Below is a list of all of Bill Bowen's Correspondence and Letters to and from the Watchtower Society!
I hope this helps everyone out.
12-31-00
Watchtower
25 Columbia Heights
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Dear Brothers,
I am writing to resign as an elder and Presiding Overseer effective the date of this letter. I bear no ill will or malice toward anyone in the congregation or the Body of Elders. In my twenty-plus years of special service I have enjoyed many privileges, of which there have been many fond memories. So, it is with sadness I must make the following statement: I simply cannot agree with an organizational policy that as an elder I am required to enforce. This policy, in my opinion, has harmed thousands, is leaving many unprotected, and provides refuge to outright criminals.
I am referring to Watchtower policy to keep information about pedophiles confidential. Pedophiles are protected by a code of silence and in many cases remain, Ministerial Servants, Elders, Pioneers, Circuit, District Overseers, members of the Bethel Family, etc., while their victims suffer in silence or face sanctions. This policy is unethical and immoral in my opinion.
As an elder, I am instructed (1994 Elder School) if it is one persons word against another and not two witnesses to the wrong, no action would be taken and no authorities would be notified. The victim? Cautioned to keep silent or face discipline within the congregation that could go as far as being disfellowshipped for slander.
This policy was again stated to the public in The Watchtower 1995, 11/1 pages 28-29 in the Article, Comfort for Those With a Stricken Spirit, under the heading, What Can Elders Do? it plainly states:
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. (2Cor.13:1; 1 Tim. 5:19) Even if more than one person remembers abuse by the individual, the nature of these recalls is just too uncertain to base judicial decisions on them without other supporting evidence. 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.
Does this offer comfort to those with a stricken spirit?
How often are there witnesses with supporting evidence to an act of child molestation?
If two different persons recall abuse by one pedophile, how could he be viewed as an innocent man?
How hard would it be for a person with the disposition to molest children to deny the act when accused?
The 3-14-97 Letter to Bodies of Elders, page 2, paragraph 5, states:
It may be possible that some who were guilty of child molestation were or are now serving as elders, ministerial servants, or regular or special pioneers. Others may have been guilty of child molestation before they were baptized. The bodies of elders should not query individuals. However, the body of elders should discuss this matter and give the Society a report on anyone who is currently serving or who formerly served in a society-appointed position in your congregation who is known to have been guilty of child molestation in the past. Paragraph 6 continues at the end: this information is not to be made available to those not involved.
The only way a person within the organization can be guilty of child molestation is by confession, conviction by a court of law, or by the mouth of two witnesses who were there for the same event. For the individual who meets this criteria, the above information states the body of elders should not query individuals and this information is not to be made available to those not involved. For those who do not meet the above criteria, as in the case of a victim who accuses a person of molesting them, the code of silence is even more strictly enforced. What about potential victims, parents of children who do not know of these accusations? They are left in the dark without any knowledge that their children could be exposed to an accused sex offender on a regular basis.
These directives make the Watchtower organization a pedophile paradise, where children can be freely molested, as long as there is not substantial evidence or two witnesses to the same event, pedophiles are protected by Watchtower policy which is enforced by the Body of Elders.
How often are there witnesses to an act of child molestation? How can there be evidence of molestation, when 90% of the time the crime is reported weeks or sometimes years later? How many pedophiles will tell the truth, knowing if they do they could go to jail?
Does the fact that the average pedophile will molest seventy children in his lifetime and is never convicted of a crime mean we should allow them anonymity within our organization?
Due to this organizational policy, we have become saturated with pedophiles holding positions from top to bottom within our organization, in my opinion. In my forty-plus years in the organization, I have yet to find one congregation that did not have serious problems with children being molested.
The most incriminating fact lay with it not even being a matter of record, as in many cases when it is one word against another, not one word is recorded within the congregation file. Watchtower policy gives no direction in this regard. When elders call or write the Service Department for home office direction on how to handle matters involving child molestation, they are instructed that they will have to make the decision locally as to whether it should be taken care of judicially. The Service Department in effect lets local elders make the decision and as a result, the locals will take the responsibility if anything goes wrong. Thus protecting the Watchtower legally. How often will local elders in effect, take care of a fellow accused elder, protecting him from a judicial meeting using technicalities as an excuse? But when it comes to the victims, they are discredited, humiliated, and told to be silent. There is a silence of the lambs, the little ones, who look to You and Bodies of Elders for protection, but instead are crushed and ostracized by an organizational policy when they needed help the most. The Watchtower is protected; the pedophile is protected, too bad for the silent lamb.
How bad is it? With this policy you will allow one out of three witness children to be molested in their lifetime, in my opinion. I can no longer serve as an elder in an arrangement that promotes unethical and immoral behavior toward children. I refuse to support a pedophile refuge mentality that is promoted among Body of Elders around the world. Criminals should be ousted, identified, and punished to protect the innocent and give closure to the victim.
Each day that passes, more children are being molested, and victims suffer as abused lambs with a shepherd who seems not to care. For myself, I feel I can trust no one within the Watchtower organization with my children. If my children were to accuse a pedophile of molestation, all he would have to do is deny it and as a father I would be silenced with the threat of disfellowshiping if I were to try to say something (slander of a perceived innocent man) in a way of warning to protect others who may be in harms way. I state for the third time, this is wrong it is unethical and immoral to not protect children.
It is my sincere hope that this letter will result in an adjustment to completely overhaul Watchtower policy to address this horrific stance of protecting pedophiles and exposing children to danger.
Sincerely,
William H. Bowen
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Letter to Press
I in good conscience can no longer serve as an elder because:
The Watchtower has developed a position toward molested children that is harmful. This is done through a church policy that dictates that local elders involve themselves when molestation issues arise. They use an ancient old law edict that requires two witnesses before a matter can be established. The elders who investigate have no experience with pedophiles or child molestation as a rule. When the pedophile denies the charge the elders then bring pressure to bear on the victim to produce witnesses or supporting evidence to prove the allegation. In effect the victim is accused of lying and now he/she is guilty until he/she can prove they are telling the truth by producing either people who watched it happen or photos as tangible proof. AS you can guess in 90% of the cases the victim cannot, and as a result is told since he/she cannot prove their case the victim is required to view the pedophile as an innocent man. Hence, the victim cannot warn others or speak about the matter to anyone, otherwise he/she will be guilty of slander and this could result in being disfellowshipped from the congregation. Disfellowshipped means complete cutting off from family and all friends who are in the faith until you agree to live by the above guidelines. The victim is encouraged not go to the authorities as it will bring reproach on god and make the church look bad. When the victim does this anyway he/she is on their own with absolutely no help or support from the elders. The elders will claim ecclesiastical privilege to get out of offering any corroborating testimony and anyone in the church is discouraged from helping for the reasons offered above. The pedophile on the other hand is given great sympathy as a falsely accused person and often has the full support of the church. This results in a pedophile refuge mentality in the Watchtower organization; pedophiles can freely move about, discreetly molest children and have the protection of church leadership to keep charges from being established.
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Letter to Press 2
12-31-00
Dear Sir,
I am writing to address an issue that transcends religious belief and exposes a reality that affects thousands of children everyday. I have served as a Christian minister for over twenty years. However, I can no longer continue to serve the members of my church as I do not agree with a church policy that as a church elder I am required to enforce. This policy, in my opinion, has harmed thousands, is leaving many unprotected, and provides refuge to outright criminals.
I am referring to a church policy to keep information about members who are pedophiles confidential. These pedophiles are protected by a church mandated code of silence where even members of the immediate family cannot be informed, and, in many cases, accused pedophiles remain in positions of responsibility within the church while their victims suffer in silence or face church sanctions. I believe this policy is unethical, immoral, and, in many states, illegal.
This policy was publicly stated in The Watchtower, a publication of my religion, Jehovahs Witnesses. The Watchtower, which is published by the tens of millions and distributed around the world in over 139 languages, stated in the November 1, 1995 issue, pages 28-29, regarding how church officials should handle molestation:
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. (2Cor.13:1, 1 Tim. 5:19) Even if more than one person remembers abuse by the individual, the nature of these recalls is just too uncertain to base judicial decisions on them without other supporting evidence. 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.
Accordingly, the only way an accused person within the Watchtower organization can be deemed guilty by church leaders of child molestation is by his/her private confession, or by the mouth of two witnesses who saw the individual crime. In the event the pedophile denies the charge he/she is protected by church authorities. The church then demands the victim remain silent or face shunning for slander of an innocent man. I feel I can trust no one within the Watchtower organization with my children. As it stands now, if my child were to accuse a Jehovahs Witness of molestation, all he/she would have to do is deny it, and as a father I would be silenced with the threat of shunning if I were to try to warn or protect others who might be in harms way.
Let me ask you, how often are there any witnesses to an act of child molestation? How can there be supporting evidence of molestation when 90% of the time the crime is reported weeks or sometimes years later? How many pedophiles will tell the truth knowing if they do they could go to jail? Does the fact that the average pedophile will molest seventy children in his lifetime and is never convicted of a crime mean we should allow them anonymity within the church? What about church members who know nothing of these accusations? They are left in the dark without any knowledge that their children may possibly be in the company of an accused sex offender on a regular basis. In addition, if the molester admits to molestation, repents in private to church elders, the victim or family of the victim is not encouraged to report the molestation to the police, and, if not reported, then church authorities demand the victim remain silent. Hence the pedophile can repeat the offense because no one is aware of his past.
