QUESTIONS ON "DATELINE" and JW CHILD ABUSE ANSWERED -- WT 11/1/95 pages 25, 28-29
Many JWs have raised questions about the recent Dateline Program on JWs and Child Abuse Policies of the WTS. Many feel the perspective presented was not true or accurate. Some JWs and persons of interest, who found the NBC Dateline TV Program quite disturbing, wonder about the facts, whether the WTS actually handles cases of Child Abuse the way it was portrayed on the program.
Well, for those who want to know the real truth of the matter, I believe all of the major questions that one could conceivably ask, can be answered if one carefully considers the following published written material of the Watchtower Society. These few paragraphs tell the whole story, I feel.
Please consider the next few paragraphs taken from the November 1, 1995 Watchtower magazine on the subject of Child Abuse and proper procedures for the elders handling such, and see if your questions are not answered clearly by the WTS themselves.
In between paragraphs, I will make pertinent points or comments so that no important point or thought is missed, overlooked or misunderstood.
Taken from November 1st, 1995 Watchtower pgs. 25, 28-29
Article entitled: "Comfort for those with a stricken spirit"
Page 25 par. 2
"Among the vilest perversions is the sexual abuse of innocent children. Like the wisdom of Satan's world, child sexual abuse is ANIMAL, DEMONIC. (James 3:15)..."
So how is it that this "demonic" plague could be infecting the congregations of JWs? Perhaps the following information will reveal how it could happen, due to certain WT "policies" and "procedures" implemented over the years.
The following material covers pages 28 & 29 under subheading: "WHAT CAN ELDERS DO?"
The article continues:
"If the elders are approached by a member of the congregation who is experiencing flashbacks or “repressed memories” of child abuse, two of them are usually assigned to help. These elders should kindly encourage the afflicted one to focus for the time being on coping with the emotional distress. THE NAMES OF ANY "REMEMBERED" ABUSERS SHOULD BE KEPT IN STRICT CONFIDENCE."
16 million readers must now ask themselves: What does the above statement, the last sentence, mean? What idea is suggested by this last statement to the reader? Would you say the above statement suggests or infers in any way to 16 million readers, the accused abuser is properly going to be reported to the civil authorities by JW elders handling the case? Or, is the emphasis placed upon silence, complete silence. How will the JW elders understand this statement?
Also, the article says that elders are to "encourage" the victim to properly "cope with his emotional distress" BY HIM OR HERSELF. Cope with the incurred "emotional distress", alone! And in order to do this, the abused victim must be properly re-focused. thus, he must not put to much emphasis on the JW abuser or attacker that violated him or her, in this case. That should not be his primary "focus" at this time. But, he must learn to "cope with his emotional distress" alone. That is what is important at this time.
The article continues:
"The elders’ primary task is to act as shepherds. (Isaiah 32:1, 2; 1 Peter 5:2, 3) They should be especially careful to “clothe [themselves] with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering.” (Colossians 3:12) Let them listen in a kindly way and then apply healing words from the Scriptures. (Proverbs 12:18) Some who are afflicted with painful “memories” have expressed appreciation for elders who make regular visits or even telephone calls to check to see how they are doing. Such contacts need not take a lot of time, but they show that Jehovah’s organization cares. When the afflicted one realizes that his Christian brothers truly love him, he may be helped to recover a considerable degree of emotional balance."
Did you notice any direction given or any mention of the victim seeking "professional" help as appropriate advice from the elders in the above paragraph? Is the injured victim encouraged in any way to seek "professional" help for themselves? How is the injured victim to be helped, as advised above? He is told, the scriptures will do the "healing", in his case. So no other "outside" therapeutic help is needed.
The articles continues:
"What if the sufferer decides that he wants to make an accusation? *Then the two elders can advise him that, in line with the principle at Matthew 18:15, he should personally approach the accused about the matter. If the accuser is not emotionally able to do this face-to-face, it can be done by telephone or perhaps by writing a letter. In this way the one accused is given the opportunity to go on record before Jehovah with his answer to the accusation. He may even be able to present evidence that he could not have committed the abuse. Or perhaps the one accused will confess, and a reconciliation may be achieved. What a blessing that would be! If there is a confession, the two elders can handle matters further in accordance with Scriptural principles."
Did you notice any mention of reporting the self-confessed abuser or accused abuser to the authorities here in these instructions? No, you did not. But Matthew 18:15 is invoked here. And only 2 elders are called in to hear the matter, not 3, as in a Judicial hearing. Informed JWs know, Matthew 18:15 is only supposed to be invoked or applied within the JW congregation, only when a "minor" offense has been committed. But not used when one is accused of committing a major crime, a serious criminal act, like robbing a bank, murder or rape. But in this instance, we see the WTS chooses to use Matthew 18:15 as the appropriate applying scriptural text here, in this case.
So, the above information does clearly show the WTS treating an accusation of Child Abuse as a "minor" offense, where Matthew 18:15 can be used. Using Matthew 18:15, the two parties, the abused victim and the accused attacker could possibly "work out" this minor, personal dispute between the two, and the elders (and anyone else) need not know any more about the matter. It is recommended by the WTS, that the victim and the accuser come to some quiet agreement or "reconciliation" between the two of them. Does this sound like insightful, beneficial advice to you? If not, then you must realize, there must be more to this story.
