I have spoken to some Jehovahs Witnesses who are not aware that I no longer believe in the religion. There was shock and unhappiness about the Panorama program, and concern about what they would have to face in the door-to-door ministry. Those that have been out report no real problems. The only comment related to me was that one householder casually remarked that child abuse is everywhere, why should JWs escape?
The general consensus of opinion in our neck of the woods is that child abuse had been a problem caused by some Elders not following the Societys directions. The Societys policy has been refined over the years and is now very strong and these problems should now decline. They view the situation in a similar way to God using surrounding nations to chastise His chosen people the Israelites. (BTW, is there a link somewhere that deals with the JW argument that some faults in the Organisation dont mean that God doesnt use them, because Israel had faults but God still used them?)
The old JW conditioning came to the fore one-sided reporters twisting things due to influence from apostates, and victims who are suing the Society just for money or spite. I was told that the Society tried to give their side of the issue in letters and such but the reporters werent interested, they just wanted to get a juicy story.
What came over very strongly was that the opinion that the Organisation has always tried to do the right thing; it was some isolated brothers who failed. The conversation several times turned to doing things Jehovahs way, and they always equated that with following the Organisations policies the two things are the same in their minds, the Organisation = Jehovah. The failure came from some Elders not doing things Jehovahs way.
So, some very good things have occurred over the last few months. The societys policy on child abuse has been strengthened and a much more realistic attitude to the problem is disseminating through the congregations. The problem is out in the open so paedophiles are going to find it much more difficult to hide. It seems that child abuse will now almost certainly be reported to the police for their investigation. I hope that this spirit of Glasnost prevails. If it does then I think that their policy is as effective as it can be under the circumstances. The two witnesses rule is now only relevant when it comes to handling discipline within the congregation. I dont give a hoot if a paedophile loses his privileges at the hall as long as the bastard goes to prison for his crimes and children are protected.
Obviously the Society has some culpability in this issue; after all it was their agents, the elders, which screwed up. But we all know that they will slip away from the problem and allow the elders to take the fall. I am angry that once again the criminal masterminds at the head escape justice yet again. BUT heads have rolled, changes have been made, and advice from bethel seems to encourage the elders to do the right thing. It also appears that there may have been new letters to bodies of elders, the elders in my hall met to discuss something from the society after Sunday's meeting. Does anyone know what these new letters might contain?
I would like your opinions on this:
Bearing in mind that regular Jehovahs Witnesses are just as disgusted at child abuse as the next person and zero tolerance is setting in, what are our reasons for pursuing this issue now? Have we not achieved what we set out to do? Are you or are you not satisfied that children are now as safe as they can be in the congregations?