Did You Like The Iraqi Minister 4 'Information'!? (page 2)

izobcenec

I have heard, that WT offered him 10 millions $ for replacing JR Brown

Ed

I thought he was great. He reminded me of the Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

SYN

In all honesty it can be said that Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF!) is the very first war in human history to have delivered a truly good deadpan comedian.

William Penwell

Yeah he was almost as funny as Ronald "Dumsfeld".

Will

xjw_b12

LOL at izo. Substitute jehovah for allah, and throw a few armageddon assimilies in there, and presto. Yeah, he could be a WBTS spokesman alright.

Gerard

See any parallels?:

Watchtower's Minister of Information

"Our initial assessment is that the ~~infidels~~ non-JWs will all die"

"God will roast their stomachs in hell at the hands of ~~Iraqis~~ relatives still in this cult."

"Who are in control, they [apostates] are not in control of anything - they don't even control themselves!"

"We are not afraid of the ~~Americans~~ non-JWs. ~~Allah~~ Jehovah has condemned them. They are stupid. They are stupid" (dramatic pause) "and they are condemned."

"The ~~Americans~~ non-JWs, they always depend on a method what I call ... stupid, silly. All I ask is check yourself. Do not in fact repeat their lies."

"I can say, and I am responsible for what I am saying, some JWs have started to ~~commit suicide~~ reject blood transfusions under the walls of ~~Baghdad~~ Brooklyn. We will encourage them to commit more suicides quickly."

"I can assure you that those ~~villains~~ apostates will recognize, will discover in appropriate time in the future how stupid they are and how ~~they~~ we are pretending things which have never taken place."

"This week we have destroyed 2 ~~tanks~~ families, ~~fighter planes~~ independent thinking, 2 ~~helicopters~~ elderly women and their ~~shovels~~ grand daughters - We have ~~driven them back~~ shunned them."

"The authority of the ~~civil defense~~ GB ... issued a warning to the civilian population not to pick up any of those pencils because they are ~~booby traps~~ tools for independent thinking and significant personal achievements."

"The ~~American~~ press is all about lies! All they tell is lies, lies and more lies!"

"I have detailed information about the [UN membership] situation...which completely proves that what they allege are illusions . . . They lie every day."

"Lying is forbidden in ~~Iraq~~ KHs. President ~~Saddam Hussein~~ Milton Henschel will tolerate nothing but truthfulness as he is a man of great honor and integrity. Everyone is [NOT] encouraged to speak freely of the truths evidenced in their eyes and hearts."

"Now even ~~the American~~ Silent Lamb's command is under siege. We are hitting it from the north, east, south and west. We chase them here and they chase us there. But at the end we are the people who are laying siege to them. And it is not them who are besieging us."

"Let the ~~American infidels~~ apostates bask in their ~~illusion~~ freedom"

"I triple guarantee you, ~~there are no American soldiers in Baghdad~~ the world ended in 1925."

"~~Britain~~ education is not worth an old shoe"

"blood-sucking bastards" [those who accept a blood transfusion.]

Of ~~US troops~~ shunned people: "They are most welcome. We will butcher them." We will welcome them with bullets and shoes."

“We have placed them [shunned daughters and sons] in a quagmire from which they can never emerge except dead”

"These ~~cowards~~ sexualy abused children have no morals. They have no shame about lying"

"They're not even [within] 100 miles of ~~Baghdad~~ Brooklyn. They are not in any
place. They hold no place in ~~Iraq~~ Heaven. This is an illusion ... they are trying to sell to the others an illusion."

"They do not even have control over themselves! Do not believe them!"

"They are not in ~~Baghdad~~ the internet. They are not in control of any ~~airport~~ computer. I tell you this. It is all a lie. They lie. It is a hollywood movie. You do not believe them. Do not log on the internet!"

"Our estimates are that none of them will come out alive unless they surrender to us quickly." [Unedited]

"We made them drink poison last night and ~~Saddam Hussein's~~ Milton Henschel's soldiers and his great forces gave the ~~Americans~~ apostates a lesson which will not be forgotten by history. Truly."

