Jack Ryan

@James Thomas Rook Jr..... are you sad?

Jan 16, 1976

Dear Marge,

I'm writing you now because it's easier for me to explain things in a letter. I can't come to visit you because I'm kept very busy in my religion, I preach from door to door and give Bible Studies during the week and I attend 5 meetings a week. I'm very happy doing this and I wouldn't have it any other way! I'm living a clean moral life now and when I do marry it will be only in my faith. Right now I'm looking forward to the time when Jehovah God will destroy all false religion and wickedness off the earth and then He will bring about a beautiful paradise condition on the earth where mankind can live forever in peace and happiness, with no more sickness, or dying. (Rev 21:3-4) This is going to take place very soon now! Jesus gave the prophesy about the last days in Matt 24. And we're living in the last days right now. If you're interested in gaining everlasting life for you and your daughter please get in touch with the Middlesex Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. William St. Middlesex phone #356-4605. Someone there would give you a Bible study if you want. Please don't call me or come over anymore, I'm too busy with my faith and we no longer have anything in common. I don't want to offend you but it has to be this way. I hope your life gets straightened out soon. Take care.

Kathy Perdue

2019 Regional Convention - "Love never fails"

Sorta similar to:

August 1, 2018 - Re: 2019 Regional Convention and Rooming Arrangements

Dear Brothers:

We are very happy to be able to provide you with some details of your regional convention for 2019. [Announce venue.] The date of your convention can be found by logging in to our convention website, www . ibsaconvention . org. The website will provide you with information and direction if you wish to book accommodation for the convention. However, please note that the website will not go live until 9:00 a.m. on Monday, August 13, 2018. To access the website, please use the following password: [Announce password.]

As in previous years, a team of brothers has worked very hard to negotiate competitive rates with hotels local to our convention venues. We are confident that, in the majority of cases, our negotiators have managed to obtain cheaper rates for our delegates than could be obtained by individuals booking outside of our website. Some hotels have refused to negotiate, believing that they have no need to reduce their prices as they will receive bookings anyway. These hotels have been excluded from our website. By making bookings only with hotels appearing on our website, we may be able to motivate previously uncooperative establishments to offer better rates in the future. In some cases, only a limited number of rooms are currently listed on our website for certain hotels and conventions. However, it is anticipated that more rooms will be added in coming months.

Once logged in to the ibsaconvention.org website, if you require assistance, there is a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section, which should provide answers to the most commonly encountered queries. There is also an email address for each convention where specific enquiries can be sent. However, we encourage all to be patient in making bookings before sending questions to the provided email address.

We pray Jehovah’s blessing on your plans to attend your regional convention in 2018 and send you our warm Christian love and best wishes.

Your brothers,

PS to body of elders:

Please arrange for this letter to be read to the congregation at the end of the midweek meeting during the week of August 6, 2018, and then placed on the noticebaord. If you will not be having a congregation meeting that week due to a regional convention, the letter should be read after the Watchtower Study on the weekend preceding August 6. The venue and date of your convention will be provided in due course. Please note that the password for the ibsaconvention.org website is your congregation number.

Religious sect Jehovah’s Witnesses has refused to hand over documents to the public prosecutor in which an ex-member admits the abuse of a child, also member of the sect at the time, RTL Nieuws reports. Samet G, now 31, was a minor himself when the abuse of his 4 year-old niece started. The abuse continued until she was 14 and was reported to the police in 2015 when the girl and her mother left the Christian sect. A court in Breda last week sentenced G to a 9 months suspended sentence and a fine for the abuse but did not have access to the confession, which dates from 2011. G is appealing against his conviction.

JehovahÂ’s Witnesses have their own internal committees which sit in judgement in cases of sexual abuse and do not involve the police. A record of these proceedings is made and kept. According to RTL, the public prosecutorÂ’s request for a copy of the confession was refused on the grounds that it would compromise the manÂ’s privacy and that, by law, clergymen, or in this case the elders, cannot be forced to reveal what has been told to them in confidence. Although there is doubt among lawyers that the JehovahÂ’s Witnesses elders can claim this right, the public prosecutor accepted the refusal, RTL writes.

The sect also refuses to cooperate in an independent inquiry and, according to minister for legal protection Sander Dekker, it cannot be forced to do so. Abuse survivors According to Reclaimed Voices, an organisation that helps ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses members who were victims of sexual abuse, the minister needs to do much more. ‘If we can’t get the files via the courts we need politicians to act. Someone must force the Jehovah’s Witnesses to hand them over,’ the organisation’s spokesman Frank Huiting told RTL. CDA MP Madeleine van Toorenburg and other MPs have asked the minister to investigate if Jehovah’s Witness have the right to refuse access to documents that might shed light on a criminal case and slated the sect’s ‘culture of silence and cover-ups,’ RTL writes. Jehovah’s Witnesses are being widely accused of silencing victims of sexual abuse within the sect. The Guardian newspaper recently uncovered a case involving at least 100 victims who claim to have been abused.

Read more at DutchNews.nl

And his dad greeted him before even finding out if he was sorry for anything.

This week during the midweek meeting we all get to rewatch this

The Watchtower opinion of women and rape in the following articles is terribly disturbing; in particular the parts highlighted in bold. A reader cannot help but wonder what type of brothers wrote these articles and the unnecessary guilt it has placed upon Witness victims of rape.

This attitude is inculcated from a young age. In the online version of My Book of Bible Stories story 20 (18th Jan 2015), after discussing the rape of Dinah, asks the question, "Why did Dinah bear a measure of responsibility for losing her virginity?" What sick mind would indicate to a rape victim they were responsible for "losing her virginity", let alone include it in a story for children.

Watchtower 1964 January 15 pp.63-4 Questions from Readers
According to the Bible at Deuteronomy 22:23-27, an Israelite engaged girl threatened with rape was required to scream. What is the position of a Christian woman today if faced with a similar situation? Is she to scream even if an attacker threatens her life with a weapon?-M. U., United States.

According to God's law an Israelite girl was under obligation to scream: "In case there happened to be a virgin girl engaged to a man, and a man actually found her in the city and lay down with her, you must also bring them both out to the gate of that city and pelt them with stones, and they must die, the girl for the reason that she did not scream in the city, and the man for the reason that he humiliated the wife of his fellow man." If, however, the attack took place in a field and the woman screamed and thus tried to get away from the attacker, she was not to be stoned, since she was overpowered and there was no one to rescue her.-Deut. 22:23-27.

But suppose the man had a weapon and threatened to kill the girl if she failed to lie down with him? These scriptures do not weaken the argument or alter the situation by citing any circumstance that would justify her in not screaming. It plainly says she should scream; hence, oppose the attack regardless of the circumstances. If she was overpowered and perhaps knocked unconscious and violated before help came in answer to her screams, she could not be held accountable. The thought of the scriptures apparently is that the girl's screaming, by attracting neighborhood attention, would frighten off her assailant and would save her, even though he threatened her life for not quietly complying with his wishes and passionate desires.

