| Author | Message | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 146 Registered: 11-2005 |
From Dirk Anderson (owner of ellenwhite.org): Friends, I need your help. The White Estate is moving aggressively against us this year in a bid to shut down ellenwhite.org and obtain the domain that we have spent nine years building up. They are threatening to take legal action against us. If we settle out-of-court, they've agreed to pay us a paltry sum of money, far less than the actual value of the web site. I'm reminded of the school child who goes through the cafeteria line, pays $5 for his food, and then meets the school-yard bully who offers him $1 for his tray or threatens to take his food by brute force. The White Estate is aware of the high volume of web traffic that we have built up over 9 years with 5,000+ hours of labor. Now that we are approaching 1.5 million page hits a year, the Estate is conniving to rob us of our efforts and cash in on the hard work we have done to build up traffic to our site. If successful, they will be laughing all the way to the bank, while we will be forced to incur the expense of moving to another domain name, resulting in a severe setback that will take us years to recover the kind of traffic we had, even with expensive advertising. In this moment of crisis I need each of you who cares about the future of this site to take action. Here is what I think we need to do: 1. I need a legal team to represent us, preferably with experience in trademark law. Unlike the SDA Church, which is a multi-billion dollar organization, I simply have no means to pay a legal team, so we will need a team that is willing to either work for free or who will work for donations that we receive from our supporters. If any of you know a good lawyer, or an Evangelical law group that would be willing to support us, please let me know. 2. I need someone with contacts in the media who would be willing to represent our side of the story to the media. 3. Sometimes the best defense if a good offense. Someone has suggested to me that the White Estate has defrauded the Adventist people much the same way that the Tobacco Industry defrauded the American Public. Leaders at the White Estate have known that Ellen White was not all she has been made out to be. However, instead of coming clean with the public, they have perpetuated a false image of her while the SDA church rakes in tons of money in tithes, offereings, and book sales from people who would not give a single cent if they knew the full truth. According to my friend, this is classic grounds for a class-action lawsuit. Now, I'm not into legal battles, and I have always preferred to walk away from a fight, but there comes a time when the bully crosses the line and someone is going to have to stand up and stop him before he hurts more people. Therefore, I'm asking all of you to send me any e-mails or other communications you have had with the White Estate in which the leaders contradict the official teachings of the SDA Church or the official position of the White Estate. I'm not saying we need to go down this path, but I want to be ready if we are forced into it. 4. Am I missing something? Send me your advice. I need some guidance here as to what to do. I'm looking to you, my Christian bothers and sisters, to advise me on this. 5. Pray that God will give us the victory against Goliath. God bless, Dirk Anderson http://www.ellenwhite.org [mailto dirk at ellenwhite.org] | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 1080 Registered: 10-2004  |
Wow, it all produces some righteous anger, that's for sure. I've always thought that there's just no way they have any legal grounds--the name "Ellen G. White" is a registered trademark of theirs, but "Ellen White" is not trademarked. I just don't see how they have any "right" at all to that name. I do like the idea of a class-action lawsuit, or something similar. I've mentioned this before. No matter what, this really needs to be done, against the White Estate and the GC. They need to be exposed as the financial scam that they are, as well as the mental/psychological/emotional/spiritual/even physical abuse system that they are. Jeremy (Message edited by Jeremy on February 13, 2006) | ||
| Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg Post Number: 116 Registered: 12-2004 |
Has 60 Minutes, or any of the other Docu-news shows ever done an expose on the claims of Ellen White. It would make for exciting journalism, and in my opinion would open the eyes of anyone remotely connected to Adventism. FWIW, Randy | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 1326 Registered: 3-2005 |
The LA Times Oct. 22 1980 had huge bold headlines "PLAGIARISM FOUND IN PROPHET BOOKS", and there was a large front page section coverage that day. Newsweek magazine also picked up the story. | ||
| Seekr777 Registered user Username: Seekr777 Post Number: 388 Registered: 1-2003  |
Stan, Do you think the date of Oct. 22 was an accident for the publication of the article in the LA Times?  Richard | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 589 Registered: 4-2000  |