"On this occasion, I am not going to mention the number of the ~~infidels~~ JWs who were ~~killed~~ shunned and the number of destroyed ~~vehicles~~ families. The operation continues"

"We're giving ~~them~~ Silent Lambs a real lesson today. Heavy doesn't accurately describe the level of casualties we have inflicted."

"We went into ~~the airport~~ South America and crushed them, we cleaned the WHOOOLE place out, they were ~~slaughtered~~ asimilated"

"This is unbased"

"Search for the truth. I tell you things and I always ask you to {not} verify what I say."

"I have detailed information about the situation . . . which completely proves that what they allege are illusions . . . They lie every day."

"Listen, this ~~explosion~~ Devil does not frighten us any langer. The ~~cruise missiles~~ Devils do not frighten anyone. We are catching them like fish in a river. I mean here that over the past two days we managed to shoot down 196 ~~missiles~~ ghosts before they hit their target."

"There are no ~~Iraqis~~ Elders disguising themselves".

Question: Is ~~Saddam Hussein still alive~~ the WT a printing bussiness?
"I will only answer reasonable questions"

On ~~U.S. General Richard Myers~~ Bill Bowen: "He must be crazy. His reports are basic propaganda".

~~Rumsfeld~~ Ray Franz is a "crook" and "the most despicable creature."

"We are winning!"

UnDisfellowshipped

Gerard, I loved that!

izobcenec said:

I have heard, that WT offered him 10 millions $ for replacing JR Brown

LOL!

Yes indeed! The Watchtower Society has their very own version of "Baghdad Bob" -- "Baghdad Brown"!

Here are some of "Baghdad Brown's" 'greatest hits':

Bad, Bad, Baghdad Brown's Quotes begin (along with Quotes from his Watchtower Buddies!):

"Jeff Tucker, one of the Mount Shasta Kingdom Hall elders, says there were not enough eye-witnesses to go to the police." ("Christianity Today", February 2nd 2001)

[J.R. Brown, Spokesman for Watchtower Society, speaking] "...we do not prohibit or discourage the victim or the victim's parents from reporting child abuse to the authorities even if the alleged perpetrator is one of Jehovah's Witnesses." ("The Paducah Sun" (Kentucky) Newspaper, January 5th 2001)

"J. R. Brown, director of the public information office at church headquarters, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, in Brooklyn, said the church had exemplary policies for handling sexual abuse, which were based on biblical standards and had been widely published in church magazines. "...if you take what our policy is for keeping our organization clean morally, it far outpaces anybody else's." " (NEW YORK TIMES Newspaper, Sunday, August 11th 2002 Edition)

" "...if you take what our policy is for keeping our organization clean morally, it far outpaces anybody else's," spokesman J.R. Brown said." (Seattle Times Newspaper, September 6th 2002)

"Witness spokesman [J.R.] Brown says that the incidence of pedophilia is no worse in his religion than in others, but he admits that some elders have not reported suspicions of abuse." (Christianity Today, January 26th 2001)

"Mario Moreno, associate general counsel at the church's New York headquarters, said when church policy is applied to child molesters, "as a parent, an attorney and an elder, I'm comfortable with our policy." " (The Paducah Sun (Kentucky) Newspaper, January 28th 2001)

"[J.R.] Brown said the church does not necessarily equate reporting the matter to law enforcement to protecting the child because "not all the time does government authority provide the protection the child needs. We don't say automatically that, but unfortunately too many reports show that's the case. You can be sure they're going to take what action is necessary to see that the child is protected." " (The Paducah Sun (Kentucky) Newspaper, January 28th 2001)

" "It's a matter of trying to balance confidentiality and protecting the child," Brown said." (The Paducah Sun (Kentucky) Newspaper, January 28th 2001)

"Moreno said he believes that while some of the church's critics on this topic have legitimate concerns, most "have a problem with pride" and "want the organization to change for them. We go by what we believe the Bible says, and we don't change for anybody." " (The Paducah Sun (Kentucky) Newspaper, January 28th 2001)

"He [Moreno] also said he feels the church is "being picked on" and added that he would be willing to put the church's policy up against any other." (The Paducah Sun (Kentucky) Newspaper, January 28th 2001)