Such Scriptural precedents are applicable to Christians, who are under command, "Flee from fornication." (1 Cor. 6:18) Thus if a Christian woman does not cry out and does not put forth every effort to flee, she would be viewed as consenting to the violation. The Christian woman who wants to keep clean and obey God's commandments, then, if faced with this situation today, needs to be courageous and to act on the suggestion made by the Scriptures and scream. Actually this counsel is for her welfare; for, if she should submit to the man's passionate wishes, she would not only be consenting to fornication or adultery, but be plagued by the shame. There would be shame, not only from the repulsiveness of the experience, but of having been coerced into breaking God's law by having sex connections with one other than a legal marriage mate. Not only that, but she might become an unwed mother, or she may contract a terrible disease from her morally debased attacker.

It is true that a woman faces the possibility her assailant will carry out his threat; but, then, what guarantee does she have that such a desperate criminal would not kill her after satisfying his passion? In fact, such a one, perhaps already hunted by the law, may be more likely to kill her after the attack, since she would then have had a greater opportunity to identify him and would therefore be in a better position to supply a description of him to the authorities. In such case, following the Scriptural counsel of screaming could well save one's life by attracting attention and driving the attacker away at the outset, instead of causing him to feel that he must get rid of his victim for fear of being identified later.

In most instances it is doubtless a matter of calling the assailant's bluff, since the girl's screams could result in his arrest for attempted rape. Also, if he carried out his threat and committed murder, he would face the likelihood of apprehension and conviction for this even more serious offense. Of course, there is the possibility that instead of fleeing immediately, the attacker may strike his victim or inflict a superficial wound to silence the screams, yet would not the endurance of such physical punishment be insignificant compared to the disgrace and shame of submitting to an immoral man?

A Christian woman is entitled to fight for her virginity or marital fidelity to the death. Just how best she can defend herself against anyone who wants to defile her depends upon her courage and quick wits. At least, as has been mentioned, she should first try to frighten off the would-be rapist by screaming and making as loud and noisy a spectacle of the matter as she possibly can, in order to summon any convenient aid. This being unavailing, then she has a right to defend her virtue by whatever means she can.

The morals of this generation have indeed sunk to an unprecedented low, just as Bible prophecy foretold for these last days. The fact that over 15,000 women a year, about one every half hour, are raped in the United States alone emphasizes this fact. It also serves as a warning to women that they should exercise care so as to avoid dangerous situations. Since women are almost always attacked when they are alone, they should arrange to have a companion along, especially when they are out after dark. And in localities where it is considered dangerous for women even during daylight hours, women should not go out alone but should take along a companion. God's Word says: "If somebody could overpower one alone, two together could make a stand against him. And a threefold cord cannot quickly be torn in two." (Eccl. 4:12) For a Christian woman to persist in going out alone in a city or locality where women are frequently attacked is to invite trouble and needlessly endanger life. It is the part of wisdom to give thought to what could happen in a given situation and then take the necessary precautions. The wise person foresees danger and takes steps to avoid it. "The shrewd one considers his steps."-Prov. 14:15.

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Watchtower 1968 June 1 pp.345-50 The Christian's View of Self-Defense
If you are a Christian woman, what should you do if, in spite of all precautions, you are set upon by a rapist? If you cannot deter him by reasoning, or by calling upon the name of Jehovah, then what? As a Christian you are under obligation to resist. This resistance includes screaming and creating as much disturbance as possible to try to frighten off the attacker and attract help. If the attack continues and you cannot break free to flee, then you would be justified even to inflict damage on your assailant if necessary. Resistance is imperative, because the rapist is after, not just money, but your virtue. An issue of integrity to Jehovah's laws is involved here. So by no means would it be proper quietly to submit to rape, as that would be consenting to fornication. -1 Thess. 4:3.

The principle is like that set out at Deuteronomy chapter 22. There it states: "In case there happened to be a virgin girl engaged to a man, and a man actually found her in the city and lay down with her, you must also bring them both out to the gate of that city and pelt them with stones, and they must die." Why would the girl have died under that Law covenant? The scripture continues: "The girl for the reason that she did not scream in the city." If she did not make the effort to scream, she was viewed as consenting to fornication. But if the woman screamed and resisted and nonetheless was overpowered, then she was not guilty of complicity: "The girl . . . screamed, but there was no one to rescue her."-Deut. 22:23-27.

Would it be different if the man had a weapon and threatened to kill you if you did not submit? No, the Scriptures plainly state that Christians are under obligation to "flee from fornication." (1 Cor. 6:18) It is true that you face the possibility of death in this case. But you have no guarantee that if you meekly submit, your assailant will not kill you anyhow to avoid identification.

Christian women are wise if they do all they can to avoid making themselves targets for rapists. Knowing that the morals of this generation are sinking to new lows, take every precaution. In unsafe areas avoid traveling alone after dark. As Ecclesiastes 4:12 states: "If somebody could overpower one alone, two together could make a stand against him. And a threefold cord cannot quickly be torn in two." Also consider how you dress. If a woman adopts the provocative, suggestive styles of dress now so prevalent, she indicates that she is a woman of loose morals, and in so doing she may invite trouble.

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Awake! 1974 March 8 pp.13-16 Faced with the Threat of Rape
Scream! Scream! Scream! Is that good advice? It certainly is. Just how good this advice is can be seen from what happened on November 12, 1973, in one of Brooklyn's largest hotels.

Threatened with Rape

The rapist was a well-dressed man. He had the physique of a football player, being well over six feet tall and weighing about 250 pounds. He took the elevator to the tenth floor of the hotel and there began to molest a middle-aged woman tenant, who managed to escape his clutches by screaming. She at once called the police, who came but were unable to locate him in the building, he having fled to lower floors.

On the second floor he saw two fine young women housekeepers who asked him if they could help him. "Yes, you can," he said, and, pulling out a gun, ordered them into one of the rooms, upon which he double-locked the door. He assured them that they would not get hurt so long as they did not make any noise. He said that he needed a place to hide until things cooled off downstairs and that he would keep them there for an hour.

These two young women happened to be Christian ministers and they began to make conversation so as to release the tension. One of them asked him if they could read while they were waiting. He said Yes, and so she took a Bible study aid that was in reach, handed another to the other woman and started a Bible discussion on the subject of how long Noah had preached before the flood came, it being a subject that had come up the day before in her Christian field ministry. She noted that it must have been about forty years, but the man thought it had been about 200 years. From that discussion they went on to such subjects as the name of God, Jehovah, and the kingdom for which Jesus taught his followers to pray. They also told him that they were Christian witnesses of Jehovah and about the high standards of conduct the Witnesses have. The two women were not particularly frightened, for it seemed much like a typical Bible discussion that these girls often had, especially as the man kept expressing his own opinions on these subjects.

