Bowen gives WBTS another Dilemma

Nanoprobe

I think Bill Bowen has given the Watchtower another dilemma.

Has anyone had a chance to read Bill’s letter to the Draffenville Body of Elders?

There isn’t a link to the page but it’s: http://www.silentlambs.com Latest Info, Bowen letter Judicial Committee 5-20-02

You’ll enjoy the entire letter but below is an excerpt:
A second area that gives greater cause for concern are the other comments that appear to be malicious and slanderous in their context, I offer you the following:
(This is article #5)
New York Post, May 9,"He also said local congregations decided to charge them with various spiritual violations." AP-May 9,"In a statement issued from their headquarters, the Jehovah's Witnesses said that church leaders are "required by the Holy Scriptures to see to it that the congregation remains clean and unified." Tullahoma News- May 11, "Brown also said that local congregation decided to charge the members with various spiritual violations." Washington Post, May 11, "J.R. Brown, a national spokesman for the Jehovah's Witnesses, confirmed that the four had been called to the hearings, but he said the proceedings may focus on "sins" unrelated to public comments on sexual abuse. He provided no specifics." Tennessean- May 11, "People in the organization who are accused of sex abuse are subject to a hearing like the one Anderson attended yesterday, Brown said." All these statements are slanderous and infer or imply unchristian and ungodly conduct being the basis for these Judicial Hearings, this of course is absolutely untrue, therefore I ask for a written retraction of these statements and a written apology to each of the four victims who are facing Judicial Hearings.

Next Read Letter from Bowen Attorney 5-30-02

Again an excerpt:
In addition, Mr. Bowen’s previous letter of 5-20-02 remains unanswered as to the request for written apologies for slanderous remarks made by Watchtower spokesman to the media This letter will serve as notice upon you that we feel Mr. Bowen has been slandered by allegations that he has committed a "serious sin" unrelated to the Dateline interview. This would certainly lead anyone to believe that he committed serious personal sins against the laws of God and leaves the mind open to all sorts of rampant speculation about what an immoral person he might be. It implies that the church has certain information regarding serious sins and we absolutely deny any such allegations and would again point out that no such proof exists to be presented at the hearing.
Therefore, we again must demand from you an immediate public apology and letter of vindication to Mr. Bowen and the other victims cited in his letter. We expect that to be published in all AP affiliate newspapers within the next five (5) days or you stand in jeopardy of having legal action taken against you.

What a dilemma, does WBTS issue an apology and let the rank & file read it in the newspaper? Or do they let Bowen sue WBTS and have JR Brown and who knows whom else on the witnesses stand. (Odd term isn’t it: witnesses stand) Which gives them the least press?

If it was sent 5/30 then it looks like D Day is almost upon them.

garybuss

'

Wonder what goodies Bill's attorneys can subpoena from the Watch Tower Corporations. . . .

,

crawdad2

funny how what they did to erica and bill, captured on national tv, is exactly what the gov body claims they don't do to anyone.
and jws believe them.

they are so good at brainwashing...

Marilyn

I would like to point out that this is not a new ploy of the WTS. I was disfed in 1981, on the grounds of apostasy. (I had stopped believing in God and had left the Organisation quietly - I was a conservative married woman with two small children). My brother instigaged a charge of apostasy against me, for conversations I had with him when he came to find out why I had left.

We were a well known family in a well established supportive neigbhourhood. We had not always been JWs. One of the neighbours that had known my brother and I since we were babies, approached my brother and told him that it was shocking that I had been cut off from my family for leaving the Witnesses. My brothers answer? Oh she wasn't just disfellowshipped for leaving! To this day my neighbour probably thinks I did something evil - when in fact I WAS disfellowshipped for leaving the Organisation. Nothing more, nothing less. It is slander and it's deceitful and it's cowardly of the WTS to use this ploy. It is a most effective way of casting doubt on a persons character and actions without ever having to make an explanation. I'm tempted to print out the above post and send to to my neighour and show her how the JWs use this trick when ever they are painted into a corner.

Marilyn

The other thing I'd like to say is that disfellowshipping the people on Dateline is basically understandable - if you think as JWs. BUT why don't they be honest and make truthful statements. e.g. "These people are not team players and we don't permit independent thinking and individual agenda's in the Jehovah's Witness Organisation." What would be the problem with saying something as simple as that? Why lie by inuendo and inference? It's disgusting.

Marilyn

Nanoprobe

I’d guess Watchtower was confident they could ride the tide of Dateline, issue the new Molestation Policy, throw in the Dr Starck Dissedent thing and get back to Business As Usual.
Then just let the publicity die down, after all with 10,000,000 viewers, it hasn’t gotten anywhere near the press the Catholic Church has. And with the summer assemblies coming up they have an unchallenged forum to straighten out the R&F.
But this little maneuver by Bill and his attorney at the least guarantees addition news coverage.
Can you imagine dear ol” JR being proven to have lied by the court?

Grunt

I love it. I hope Bill winds up farming out at Patterson with a town home at Bethel. I read the trial record of the one they had in England where old Freddy boy was on the stand and made a fool of himself, saying that even if the Society was wrong the people should go along with it. I'd love to Junior and senile old turds that have hurt so many people dragged into the spotlight and shown off for what they are. I would love to see them give Old Jarwhatever some ballbearings to play with just before his testimony ala the Caine Mutiny.

The more exposure the better. Touch their money and you have dishonored their god. I'd like to grab it by the handful and stick it in their lying mouths then force them to chew and swallow.

ItsJustlittleoldme

Go Bill!!!!!

Nathan Natas

I recall that prior to these "hearings" Bill published a request that NONE of his records at the WTS should be kept confidential. Bill Bowen wanted full disclosure of the "sins" of which he was accused, and the WTS ignored his request.

Nanoprobe

I would assume that if Bill’s allegations of slander were based on statements published by the press, then the individual reporters and their news agency employers would have to be subpoenaed also.
Way too much press, what a dilemma!!
As Grunt said:
I read the trial record of the one they had in England where old Freddy boy was on the stand and made a fool of himself, saying that even if the Society was wrong the people should go along with it.
Good point, did you read about Cardinal Law basically blaming the victim whose abuse began when he was six?
Religious leaders who consider themselves better than Joe Public don’t do well under cross-examination.

Bowen gives WBTS another Dilemma

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