"J.R. Brown... said the church does not interfere with the reporting of a crime. He said church elders are supposed to contact headquarters if they have questions about a case. "When we are contacted, we tell elders if they are in a state where (reporting pedophilia) is required," he said. "We want to make sure we are legally compliant." Brown said he is aware that numerous cases have been posted on Internet sites such as www.silentlambs.org or www.freeminds.org detailing pedophilia within the Jehovah's Witnesses church. But he maintains most of the stories were posted by people who underwent abuse back in the 1980s, when all of society was grappling with the issue. "Regrettably, many children probably were molested," he said. He said the church has made strong policy changes since then, including taking suspected or convicted pedophiles out of any position in the church, not allowing them to be alone with children and various other restrictions." (TRI-CITY HERALD, Wednesday, January 23, 2002)

"[Watchtower Spokesman Mario] Moreno agrees with Bowen's claim that no investigation is initiated in the church if there is only one witness and the accused denies the charge, but he said elders have the responsibility to watch the accused more closely. He added that elders sometimes advise the accused to not put himself or herself in suspicious situations." ("The Paducah Sun" (Kentucky) Newspaper, January 28th 2001)

"No human organization is perfect. But we do believe that we have a strong, Bible-based policy on child abuse." -- J.R. Brown (Quote from the Statement that was Faxed from J.R. Brown to Betsan Powys, BBC Panorama Reporter, on May 9th 2002, and was Posted on the Official Watchtower Society Media Website at http://www.jw-media.org around the same time the BBC Panorama Program aired)

"Clearly, with us having 95,000 congregations around the world and three to five to six elders in each, mistakes may have been made," he said. "But that does not mean that we don't have a strong and aggressive policy that shows we abhor child molestation." -- J.R. Brown (Associated Press [AP] News Story, September 26th 2002)

"When any one of Jehovah's Witnesses is accused of an act of child abuse, the local congregation elders are expected to investigate. Two elders meet separately with the accused and the accuser to see what each says on the matter. If the accused denies the charge, the two elders may arrange for him and the victim to restate their position in each other's presence, with elders also there. If during that meeting the accused still denies the charges and there are no others who can substantiate them, the elders cannot take action within the congregation at that time." -- J.R. Brown (This Statement was Posted on the Official Watchtower Society Media Website at http://www.jw-media.org right around the same time Dateline aired (May 28th 2002), and is still available on the Official Watchtower Media Website)

He [Mario Moreno] also said that when members are disfellowshipped, the congregation is told but no reason is given in order to protect confidentiality. When asked if the parents of the victim would be allowed to tell fellow congregates why a member is disfellowshipped, Moreno replied, "That would be their choice. We don't tell them that, but it would be their choice. Is that encouraged? No." ("The Paducah Sun" Newspaper, January 28th 2001)

"Members at Bowen's old Kingdom Hall in Draffenville say the church does not bar them from reporting abuse. They say they may council abusers to report their actions to authorities. But they admit discouraging members from telling just anybody. "The difference between needless gossip, let's say, and withholding information from those who have a right to know is two different things completely," says Jehovah's Witness Bruce Waite. J.R. Brown, national Jehovah's Witness public information director, says proceedings against Bowen are confidential." (Kentucky NewsChannel 6 News, May 2002)

"Gossip is talk that reveals something about the doings and the affairs of other persons. It may be someones faults and mistakes that the gossiper is talking about. But even if the things said are true, the gossiper is in the wrong and reveals lack of love. The proverb says: "The one covering over transgression is seeking love, and he that keeps talking about a matter is separating those familiar with one another."Pr 17:9. Sometimes matters are confidential, but the slanderer delights in revealing them to others who have no right to know. (Pr 11:13) The slanderer gets pleasure in revealing things that cause sensation. The one listening to slander is also wrong and is damaging himself. (Pr 20:19; 26:22) A person may be turned away from his friends because of some defamatory remark about them made by a slanderer, and enmities and divisions may develop.Pr 16:28. The Scriptures foretell that the notable presence of slanderers would be one of the marks of "the last days." (2Ti 3:1-3) Such persons, men or women, if present among Gods people, are to be reproved and corrected by responsible ones in the Christian congregation." (Quote from Insight on the Scriptures Volume 1, Page 990, Published in 1988)

