah's Witnesses.  We just want the pedophiles made responsible for their behavior as well as the JW governing body who allow them to remain free.  Pedophiles are breaking the laws of the land, injuring countless children and getting away with it.  The JW governing body is equally responsible by not informing the proper authorities about these lawbreakers and I would say they also aiding and abetting these criminals by virtually doing nothing about their behaviors.  They are not protecting the innocent children.  Those of us involved with silent lambs ARE doing something about these criminals.  What are you doing about it?   You have complained about Christians doing whatever and not acting Christian.  Do you think protecting pedophiles rather than children is Christian behavior?  It seems to be in the Jehovah Witnesses religion.  By the way, Mormons go door to door too and devoutly study the bible and The Book of Mormon.  As for being a fencesitter, that's your problem.  Fencesitters typically complain about everything and usually do nothing about it.  Have you read everything on this website?  I would challenge you to do so and then think about what you can do.  At least we are doing something about it and making a stand to protect our future generations as well as calling for accountability of those in responsible positions and the ab user s.   Thanks for the happy wishes.  Thankfully, I am no longer a JW and do celebrate all those holidays.  Happy wishes to you for all those holidays as well.   Sincerely,   S

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hmmmmmmm, probably something like this- Dear John, how is that fence, does it hurt? As a former jw for 30 years, I sat on the same fence. It does hurt. Jesus said that the only means of Salvation it through faith in Him. Our Father, Jehovah, (one of His names) had a covenant with Abraham, filled with laws, Jesus full filled those laws. When Jesus told his disciples to go from house to house and door to door, did he also tell them to keep track of what kind of time that they put in? Or tell them that if they didn't put in enough time that they wouldn't qualify to be in Heaven with Him? The Catholic organization has been involved with politics for centuries, the jw's just got busted for belonging to the UN. something that they said was the wild beast of Revelation. Every single one of their "Prophesies" have failed. They, along with Catholicism have had their own set of rules out side of what Jesus taught, and still do. The 'true' witness' have much faith and I feel they have been blessed for it, even though they! are as the blind leading the blind. Every single one of its leaders has some skeleton in their closet. Do some research. The society has stated it themselves, that if they stopped reading their watchtower and awakes and other books, that they would end up seeing the bible like everyone else. Silent Lambs is a public web site,  and if you have the testicular fortitude that you claim to have, why didn't you include your e-mail address so that we could all talk and reason from the scriptures? A fence sitter is certainly weak in his fortitude, not being able to be strong enough in his own faith to choose a side. Take care, and if you care to further this conversation, feel free. Sincerely and with Best Regards, j
p.s. try using 'spell check', you will appear more intelligent

------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi   I would respond to this letter by stating that anyone with a problem over a website that seeks to protect and help victims of child molesters should ask themselves what their motives are for taking the time to write such a hateful letter. The problem of child abuse exists in every denomination no doubt, the difference is there is no justification for failing to bring pedophiles to justice through Biblical interpretation excepting the JW`s, and anyone sitting on the fence about this issue (defending the organization) has lost their way with the truth, sitting on the fence is every JW`s main pastime as there is no good news in their message, it`s an abominable cult with no conscience left to shift one way or the other. I have recently received a letter from a relative who has been a JW for 40 years that is refusing to assist in my own case against a child molester, I had asked her to help me 30 years ago as a child but she was too busy pleasing Jehovah and judging nobody. Nothing has changed in all that time, she uses the Bible in her defense. I have never read such rubbish that was sent to me about what God requires, and never in my life met so many hypocrites sitting on the fence about everything and anything that doesn't involve distributing the Watchtower. What God requires right now is your site and many more like them....which of course is very upsetting to some! I say to them - Be afraid, be very afraid!!   B

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Bill   The email below appears to be the musing of an angry and troubled mind. I note that he states he is not a Christian, that I would say that is the crux of the problem....and the same for everyone else's that isn't a Christian.   Proverbs says...Don't answer a fool in his foolishness, lest you partake in his foolishness, but then it also says answer a fool in his foolishness lest he go uncorrected. I'm not sure which of the two this email falls into?   Despite the rhetoric he does have a point, individuals, organization and churches have behaved appallingly, in either committing or by lack of diligence allowing evils to happen. The answer....repent and seek forgiveness, healing and in the fullness of the gospel and Christ, and if not now then in the future, full restitution and renewal. I thank the Lord for salvation,...and for his love and reaching out to all who are saved and still awaiting to be saved.  I would say that that the Silent Lambs are one example of that love and reaching out.   As for John, I would wish him a Happy Christmas and a blessing, and I pray that Christ may be in it, as he has authority over all things. The evils and concerns he has raised are noted and we agree must and will come to and end. However one should not throw the baby out with the bath water. Like wise those organization that sincerely have repented and are trying now to do the right thing, shouldn't we be supporting? Whoever they are?   In conclusion, to address the issues, there should be mutual respect and courteously. (No bad language). In pain people may lash out verbally, but that doesn't make it right, although on has to forgive and allow to a point.   I would then say to John, come on board and help! If one is not part of the solution, then one is part of the problem?   Here again I  pose the question.... Don't answer a fool in his foolishness, lest you partake in his foolishness,  answer a fool in his foolishness lest he go uncorrected?  Which one are you John, the choice is yours? May God bless you John and likewise Silent Lambs.   M

