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I am fearful. I wish I didn't have to face it all. But I think I feel a real Christian for the 1st time.

I won't give up, Won't turn aside. I won't give up and I won't run and hide.

My dearest sister. Have you any idea how very precious you are to us. And, Jehovah must be so very proud. It’s like Venezuela. Because of Antonio, we get insight into what our dear brothers and sisters.are going through. I know the organization does its best to keep us up to date, but it’s like the experiences we hear. Somehow, they make it more personal. That is what you have done. As I read this, I almost felt my heart physically react. Oh how I long to just give you the biggest hug, ever. Just know how proud we are to call you our sister. And, for the tens of thousands of our family, there in Russia, you have given us insight into what they are going through. It ups the intensity of my prayers for you there in Russia. One day, I suspect we will use you as an example of integrity to help us get us through the rough times that are bound to come in whatever land we live in. I want what you said to live in my heart. To become a part of who I am. (Don’t worry sis, we know you are human like the rest of us. We will keep praying for all of you there, but we get to name your name to Jehovah! )

Wow! Thanks for Russian! If I am in prison, hope to get letters from JWTalk members in Russian.

We worry about you a lot too and when you are gone from the Forum a few days we worry even more that something bad has happened. Praying for you all.

I read all of this and I wonder how many of you have actually gone through the whole process ... of discovery ..maybe family denial .. years going by .. court cases .. denials ....sexual activity among siblings and close relatives..add as many words and descriptors as you want... Helping the victims ... supporting the family of the abuser... more court cases.... At times a judgement ... but many times no justice from the courts.... enormous amount damage...... at times personal freedom from the revelation... understanding the differences between a victim and survivor I have numerous times.... I loose a part of me every time it happens. It seems that everyone thinks they have clear idea that all these situations are clear cut ... do this ... do that and problem is handled and settled.. We banter back and forth over exact words or phrases, if they were ever used and how much better this sentence is now.... yep ... so much better..... Each and every situation I have been involved in last 30 years and all the participating elders....have been for the protection and aid of the person who says they were victimized... period ... At times even taking the victims into our home.Each situation the branch was involved with , sometimes to a great extent and others just a notification if it was a situation of an abuse reported by an adult about a deceased abuser. Will the explicit guidelines help ?... absolutely Has all these inquiries and court cases drawn attention to the need to come forward and deal with the criminal sin and assault ..? yes Can this give the families in the congregation a clear mandate , to be proactive in protecting their children ...?. yes But by far the majority of situations are not what has happened in the congregation but by what has happened before anyone was a Jehovah’s Witness... Our role more often is to offer comfort, help them get some professional help with the side effects and residual effects of the trauma .. often times it is with our brothers and sisters from war torn countries... So I guess my bottom line is ..debate over words and phrases are interesting and beneficial .. but what is needed is Godly principles and love,that has to be “actively shared “with all victims of abuse and horrific trauma ... just go help someone . Bind up the broken hearts and lives of so many of our brothers and sisters...Please ... just a suggestion ... less debate more action. We know what has to be done... Isa 61 He sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,To proclaim liberty to the captivesAnd the wide opening of the eyes to the prisoners, 2 To proclaim the year of Jehovah’s goodwillAnd the day of vengeance of our God,To comfort all who mourn,

It is all about time ... we have a number of people who are very passionate about discussing the refined policies of the organization, that certain things are written down in absolute black and white... and that is ok to point... What I have found that those polices have been practiced for the last 30 years even though not clearly written down in a step by step procedure. The over arching policy or principle we have is do the “ loving thing”. For the world that is too vague... for the majority of JW’s they get it and do it... So if we needed a clearly defined marching orders to act .. good now we have them, but it still boils down to go out and help those in need ... As for beating every false claim etc... We have some who come to this forum to sharpen their skills and gather information to do battle with the Pharisees and Saducces of this world ... How do we know that .. by the exact same phrases and questions used by opposers...your average brother or sister would not be using the same terminology or discriptors. It becomes an intellectual game or debate to prove those Pharisees wrong and a great deal of time and effort goes into the world of trolldom... We notice that Christ who is the head of the congregation has not directed the slave to gather a whole bunch of “internet pioneers” or “internet publishers” to wage battle with the trolls of this system of things. So if we are passionate about this ... I get it... my passion is helping individuals directly... one on one .. or if I know someone needs help. I arrange it that they can get help. We only have so much time in our limited life span...we all to have use it in manner that brings glory to Jehovah and in his direction during these last days...