How bad is it? In my opinion, due to present church policy, my religion has become saturated with pedophiles holding positions from top to bottom. In my forty-plus years as a member, I have yet to find one church among Jehovahs Witnesses that does not have problems with child molestation
Henceforth, I will no longer serve as a church elder in an arrangement that promotes such unethical and immoral behavior toward children. I refuse to support a pedophile refuge mentality that is protected among our churches around the world. I believe, rather than the church involving itself in determining whether an accused person is innocent or guilty, the first step the church should take is to notify the local authorities who will investigate whether the accusation has merit. Then if found guilty in a court of law, the pedophile will be publicly identified and punished. This protects the innocent and could help give closure to the victim. Until that day happens, the lambs have been silenced, the victimized little ones, who look to their ministers for protection, but instead are crushed and ostracized by an organizational policy when they need help the most.
It is my sincere hope that this letter will result in making persons aware of what could also be happening in their own church as well. There has to be a grass roots movement that will force those who have responsibility to completely overhaul their church policy, if it is similar to the policy of Jehovahs Witnesses, and address this horrific stance of protecting pedophiles and exposing children to danger.
William H. Bowen
Po Box 311
Calvert City, KY 42029
270-527-5350
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July 25th 2001:
TO ALL THOSE IN HIGH PLACES
This morning I received this story in my email:
Dear silentlambs,
I am now 36 years OLD I type that in caps because I feel 100, my body and mind have been broken over the years by the " Brothers." My story starts at a very young age when my father an Elder in the congregation raped me. Did I state I was four at the time? Did I also say that my Grandmother and Aunt who both were Pioneers knew of the sexual abuse? Perhaps I should say I know for sure My Grandmother knew I KNOW my aunt suspected or just ignored "IT."
"IT" was a very strong word in my home "IT" referred to my mothers sucide."IT "Referred to my Grandfather getting caught touching my friend in an inappropriate manner. IT referred to my Grandmothers Alcoholism, also my Fathers and Grandfathers. I am now left to sift through the Whys??????
Why did my "Elder" Father rape me and beat my brother and sister.
Why didn't the elders do anything about it?
Why did my Father stop at the age of thirteen????? Wait, I know I started my period!
Why did another "Elder" join my father in sexually tormenting me?
Why when this same "elder" beat his dog to death in a fit of rage (for barking) was he not " DF'ed
Why when I Went to the Elders WAS I TOLD I NEEDED TWO WITNESSES???? Do you think that my dad and his friend would testify to their wrongdoing against me????
Why do I still suffer??? And wonder if I did the right thing by leaving the Organization?
Why did my mother kill herself?
Why was my Father not DF'ed when 12 years later he went to jail for sexually abusing my Half-sister and some of her Witness Friends????????????????????
Why why why..............
Because THEY DO AND CONTINUE TO IGNORE SEXUAL DEVIANTS!
Sincerely,
CL
I get these types of stories every week. Sometimes two sometimes six or more. I am touched in ways I cannot describe and it helps me to know I must be on the right path. When all this started I knew something bad was wrong. As I came to understand it I became sick to my stomach to think I as an elder was supporting such an evil and wicked policy that must hurt children. There was no joy in serving anymore, it was painful and yet such a relief when I resigned to no longer be part of the problem.
Then came the stories, in one weekend after posting my letter of resignation, over fifteen pages of email all saying the same thing, "it happened to me-I thought I was the only one." I could not comprehend the extent of what I suspected, yet as time has passed I realized it was worse than could be imagined. You tell me, how easy is it to tell about your molestation? How would you like to dig up the horrid memory of being raped by your father and share it for the world to see? There is no basis for doing so unless you wanted to help someone else and thought your story could help make a difference. This I am told time and again, they want to help protect the children. These victims want no money, no recognition, no "prominence, no purpose but to try and help others.
How would you define a hero? Bravery? Someone who you would be honored to know? I say it is these silentlambs. They have been beat down, DF'd, pushed to the side, treated with disdain, called liars, have deep emotional scars to deal with, yet it is they who step up to the plate and try to make a difference in an organization who could care less about them.
Ask yourself what would the silentlambs website be if it did not have the victims page? The issue would be laughed out of any serious consideration of this being a "real" problem. It is their courage that makes this issue real.
While we appreciate the help of certain ones. For example, the murder letter was sent by one brave former elder, the 4-25-01boe media letter by another elder who wanted to help, the British boe letter yet another courageous elder was moved let everyone know. These persons were moved to do something and it has been of great assistance. Much more can and needs to be accomplished.
I read with interest the comments of many who frequent this board who claim to be in "HIGH PLACES", they rattle their swords and offer sympathy to this issue, yet what commitment do they make to actually do anything about it? An expression that has been used by different ones on this board is, "all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing", I remember this expression well, it was taped to my desk when I was fighting for justice on another issue within many years ago, I have thought about it many times over the years. Once again I see a lot of "good" men who offer kind words, but any more than that is a great big nothing. What have you men in high places provided in the way of hard copy to prove this problem? How many victims do you know of, that would be willing to speak at your suggestion? Why can't you speak up yourself, lay it on the line and tell the facts of this matter that you know to the press? Can you even send further proof anonymously to protect yourself? Would you be willing to testify in court to the reality of this problem? WHAT ARE YOU?
May I offer an opinion? I feel the silentlambs have more courage in their little finger than you men in high places have in your whole body. Spineless cowards, company men much like the military men in Germany who stood by while millions were killed and were to afraid to do anything meaningful.
This matter is not about my stand; it is about what is right. Victims have spilled their guts to make this known, yet where are the men in high places who claim to have sympathy for this issue? You let children be molested because of the policy you support.
It will not change from within, if you want to make a difference you have to stand up for what is right. What are you waiting for??? This is it, the time is now, if you think you need to wait on Jehovah, how do you not know this is an effort guided by Jehovah that will succeed?
When Jehu looked up at the window and asked, "Who is with me?" those men in "high places" had to make a choice. They had to either do what they knew in their hearts was right or they could have waited on Jehovah. Sometimes you have to grab evil and throw it out the window. While I claim no special dispensation, I stand before you now and say, "Who is with me?"
You men in high places have a choice to make. Stick with the wicked bitch or stand up for the children. I ask no one to leave Jehovah but instead, to do what you know is right. If you have the power to make a difference and you choose to wait, stay out of the way, stay off the forums, stay close to your pedophile protecting friends. When they are thrown to the dogs you will be in good company.
If you wish to help, email me, lets talk, I will protect your confidentiality but let's see if together we can do something meaningful to resolve this matter. Six months has passed, what has WT done to help the children? What you do from this day forward can make a difference and can help the needed changes come quickly. I have spoken from my heart now what does your heart move you to do?
Will you help the silentlambs?
I await your response.
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September 6th 2001:
BRITISH APOSTACY!
After reviewing the British BOE letters posted here, a painful truth seems to be evident. The British brothers are apostate. I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I can no longer cover for them anymore. The BOE letters from Britain clearly show as far back as 1992 the brothers there chose to encourage the witnesses in England to go to the police first on child molestation issues.
While this is a much better and proper choice, it is in direct conflict with USA WT policy which has yet to offer that directive. It appears the British brothers were not willing to "wait on Jehovah" while thousands of children were molested as here in the USA. They run ahead of God's arrangement and did not wait on the Governing Body to develop "new light" for the children.
While it is true children in England were protected better, it becomes a non-issue when considering apostate thinking. We can be thankful the 6-1-01 BOE letter sent from WT legal in the USA has finally put things right in Britain. If you read that letter you will note not one mention of "Ceaser" and the troubling aspect of actually turning pedophiles over to the police. I am sure the Governing Body can only hope the brothers in England will turn around stop running ahead of Jehovah's arrangement much like the example of Korah.
This way Pedophiles in England will have equal access to Witness children as they do here in the USA with the uniform application of WT policy. English brothers, we do appreciate your efforts to do what was morally and ethically right, but "waiting on Jehovah" requires you to forgo what is morally and ethically right, instead obey the biding of the "Faithful and Discreet Slave." Doing so will no doubt bring you a princely position in the new order, where there will be no pesky authorities to bother the Governing Body's pet pedophiles.
We hope it is not to late for you to renounce your morality and do what your Brooklyn conscience dictates. Your apostasy has now been recognized and you can be sure the Governing Body has taken note. How soon will it be before a boat load of "Given Ones" have to come to England to disfellowship the trouble makers and take over leadership positions to make sure the child molesters in England get the same privileges as here in the USA.
While the future may bring harsh punishment when the GB takes action, I am compelled to say you tried to do the right thing and it is good to know that there are men of conscience who saw the matter and took proper action to protect children.