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I would respond:  "Thank you for your comments.  This site is dedicated to helping the victims of child and spousal abuse at the hands of certain members of Jehovah's Witnesses."   It is obviously meant to bait you into an unwise response.   Good luck! ;)   B

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

John is a few brick short of a load.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

This John person has not a clue about the Watchtower and its policies regarding children or its many false doctrines and many flip flops in doctrines. He is clueless when it comes to the Bible and is probably just the type of person that will get sucked into that mess. He has just enough Bible knowledge, which is nil, to be dangerous to himself and is a perfect candidates for the Watchtower. He talks about "preach the good word of the Bible" and I'll bet he doesn't even know what the gospel is. He talks about going door to door as if that is so great and is the best way to preach the good good news that he doesn't even know. John should be told about the newest inventions to reach people with the good news, its called TV, radio and newspapers. Tell John to read Romans chapter 13 to see what God has to say about war and terrorists actions, that's if he can find the book of Romans. It is interesting to note that John never called the JW's Christians, since they call themselves the only Christians on earth today, but their gospel is not the same as the Christians gospel. Please send him this email complete with my email address so maybe he can call me names too.   E

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

It appears that this individual perhaps out of a sense of family Pride, has felt Silent Lambs discredited his "Brothers Religion". It is a shame that he does not have any sisters in that Religion.  For then he could see what it would be like to if he could imagine his sister sexually abused firsthand.  For this is what what is the Issue here. Although he may not at this time realize how Abuse ruins Children's Lives. Perhaps time may teach him firsthand the effects, so that he may someday become empathetic towards the Abused, and appreciative of those who advocate Moral Justice for the Abused.  Missing the point in my mind is one of Jehovah's Witnesses shortcomings, and it sure seems that it transcends to people like itself.  It is also in my opinion that Jehovah God does not approve of Moral, Sexual, abuse no matter how many doors they go to, or how much financial support they give to the already billions of dollars the Watchtower and Bible Tract! Society already has.  Let alone Jesus who purchased each one of these people, and at the price that he did. This is not about Pride of ones "Religion" it is about using ones own God given conscience, and common sense to really have Love for one another. Love does not "Enable" any acts of Wickedness.  Perhaps this individual has not come to know Jehovah at all...? Bill keep up the good work, its sure good to see someone truly reflecting the personality of Jehovah and Jesus.      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HERE'S MY REPLY. JW"s CLAIM TO BE CHRISTIANS.  JOHN, YOU NEED TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE MAKING  PUBLIC REFERENCES.  AS A CHRISTIAN, WE ARE COMMANDED TO BE STEADFAST.  WE ARE NOT TO BE PASSIVE.  IF WRONGS ARE COMMITTED WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DEFEND THE DEFENSELESS.  CHRIST DID THAT FOR THE DISABLED, THE LEPERS, THE CHILDREN, ETC.  SIN IS IN ALL OF US.  WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO UPHOLD MORAL LAWS  THAT GOD HAS WRITTEN.  SEXUAL PREDATORS HAVE NO BOUNDARIES.  THEY WILL INFILTRATE WHERE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO FLOURISH.  SOMETIMES THAT IS IN CHRISTIAN CHURCHES WHERE ELDERS DO NOT PROTECT THE FLOCK.  SOMETIMES THE ELDERS ARE THE OFFENDERS.  THE MAIN POINT HERE IS WHAT DO WE DO WHEN WE ARE CONFRONTED WITH SUCH ATROCITIES.  GOD EXPECTS US TO HAVE THE GONADS TO STAND UP TO WRONGDOING...REGARDLESS OF WHAT GENDER ONE HAS.  RIDING THE FENCE MAY APPEAR A SAFE PLACE TO ROOST, BUT GOD EXPECTS US TO CHOOSE SIDES AND BE RESPONSIBLE.   J

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is an email from someone how has no idea what he is talking about.  therefore is deserves no response

