I don't accept this lawyer's explanation of "ever evolving", he knows more than he is telling. There are more cases going to come forward, elder's who are sinners are going to get smarter, they will evolve in their approach to hurting little children. The policy of " do not bring reproach to Jehovah's name by revealing confidential talk to the public" provides the perfect cover, silence accusers with threats of disfellowshiping, the victim will be punished for "slander, gossip", "causing divisions in the congregation".
Is it possible to write the society and tell them you were a child sex offender and remain in good standing as an elder?
"That letter would be presented to the congregation to which that person would move. And so, again, that's taking steps to help prevent child abuse.
Mr. Shuster also testified, when he was up on the stand, that the church has a long history, since he has been an elder, since '79, that child abusers cannot be appointed to serve as elders, as ministerial servants or pioneers.
That was reiterated in the March 14, 1997 that I just referenced.
The policy of Watchtower has continued to emerge on a case-by-case basis in which the Service Department elders sent letters to the local congregations, to the local elders to strongly warn, if they have a known child abuser within their congregation, that he should not be alone with children, and how the elders can deal with that if the member that is an abuser violates those instructions.
Now, I have no doubt that your verdict yesterday has already sent a message to Watchtower, and we will soon see another All Bodies of Elders Letter addressing the very issues that were raised.
One thing I would ask you to keep in mind."