"At least two witnesses are required to establish a charge of wrongdoing. (John 8:17; Hebrews 10:2) If the person denies the charge and your testimony is the only one, the matter will be left in Jehovah's hands. ... This is done in the knowledge that all things are openly exposed to Jehovah and that if the person is guilty, eventually his sins will catch up with him. ... But suppose the person does deny the charge and you are the only witness against him. Could you now be open to a countercharge of slander? No, not unless you have gossiped to those not involved in the matter." (Quote from The Watchtower, August 15th, 1997 Issue, Pages 27-28)

"If the accusation is denied, the elders should explain to the accuser that nothing more can be done in a judicial way. And the congregation will continue to view the one accused [molester] as an innocent person. The Bible says that there must be two or three witnesses before judicial action can be taken. (2 Cor.13:1; 1 Tim. 5:19) Even if more than one person remembers abuse by the individual, the nature of these recalls is just too uncertain to base judicial decisions on them without other supporting evidence. This does not mean that such memories are viewed as false (or that they are viewed as true). But Bible principles must be followed in establishing a matter judicially." (Quote from The Watchtower, November 1st 1995 Issue, Pages 28-29)

"People in the Organization who are accused of sex abuse are subject to a Hearing... They are automatically removed from leadership positions and can't go door-to-door without other members' being present." -- J.R. Brown ("The Washington Post" Newspaper, May 11th 2002)

"People in the Organization who are accused of sex abuse are subject to a Hearing like the one Barbara Anderson attended yesterday, [J.R.] Brown said. They are automatically removed from leadership positions and can't go door-to-door without other members' being present." ("The Tennessean/Nashville" Newspaper, May 11th 2002)

"A known child molester does not qualify for appointment as a church Elder or for any other position of responsibility in any congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses." -- J.R. Brown ("Paducah Sun" Newspaper, on January 5th, 2001)

"The Witnesses can often avoid being Disfellowhipped if they quickly show repentance, but according to Erik Joergensen [Head of Information of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Denmark], this will not be the case if they have committed sexual abuse and murder." (Danish Newspaper "Kristeligt Dagblad", October 18, 2001)

"Even if he [the child molester] is repentant is cut to the heart and is thus resolutely determined to avoid such conduct in the future what was stated in the January 1, 1997, issue of The Watchtower applies. The article said: "For the protection of our children, a man known to have been a child molester does not qualify for a responsible position in the congregation. Moreover, he cannot be a pioneer [full-time missionary of Jehovah's Witnesses] or serve in any other special, full-time service." He would not qualify Scripturally. (1 Timothy 3:2, 7-10) We take such action because we are concerned with maintaining Bible standards and protecting our children. Everyone in our organization is expected to meet the same requirements, namely, to be clean physically, mentally, morally, and spiritually.2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:17-19; 1 Thessalonians 2:4. In a few instances, individuals guilty of an act of child abuse have been appointed to positions within the congregation if their conduct has been otherwise exemplary for decades. All the factors are considered carefully." (Quote from the Official Watchtower Media Website, http://www.jw-media.org about their Pedophile Policy)

"It may be possible that some who were guilty of child molestation were or are now serving as elders, ministerial servants, or regular or special pioneers. Others may have been guilty of child molestation before they were baptized. The bodies of elders should not query individuals. However, the body of elders should discuss this matter and give the Society a report on anyone who is currently serving or who formerly served in a Society-appointed position in your congregation who is known to have been guilty of child molestation in the past. ... this information is not to be made available to those not involved." (Quote from the March 14th 1997 Official Watchtower Society Letter that was Sent from Bethel Headquarters to All Bodies of Elders, Page 2)