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I will address your comments. I need to establish my credentials so that the reader, and perhaps you if you have the intelligence and honesty to listen, will understand that valid research and competence are behind the thoughts that I express. I am in the field of psychology and will have my Doctorate within a few years. I was a Jehovah's Witness for 25 years, serving as a book study conductor, maintaining the accounts, literature, field service reports, being a counselor for the Ministry School , delivering weekly talks, and performing many other responsibilities. I also maintained the congregation library and every single elder came to me whenever a difficult situation arose. I am thoroughly familiar with the Watchtower teachings and I have read every book they ever published from the year 1950 onward. This includes all  Watchtowers, Awakes, yearbooks, the Aid book, the Insight on the Scriptures, and all Kingdom Ministries. I also possess the original Studies in the Scriptures written by Russell himself. I am a computer network engineer and I have done extensive research on the Internet regarding the Watchtower and other pertinent information. I will let the reader judge the difference between your abilities and knowledge and that of mine. Your spelling and composition skills virtually make that a waste of time in any event.   You said, "Is this a Christian site?" To my knowledge, this site is mainly dedicated to the comfort of victims of abuse. I don't remember seeing any statement that anyone who wasn't a Christian wasn't welcome. It is true that most people involved with this site are/were Jehovah's Witnesses. But that doesn't indicate that they necessarily want to quit being Witnesses or want to become atheists. A primary concern of this site is to address the policies of the Watchtower and how they hurt innocent people, whether they are victims of abuse or those who speak out against it. The Watchtower has a long history of believing that it is above the law and acting accordingly. It takes great pride in its "moral cleanness" and has engaged in an ongoing campaign to slander other religions and people for not living in accordance with their rules or for criticizing them. Yet they have lied in court and to their members. They also disfellowship and try to hurt rank and file Witnesses who object to their policies or who go to the authorities if it will make the Watchtower look bad if they were to be allowed to do it. The harm they cause by doing this can scar a person for life, both psychologically and emotionally. The last time I read the Bible, which I have done over a dozen times (how many times have you?), it said that people should always speak the truth, look for the good in others, treat others as you would like to be treated, and it condemned revenge, pettiness, and spite. In my opinion, the Watchtower is not acting in a Christian manner. I therefore question their claim to be "God's organization".   You said you have two brothers who are Witnesses. So what? What difference does that make? If this is supposed to indicate that you are familiar with Watchtower policies, or that your comments should be taken seriously, you have utterly failed. You also said, "I find it funny in my view that christians are much worse than JWS". You are correct in that it is just "your view". As I stated previously, your view will be left for others to judge, but you will find no respect from me for having that view. I need only consider the source. You said Christians are much worse than JWS. This sentence structure implies that JWS are not Christians. When someone says that one thing is different than another thing, it generally indicates that the two things are not the same, hence the word "different". So can I assume that JWS are not Christians, in your view? If so, that is exactly what many are claiming about the Watchtower, an opinion arrived at because of their behavior, as I indicated above. You put down in writing that it was a fact, and you want to prove it, in all capital letters as if that makes it correct. It does not. You can type that two plus two equals five in huge, red, capital letters and you would still be wrong.   You stated that JWS go door to door and they preach the good word of the Bible. So do many other religions, including the Mormons. Again, this proves nothing as to who has the truth. And even if the Watchtower had the truth about certain doctrines, they are still guilty of immoral policies about child abuse and their treatment of any who criticize them. Their position is not an intelligent or Christian position to take. Even if they don't go to war, and you claim other Christians do go to war and kill Christians, this doesn't excuse their child abuse policies. Again, you are missing the point. Many people who visit Silent Lambs still believe the core doctrines of the Watchtower. Many still want to be Witnesses. The issue here is how the Watchtower handles child abuse and how it treats those who criticize the people who are responsible for determining policy for the Watchtower. Whether killing people in another country is worse than abuse and rape is a matter that can be debated elsewhere. That is not the purpose of Silent Lambs. I'm quite sure that almost everyone who is against child abuse and rape is also against killing. Where do you get the right to assume that the people who have become victims of abuse or rape, or have been shunned and punished by the Watchtower just for speaking up about the issue, approve of going to war and killing? Did you inquire from every individual as to what his or her view was concerning war? Perhaps you should get your facts straight before you make ignorant statements.   You claimed the JWS read their Bible in depth. Most JWS I've met do try to do this. Most JWS would probably be against child abuse, just as they are against war and killing. But the average Witness has no say in the making of policy for the Watchtower. Most Witnesses do not even know who makes it or how it is made. Most Witnesses have been warned not to ever speak against the Watchtower, no matter what it says or does, and they have been warned not to even visit sites like Silent Lambs. The Watchtower claims these sites are "apostate" and slander those who support them. The average Witness obeys these rules without even thinking about them or hearing both sides. This indicates a very low intelligence. The Bible admonishes people "not to make a reply without hearing", does it not? So how Christian is it to condemn helpless children and young adults just because they reported to their parents, or the elders, or even the police that they had been abused or raped, often by their own parents, other family members, or even other elders? And how just, fair, and intelligent is it to disfellowship adults for criticizing the Watchtower because it attempts to silence any and all people who are just trying to do a decent thing by suggesting that the Watchtower policies are not moral or Christian? Who made the Watchtower above reproach? Who told you that they were incapable of error? What gives the Watchtower the idea that they own the universe and can do what they wish and that they don't have to answer to anyone, including the law? I've heard several cases where elders or the Watchtower itself have said things to the effect that they don't answer to Caesar or worldly courts of law. I find this unscriptural and arrogant, and I certainly know it is not Christian. I've never seen such hubris and arrogance in my life, and especially from a group of people who claim moral superiority over the entire earth.   