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12-20-01
Governing Body
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society
25 Columbia Heights
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Dear Brothers,
I am writing to make further appeal to do something that is needed in the interests of the Flock. As spiritual shepherds you brothers have expended yourself for many years with the interest of trying to guide the flock in the way Jesus would approve. As you may recall it was Peter who said, Therefore, to the older men among YOU I give this exhortation, for I too am an older man with [them] and a witness of the sufferings of the Christ, a sharer even of the glory that is to be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God in YOUR care, not under compulsion, but willingly; neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly; neither as lording it over those who are Gods inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd has been made manifest, YOU will receive the unfadable crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:1-4) This scripture helps to explain the importance of what it means to shepherd the sheep entrusted to your care. If the sheep are to be cared for, how much more so the little lambs that exists as children in the congregation.
When I wrote my first letter to you around one year ago I was very upset at a problem that presented itself to me in the congregation. As a local shepherd I felt my hands were tied to prevent a child from being molested. How could I be a good shepherd and not protect a little lamb that was in danger? I was instructed to leave it in Jehovahs hands, yet would Jehovah wait one day if he knew a child was being hurt? I do not believe so, nor could I wait. As the scripture says in Acts, Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed YOU overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own [Son]. (Acts 20:27-28) In serving as an elder would I be paying attention if I ignored the needs of a child in danger?
My letter had very strong words, I realize, yet I was trying to compel you to see how horrible a danger this was to the flock. I felt you needed to wake up to the clear and present threat to the congregation. Another reason my letter was worded so strongly is being contacted by numerous persons who brought to my attention that their child molestation had for the most part went unreported while they were forced to live as silent lambs. In order to remedy this problem and after conferring with several experts in the field, I offered three suggestions on how to protect children from pedophiles within the congregation:
1.If a child is molested call the police first.
2.No brother or sister who molests children should be allowed privileges in the congregation.
3.No brother or sister who molests children should be allowed to go in the door-to-door ministry.
The purpose of those recommendations was to protect the flock. Each point offered specific safeguards that preserved the high moral standards adhered to by the organization.
The first suggestion, If a child is molested call the police first, not only helps the child to have a proper investigation to determine what happened and get proper treatment if needed, but it also puts any child molester on notice that if he or she touched a Witness child they would not
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be able to hide behind the body of elders, instead they would face the superior authorities.(Rom. 13:1) This would also show that Jehovahs Witnesses differ from many mainstream religions by having a zero tolerance policy when it comes to molested children.
The second suggestion, No brother or sister who molests children should be allowed privileges in the congregation, would not only be a deterrent for any would molest but also put the congregation on notice that certain people may need to be watched and not trusted with children, thus protecting the flock to a better degree.
The third suggestion, No brother or sister who molests children should be allowed to go in the door-to-door ministry, would let the public know Jehovahs Witnesses never send child molesters to an unknowing public which in turn gives them confidence the Witness calling at their door is a safe person. This alone protects the image offered to the public of all Jehovahs Witnesses.
My question is why did you choose to do nothing? What reasoning allowed you to ignore the cries for help documented on the silentlambs website? How many children have been molested in the last year since these suggestions have not been acted upon?
In January 1, 1997 Watchtower, the impression was given that one of these suggestions had been acted upon. The article Abhor What Is Wicked indicated child molesters would never have privileges in the congregation, yet the March 14, 1997, letter to All Bodies Of Elders, plainly stated persons with a history of child molestation before baptism were not to be queried thus opening the possibility of pedophiles continuing to serve in appointed positions. The June 1, 2001 letter to All Bodies Of Elders in Britain took matters a step further by stating if a long period of time had passed since his last molestation, a man who committed the act of child molestation when he was baptized, could be used as elder again or could continue to serve. What were you thinking? Do you really believe you can tell the flock one thing and have the elders act on hidden directives through BOE letters with the truth not coming out? Brothers this has to end. This is not about one personality or another it is about protecting children, safeguarding the congregation, and not bringing reproach on Jehovahs name. Psalms 74:18 states, Remember this: The enemy himself has reproached, O Jehovah, And a senseless people have treated your name with disrespect. If this problem is ignored, could this bring further reproach on Jehovahs name, his people and make the Governing Body look like a senseless people?
I urge you brothers to hasten and take action immediately. The brothers and sisters will respect and appreciate a decision that protects the interests of the flock. Jesus said, I am the fine shepherd; the fine shepherd surrenders his soul in behalf of the sheep. The hired man, who is no shepherd and to whom the sheep do not belong as his own, beholds the wolf coming and abandons the sheep and fleesand the wolf snatches them and scatters them because he is a hired man and does not care for the sheep. (John 10:10-15) I entreat you to please not act like the hired man and leave the flock, the lambs, exposed to danger. Imitate Jesus who was willing to go beyond the call of duty even giving his life to defend the safety of the flock. Whatever the reason for inaction, now is the time to act, apologize for not preceding sooner, let those wronged know they are loved and will be better protected in the future. The brothers and sisters will revere you more so for showing yourselves to be humble shepherds acting in the interests of Jehovahs little sheep. (John 21:15-17)
Please listen, please take action, please stand up for what is right, please give a voice to the silent lambs and please protect the flock.
Sincerely,
William H. Bowen
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January 23rd 2002:
My Response to J. R. Brown
I am writing to follow up with information concerning J. R. Browns response to comments I made to the media regarding Watchtowers policy hurting children and protecting pedophiles. In the course of the last year the Jehovahs Witness Public Information Department headed by J. R. Brown and local Elders have repeatedly offered misinformation to the public. On the anniversary of this issue being brought public, I wish to offer a few examples with documentation of how this religious organization seems to have a problem with telling the truth. When the PR department originally responded to the editor of the Paducah Sun in Paducah Kentucky, J. R. Brown offered the following comment with the heading to his letter, Protection of children priority in Watchtower organization:
We were very surprised to see that these statements were made, and we noted how inaccurate they are.
This statement was offered with not one attempt to answer any of the five questions posed in my original letter, instead, Mr. Brown went with a series of quotes from various Watchtower and Awake articles that offered nothing to answer the questions I asked the public to ask Jehovahs Witnesses when they called at their door. I would now like to provide you with quotes from Watchtower documents to show what actual policy is for Jehovahs Witnesses. The original five questions were:
1. If a pedophile were to move into your congregation, would you be informed?
The answer is found in the July 1, 1989 letter to all Bodies of Elders. This letter offers the following instruction regarding child molesters:
Think before you speak. Do not discuss private and judicial matters with members of your family, including your wives, or with other members of the congregation. Be extremely careful not to inadvertantly disclose private information when others are present, such as when speaking on the telephone with others listening in or nearby.
Now how would a congregation member ever be informed of a pedophile if elders follow the above direction? The answer is, never! The elder would not be allowed to warn other members for it is considered confidential information.
2. If a pedophile molested your child, would you be allowed to warn other parents in your congregation?
The answer to question #2 is found in Insight to the Scriptures which is an encyclopedia for Jehovahs Witnesses there it compares any negative comment about anyone in the congregation to gossip or slander with the following counsel:
*** it-1 990 Gossip, Slander ***
Gossip is talk that reveals something about the doings and the affairs of other persons. It may be someones faults and mistakes that the gossiper is talking about. But even if the things said are true, the gossiper is in the wrong and reveals lack of love. The proverb says: The one covering over transgression is seeking love, and he that keeps talking about a matter is separating those familiar with one another.Pr 17:9.
Sometimes matters are confidential, but the slanderer delights in revealing them to others who have no right to know. (Pr 11:13) The slanderer gets pleasure in revealing things that cause sensation. The one listening to slander is also wrong and is damaging himself. (Pr 20:19; 26:22) A person may be turned away from his friends because of some defamatory remark about them made by a slanderer, and enmities and divisions may develop.Pr 16:28.
The Scriptures foretell that the notable presence of slanderers would be one of the marks of the last days. (2Ti 3:1-3) Such persons, men or women, if present among Gods people, are to be reproved and corrected by responsible ones in the Christian congregation.
So according to this information if you say anything about anyone in the church even if it is true you could be subject to excommunication for doing so.
3. If a pedophile denied he molested your child, and you could not produce two witnesses to the act of molestation, would the church discipline him/her in any way?
The answer to question #3 is found in The Watchtower 1995, 11/1 pages 28-29 in the Article, Comfort for Those With a Stricken Spirit, under the heading, What Can Elders Do? it plainly states:
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. (2Cor.13:1; 1 Tim. 5:19) Even if more than one person remembers abuse by the individual, the nature of these recalls is just too uncertain to base judicial decisions on them without other supporting evidence. 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.
Watchtower policy dictates if you do not have two eyewitnesses and the pedophile denies the charge he/she continues to be viewed as innocent and enjoy the protection of the Body of Elders.
4. If the state where you reside does not require reporting a pedophile that has molested a minor, will church officials report it?
For the answer to this question we can look no further than JR Brown for the answer. In a press release on this issue he clearly stated: If child abuse becomes known to our church elders, they strictly comply with applicable child abuse reporting laws. This statement says it all in that they simply comply with the law nothing more nothing less. Here in Kentucky a minister is not required to report, thus when I personally faced a situation where a child was suspected of being molested I was told to not report the matter as my obligation as a minister had been fulfilled. Only sixteen states require ministerial compliance, so what do you think Watchtower policy is in the other thirty-four states? You see what happened here in Kentucky.
5. If, as an adult, you charge a pedophile with molesting you when you were a child and he denies it, would he discontinue serving as an elder?
