Hi Silenlambs,
All that you have said here regarding the testimony is so accurate in comparison to the trial we went through against my father-in-law. Even though throughout the trial, the judge refered to him as a predator, pedophile and assault and batterer when addressing the lawyers, and with all the testimony even that given by the pedophile himself, his J W family members and friends continued to deny his guilt, and elders refused to testify because the elder compared himself quoting that he was like a "bishop" or a "priest". When the lawyer questioned him about his own drug and sexual history before becoming an elder, the elder jokingly compared himself to President Clinton. That is in the court transcripts. In other words, so what if he did sold drugs, and was sexually promiscuous, he justified it by saying Clinton did too, before he became president. This was the Presiding Overseer. I would also love to put the transcripts of his lies from his depostion, and court testimony, but am not sure if I should right now because we have been notified about the Appeal. We have a date coming soon.
Erica's 98 Sentencing Hearing
by silentlambs 15 Replies latest watchtower scandals
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ARoarer
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Grunt
Wow. Hard to believe people who call themselves Christians could be so cold and so organization-protective instead of child protective. No action. Well, judging from the past, if it starts costing them CASH then there will be action. When they were lying in Mexico it was because of the money, the donation arrangement is because of the money, the French debacle of sneaking out the equipment and then trying "political" action was because of the money and when this starts really costing them money THEN there will be ACTION.
Matthew 15:7-9 describes them pretty well:7 YOU hypocrites, Isaiah aptly prophesied about YOU, when he said, 8 'This people honors me with their lips, yet their heart is far removed from me. 9 It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach commands of men as doctrines.
So many look at these hypocrites and think they see the image of God, when in fact it is the opposite. They really do value the gold of the temple above the temple and appearances above true goodness. As the scriptures just prior to the ones quoted above point out they would and do stab their own parents in the back over money. Their real values are more like the Mafia's than Christ's.
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ARoarer
Grunt, the scripture you used from Isaiah is the one I have always reasoned in my mind and heart why this religous community really does not truly worship with their heart. They are so caught up in thier own desires that are really fleshly. Looking back on the many conventions I used to attend I remember the usual topic of conversation was not based on the program as much as socializing, who was there, and who was not there,..... "guess who I saw at the assembly.... Brother elder from..,sister tight skirt with the slit up her ass.....etc., etc.,
Another scripture that reminds me of this people is the one that says "always learning yet never coming to an accurate knowledge". Jehovah's Witnesses spend thier entire time learning changing doctrines, underlining paragraphs, being "graded" on thier school talks. Studying thier everchanging doctrines. They only know performing for group approval, or face group rejection. You are not allowed to excersize your own conscience if it conflicts with Headquarters Legal or Service Dept. Fear of man not God is what they have. I am so glad my family stood up and will continue to stand up to them in our upcoming court date. -
hawkaw
Well Bill,
You are dealing with people who want to hold onto power. To apologize is being "weak" in their "dictatorship like minds".
I will keep that list forever, I think, incase someone a few years from now tells me how great the "new" WTS policy on child molesters is.
When you talk on the 24th of September 2001 I want you (and if Barbara is reading too) to think and think hard of a "catchy phrase" that the Court and the (Cough, cough) press will pick up on.
We do this all the time in my line of work, which you know, and believe me the "press" does pick up on it if you repeat it enough times. Your repeated phrases will be remembered.
You also know, based on what happened in Kentucky, to repeat their own words back at them - nothing like the past to bite them.
I suggest you be brief - no less than two minutes - no more than five. All you have to do is hit the points "hard" because you have the "moral" high ground. Use those same points outside of the court in an informal press conference.
Make sure the local press is there is droves. Tell them that "Dateline" NBC is doing the story and give the producer's name and phone number for verification - that will get the local press' attention.
Tell the court that you think the best sentence for Beliz would be to leave this convicted offender in the "General Prison Population" with no special privilages for at least one year of his sentence term.
Above all else, be human and show that same compassion as you do all the rest of the time.
One final thing - tell "angel" I am pulling for her and some closure will hopefully occur after it is done.
hawk
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Grunt
SL,
Thanks so much for all you have done, and for putting up the transcript. I read every word of it. Like Hawk, I'd like to send my best to Erica, and wish her a long and happy life. I wish the bum had gotten more time but what he got will give him plenty of time to come to feel remorse. I imagine he will give a lot of thought to what he shouldn't have done. Sadly, it will be because of the punishment and not because of the wrongness of what he did. The worst punishment for him is just BEING who and what he is. I also hope for some justice for his other victims and some punishment for the Elder Who Got Away. Once again, thanks for all the work. -
hawkaw
Gee I just read this thread again.
Bill did you notice what Brother Beliz said to the court via your first post in this thread:
And I also like to say that at no time, Your Honor, I'm not a sex offender or a predator.”
So at no time he was not a sex offender. Is that what Brother Beliz said to the court? Gotta love those double negatives.
ROTFLMAO
hawk