by AndersonsInfo 15 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Thank you Notformer,
Actually any report of child abuse is immediately reported to authorities. Even if is by one person. The branch has come down hard on any child abuse accusations.
Thank you Vanderhoven7 for your response, true, I mentioned a few only in response to a post, I didn't bring them up initially. So wouldn't the "onus" fall on the one bringing them up?
Take care.
Thanks for starting this thread Barb.
The "confidential" :) letter to Elders today seems to reflect many of the abuse issues brought up by the USA and European authorities.
Highlighted section from the Atlantis post:
"WHAT IF A BAPTIZED MINOR (UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE) BECOMES INVOLVED IN SERIOUS WRONGDOING? 8. When a baptized minor becomes involved in serious wrongdoing, two elders (not a committee) will meet with him along with his Christian parent(s) or legal guardian(s). The elders will exercise patience as they work with the parents to understand the minor’s attitude. They will also find out what steps the parents have taken to assist their child. 9. If the minor has a good attitude and the parents have the matter in hand, the two elders may determine that it is not necessary for the minor and his Christian parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to meet with a committee. The elders will check with the parents periodically to ensure that the minor is receiving needed spiritual assistance. 10. If the minor’s wrongdoing is widely known or likely to become known, the following brief announcement may be made to the congregation: “A matter involving [name of person] has been handled by the elders.” Also, the two elders may impose some temporary restrictions, such as not commenting at meetings and not caring for student assignments on the midweek meeting. As the individual makes a spiritual recovery, the temporary restrictions should be removed by the two elders without delay. 11. If the minor persists in a wrong course despite the assistance offered by two elders and his Christian parent(s) or legal guardian(s), a committee will meet with the minor and his Christian parent(s) or legal guardian(s). If the minor is unrepentant, he would be removed from the congregation. 12. What about minors who are currently disfellowshipped? The committee involved with the disfellowshipping can meet with the minor and his Christian parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to see how the minor is doing. If the minor has abandoned his sinful course and has a good attitude and if the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have the matter in hand, an announcement can be made that the minor has been reinstated. The elders would impose temporary restrictions, such as not commenting at meetings and not caring for student assignments on the midweek meeting. Thereafter, two elders from the committee will monitor the minor’s spiritual progress so that the restrictions may be removed in keeping with his spiritual progress. If the minor is an apostate or is promoting serious wrongdoing, the committee would not meet with the minor and his Christian parent(s) or legal guardian(s). If the minor was disfellowshipped by a committee in another congregation, the elders should follow the direction in the Shepherd book, chapter 19, paragraphs 13-16. 13. What about individuals who were disfellowshipped as minors but who are now adults? Such ones can be visited as the elders reach out to disfellowshipped ones."
@bbqbob,
You are welcome. Glad you are still with us.
"Two class system, please show some scriptures that disprove the little flock from the other sheep."
I'll start a thread on this one if you don't mind.
Van
Ballaamsass, I'm sorry but no such letter you state exists. everything you mentioned was in the update.
bbqbob - “…Actually any report of child abuse is immediately reported to authorities. Even if is by one person. The branch has come down hard on any child abuse accusations…”
Given the Org’s track record, I’m skeptical.
Which “branch”, by the way?
Interesting…
…two days in, and no response.