The answer to question #5 was provided this year in a June 1, 2001 letter to all Bodies of Elders it states:
The elders may have written to the branch office and given full details about a former child abuser who is currently serving as an elder or ministerial servant. In such a case, if the branch office has decided that he can be appointed or continue serving in a position of trust because the sin occurred many years ago and because he has lived an exemplary life since then, his name should not appear on the List, nor is it necessary to pass on information about the brothers past sin if he moves to another congregation unless contrary instructions have been given by the branch. If therefore, such an appointed man moves to another congregation a letter confirming the move should be sent, addressed to the Societys Legal Department.
There are, however, many other situations that are connected with the abuse of a child. For example, there may be just one eyewitness, and the brother denies the allegation. (Deuteronomy 19:15; John 8:17) In these and similar cases no entry will be made on the Child Protection List.
Rather, information should be kept in a sealed envelope in the congregations confidential file as described below.
This letter to Elders covers two scenarios: when a child has grown to an adult the pedophile may continue to serve if the Branch Office says it is ok and two if he simply denies the charge no sanction is offered and he does not even appear on the Child Molester list.
This direction offered by Watchtower literature and internal documents to Elders leaves little room for surprise and shows where the inaccurate statements about Watchtower policy originated. I find it interesting that JR Brown made this statement in his letter to the editor of the Paducah Sun, Our position on pedophilia has been well-publicized for decades. I disagree with this statement as you can see from the above Jehovahs Witnesses are not informed of the above policies and simply will never know unless their child is molested and they are faced with Watchtower policy.
Another part of this story that has not been mentioned is the fact Jehovahs Witnesses require child molesters to call at your door. All Jehovahs Witnesses are well aware of this fact. In his original response to the editor of the Paducah Sun JR Brown even quoted from the article that bears this out. The quote he made was:
Following are excerpts from the Jan. 1, 1997, issue of The Watchtower: Depending on the law of the land where he lives, the molester may well have to serve a prison term or face other sanctions from the state. The congregation will not protect him from this."
Yet Mr. Brown failed to complete the paragraph, the misinformation of his quote can be cleared up if you include the next sentence in the same paragraph, it states:
Moreover, the man has revealed a serious weakness that henceforth will have to be taken into account. If he seems to be repentant, he will be encouraged to make spiritual progress, share in the field service
This shows a child molester who has been newly released from prison will be encouraged to call at your door. Are you comfortable with WT policy?
Jehovahs Witnesses are well aware of this policy of sending child molesters to your door. From sources in the local area there are alleged child molesters who work regularly in Paducah, Mayfield, Draffenville, and Murry congregations. Each congregation territory will include the counties these towns are found within. While Jehovahs Witnesses have no problem with sending child molesters to your door and are encouraged to do so by home office, do you the public see this as being a problem? In the upcoming Dateline program the facts are going to be presented, JR Brown is well aware of this, yet Jehovahs Witnesses refuse to make any adjustment to protect children. Is this the Christian way?
Mr. Brown made the following statement in his concluding remarks to the editor of the Paducah Sun:
In conclusion, we reiterate that Jehovah's Witnesses do not shy away from informing people about pedophilia. We abhor the practice and actively work to keep our congregations free from such harmful influences.
Mr. Brown, in view of the printed material of your organization the statements above present you to be a bald faced liar. You should be deleted as an Elder and removed from your position in the Public Information Department. Men who allow children to be hurt while verbally protecting bad policy have no right to represent any religion that claims the blessing of Christ on their efforts. I encourage Jehovahs Witnesses who wish to stand for what is right and you the public to call Jehovahs Witness headquarters at 718-560-5000 and demand the resignation of JR BROWN and the application of the following three adjustments to Watchtower policy:
1. If a child is molested call the police first.
2. No brother or sister who molests children should be allowed privileges in the congregation.
3. No brother or sister who molests children should be allowed to go in the door-to-door ministry.
By doing so you not only will protect your children from possible danger but also you help Jehovahs Witnesses to have a safer organization for their children.
William H. Bowen
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Draffenville Kentucky Congregation
of Jehovah's Witnesses
PO Box 788 Benton KY 42025
April 29, 2002
CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL
William H. Bowen
Calvert City, KY 42029
Dear Brother Bowen:
The body of elders has appointed a judicial committee to meet with you concerning
allegations that you have e been causing divisions within the congregation and organization of Jehovah's Witnesses The judicial committee invites you to meet with them on May 10, 2002 at 7:00 pm at the Kingdom Hall located at 86 Foust-Sledd Road, Benton, Kentucky. Feel free to call me at 270-753-5827 if these arrangements are not convenient for you As a reminder, attorneys are not permitted at congregation judicial meetings
Chairman of the judicial committee
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May 8th 2002:
Fighters Against Children
I came across this old post from h2o and thought you might find it interesting. How far we have come to be at the point we are.
silentlambs
Fighters against children will not prevail
H2O
Posted by [silentlambs] on January 05, 2001 at 16:20:31 {fjt1497aTcr.Eq9dlGNYKXdsQHCKmU}:
I have heard comments from time to time in the last couple of days that suggest I may not know what I am really getting into, that I may be biting off more than I can chew, that is it possible to take on the wt and survive?
You maybe forgetting a simple truth, I was raised as a JW all my life. I remember as a six year old standing in a classroom with 40 other children and being the only one to not salute the flag. They tried to make me by pushing on my arm and giving me dirty looks, but I believed I was right as I was taught. Standing for what is right has been ingrained into witnesses from the time they were born. Us against them, we take on Satan's world because we have god backing us. It is all part of wt programming and in this case it appears to work to their disadvantage. I do not fear what they say or do, as what I am doing is right. a witness will die for a belief they believe to be right. To bad for you wt, I am the monster you created. Take my house, car, anything you want, as a witness it means nothing to me anyway. I am the most dangerous threat to the wt organization, a programmed witness who is fighting for a righteous cause. It will not go away and whatever you do to me will just make things worse for wt. wt please defend yourself, try to df me and silence the messenger. If you do you prove that you have been overcome by Satan and just like in the times of Israel you will be punished for your faithless conduct. Remember the recent bible reading of Jehu? He was just one man who was right and as a result killed about everyone in charge of god's organization at that time. A good part of it was over the sacrifice of children. How far is that from what wt policy allows today, when small ones are ruined for life due to the insidious conduct of those protected within wt policy.
Am I afraid? I am to mad to be afraid and willing to do whatever by whatever means necessary to shout from the treetops this must be changed. The silentlambs will speak, wt will be silenced and humiliated for their shameful conduct.
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May 9th 2002:
WT PR- We Offer Release Of Information
Watchtower has stated they wish to reveal no information about the upcoming judicial hearing being conducted against those who are on the Dateline program. They say they are confined to ecclesial privilege and are unable to offer to the public any information other than it is not related to silentlambs but has to do with some other infraction that breaks Gods law. With the statement below we ask Watchtower to release to everyone any charges or information about breaking Gods law they have against Carl and Barbara Pandelo, Barbara Anderson, and William H. Bowen. We have a notarized copy of this statement that has been faxed to Watchtower Public Information and to anyone else who requires a copy. We categorically deny any infraction against Gods law and demand WT release the basis for these judicial hearing. We hereby waive our ecclesial privilege and ask for the public to know the actual evidence and charges against us.
Carl and Barbara Pandelo
Barbara Anderson
William H. Bowen
STATEMENT OF RELEASE OF INFORMATION
I hereby release any personal and all confidential information within confidential files or any evidence to be offered by testimony from witnesses in writing or otherwise held by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. or by any of their representatives. I welcome and demand that any information relating to my judicial hearing be released to the public and press to answer any questions regarding my standing before God, my personal conduct, or any question regarding my personal honor and integrity.
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Draffenville Kentucky Congregation
of Jehovah's Witnesses
PO Box 788 Benton KY 42025
May 16, 2002
CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL
William H. Bowen
Calvert City, KY 42029
Dear Brother Bowen:
The body of elders has appointed a judicial committee to meet with you concerning allegations that you have been causing divisions within the congregation and organization of Jehovah's Witnesses. The judicial committee invites you to meet with them on May 24, 2002 at 7:30 pm at the Kingdom Hall located at 86 Foust-Sledd Road, Benton, Kentucky. Feel free to call me at 270-436-2165 if these arrangements are not convenient for you. As a reminder, attorneys are not permitted at congregation judicial meetings.
Very Truly Yours,
George Bandarra
Chairman of the judicial committee
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5-20-02
Draffenville Body of Elders
PO Box 788
Benton, KY 42025
Dear Brothers,
I am writing to request a withdrawal of recent comments in the press concerning the upcoming Judicial Hearing to be held on Friday. I might also mention I have received a reply in the way of confirmation as to our meeting on May 24th at 7:30 pm and the appointment of George Banderra as chairman on the Judicial Committee. Thank you for your response and I might also request the names of any "witnesses" who may be appearing to make accusations. I feel it only fair to know these things in advance as it will help me to be able to prepare for this "proceeding" as well as to better understand how the charges for such an absurd accusation actually came about. I am sure you brothers would not want to surprise me with accusations and witnesses without me having a clue as to what you are talking about beforehand.
