Below is a list of all of Joe and Barbara Anderson's Correspondence and Letters to and from the Watchtower Society!
If I missed any Letters please post them here.
Also, here is a Thread with all of Bill Bowen's Letters to the Watchtower Society: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.aspx?id=38041&site=3
Also, here is a Thread with all of the Pandelo Family's Letters to the Watchtower Society: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.aspx?id=40230&site=3
I hope this info helps everyone out.
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WATCHTOWER
BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT PHONE (718) 560-5000
25 COLUMBIA HEIGHTS BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11201, USA 560-8903
LLB:LSL May 9, 2002
Jerre Michael Hood
Attorney at Law
124 First Avenue N.W.
Winchester, TN 37398
Re: Barbara Anderson
Dear Mr. Hood:
Your fax letter dated May 7, 2002, reached us on May 8, 2002, regarding your client, Barbara Anderson. You ask many questions regarding the judicial committee hearing that Mrs. Anderson has been encouraged to attend.
Be assured that a judicial committee hearing is a spiritual arrangement for the benefit of the individual. It is not at all like an adversarial secular court proceeding that you are familiar with. The purpose of this spiritual meeting is in harmony with the
Apostle Pauls words to "try to readjust [a person who takes a false step] in a spirit of mildness." (Galatians 6:1) The elders have the spiritual welfare of Mrs. Anderson in mind, and they will make every effort to help her if she has sincere doubts. For these reasons, attorneys or spokespersons have never been a part of this spiritual arrangement. Mr. Anderson has been invited to attend the meeting with his wife.
As for the other matters that you inquire about, please be advised that this is a matter that is handled by the local elders. You can assure Mrs. Anderson that the elders will give her every opportunity to be heard and to present witness and evidence. There is no need for her to be anxious or concerned. If it is not established by at least two or three witnesses that she has committed the serious sin charged, or if she is repentant, her association in the congregation will not be affected. (Deuteronomy 19:15) The elders have the best interests of Mrs. Anderson and the congregation in mind.
We thank you in advance for communicating this information to Mrs. Anderson.
Sincerely,
Watchtower Legal Department
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Barbara Anderson
May 19, 2002
ATTENTION: THE MANCHESTER , TN CONGREGATION, BODY OF ELDERS JUDICIAL COMMITTEE
Re: Barbara Andersons second judicial hearing
On May 10, 2002, during the judicial hearing convened to discuss certain then unknown charges against me, I repeated my attorneys request for specific charges in writing and a list of witnesses who would be speaking against me. This was not forthcoming, although the verbal charges stated by L at that time were, Submitting an article to an apostate journal and causing division among the congregations of Jehovahs Witnesses, which I categorically denied doing. Apparently, since there was no proof presented by the Manchester judicial committee of my guilt, now new charges have been raised. These charges should have been given to me in writing, as well as a list of witnesses against me, the same request made by my attorney the first time around, but instead, the charges were verbally transmitted to me on the phone May 18, 2002 by L with D listening in. These charges are:
1. Disrupting the unity of the congregation.
2. Undermining confidence in Jehovahs arrangement.
Let it hereby be made known that I thoroughly object to being charged and tried again in another judicial hearing. As far as Im concerned there is nothing else to talk about because I stand by my original statements made during the first meeting. In addition, because protocol and certain requests from my attorney have again not been complied with, consequently, Ill not be attending your second judicial hearing scheduled for 3:00 p.m. , Sunday, May 19, 2002 .
It all boils down to this: the action taken by the Watchtower Society through the Manchester Congregation elders to hold a second judicial meeting charging me with still other supposed infractions is really about my going public with accusations made against the Watchtower Society, that their sexual abuse policies protect pedophiles. Charging me with silly so-called spiritual violations as mentioned in the New York Post is just a ruse, and you all know it. If I didnt speak to Dateline about the sex abuse cover-up within the organization, you would never have convened a judicial hearing on order of Watchtower because you all know Ive never committed any serious sins. Now, probably because of going to the press last week, another judicial hearing is being convened. I suppose this is how Im disrupting the unity of the congregation because Jehovahs Witnesses in Tennessee are questioning the organization whether my accusations are true.
