Can a video involving a christien having sex be viewed and used by elders?

by StephaneLaliberte 13 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  StephaneLaliberte

  Lets say someone has a sexual encounter and a third party video taps it. In Canada, it would be illegal for the one that taped the video to show it to the elders as this would be "invasion of privacy". What I am wondering however is if any legal action can be done against the elders and the WT if they view this video and take it into account in a Judicial Comity.

  Does anyone have experience in such matter?
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  DesirousOfChange

  Can't comment about Canada, but in the US it would not surprise me if the Elders of a JC would look at the film clip but "keep it confidential".

  Doc
  
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  Finkelstein

  That would go into some deep legal evaluation, perhaps call up legal advise.

  Privacy laws and use of video or audio material are most structured around copyright laws for commercial use.
  
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  blondie

  Have your tried asking a lawyer in your country? Laws can be applied differently to religious organizations assuming the outside legal area finds out about it.
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  fiddler

  I believe this did happen to a young gay brother who was video taped by his own parents and the vid was used during his JC. Anyone remember that one? It was truly dispicable of his parents!
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  3rdgen

  I have a relative whose wife told the elders he was physically abusing her. They wanted to meet with him. He wanted to prove his innocence and show that actually it was HER who was abusive so he videotaped several episodes of her fits of rage.

  His elders (California) flatly refused to even look at the tapes. Legal must have told them that there must be consent to be taped and consent for said tape to be viewed by others.
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  OrphanCrow

  ecan6: Lets say someone has a sexual encounter and a third party video taps it. In Canada, it would be illegal for the one that taped the video to show it to the elders as this would be "invasion of privacy". What I am wondering however is if any legal action can be done against the elders and the WT if they view this video and take it into account in a Judicial Comity.
  

  Are any of the parties in the tape underage?
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  OrphanCrow

  3rdgen: I have a relative whose wife told the elders he was physically abusing her. They wanted to meet with him. He wanted to prove his innocence and show that actually it was HER who was abusive so he videotaped several episodes of her fits of rage.

  His elders (California) flatly refused to even look at the tapes. Legal must have told them that there must be consent to be taped and consent for said tape to be viewed by others.
  

  In Canada, that tape would be a legal piece of evidence. A person is allowed to tape/videotape a conversation or interaction with someone else without their knowledge. The only person who needs to give consent is the person who taped it if they are one of the parties involved.
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  StephaneLaliberte

  Are any of the parties in the tape underage?

  No.
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  StephaneLaliberte

  OrphanCrow: The person who filmed was not involved in the sexual activity. Hence, I know for a fact that he cannot show this video to anyone as legal recourse can be done against him. What I am wondering though is if legal action can be done against the Elders and the WT if they use it as a reason to disfellowship the person who was videotaped.

  
  

  As 3rdgen said, some elders, presented with this opportunity, will flatly refused for fear of legal reprisal.