It has been noted that through the press certain areas have been established as not being part of the Judicial Hearing. It may help you brothers also to be aware of what has been stated publicly by those who represent headquarters and who direct your efforts:
Tullahoma News- May 11, "In an interview with the New York Post, JH spokesperson J.R. Brown stated that the threatened excommunications had nothing to do with the Dateline interview and that "church headquarters had no idea that these people would be on the show." Washington Post- May 11, "J.R. Brown, a national spokesman for the Jehovah's Witnesses, confirmed that the four had been called to the hearings, but he said the proceedings may focus on "sins" unrelated to public comments on sexual abuse. He provided no specifics." Newsday-May 8, "Pandelo and the others say they are being targeted because of their outspokenness, especially on sexual abuse of minors. A national spokesman for Jehovah's Witnesses, which says it has 6 million members worldwide, categorically denied the allegations."
I am glad to have public confirmation that the charge of "divisions" is not going to be based on any "public comments about sexual abuse" and anything related to the "Dateline interview," as a result I am very interested to know what are your charges of "divisions" are related to.
A second area that gives greater cause for concern are the other comments that appear to be malicious and slanderous in their context, I offer you the following:
1. Louisville-Courier- May 8, "One suit filed in January by Erica Rodriguez, who said she was repeatedly abused by a church member years ago, claims an elder at her former congregation in Washington state threatened her with excommunication if she reported her abuser to police. A Watchtower statement denies this, saying that there are no sanctions against anyone who chooses to go to police, and that church elders and Watchtower did not know of the abuse until years after it had occurred." This statement basically calls the victim, Erica a liar. We ask that the statement be retracted in writing and a written apology be sent to Erica for comments that re-victimized her again.
2. Newsday-May 8, "You cannot be a known sex offender and hold any position of responsibility within the organization," said J.R. Brown, the spokesman. As you brothers know this is not true and is verified by comments in the 6-1-01 British BOE letter which states:
"There is one exception to the above direction: The elders may have written to the branch office and given full details about a former child abuser who is currently serving as an elder or ministerial servant. In such a case, if the branch office has decided that he can be appointed or continue serving in a position of trust because the sin occurred many years ago and because he has lived an exemplary life since then, his name should not appear on the List, nor is it necessary to pass on information about the brothers past sin if he moves to another congregation unless contrary instructions have been given by the branch. If therefore, such an appointed man moves to another congregation a letter confirming the move should be sent, addressed to the Societys Legal Department."
Therefore in view of the above we ask for a retraction in writing of the above statement by JR Brown and a written apology for providing misinformation to the press as well as implying we were untruthful.
3. WPSD 6- May 8, "Members at Bowen's old Kingdom Hall in Draffenville say the church does not bar them from reporting abuse. They say they may council abusers to report their actions to authorities. But they admit discouraging members from telling just anybody. "The difference between needless gossip, let's say, and withholding information from those who have a right to know is two different things completely," says Jehovah's Witness Bruce Waite." Brother Waite is well aware of the current confessed child molester in the Draffenville Congregation. Brother Waite may or may not know that the victim of the child rapist was threatened into silence when all she had to do was sign a police report to put him in jail. Therefore his statement is based on misinformation according to the actual actions of local elders. Therefore we ask for a complete retraction in writing of his statement to press and a written apology to the victim for barring her from reporting the man who raped her.
4. New York Post, May 9, "While the four believe the show's impending broadcast has spurred the church's actions, church spokesman J.R. Brown said that before Tuesday, church headquarters had no idea that these people would be on the show." This is a false statement based on an avalanche of proof otherwise, for example: Tri City Herald, August 18, 2001, "Barbara Anderson, part of a group fighting clergy-based sex crimes, is one of about 20 advocates from around the country who traveled to Adams County for the trial to lend support to Rodriguez. Anderson previously worked as a research assistant in the Jehovah's Witnesses New York headquarters. She said she gave the Dateline news show, which had a crew covering the Beliz trial, documentation describing how the church's leadership is well aware of sexual child abuse within its organization and helps cover it up." Also WPSD has made the Dateline interview known since February, 2001. Therefore I ask that this false statement be retracted in writing and a written apology be sent to the four victims who are facing Judicial Hearings.
5. New York Post, May 9,"He also said local congregations decided to charge them with various spiritual violations." AP-May 9,"In a statement issued from their headquarters, the Jehovah's Witnesses said that church leaders are "required by the Holy Scriptures to see to it that the congregation remains clean and unified." Tullahoma News- May 11, "Brown also said that local congregation decided to charge the members with various spiritual violations." Washington Post, May 11, "J.R. Brown, a national spokesman for the Jehovah's Witnesses, confirmed that the four had been called to the hearings, but he said the proceedings may focus on "sins" unrelated to public comments on sexual abuse. He provided no specifics." Tennessean- May 11, "People in the organization who are accused of sex abuse are subject to a hearing like the one Anderson attended yesterday, Brown said." All these statements are slanderous and infer or imply unchristian and ungodly conduct being the basis for these Judicial Hearings, this of course is absolutely untrue, therefore I ask for a written retraction of these statements and a written apology to each of the four victims who are facing Judicial Hearings.
6. Asbury Park Press, May 14, "Semonian said he did not know about the Pandelo case. He said anyone convicted of child molestation cannot hold a position of authority in the church and cannot perform church work alone." AP- May 9, "J.R. Brown, a spokesman for the denomination, said that parents are not punished by the church for going to the police first in cases of child molestation. And he said that anyone found guilty of molestation by a church judicial committee is removed from all positions of responsibility and cannot evangelize door-to-door without being accompanied by a fellow Jehovah's Witness." As you brothers well know these statements are totally false as child molesters are allowed to eventually serve again if enough time passes, please note the 6-1-01 British BOE letter: "There is one exception to the above direction: The elders may have written to the branch office and given full details about a former child abuser who is currently serving as an elder or ministerial servant. In such a case, if the branch office has decided that he can be appointed or continue serving in a position of trust because the sin occurred many years ago and because he has lived an exemplary life since then, his name should not appear on the List, nor is it necessary to pass on information about the brothers past sin if he moves to another congregation unless contrary instructions have been given by the branch. If therefore, such an appointed man moves to another congregation a letter confirming the move should be sent, addressed to the Societys Legal Department."
In addition, there is no written or verbal policy regarding a child molester working in pairs in the door-to-door ministry, for further confirmation please read the form letter sent out when elders are removed for child molestation: "Now that we have given careful and prayerful consideration to all the factors in the case of Brother xxxxx xxxxx, we believe that what is stated in the foregoing applies to him. Hence, you should not extend to him any specific responsibility that could be construed as an assigned duty, even though some assignments might be considered minor. He should not be used to handle accounts, literature, magazines, subscriptions, or territories. Nor would he be used as an attendant, microphone handler, to operate sound equipment, to represent the congregation in prayer, or to present "Announcements" on the Service Meeting. He would not be used as the reader at the Congregation Book Study or Watchtower Study, nor to conduct a meeting for field service. It would be advisable not to have a book study in his home. And, he would not qualify to auxiliary or regular pioneer. Whereas he could volunteer to assist with general care of the Kingdom Hall where he attends meetings, he could not be approved to work on other Kingdom Halls or Assembly Halls. He may give student talks on the Theocratic Ministry School and share in non-teaching parts on the Service Meeting, provided that his doing so will not be offensive to those in the congregation who know of his past wrongdoing."
"Please be reminded of the following direction that appears in the Society's March 14, 1997, confidential letter to all bodies of elders regarding known child molesters: "Individuals who have manifested a weakness in this regard should be sensitive to their need not to be alone with children. They should refrain from holding children or displaying other forms of affection for them. It would be appropriate for elders to give kindly cautions to any who are doing things that may be a temptation or a cause for concern to others in the congregation." (1 Corinthians 10:12,32) This would include not allowing children (other than his own) to spend the night in his home, not working in field service with a child, not cultivating friendships with children, and the like."
"After a number of additional years have gone by, you may wonder whether certain privileges can be extended to this brother. If he has continued to build a commendable record, if there are no complaints either by his victim(s) or by relatives, and if the body of elders concludes that no one would find fault with his being given extra privileges of a minor nature in the congregation, you may write the Society and make known your observations and recommendations, indicating how you feel he can be used in the congregation. Explain clearly what the current feeling is toward him on the part of the one(s) he wronged and by relatives, and how the congregation views him now. Direction from the Society should be obtained before certain privileges are extended to him."
In view of the above, Watchtower spokesman have misstated facts and misrepresented actual Watchtower Policy to the Press and Public. I ask for a written retraction of the fallacious statements and a written apology to be given to the four victims of these Judicial Hearings.
While we understand that honest hearted ones can make mistakes, when brothers in oversight positions mislead the public and slander victims of abuse they in effect "beat their brothers,"(Matt. 24:39) thus showing a lack of compassion and putting their fellow brothers and sisters in a negative light. It brings to mind the scripture in Jeremiah 23:1-3 that states: "Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasturage," is the utterance of JehovahHere I am turning my attention upon you for the badness of your dealings." We certainly hope in attempting to look out for our spiritual welfare the errors committed above were not intentional and therefore humbly request full retractions, apologies and kind regard for those who have suffered as a result of these comments. As the scripture in Proverbs19: 9 states, "The false witness will not be free from punishment, and he that launches forth lies will perish." It is our hope you brothers would never fall into that category, so we await your quick response in correcting these matters.
