I believed for a while, since 2000, with the build up of lawsuits and litigation, that the Watchtower Society was at least trying to protect itself better. They did publish some useful, if very imperfect, changes in policy regarding child abuse that appeared to suggest their practices were headed in the right direction.
Then, in the year 2006, the hammer of hard reality smacks me upside the head. My son-in-law's dad, who I have mentioned in a continuing series, has been back in jail for sometime because of lying to the police about his sexual deeds with children. The Elders never took any action beyond a public reproof, with the details being concealed from the congregation. This however, is old news.
What is new, however, is that the Elders are now chasing after my son-in-law's mom ... in an attempt to disfellowship her. Her act is not the best choice on earth, but is not the most serious, and certainly not a crime. Also, 99% of the churches would not be harsh or expel her for what she did ... for it is most understandable under the circumstances.
The Watchtower is hell bent, right up to the present, to make sure to stomp on minor offenses while they wink at feloneous child molesters. But, there is an even sicker twist to this terrible story:
The molester found out about his wife's misdeed while he was in jail, and took the opportunity to call from his public cage to tell the Elders about his wife. I had hoped that he was ony guilty of one act and that he might be sorry. No, it seems that he lied about a lot more, and now, rather than focus in on why he is in prison for his crime, he feels it is important to drag his wife into the mud.
What is worse is that the Elders take the bait every time and are so eager to oblige a criminal at the expense of anything good and sensible. What my son-in-law's mom needs is consolation and support - not the Watchtower goon-squad. These Elder-goons are trained and educated by the Watchtower Society, the so-called "Jehovah's Organization" in their ways of goon-ology. The Watchtower Society is not learning anything from what they are facing in the courts. Frankly, they don't give a damn ... and, frankly, they must be brought to justice.
Jim Whitney