This legal threat from the White Estate reminds me of the Mormon church constantly suing the Utah Lighthouse Ministries (www.utlm.org) owned by Gerald and Sandra Tanner. They also have a bookstore in Salt Lake City geared toward Mormons. I have received their magazine, "SALT LAKE CITY MESSENGER" (similar to Proclamation magazine), on a regular basis for many years. It is truly amazing how cults act in similar ways. Dennis J. Fischer | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2304 Registered: 3-2004  |
I do not know anyone who can help, but I can pray and I will do that and will add it to the prayer list for the prayer chain. Father in Heaven, you who are the Alpha and Omega, You know what Dirk is going through and what the White Estate is doing. It is not right. They and the leaders of the SDA church know and have know all about what EGW wrote since she started writing. They kept it from the members. So God, take this situation and may your name be glorified in all of this. Thank you for solving this to Your Names honor and Glory, right now. As always, you are AWESME. Diana | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 945 Registered: 7-2004 |
Is there a problem with not having a domain name long enough, or are they bullying their way in because her name is the address? I will pray, and I know that the Savior will lend strength to go on no matter what the outcome is. | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 147 Registered: 11-2005 |
http://www.utlm.org/newsletters/no96.htm "LDS CHURCH SUES MINISTRY" "Another point of irony is that the Church's lawsuit increased public curiosity about the Handbook, which led to many people downloading copies from the Internet. Also the international attention given the lawsuit helped quadruple the number of people coming to our web site." 'We received this from a member of the Church who works in the Information Technology field.' Subject: It's a huge PR disaster!! "Good job on the lawsuit you bureaucrats in the Church Offices!! I probably would have never gone on the Tanners' website when I did if it hadn't been for the publicity the lawsuit raised in my favorite trade journal that I started reading religiously while at BYU (i.e. ComputerWorld). Why was I reading ComputerWorld magazine? Because some tithing dollars were being spent by my boss on it for the department at BYU where I worked as a Computer Specialist and I was following the counsel of the Brethren to stay current on my chosen profession and ComputerWorld magazine is one of the best for doing this. Little did I know that one day that an article in it would be a passive contributing force to me losing my testimony." As it relates to the current EG White Estate actions against Dirk Anderson's website, ellenwhite.org -- It looks like interested parties will be the various national newspapers and news agencies, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and all media agencies. God has a way of taking these things, and using them to His glory. I predict that if the EG White Estate continues in this track, that it will be the best thing that ever happened to call public attention to all of Ellen White (and by extension, the Seventh-day Adventist Church) failed prophecies and false doctrine. We will make sure that all the news media is kept informed of any developments. The fraud of Ellen White will be exposed as never before. Count on it! Gilbert | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 148 Registered: 11-2005 |
Belvalew -- They can not actually legally take away the domain name from Dirk. See http://www.whois.sc/ellenwhite.org for his registration information. The domain name, ellenwhite.org, is legally his, and does not expire until: "Domain Name:ELLENWHITE.ORG Created On:13-Aug-1997 04:00:00 UTC Last Updated On:05-Nov-2005 02:21:16 UTC Expiration Date:12-Aug-2012 04:00:00 UTC" As long as he renews it before the expiration date it will remain his indefinitely. They know that. That is why the EG White Estate is trying to "bully" him legally and financially. Like the Mormon Church, they have the full financial resources of the Seventh-day Adventist Church behind them. This isn't about right and wrong. It is about "He who has the gold rules." They can file spurious legal charges, and try to wear him down financially. If they are stupid enough to try to do that, they can be sure that a huge groundswell of support for Dirk will make sure that every media outlet and talk show host knows about it. It will cost them dearly -- not only here in the United States, but worldwide as well. The EG White Estate is also extremely reckless for another reason. They have not demonstrated that they are all that Internet-savy either. Lawyers generally aren't -- and it turns into huge PR fiascos. If they try to "take over" ellenwhite.org through legal means they are going to have to explain to the news media why they are not also filing the same legal charges against all the other sites with similar names. Check out http://www.whois.sc/name-spinner/?q=ellenwhite Some of these names are definitely not complimentary! Gilbert | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 946 Registered: 7-2004 |