Please respond in writing so as to not give any appearance of being deceptive and truly showing a desire to right this blatant look of wrong committed publicly against your fellow brothers and sisters. For me personally please honor my previous request for all correspondence to go to my attorney in writing. We respectfully await your swift reply, and along with this letter goes our warm Christian love.
Very truly yours,
William H. Bowen
silentlambs
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Summary of the silentlambs Events of May 24th 2002:
31 silentlambs were present for the press conference on the courthouse steps in Benton , KY. Reporters from five news media recorded information for various news sources. The weekend newspapers should be interesting to read.
At 10 am we had the press conference and I offered the following statement:
Press Conference Opening Statement:
As I stand here today three of my brothers and sisters have been disfellowshipped and tonight I will be the fourth to face disfellowshipping hearings for trying to protect children. The purpose of these actions is not just to get rid of us who spoke out on the Dateline program, but to create a new generation of silentlambs who have no one to turn to when they are faced with molestation issues. This press conference is not about us, it is about a cause for protecting children, it is about exposing the protection of child rapists, it is about a religion crushing a movement that has as its only goal and purpose to support and encourage healing to Jehovahs Witness victims of abuse.
As these judicial committees attempt to beat their brothers (Matt 24:39) into silence the entire issue is really about the victims. They will not be beaten into silence they will no longer allow witness tampering by church tribunals to stop them from speaking out, today the victims speak to you the public and will continue to do so until Jehovahs Witnesses stop their policy of shielding child rapists and preventing their members from going to buildings like this for help by keeping matters unknown within confidential judicial files.
It is the church that will be silenced it is the church that will be dragged up these steps and through those doors in the form of billions of dollars for litigation for those injured because they did not take decisive action for children.
I have a few abuse survivors and advocates here today who would like to make their own personal statements.
Conclusion:
I invite all in attendance to attend a candle light vigil to be held at the Draffenville kingdom Hall on 68 highway at 5:30 P.M. for silentlambs victims of abuse around the world. We have been sent messages from over three hundred Jehovahs Witness victims who have asked that a candle be burned in their honor in remembrance of lost innocence. I would now like to conclude with a poem.
___________________
Then came the candle light vigil at 5:30 pm ,
Well we did it, 45 people were present for the first candle light vigil for silentlambs around the world. Holly and Heather Berry were there along with many other victims who told stories, sung songs, and recited poems that were self composed to help them deal with abuse issues. There were many touching moments where you could feel the heartbreak and pain suffered by the expressions made. We set up a huge awning along with over 350 bag candles lined in pairs that stretched for well over 400 feet. Each bag had a request from a victim to burn a candle for them along with the State or the country they were from. As the sunlight faded it was a beautiful sight and a living testament to the pain and suffering caused by WT Policy. Several media sources covered the event and with eager anticipation we waited for the judicial committee to show. Why? At least 20 abuse victims wanted to face the judicial committee and testify as witnesses that silentlambs was not causing divisions in the organization. As 7:30 rolled around it became evident the committee was a no show. So I called Service Department to ask why. They said they were closed. I said it was an emergency so they patched me through to some brother who said he did not know anything and I would have to call back later. Why was I not surprised. Well at that point I composed a letter and stuck it in the front door handle along with a stuffed lamb it read as follows:
Dear brothers,
I was here for my judicial hearing which you did not show up for. Please notify my attorney why you have chosen to not press charges you made against me through WT Headquarters. I am sad you brothers have made the decision to inconvenience so many witnesses who traveled from all across the USA to testify to your charge of me "causing divisions" in the organization. After offering a three week notice it was certainly unkind to treat you fellow brothers and sisters in such a callous manner. If you change your minds again and decide to arrange a new meeting with new charges, I must require that you please pay all expenses for my witnesses to return and testify.
If you are afraid to meet I understand, especially due to your lack of evidence. May I suggest that you not "beat your brothers" by putting abuse victims to so much trouble unless you truly are serious about going forward with this matter and compensating them for the time, expense and trouble you have caused.
Along with this letter goes my warm Christian love.
Very Truly Yours,
silentlambs
Afterward we all went to the community center around the corner which is the old Kingdom Hall and all had a nice meal and a champagne toast to spanking WT just one more time. As I was returning home I stopped to visit with a TV crew doing the final report. They told about the elders not showing up and when called George Bandarra said the meeting was confidential and private and due to all the attention they were not comfortable with having a meeting. When the reporter tried to ask further questions he basically hung up on her. Real smooth guys, she assured me they will be back no matter how many times they reschedule.
So, to whom it may concern, whether you like it or not I am still standing and remain a Jehovah's Witness in "good standing." Dateline will not feature disfellowshipped persons as all decisions to date are on appeal. Oops looks like you got spanked again and just wait till you see the newspapers this weekend. Bad PR boys when you "beat your brothers"...
silentlambs
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DRAFFENVILLE CONGREGATION
of JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
PO Box 789, Draffenville, KY 42025
May 29, 2002
L. Rush Hunt
39 south Main Street
Madisonville KY 42431
RE: William Bowen
Dear Mr. Hunt:
We are writing in view of Mr. William Bowen's request in his letter of October 31, 2001 to the Draffenville body of elders. We are sending a sealed envelope with a confidential letter from our body of elders to Mr, Bowen. We request that you deliver this sealed envelope to Mr. Bowen by no later than. May 30, 2002. Thank you.
Sincerely,
George Bandarra, Chairman
For the body of elders
Enclosure
DRAFFENVILLE CONGREGATION
of JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
PO Box 789, Draffenville, KY 42025
May 29, 2002
CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL
William H Bowen
PO Box 311
Calvert City, KY 42029
Dear Brother Bowen:
The body of elders has appointed a judicial committee to meet with you concerning allegations that you have been causing divisions within the congregation and organization of Jehovah's Witnesses. The judicial committee invites you to meet with them on May 31, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall located at 86 Foust-Sledd road Benton, Kentucky. Feel free to call me at 270-436-2165 if these arrangements are not convenient for you. As a reminder, attorneys are not permitted at congregation judicial meetings.
Sincerely,
George Bandarra, Chairman For the body of elders
Enclosure
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May 30th 2002:
Silentlambs response to WT Media
Distribute freely...
Silentlambs Response to Inquires about Watchtower Misinformation
Mr. Brown-Child abuse is an evil. Its an evil of our time; its an evil in our society. And so we abhor it. The Bible says you should hate what is bad and that certainly would include child abuse.
Mr. Bowen-Misrepresenting the truth is an evil. Its an evil of our time; its an evil in our society. And so we abhor it. The Bible says you should hate what is bad and that certainly would include PR men who misrepresent the facts about what WT policy does to children.
Mr. Brown-We have a number of initiatives weve taken to make sure children are protected. And one is to make sure the parents are educated. And over the past 10-15 years, weve published numerous articles and other materials, especially for the elders, telling them what needs to be done to help those who have been victimized in this way.
Mr. Bowen-Yet not one initiative has discovered the basic need to call the police, not one initiative has educated parents on the primary need to report the matter to authorities, in 10-15 years of articles devoted to the subject. In seven body of elder letters written over a 13 year period no initiative is mentioned regarding the need to ENCOURAGE reporting, with no certified clinical training on how to help abuse victims.
Mr. Brumley-Our top priority is to protect the victims. And we want to make sure that whatever steps need to be taken, both by the elders, by the relatives, and by the congregations in general. Our second priority has to do with the perpetrators. We are concerned about their receiving the help they need. Our third priority is to see to it that the secular authorities are indeed informed of the accusation.
Mr. Bowen-Actually the top priority is to protect Watchtower money. And we want to make sure whatever steps need to be taken, both by Legal, Service and the elders, protect us from getting sued by child molesters. Our second priority has to do with confidentiality and making sure victims or their families warn no one in the congregation about the molester. Our third priority is to silence any other member of the congregation from saying there is any problem with child molestation by disfellowshipping.
Mr. Brown-We have no objection to the laws of the land that come into play to be enforced on whatever has taken place there. Crime is crime. And we recognize there are penalties for crime committed.
When we speak of child abuse, we have to look at society as a whole. This has become a burning issue in the last 20 or 30 years. And so society in general has been, more or less, plagued with this problem. And all sorts of organizations and agencies are grappling with how to best handle this.
Mr. Bowen-We have no objection to obeying only the laws that put us in jail for not reporting child molestation. Crime is not crime if we do not have to report it. We would prefer to hurt children rather than hurt pedophiles as it keeps us with a tidy image.
While we have bragged for years of having a higher standard than the world, now we need the world as a comparison to say we are not all that bad. We have been caught with our pants down with an antiquated policy that is 20-30 years old. Now society is plaguing us to protect children. While others may admit fault we admit to nothing and disfellowship those who say otherwise
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RUSH HUNT ATTORNEY AT LAW
5-30-02
Draffenville Congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses.
