Could a JC and disfellowshipping be avoided on medical grounds?

by yadda yadda 2 16 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  yadda yadda 2

  Has anyone avoided a JC and probable disfellowshipping by providing a medical certificate/note to the elders( from their doctor or mental health professional) along the lines that they are suffering from depression, could not endure a JC or investigation, and the risk of disfellowshipping and being shunned by their family could worsen their depression and put their mental health/physical health at risk?

  If I was an elder and got a letter/note along those lines I think I would be scared off from going through with the JC.
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  yadda yadda 2

  I am wondering about this because I see that according to guidelines from Headquarters, the elders will back off and refer the matter to the Branch if "legal action" is threatened by the person being summoned to the enquiry/JC. I have heard of cases where elders get nervous about threats of legal action and so they take no further action.

  I would think that a medical note from a health practitioner, perhaps supported by a letter from a lawyer not necessarily threatening legal action but affirming that their client is in no mental state to attend a distressing personal investigation of their private affairs would be enough to scare the elders off.

  If the doctor or counsellor/psychologist was unwilling to write a medical note to be read by a third party (the elders) they may be willing to provide the note to a lawyer who could then anonymously refer to it in their letter to the elders?

  Any ex-elders, CO's, have any thoughts on this?
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  FuzzyPaul

  Here in Florida, statute 825.102 "ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION OF ELDERLY PERSONS AND DISABLED ADULTS" makes emotional abuse of an elderly or disabled person a Felony of the Third degree.

  (1) "Abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult" means:

  (a) Intentional infliction of physical or psychological injury upon an elderly person or disabled adult;

  (b) An intentional act that could reasonably be expected to result in physical or psychological injury to an elderly person or disabled adult; or

  (c) Active encouragement of any person to commit an act that results or could reasonably be expected to result in physical or psychological injury to an elderly person or disabled adult.
  
  A person who knowingly or willfully abuses an elderly person or disabled adult without causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement to the elderly person or disabled adult commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

  Depression is a qualifying mental disablility especially if it is caused by a depressive illness / bi-polar / schizo-affective disorder / or other chronic health condition (being mentally ill is a civil right - not a crime or a tort).

  3rd degree felonies come with 5 year prison terms. That should wrap a few weeds around their propellors. Your state should have similar legislation. Copy FS 825.102 to them.

  Paul
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  jamiebowers

  It didn't stop them from df'ing Inez Fearon. She was very ill and df'd in absentia. She goes by the researchldy here on JWN, so you could pm her here or at sixscreensofthewatchtower.
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  Elsewhere

  No

  If they want you "dead", they will "kill" you.
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  besty

  My wife had a doctors letter sent personally to the home address of each of the 4 elders on our JC stating she was medically unfit for such an ordeal.

  Result - DF in absentia.
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  yadda yadda 2

  Thanks for your replies.
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  quietlyleaving

  I think it is possible but it has to be kept very quiet. But I don't how the WTS considers that it is possible to keep quiet when faced with such an ordeal!
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  shamus100

  The botchtower does not care too much for worldly laws. Common-sense is thrown out the window, because jehober is guiding them.
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  blondie

  I have known jws to be df'd that were bipolar, schizophrenic, had alzheimers, and were developmentally disabled (all allowed to be baptized in these conditions in the first place). I have never seen the WTS use the not guilty on the grounds of insanity plea, assuming any elders are qualified to make such an assessment. A previous poster was correct in that the WTS views its own laws as far above any laws of any country.