Actually, when the WTS uses Matthew 18:15 here, this shows they hope for a "quiet" resolution to this serious situation. This shows the WTS actually wishes for a quiet resolution, or a personal "reconciliation" is achieved so that no one else comes to know any more about the situation. They want to "hush" it up. Thus, the WTS advises elders to treat the accusation of Child Abuse, as a "minor" offense which is to be handled in the spirit of Matthew 18:15. As the verse says, where one can "gain his brother" and settle the matter "alone", between you and your repentant "brother" only. This is the WTS' advice to elders handling serious matters of Child Abuse and Rape.
And when this "reconciliation is achieved," well the articles states this would be a great "blessing" from Jehovah. That is when this private, personal "reconciliation is achieved" between the criminal predator or rapist and the one victimized by his or her assaults upon them. This "reconciliation" is definitely hoped for, since that way, no one reported to the authorities, no bad press or PR, and everything turns out just wonderful. No harm done, that is, to the reputation of the JW Organization, what is most important, and of course no one is the wiser. The civil authorities and the community at large never find out what actually happened, or that a serious crime has been committed among Jehovah's Witnesses. WT-Mission accomplished!
Remember, this is a self-confessed child abuser, which definintely means, a serious crime has been truly committed. But clearly, it goes unreported to the responsible civil authorities. All of this is shown to be actual policy of the WTS, by way of the above words.
[footnote bottom of page 28 says: * "It may also be necessary for the step outlined in this paragraph to be taken if the matter has become common knowledge in the congregation."]
In other words, if the accused is an "elder" or "Ministerial Servant" or "Pioneer", and the prescribed conditions of "strict confidence" has been met, he can keep his position within the congregation, regardless. So then, an accused child abuser, then, is not necessarily removed from his position of prominence or leadership within the JW congregation. Just depends if "strict confidence" has been kept on the matter, with regard to the proper civil authorities, community and the congregation knowing about it. If they don't know, he or she can continue to hold positions of leadership within the JW organization.
The article continues:
"If the accusation is denied, the elders should explain to the accuser that nothing more can be done in a judicial way. And THE CONGREGATION WILL CONTINUE TO VIEW THE ONE ACCUSED AS AN INNOCENT PERSON. The Bible says that there must be two or three witnesses before judicial action can be taken. (2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19)"
The victim must accept the "fact" that the accused is considered "innocent" by the congregation. He is encouraged to accept this viewpoint, regardless to how he personally feels, because there is only 1 witness to the crime. Truly a most loving arrangement -- for the accused and not the victim!
The article continues:
"EVEN IF MORE THAN ONE PERSON "REMEMBERS" ABUSE BY THE SAME INDIVIDUAL, THE NATURE OF THESE RECALLS IS JUST TOO UNCERTAIN TO BASE JUDICIAL DECISIONS ON THEM WITHOUT OTHER SUPPORTING EVIDENCE."
So, more than 1 witness then is not enough either. Even several "witnesses" accusing the same individual as an abuser, is not enough to convict of sin, according to this article. No. The articles says, there must be "other supporting evidence." (Perhaps a video recording of the criminal in action, actual snapshots of the crime, I don't know. But "other supporting evidence" is needed. Such is not specified to the reader. He must imagine what this "other supporting evidence" must be to establish guilt of an accused JW abuser.) In any event, even multiple "witnesses" who accuse then, is still not enough to prove guilt to the JW elders, in many cases. This of course means, 1 Timothy 5:19 or 2 Corinthians 13:1 is really not relevant, is it? Instead, its clear for 16 million readers to see, it never was.
The article continues:
"This does not mean that such “memories” are viewed as false (or that they are viewed as true). But Bible principles must be followed in establishing a matter judicially."
But, as we have just seen, the Bible is not followed, since there are the necessary 2 Witnesses present, and still, the matter is not established, in the eyes of the elders and the WTS. So, the Bible counsel of 1 Tim. 5:19 or 2 Corinthians 13:1 is not adhered to at all in these cases of Child Abuse within the JW's community. As stated above, the "memories" of the abused, as to whether they are true or false, is not really the pressing issue here.
The articles continues:
"What if the one accused—though denying the wrongdoing—is really guilty? Does he “get away with it,” as it were? Certainly not! The question of his guilt or innocence can be safely left in Jehovah’s hands. “The sins of some men are publicly manifest, leading directly to judgment, but as for other men their sins also become manifest later.” (1 Timothy 5:24; Romans 12:19; 14:12) The book of Proverbs says: “The expectation of the righteous ones is a rejoicing, but the very hope of the wicked ones will perish.” “When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes.” (Proverbs 10:28; 11:7) Ultimately, Jehovah God and Christ Jesus render everlasting judgment in justice.—1 Corinthians 4:5."
So the question of the accused abuser's "guilt" or "innocence" is to be properly, left in the "hands of Jehovah" and not placed in the hands of the civil authorities.
So based upon the above written material, does this mean JW elders are advised to report the accused JW abuser to the proper authorities? Actually, no they are not. Instead, the abused victim who is one of JWs and is seeking "justice" is simply advised to, "wait on Jehovah". But, is such counsel in harmony with Romans 13:1,2 where christians are told to be "obedient to the superior authorities", for to do otherwise, would be taking a "stand against God"? You decide.
winsome
