Posted today at JWN (@stuckinamovement)
Spousal abuse is a blessing. Truly Orwellian war-is-peace doublethink.
Domestic violence is still the number one threat to a woman’s life and physical and emotional well-being under the age of 45.
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| — | ZeusRocks |
Posted today at JWN (@blindnomore)
Another report about how this article was discussed today at the congregation Watchtower study. Two women discussed their experiences with violently abusive unbelieving husbands; the first tried everything short of leaving the abuser with no success. The second blamed herself for the abuse and felt she solved the problem by submitting to the abuser. The study conductor, referring to Selma and Steve, blamed the victim by invoking the Golden Rule; the onus was on Selma to properly “show love” to her abuser. Also implied is that Selma does not unconditionally deserve “love” (which in this context really means “being treated as an actual human being”) from her spouse.
Back in 1964, the Watchtower Society told JW spouses that they should “put up with … abuse” as a sort of spiritual duty to give their abusive unbelieving mates “the best opportunity” to embrace the same faith.
From the April 15, 1964 Watchtower (p. 249).
It is profoundly irresponsible, bewilderingly arrogant and grossly negligent on the part of the Governing Body to persist in perpetuating the myth that advice contained in the bible constitutes a one-size-fits-all antidote to any and all cases of domestic violence. I have no way of knowing the true scope of the collateral damage that this approach has inflicted over the years, or the number of women who have been seriously harmed (or worse) by applying such ill-considered advice. All I know is, it must end now before there are any further casualties.
Posted today at JWN (@life is to short).
UPDATE: The same person later wrote: “It is beyond mind blowing listening it. I cannot even wrap my mind around their thinking. No one and I mean no one said it was wrong for Steve to hit Selma. NO ONE! It is unbelievable. The main thing was Selma needed to be more loving to Steve, that is what was stressed by these people who I truly felt for most of my life were sane normal people.”