ATTN: George Bandarra
PO Box 788, Benton, KY 42025
Re: William H. Bowen
Dear Sirs:
I am in receipt of your letter of May 29, 2002 which went on to demand a 24 hour notice for a judicial hearing. I must inform you that my client has a previous engagement in matters beyond his control therefore we must request a postponement. Mr. Bowen has been scheduled to be out of State for a speaking engagement along with a business trip. The nearest time available in his schedule will be on June 28, after 6 P. M. Mr. Bowen is sad to have to wait this long but as you brothers failed to appear with no notice at the last scheduled meeting I am sure you can understand that he had no idea there would be arrangements for future meetings that would conflict with his long arranged schedule. In additions as mentioned in Mr. Bowens letter of 5-24-02, several witnesses had traveled from great distance to appear in his behalf, your failure to appear without notice caused them to lose considerable time and expense. In your correspondence of 5-29-02 you failed to answer Mr. Bowens request to compensate these victims of abuse so that they might be able to reappear to offer valuable testimony to help Mr. Bowen have a fair and impartial hearing. Do you accept or deny paying expenses for Mr. Bowens witnesses that you have inconvenienced?
In addition, Mr. Bowens previous letter of 5-20-02 remains unanswered as to the request for written apologies for slanderous remarks made by Watchtower spokesman to the media This letter will serve as notice upon you that we feel Mr. Bowen has been slandered by allegations that he has committed a "serious sin" unrelated to the Dateline interview. This would certainly lead anyone to believe that he committed serious personal sins against the laws of God and leaves the mind open to all sorts of rampant speculation about what an immoral person he might be. It implies that the church has certain information regarding serious sins and we absolutely deny any such allegations and would again point out that no such proof exists to be presented at the hearing.
Therefore, we again must demand from you an immediate public apology and letter of vindication to Mr. Bowen and the other victims cited in his letter. We expect that to be published in all AP affiliate newspapers within the next five (5) days or you stand in jeopardy of having legal action taken against you. Unfortunately this may involve local elders who have apparently been following the dictates of Watchtower and who did not initiate this judicial committee hearing contrary to Mr. Browns previous statements to the press indicating they were the source of the charge. Let me re-emphasize that at this time you must issue this immediate public apology and immediate letter of vindication of charges to Mr. Bowen.
This letter will also remind you that Mr. Bowen has not had a falling away of his faith in God nor the dictates of the Bible and he does not intend to be disfellowshipped nor to disassociate himself as such. He is most concerned about the welfare of the church and the problems that will occur unless the churchs policy with regard to the reporting of child molestation and abuse is changed so that it is in conformity with applicable laws governing criminal conduct including, but not limited to, the mandatory reporting of child abuse under Kentucky law.
By copy of this letter to the elders I am advising them of Mr. Bowens position in this matter and while I chose not to attend the judicial committee meeting out of courtesy to Mr. Bowen and to the elders, I will not stand idly by while Mr. Bowens personal rights are violated and he is ostracized for following the dictates of God and the requirements of state and federal law. He feels that the church should render unto Caesar those things that are Caesars which specifically includes the reporting of allegations of child abuse and molestation to the appropriate legal authorities of the state.
We wish to request written confirmation of the new judicial hearing date, written confirmation regarding your willingness to make apology to the press for slanderous remarks along with your written response, yes or no, to pay expenses for the witnesses for Mr. Bowen that were inconvenienced due to your actions.
I will await your usual, prompt and courteous response to this letter and hope that you will immediately and publicly vindicate Mr. Bowen who has been a good and loyal supporter of the church for many, many years.
Sincerely yours,
Rush Hunt
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DRAFFENVILLE CONGREGATION
of JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
PO Box 789, Draffenville, KY 42025
June 01, 2002
William H. Bowen
PO Box 311
Calvert City, KY 42029
Dear Brother Bowen,
We have received your attorney's letter of May 30, 2002 in which you request a postponement of the judicial committee hearing which was to have taken place on the 31st of May. We are pleased to see from Mr. Hunt's letter that you do not intend to be disfellowshippcd or disassociate yourself. Be assured that our meeting with you is, just an extension of our shepherding work. We desire to render spiritual aid in Christian love. (Galatians 6:1) Since this is a congregational matter we will be handling it following congregation procedures, and so we appreciate, our relationship is not adversarial, but as brothers, - Matthew 23:8.
You suggest meeting with us on the 28"' of June after 6:00 p.m. We would like to meet as soon as possible rather than postpone this matter until June 28. With this in mind, we would like to meet with you on Wednesday, June 12, 2002, at 6:00 p.m. If this is unavailable to you please contact me.
Your brother,
George Bandana
Chairman Judicial Committee
P.S. As a courtesy, we are providing Mr. Hunt with a copy of this letter.
C: L. Rush Hunt, Esq.
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ATTORNEY AT LAW
6-6-02
Draffenville Congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses
ATTN: George Bandarra
PO Box 788,
Benton, KY 42025
Re: William H. Bowen
Dear Sirs:
I am in receipt of your letter of June 01, 2002 in which you are requesting a meeting that is an extension of your shepherding work and has as its purpose to render spiritual aid in Christian love along with not being in an adversarial relationship to try and help my client Mr. Bowen. After consulting with my client regarding your letter he expressed that if all you need is to shepherd Mr. Bowen that he would be glad to meet with one elder at a public place and accept any spiritual assistance the elder wanted to offer. On the other hand, if you wish to continue to press for a judicial hearing on allegations my client absolutely denies then it certainly would appear to make your stated intentions disingenuous with regard to your actions. As you have been previously instructed in writing my client has an engagement in matters beyond his control therefore your requested date will not work as my client will be traveling out of town. Bear in mind your actions to date have lead my client to have reason to doubt that you will follow through with what you put in writing.
In my letter to you dated 5-30-02 my client and I made three specific requests of which you only partially answered one with a suggested new date for a hearing/shepherding call. Your latest letter seems to confuse what Mr. Bowen is being summoned for. I ask that you clarify what kind of meeting you wish to have with my client.
It is also noted that on Friday, May 24, 2002 you contacted my client by telephone, to which you were verbally informed to only contact his attorney for any type of communication. Mr. Bowen has clearly made his request known in a letter written on October 31, 2001, where he stated:
If I were to try and think further I am sure there are many other items that could be brought forward, but I believe the above should be sufficient to show the disingenuous actions of the Watchtower representatives acting at the guidance of the Watchtower home office. The above evidence clearly shows you cannot trust any word that comes out of the mouth of anyone who represents the Watchtower organization. Your actions force me to request the following stipulations:
1. Any further communication must be in writing and sent to my attorney. His address is:
Attorney
Main Street
Madisonville, KY 42431
2. Any verbal communication from this point forward will be considered harassment as you have repeatedly disregarded my request for answers in writing.
3. I am formally requesting that no Jehovahs Witness elder or member trespass on my property at anytime. Unless they are willing to undergo a complete background check for child molestation history and submit this to my attorney.
4. I request that all questions submitted in previous letters be answered in writing to my attorney instead of being sent to me personally.
It grieves me greatly to have to take this action to protect myself against brothers I at one time trusted so completely. Your actions have proved you to be otherwise. In order to be cautious as serpents it forces me to deal with you as the snakes you are.
This request was made after two elders had come to Mr. Bowens home for a confrontation instead of answering in writing five certified letters requesting assistance on slanderous remarks and actions directed by headquarters against my client. My client again referred to this request in his letter to you of May 6, 2002 in which he stated: Please continue to honor my previous request of all correspondence going to my attorney for the reasons stated in previous letters.
My client has been the subject of harassing automobile drive bys, theft of property, telephone calls, emails, postal mail, which have included death threats, all from Jehovahs Witnesses. Therefore he has reason to suspect the intentions of anyone coming to his property who represent themselves to be Jehovahs Witnesses. Instead of respecting his request you have continued to harass my client. In February of 2002 two Jehovahs Witnesses were sent to my clients home. My client respectfully asked them to leave. Then on another occasion George Bandarra who is well familiar with all correspondence as chairman of the judicial committee chose to ignore my clients request by calling him over the telephone on 5-24-02. My client instructed Mr. Bandarra very clearly all communication must go through his attorney. Yet again, Mr. Bandarra and Jeff Stein ignored my clients request by trespassing on his property June 01, 2002. Mr. Bandarra and Mr. Stein approached the property in a covert fashion coming to the back door and pounding quite loudly, thus frightening children in the home. My client again informed Mr. Bandara and Mr. Stein of his request of all communication going through his attorney and shut the door, at which Mr. Bandarra again disregarded my clients request by throwing a letter on a chair in my clients back yard. This now makes three occasions Jehovahs Witnesses have chosen to disregard clear and explicit instructions to not trespass and harass my client. Any further infractions will result in criminal charges being leveled at your lack of respect for my clients wishes.
