View archives
from August 6, 2000 to December 1, 2000 (initial period)
View archives
from December 1, 2000 to December 31, 2000 (many responses)
View archives
from January 1 to January 31, 2001
View archives
from February 1 to February 28, 2001
View
archives from March 1, 2001 to April 30, 2001
View archives from June 2001 to Dec 31,
2001
View archives from January 1, 2002 to June
30, 2002
Hi Frank, I had the same thought that the comments just came from a few, always the same people. I have posted about 2 or 3 comments on this site, and so have others probably too, nevertheless I know that I didn't lie and that I was abused by my own grandfather whom was a JW, and by my father whom was a "study" for many years. I did not know where to turn or go to as a child and if would have gone public it would have destroyed my whole family and I was scared that nobody would believe. I blamed myself enough I don't need you to help me. Just yesterday I have told Randy my story, I don't know yet what he is going to do with it, but if he is going to post the story, I'll let you know. I didn't like telling the story and today I feel down because of these memories, I told the story to let others know that they are not alone, and that life can go one and that one can heal.
Lies? No I don't think so...Frank is acting like the brothers and sisters that didn't believe my family. Get a grip of reality...IT HAPPENS! I am another one to add to this list...as well as a sibling. I know that there are problems in every religion...but it's how the WT handles it that upsets me. The brother is still at the KH and is not disfellowshipped. A family member was threatened with being disfellowshipped if she warned others...would be accused of slander. Little did we know that this brother had been doing this for years with many victims that soon unveiled. The elders knew, yet we were never warned even though we were close with their family. He was not taken care of so we ended up in court, where lies were told by his family. It was traumatizing. We were looked, still are, down upon as we took it to the public. They did not want JWs to have a bad name. A name? Wow. If you can't accept the truth, you have no business reading these stories.--FRUSTRATED WITH IGNORANT PPL
I disassociated myself last year, after more than twenty years as a baptized witness, I would like to know how many SEXUAL PREDATORS do their dirty deeds in the presence of TWO WITNESSES? That's how they protect the PREDATORS and damn the victim!
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
On Friday, December 29, 2000 at 11:01 PM a poster from Illinois opened with the following: <b>"I and the other parents went to the police. This was 10 years ago however. McMartin case was all over the newpapers."</b>
I am a former JW and former Elder. I currently live in Illinois and am involved with an attorney who is looking for JW molestation victims to discuss possible litigation against perpertrators and/or responsible JW congregation or Watchtower organization officials. If you are interested in pursuing the matter would consider contacting Randy Watters via phone or email and he will give you my name and phone number. I will contact Randy to let him know who I am.
In addition to Illinois, I am looking for volunteers in the 49 other states who can help locate victims and experienced attorneys in the matter of litigating on behalf of victims. We also have information from key individuals who can prove valueable in such cases.
Later on I will post my experience as an Elder in which I saw several cases where pedophiles were not turned over to the authorities, and the victims were not truly helped. Thanks. JW
It is sad that at tomes child abuse happens. It happens in all walks of life, and JWs are no different.
However, the instances are few in comparison.
Also it must be remmembered that every JW comes from different backgrounds and influences. Some people seem to think that because someone calls himself a JW and attends meetings they must be doing avery thing A OK from the time that they get baptised. Unfortunately it can take some people years to change, and then only if they wanr to change.
As a child I was abused as was one of my brothes (not by a JW) so I undestand the pain that people go through. That abuse fortunately has had no lasting effect on me as I trust in Jehovah to help heal the wounds.
On the flip side to this story are the nimber of "child abuse" cases were the accuser is inocent.
A close frriend of mine was accused by his 13 Y.O daughter and he was D'fd. She laid charges and he was put on trial for 19 counts of abuse with a jury trial. He was acquited of ALL charges as it was proved that the girl lied so that she could leave home to live with her boyfriends family.
The high school counciler told her tjhat the only way she could leagaly leave the custody of her parents was if they abused her, so she made up stories.
Another close friend of mine was accused by a girl that he had not seen in 10 years of abusing her. This was after she had sort treatment for an eating disorder and it was suggested to here that abuse as a child could have cused it.
