Albatross reposted

from Albatross October 12, 2002 - 1:58:00 PM

Well, It looks as if someone’s been reading my articles. I posted the following here on August 22nd:
"The paths to justice are many. We have only begun to explore them. The list of possible recourses is only as limited as the resources, energy, and commitment of those of us who seek justice and change. Class action lawsuits, requests for law enforcement investigations, personal lawsuits against abusers, criminal complaints, judicious use of the media, production of our own stories through documentaries, books, and writings, are all options that continue to be explored."

The Following is taken from CM 3420 September 2002:
"They're talking about trying to hinder our work through such things as class action lawsuits, requests for law enforcement investigations, personal lawsuits against individuals, criminal complaints, use of the media, production of their stories through documentaries, books, and writings, etc."

They edited my comment in two places. They omitted my use of the word “judicious,” which means sensible or well thought out, where I refer to using the media. They also replaced my use of the word “abusers” with the word “individuals.”

This brings up the question: Did god really have to show them all this stuff was coming? Did the media home have to “bring it to our (their) attention.”? I for one emailed my article “open letter to Zerby, Kelly and co.” to Zerby. I also provided a copy of “What next,” -the article they quoted from- to another top TF shepherd. That was in addition to providing them with copies of my other articles on seeking justice that I have contributed to this site. I just re-read every comment and article I have posted since I first joined this site. I have tried my best to be scrupulous in my references to past abuses. I have referred to them in general terms and in general references to the accounts of others. I have tried to demonstrate the cause and effect at play here. That is to say that TF leadership publish, condoned, and committed abusive acts, and we continue to deal with their long-term effects. Where is the list of lies? Where is the big lie? The victims are telling the stories here. We must conclude that they do not believe the victims, or that they do not care enough to make the effort to see if there is any validity to the accounts. They would rather out of hand dismiss these accounts as “lies.” This is despite the fact that they have spent several years proclaiming their care and concern for people who have been abused and mistreated. It sickens me their attempt to hide behind the average Family member. Why do they threaten them? Is it because they know that they have no defense besides the “positive testimonies” of their trusting and believing flock?
On their own, they would be exposed for what they really are.

It is a shame that the more level headed in the family leadership structure have not been able to convince Zerby and Kelly, that the best course of action is not to attack their own children (sometime literally their own children) as lying demon controlled apostates. But, we should perhaps find this reality-disconnected response as unsurprising given their thirty-some odd years of believing they are the royalty appointed by god, and having their followers fawn over them and wait to catch their every word. Well, now we have their definitive response. It is sad really, but not at all unexpected. Naturally I believe they have chosen the wrong tact. I understand the reality however that because as leaders they face a large part of the blame for the abuses, and being cognizant of that, they have selfishly chosen to “go down fighting” and try to drag the innocent within their followers down with them.

I’ll close this on a facetious note by saying that it is in our best interests that they continue to get their strategic guidance from jesus, berg, and spirit helpers, since to date, it seems to be rather weak guidance with which to defend themselves.

Any hesitations I had about the eventual success of our efforts have been greatly assuaged with the reading of this GN.

Daniel