There are people on earth who read their Bibles in depth and they are not Witnesses. I'm sure I know where you get the idea that Witnesses are the only experts on the Bible, but you are wrong. I know several people who are not Witnesses who know far more about the Bible and its history than the Witnesses do. This composition is not to engage in a debate concerning doctrine, but the Watchtower's history of failed prophecies and laughable medical advice over the past 100 years provides sufficient evidence to suggest that, if anything, the Watchtower hasn't much Bible knowledge at all. You claim that Christians who are not Witnesses, and therefore don't read their Bible in depth, are "oxymorons". Your use of this word is incorrect. Perhaps you hoped to be cute and believed you were calling these people "morons". You failed in your use of this word and perhaps should look in a mirror (remember what James said about mirrors?). Again, this points to your utter failure to use proper research, reasoning, and intelligence.   You said you were sorry to criticize the site. I somehow doubt that. The sarcasm contained in your comments indicates that you think that the people associated with this site are ignorant or are morally inferior to you. The opposite is the case. I hardly need to provide any evidence to that effect. And no, we haven't spent enough time and resources yet, not to attack the JWS, but to do our best to ensure that every person is safe from abuse, especially from people they trust, whether an elder, father, brother, or anyone else. We need to spend as much time and resources as are necessary until this issue is resolved for good. The fact that the majority of the information on this site deals with the Watchtower is because that religion is responsible for the majority of the abuse that could have, and should have, been prevented in the first place. No one is saying that other religions don't have child ab user s among them. But the Watchtower is notorious for its protecting of pedophiles, while attacking victims and those who defend them. Most other religions don't do this to the degree that the Watchtower does.   You said to "clean up your own faith". Again, many people here are Witnesses and might wish to remain Witnesses. They didn't necessarily come to this site because they disagreed with the core Watchtower beliefs and wanted to quit and/or start another religion. They came here for comfort and a means of support and for resources in order to heal and to help others. What has the Watchtower done to help victims? They are responsible for creating more victims due to their policies than they have helped. The hypocrisy of the Watchtower's position has become evident to the world. I suggest you get your facts in order. There is nothing "dirty" about the faith of the people who visit this site. I would think that the Bible teaches it would be "dirty" to harbor pedophiles and to attack people who try to help abuse victims. Or don't you remember the verse about "caring for widows and orphans"? Obviously not.   You state you were a Catholic. So was I. In fact, for your information, that makes both of us "apostates". The word "apostate" means leaving previous beliefs or falling away from a way of thinking. So technically, all Witnesses who were from another religion before being baptized as Jehovah's Witnesses are apostates, because they left a previous belief. But I doubt the Watchtower would see it that way, but again, they aren't very interested in what is really true, righteous, or moral if it is contrary to their view of the world. (For your information, the phrase is "a sight more", not "a site more", maybe learning to read a dictionary would be something you should concentrate on before you try to think.) I won't attempt to translate the garbage you wrote after your claim to be Catholic, but it looks like you are trying to say that there are more bad people among Catholics and "the christian religion" than there are among Witnesses. Again, the structure of your sentence indicates that you are saying Witnesses are not Christians. I doubt that the Watchtower would agree with you. I find it amusing that you are attacking people on this site and that you believe that you are defending the Witnesses, yet you are succeeding in attacking the Watchtower instead. Don't you even know what you believe?   Your obscene language will not be repeated, but as you can see, I have responded. (Maggot is spelled with two "g's". Again, I hope your teacher lets you advance to third grade next June when school finishes. Don't forget to bring your crayons so that you can write more childish comments.) Anyone can use those words, but only ignorant and mentally deficient people need to do so. And I wouldn't brag about being a fence sitter, this is not due to your need for more time to use your great intelligence before making a decision. If anything, it indicates that you are too ignorant to obtain enough facts and/or lack the mental ability to choose a position. As to your being an observer, you don't see anything clearly. If you open your eyes, it's possible you might actually learn something. You are not a realistic person and you are certainly not honest. Your comments prove this beyond any doubt. And why are you mentioning various holidays? Is this some juvenile attempt to offend people who visit this site? You have failed at this as well. No one cares about holidays, they are here concerning abuse. And many of the people who now visit this site used to be Witnesses and have quit and even joined religions that do celebrate these holidays. So you are, in effect, agreeing with them, not hurting their feelings. Your many attempts to be sarcastic and to be cute have failed. You are one of the most ignorant people I've encountered. If you put your head in front of a dictionary and in a library in order to learn to think, instead of what I suspect you've been doing with it, you might obtain a clear and fair picture of what the Watchtower is doing. Until that time, I suggest you mind your own business. Being a narrow-minded clown is not a noble goal in life. Certainly you can think of something better to have printed on your headstone one day than "HERE LIES STUPID AND IGNORANT". (The word "lies" is so appropriate, since there isn't much truth at all in your comments.) Even your name "John" would be better. Maybe that's your name because that's where you find most of your ideas??      