The court case was 3000 kms from home. This cause finacial stres for him as he had to travel inter state to attend court on several accations. Being self employed he lost work taking the time off. Again he was acquited of all charges. The stress of the situattion made him ill and he die aged 43 leaving a wife and two young children under 10.
Unfortunately there are some real victems of abuse as well as some inocent so called perpitrators. A balance needs to be made on the issue.
Read the news release from the WTBTS. That gives their policies.
When I became one of JWitnesses I believed that the JW's where different than the "worldly" people, at least that is what I have been told and could read in almost every watchtower, awake etc. and I heard it over and over in the KH. If I would have found out that JW's are not different then others I would have doubted that they where the only people jehovah did approve of. Just going from door to door just doesn't do the trick. From that viewpoint I cannot understand how you can be so cool about knowing that there are things like you mentioned going on in your invornment.
I was quite curious why Jehovah's Witness's were pointed out for something that has never been proven in a court of law or not as much even seen on television. I really have a hard time believing this. I really dont' like getting involved. But I hear this and I think back to hearing on the news in my local town that a priest of a certain religion was being charged with child rape, There's been alot of child rape by priest's and these are supposed to be people that communicate with god. I've actually never heard of a j/w being tried for child rape.
Hi, This is to answer the person who never heard of a Jehovah Witness being proven a molester by the Court. Maybe that is because you never researched this before. There are many instances of Molesters being given sentences of jail time and such for molesting children. Try going to this site. It will enlighten you. As a matter of fact, we criminally and civilly prosecuted a sexual predator and guess what. Even though he was found guilty in both instances he still knocks on doors. His elders protect him from being known by the "householders." Try going to this site for info http:://members.aol.com/abaadun/redhot2oindex.html It will educate you I promise.
Abused by the Watchtower Society and it's Henchmen Shepherds
I Have been out of the organization for over 20 years. I was born in it. My whole family is in it. My father beat my sister and me for years. He used his fists and he would choke us and slam our heads on the floor. The entire congregation knew about this. In that day no one ever did anything. Today my school teachers would have reported it. I was always asked by the elders what I did to provoke him. I never got a kind word from them. My sister and I are out for good. I have to deal now with panic attacks and medication but I have survived. I am now using my computer to contact local newspapers with the recent info and references. I realize that I was not sexually molested and for this I am greatful. But no one should have to live in the fear of any abuse like my sister and I did. We were always to blame for it by the elders. Whatever I can do to help others in this matter I will do.
I am sorry to hear that you and your sister were brutally beaten by your JW father and then asked by the elders what you did to provoke it. This is typical of the ineptness of the ones taking the lead who most likey are abusers in some form themselves. Sexual abuse is not the only thing these elders cover in the congregations. I remember a women being talked to by the elders for brutally beating her boys. She even had a hole in the wall of her apt. from putting her young pre-adolescent son through. The elders never reported her and she continued to abuse them. On is in bethel and the other left and became a "freak" as some called him because he was int "gothic". It is no wonder. Abuse has many faces not just sexual. Even verbal abuse takes it's ugly toll. I am also working to expose the Watchtower Society's elders, through the news media and I hope that you are successful. God Bless you.
A fellow ram, or shall I say lamb no longer silent
I sat here and read through all your supposed "sex crimes" through the JW "cult" and I almost started laughing at the inacuracy in describing JW's Governing Body, Bethel, Elders & DFing, This board males me feel better about myself because I don't have to make up stories up how I was molested through some religion and their leaders to get the attention of others who have no self-esteem, may you people continue your blasphemy I do not envy the wrath god will show you people in the end....
the above text is my own opinion of my own beliefs and my personal research, no personal offense was intended to anyone just my frank outlook on life and people who wish to live it without the true god.
Hello to the person who wrote the comment dated January 19. When I read your comments I came to the conclusion that you are either in denial about the Watchtower and it's molester protection, or maybe you are a pedophile who wants hurt the people who have posted here, or you are just plain uneducated which is common to most Jehovah's Witnesses who are not allowed to become too involved with higher education. Or maybe you are just plain ignorant and have no idea of how to be a compassionate person who follows the law of the Christ who also worshipped the true god you speak of. No person who has painfully shared their story on this list feels the need to convince people like yourself. You represent the Pharisitical System that you worship. But like them your days are numbered in the eyes of the True God. Have a nice day!