But after about forty-five minutes things suddenly took a disquieting turn. He looked at his watch and said that he would have to tie them up so as to give him time to get away. Although they assured him that it was not necessary, he ordered one of them to sit on the floor in a closet, upon which he tied her feet with a necktie, and her hands behind her back. He then turned off the light in the closet and closed the door. He ordered the other into the bathroom but then changed his mind and, warning her not to scream or yell, he reached for the zipper on her blouse. She exclaimed: "No! No! Not that!" and told him that if he touched her she would scream as he had never heard anyone scream before and that if he was going to shoot he might as well go ahead and shoot because if she did not scream she would be as good as dead anyhow.

She told him that marriage was honorable before God and that she was married, but that what he wanted to do was not honorable. Also, that if she did not scream she would ruin her relationship with Jehovah God and the Christian congregation; that then she would be disfellowshiped or excommunicated from it and that this would be worse than being killed as far as she was concerned. He looked puzzled. He did not understand and so asked her to repeat what she had said, which she did, scared and shaking though she was. As she later explained: "The situation sickened me and the mere thought of it all was so disgusting that I knew what I had to do." After all of this he again tried to put his arms around her, upon which she moved away, saying, "Don't you touch me or come near me."

This calls to mind a statement made by the Dallas, Texas, police department, namely, that "a woman's best defenses" are, among other things, "her wits" and "a scream."

Yes, this young woman in the Brooklyn hotel used her wits by courageously using her knowledge of the Bible, thereby diverting the would-be rapist from his evil intent. As a result, he pursued the matter no further with these two women but left after first ordering them not to leave the room for fifteen minutes.

Frustrated a second time, this rapist was not giving up. Coming out into the hallway, he saw another fine young woman and began engaging her in conversation, asking where the elevators were, the nature of the rooms on the floor, and so forth. Suddenly he moved close to her and tried to push her into one of the rooms the door of which was open.

What could she do? He was every bit a foot taller than she was and weighed at least twice as much. She did what the Bible indicates a young woman should do: she screamed, louder than she had ever screamed before. (Deut. 22:23-27) This was wholly unexpected by the rapist. Startled, he ran down the steps at the end of the hallway.

As the three young women told their story at the police station, their hearers, increasing from three to eight men and two policewomen, marveled at what they heard. They could not get over it that two of these young women had talked about the Bible to a would-be rapist. One of the women officers asked for more information about the beliefs of Jehovah's witnesses and stated that if more women took such a determined and firm stand there would be fewer such crimes.

Why the Increase?

The foregoing experience in a Brooklyn hotel last November is but one instance of this social crime that is increasing on every hand. And that increase is very real. As the editor of America's Campus Law Enforcement Journal said about this increase: "It's not just a question of more women reporting it. It has happened."

No doubt one of the main reasons for rapes has ever been the extreme selfishness of men who refuse to control their mating instinct. As Dr. Ralph Garofalo, of Massachusetts' Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Sexually Dangerous Persons, put it: 'Normal men find a socially acceptable outlet for their desires, while the rapist loses sight of all moral or legal considerations.' But why the great increase of rape in modern times and in recent years?

Discussing the reasons, a Seattle, Washington, police official in charge of the city's sex-crime investigation department stated: "Our whole moral climate, our attitudes toward sex and the dress of the women have to be causes." He also stated that the 'increased exposure to pornography has contributed to the rise in reported rapes.'

Womankind must share the blame. To begin with, until the age of five or six years, the most vital period, little boys have their personalities molded largely by women, their mothers. And as they grow up, it is usually the mother that has the most opportunities to inculcate in her son respect for womankind, both by word and by example. But far too many mothers have come short in this regard. Especially and specifically blameworthy are those female relatives, such as an aunt or even a mother, who have used boys as sexual playthings, thereby starting them on a road that leads to their having aggressive feelings toward women.

A new American motion picture star who aims to occupy the place once held by America's previous sex symbol brags about her charms and about her ability to arouse men by displaying herself in motion pictures. Such actresses must also share in the blame for the increase in rapes, for after men have seen them on the screen they frequently go out and attack a woman who may be a paragon of virtue. ...

The New York Times, November 26, 1973, told of two fifteen-year-old girls being forced, shortly after midnight, into a store by an employee of the store who kept them for four hours and repeatedly raped one of them until the police came and rescued the girls and arrested the kidnapper and rapist. But what business did two teen-age girls have on the streets around midnight?

And never should a single woman, or even two, for that matter, take a chance on hitchhiking with a strange man. Many have done so, to be not only raped, but even murdered.

Further, in view of the way that many men think, each virtuous woman should be careful to dress modestly. According to the Seattle, Washington, police lieutenant in charge of the department dealing with such crimes, women who "reveal everything" in the way they dress make themselves more vulnerable to rape. "You can't advertise a commodity and expect no buyers . . . A little modesty," he holds, would prevent some rapes.

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Watchtower 1980 October 15 p.7 Avoiding the Tragedy of Rape
Back in March 1974, Awake! magazine described how a man with a gun had held two of Jehovah's Witnesses prisoner in a hotel room. As he reached for the zipper on one girl's blouse, she exclaimed: "No! No! Not that!" She told him that if he touched her she would scream as he had never heard anyone scream before. She explained that if she did not she would ruin her relationship with Jehovah God and the Christian congregation. (Compare Deuteronomy 22:22-29.) Her firm demand: "Don't you touch me or come near me" kept the rapist at bay.

This woman did the Scripturally proper thing, which actually is the best thing to do. A Christian woman is under obligation to resist, for the issue of obedience to God's law to "flee from fornication" is involved. (1 Cor. 6:18) By no means would it be proper for her willingly to submit to being raped.

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Awake! 1984 February 22 pp.24-7 They Resisted Rapists
GENERALLY rapists try to get a woman in some isolated place where people are not around. At times they have a weapon and threaten to use it if the victim does not cooperate. Should a Christian quietly submit?

No, the situation is not the same as when a man simply is asking for money or other material possessions. A woman wisely would give him these. But the rapist is asking a person to break God's law by committing fornication. Under such circumstances a Christian is obligated to resist. -1 Corinthians 6:18.

'But could not resistance be dangerous?' someone may ask. Yes, it could be. Yet it may well be more dangerous not to resist, as a teacher of rape self-defense notes: "He just may kill you when he's done so you can't identify him later."

The comments of a leading spokeswoman on rape are noteworthy. She said: "Despite the popular myths of male violence and the alleged safety in submission, it has never been demonstrated that resistance on the part of a rape victim in an attempt to escape 'provokes' an assailant to commit an act of murder." The following experience illustrates this.

Two young women were in a Laundromat when a man came in and at gunpoint herded them into a room in the rear of the building. He ordered them to undress. They refused, praying aloud to Jehovah God for help. Finally, they told the now-confused gunman that they were Jehovah's Witnesses and that it was against their religious belief to do what he was demanding; they would not do it even if he shot them. Result? The frustrated gunman fled.