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Frankly, I would not respond to this ignorant message.  I believe he really is a JW.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  

Hi Bill,  Pass this on to your "friend" or send me his addy.    Dear John,   Thanks for your note and comments.   It is unfortunate in your life experience you have not made contact with true "Christians".  There is a difference, lots of people including JW's,  Mormons, SDAs, Catholics  and countless other groups call them selves "Christian" but fail to meet the biblical test.  Even within truly evangelical Christian churches you are going to find a variety of people at different stages of spiritual growth.   Remember the true "church" is not a sanctuary of saints but a hospital for sinners.   You present the WT views as being very "Christian" but if you examine their theology they do not meet the biblical test as "Christian".  Going door to door is not an exclusive thing to JW's.  Mormons as well as many Christians groups do the same.    Yes there are sinful things among all religious groups like the pedophile problems you mentioned,  The problem is not with the church but the evil sin in men's hearts, and how the group deals with the problem and helps the victims.  Unfortunately the JW's and the Catholics have a very long history of not dealing with the problem and in many cases hides the perpetrator and then blames the victims for the problem.  This should not be.   If you have even a brief understanding of WT theology you will know the following is not from scripture in any way.   Here is WT theology in layman's language.  Everything below is easily documented and is "official" WT teachings even if some JW's have never thought it through.  They may be very zealous going door to door but they are not bringing the biblical gospel with them.  Please send me your thoughts on this outline below, am I right or not?   Any questions drop me a note.   K

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First of all I don't think he is not a JW with education of a 5th grade.    Or maybe he is a 5th grader.     " Clean up your own faith before you criticize others."   He should say the above to JW (if he is not a jw already) since they are the one who are most critical to other religions.        Sigh.....how typical jw approach!     No sympathetic word for the abused victims but only criticism for those who want to help.      Truly J

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  

He is most likely a JW who is lying, or he likes the ego boost of the WT without committing. Blow him off! R

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You know how I would respond?   Dear "john"   I think perhaps you misunderstood the site "silentlambs".  Most of the participants are Jehovah's Witnesses or closely related.  Going door to door follows loving the God of truth Jehovah.  If we see a "brother" or other fellowman (child) in need, we care for their wounds first before expecting them to receive a sermon.  Preaching goes hand in hand with nurturing.  So if a child or other is in a state of distress from abuse, we would not be loving Jehovah God if we perfunctorily ignored or even worse, in some subtle way promoted the abuse.  In fact anyone 'ignoring the cry of the lowly one' cannot claim to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses so therefore it may be fair to say that the organization of 'silentlambs' is truly a demonstrative witness, an on-line door to door, that addresses an urgent issue that if not cared for, will prevent or has already prevented tender and open little hearts from learning all the wonderful things that Jehovah has in store for those who love him in the future paradise earth.    from C

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry, is this a general inquiry to all (mass mailing) or a specific question to me (since we have communicated personally)? Are you looking for an honest reply or trying to get your readers buzzing? I'm not sure.   If you are looking for a reply, here's mine. Why not try the Dear Abby approach? You know, Dear Fence Sitter, It would appear from your comments that you are quite familiar with JW's. You ask if this is a Christian site. Are you suggesting JW's are not Christians? Or are you suggesting by your later statement that JW's need to clean up their own faith before they criticize others? It appears you define Christians as non JW's and non Catholics and whoever this group is, they are in need of cleansing. Whatever your definition of the various religions might be, fence sitting is your occupation. Clean up is a work, a job. The scriptural advice to all those who see the need is simple: Proverbs 3 27  Do not hold back good from those to whom it is owing, when it happens to be in the power of your hand to do [it]. 28  Do not say to your fellowman: "Go, and come back and tomorrow I shall give," when there is something with you.  

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anyone who has to join a man made religion is like a dumb sheep. and that goes for all religions, There is only one loving god, all he wants is for you to be true to him, follow his rule, and you needn't go to a building that man created, the whole world is his church in which to worship him, and listen to man/woman with their interpretation of God's word. Your heart should tell you what our maker wants and he is a loving God, who knows all to well our strengths and weaknesses, as far as whoever wrote the e-mail, why do they think that belonging to a cult and knocking on doors blabbing what they think is the true word, just goes to tell the world how little they understand God, if what I read from the silent lambs, abuse from any man religion, just breaks one's heart, You know what's right and wrong, and listen to your God, not a bunch of money grabbing elders, stand up for our one and only God and talk to him direct.........M

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

wouldn't dignify it with a response.   It is my observation that you are not attacking the religion but rather providing help individuals who have been defenseless against misguided but often well established JW's. To make a further point I do see updates in the news of other religions as well.   Correct me if I'm wrong but I remember reading on your site that it was NOT your organizations goal to convince JW's that they are in the wrong religion. I'm I correct on this?   The author of the email should consider the use of spell check and perhaps a Thesaurus.   A

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What does that have to do with child molestation?  I think he is missing the point.  You are trying to create a website to help victims of abuse ( and doing a good job) and he is talking about Christians?  True they are a lot of good Christians and bad christians....good jw's and bad jw's.  Not all Christians are good but they are not all bad either.
Obviously he is missing the point - your site is a site for helping abuse victims and telling the truth - not bashing Jehovah's witnesses.  I never looked at it that way.

What a Moron .