I am a victim of sexul abuse only I am the accused. Yes I have been accused of sexualy abusing my own daughter and if she had gone to the police I would probably be serving time now as there is no way I can prove my inocents.as it is my word against hers and they allways take the word of the accuser. I know I am not guilty as I have never abused her or anyone else. I would never ever do such a thing and I would never allow such a thought to enter my mind. There are many others out there who are inocent but can't proove it. The acusers have been convinced they were abused by Quack Therapists and Hypnotherapists and or by available books.
To get the full story , check for "The False Memory Syndrom Foundation" on the Internet.
JEHOVAH WITNESSES ARE LIKE ANY OTHER PEOPLE..IMPERFECT BUT MUST BE COMMENDED FOR THEIR GREAT EFFORTS..THE ONLY RELIGION THAT HONORS THE CREATOR AND HIS WORD THE BIBLE. J.W DO NOT TAKE IT UPON THEMSELVES TO JUDGE OTHERS UNLESS THEY HAVE TWO OR MORE WITNESSES AND EVEN SO THE PERSON IS ALLOWED TO SHOW REPENTENCE IF THE PERSON IS REBELLING AGAINST BIBLE PRINCIPLES HE HIMSELF DISFELLOWSHIOP HIMSELF SO IT WAS HIS CHOICE NOT THE ELDERS. JEHOVAH KNOWS WE ARE IMPERFECT BUT STILL HE LEFT AWAY TO COME TO HIM..WHAT OTHER RELIGION CAN YOU GO TO THAT CAN TEACH YOU TO REALLY GET TO KNOW HIS WAYS AND DEALINGS..JEHOVAH IS OUR TRUE FATHER AND HE DESERVES TO BE WORSHIP AND WE CANNOT MOCK HIM. ALL THESE COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE CONGREGATIONS AND ELDERS..YOU MAY BE RIGHT IN SOME INJUSTICES BUT STILL IN YOUR HEART YOU KNOW THAT THE TRUTH IS YOUR OWN AND THAT IN THIS ORGANIZATION THAT CARRIES HIS NAME IS TRUE. SO DON'T FOOL YOURSELVES AND CHEAT YOURSELVES OUT OF THE RIGHT TO HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. HOLDING HATE OR GRUDGES WILL ONLY STOP YOU FROM HAVING ETERNAL LIFE. IT'S THAT SERIOUS...LEAVE THE INJUSTICE DONE TO YOU TO THE UPPER COURT THAT IS STILL TO COME. REMEMBER JEHOVAH NOTICES EVERYTHING..AND WE ARE HAVING HIS UNDERSERVE KINDNESS ARE THEREFORE ARE MERE DUST COMPARING TO HIM..SO LET US PUT OUR TRUST IN JEHOVAH AND NOT RELY IN OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING WE ARE IMPERFECT AND SHOULD PUT ALL OUR TRUST IN OUR CREATOR WHO DESERVES TO BE RECOGNIZE AND RESPECTED SINCE HE CREATED ALL THINGS INCLUDING US. AMOR AGAPE... JANIE L.HUERTA
Part One - Ages 9-14. I was molested by a man whose wife was a regular pioneer. He was always studying. She was supposed to babysit me and my sister during the summer. He was sometimes left alone to watch us kids while the wife went out. It was during those times that touching, caressing and fondling turned into oral and then penetration. When I finally let the cat out of the bag, the elders thought it best we "forget" this ever happened lest we cause someone who is studying to stumble.
Part Two - Raped in college. As you know a higher education is looked down upon anyway. I thought all the "sinful" activities were exaggerated and had to do what my nonJW dad wanted. I was 17 and alone in a co-ed dorm. Someone I vaguely knew followed me to my room. He said he wanted to get a bible study and pushed his way into my room. He locked the door and before I knew it, he threatened me with a knife. He raped me. I confessed to an elder what happened and was disciplined because I did not scream.