Gilbert, I think the White Estate has a lot of options available and wide open to them, based on the name-spinner, so they will truly look like a big mean dog if they keep up this tactic. Some of my favorite options for them are listed down toward the bottom! | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 149 Registered: 11-2005 |
Can you imagine what would happen if the EG White Estate filed suit? Dirk's attorney would then have the Power of Subppeona, and would be able to enter the Bates Letter into the Court Record, as an exhibit, proving that the EG White Estate knew all along that Ellen was a public fraud. Then, Dirk could say they are maintaining a "Public Fraud" to this day because they never let their people see the Letter that Ellen sent to Bates in 1847. They would actually be handing Dirk the power to get whatever he needed from the vault, making it much easier to expose them for what they are. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22Skip+Baker%22+1847+Ellen+White+letter+Bates&btnG=Google+Search Gilbert | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 150 Registered: 11-2005 |
Diana -- you are right. God will use this opportunity to His glory. Ellen White's false teachings will be exposed to the light of day. We have numerous examples of similar circumstances in the way he protected the Children of Israel. Gilbert | ||
| Cindy Registered user Username: Cindy Post Number: 798 Registered: 7-2000 |
I also will add my prayers and support to this matter... As others have said, this may be "blessing in disguise", an opportunity to clear the veil from many peoples' eyes--for them to see the glory of the real "Truth"--Jesus. grace always, cindy | ||
| Leigh Registered user Username: Leigh Post Number: 60 Registered: 2-2003 |
Lord, I pray that the eyes of those Adventists who are truly seeking you will be opened so they can see that their salvation rests in you alone. I pray that the deception that has gone on for so long will be revealed for all to see, in your time, Lord and for your glory. Amen Psalm 5 Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my meditation. 2 Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. 3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up. 4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. 5 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. 6 You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. 7 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple. 8 Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face. 9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is destruction; Their throat is an open tomb; They flatter with their tongue. 10 Pronounce them guilty, O God! LET THEM FALL BY THIER OWN COUNSELS; Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions, For they have rebelled against You. 11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. 12 For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield. | ||
| Lynne Registered user Username: Lynne Post Number: 291 Registered: 10-2005 |
Thank you so much Leigh for the encouragement! Last summer I was looking for an Ellen White CD with her complete works, to help me learn the bible more, as I thought it would help. I ran across Dirk Andersons website. I sincerely thought Dirk Anderson looked like the devil. A couple of times I accidentally clicked Mark Martins website in error, I was afraid to look. I saw a picture of him, and again, Satan.. The closer I looked at thier faces, the more demonic I thought they looked. I sure was brainwashed for too many years. Eventually, I looked at Mark Martins website, I think in September, and said, "it is all true"! And ran to my husband and showed it to him. Then I found this former adventist website. I know I am saved now and was rebaptized in a Sunday church and I'm no longer afraid of former Adventists. I will pray also. I know He answers prayer. Lynne | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 1087 Registered: 10-2004 |
Here's a picture of someone who really did look demonic: http://www.aplib.org/EllenGWhite.jpg http://www.havelshouseofhistory.com/Ellen%20G.%20White%201.jpg No one can tell me that woman was not demon possessed! Jeremy (Message edited by Jeremy on February 14, 2006) | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 1088 Registered: 10-2004 |
Here's another picture of Pope Ellen--one of the last photos of her: http://search.llu.edu/heritage/WhitePhotosInfo.asp?PhotoID=923 Jeremy | ||
| Cathy2 Registered user Username: Cathy2 Post Number: 1 Registered: 2-2006 |
I am a new member, but I won't tell my story (4th generation born, then left) on this thread, since it is off topic. My comment is: Character will out. All this reminds me of the Church of Scientology's law suits on the Net and elsewhere... The Lord be with Dirk in strength and wisdom. Cathy | ||
| Freeatlast Registered user Username: Freeatlast Post Number: 461 Registered: 5-2002 |
Welcome Cathy2! Can't wait to hear your story... |
