Ridiculous. This article and the court hit it dead on. The fact is, grooming is soooo easy in a Kingdom Hall, where young people are expected to trust and obey, brainlessly.
Respected Jehovah's Witness groomed and molested young girls over years
by Simon 24 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse
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WuzLovesDubs
This probably happens in all churches, scouting, ball teams...where the adults in charge become demigods and the kids are encouraged to listen to and do whatever that trusted adult tells them to do. Particularly young teen or tween girls who are sooooo susceptible to being told they are pretty or sexy or are given attention like that.
But in the Kingdom Halls around the world, the perps have found refuge. They know that if there is anything done at all, it wont really affect them and the elders dont TELL anybody so they can just continue their activities...victim after victim. The WTS would rather risk the safety of our children than "look bad" to the public. And as soon as one of these cases comes to light, they DISAVOW that person conveniently.
Culpability???? Ha
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BluesBrother
THe dubs could say, in truth, that this sort of thing does happen all over. I have seen too many cases in the news regarding church men and youth leaders ..
But the fact is that the Witnesses are SUPPOSED to be different. they are , we used to believe, Gods own people, Sprit directed and showing "The fruits of the spirit" They claim to be better than "the old world"
That claim is wearing thin now, isn't it? Just like their failed prophecies......
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JWoods
Unfortunately, for the average rank & file JW, this is not a smoking gun. Probably the most mind-locked JW would rather claim that this was a once in a millenia person sent by Satan to cause trouble in the organization than to see and admit that the WTS has a problem with this.
I did not sit on the committee, but had knowledge of two molestation cases - one was a ministerial servant (homosexual), another was an elder - (young girl case like the above). In both cases the victim came forward and forced a hearing.
Nothing was done in either case.
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Heaven
I told my Dad not long ago that an organization that does not protect children from this danger is not following the Bible and is therefore, not of God. I hope I gave him something to think about.
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geevee
Interesting that the court was told he was no longer a JW.... probably kicked him just before he went to trial. Oh well, he can always work real hard and get re-instated. Elders and MinServs will be encouraged to visit and support him while he is in jail.... He will be back witnessing asap!
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choosing life
Sounds like the reason that they discontinued meetings in homes may be because of cases like this one. I know that molestation happens in a lot of groups, but the way they bury it and pretend it will go away gives perverts years to reoffend.
The two witness rule has to be one of the most shocking ideas they have ever come up with. Children are expendable to them.
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VoidEater
They say they are different. They are not.
They say they do the right thing. But only when legally mandated in the US, and then only grudgingly and as a last resort.
They claim to care. But call them first on what to do when discovered.
Harm is always worse when there's hypocrisy.
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Heaven
Something else I said to my Father was "There are thousands of cases of pedophilia reported to Bethel. The case in your previous congregation is not an isolated one. The Watchtower has bad mouthed the Catholics for years for this very same thing that is going on within their own organization."
This whole subject makes him VERY uncomfortable. I think that's a good sign.
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The Oracle
this does happen far too often in religious settings. The JW setting certainly included, and moreso than most other religions due to the way it is set up.
sad
thank goodness my kids will never be exposed to that environment
The Oracle