"The elders may have written to the branch office and given full details about a former child abuser who is currently serving as an elder or ministerial servant. In such a case, if the branch office has decided that he can be appointed or continue serving in a position of trust because the sin occurred many years ago and because he has lived an exemplary life since then, his name should not appear on the List, nor is it necessary to pass on information about the brothers past sin if he moves to another congregation unless contrary instructions have been given by the branch. If therefore, such an appointed man moves to another congregation a letter confirming the move should be sent, addressed to the Societys Legal Department. There are, however, many other situations that are connected with the abuse of a child. For example, there may be just one eyewitness, and the brother denies the allegation. (Deuteronomy 19:15; John 8:17) In these and similar cases no entry will be made on the Child Protection List. Rather, information should be kept in a sealed envelope in the congregations confidential file as described below." (Quote from the June 1st 2001 Official Watchtower Society Letter that was Sent from Bethel Headquarters to All Bodies of Elders)

"Moreover, the man [child molester] has revealed a serious weakness that henceforth will have to be taken into account. If he seems to be repentant, he will be encouraged to make spiritual progress, share in the field service" (Quote from the January 1st, 1997 Issue of The Watchtower)

"Moreno said while he believes in the church's policy, he knows that some members have been hurt, and "my heart goes out to them." But he said that some elders don't follow the policy as they should, and that's where trouble begins. Moreno said when a Witness goes to an elder with an accusation of abuse, the first step the elders should take is calling the church's legal department. He said there are then three factors considered: protecting the child, complying with the law, and protecting minister-adherent confidentiality, with the last receiving the least weight. The legal department will then advise the elders what is required by law. Twenty-two states, including Illinois and the District of Columbia, do not require clergy to report accusations of child abuse. In those states, Moreno said, the legal department generally advises the elders not to report the matter to law enforcement authorities. J.R. Brown, public affairs director for the church, said the reason for this is "we do not think, as an ecclesiastical authority, we should run ahead of Caesar's laws," using a biblical reference to secular authority. "Even if secular authority does not require it, generally we have endeavoured to be more zealous for enforcing and seeing that these laws are complied with. If Caesar has a law, and it does not conflict with God's law, we follow it." " (Paducah Sun (Kentucky) Newspaper, January 28th 2001)

"He [Moreno] agreed with Bowen's charge that a congregation would also not be told if a pedophile had joined the flock. But he said because of the church's structure, the fact that such a member, if male, who would have fewer rights in the congregation, would not be serving in a leadership role would alert members that "he obviously lacks spiritual maturity." " (Paducah Sun (Kentucky) Newspaper, January 28th 2001)

"Church officials say elders alert authorities to suspected abuse in states that require reporting. But in other states they prefer to take steps to protect children that don't breach what they see as confidential communication between elders and members. A lawyer for the Jehovah's Witnesses church, which has nearly 1 million members nationally and 6 million worldwide, said it complies with those state laws that require church elders to report abuse. "If there is a law that mandates reporting, that takes precedent over any confidentiality, whether in church policy or statute, ... In states where there is no reporting requirement, it's a different scenario," Moreno said. Elders might have the victim relocated away from the abuser or have the parent or guardian of the victim, or even the accused person, report the abuse to police, he said. "The laws of this country, as well as people's moral values, tell you there are some things that should be kept private. That's why laws protect confidential communications between clergy and their flock." But Moreno said elders who contact the church's legal department with cases of suspected sexual abuse -- as they must do -- are often advised to refer victims to police or other outside help, even if the law doesn't require it." (Louisville Courier-Journal (Kentucky) Newspaper, January 4th 2001)

"Moreno ...said "Once in a while, in a small minority cases, elders screw up. They screw up because they don't call here (the Watch Tower legal department). When they call here, they don't screw up." Moreno said that eventually, the truth comes out. "Somebody else comes out of the woodwork and now you can take action," he said. Moreno said two separate accusers would count as two witnesses when making a sexual abuse accusation. Church policy neither encourages nor discourages members to report suspected or admitted sexual abuse to police, Moreno said. Elders are instructed to always call the central legal department of the church in Carmel, N.Y., upon receiving an accusation. When elders call, church lawyers tell them whether state law requires them to report abuse to police, Moreno said. A still-valid 1989 church memo also tells elders to call for legal advice before being interviewed by police, responding to a subpoena or voluntarily turning over confidential church records, unless police have a search warrant. Moreno said church lawyers might advise elders to refer victims to police or other outside help. "That's a personal decision." " (Louisville Courier-Journal (Kentucky) Newspaper, January 4th 2001)