Your actions are not only farcical, but highly improper before God and man. I, as well as my attorney, are dumbfounded by this violation of my right to free speech in the public interest. Molesters with Bibles in hand going door to door and children unprotected from predatory people are issues that are in the public interest. It is completely out of the freedom of religion domain.
Amazingly, all Watchtower protocol has been abandoned, apparently to get rid of me. I doubt if Ive ever heard before of anything like what Im being subjected to. Its obvious Ive not committed any sins against God or the Bible. The truth is that Im only trying to protect Jehovahs Witnesses children and grandchildren by going public because there is no other way to force Watchtower to change their sexual abuse policies. Ask yourself, why doesnt the Watchtower organization turn the organization upside down to protect its members, especially its children? They firmly say to the press that they protect children, but the reality speaks for itselftens of thousands of Jehovahs Witnesses abuse victims, many of whom are now speaking out. Why arent the congregation members informed that due to confidentiality policies, there are molesters and even murderers within the congregations? If the truth undermines confidence in the organization, than something is wrong with the organization. Do you feel any less unified as an organization regarding Watchtower theology since Ive gone public with my story? I doubt it. You need to look into your hearts and see that this is about children; that Watchtower leaders are more interested in protecting a corporate or religious image than they are about protecting children.
Jesus said in Matthew 18:6 that whoever stumbles one of these little ones [children] who put faith in me, it is more beneficial for him to have hung around his neck a millstone such as is turned by an ass and to be sunk in the wide, open sea. The Watchtower has allowed, through its terrible sexual policies, e.g., the requirement for two witnesses to each accusation of molestation, to stumble thousands of children. Now its time for victims to tell the world what they endured while under the hard-fisted and sometimes roaming hands of Jehovahs Witnesses elders. I hope each of you has a clear conscience in this matter of not supporting Watchtowers pedophile protection policies. It is my hope that you have protected children, aided victims, and obeyed the child abuse reporting laws of the Superior Authorities in Tennessee . Sadly, though, we do know of cases in the Manchester Congregation where, in the past, elders have not called the authorities when molestation was reported to them and discouraged parents from doing so.
Shortly, you will see Jehovahs Witnesses, who are victims of child molestation, stepping out from the shadows everywhere to tell their stories. It has already started here in Middle Tennessee due to newspaper stories about my judicial hearing last week. To date, seven victims have come forward because of reading the articles about me in the newspapers, five in one congregation alone. One of those seven victims is from Manchester and another from Shelbyville. I personally know of others who are still yet too afraid to speak out. It behooves you all to back up and take a broader look at this issue. Why wont you believe what I said to you when we met in the judicial hearing last week? You didnt walk in my shoes at headquarters in the Writing Department. You dont know what evidence I have as a basis for my allegations, so why are you trying to make me endure two judicial hearings before you have heard the evidence on Dateline. If Im right, you will be swept up in one of the biggest messes to have hit a religious organization in many a year. In as much as Ive known most of the Manchester elders for years, I feel for you all in this dilemma.
In conclusion, from hence forward, you are not to contact me again. Please notify my attorney in writing as to the outcome of your investigation into my purported sins. If, in the future, contact has to be made with me, please do so through my attorney. Do not discuss me with my husband, Joe Anderson.
Jerre Michael Hood
Attorney At Law
For your information, Im enclosing an experience of a Jehovahs Witness family who just recently observed a serial molester being protected by congregation elders. This contrary to what Watchtower spokesman, J. R. Brown, is telling the press that most cases of improper handling of molestation cases are old, that they happened before new policies were put into place. This is just not true.
Im attaching to this letter a copy of my attorneys letter, dated May 16, 2002 , which was faxed to the Watchtowers Legal Department, May 17, 2002 . Also, please note the fax cover sheet where my attorney wrote the Watchtower a message regarding the second judicial hearing scheduled for May 19, 2002 , which he strongly objected to.
Very truly yours,
Barbara Anderson
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When Mr. Hood, Barbara's attorney, found out Friday evening, May 17th, that a second Judicial Meeting was being convened on Sunday, May 19th, 2002, he was astonished. He then faxed his second letter to the Watchtower Society, Friday, May 17th, 2002 and wrote this message on the fax cover sheet:
Please find faxed herewith my letter of May 16th. I have just now learned that your organization will try Mrs. Anderson a second time on Sunday the 19th at 3:00 PM . This type conduct on your part is just unbelievable and certainly appears maliciously motivated. If this conduct persists I will advise Mrs. Anderson to pursue legal action for her own peace of mind and to protect her rights.