The WTBS can go to H**L
Dear Part1, So in other words you were raped when you were a child and your rapist was protected by the elders lest he be stumbled from studying. Not that YOU would be stumbled or for that matter injured spiritually,. I agree. The WTBTS can got to Hell and rot there. And to Dear Part 2. So in otherwords when you tried to scream as a child the elders didn't want to hear what you had to say because it might intefere with there "statistics" of a bible study. I'd like to see those wolves in sheeps clothing of "righteousness" raped with a knife to their throat and see what it feels like. The God they claim to represent has their days numbered. He's partial when it comes to children being sacrificed to false gods. In this case it's the golden calf or should I say the golden tower of the Watchtower Organization built with human hands and then saying this is Jehovah. Yeh, sure it is. Were these elders from the Missouri area, or Canada, or Kentucky, Massachusettes, California, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Texas, New York, etc etc. Gee this sounds like the Watchtower Society has pedophiles protected by elders all over the place. Keep speaking out where ever you are, all who have experieces like the above. The big bad Wizard of Oz can't keep spouting it's lies behind the curtain for long. There are too many Dorothy's discovering who the Wizard really is. Just a little ol man threatening to kill you if you don't obey the rules. Barb
In 1968 I met the young woman who was to become my wife. Early on, I was admonished by her father that theirs was a Jehovah's Witness household, and that if I wanted to continue dating her, I would have to begin studying "The Truth." My own family had no formal religious leanings, and I thought it not too much to ask that I learn about their religion. Things became very serious quite quickly as I showed up to study with the girl's father. He was a very loud and dominating man and, frankly, intimidated me into comitting myself to study the literature and attend meetings. I was 19 years old, and was "in love" so I studied the books. At first, I believed much of what was taught from the "Truth that leads to Eternal Life" book. However, with increasing contact with the father, hearing his ranting and raving about Armageddon, I quickly began to lose interest. But, I wanted to marry the girl........ one thing led to another and soon I was asked to make the committment to become baptized. I did so, halfheartedly so that I could please the family and marry the girl in the Kingdom Hall. It was the sixties and there was an air of freedom pervading the world. However, in the girl's household, there was a constant unrelenting undercurrent of tension between her step-father and her mother. The mother was, at best, an unwilling Jehovah's Witness. Not five minutes could go by in their family room without the father making some reference to Armageddon. This began to frighten me. Though I studied and became baptized, I could not seem to muster anything like his enthusiasm for "the truth." However, I forged ahead, getting through the studies and we were married in the Kingdom Hall as the father had so hoped for. The first few months of our marriage was fun and wonderfully new. But there was something dreadfully wrong in the bedroom. My wife began having "psychotic like breaks" during sex. When she slept, I would touch her fondly, and she would awaken in terror. I asked her what was wrong, but she did not explain. Before long, I lost interest in going to meetings. I was tired of having the JW stuff "crammed down my throat." The step-father would threaten us with statements like, "you are not going to make it through Armageddon." He was insolent and boisterous toward my wife and I and finally we quit going to visit. My wife began to obtain tranquilizers from a doctor, which she quickly began abusing. Our first four years of marriage had me taking her to psychiatric emergency rooms about every eight to ten weeks. She would be locked up and then released and it all would begin happening again in a few more weeks. Soon, my wife would have to be high on drugs before she would have sex with me. I did not understand a thing about what was going on! My wife was drifting in and out of what psychiatrists call "dissociative states" sometimes they would be brief and sometimes they would last for days. She would amble around the house and speak gibberish! I began to drink alcohol excessively and she took her pills. Finally, after our second daughter was born in 1975, my wife confessed that her step-father, the upstanding Jehovah's Witness, had been molesting her since she was eleven years old. I was shocked and angered at finding this out! I convinced her to confront the issue in the presence of her mother. Well, it was like an atomic bomb going off in this wonderful little Christian household. The mother, insensed at what had been divulged, took the matter up with the elders of the congregation. I know very little about what went on behind the Kingdom Hall doors with regard to this. I do remember though, that he remained in good stead with the congregation, and ultimately became an elder himself. I hated him for what he had done; but despised him more for being the hypocrite that he was! To this day, I cannot fathom how a man could talk like a "man of God" and have forced his step-daughter to perform oral sex upon him, and God knows what else......... So, yes, here you are, another dark story from the Kingdom Hall. Today, he is still in good stead with Jehovah's Witnesses. Nothing ever transpired as the result of his rape of my wife! We divorced after ten years of marriage. I just left - couldn't take it any longer..... I suffered guilt for leaving my wife and children for many years.... but.......... the thing that hurts most, is that my ex-wife took up with a man who did the same thing to my eldest daughter.... the topper.... my ex-wife protected him all along, pretending to not know what was happening! So, here is another sad story painted by the JWs. This organization is poisonous and evil and surely cannot be anything close to God.