"If child abuse becomes known to our church elders, they strictly comply with applicable child abuse reporting laws. We also encourage the wrongdoers to do everything they can to set the matter straight with the authorities. Furthermore, we do not prohibit or discourage the victim or the victim's parents from reporting child abuse to the authorities even if the alleged perpetrator is one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Jehovah's Witnesses abhor all forms of wickedness including child abuse. We do not condone the actions of those who exploit children by this terrible crime and such persons are disfellowshipped (excommunicated) from the congregation. A known child molester does not qualify for appointment as a church elder or for any other position of responsibility in any congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses." -- J.R. Brown (Paducah Sun (Kentucky) Newspaper, January 5th 2001)

"Although Witnesses comply with secular laws when necessary, Witness spokesman Brown says, the group prefers to deal with such matters spiritually. "We handle wrongdoing, sin, and transgression," he says. "This is what a religious organization is supposed to do. We're not getting into law enforcement. We're just going to handle the repentance." " (Christianity Today, January 26th 2001)

" "There is no duty to announce to people that 'John Brown' is a child abuser," he [Moreno] said. If the court had ruled otherwise, he said, it "would basically discourage people from going to their ministers and getting help. If people could not count on confidentiality when they go and confess to a Catholic priest, there's going be quite a chilling effect on religion," he said. Church lawyer Moreno said it would be "ridiculous" for any elder to make such a threat [of Disfellowshipping], and if one did, it would contradict church policy. "That's not scriptural," he said. "We teach the Scriptures. The Scriptures don't say, 'If you file criminal charges against an abuser you're going to have eternal damnation.' The one in danger of eternal damnation is the abuser." " (Louisville Courier-Journal (Kentucky) Newspaper, January 4th 2001)

[Moreno said] [elders] "do institute this discipline [Disfellowshipping]. They're not soft on abusers." (Louisville Courier-Journal (Kentucky) Newspaper, January 4th 2001)

"Said Moreno: "I wouldn't be too happy myself if somebody abused my child and was reinstated. The bottom line is if an elder determines a former child abuser has demonstrated repentance, (he has) a scriptural obligation to reinstate him." " (Louisville Courier-Journal (Kentucky) Newspaper, January 4th 2001)

"Brown said pedophiles are restricted from working with minors and must also be with a well-respected church member when they go door to door. Pedophiles also might not be sent into neighborhoods where they might be recognized as molesters, Brown said. According to church lawyer Moreno, the system worked. Elders did their job, and victims and police did theirs, he said. "What was the harm?" Moreno said. "The report got made. "You've got a teen, who has been molested, upset at the elders for not calling the police?" he said. "You can call the police. You're the one injured. "Who makes the laws? Not us. Don't blame us for the laws, please. Talk to the state legislators of Colorado." " (Louisville Courier-Journal (Kentucky) Newspaper, January 4th 2001)

"J.R. Brown, spokesman at the Jehovah's Witnesses' headquarters in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, said he believes Bowen does not have a full understanding of church policies. Members are free at all times to report abuse to secular authorities, Brown said. "This is a personal decision on how you want to handle this," he said. What is revealed to church leaders is generally kept confidential unless state law requires that allegations of abuse be turned over to police, he said. "We deal with sin, and law enforcement deals with crime," Brown said. In some cases, however, the matter is turned over to secular authorities regardless of the law, Brown said. Of Bowen, he said: "He's concerned about victims of child abuse, and we are, too." Brown said the faith does require at least two witnesses to prove any kind of wrongdoing -- including child molestation -- because that is what is taught in the Bible. But corroborating evidence can be used instead of a second witness to prove wrongdoing, Brown said." (Associated Press, February 11th 2001)

"We are writing regarding allegations made concerning our policy about handling accusations of child molestation. Some of these allegations have been reported in the media. We were very surprised to see that these statements were made, and we noted how inaccurate they are. Our position on pedophilia has been well-publicized for decades." -- J.R. Brown (Paducah Sun (Kentucky) Newspaper, February 12th 2001, Editorial Page JR Brown Response to William Bowen)