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May 16, 2002
Watch Tower Bible And Tract Society of New York, Inc.
Legal Department
ATTN: LLB
25 Columbia Heights
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Re: Barbara Anderson
Manchester Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses
Dear Sir:
I am in receipt of your letter of May 9, 2002 which obviously did not answer any of my questions. I did note a couple of very important statements in your letter. First, it was noted that at the judicial committee hearing the elders must establish "by at least two or three witnesses that she (Mrs. Anderson) has committed the serious sin charged". Mrs. Anderson was unaware of any serious sin charged except some general allegations of apostasy or contacting an apostata. No proof was presented by any witnesses this past Friday (May 10, 2002 at 3:00 p.m.) regarding the generalities of this particular charge and certainly no proof was presented regarding what J. R. Brown referred to as "other sins unrelated to the Dateline interview" which apparently brought all of this about.
Other statements that have been made by J. R. Brown to the media indicate that he had no idea who the persons were that were to appear on Dateline until just a few days before Mrs. Andersons day of hearing on this past Friday. This letter will advise you that we have documentation that that is an incorrect statement which we must at this point obviously assume was knowingly made. Your letter also stated that this matter would be handled by the local elders. It is our understanding that they were conducting this hearing pursuant to directions from New York. Is that true, or not?
Watchtower Page 2 May 16, 2002
Therefore, this letter will serve as notice upon you that we feel Mrs. Anderson has been slandered by allegations that she has committed a "serious sin" unrelated to the Dateline interview. This would certainly lead anyone to believe that she 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 she 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 was presented at the hearing.
Therefore, we must demand from you an immediate public apology and letter of vindication to Mrs. Anderson. 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 Mrs. Anderson.
This letter will also remind you that Mrs. Anderson has not had a falling away of her faith in God nor the dictates of the Bible and she does not intend to be disfellowshipped nor to disassociate herself as such. She 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 Tennessee law.
By copy of this letter to the elders I am advising them of Mrs. Andersons position in this matter and while I chose not to attend the judicial committee meeting out of courtesy to Mrs. Anderson and to the elders, I will not stand idly by while Mrs. Andersons personal rights are violated and she is ostracized for following the dictates of God and the requirements of state and federal law. She 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.
Watchtower Page 3 May 16, 2002
I will await your usual, prompt and courteous response to this letter and hope that you will immediately and publicly vindicate Mrs. Anderson who has been a good and loyal supporter of the church for many, many years.
Sincerely yours,
JERRE M. HOOD
JMH/dg
cc: Manchester Congregation Elders:
Larry Seely, Dale Muir, Gary Hobson
Oliver Danzy, Mark Sartain, Wayne
Moore, Joseph Anderson, Thairl Taylor
and Dale Dormanen
Dateline
Tennessean - Leon Alligood
NYP - Dan Mangan
Tullahoma News - Mary Reeves
Corres5.Anderson1.ltr
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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 William H. Bowen 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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May 23, 2002
Mrs. Barbara Anderson
c/o Jerre Michael Hood
Attorney at law
124 First Avenue N. W.
Winchester TN. 37396
Dear Mrs. Anderson,
In harmony with Our conversation on May 17, 2002, the continuation of your judicial hearing was held n Sunday May 19, 2002.
The decision rendered by the judicial committee was to disfellowship from the congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses on the charge of causing division.
If you wish to appeal the decision you may submit a written letter of appeal to L. Seely within seven days. You should state clearly your, reason (s) for requesting an appeal.
