internet chat as a forum for justice..

does it strike anyone else that this sort of posting, by anonymous posters, pronouncing judgment on individuals w/o even hearing their perspective, and the behind the scenes pressures and spiritual abuse they experienced, seems less than productive? can you imagine someone coming here to address this atmosphere?

recently there was a case near where i live of a cult victim who was up on charges in the death of her child in a bizarre cult situation. the matter was very complex, and the case went on for some time. w/o going into detail, eventually she was convicted of a crime, but not murder, as the jury heard all the extenuating circumstances that led to this tragedy, including a rather complex psychological explanation of thought reform and spiritual abuse,(previously not taken very seriously in most courts,) as well as battered wife syndrome.

obviously, there are multiple tragedies here, that intersect in complex patterns. when she emerged from the trial she expressed gratitude that 12 strangers on the jury took the time to hear her story. it really was rather amazing, given all the negative pretrial publicity the case had recieved.

clearly, exmems are generally aware that tragedies and crimes abound in the wake of that toxic environment known as the family. i personally cannot say how these issues are best resolved to help the most people recover the most healing in the aftermath. i know i did things i deeply regret. i also know most of them were very far from my own idea or inclination.i also believe that under different circumstances i may well have crossed other boundaries, as some of my colleagues did. each situation has its own unique circumstances. discussing these issues seems healthy to me, but pronouncing judgment, and issuing sentences seems wholely innapropriate in this forum.

personally, when i was still in, i found talk like some of this utterly incomprehensible. the simple lack of due process made it seem easy to discount. it was actually people who tried to understand where my head and heart were at, and exhibitted a strengh of conviction, while trying to meaningfully reach across the gap in understanding between us, that were instrumental in opening my mind to a crack of daylight, that eventually led to freedom.

i don't expect to influence too many in this rush to judgment. but i felt that saying something was at least worth the brickbats that tend to follow alternative perspectives.