Treat Him Respectfully

The intended victim should remember that the rapist is a human. No doubt there are circumstances in his life that have precipitated his behavior. So although a woman should not cower in fear and permit a rapist to intimidate her, at the same time she should treat him understandingly, as a fellow human. A woman who lived in a housing project in New York City writes:

"I usually am careful when going into elevators. As usual, I checked this one out before entering, and all was OK. However, just before the door closed completely, a big man grabbed the door and opened it to come into the elevator with me. As he entered he threw a six-pack of beer at me, and I caught it. It took me by surprise.

"As the door closed he turned his back to me to do something with his pants. Then he turned around and faced me. I didn't look down at his pants but looked him in the eyes. I threw his six-pack of beer back to him, and said, 'Here is your beer.'

"At this moment, before he could do anything, I started to talk. I said I was one of Jehovah's Witnesses and was going up to the 13th floor to have a Bible study with a family who was waiting for me. I just kept talking and told him about our Bible educational work. We were half way up to the 13th floor by now, and as I kept right on talking I showed no fear, looking him straight in the eyes. Then a funny thing happened. He began to say that he loved the Bible and that he was from the South and his family loved God too.

"Meanwhile, we had reached the 13th floor, and he opened the door to let me out. He asked me if I would do him the honor of shaking his hand. I did, and he practically shook it off. Then he said he wanted to thank me because I was the first white woman that hadn't looked at him with scorn in her eyes, and that I was sincere in talking with him. He then said good-bye and wished me good luck on my Bible study."

Resisting in One's Home

Rapes that occur in one's own home can be particularly traumatic, since the surroundings are a constant reminder of the event. How much better, therefore, for one to resist! A mother who was able to avoid being raped in her home in Detroit, Michigan, tells how she did it.

"It was 5:30 a.m. when I was awakened by the sound of footsteps. At first I was unsure from which direction they were coming. I looked at my watch and saw that it was too early for my oldest daughter to be getting ready for school. My husband is a traveling musician and was away. I had been asleep downstairs. Since I knew no one was upstairs, I decided the sounds were coming from the front porch. So I turned on the porch light. Immediately I heard footsteps run down the stairs, and when I turned, there stood a strange man.

"Because the man had his hand inside his coat, as if he had a gun, I said, 'If you are going to kill me, do it.' He said he had a gun and would shoot me if I did not do everything he commanded. He told me to turn off all the lights and sit on the couch. I turned off the lights but refused to sit on the couch. He said he would kill me if I did not let him rape me. Then he started pushing me to the couch, so I quoted Matthew 16:26, which says: 'For what benefit will it be to a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul? or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?'

"The man stopped pushing me and asked what the scripture meant. So I explained that if I resisted him and remained faithful to my God and my husband, and was killed for this faithfulness, I would have a hope of being resurrected to a Paradise earth and everlasting life. But if I gave in and he raped me, I would eventually die and have no hope of a resurrection.

"The intruder knew he was not going to talk me into letting him rape me, so he started pulling at my clothing. I remembered the scripture at Deuteronomy chapter 22 that says if you are attacked in the city and do not scream it is considered the same as consenting. I then said very loudly, 'Stop! Please! No! Don't do that! Mister, please leave my house!'

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Awake! 1984 June 8 p.28 From Our Readers
I was deeply disturbed by the article "They Resisted Rapists." I am very upset that anyone would even consider a victim of rape guilty of fornication. The scripture at Deuteronomy that you quote only requires that the woman scream, not fight to the death! C. W., Indiana
[ ]
Your article "They Resisted Rapists" disturbed me very much. I was raped by a man who attacked me with a knife. I could only scream once because of being choked and having a large hand pressed against my mouth. I fought until I was unconscious. Because I survived, it disturbs me that it is fornication on my part. You say to show a rapist respect. These men show no respect for their victim. They don't care that they are shattering a woman, leaving in her memory horror for the rest of her life. Unless you have personally experienced the horror of this crime, you can never truly understand. A. G., Massachusetts

For the victim to be considered guilty of fornication there would need to be proof of willing consent. Apparently the requirement of Deuteronomy 22:25-27 for the woman to resist by screaming would clear her from any suspicion of such consent on her part.

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Awake! 1986 May 22 p.23 "Now You Are Going to Die!"
Why you should resist an attacker from the first moment:
1. Attacker may be startled and leave you
2. You may incapacitate attacker and be able to flee
3. Attacker may lose sexual urge or tire out and retreat
4. You can attract others to assist you
5. Your conscience will be clear. (Even if you are raped, you will not sacrifice your self-respect or cleanness before God)
6. Injuries you inflict on an attacker will help police identify him later (for example, bits of his skin under your fingernails)

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Awake! 1989 August 22 p.24 RapeProtected by What She Read
WHAT should you do if confronted by a rapist? There is conflicting advice. Some claim that resistance only goads on an attacker, yet the Bible indicates a woman should resist. (Deuteronomy 22:23-27) What is the best advice?

A new study published in the January issue of The American Journal of Public Health suggests resistance. The article says: "The empirical research converges to support one important conclusion: resistance reduces the probability of an assault being completed." What happened last September to a woman in Japan illustrates this. She had just returned late at night to her home, where she lives alone. She explains:

"A rapist came into my house and locked the door. Because of being taken by surprise and being so terrified, I completely froze. The man tried to pull me into the bedroom, but I grabbed a pillar and resisted him.

"It was then that I remembered the scripture in Deuteronomy chapter 22. It says that if a woman does not cry out when attacked, it indicates she is submitting to the man and is committing a sin against Jehovah. Also, I remembered what I read in the Awake! article 'RapeHow Can You Protect Yourself?'October 8, 1980, Japanese edition; July 8, 1980, English edition.

"Anyway, I thought: 'I have got to scream and resist him for all I'm worth.' So I shouted: 'Jehovah, help me!' over and over again and kept it up. When the rapist pulled my hands to the right, I pulled to the left. When he pulled me forward, I pulled back, and when he covered my mouth to try to stop me from screaming, I bit him. At any rate, I kept on resisting him.

"Gradually I got tired. It was getting difficult for me to breathe, and I thought my heart was going to stop, but I continued to do all I could to resist him and kept on calling out to Jehovah to help me. As a result, the rapist gave up, walked hurriedly to the door, and went out.

"I believe that I was able to avoid being raped because of Jehovah's help and because of applying what I had read in Awake! Had I not read the Awake! article, I think that out of fear I would have kept quiet and most likely done just as the criminal said. Thank you very, very much."

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Awake! 1980 July 8 pp.5-6 The Growing Terror of Rape

How Most Victims React

Understandably, a woman faced with the threat of rape may be terrified. In fact, two Boston College professors, after interviews with 80 rape victims, noted: "The primary reaction of almost all women to the rape was fear." And the problem is that such fear can be paralyzing.

The illustration was given by a rape victim: "Did you ever see a rabbit stuck in the glare of your headlights when you were going down a road at night? Transfixed-like it knew it was going to get it-that's what happened."

