We were barely into the new year of 2013 when a small group of people started to talk about a new way of dealing with the Watchtower Society. Who would have imagined what would develop from those early discussions that took place just a few months ago?
In past years most people who walked away from the Watchtower Society knew they would likely lose their families and friends. They realized that the best they could hope for was to attempt to find ways to help free their family members. Leaving was a painful choice they would eventually have to make on their own because there were no groups they could go to for support or guidance.
During the nearly twenty years that I have been out of the Witnesses, many people have asked me about the possibility of taking collective action against the Society. Until now that has never really happened. I think most believed that succeeding with that approach was far too great a challenge. Instead, a few did what they could on an individual basis. Others tried (and some continue) to do their part in exposing the Watchtower’s lies, deceit, and manipulations.
What if there was a way to join forces, and rather than attacking the Watchtower Society directly, can we find ways to simply expose their faults to the world? Is there a way to show the people whose doors Jehovah’s Witnesses knock on just who might be standing on their porch? Are there effective methods available to expose the Society to the world’s courts and governments? Can we help those in power to realize that potential dangers face not only their citizens – but also the Watchtower’s own followers, Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Last January (2013) that little core of people began discussing better ways to achieve these goals. By April they presented their ideas to many ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world. It was from those early discussions that AAWA was born.
Since then, like all newborns, AAWA has faced challenges and experienced growing pains. And yet, while learning a few hard lessons along the way, we’ve continued to grow.
AAWA has grown – not because of those in that small initial group who started talking to each other – but thanks to so many others who have come along since then to share their own mission, ideals, and goals. They are people who want to contribute something worthwhile to AAWA while fighting their own personal battles with the Watchtower machine.
Over the last year I have met online some pretty remarkable people from around the world. I’ve found them talented, determined, and hard-working – truly those who want to make a difference.
Many of us wish our efforts will help someone in our own family to eventually leave the Witnesses. But we all realize that our greater goal is to dry up the pool of innocent and unaware people who become ensnared by a group like the Watchtower.
I am – without a doubt – in awe of all of you who stepped up in 2013 to actually help AAWA make a difference.
I look forward to seeing what we will all accomplish in the next three months and beyond.
Thanks to each and all – and may you all have a Happy New Year!
Lee
Advocates for Awareness of Watchtower Abuses (AAWA)
Director of Support Services
President, Board of Directors
Hopefully we will win over the “locusts”…
Our community is growing. Elder aawaken half in May 2013, step down 30.09.2013 after his last Sunday talk. Faded successfully in December.
I cannot imagine what it would be like to be an elder and really know the problems JWs face and not be able to really help them. And more recently for elders to be left responsible when things go wrong because they followed WTS orders. Just remember getting out is one thing. Getting free is another. The mind needs to be sure of all things so do the research.
Onward and upward. Some exciting things happening in 2014. It’s exciting to be a part of it.
I look forward to see what unfolds for 2014!
AAWA has been awe-inspiring to me. To find like-minded people that understand me and where I come from on so many issues has been one of the biggest helps to my healing. I am so anxious to see what this momentous year brings for AAWA! ~AVQ
There have been estimates that now ex-JWs number more than active JWs. I don’t know how accurate that is but it would not surprise me if it was true. What I do know is that we think and feel the same about many of the issues as many JWs and most exJWs do. You most definitely are not alone.
Excuse me, but I think that such assessments are totally unrealistic, and just wishful thinking. The average Witnesses are people of faith, and there have to come decisive changes, if a religion must collapse. Ordinary Witness members live in a different reality. They have for years been accustomed to possess the answers to everything: The Truth! It takes a lot to shake them. For example that their religious authority breaks together.
But you could try to make an opinion poll in which current members of the JW can remain anonymous, and the amount of response could then provide a clue. Ask what the average member of what they think of 1914-2014.
What is required is that “the SOCIETY” simply crashes down on basis of a possible 1914-2014 crisis. Maybe in October, which will be the anniversary since the same month in 1914! If so, the members will be totally shocked, and then anything can happen!
Poul Bregninge, Denmark
assessments as in the numbers who have left? In North America there is little growth. Factor in those who have died or possibly moved to another country and the vast number of youth who are leaving along with elders who have heard and seen the underbelly resigning and then fading away. there isn’t a whole lot left. The last time I did go to a meeting at my old hall I didn’t recognize half the people there and most of the ones I knew where gone. Where?
If the work we, and others do help prevent more people from getting ensnared the better for all. Maybe the WT machine will die a little faster
I so wish this organization can be exposed for what it is, and what it is doing to their adherents. They have them on mind control and they don’t know it, I didn’t. Forty years. I will do what I can to help.
Jeannete We are doing our best and have just started. We are looking for volunteers with various skills. Even if you don’t want to officially volunteer then signing the petition or carrying our mission to other places on the internet where you post or to places where you go and sharing it with the people you talk to all contributes to furthering the exposure of the WTS and hopefully helping others to begin to see the real truth about the WTS.
I would love to volunteer! It has been so hard all these years of suffering in silence never to be heard. I am very encouraged by an avenue to help, be heard, and understood!
Top of the page right hand blue button. We are looking for people with particular skills, in writing and the production of videos, people who can help support others, people who want to be in the videos, we need stories and much more. Complete the form and someone will get back to you.