Congregation given gagging order after mugging

ballistic

In a congregation near to me, an elders son made headline news in the local paper after mugging someone to steal their wallet and coat. Although the newspaper named him and reported that he had been arrested for the said crimes, an elder made a serious toned announcement at the following Thursday meeting that any gossip about the matter would be speculation and possible slander and went on to admonish everyone from the Bible to not carry on loose talk.

The reason I bring this up is not becuase of the conduct of the lad who had obviously decided to leave the land of JW, but the announcement. The fact it was an elders son got this special attention - at least I think so. Do you agree? Was the congregation silenced to prevent there being any more press coverage and to protect the name of the elder within the congregation?

I have never known any similar announcement.

SPAZnik

The reason I bring this up is not becuase of the conduct of the lad who had obviously decided to leave the land of JW, but the announcement. The fact it was an elders son got this special attention - at least I think so. Do you agree? Was the congregation silenced to prevent there being any more press coverage and to protect the name of the elder within the congregation?

Well beyond a reasonable doubt.

rocky220

If this was an elders' son, isn't customary that the elder step down? Or are they playing favorites?

inquiring mind wants to know.......I knew a case where an elder had to step down for a much less alleged offense on behalf of his adult & married daughter...[suspicion of pre-marital sex before the wedding, mind you, she had 2 daughters out of wedlock prior to this and was not kicked out].. just more WT...BS.....rocky220

jws

Don't know the exact circumstances, and I'm probably wrong. But just to provide one possible "valid" explanation would be that the guy may not have been convicted yet. Has there been a trial? Though we don't always remember that fact, here in the US, the guy is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. If you'll notice, even newspapers will refer to the suspect as "alleged" until after convicted in court. Maybe this is what they're thinking.

gumby

at the following Thursday meeting that any gossip about the matter would be speculation and possible slander and went on to admonish everyone from the Bible to not carry on loose talk

So he's arrested but it is speculation to talk about it. Ask the Elders if will be OK to talk about when they prove him guilty. Will it then be OK? Then tell the bastards not to talk about ANYONE else who makes the media like they do ...... IN EVERY SINGLE AWAKE MAGAZINE THAT HAS EVER BEEN PUBLISHED.

Kenneson

Ballistic,

You state this made the news headlines. Can you post the link? Thanks.

BoozeRunner

Gee, I guess talking about a news article NOW qualifies as slander and speculation in J-Dub land-that is, of course if the subject of the article is an elders son. That is the ONLY reason the elders put the "gag" order in effect. Lemme tell ya-any other dub would have been fair game to the normal talk of such an incident. I know, I have been there. No elder gave a hoot about whether I was innocent till proven guilty-in fact, they DF'd me in pretty short order. Eventually, the charges were dismissed for a very good reason-I was FALSELY accused, and the person who did so lied before fleeing the state.

The elders you speak of are just protecting one of their own.

Boozy