by The Searcher 18 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
What country is that document from, OP?
Obviously it's a good thing for "trustees" to take personal responsibility seriously. I am and have been on boards--those that do understand it act in a more responsible/legal fashion. It's a good thing.
And we can help make a difference by advocating for enforcement of such laws.
Searcher, we had an elder who was a lawyer back from 1990 to 2005 until he decided to leave the Truth. Brother AA (applicant attorney) said this was happening back before this organization was trying to protect itself and shift all the burdens of liability onto the local Kingdom Halls. Rightly he predicted they would use methods to even protect the local congregation's monetary assets and make the local elders responsible for all negligence, guess he was correct because everything he said came forward in the Conti trial. The Watchtower's defense attorneys did their best to show the Parent Corporation was free of negligence and if anyone was responsible, it was local Rogues not obeying their instruction.
Now in reality are the Elders allowed to make decisions on their own or must they follow the Watchtower's way or go the Highway when they disobey the Organization. If I was a juror, I would hope the Plaintiff could argue and prove this key point, we (as elders) were never allow autonomy yet the Watchtower is trying to claim we have our own set of rules locally and are are allowed to follow our own guidance when issues involving uncommon problems.
Adding this, we had money set aside to fix a parking-lot, martial cost is $70,000 and the stupid elders sent that cash to the Watchtower Society thinking we could use some patch materials instead of repairing the asphalt driveway correctly. The funds we had were there and now after two years of sending in requests the same replies come back "Dear Brothers, have you carefully prayed to Jehovah and asked your Hall to take up a collection to cover the expenses your requesting?" They took our bank accounts and now they want us to ask the Friends who already donated funds for the project again, we can't get that money back and all we get are games when asked for those funds. The stupid zealous brain dead Elders did not think this through, the publishers with sway, they are not going to donate because they feel the elders betrayed them by sending the Watchtower all the funds set aside for our own Kingdom Hall!
Yes they are. The elders are the managers of the KH, and if a crime happens at the KH and the police are called, they will want to speak to them. There are many situations that call for someone at the KH to be in charge and who else is going to be but the BOE? The WTS should back them up legally and not leave them to hang out to dry. However, I bet they will.
Not everything that could occur at the KH is within the realm of something the elders could reasonably expect to anticipate-- but a lot is. This is why the shepherds should know the appearance of their flock. . This calls for real work by the elders to know those who attend and anticpate problems. They want special respect, they have to earn it.
There have been fights, medical emergencies and shootings at the KH and other churches too. The elders are not bouncers or cops but sometimes they may have to remove disorderly person(s) or get involved and call an ambulance.
As to the field service, any elder after the Conti case who allows a child or teen to work with anyone but their parents is just up to the job of elder.
All Elders need to demand a college (continuing education) course on EEOC & basic abuse law with a level 1 psychology class (human behavior). Then 1 year mandatory ride a longs with their local police child abuse detectives.
They should not be allowed or responsible for rendering decisions on legal matters for which they have no accredited or real world training.
Was this story ever validated because the Watchtower might offer to purchase more insurance liability coverage and refuse to pay once the elders admit they screwed up. Companies had people go through three hours of "Sexual harassment education" and once you signed this paperwork all liability fell in your lap!
Wanting the elders to (be willing to) take the fall if it all goes to shit...
...even if the shit is a direct result of policies that the elders have no choice but to follow...
How the f**k is that supposed to foster organizational loyalty?