Often coupled with the fear is confusion and uncertainty. For example, a 19-year-old explained: "I never physically fought him off in any way, partly because I was frightened, mostly because in my navet I thought a girl has to do what she's told. . . . I was overwhelmingly confused and defenseless against the whole suddenness."

She reacted as many others have under similar circumstances. She submitted. Few are prepared to resist-to resist for all they are worth. Elizabeth R. Dobell, writing in the magazine Seventeen, made the surprising revelation: "In only one of the 4,057 rape cases reported in New York City in 1974 was there an act of resistance. . . . Profound terror in the face of physical threats simply renders most women helpless."

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Watchtower 1983 March 15 pp.30-1 Honor Godly Marriage!
What do we understand here by "fornication"? The Greek word in this text is porneia. ... A male or a female who is forcibly raped would not be guilty of porneia.

---

Awake! 1986 September 22 p.28 From Our Readers
Resisting Rape

Thank you for your article "Now You Are Going to Die!" (May 22, 1986) I might note some concerns about the advice given, however. Some rapists are very angry and sadistic in their approach and come armed with weapons and the intent to use them if there is the least provocation. Our Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault suggests resistance, but if the woman is paralyzed by fear or her instincts tell her not to resist, we recognize that as appropriate . We would rather have someone live through the experience than be killed or seriously mutilated. P. R., United States

The Bible does support the thought that a woman attacked by a rapist should scream and resist. True, the woman has to respond according to her assessment of the danger to her life, and we believe that is covered in the advice given in the box on page 23 (May 22, 1986). It should be kept in mind that submitting to rape gives no guarantee that the victim will not be beaten or killed afterward. See the article "They Resisted Rapists" in our issue of February 22, 1984.-ED.

---

Awake! 1993 March 8 pp.4-5 The Reality of Rape
Rape myths create a false sense of security. In other words, if you can find some fault in the victim's behavior-she dressed in tight clothing or she went out alone at night or she really wanted to have sexual relations-you or your loved ones will be safe if that conduct is avoided; therefore you will never be raped. The alternative, that rape is a senseless act of violence that can happen to anybody, regardless of how she is dressed, is too terrifying to accept.

One woman, raped by someone she thought of as "nice, respectable," pleads: "The worst possible thing you can do is believe it won't happen to you."

Rape Myths and Realities

The following are some of the long-held misconceptions about rape that serve to blame the victim and to perpetuate attitudes that encourage the perpetrators:

Myth: Rape happens only when a woman is attacked by a stranger.

Fact: The majority of women who are raped are assaulted by someone they know and had trusted. One study found that 84 percent of victims knew their attackers and that 57 percent of the rapes happened on dates. One out of 7 married women will be raped by her own husband. Rapes are violent and emotionally traumatic whether the attacker is a stranger, a spouse, or a date.

Myth: It's rape only if a woman afterward shows evidence of resistance, such as bruises.

Fact: Whether they physically resisted or not, few women show visible evidence, such as bruises or cuts.

Myth: A rape victim bears part of the blame unless she actively resists.

Fact: Rape by definition takes place when force or the threat of force is used to gain sexual penetration, of any kind whatsoever, against a person's will. It is the rapist's use of force against an unwilling victim that makes him a rapist. Thus, a rape victim is not guilty of fornication. Like an incest victim, she may be forced to submit to an act she doesn't want because of the perceived power held over her by another person. When a woman is forced to submit to a rapist out of terror or disorientation, it does not mean that she consents to the act. Consent is based on choice without threat and is active, not passive.

Myth: Rape is an act of passion.

Fact: Rape is an act of violence. Men rape, not solely for sex, but to feel power over another person.

Myth: A woman can tease or lead a man on to the point that he can no longer control his sexual urges.

Fact: Men who rape do not have a stronger sex drive than other men have. Rather, one third of all rapists were unable to complete the sex act. In most cases rapes are planned acts, not spontaneous urges. Both stranger and acquaintance rapists usually set up their victims-the stranger by stalking the victim until she is alone, the acquaintance by arranging a situation where she is isolated.

Myth: Women lie about rape to get revenge on a man or because they feel guilty about having sex.

Fact: False reports of rape occur at the same rate as for any other violent crime: 2 percent. On the other hand, researchers agree that rape is grossly underreported.

Myth: A woman can "ask" to be raped by wearing provocative clothing, drinking alcohol, letting a man pay her way, or going to his home.

Fact: Using bad judgment, being naive or ignorant, does not mean that a woman deserves to be raped. Rapists bear sole responsibility for the rape.

---

Watchtower 2003 February 1 pp.30-31 Questions From Readers
Why does the Bible say that a person should scream if threatened with rape?

Anyone who has not personally experienced the horror of being brutally assaulted by a rapist can never truly understand how it can shatter one's life. The experience is so terrifying for the victim that it may trouble her for the rest of her life.* A young Christian woman who was attacked by a rapist some years ago relates: "Words cannot express the sheer terror I felt that night or the trauma I've had to overcome since." Understandably, many prefer not even to think about this frightening subject. Yet, the threat of rape is a reality in this wicked world.

The Bible does not shy from recounting some cases of rape and attempted rape that occurred in the past. (Genesis 19:4-11; 34:1-7; 2 Samuel 13:1-14) But it also offers counsel on what one should do when threatened with rape. What the Law says on the matter is found at Deuteronomy 22:23-27. This covers two situations. In the first case, a man found a young woman in a city and lay down with her. Even so, the woman did not scream or cry for help. Consequently, it was determined that she was guilty "for the reason that she did not scream in the city." If she had cried out, people nearby might have been able to come to her rescue. In the second instance, a man found a young woman in the countryside, where he "grabbed hold of her and lay down with her." In defense, the woman "screamed, but there was no one to rescue her." Unlike the woman in the first instance, this woman clearly did not give in to the actions of the attacker. She actively resisted him, crying for help, but she was overpowered. Her screaming proved that she was an unwilling victim; she was not guilty of wrongdoing.

Although Christians today are not under the Mosaic Law, the principles mentioned therein provide them with guidance. The above account underscores the importance of resisting and screaming for help. Screaming when threatened with rape is still viewed as a practical course. One expert on crime prevention stated: "If a woman is attacked, her best weapon is still her lungs." A woman's screaming may attract others, who can then assist her, or it may startle an attacker and make him leave. A young Christian woman who was attacked by a rapist stated: "I screamed with all my might, and he backed off. When he came toward me again, I screamed and ran. In the past I had often thought, 'How can screaming help me when some big man grabs me with only one thing on his mind?' But I've learned that it works!"

Even in the sad case where a woman is overpowered and raped, her struggle and screaming for help is not in vain. On the contrary, it establishes that she did all she possibly could to resist her attacker. (Deuteronomy 22:26) Despite going through this ordeal, she can still have an undefiled conscience, self-respect, and the assurance that she is clean in God's eyes. The horrifying experience might leave her with emotional wounds, but knowing that she did all she could to resist the attack will greatly contribute to her gradual healing.

