by Kenneson 8 Replies latest jw friends
Article is entitled "Jehovah's Witnesses won't reinstate man." The real "clincher" is the final paragraph. "Church leaders say they abhor child molestation, report cases to the authorities in states that require such reports and allow members to report fellow members to police."
http://enquirer.com/editions/2002/08/13/loc_kentucky_digest.html ;
You will need to scroll down to find the article.
Oh, for this antiquated computer! The link is correct, but you will have to type it in yourself. Somehow, although "http:" shows in blue, it doesn't appear in the url. If someone can do it accurately, please do so. Thanks.
Ken - go edit your post. Delete the "space" and the "semi-colon" after your url and then re-post.
Try this link (and remember to scroll down!!!!):
http://enquirer.com/editions/2002/08/13/loc_kentucky_digest.html
Jehovah's Witnesses won't reinstate man
DRAFFENVILLE - A western Kentucky man said Monday his appeal to return as a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses was denied.
Bill Bowen of Draffenville contends he was unfairly excommunicated by church elders for claiming the church's policies protect child molesters.
After being excommunicated or disfellowshipped from the church last month, he sought permission to be reinstated.
Mr. Bowen has said he wants to remain a church member so members of the church who have been molested will feel comfortable coming to a support group he helped form called Silent Lambs.
Mr. Bowen is the fourth person expelled this year after criticizing policies on child molesters.
The church denies any wrongdoing.
Mr. Bowen said Jehovah's Witnesses keep incidents of child molestation secret and refuse to let victims warn other members of predators in their congregations.
Church leaders say they abhor child molestation, report cases to authorities in states that require such reports and allow members to report fellow members to police.
Edited by - hawkaw on 13 August 2002 8:20:17
Edited by - hawkaw on 13 August 2002 8:22:7
Hawkaw,
Thanks.
Damn, the witnesses will take this as theocratic warfare ("we really know that the Bible says not to take your brother to court"), but at least those not yet involved with the witnesses will see the last line and think:
"They would allow me to report a child abuser? Just let 'em try to stop me."
The god of the dolphins has flippers.
"...and allow members to report fellow members to police"
Of course when you read the November 15, 1973 WT, QFR (page 703) - it talks about sanctions for taking a fellow JW to court. So does the 1967 book "Your Word is a Lamp to My Foot, the 1972 Organization book, and the 1983 and 1989 Organized To Accomplish Our Ministry book and I also think their is the Flock book too. They all talk to sanctions for going to the authorities.
It wasn't until a letter came out in Feb of this year and a letter read to all congregations in May did the policy slightly change to allow members to go. But still members cannot warn other members about the abuse due to the slander doctrine, members have to find out about going to the police on their own because the elders won't encourage it unless it is brought up, the molester still may remain in good standing no matter what the police find based on the 2 witness rule, the victim still has to face her large accuser in a mock court where janitors are judges and they ruin evidence and of course there were all those victims and parents who were prevented from going to the cops before 2002.
Lying by omission is absolutely disgusting.
hawk
hawk,
Your comments are precisely why the editors of the Cincinnati Enquirer need to be written by as many of us as possible, educating the public to the WT's crafty, deceitful ways.
There is a feedback link in the left margin of the linked page which will allow one to comment on the less than stellar investigative reporting AND which has a further link to for e-mailed etters to the editor.
out
Similar article on a TV network's website ...
http://www.whas11.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D7LC49280.html
I see your "optics" point.
They [the Watchtower leaders] "allow" the parent or the victim to go to the police.
In other words they are the ones who decide what can be done and what cannot be done. It gives them a sense of they decide for you.
Yeah it should not be a case of "allowing" a JW but it should be the JWs right and the leadership should be encouraging JWs to go to law enforcement.
Its interesting point and of course no one but those who know theocratic warefare would pick up on it.
hawk