As was clearly explained in my letter of May 30, 2002, Mr. Bowen has been scheduled to be out of State for a speaking engagement along with a business trip. The nearest time available in his schedule will be on June 28, after 6 P. M. Mr. Bowen is sad to have to wait this long but as you gentlemen failed to appear with no notice at the last scheduled meeting I am sure you can understand that he had no idea there would be arrangements for future meetings that would conflict with his long arranged schedule. In addition, as mentioned in my clients letter of 5-24-02, several witnesses had traveled from great distance to appear in his behalf, your failure to appear without notice caused them to lose considerable time and expense. In your correspondence of 5-29-02 you failed to answer Mr. Bowens request to compensate these victims of abuse so that they might be able to reappear to offer valuable testimony to help Mr. Bowen have a fair and impartial hearing. In my letter to you I specifically requested, are you willing to pay expenses for Mr. Bowens witnesses that you have inconvenienced? To date you have ignored my question, therefore it puts forth the appearance you do not want to offer an extension of your shepherding work and render spiritual aid in Christian love along with not being in an adversarial relationship if you deny my client an opportunity to offer witnesses in his behalf. How can my client have a fair and impartial hearing if you do not allow his witnesses to testify? Will you ignore this question also?
In addition, Mr. Bowens previous letter of 5-20-02 remains unanswered as to the request for written apologies for slanderous remarks made by Watchtower spokesman to the media. My letter went on to address this issue and request a specific answer. Again you ignored my request in the interests of my client. To request my client to appear for a hearing, before which you make more than one attempt at harassing my client and his family, then go on to ignore his many letters in which he asked for spiritual assistance and healing, and finally to attempt to deny his witnesses their right to testify certainly gives the appearance of subterfuge along with devious intent.
As you continue to offer no answer to the clear and concise questions of my client it therefore requires me to take the following action. I request answers to the following questions:
1. Will you make an immediate public apology and letter of vindication to Mr. Bowen and the other victims cited in his letter?(We expect that to be published in all AP affiliate newspapers)
2. Are you agreeable to pay expenses for the witnesses on behalf of Mr. Bowen that were inconvenienced due to your actions?
3. Are you willing to communicate to me the written confirmation of the new judicial hearing date on June 28, 2002 after 6 P. M.?
My client has requested an answer by June 10, 2002. If you choose to ignore any one of the three questions above it will be accepted as a refusal to meet with my client and a no answer to all three questions. My client is more than happy to meet and defend himself against false allegations, but there is an appearance you wish to create a kangaroo court in which he is at a disadvantage with no witnesses in his behalf, no apology for slanderous remarks and actions made locally and nationally, no attempt to set an agreeable judicial hearing date with my clients schedule, this certainly is not the way of Christian love and creates an adversarial meeting.
It is interesting to note in J. R. Browns letter to Richard Greenberg dated February 7, 2002 regarding the appearance on the Dateline program with Watchtower Officials, he made this statement:
..you have related to us that your participants are primarily individuals who view themselves as Jehovahs Witnesses. We therefore do not view them as adversaries, but as individuals whose views and opinions should be heard within the framework of the congregation, or church, and not in front of a nationwide television audience Our Governing Body is willing to resolve differences of opinion within the framework of the congregation and according to Scriptural principles.
My client has to wonder how charging him with a disfellowshipping offense and establishing a judicial hearing in which it appears you are denying witnesses in his behalf could be considered, resolving differences of opinion within the framework of the congregation and according to Scriptural principles. It seems only one opinion is being considered and anyone with any other opinion is being excommunicated. Would that not be considered an adversarial meeting?
By copy of this letter to the elders I am advising them of Mr. Bowens position in this matter and while I chose not to attend the judicial committee meeting out of courtesy to Mr. Bowen and to the elders, I will not stand idly by while Mr. Bowens personal rights are violated and he is ostracized for following the dictates of God and the requirements of state and federal law. It is our hope by your actions you will offer an extension of your shepherding work that has as its purpose to render spiritual aid in Christian love along with not being in an adversarial relationship, to date, you have failed miserably in that regard. Perhaps by proper actions you can redeem my clients confidence in your intentions.
I will await your usual, prompt and courteous response to this letter and hope that you will immediately and publicly vindicate Mr. Bowen who has been a good and loyal supporter of the church for many, many years.
Sincerely yours,
Attorney
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Letter:
6-6-02
Service Committee/Service Department
c/o Watchtower
25 Columbia Heights
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Dear brothers,
I am writing to address a serious matter involving the Governing Body of Jehovahs Witnesses. The basis of this letter is found in the scriptures at Galatians 2:11-14. In those verses it describes the occasion when Paul confronted Peter for wrongdoing. The humble reaction of Peter not only showed his repentance but his willingness to follow theocratic direction.
It is interesting to note in a recent letter dated February 7, 2002, this position was reiterated by the head of the Department of Public Information, J. R. Brown. Therein Brother Brown states, "Our Governing Body is willing to resolve differences of opinion within the framework of the congregation and according to Scriptural principles." This is a welcome affirmation of how an organization directed by Gods spirit should operate. No one is above Gods law, even as Peter who walked with Christ did not consider himself above reproof from a fellow elder when he became involved in wrongdoing.
Wrongdoing is a serious matter within Gods organization. By the directions we are offered, no one is above the directives offered by His organization and anyone who knows of serious wrongdoing and does not report it would in effect, share in the sin thus making them subject to a similar judgment for not reporting the matter. To provide the basis for this opinion I refer to the 1985 Watchtower where it makes this statement:
*** w85 11/15 21-2 Do Not Share in the Sins of Others ***
Elders must also be alert not to protect one another or ministerial servants if one of them has committed a serious sin that could result in disfellowshipping. They should follow the principle outlined by Paul, who wrote: Never lay your hands hastily upon any man; neither be a sharer in the sins of others; preserve yourself chaste.1 Timothy 5:22.
Today I write this letter as a fellow elder and Jehovahs Witness in good standing. Why do I make that statement? In December of the year 2000 I made public my decision to resign as an elder in protest of Watchtower Policy regarding how child molestation was handled in the Christian congregation. While on December 31, of that year the Circuit Overseer informed me that he accepted my resignation, yet to date, no announcement to the congregation has been made in that regard. By protocol within the organization it would appear as a result I remain an elder until that announcement is made. Please refer to the letter to All Bodies of Elders where it states:
Page-2
"An announcement of deletion should be made to the congregation afteeceiving from the Society the returned S-2 form or an S-52 letter indicating that the recommendation has been approved. In such a case, the brother should be informed of his deletion before the announcement is made."
So according to this information the deletion does not take effect until the announcement is read to the local congregation and I am informed of it being given, thus it appears that along with being a Jehovahs Witness in good standing I also remain an elder. It is true this is a loophole but you might compare it to the loophole used by Watchtower Legal to avoid reporting child molestation in 33 States. As they use their loophole to protect the image of the organization, I use my loophole to try and protect children.
Therefore with the above thoughts in mind I as a Jehovah's Witness and fellow elder wish to make the following charges against the Governing Body of Jehovahs Witnesses:
1. Apostasy-The Governing body has taken action against the true worship of Jehovah and the established order among his dedicated people (Jer.17:13; 23:15; 28.15,16 ; 2 Thess. 2: 9,10) They have deliberately spread and stubbornly held to teachings contrary to Bible truth in the establishment of an organizational Policy that hurts children.
2. Loose Conduct-The Governing Body has shown a. disregard for theocratic order in their failure to protect the flock. ( Gal. 5:19:2 Pet. 2:7; w83 3/15 p.31; w73 9115 pp, 574-6; it-2 p. 264 )
3. Causing Divisions-The Governing Body has committed deliberate action to disrupt the unity of the congregation and undermined the confidence of the brothers in Jehovah's arrangement by their inaction on matters concerning child abuse and battered women. ( Rom. , 18; Titus 3: 10,11 )
The actions of the Governing Body in establishing Watchtower Policy with regard to how child molestation is handled in the Christian Congregation at the direction of the Service Department, Legal Department, District Overseers, Circuit Overseers, and local elders, has bro God's law and destroyed the lives of many faithful brothers and sisters.
Therefore I formerly request to resolve this matter within the framework of the congregation and according to Scriptural principles, by calling for a judicial committee to be convened in Brooklyn, New York on September 27, 2002 of three impartial elders who are spiritual men with no fear for standing up foighteousness, I will bring several hundred eye-witnesses who will provide extensive evidence in the form of written documentation, personal experience, and eye-witness testimony, to accuse the Governing
Page-3
Body that by their policy on child molestation they are guilty of racketeering, witness tampering, conduct unbecoming a Christian and crimes against children.
It is my hope the judicial committee will be able to find acts of repentance commensurate with their wrongdoing committed against children. If so then Public Reproof will help the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses to know the Governing Body has become truly repentant humble men and will act in the best interests of Jehovah's Witness children. On the other hand if proper works of commensurate repentance cannot be found or if they try to minimize the wrong, the Governing Body should be disf'ellowshipped and not reinstated until they take responsibility for their actions.
The date has been set months in advance to give the Governing Body time to make appropriate arrangements to be present as well as prepare for their defense and also to give the witnesses against them sufficient time to make travel arrangements.
It is my optimism the Governing Body much like the Apostle Peter, will humbly address these matters in the best interests of the entire organization so as to bring God's blessing and holy spirit in full flow upon his people. I offer you ten days from the date of this letter to respond in a timely manner, along with this letter goes my warm Christian love.
Very truly yours,
William H. Bowen on behalf of
Silentlambs, inc.
cc. Governing Body
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