Dodgy WTS Instructions

ISP

This is an extract from one of the WTS letters to bodies of elders. What do you think? I've got the full letter if you want to see it.

WATCHTOWER
BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC.
25 COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11201, USA PHONE (718) 625-3600
July 1, 1989 ……………………………………
C. Search Warrants and Subpoenas
1. A search warrant is a court order authorizing the police to search premises to locate evidence that may be used in a criminal prosecution. No elder should ever consent to the search of a Kingdom Hall or any other place where confidential records are stored……………………………………………
TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS July 1, 1989 Page 6
C. Be Extremely Careful with Written Material
All material related to judicial matters should be kept in a safe place, accessible only to elders. Final reports on the handling of judicial matters should be placed in a sealed envelope in the congregation file. A judicial committee should avoid sending to an individual any kind of correspondence that accuses him of specific wrongdoing. (Note ks77, pages 68-9.) Nothing should be put in writing to any disfellowshipped person to advise him of his status or the 'reasons for it without specific direction from the Society.
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1. Why shouldn't elders co-operate with the police who have a search warrant? They would only get a warrant if they had good reason to think there was material that assist them in a CRIMINAL investigation. If there are records that basically shouldn't be there because they intrude on someone's privacy or rights and their subsequent uncovering would create embarrassment/litigation - why try to cover up the bad practice by hindering a criminal investigation. Those records should not have been made.

2. Why can't the J. Committee give precise written reasons for the decision? Don't forget the supposed position the J. Committee has in declaring the decision as if from Jehovah. I am sure Jehovah and Jesus would not be so reluctant.
*** Rbi8 Matthew 16:19 ***
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of the heavens, and whatever you may bind on earth will be the thing bound in the heavens, and whatever you may loose on earth will be the thing loosed in the heavens."
The decision is effectively a death sentence on the person as all JW's believe that those DF'd will generally die without hope of ressurection and die at Armageddon. So you would think that it would be the least they could do - to put in writing the full circumstances and reasons. Have they something to hide? Can you imagine a Judge sentencing someone to death then not providing full written reasons? (Only in some Mickey Mouse judicial system - no offence to cute Disney characters intended)

ISP

ianao

I really wish that I could find out what an official response from the society is to an honest elder with inquiries such as the one you've brought up here ISP. I wonder if they would get a scriptural reason for the policies, or a scriptural condemnation for questioning headquarters.

Edited by - ianao on 13 February 2001 19:36:21

Xandit

ISP usually I like your stuff but you're being a little too clever here with the way you are cutting off your quotes, especially the one on search warrants. What don't you include the rest of it?

ISP

Here's the full hit, (typo?)!

C. Search Warrants and Subpoenas
1. A search warrant is a court order authorizing the police to search premises to locate evidence that may be used in a criminal prosecution. No elder should ever consent to the search of a Kingdom Hall or any other place where confidential records are stored. How- ever, armed with a search warrant the police do not need consent and may even use force to accomplish their task. Likely before obtaining a search warrant, the police or other governmental officials will
make inquiries regarding confidential records, make request to obtain the records, or indicate that they will seek a search warrant if the elder(s) involved does not cooperate. In any such situation, the Society's Legal Department should be called immediately.
At any time an elder is confronted with a search warrant (whether given advance notice or not) , the elder should first ask to read the warrant. After reading it he should ask if he can call for legal guidance and then call the Society's Legal Department. If for some reason the Legal Department cannot be contacted, the elders involved should make every effort to obtain the assistance of a local attorney for the purpose of protecting the confidentiality of the records. It may be impossible to stop determined officers from conducting the search authorized by the warrant. Conscientious elders will want to do all they reasonably and peaceably can to preserve the confidentiality of the congregation in harmony with the principle set out in Acts 5:29.
2. Subpoenas are demands for records or for the appearance or for the appearance of an individual at a trial or deposition to give testimony. Subpoenas may be issued by a court or in some cases by a governmental agency or an attorney. If an elder receives a subpoena, he should contact the Society's Legal Department immediately. Never turn over records, notes, documents, or reveal any confidential matter sought by subpoena without receiving direction from the Legal Department.

ISP

TR

Never turn over records, notes, documents, or reveal any confidential matter sought by subpoena without receiving direction from the Legal Department.

How could one comply with this directive? Isn't a subpoena similar to a search warrant? IOW, shouldn't it be complied with? Any lawyers out there?

TR

Edited by - TR on 14 February 2001 2:54:57

ianao

I think it only has to do with the hiding of damaging testimony/evidence that would give the DF'd individual fuel to sue the elders or the society over.

The more court cases, the more court costs. Less money for making further profits.

Pathofthorns

ISP,

Do you have a link to a scanned copy of this letter? It would be most appreciated. Thanks

Path

waiting

Hey ISP,

Thanks for the full quote. Puts an even more interesting spin on the warnings to elders on how to/not to respond to Government Officials.

waiting

Snowball

I'd like to download a scanned copy too. Can you do that ISP?

Snowball

Dodgy WTS Instructions

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