I see your point Lisa but, as jw.org is the most religious website with the highest rated traffic, there are those who still don't know about jw.org or who don't care to visit the website. However, Newsweek is an internationally reputable magazine and, along with their website, this major media source are further exposing the strong-arm/unjust tactics of the Russian authorities. Also, other news sources will pick-up and reference this article around the worldwide web; thousands, if not millions - pro or against - will share the article through Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sources. This type of exposure Putin's mother Russia does not want! And they are going to get angry about it...very angry! This is a public relations nightmare for the RF!

I saw this quote on Instagram and couldn't help but smile: David replied to the Phi·lisʹtine : “You are coming against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I am coming against you in the name of Jehovah of armies, the God of the battle line of Israel, whom you have taunted. This very day Jehovah will surrender you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head; and on this day I will give the corpses of the camp of the Phi·lisʹtines to the birds of the heavens and to the wild beasts of the earth; and people of all the earth will know that there is a God in Israel. And all those gathered here will know that it is not with the sword or the spear that Jehovah saves, for the battle belongs to Jehovah, and he will give all of you into our hand.” -- 1 Sam. 17:45-47.

Another family member arrested. Ref: https://jw-russia.org/news/18052416-323.html Those SOS were waiting for them all along!

Thanks, Miss Kitty is my little dog. She follows me around everywhere and sits beside me most of the time. .. She's convinced that if she could only get outside that door she would show them just how a Queen of the Jungle does things... It's a tragic coincidence, everytime that door opens she got urgent bizness somewhere else. Soon tho, real soon she is gonna show them....

1 Peter 1:6,7 Because of this you are greatly rejoicing, though for a short time, if it must be, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 in order that the tested quality of your faith, of much greater value than gold that perishes despite its being tested by fire, may be found a cause for praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Из-за этого вы очень радуетесь, хотя на короткое время, если это должно быть, вы были огорчены различными испытаниями 7, чтобы испытанное качество вашей веры, имело гораздо большую ценность, чем золото, которое погибает, несмотря на его тестирование огнем, можно найти повод для славы и славы и чести при откровении Иисуса Христа Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

It is really difficult not to worry about the future. Scary things come into my mind as soon as I wake up.

Thank you all! We are OK so far.

It's understandable. Please know that the whole association of brothers and sisters are praying for all of you. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Meet the bear...

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/24/politics/trump-north-korea/index.html President Donald Trump will not meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un next month, he announced in a letter to Kim released by the White House Thursday morning, scrapping plans for what would have been a historic diplomatic summit. "I was very much looking forward to being there with you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting," Trump wrote. "Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place."

My apologies. .. That's on me, I said I had scared my cat when I laughed and just put up a couple of pictures of her for fun... Please, don't mind me, do carry on---

Sorry, wrong way round. . . . . but you get the gist! (This is an actual picture from our congregation trolly service - my captions.)

I understand.... but we easily can spend “ a lot of time” and effort being “keyboard warriors” with great fire and zeal in our belly beating down every apostate and every false claim on the internet. For the most part those individuals are not the ones who need our time and attention. Those individuals can easily suck us dry and distract us from our main commission. Jesus was not “sent”to the scribes and Pharisees... But to bind up broken hearted ones.. ones with a desire to know the truth.. These issues need more then lawyerly prose and point and counter point... they need a kind loving heart that can help abused and traumatized people.

I've been researching key scriptures these past couple of days and the November 1, 1993 WT assisted me greatly in my personal study regarding the Northern Kingdom. Exciting times are just ahead indeed!

The usual widespread passive apathy there I'm sure has changed, that could make for a better harvest in the field.

Can we stay on topic regarding the Newsweek cover and Russian situation...please!

The commercials are even getting more explicit (gay and straight)...this system really is turning into a modern sodom and gomorrah..sigh...

Update on brother Alexander Suvorov jw-russia.org: Perm: a criminal case for faith, a believer sent to prison