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LOL, you KNOW that was from a jw! What a nasty  one! "It is not selfishness to live as you see
fit. Selfishness is requiring that others live as you see fit."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear John

I read your comments to Silent Lambs. Yes I agree with you the Jehovah's Witnesses do come across as followers of the Bible .But as I was a faithful follower for well over 21 yrs... I can tell you the people in the Organization ARE decent folk on the whole- My children are still with them....I am 77 yrs old. I made 10 people Jehovah's Witness. I have been in hospital with a fractured skull ( after beatings by my husband for being a JW-he was Catholic) But I took that THINKING I was doing God's will. After all THEIR BOOKS seem to indicate I was doing Gods will IF I obeyed the organization..

My husband used to tell me the Organization was preaching a false Gospel. But of course I was under mind control. Wouldn't listen to him....I was taught all religions were evil.... EXCEPT the Watchtower. I believed it ALL. I lost all on account of the Watchtower. They told me Armageddon was to arrive in 1975- I was told I should quit my job -so I could preach the word to SAVE everyone- The worlds blood was on MY shoulders...I did just that. ( I was a buyers asst at "THE BAY" ) Of course I was told I would not need insurance as we were going to live in Paradise -on earth- ( Read Deut 18:20 -22)  So had none

Well the only thing I didn't believe was that Jesus came INVISIBLY in 1914.... I was accepted for baptism even though I didn't believe that in 1963.... WELL!!! In 1986 they came out with NEW LIGHT( which is in effect changing light) That if you didn't believe Jesus came invisibly in 1914 you would be disfellowshipped ..My husband had died the year before- so no insurance---- Very poor-- for giving up my job-& NO ONE would talk to me any more.....

I am here to tell you. If you want to be a Jehovah's Witness GO FOR IT!!!! But I will tell you right now SOME of the rules!!!!

 1.DON'T think independently!2. Don't celebrate Birthdays, 3.Christmas,4 Vote.5  Talk to any who have left the Organization. 6  DO sign your will over to the Watchtower. 7 Of course do watch what you do in your bed weather it is with your husband-wife- or yourself.

No Masturbation ! Don't even think of Oral sex- or foreplay!!!! They tell you that is Sin!!!!  Once upon a time we were told NOT to have children, Now the light has changed NO vasectomies!!!!! Have children. As far as I am concerned I think if you love GOD the TRUE GOD!!!!! then your conscience should instruct you to evil. I have HUNDREDS of cases were people have committed suicide - after finding out the Watchtower made up their own Bible. TWISTED to suit THEIR orders. !!! My name is GRACE GOUGH I live in Canada , I might add they came back 3 years ago to ask if I would like to be reinstated!!!!!! I replied YES!!!! as long as I CAN think independently- & I can thank JESUS for paying for MY sin. But of course you must NOT think independently.......Jesus said  "IT IS FINISHED" HE is the one examine HEARTS.... God said "LISTEN TO MY SON!!!!!!!!!! NOT MAN!!!! No!!!! don't even listen to this woman-ME! Just ask God the Father- God the SON & The HOLY SPIRIT to guide Lead, & direct you into all truth.......

Sincerely   G

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nobody on this forum are saying that the JW's are not nice people. Not everyone on this forum are Christians as well. What we do have in common is the fact that we after seeing all of the facts, do not trust the society to accurately interpret the bible given their false teachings (which they've changed so many times), totally inaccurate predictions and the deaths they have caused throughout the last century over the blood transfusion issue as well as the 25 years when witnesses were not to have inoculations (you have to wonder how many witnesses got tuberculosis and polio and worse during this time from the 1930's to early 1950's. On the war scene....you have to wonder what gods will would have been in regards Hitler....he was killing witnesses by the boatload as well as 50,000,000 others....was it wrong for the allies to stop him?? What would our world now look like with Hitler's ilk in control. Do we sit back and lose our lives and believe that God would not want Hi! Hitler and the Japanese to be stopped? Which is the lesser of two evils. When an intruder enters our house and threatens our lives, does God not want us to defend ourselves and family?   The fact that some other religions may have a worse record then the Witnesses in various areas doesn't mean that the society is God's one and only org.   T