During the early 70's in a congregation in NYC I was serving as a Ministerial Assistant and came to know of a situation in my local congregation involving a young man who had been with the congregation for only a short while (maybe a couple of years, which to me is a "short while"). This young man attracted quite a lot of attention for himself when he began showing up at the meetings with a cluster of young boys at his heels. These were youngsters from several families with whom he was studying the Bible. Because of the time it took for him to round up all these kids to bring them to the meetings, he almost always made a "fashionably late" entrance and marched the kids up to the front row of seats in the Kingdom Hall. Those seats are almost always empty, aren't they?
Well after a few months of this the elders came to hear stories of how this noble young man would take some of these kids on camping trips. He told them not to tell people what happened on these trips. The elders did NOTHING. At about this time I began to make a "disconnect" between myself and the congregation of God's special people.
After a few years I heard that this fine young man met a sister from another congregation and they married. Yes, she had young children from her previous marriage.
I'm sure they all lived happily ever after. Yes, she had young children from her previous marriage.
To those who've posted pro-JW--notice the domain...exjws. The people here have regained their personal thought process back, something you might want to look in to. They don't need to hear your brainwashed garbage. Why would thousands of people make up stories that sound so frighteningly similar? IT JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN! For all of you that had to go through your traumatic situations, my heart goes out to you. I wish you wellness and closure, so you can move on and have a good life. I am also glad there are places that you can get "The Truth" so to speak, so other children don't fall prey to the Elders. On behalf of the people that won't say it, thank you for your blunt honesty. It will save someone the heartache of being in your shoes one day. And I have to tell that lady who said she feels whole again, or whatever, going door to door and preaching whatever it is she is preaching. THE BIBLE DOESN'T SELECT ONE RELIGION AND SAY JUST ONE RELIGION IS GOING TO MAKE IT! Sorry, but if that's all you need to make you feel like a good christian, try avon. It's less addictive, and you can still think freely....
I grew up at my grandparents house after my parents got divorced when I was 10 years old. When my grandfather studied the bible with the witnesses and learned that lot had sex with his doughters his face lit up. Do I need to tell more? It took 4 years and a whole life to recover.