In understanding the application of Deuteronomy 22:23-27, we must realize that this brief account does not cover all possible situations. For example, it does not comment on the situation where the attacked woman cannot scream because she is mute, unconscious, or paralyzed with fear or is forcibly prevented from screaming by a hand or tape over her mouth. However, since Jehovah is able to weigh all factors, including motives, he deals with understanding and justice in such cases, for "all his ways are justice." (Deuteronomy 32:4) He is aware of what actually took place and of the efforts the victim put forth to fight off her attacker. Therefore, a victim who was unable to scream but otherwise did all she could under the circumstances can leave matters in Jehovah's hands. Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7.

Even so, some Christian women who have been attacked and violated are incessantly pained by feelings of guilt. In hindsight, they feel that they should have done more to prevent the incident from happening. However, instead of blaming themselves, such victims can pray to Jehovah, ask for his help, and have confidence in his abundant loving-kindness.Exodus 34:6; Psalm 86:5.

Hence, Christian women who are presently coping with emotional wounds resulting from an encounter with a rapist can be confident that Jehovah fully understands the painful feelings they are dealing with. God's Word assures them: "Jehovah is near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves." (Psalm 34:18) Further help to cope with their trauma can come from accepting the sincere understanding and gentle support of fellow believers in the Christian congregation. (Job 29:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:14) Moreover, the victims' own efforts to concentrate on positive thoughts will help them to experience "the peace of God that excels all thought."Philippians 4:6-9.

[*Footnote] Although this article speaks about female victims, the principles discussed also apply to males who are threatened with rape.

China launches high-tech bird drones to watch citizens

For those not interested in either politics or technology, you may not have heard of China's notoriously controlling government rolling out a massive surveillance system to enforce their new social credit initiative. What this does is provide everybody with a score or grade, based on everything they or close family members do, say, purchase, etc. Everything they can track, they will. Having a sub-optimal social score will result in losing certain privileges, such as getting a bank loan, traveling, education, or employment.

I would like a copy as well ?

President Trump will protect religions in the USA via this new task force.

https://alamosanews.com/article/alamosa-resident-dead-arrest-warrant-issued-for-husband

Alamosa resident dead, arrest warrant issued for husband

By: Ruth Heide - Updated: 21 hours ago

ALAMOSA — Investigation is ongoing into the stabbing death of rural Alamosa resident Lorraine Gallegos, 72, and an affidavit for an arrest warrant has been filed for her husband Elias “Lee” Narciso Gallegos, 74.

According to Alamosa County Sheriff Robert Jackson, his department responded to a possible stabbing Friday morning, July 27, about 11:30 a.m. at 8108.5 County Road 110 South. Upon their arrival, deputies found Lorraine Gallegos deceased.

Alamosa County Deputy Coroner Jeri Chacon pronounced Lorraine Gallegos dead at the scene at 11:47 a.m.

According to the affidavit for an arrest warrant, Lee Gallegos also had several puncture wounds that he told EMS personnel were self inflicted and that he stabbed himself because he killed his wife but did not know why.

Lee Gallegos was transported for treatment locally and transferred to a Denver-area hospital where he remained as of Monday afternoon. At that time he was not yet in custody, but the affidavit for his arrest lists probable cause to arrest Lee Gallegos on charges of murder in the first degree, harassment and domestic violence.

According to family members, Lee Gallegos was suffering from Frontal Lobe Dementia, which had become rapidly and aggressively worse in recent months.

“This act was not who lee Gallegos was for 74 years of his life. This is who he became because of an illness that started or at least was noticed five months ago. We were not aware of the possible outcome of this disease,” the family stated.

Colorado Bureau of Investigations is assisting with the ongoing investigation in this case.

A more complete story will appear in Tuesday’s Courier.

Recent news, here:

https://alamosanews.com/article/arrest-warrant-issued-in-stabbing-death

"David says, 'We do not have any issue with people who have chosen differently to us and people who take a different view to us. We respect their right to do something they want to do with their life.'"

- LOL.....ROFL... HAHA......OMG......They must be smoking something in jw ireland world....

What is it like to be a Jehovah’s Witness family in Ireland?

The Irish Times (Ireland), July 31, 2018 - pages 8 & 9

Attendees at the faithÂ’s recent convention talk about the challenges of living in an increasingly secular society

A childhood without celebrating birthdays – your own or anybody else’s – is hard to imagine in 21st century Ireland. When your child is at primary school, there are times when it seems there is a party nearly every weekend.

But not for those growing up with JehovahÂ’s Witnesses as parents.

They don’t “do” birthdays. “I don’t mind,” says 10-year-old Ethan Wall from Co Cork. Does he tell his classmates why he can’t accept their invitations? “I use the Bible to explain that God doesn’t like false celebrations,” he replies solemnly.

That is not to say they donÂ’t enjoy celebrations per se. And EthanÂ’s parents, Reece and Kelly, stress that they have other events to look forward to.

“We would do parties for them all the time,” says Kelly, nodding towards Ethan and his seven-year-old sister Ruby, who are busy with Biblical colouring-in sheets. “I think sometimes because you are conscious of it, you make sure there are plenty for them. You wouldn’t want them to feel that they weren’t part of happy things as well.”

WeÂ’re talking in the midst of the yearÂ’s biggest gathering of JehovahÂ’s Witnesses in Ireland, a three-day convention at the Citywest Convention Centre on the outskirts of Dublin. ThereÂ’s an air of a huge wedding party, so smartly dressed are one and all. Males of all ages are at least in shirts and ties if not three-piece suits, while the girls and women flock around in elegant dresses of all descriptions. There isnÂ’t a pair of denim jeans in sight.

Enthusiastic greetings between friends and many couples walking around hand-in-hand adds to the “loved up” atmosphere. Nearly all the 6,000-plus active members of the Witness congregations around the island attend the convention.

The span of ages, from the occupants of dozens of buggies neatly parked in rows in a backstage area of the vast auditorium, right through to senior citizens, is indicative of the close-knit family nature of this religious community.

So, what is life like for JehovahÂ’s Witness families in an increasingly secular Ireland? A few of the convention attendees agree to talk to Health + Family about what they do and why.

Back on the topic of birthdays, David Dunlea says the lack of celebrations never bothered him and his brother growing up in Cork.

“Often it is more of an issue to other people, because they don’t understand. My parents were always very good – they tried to make a real effort of other occasions. My parents’ wedding anniversary would always be a family day – the kids would all get something.”

Birthday celebrations

Now he and his wife Rosalyn, who was also raised as a Witness in Cork, take a similar approach at home in Galway with their children, Madison, who will be three in September, and six-month-old Joshua. Their non-observance of age milestones stems from the fact that two birthday celebrations featured in the Bible didn’t end well – John the Baptist was beheaded on King Herod’s birthday, while Pharaoh, on the day of his birthday feast, had his chief baker killed.

