Ah yes -- just saw the WT post on the case:
Some comments...
NEW YORK—Jehovah’s Witnesses will appeal the decision of a California jury in a court case involving alleged(Yes, it may have never happened, although their facts were enough to grant a court case, and that the perpetrator committed his sick molesting again on another) acts of child abuse.
The jury rendered a multimillion-dollar damage award to a woman who claimed that she was molested as a child by a member of a local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. At trial, the plaintiff claimed that the policies of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society contributed to the alleged abuse. (Indeed, take any Elder's book pre-2000, and it's exactly true; the elders were to 'hush' it. Even today, the elders are asked to contact the WT first!) “We respectfully disagree with the jury’s decision. This is the first time that an organization was found responsible for the alleged misdeeds of a member who held no position of leadership or authority,” states James McCabe, an attorney representing Watchtower in the case. (this REALLY bothers them, while there are enough cases with elders to go around. Such hypocrisy!) “We are very sorry for whatever harm this young lady may have suffered. However, the organization is not responsible. (When one can just be forgiven by the religious leaders if one shows regret - real or fake - as opposed to a real legal investigation, the Society DOES have responsibility.) We now look to the Court of Appeals for a thorough review of this case.”
J. R. Brown, a spokesman at the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, commented: “The fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses abhor child abuse and strive to protect children from such acts is well-known. The individual members of any organization must ultimately bear the responsibility for their own actions, particularly when the acts are so flagrantly against the morals and principles of the organization and society.” (Then don't hide or hush these cases to save your rep.)