I don't think you're being fair to us here. I don't recall either of us saying we've always handled abuse properly and any claim to the contrary are lies. That's not what anyone has implied. We know there have been mishandlings, some grave, some not. But mishandling child abuse cases are not the same as deliberately covering them up, as often alleged. What I have said at least, is that the media has no interest in the truth about our policies. Let me give you three recent, real life examples: In March of this year, the Guardian launched a two-week campaign against us and began openly soliciting ex-jws and apostates for abuse stories. They were even willing to publish stories from anonymous sources. Does that sound like a paper that is interested in reporting the truth, or are they only consorting with liars to report lies? The goal of that campaign was to turn the UK Government against us, as was OPENLY stated in the article leading up to the campaign. The Netherland media when on record two days ago that "crimes" are being "swept under the rug" without producing a shred of evidence that "crimes" are even taking place! And earlier this month, the Philadelphia inquirer launched a similar campaign, asking for abuse stories, and they ran a story chock-full of misinformation and outright lies. The writer did not accept any correction on the clear nonsense in that article. These are just three examples out of hundreds I can share. Now if they were interested in truth, they'd call the branch and ask for a packet explaining how we handle abuse, and they'd compare that with what they are told by oppoers and publish both side by side and let the public decide. But the fact is, truth ruins a good, creepy, salacious, coverup allegation. Again, no one here is claiming there have been no mistakes. No one is claiming the policies have always been perfect.

I am happy for that. I'm such a wimp that after seeing the Jonah video, If I were in your shoes, I'd be looking for a big fish to hide in. I am in awe of your courage. Keep the faith.

I just read this Newsweek article: http://www.newsweek.com/jehovahs-witnesses-939860 I'm keeping my dear brothers in my prayers. Sent from my G8441 using Tapatalk

It's safe to say no bibles were destroyed in making this article. With the talent on hand at Newsweek, it would be more economical to digitally manipulate the image to appear as it did

June 6 ... at the library. I live in a progressive town. It’s everywhere. Taught to our children that it’s normal. 😞

I like a plain-vanilla dark-colored Windows desktop. I hate to have many icons on my desktop, so when I have some task to do I leave it in the middle and that way I know I hurry up to finish it.

Indeed not. And I am fully aware of that. In fact I take a gamble by saying the following, because it could be misinterpreted by some that I am somehow minimizing the trauma that the victims have suffered, but I feel the biggest problem with later adult survivor disclosures and their subsequent interpretation by others, including the media, is that those survivors who go to the media are those who hate the organization regardless, not entirely because of what happened to them, but because they no longer want to be a part of it. They want to live a different lifestyle. They feel their life was wasted as a JW, and on top of that they have received unsatisfactory (to them) closure to their bad experience as victims of sexual molestation while in the organization. An explosive combination! In contrast, those who want to remain loyal to Jehovah might bring the perpetrator to justice by means of secular authorities, (police, courts etc.) but they do NOT take their story to the media. It seems like I am stating the obvious, but it appears like this is not being fully understood even by some government officials; that it is a matter of fact that you are going to hear embellished bad stuff from someone who holds a grudge for whatever reason. There is very little objectivity to be gleaned from that kind of a situation. And the media is of course more interested in a sordid story than they are in facts. It would be great if some of those survivors who are still JW would step forward to counteract the false claims, and tell their story. But of course this won't happen, and it's understandable. It would just become a kind of tit for tat scenario. Our way is to sit tight and let the truth speak for itself. The truth always comes out in the end. As Lance says, and he has 30 years of experience as an elder, these situations are not clear cut and dry, but can be very complex, sometimes there is no satisfactory solution for all, due to extenuating factors he describes. Many can sit in judgement but have actually no idea of the facts. Pedophiles are very clever and will usually target victims who are less likely to talk. Unfortunately this means that children of dysfunctional families or children in a divided household and those who are not close to the congregation will become "ideal" candidates. You can already see how this is a recipe for disaster..... For my part, I am grateful for this consolidated information because it will help those who may be getting twisted information from other sources, and also it will make those who have never suspected anything like this in our organization be less naive and able to protect themselves and others if the situation arises. Forewarned is forearmed. And I am sorry if I sounded unfair, it was a misunderstanding.

Did you see the rest of the letter? https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/24/politics/trump-north-korea/index.html That should get him back to the table - NOT!!

Many years maybe decades ago, a young brother was riding a bus. It was before all the homo stuff was out, and the term gay was unused much. Sitting next to him was another male. He turned to the young brother and said, 'I'm gay'. The brother smiled and answered very naively, 'I'm pretty happy myself'. 😁 Too bad a word that used to stand for something nice has to be twisted to mean something so wrong..😠

In my daughter's outhouse, it is sealed in a coffee can so it's always dry and you can unwind it however you like!

Absolutely, not a surprise!

Your comment reminded me of the June Newsweek article.