Surprisingly perhaps, these Christians also regard December 25th as just another day, also Easter Sunday (but they do celebrate the occasion of the Last Supper as the Memorial of ChristÂ’s death) and thereÂ’s no trick or treating for children at Halloween. Yet, they like to party at other times and, while abuse of alcohol is frowned upon, many enjoy a glass or two.

More predictably, they believe in refraining from sex outside marriage and from homosexual practices – but that does not make them homophobic, David says. “We do not have any issue with people who have chosen differently to us and people who take a different view to us. We respect their right to do something they want to do with their life – we would just hope they respect our right to think differently.”

JehovahÂ’s Witnesses, who originated from the Bible Student movement in the US, are probably best known for how their biblical beliefs clash with the modern medical practice of blood transfusions.

"We feel that we have learned something that is important for our lives and you want to share it with others"

Their refusal to give consent for such a procedure, even when it appears to be a matter of life or death for a beloved child, is inexplicable to most onlookers. ItÂ’s an issue that is at the heart of the film adaptation of the Ian McEwan novel, The Children Act, which will open in Irish cinemas on August 24th.

David, whose parents converted from Catholicism after Witnesses called to their door in Cork, explains the rationale. He quotes the Book of Acts reference to “abstaining from blood” and also how when Noah and his wife came out of the ark “God told them they could start eating meat but only animals with their blood drained”.

He is a member of a Hospital Liaison Committee that gives presentations to hospitals on what to expect when treating JehovahÂ’s Witnesses. In an emergency situation, congregational members can contact the committee, who will act as a go-between.

But how could parents refuse a potentially life-saving intervention?

“The funny thing is that it is often represented as that – blood equals life,” he replies, maintaining that many doctors agree that there are other options. “We look for the best quality treatment we can get – with that one restriction, not using blood products.”

When children have been made wards of court so doctors can give transfusions without consent, parents must have very mixed feelings? “Of course,” he responds. “I have not been in the situation myself, but I have been with others who have. It is hugely stressful – it is where you have two worlds that collide. What we believe is important to us and then you have your children who you love like nothing else.”

Transfusion question

Any suggestion that parents want their children to be “martyred” in such a situation is “nonsensical” he says. “What we do in those circumstances is look for the best possible treatment we can get. They can’t in good conscience consent to something for their child that would be abhorrent to them and goes against everything they believe. We’re not abdicating our responsibilities as parents to the court, but when they do step in, we respect that they are entitled to do that.”

In those situations, they still ask doctors to give a transfusion only as a last resort.

“In my experience, it has almost never been necessary for that transfusion to be given,” he says. “You often don’t hear that part”.

When it comes to blood and dietary matters, vegetarianism is not required, nor is halal slaughter. David personally wouldnÂ’t eat black pudding, but is a fan of a rare steak.

The transfusion question is, it could be argued, a prime example of the foolishness of trying to live by a code of conduct recorded by biblical writers who could not have even started to envisage the world today.

PICTURE: The recent annual Jehovah's Witnesses convention at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin; Reece and Kelly Wall with children Ruby (7) and Ethen (10) at the event.

“The world has changed but it comes down to, if you believe in God, he hasn’t changed,” says David. “That’s why you have to answer that first for yourself: do I believe the Bible is God’s word? If it is, it should contain the best possible guidance in life, regardless of the type of society we live in.”

The Walls feel their beliefs give their family a structure and positive lifestyle in todayÂ’s rapidly changing world.

“When you are raising children, everyone teaches them to be kind, not to steal, to do the right thing, not to lie – all those principles are in the Bible,” Kelly points out.

‘Cold calling’

As a family, the Walls do the “cold calling” on doorsteps, for which Jehovah’s Witnesses are renowned. It can’t be easy, considering most people don’t want to see them?

“These things don’t come naturally,” says Kelly, who used to run a bridal shop, but now jokingly describes herself as “a domestic engineer”.

“At first you might be hesitant,” agrees Reece, a self-employed carpenter, “but when you see the importance of the message – it gives you that courage.”

Indeed, the theme of their convention is: “Be Courageous.”

Going door to door is a nice activity for families, says David.

“For kids, it is teaching them from a young age, doing something for your neighbours. We feel that we have learned something that is important for our lives and you want to share it with others. Irish people are great, even when they don’t agree with you, generally speaking they are very polite about it.”

Surely doors are shut in their face? “You get some. Religion is an unpopular topic,” David points out. “A lot of people have almost aggression towards religion.”

That is why they try to make the distinction that they are there to talk about the Bible, not religion.

“People will sometimes say ‘you’re not going to convert me’. But that’s not the goal, we want to share – what they do with that information is their business.”

Sex abuse scandals have damaged the reputation of religious groupings all over the world and the JehovahÂ’s Witnesses are no exception. Across the water, MPs demanded government action last March after more than 100 people contacted the

Guardian newspaper with allegations of child sexual abuse and other mistreatment in JehovahÂ’s Witness communities in the UK.

“There are bad people everywhere,” says David, who is the convention’s media contact. “We follow policy that if we become aware of such things, we leave it to the law of the land to deal with it. We co-operate with the mandatory reporting laws.”

As regards historical cases, “if somebody wants to pursue it, there is no suggestion that they shouldn’t, it is completely up to them”.

Religious perspective

From a religious perspective, “if somebody is involved in something like that, we regard it as a gross sin”. He says he is not aware of any ongoing cases involving Jehovah’s Witnesses in Ireland – “but I am just one person”.

Ministry is an obligation for Witnesses after baptism, which happens during their teenage years or later, depending on when they are ready to commit. They have no clergy, but each congregation has a few male “elders”.

The Walls belong to the Carrigtwohill congregation in Co Cork, where there are about 45 members and six elders including Reece. Kelly has no problem with the fact that women canÂ’t be elders.

“I think the responsibility is better for a man,” she says. “It’s scriptural,” points out Reece. “Everyone comments at the meetings,” continues Kelly, “so I would feel very much part of the congregation; I would never feel peripheral.”

Nor does she feel JehovahÂ’s Witnesses are on the outside of Irish society; they integrate through work and she meets other parents at the school gate, she points out.

“We are people of principle and we have a strong faith,” adds David, “but we are just people like everybody else.”

'It is a very joyful life and we are very, very happy'

The Irish Times, July 31, 2018 - page 9

Bubbly sisters Becky (22) and Katy (20) Mullins (above) from Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, have never dated anybody outside the Jehovah’s Witnesses community and don’t expect they ever will. “It’s not forbidden,” says Becky. But, considering how they try to live by their principles, to be in a relationship or marriage with somebody who didn’t share those “would be very difficult”.

To marry outside the congregation “would be a wider choice”, she acknowledges, “but at the same time, it’s not like you are holding yourself back from anything.”

