WT on the Ropes, UK letter

by belbab 5 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse

  • belbab
    belbab

    WT ON THE ROPES

    Today, Sunday, July 14 has been a very eventful day here on the board. We have seen the letter posted that was read out at Kingdom Halls in Britain. We have had discussion about two witnesses and the necessity of countering the WT s stance on this question. Then we have the Panorama program and from the comments made here on the board it was a huge success for Silent Lambs and a body blow to the JWs.

    There are so many things to write about today,. and I have had difficulty to focus comments and make sense of the whole battlefield as the events unfold.

    One definite subject that needs to be addressed , NOW!

    The Watchtower is on the ropes and we cant let them weasel and wiggle out.

    We know that there are 23, 720 cases of pedophilia in their files. They have not contradicted this number. In the letter that was read to congregations in Britain and also the similar one that was read in the US, they have left themselves wide open to being obligated to reveal and open their files of pedophilia cases.

    In the second paragraph of the letter they infer that any child molester associated in the congregations were not among those to which the words apply: ...it was not easy for some of us to bring our lives into harmony with Jehovahs elevated standards. We had to make significant changes in our lifestyle before we could qualify for membership in Jehovahs spirit-directed organization.

    So pedophiles just crept in the org and just didnt make the cut as Jehovahs Witnesses. They still have their dirty clothes on.

    In the fourth paragraph of the letter it states: .....we abhor the sexual abuse of children and will not protect any perpetrator of such repugnant acts from the consequences of his gross sin. With these words they are saying that if push comes to shove they will not protect or hide the names of molesters. They do not specify with these words whether they are repentant or not, in good standing or not. If they have to, they will distant themselves as far away as possible from child molesters. They are like the Levite in Judges who sacrificed his concubine, to protect his own skin.

    In the seventh paragraph, quoted here in full, their position is again revealed as wide open.

    To that end they

    (ie the elders) are instructed to contact the legal dept at Bethel whenever they receive information from even one person who alleges that child abuse has occurred. When a report is received guidance is given by the legal dept to ensure that:

    1. The alleged victim and other potential victims are protected from possible abuse.

    2. The council is given to

    report crime to the proper authorities and to comply with any additional legal requirements.

    With these two quotes above , whether realizing it or not, the WT has left themselves open for a knockout blow. Are you ready to help deliver it?

    What is required? The press needs continually made aware of the secret files the WT holds. Legal authorities must be petitioned to obtain the contents of these files. If legal revelation is required, the WT then must release the files as the words above indicate.

    If we have no authentic documents of the above quotes of the WT that was delivered to the congregations, then we need witnesses that can attest to these comments delivered in the KHs.

    If pressure is put upon the WT, the words above will force them to open the files. If they go back on their words they will be in worse circumstances that they are at present.

    I wish to make an appeal to any in the Jehovahs Witness organization who may read these words.

    If you are or have been in the past a victim of child abuse, then cry out, or like the maiden molested in the field as reported in Deuteronomy, you will be a participator in hiding child abuse.

    If you are an elder within the congregation, have heard the quotes from the WT cited above which allow you without disloyalty to comply with present or future legal requirements, then please reveal any information on child abuse you may know. You may avoid stress and consequences if you choose to remain silent.

    If perchance, you are among those whose names are listed in the WT files as a molesters, then you too should clear your conscience before God and your victims and seek the forgiveness that is available and accept any consequences that may be forthcoming.

    belbab

  • LittleToe
    LittleToe

    There is point worth highlighting in the reporting issue, that being that the first point of contact is the Legal Desk at Bethel.

    This is stressed in BOE letters, and was given significant emphasis at the Elders School, last year.

    Since this contact may be by letter and responded to by letter, the child at the focus of the allegations may still be left vulnerable for some time, before the appropriate authorities are contacted.

  • Bang
    Bang

    "before we could qualify for membership in Jehovahs spirit-directed organization"

    I understand from that, that their not big on preaching about grace - since they consider that they can buy their own way - now that they found the salesmen that is.

    Bang

  • abbagail
    abbagail

    Sobering thought, Little Toe... that's upsetting to think about, but likely happens more often than not.

    And for belbab, thanks for the call to action. I hope what you write is true, that the WTBTS will want to distance itself from the pedophiles, and drop them like hot-cakes when push comes to shove. But remember the Panorama show, the teenage boy who came forward:

    In Birmingham as in New Hampshire, the elders supported the accused. Even after Patti was convicted and sentenced to five years in jail, they didnt waver. At the next meeting in the Kingdom Hall the elders made sure the congregation knew where they stood.

    Simon Brady (the teenage boy): There was an announcement given, saying as a body of elders, thats including every elder in Rubery, we feel as a body of elders basically this man is innocent, we believe hes innocent and the Bethel have informed us that they will do everything in their power to help this man.

    You also wrote:

    What is required? ... Legal authorities must be petitioned to obtain the contents of these files. If legal revelation is required, the WT then must release the files as the words above indicate.

    This could very well happen at some point in the future if the media keeps up the exposure, as well as the individuals who have been harmed. The other day NY Times had an article about the CC's cases being taken to grand juries all over the country. Seems things are stepping up in that regard, and one would likely conclude the WT could be next. Let's hope so!

    Role of Bishops Is Now a Focus of Grand Juries . . . Prosecutors across the nation have taken investigations of clerical sexual abuse before more than a dozen grand juries in recent weeks, stepping up their inquiries into whether Roman Catholic bishops endangered children by ignoring the crimes, prosecutors and church officials said. . . . District attorneys from Phoenix to St. Louis to Long Island are using the secret grand juries to obtain subpoenas for personnel records and other records from Catholic dioceses and to compel the testimony of bishops and priests.

    (rest of story online) . . . . . Today's NY Times . . . . . Cut and paste this link for it to work . . . . http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/12/national/12CHUR.html?todaysheadlines

    GRITS

  • AlanB
    AlanB
    In Birmingham as in New Hampshire, the elders supported the accused. Even after Patti was convicted and sentenced to five years in jail, they didnt waver. At the next meeting in the Kingdom Hall the elders made sure the congregation knew where they stood.

    Simon Brady (the teenage boy): There was an announcement given, saying as a body of elders, thats including every elder in Rubery, we feel as a body of elders basically this man is innocent, we believe hes innocent and the Bethel have informed us that they will do everything in their power to help this man.

    BTTT

    There is more to this story than meets the eye. I stall have contacts, cant say any more. However there is something that appears not right about this particular case (Rubery) and I am open to the idea that perhaps there may have been some miscarriage of justice in this particular case.

    Just a thought, it is always possible. It as happenned in other environments where for example teachers have been accused. I cannot say more, only what was told me made me consider this as a possibility.

    A

  • ozziepost
    ozziepost

    they (ie the elders) are instructed to contact the legal dept at Bethel whenever they receive information from even one person who alleges that child abuse has occurred
    There is point worth highlighting in the reporting issue, that being that the first point of contact is the Legal Desk at Bethel.
    Exactly! Everything changes ----- but nothing changes!

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