Sincerely,
Larry Seely
PO box 275
Tullahoma TN, 37388
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Barbara J. Anderson
May 30, 2002
To: Manchester Congregation Judicial Committee
Dear Brothers,
I Barbara Anderson, wish to appeal the disfellowshipping decision of 5-19-02, which I received notification of on May 28, 2002. I wish to appeal for the following reasons:
1. There has been no disfellowshipping offense committed by me.
2. I deny committing any wrongdoing worthy of disfellowshipment from Jehovah's Witnesses.
3. I firmly contend that speaking out to media in order to protect children of Jehovah's Witnesses from Watchtower policy is not causing divisions or apostasy, thus it is not a disfellowshipping offense,
4. I have never spoken about the problem of sexual child abuse within the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses to anyone before I spoke to the media, hence no witnesses could be produced that said I had, thus I have never caused divisions among Jehovah's Witnesses. I spoke to the media only to protect myself due to the lies spread about me by J, R, Brown, spokesman for the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, when he said the congregation was investigating me, Bill Bowen and Pandelos for committing "spiritual violations" and "sins" and not for speaking out to Dateline. He also said that headquarters didn't know I was going to appear on Dateline and that is a lie in that headquarters sent a personal e-mail to the Manchester Congregation some eight months ago where I said in it that I had spoke to Dateline,
I further request that all communication be conducted with my attorney, The telephone call to me from Larry Seely did not honor previous demands for all communications to go through my attorney only.
Very truly yours,
Barbara J. Anderson
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June 5, 2002
Dear Sister Anderson;
Thank you for your letter dated May 30, 2002, that was delivered to us by Brother Anderson, As per your written request, an appeal committee is ready to meet with you regarding your appeal of the judicial committee decision. The meeting has been set for Saturday, June 8, 2002, at 2:00 P.M. at the Manchester Kingdom Hall located at the intersection of Bowling Alley Road and Highway 55, Manchester, TN. If you are unable to meet at that time, you should personally contact the chairman of the committee.
We note that you letter said that you prefer to communicate with the committee through your attorney. We fail to see why this is necessary or even needed. Your status as one of Jehovah's Witnesses is an internal matter, not involving Caesar's purview. What is more, your meeting with the appeal committee is not adversarial. Your meeting with the appeal committee is for the spiritual purpose of deciding whether a serious error in judgment was made by the judicial committee that met with you earlier.
You state in your appeal that you did not commit any offense for which you should be disfellowshipped. This is a spiritual, rather than secular, question which the appeal committee will examine. If the appeal committee determines that the judicial committee did not make a serious error in judgment in this regard, the spiritual question of whether or not you were repentant will also have to considered.
We trust this explains why the involvement of an attorney is unnecessary and why we are communicating with you directly rather than through an attorney. Of course, Brother Anderson, as your husband, is welcome to be at this meeting with you.
Your Brother,
R. E. Matthews
Chairman, appeal committee
P.S. As a courtesy we are providing Mr. Hood with a copy of this letter,
cc Jerre Michael Hood, esq,
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A. J. (Joe) Anderson
June 5, 2002
Christian Congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses
Service Department
2821 Route 22
Re: Letter of resignation
Dear Brothers,
This letter pertains to my wish to no longer serve as an elder in the Congregation. Knowing what I do about our organizations child molestation problem and other matters here in the Manchester Congregation, I find it difficult to keep serving as an elder. Undoubtedly, how we as elders handle allegations of molestation in our organization has troubled me for quite some time.
I was pleased to note from J. R. Brown's feb 7, 2002 letter to Dateline NBC that our organization would hear views and opinions from individuals within the framework of the congregation, so I take this time to ask that you resolve some of my differences of opinion according to Scriptural principals.
Since I have been in close proximity to the child molestation issue because of my wife Barbara, I have come to know of hundreds of molestation cases mismanaged by elders. Without a doubt, many elders are incapable of correctly dealing with molestation allegations, but others followed verbal and written directions from headquarters that caused immeasurable sorrow and lifelong unhappiness to the victims and their families. Almost every day for the last several years, Ive read accounts sent to my wife from victims describing their disagreeable encounters with elders and the Society, which, in effect, has punished them and protected their molesters. I know that Jehovahs Witnesses as a whole, plus those outside of our organization say that they hate child molesters even more than murderers, but whether they really do or not is shown by their feelings and actions.
Inasmuch as child molestation is an act done in secret, and since we the elders and the Society compound this by keeping such acts committed within our group a secret, the Witnesses are under the illusion that our organization doesnt have a problem with molestation. Of course, each elder knows if there are any accused or confessed molesters within his congregation, but elders dont know if there are molesters in other congregations. Consequently, because elders are unable to gage the scope of this situation because of the secrecy, most think there isnt a problem. Now, due to media coverage of many distressing cases of molestation within our organization, many elders are very disturbed. Without question, Im sure that you are also.
