O.K. Wife and I watched the entire part 1 of Day 8 GB Jackson's testimony. Here's a few points I got from watching :
The guy is totally smug and arrogant and condescending. But Stewart and the judge were up to the challenge.
15:30 to 17:30 Jackson tries to read a scripture from Acts explaining how the congregation was to " select 7 men from among themselves " to handle responsibilities. Then Angus Stewart replies , " I think the proper application of that scripture says that a broader congregation of believers would appoint those 7 men, not just them appoint themselves. " Jackson - seeming flustered said condescendingly , " This is the problem when trying to explain our arrangement from the scriptures to secular authorities. "
25:00 to 28:00 Jackson states : " We get research and input from others " This contradicts what was stated in a WT article a couple years ago.
32:00 to 34:00 Jackson states : " It's very rare that congregations receive letters from the GB " and he adds " policy letters may be adjusted locally by the branches involved" . Yeah right.
44:00 to 46:00 Judge McClellan states that : " Children have incapacity to report child abuse. You have heard it's said children should be heard, not seen ? What's your organization's view of this ? Jackson states : " We encourage children to communicate and express themselves to parents. "
48:00 to 50:29 Jackson states : " Our church accepts the family arrangement as outlined in the Bible. " When asked by McClellan if the JW's accept corporal punishment , Jackson states, " no ".
51:00 Judge McClellan states : " The roles of women on our modern society have changed. Women in your organization have expressed concerns about difficulty meeting with elders having to discuss child abuse with them at JC meetings. "
53:00 to 54:00 Jackson replies : " The role of women in our organization is a " very dignified " role and they are not treated as " second rate citizens ". He continued, " They are very happily married women in the JW marriages. " What's THIS guy been smoking ?
54:00 to 55:00 Judge McClellan asks : " Why can't women be allowed to contribute to child abuse policies ? " Jackson replies , " There is no leeway in JW's beliefs about women taking the lead. "
55:00 Jackson seems rattled and stutters : " Your honor we've made changes regarding child abuse. Victims don't have to go before a committee of 3 elders about the abuse. " Which is a lie- unless the change was made in the last few days. Jesus.
1:02 to 1:04 Jackson indicates that a woman may possibly " assist " in an investigation of child abuse but the final judging decisions are only for men in a JC.
1:04 to 1:06 Jackson states : " The judicial system we have in the congregations isn't in competition with the criminal justice system " . Uh-huh.
1:07 Judge McClellan states : " There is a lack of women as judges in your organization ? How do you think this makes women feel ? "
1:08 Jackson replies : " In the roles that these elders serve- they are " friends " to those in the congregations. They make decisions based on the " spiritual " cleanliness of the congregation - it's for police to look into the crime of it in the justice system. ( Once again Jackson trying to dissolve any responsibility of the GB or WT elders to report ) passing the buck.
1:11 to 1:15 Judge McClellan appearing miffed asks : " It's such a difficult experience women would feel more comfortable explaining her abuse to another woman- would she not ? "
1:13 to 1:17 Jackson states : " I cannot answer in regards to how a woman feels. I know the Bible states that it's not possible for a woman to judge. They are not involved in the decision making in judicial committees.
1:18 to 1:19 Judge McClellan states : " Your process in the judicial committees are only determined by the elders if allegations of child abuse are true or false. Could the process be modified by a body including women ? "
1:18 to 1:19 Jackson states : " We could check the scriptures and research to see how women could be used in the process. " ( Like they will ? ) Uh-huh.
1:23 to 1:27 Jackson gets on his soapbox and starts preaching, he says : " It must be the elders who make decisions. The Bible talks about the " headship principle " " ( then reads the scripture ) Jackson continues, " Men make the final decisions ; it doesn't mean there is no input from women. " Then he reads the scripture about women remaining silent in the congregation, only to question their husbands in private. He states that women were debating with men in the congregation.
1:29 Jackson states , : " Someone who reads the Bible their whole life can understand it " . ( Indicating himself I imagine as opposed to the " heathen " Australian commission he's talking to. ) LOL.
1:30 : Jackson states, " It's just that we don't want women jumping up arguing excitedly with others. "
1:32 to 1:34 Angus Stewart asks , : " Is there a scriptural direction not to report child abuse ? " Jackson uses the excuse, " If Australia made it mandatory to report- it would make it so much easier for us. "
1:37 Angus Stewart asks , : " Do you report child abuse to the authorities if other children are at risk in a family ? " Jackson replies , : " The guardian of the parent has the responsibility to report the abuse. A report should be made to the authorities- elders consciences should move them to report. "
1:41 to 1:50 Angus Stewart uses an example from the Hebrew scriptures indicating that a man who rapes a woman was to be put to death only though SHE the victim was the only eyewitness. Then Angus asks Jackson, : " So we see it's NOT necessary even in the Scriptural sense to have two eyewitnesses to child abuse is it ? " Jackson replies ridiculously, " I'd like to ask Jesus Christ that in the future. "
1:46 to 1:50 Angus Stewart states that , : " The 2 witness rule needed could be the circumstances involved as well. " He proves his point by showing how elders stake out homes all night lying in wait to see if someone has committed adultery with another- all based on circumstance. " Why not the same in child abuse cases ? "
Then it broke for lunch. Just wanted to share parts of this Day 8 part 1 for those who didn't have time to watch. Take care. Will be back hopefully later for Part 2 description