So, they have a full social life? “Absolutely”, says Becky and they both laugh at the observation that the annual Jehovah’s Witnesses convention they’re attending in Citywest is surely itself one great dating opportunity.

“I have never ever felt the inclination to want to date somebody outside the Jehovah’s Witnesses,” says Katy. “I want a life of service to God and I want to share that.”

“You can think about what you want in the moment” says Becky, “but at the same time you can think ‘that’s not going to benefit me five years down the line’.”

Their adherence to the faith in which they were raised has been unwavering into young adulthood. Their English mother was a Witness from birth while their father, a native of Carrick-on-Suir, converted in his early 20s.

At what age did the sisters realise their family was different from others?

“I suppose probably when you started national school,” says Becky. “It wasn’t much of a problem – we were obviously raised that way and prepared for what we were going to face.” They knew why they wouldn’t celebrate birthdays but had plenty of other parties with friends.

“I never felt like I was missing out on anything,” says Katy. “It is what we were used to. We knew the reasons why and we loved the reasons why.”

"I loved what I learned from the Bible and that was always so important to me"

The teenage years are generally regarded as a time when nobody wants to stand out from their peers and itÂ’s natural to rebel against parents.

Not in the Mullins family it seems.

Becky was 15 when she was baptised a Jehovah’s Witness and Katy 14 – a decision they were “absolutely” left to make for themselves, they stress.

As younger children they would have been given simple rules and reasons, says Becky, who is a music teacher and a member of the Irish-speaking congregation in Dungarvan, Co Waterford.

In your teens, “you’re not doing something because your parents have taught you to do it but you’re doing it because you’ve done your own research into it and made the decision for yourself”.

Katy, who works in a pharmacy in Carrick-on-Suir, says she was never rebellious. “I loved what I learned from the Bible and that was always so important to me.”

When they left school they became pioneers, for whom spreading the Word is almost a full-time job. Becky still does that, aiming to spend about 70 hours a month knocking on doors or manning a literature cart out on the street and “people are generally very friendly”. Going into homes to conduct Bible study “is the main goal of our preaching work”.

Katy says they know not to take rejection personally and if others don’t want to know about the Bible message, “that’s their choice – everyone has the right to believe what they want”. However, “for every door that is slammed there is a listening ear”.

She believes she does not have many of struggles people her age might face because of her “solid hope for the future”. This “solid hope” is based on the Biblical promise that one day God’s followers will live forever in perfect health on Earth – “we don’t know the day nor the hour”.

They are quick to dismiss any notion that, meanwhile, JehovahÂ’s Witnesses are a rather dour, strait-laced community.

“It is a very joyful life and we are very, very happy and I personally wouldn’t change it for the world,” says Becky.

“I can’t imagine anything better,” adds Katy.

Read online version: https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/what-is-it-like-to-be-a-jehovah-s-witness-family-living-in-ireland-1.3573827

Bombay HC tells woman not to expose her autistic son to any faith other than Zoroastrianism

The father’s lawyer alleged that the mother and a close relative had taken the son to someplace in Virginia where he was apparently exposed to another religion.

Written by Sailee Dhayalkar | Mumbai | Published: July 30, 2018

The mother has accepted the condition and has given an undertaking to this effect to the court. (Express photo)

The Bombay High Court recently told a mother to not expose her child, who is suffering from autism, to any other religious faith or teachings than Zoroastrianism while they are on a holiday in the US.

The court was hearing an application by the boy’s father objecting to his son traveling abroad with his mother. The mother had moved an application earlier to take her son abroad on a six week holiday to the US. The court was told that the son has been diagnosed with autism. The mother informed the court that they would leave on July 31, from Mumbai for Washington DC and would be back by September 19.

The mother informed the court that while in America, she plans to take her son on a trip to various places including Virginia Beach, Ocean City, Luray Caverns, the Blue Ridge Mountains, New York City, Niagara Falls, Washington DC itself and, if possible on a short cruise.

However, her estranged husband objected to the application. The father’s lawyer told the court that the son should not be sent on this trip because during the last visit in December 2017 through January 2018 there was allegedly some untoward events, which were narrated by the son to his father.

Justice G S Patel held, “One recurrent complaint throughout this matter has been that the defendant (mother) has chosen virtually to abandon the Zoroastrian faith and has turned to an alternative religion. She is now suspected to be a follower or adherent of Jehovah’s Witnesses.”

The father’s lawyer alleged that the mother and a close relative had taken the son to someplace in Virginia where he was apparently exposed to another religion. The lawyer further said that this has been narrated by the son himself to his father.

Justice Patel said, “I am making two things clear to the defendant (mother) so far as ….(son) is concerned. Given his medical condition, should he ever report any such incident, I will accept it as truth. I, therefore, expect that the defendant must put aside during the time of this visit and whenever…(son) is in her care, all considerations of another religion and she must not and will not at any stage and in any manner, however tangential, expose… (son) to any other faith or teachings.”

The mother has accepted the condition and has given an undertaking to this effect to the court.

Justice Patel warned the mother, “I am making it plain that should I find the slightest breach of this condition, I will make an order against the defendant restricting or even taking away all access that she may have to…(son). I cannot stress this enough. This question of faith is an extremely sensitive matter and…(son) has to be shielded from any conflict or trauma at any cost.”

About

The Indian Express is an English-language Indian daily newspaper. It is published in Mumbai by Indian Express Group

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Indian_Express

In the 2014 Indian Readership Survey, the Media Research Users Council list The Indian Express in ranking the top ten Indian English dailies by the size of readership, more than 361,000 readers.[2] According to comScore reports, its website was India's third largest English-language news website reaching over 6 million unique visitors a month in India on desktop and laptop computers.[citation needed] In 2015, The Indian Express App won gold for the Best Mobile News Service in South Asia at the World Association of Newspapers' Asian Digital Media Awards.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Express_Limited

Source | Link:

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/bombay-hc-tells-woman-not-to-expose-her-autistic-son-to-any-faith-other-than-zoroastrianism-5282192/

Apostasy 'Kingdom Hall' Filming Location

The location of the real Kingdom Hall used for the external shots in the movie 'Apostasy' is at Foundry Street, Oldham, UK (the internal shots where done elsewhere)

Although the actual main KH sign is different, note how the 'meeting times' on the left-hand side of the front door looks the same!

• Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/oJvTKDyv1N72

• Google StreetView: https://goo.gl/maps/tv548bce6ht

The Kingdom Hall, which is next to a large College, has now been sold and converted into a coffee shop called.... 'Koffee Kingdom'!

• https://www.instagram.com/koffeekingdom/

It appeared in the widely used book: You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth -1982

Were they saying she was a "hussy" back then because she was showing "knee"?

Wouldn't Jesus throw out the "money changers"?

How is this allowed?

Yet we aren't allowed to even leave bags of produce outside the front doors for others who want/need them?

They don't allow members of the congregation to give away excess home-grown produce at the Kingdom Hall but they have allowed commercial banks to set up?