Here's one example of why keeping molestation a secret from the congregation does not work: Im personally acquainted with a woman who was divorced, and when her little girl was molested she went straight to the elders. They did not report the accused to the police, although requires ministers to report child abuse. It took a sister in the congregation, who found out about the rape years later, to go to the police. This resulted in the molester being sentenced to eight years in prison. As far as I know, this man was previously accused of molesting three girls in another state and when he moved to , the elders were notified of his past, yet they warned no one in the congregation as per the Societys instructions. Before he was arrested, he molested two girls in . So who was right? The sister who reported him or the elders who kept the secret? In our congregation, one elder told the other elders that if anyone molested his child, he would call the police first and elders later. Are you aware of how many elders feel this way? I personally know that many elders feel that they really can do nothing to help in these cases. Yet you instruct that an accusation of molestation within the congregation be reported first to the elders.
The October 8, 1993 Awake! states that child molesters want something else from their victims--SILENCE. Are we not sharers in guilt with the molester when we dont encourage victims to go to the authorities where they will get help? Wouldnt this be the Christian thing to do? Are we not sharers in guilt with a molester, who silences the victim with threats, when we silence members in the congregation with threats if they warn others? In the May 24, 2002 letter to all the congregations in the , you stated that even one abused child is one too many. This same letter says, At least since 1981, articles have been published in our journals, with a view to educating Jehovahs people on the need to protect children from child abuse. How can you educate Jehovahs people by keeping such secrets? To be able to protect their children, Jehovahs Witnesses have a right to know as part of their education if there are any people within the congregation accused of molestation.
Incidentally, it seems to me that if concerned people had not gone to the media about the child abuse problems in our organization, this subject would not have been addressed at the elders school last year. It was obvious that there was a change of attitude by the statement made that Child abuse is a crime. Now elders no longer treat molestation as a sin like adultery or fornication, but as something far more serious, a crime. This was a welcome change.
Recently, a woman who used to be a Witness told me, after she read an article in our locaewspaper about Jehovahs Witnesses and allegations of child abuse, that she was molested by someone who attended the Manchester Congregation many years ago. Ive known her family for over twenty-five years and remembered her as a young girl. The man she accused is a very good friend of mine for over thirty years. If I go to my friend with another elder confronting him and he denies the allegation, Im in a dilemma because I want him not to be guilty. How can I provide justice when Im partial? Of course, I could remove myself from this situation, but why should we even be put in a position to judge our brothers in such matters where it takes the wisdom of Solomon to sort it out. According to the October 8, 1993 Awake! it is improbable that a child who accuses a person of molestation is lying. However, I believe it is better to err in behalf of a child than the accused. But the question arises, why are we as elders even investigating this crime of child abuse? Can we as elders really identify a person as a molester when an accusation is made?
Of course, something has to be done when accusations are made but cant be proved, but most Witnesses want to leave situations like this in Jehovahs hands. To me this is shifting responsibility. Our organization has guides to settle disputes and discover truth, but in the above case, if the accused denied the allegation, the investigation is over until someone else comes forward accusing the same person (something that happens infrequently). Since elders have been told that molestation is a crime, why cant our brothers go first to the authorities with an accusation and then inform the elders. We expect our brothers to go first to the authorities with an accusation of murder. Moreover, it is inconceivable to think elders would investigate an allegation of murder to determine guilt or innocence, so why would we investigate an allegation of child abuse to determine guilt or innocence? This is just not our field of expertise. We are ministers of God, not police. The authorities and their child abuse experts sometimes make mistakes, but nothing like the mistake of just asking the accused Did you do it? and the reply is No. If there is not another witness to the act, consequently, all charges are dropped, the matter is closed, and the victim is warned not to talk about it or else.