Hi this marco polo again. I just read the most recent entries. I truly felt a shiver go right up my spine. I sat there awhile just catching my breath and not knowing what to say. My wife doesn't like me reading this site too often since it does disturb me. I have spoken to a news reporter from Kentucky and he has my permission to contact my Doctor. I also have given my doctor permission to release information to him. While this may of personal nature, I believe the Borg must be exposed. Also in response to those pro-JW entries, all I can say it that is very SAD, SAD indeed how you show your mindless submission to the WT. Before you sit there and make senile comments, try a little empathy first. You know what the word is, the Watchtower had tons of articles on it, but no body ever practiced it. My email is: palo50@yahoo.com, I don't worry about my molestors or legalities, my molestors are either dead or in some Bethel run nursing home. marco polo
I was a textbook sister for nine years when my life began to unravel. My husband at the time was abusive, but was studying. I began having nitemares, flashbacks and sought help from a therepist which was strongly discouraged by the KH. I had known all along that I was abused severely as a child, but now had come to the point where I was faced with dealing with the compressed emotions. During some of my flashbacks, the JW boss I was working for, and was like a Dad to me, got off on my memories. Shortly after, they put me and my children in a safe house hiding from my husband, a flip-flop from their prior stance, and from there I went to an elder's home where they performed an exorcism on me, (there were at least 6 of them who would hold me down)which led to my being taken to the hospital by ambulance. The abuse I had as a child was so severe, I had developed dissociative states and they thought I was demonized because of this and because I cut my arms. They burned all my belongings and those of my kids, hoping it would send Satan away. Shortly after this I was sent home, out of hiding. My husband had started rumors that I was having an affair with my boss, and upon my return, the congregation shunned me. The elders endlessly interrogated me, threatened me, and followed me. I put myself in the hospital psych ward to heal for my kids' sake. I was there for 3mths. Only twice did I receive visits, and they never asked how I was doing. I received news on how wonderful others were doing. There were no studies, no encouragement, no prayers, just 2 cold visits. During my stay at the psych ward, I told a new elder what happened with my boss. On getting out of the hospital, an elder from my new congregation told the others to leave me alone for a few weeks so I could settle. They called me the very day I got out of the hospital. I was told that if I did not tell them what I did with this brother, I would be DF. I was beyond shock, and hurt. I was numb. I was not ready to go into a room with the elders who lied to me, put me through hell, abandoned me and didn't look out for my spiritual interests. I was in a new congregation now, and I thot they would listen to this high standing elder, who seemed to care for me. Because I did not show up at this meeting, I was visited by said elders to tell me that I was DF. I told them that they had me DF in their hearts months ago, and they were not interested in what really happened, but only in gossip, getting the dirt, and gaining a new brother (my husband) which was more important to them than my hard work and sincerity for nine years. After this, my husband was in great standing, and our kids were still young, and every call and visit he would quiz the kids on who would live and who would die, and they had to answer 'mommy is going to die'. I have been greatly scarred by this, as have my children. It wasn't long after our divorce that hubby left the 'truth'... no longer able to control me. My closest friend in the 'truth' committed suicide because the elders in her congregation tore her apart for seeking psychiatric help. While I have healed substantially from my childhood abuse, I am left with open spiritual wounds from this whole ordeal. I feel like I have been spiritually raped. The indoctrination is so thorough that to this day I am working to shake it. I need help with this now. For those still in the KH, we all use to speak just like you. ANd you won't see the 'light' until such a tragedy hits you. The elders make sure everything remains hush-hush. It's scarey the power they hold over ppl. If someone knows where I can get help for this please post it.
Hugs n love.
hugs n love here again,
I still pray to Jehovah and I have always felt his presence and blessing in my life. Since being DF, I have felt closer to him, and am seeking closure to the pain the organization has caused me and my family. But how can I ever trust to gather with another spiritual group?
I was also chastised for questioning why the congregation was pushing the baptism of young teens and pre-teens. This in unscriptual, as Jesus was 30 and is a model for us. Baptism is not a protection, but an outward sign of dedication. The society is not interested in Jehovah, but only using his name to one-up each other as to who is the best. And it isn't what you know, or how long you have served, but WHO you know that counts with them. They do not practice what they preach and are no different from other churches they regularly put down. I see the governing body as no different than the pope. Jesus is the only mediator. Reading the pre-recordings of present JWs to this site only reinforce my relief in no longer being under that control.
I have just read the post from a "sister" who speaks about her "spiritual rape". I have also been through a similar traumatic experience at the hands of the elders and I understand exactly how you feel. I did go to my elders meeting and when I left I remarked to my mother that I felt like I might as well have been physically raped by all eight elders, because that was just how I felt.
These men have no knowledge of mental illness, and the heartache you carry around with you that put you into this frame of mind. They have no empapathy, but instead judge you according to what they think the standard should be.
I stopped attending meetings nearly 3 years ago. Believe me, you eventually get over your anger towards these men, and end up feeling sorry for them that they can show such ignorance on human behaviour.
But remember, no matter how they try and make you feel, they can never take away the conviction that Jehovah still loved you, and knows exactly what you are feeling and thinking.