Matrix wrote:
The problem is with the states that do not require that the abuser should be turned in. But that’s the states’ problem, not the Witnessses. If you want the Witnesses to report these cases in all 50 states of the United States, then start a petition in those states to make it a law to report all cases of child abuse.
I had the same thought as Athanasius above: it would be left to the wicked, worldly people to petition their legislators to enact laws to require CLERGY to report all cases of alleged child abuse! Witnesses who feel strongly that this would be a GOOD thing are not even allowed to have a political voice, and you know it, Matrix!!!
Also, IT IS REQUIRED IN ALL 50 STATES FOR PARENTS TO REPORT ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD ABUSE. Do elders tell Witness parents this when they come to the elders? In a loving way, do the elders help the distressed parents know that they must OBEY CAESAR'S LAW in this as in all matters that do not go contrary to God's laws? Would the local shepherds accompany the parents to the police station as MORAL support?
Jehovah’s Witnesses are guided by Jehovah and his law and that’s the end of it.
Last I heard, Jehovah's law said that CAESAR MUST BE OBEYED. Is this not true? Of course, that's in cases where Caesar's law does not contramand God's law. Where, Matrix, is it exactly prohibited in God's law to turn in an alleged JW child molester for professional investigation? (Don't worry!!! The police won't stone the alleged abuser to death.)
Please remember in your responses that many of us here were once witnesses.
That's why Barb Anderson's telling little remark about "sealed envelopes" rang so authentically true. How many r&f publishers know about those envelopes being part of theocratic procedure? Not too many. There were many such theocratic clues throughout the Dateline NBC program which should have hinted broadly to JW listeners that they were getting the REAL truth.
Please, please, please, Matrix, apply internal pressure to your organization to get the policies changed to protect the children.
outnfree