This brings me to the subject of victims having to provide another witness to his/her molestation. There are contradictions associated with this rule. In the past, Watchtower literature stated that two witnesses to each act must be provided before judicial action could be ta. Now theres something new: two persons as witnesses to separate incidents of the same kind of wrongdoing can be deemed sufficient to take action. Which is it? Also, just what kind of action is to be ta? Judicial action which could lead to disfellowshipping? Or investigative action leading to the determination of guilt and then reporting the allegation to the authorities? If our teachings mean we must meet the above criteria before we report to the authorities, as many elders think we do, I say, NO! We shouldnt invoke the two-witness rule when it comes to whether elders should report an accusation to authorities. In fact, let me reiterate, I believe that elders should not be investigating an accusation of child abuse before the authorities are called in.
The flock is told that elders are loving, kind and sensitive. Yet, time and again, I have heard of extremely ignorant or worst behavior on the part of elders when involved in sexual abuse cases. For instance, a child in our circuit accused her grandfather of molestation. Her mother went to the police and the man (a brother) admitted his guilt. I was told that the case was handled satisfacly by all concerned except when the mother was approached by the presiding overseer of the congregation and he said, If its any consolation to you, your daughter enjoyed the act! The mother left the organization because she couldnt handle the idea that this man was her spiritual shepherd!
Another case comes to mind: A sister told of being molested when she was eight years old. The man confessed, but one of the elders asked her then, What kind of clothes were you wearing? She was advised to make peace with the perpetrator, and her family was counseled to invite him over for a meal. Its obvious that a question and advice like this proves that elders are not qualified and shouldnt be involved. If I know of hundreds of cases like these, you must know of thousands.
Children and women are very vulnerable in this male-dominated world, and this is true also in our organization. I have quoted James 1:27 many, many times and have heard it quoted from the platform an equaumber of times. Of course, you well know this scripture where James said, The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself with out spot from the world. Generally, we emphasized the end of this scripture and rarely analyzed the situation orphans and widows found themselves in when the husband and father died. Primarily they were without a protector, which made them extremely vulnerable. Although the situation has changed somewhat today, there still are many areas where orphans and widows need help and elders should give special care to their needs. And especially is this so with regard to those who are sexually abused. Who are their protectors, if not those who can be lied to spiritual fathersthe elders. God puts them under our care and yours too. Whatever it takes, we should go the extra mile to help abused ones. However, it appears that our organization will sacrifice a child to keep the person who denies an allegation of molestation.
In your letter to All Bodies of Elders, February 15, 2002, you instruct us to, Never suggest to anyone that they should not report an allegation of child abuse to the police or other authorities. Why should elders be put in a position to suggest or not to suggest reporting an allegation? The victim or caregivers and the rest of Jehovahs Witnesses should be informed by elders to always call the police if a crime has occurred, no buts or ifs about it.
Also, in this same February 15, 2002 letter, you say, If you are asked, make it clear that whether to report the matter to the authorities or not is a personal decision for each individual to make This is inaccurate information and illegal in seventeen states. In these seventeen reporting states, everybody is obligated to report even suspicion of child abuse. In this has been the law since 1972. In the law is the same. And why would resident, Bill Bowen, as seen on Dateline, be told by someone in the Legal Department to not report a case of molestation? What is the Societys Legal Department doing giving us wrong information such as the above?
In the January 1, 1997 Watchtower, a policy statement is found that a man known to have been a molester can not hold a position of authority within the congregation. This policy is certainly appreciated and shows your concern for protecting the flock. However, the word known appears to be a confusing problem. Who is he known to, the eldersis the determination of his guilt or innocence in their hands? What if the victim cant prove to the elders that he/she was molested because of being unable to produce another witness to the act, does this mean the accused remains in his position? I believe this is so because he is then known or considered by the elders to be not guilty. (He is then not known to be a molester.) Elders should never be given the power to determine who is to be a known molester or not because they are untrained and unqualified. This policy puts children in the congregation at risk and should be reevaluated.