I just keep a short handled ball pein hammer in my back pocket for that. Works easier on the windows too... 😨

😂😂😂😂 Didn't make the connection till you said that. I used the word rap as opposed to knock because it was a hard, sharp, repetitive noise (a bit like rapping really) made with an object, rather than a knock made with knuckles. I wish the householder(s) had come out to stop her ... and given her an earful. She might have stopped doing it then. We have a decagonal fifty cent piece coin here. I think she kept one in her ministry bag especially for FS. 😅

Bob and Carlos, yes, of course we would never deliberately cover up child abuse, but mistakes were definitely made. You may be right in saying that the primary reason for this packet is to counteract the misinformation in the media, and that the points underlined have been in practice for decades, but how would you explain situations where the perpetrators went on to molest more children after the first victim, despite the elders knowing about the first victim? I am sure you will agree this should have never happened. But it did. This is no media exaggeration, those are facts. A true pedophile does not stop, he merely finds more devious ways. But with this new packet the likely hood of this happening are much slimmer now, because all relevant persons will be duly informed and the perpetrator no longer able to hide under the guise of "repentance". So I do think that as well as being relevant to those in the media, it is also very helpful for all members of the congregation.

Photo illustration. Fake implies deceit.

On his post, he showed the bear he rented on set. It didn't even look like the front of our bible. I think the words were added on afterwards.

The article was quite good. I loved the ending http://www.newsweek.com/jehovahs-witnesses-939860 “We are hurt and insulted by the prohibition of our religious beliefs,” says Yelena, an elderly woman who owns the apartment. “But we’re not afraid. How can we be afraid when we have faith?” 😍

No -- I've worked in advertising and graphic design and I found that cover to be one of the most impactful I've seen in awhile. It's very powerful, needs no words to convey meaning. Russia represented by the bear paw, the NWT specifically used - not a generic "Holy Bible" - I think it's remarkable and applause worthy, really, despite what it means for us.

Yeah, I feel the same. I'd rather wait till all your imperfections are outta the way before meeting you. It'll make a better first impression Wha? Maybe this is a regional term, but when you say "rap" and "50c" I cann really only imagine that meaning an old Polish sister rapping "50cent" songs until the house-holder finally comes out to stop her xD Maybe sister proof... but not she-bear proof. xD I've made this comment before, but as far as Reddit goes: "You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy"... ... I'm not sure if I'm going against the grain of people's opinions here, but I think the cover is actually quite striking. Striking both visually and in meaning. As far as them destroying a Bible to do it, I'm not the type of person who holds any sacredness to the physical book itself, it's the concepts within that are sacred. That being said, I hope they made a donation xD

I read the article...nothing new really...I am waiting on Jehovah to come forth, with all power, to make himself known to the whole world.

I sent a letter of encouragement to Brother Christiansen and, with the elders permission, I handed out his 'temporary' address and instructions on what and how to write to him to others at our "Just Around the Corner" get together last Saturday. I wish I had more addresses to write letters of encouragement to. Our persecuted brothers and sisters can't all be members of this supportive message board. Our prayers to Jehovah don't require any postage. So, in the meantime, we pray that they can remain loyal under trial, and trust that they will do the same for us, when our feet are held to the fire.

I don't feel 'secure in my cosy sofa' when I see my poor brothers and sisters suffering at the hands of injustice. I feel frustration at what else I can do. I speak to all who are fair-minded about what is going on and tell them what is happening. I wrote to Mr Putin. I and our congregation mention them in our prayers regularly and at the last meeting. Then we think how people in our own country are getting more unreasonable, ignorant, Nationalistic or polarized;extreme and angry on moral issues and rights and then are wanting to seek to ban/persecute/silence anyone that has a different opinion to them and we think it could suddenly be us on the end of injustice before long. Seeing how our dear brothers and sisters are living through injustice now is a lesson to the rest of us - to get us thinking what we would do if it happened to us. Keeping us 'On the Watch' to simplify our lives - share out any excess we don't need - and try not to get too attached to all our stuff and the place we are, just in case we have to give it all up to save ourselves and our faith. We pray for those suffering while praying we don't get complacent and take for granted what we have at present - it may not be there for much longer!

Dear dear sister. I think we all are very upset with what is happening to you in Russia. We want to encourage you to stay strong and assure you that we are thinking of you and praying for you both as individuals and at the meetings. We who are living in countries that dont have persecution cant know exactly how you must feel. It must be terrible, but we have to try to strenghten eachother. Even if those who are not being persecuted dont deal with trials like you do, they also have stuff to deal with, resistance from familymembers, healthproblems and other things. Maybe something we say can come out wrong or be misunderstood, but I am convinced that the friends only mean well. You are going thru this now, but it wont be long until we all are being forbidden to practise our faith. And then we will be scared and you will strenghten us with your experiences and encouraging words. We are one body and if one part of the body is hurt, we all feel the pain. We love you and keep praying for you!