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Well, first of all, if someone has a point, an assertion, or suggestion, or some other expression that conveys a sense of outrage against their sense of justice, there are proper rules of behavior that don't need definition, but must be observed, at least for the most part. It is obvious to me so far that whatever this person's point may be, which I believe I did discern, that he or she is not observing the rules. That said, I believe I could, and would, still respond pretty much the same as I would if the person observed the rules. The first thing I'd let her know is that I've noticed no indication that silentlambs is partial to heinous criminal conduct of people in any religion, and that if it seems Jehovah's Witnesses are targeted, perhaps that's just because some Jehovah's Witness leaders appear to be those making it most convenient right now for child molesters in the flock to do their thing. It's a very personal matter of affront, this silent lamb thing protecting little kids and battered women. The next thing I would remind him is that I've seen nothing on the sight that calls JW doctrine in to question, as apostates often do, but that what is often questioned is the apparent perpetration and perpetuation of conduct by some who appear to have little respect or adherence to their own sound doctrine or even to their shifting policies. There doesn't seem to be time to get accustomed to one policy before another is at least drafted, and then implemented. I would remind this immature little twit of a person that silentlambs never appears to castigate Witnesses for their good works, and would no doubt have little or nothing critical to say if Witness leaders and policy makers always used sound judgment. I would remind her that the very things she finds laudable among the Witness main body do set them apart religiously and theologically, there being apparently no other group, no matter how small, who attempt to preach the good news of the Kingdom as we do on such a grand scale, and that it is their published very high standards of conduct and willing, evangelical commitment that precipitates such unrelenting shock and grief in me for the many terrible crimes that appear to be unattended, denied, or otherwise left unanswered or even tacitly approved or at least permitted. I would let this person know, if he has the patience, or the brains or balls to keep reading, that comparisons in behavior can rarely be done between the whole of one group and another, and that the virtue or credibility of each person, from each group, is what silentlambs is concerned with, and not necessarily each group's avowed standards or mission statement. If he is still reading, or ready to talk nicely, I would tell him that my conduct as one of Jehovah's Witnesses hopefully makes me just that, a witness of, and for, Jehovah, and that I could not be one if I knowingly espoused unscriptural beliefs or misapplication that has been historically used as a platform for slavery, murder, mass conversions, genocide, and exploitation that the Catholic church, and other Protestant bodies, have been so responsible for at a level that styles the worst conduct of just a minority of JW's as behavior that might regularly happen at a Christmas picnic, and that most religious groups have been sleeping with the most violent revolutionaries and self-centered, corrupt government officials since the death of Jesus' apostles. I would mention that people with the brains and balls to assert an honest criticism that merits a substantial, honest reply never use degrading and disrespectful language without being at least mean-spirited, and at most, primitively antagonistic, in this particular case. I would tell her that the very pursuit of sound Scriptural understanding that sets Jehovah's Witnesses apart from many, along with their said uncompromising devotion to Jehovah God, which is their chief concern in life, makes the protection by some of it's officials of civil and moral criminals against children so unacceptable as the travesty that it is. Finally, if this thing is smart enough, I would remind her that in a clever or intelligent argument, you don't claim anything is factual and then use unsupported opinion as proof. I guess in closing, I would say that anyone who is a fence-sitter might take the opportunity to qualify such a weak position as one meriting attention for any commentary at all, since, in my view, that choice exacts a demeanor deserving little or no respect. Guess I'd finish: yeah, I'm really almost finished, by saying that when someone deliberately says or does anything unlovingly, he or she quickly disqualifies herself as someone worthy of responding to, and that my response was at best a healthy mental exercise in response to any who have a more valid point, or who use social norms and sound thinking and writing to support a critique. I would make sure he knows that he didn't get through to me at all, and suggest that he try again, demonstrating a maturity fit for response by a spiritual person, of which she has apparently given little thought to. Hope you find this helpful. If you want to call, there is much I'd like to talk about, as troubled as I am. Thankfully, one of your staff has tried to reach me, and I just haven't responded yet: not sure why. I would at least consider helping your apparently just effort in any way I can. Sincerely, D

----------------------------------------------------------

Some so-called Christians are a much worse than some JW's.  It's too bad that people who call themselves Christians have given Christianity a bad name...beginning with the Crusades.  A true Christian studies God's word and shares the message of salvation with those around him...the Bible says that "all have sinned", the difference is that Christians make an effort not to sin, by the grace of God, and ask His forgiveness when they do.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Wow.  My response would be this.   Regardless of how you feel John you must understand one thing.  A person is a Christian for one reason and one reason only.  Jesus asked the question... who do they say that I am?  Then he asked  his followers... who do you say that I am?   The Watchtower says that Jesus is Michael the arch angel who gave up his life force so that Jesus could be born to Mary.  After 33.5  years on earth Jesus was crucified and killed and his body obliterated for eternity.  Michael was given back his life force at the resurrection and given a body with fake nail prints on it so he (Michael) could show the nail prints to the Apostles in order to convince them that he was the one crucified, when in reality he didn't even exist at the time Christ was on earth.  That's the Jesus of the Watchtower.  I realize now why you don't believe Witness's are Christians.  I'm sorry you don't understand who the Watchtowers says Jesus is, even though it's clear in your opening comments you see the distinction between Christians and witness's.  If you did understand you couldn't sit on the fence.  You would have to decide.     Sincerely

  --------------------------------------------------------------

to john yes they go door to telling you that if you don't convert you will die, well who are they to judge me huh? There is no right or wrong, and you are just as bad as they are you judgmental idiot!!!! Now I ask who is the oxymoron. You die if your not a JW ha no better than any other religion I say. Now if you have the balls to answer this go right ahead you self-righteous jackass this is nice of me today because I don't use such nice words if it was you and me go in face to face but because I have high regards for silent-lambs I will check my language and I can say this with freedom cause i am not a JW>>>> i got smart and left their covet for pedophiles and lies. Maggots lay there eggs on trash, think about it!!!!!!! P

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Bill,   At first I was thinking that I would formulate response to this email, but when I got to the end of the email I saw that this troll does not deserve a response.   You have better and more productive ways to expend your energy than engaging swine in debate.   Best to you,   J

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i ignore all this kinda stuff. life's too short, my blood pressure's too hi, and every second we deal w/ our critics is a second we could and should be helping the wounded heal and protecting the vulnerable

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All religions are lost when it comes to complete obedience to Jehovah.  Would you not agree that a group of people using Jehovah's name should protect it's patrons from assault from those taking the lead.(child and women ab user s)                Silentlambs.org  helps anyone asking for help,be it cath., Jws or any other rel.   If this person read the Bible as he claims , he should know "It's not what enters the mouth that defiles a man but what comes out."    Please Silentlambs continue the good work. F

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Religion has nothing to do with child molesting. I have never, in the years that I have been monitoring this site, seen any kind of religious propaganda or any effort to influence anybody religiously, one way or another.  