In your statement in the May 24, 2002 letter to all congregations you say, We have long instructed elders to report allegations of child abuse to the authorities where it is required by law to do so Where God is concerned, if this is a crime, its a crime everywhere. If wrong in one state, why not in others? Also, if its wrong we should do the right thing whether the laws of the land require it or not. Arent we supposed to be morally better than the world? Do we not go an extra step or two because of conscience? Another point ta from the same statement as quoted above is this: You say, We have long instructed elders to report allegations of child abuse to the authorities Where is it written as policy that elders are instructed to report allegations of child abuse to the authorities? Your statement as quoted above is a half-truth and misleads the reader. What is not understood is that elders have written instructions to call the Legal Department where they will be told that if their state requires a minister to report the allegation, they should report it. Thats a far different matter than long instructed elders to report allegations of child abuse to the authorities
Another point I want to discuss with you is the recent disfellowshipping of my wife, Barbara. The scriptures used for disfellowshipping her are found in 1 Corinthians 5:1-12. The letter from L. Seely, presiding overseer of the Manchester Congregation, said that Barbara was disfellowshipped for causing divisions, not for committing any of the wicked acts Paul described in 1 Corinthians 5:1-12, i.e., gross wickedness, sexual immorality, etc. It was the Societys spokesman, J. R. Brown, who accused my wife of committing some unspecified spiritual violations or sins for which she was being called before a judicial committee. This most certainly blemished my wifes character before the whole world, especially since no proof was offered then or ever.
It was the Watchtower Society that forced Barbara to go to the media about the judicial hearing convened by the local congregation at orders of the Watchtowers Legal Department. It is obvious that because she went to the media about the sexual abuse issue that she caused divisions among the flock. Why didnt J. R. Brown just say so instead of accusing her of sins and blac her character? It was because headquarters knew there was absolutely no proof she caused divisions by propagating her views about child abuse before she went to the media.
If Barbara was disfellowshipped because of causing divisions, the Apostle Paul should have been disfellowshipped for causing divisions among the flock because he publicized sensational sexual immorality in the Corinthian congregation. Not only did he discuss with the Corinthian Congregation how he felt about the congregation hiding fornication in their midst, he recorded his accusations for millions of people to read in the Bible during the past 2,000 years. Why is it okay for Paul to have gone public revealing disgraceful conduct that was being condoned in the congregation, but when my wife goes public about the organization condoning and protecting immoral people by bad policies, she is punished? Moreover, wicked and immoral acts have been equated to her by applying 1 Cor. 5 as the reason for her disfellowhipping. I believe this to be untian. I also believe that disfellowshipping my wife violated the Apostle Pauls command to each one of us to work to keep the congregation clean no matter what the cost. Furthermore, disfellowshipping her for causing divisions because she publicly spoke out about uncleanness in our organization is a violation of the freedom of speech Christ brought us.
Inasmuch as I cannot be guided by your polices on child molestation, it is difficult for me to remain an elder. Im not expecting a response to this letter. If any changes in your policies occur, Im sure they will appear in our publications.
Thank you for considering this letter and I hope nothing less than the Christian thing will be done in behalf of the victims and those speaking out.
Sincerely,
A. J. Anderson
XC: Manchester, TN Congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses
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July 15, 2002
Mrs. Barbara J. Anderson
Normandy, TN
Dear Sister Anderson;
On June 5, 2002, we corresponded with you in response to your letter of in which you appeal the decision made by a judicial committee from the Manchester congregation.
A meeting was arranged to hear the appeal. However, we were informed that you could not be at the scheduled meeting due to the short notification period. We are pleased to arrange another meeting in accordance with your request.
Meeting has been set for 3:00 pm Sunday, July 21, 2002 at the following address; Ramada Inn, 2314 Hillsboro Blvd, Manchester, TN.
Your Brother,
R. E. Matthews
Chairman appeal committee
cc; Jerre Michael Hood, esq.
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Below is Joe Anderson's Letter he gave to everyone in his Congregation when they Announced his Disfellowshipping (they Disfellowshipped him for "Questioning the Governing Body" by writing his first Letter above):
August 11th 2002
Dear Folks,
I am writing to let you know about my situation in the congregation and my feelings on the matter. You might also say this is a letter telling you goodbye.
I've been associated with Jehovahs Witnesses for over fifty years and my interest is still in Jehovah and his purpose. What has always impressed me was the honesty and truthfulness of the organization, and for changes the organization has made in the past to benefit the congregations. I want to add here that I continue to have only love for all of Jehovah's Witnesses, including the elders and the people at Watchtower headquarters, many of whom Ive known since the 1950's.