Having grown up a jw, I know what is posted here is very accurate. I commend you for giving these abused people a place to turn. I do, however think that the rest of the jws need some help in facing reality. But that would be preaching, and / or pushing your religious opinions, which is not what this site is for. For those that agree with the e-mail, keep in mind it is not just jws being reported on here. THE IDEA IS TO HELP DEFENSELESS, ABUSED CHILDREN.

Thank you for all you do.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grace and Peace,       Good morning Silent Lambs,       If I may, I would like to take the opportunity to respond to "John", the author of the post you have shared.       Be well,       Michael B. Music, S.Q.     (415) 431-1905  

Grace and Peace,       Good morning gentle John,       I read your recent post to Silent Lambs with interest and would like to reply briefly.       To introduce myself: My four grandparents were a Presbyterian and a Quaker on my mom's side, and a Jew and a Ukrainian Orthodox on my dad's side, although the paternal grandparents were functionally Trotskyist socialists most of their adult lives, active in the Narodny Trudoy Soyuz (or United Soviet Workers) movement and the Socialist Workers Party.       In early adulthood my Presbyterian mom became Communist, then Trotskyist, then an officer in the U.S.Army Air Corps after Pearl Harbor, where she met my Trotskyist dad and married, but soon thereafter met Dorothy Day (Catholic Worker founder) and converted to Catholicism (while remaining in the S.W.P. for nearly a decade.....) and, oh yes, became my mother in 1944.       Growing up, I had relatives "all over the map" religiously as well as geographically, and yes ... one of them was a Jehovah's Witness. What a family I had !       So, it can come as no surprise that I am now, since 1988, an Episcopalian  .       And just for the sake of completeness, I am also Gay.       My parish where I am deeply involved in a variety of ways, is St. John the Evangelist, San Francisco < http://www.saintjohnsf.org/ > Please do visit us if you are ever in the vicinity.       Now, John, tell me about yourself?       I am a storyteller, but equally interested in hearing the stories of others. So tell me, what is your parish or congregation and how are you involved? What gifts has God given you and what are you doing with them? What is your family and cultural background? Whereabouts are you living here on earth?       Again, reviewing your post, I would make a few last comments.       1. Sweeping generalizations neglect the many, inevitable exceptions that characterize and bedevil us humans. I, for instance, could be described as that bald guy who can't drive and doesn't know how to speak Arabic.     All of which is true, but hey, what about my positives? (And yours? And Silent Lambs?)       2. You seem to believe that the Silent Lambs are "attacking the JWS".     Not so at all !     The increasingly articulate lambs are attacking a particular variety of S-i-n-s. This "attacking" is a loving and positive ministry, as surely as notifying the fire department would be, if smoke and flames were seen at a Kingdom Hall.     Faith communities are not unlike families. So, if a member of your family were "messing around" with kids, wouldn't you want to know? And know sooner, rather than later? And =especially= if the kids were yours?!       Once again John, I thank you for your concern and passion for justice.       We believers are engaged in "hewing wood and drawing water" "in season and out of season" to prepare for the Kingdom of God which is already dawning.     Demons ought to be named albeit carefully and extremely accurately, but overall lighting candles of truth and solidarity achieves far more than cursing the darkness.       I await your reply and look forward to becoming better acquainted with you.       Be well,

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Bill, could you send this reply to this Brother?

Dear Sir, I was a JW for 40 years and I find your letter to be full of half truths and uneducated responses. I am one of these victims. I was 10/11 years old when I was sexually molested at Bethel of all places. The mans name was Leo Greenlees. He had a history of molesting young boys. Yet he was a good friend of Nathan Knorr. Eventually he was kicked out of Bethel but never disfellowshipped. I have lived with this well into my 50s and it ruined my life for some time. So before you spew hate mail, stop and put yourself in the place of the victims. I lived with what I thought was my sin. I tried waiting on Jehovah but that didn't work so I went to the elders in my congregation and I was called a liar. So much for the so called Christian Love. I told my story well before Silent Lambs came into being. I have found comfort there in the fact that I am not alone. People do not make up these stories. I ask, what man or woman would be proud of having this happen in their life? You have no concept of the pain and emotional damage done by these molesters. And the continued damage when it is covered up by ones congregation. I know of one case where the elders tried to blame a 13 year old girl for seducing a 45 year old man. How sick can you get? So think before you speak. M

-------------------------------------------------