Recently, I wrote a letter explaining why I resigned as an elder and sent it to the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society regarding changes that I believed were needed in their child sexual abuse policies. I gave each elder in the Manchester Congregation a copy of the letter to let them know what I was doing. Let me say here that this has nothing to do with doctrines, etc., but about procedures that could impact safety of the flock, Christian love, and elders doing the right thing in behalf of the membership. However, because of writing this letter, at a judicial hearing a few weeks ago, I was accused of undermining the confidence of the brothers in Jehovahs organization.
I have enclosed, for your observation, a copy of this letter so you can get a sense of what's going on. As you know, this type of thing is always kept secret from the congregation, consequently, everything appears to be going peacefully. Normally, I concur with the organizations procedures regarding privacy for there are issues that do not involve the entire congregation so its best to respect confidentially. However, I perceive that keeping quiet about sexual child abuse in a congregation is a totally different situation. This criminal activity has to be exposed to protect us. Appropriate handling of sexual abuse accusations and subsequent information to the congregation does not undermine the confidence of the brothers in Jehovahs organization. On the contrary, keeping child abuse a secret does undermine the confidence of the brothers in Jehovahs organization.
To give you examples of deviant sexual proclivities kept secret within the organization that have served to undermine confidence of the brothers in Jehovahs organization were the dismissals from Bethel since 1991 of two Governing Body brothers, Chitty and Greenlees. Chitty was homosexual and also an alcoholic. He returned to , where he was from, and the Watchtower Society provided him support and an apartment to live in. He was not disfellowshipped.
Greenlees was a known homosexual when he lived and worked at , Watchtowers Canadian Branch Office and his appointment as a member of the Governing Body caused considerable shock to the staff there. He was dismissed from Brooklyn Bethel in the mid 80s while Barbara, Lance and I were there and sent out as a special pioneer. Later, informed people at told us that Greenlees was not dismissed for being gay, but rather for molesting a young boy. He was not disfellowshipped.
In my resignation letter I referred to a young lady who was with the Manchester Congregation some years ago, who came forward as a result of the Tennessean newspaper and identified several brothers in our area who molested her as a child. To say the least, I was shocked to hear her story, and then when the elders were informed when I met with them, two of them corroborated some of her claims.
I believe because of the nature of pedophiles that all of us should know about their past offenses, which would warn us of the potential harm that can come by keeping this a secret. There are over 23,000 , Canadian and British cases of confessed and accused molesters filed at Watchtower headquarters, many of which have never been turned over to the authorities. If you take into account that by Watchtower Society requirements there has to be two or more victims before some action is ta by the congregation against a molester, this would mean there are many thousands more victims than 23,000 molesters. In fact, one Jehovahs Witness in molested seventeen children before he was imprisoned. He still is not disfellowshipped. Presently, there is one confessed molester now attending the congregation and another former elder who confessed to molestation, who moved to a nearby congregation last year. But Watchtower policy prohibits us from telling you who they are. In the Manchester Congregation, there is only one elder who has small children in his care who knows who these men are, consequently, he can protect his children, but you who have children are not permitted that right to know. Is that fair? Or loving?
Why can't we write the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society with our concerns, questions, and doubts about things that effect us? But as you can see from the action taken against me that you'renot free as you think. See James 1:25. In addition, never forget that James said in chapter 4, verse 17 that if you know whats right and not do it, its a sin.
If you write to Watchtower with compliments, you hear nothing. But write something that they term negative or divisive, your letter is sent back to your home congregation and the elders investigate. If you dont repent then you will be disfellowshipped. Since my Bible-trained conscience does not allow me to repent of what is perceived by the Watchtower Society as undermining the confidence of the brothers in Jehovahs organization from what I said in my resignation letter, I will be disfellowshipped.
To see what the Bible tells us about Christian freedom read 1 Peter 2:19-21 and Hebrews 3:6. Notice too that 1 Cor. 10:29 asks why should it be that a persons freedom is judged by another persons conscience.
My desire is not to separate you from the congregation and the many friends you have. Im merely letting you know what is going on, which Ive always wanted to do. There is a lot more to say, but for now I can only say I hope changes will be made because this issue is causing an immense amount of pain and suffering for victims and their families, including my own family. Moreover, the worst effect of all is that they leave the organization. Its very sad.
In closing, I send my best wishes and will miss your association.
Christian love,
Joe Anderson
Edited by - UnDisfellowshipped on 10 November 2002 0:58:47