"Jehovah's Witnesses condemn child molestation, and they do not tolerate such activity within their membership. If there is sufficient evidence that someone has exploited children in this way, he may be disfellowshipped (excommunicated). A sincerely repentant former child molester may be allowed to remain a member of the faith, but he is strongly warned against being alone with children unless one of the parents or another responsible adult is also present. Moreover, as a protection to our children, former child molesters are not permitted to receive positions of responsibility in our religion. If an accusation of child molestation is made against a member of the congregation, the elders immediately work to assure the safety of the victim. Also, they make every effort to comply with the law. This includes complying with laws that mandate reporting the incident to the proper authorities. This is even done when a child is the only one to report the wrong conduct or when the elders received the allegation of molestation in confidence. The victim or the victims family may also report the matter to the authorities. The have an absolute right to report and none should interfere with this. If you would like to receive more information on how we report such matters, please contact Mario Moreno, Watchtower Legal Department. (845) 509-0416 or (845) 306-1000." -- J.R. Brown (JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE, PRESS RELEASE, August 7, 2001)

"[J.R. Brown] said there is no policy preventing notification of civil authorities of a crime. "What we handle is the transgression, or the sin, of child molestation. We distinguish that from the criminal aspect," Brown said. "Our view is, the church handles the sin, the secular authority - Caesar, if you will- handles the criminal activity." The church - which has about 6 million members worldwide, including 1 million in the United States - requires two witnesses because the Bible requires it for establishing a sin, he said. "Where the state requires that this be reported, we comply fully," he said. "We have designed a policy to protect the victim of child molestation; to protect innocent children and to not allow pedophiles to circulate among us." " (Associated Press News Story, Tuesday, January 22, 2002)

"In an interview from his home in New York on Tuesday, church spokesman J.R. Brown said elders are told to comply with the laws requiring professionals to report all allegations of child abuse. "It ought to be clear, the church handles all sins and transgressions in house," he said. "If such sins are criminal, then it's up to the police." ... Brown, the church spokesman, denied that victims are discouraged from reporting abuse or other crimes. "We make it clear that it is up to the individual whether to report. As you know, many choose not to," he said. "We don't chastise them." " (THE SPOKANE REVIEW, Wednesday, January 23, 2002)

"Jehovah's Witness church officials in New York deny that the church hides criminal activity. "We have no such policy. Our policy allows for anyone who wishes to report the matter to the authorities to do so," J.R. Brown, national spokesman for the Jehovah's Witness organization, said. "We strictly comply. We are not in any way resistive to the proper authorities being notified." Brown said that ...the church typically follows general policy guidelines in such matters. "We follow a general policy that we do not support legally any Jehovah's Witness charged with a crime. We do not use our donated resources to defend any Jehovah's Witness accused of a crime," Brown said. But Brown said the core issue is not the church's image. "If someone were to feel that our concern for our resources were greater than that for innocent victims, that simply is not true," Brown said. "We are concerned, just as any other organization, about our public image. We are concerned about our resources because we are recipients of donated funds for non-profit charitable work. But we are primarily ministers who are concerned to act as shepherds in a protective and spiritual sense over the members of the congregation," he said. "If anyone has been abused by anyone else in the congregation or whether that person is an appointed elder or not, we view this as a horrific crime to inflict on a child or anyone else," Brown said." (CNS News, Friday, January 24, 2002)

"Church officials... did say they report crimes to the proper authorities. "We have no objection to a crime being handled," said J.R. Brown, director of the Office of Public Information for the national organization. "In no way do we conflict with how police or other authorities handle these cases." But church officials strongly denied Anderson's allegation. "The two-witnesses requirement applies to how we handle transgressions or sins as a church," Brown said. "It has nothing to do with how we handle a crime. "We are a church made up of families ... We would not allow predators to get away with this," Brown said." (SACRAMENTO BEE, Saturday, January 26, 2002)

"Members of the faith found guilty of wrongdoing by church elders can be disfellowshipped, said church spokesman J.R. Brown in New York City. When that happens other members are encouraged to cease all contact with the individual. "That is a biblical standard," Brown said. "We are pretty strict when it comes to interpreting the Bible." Brown said ...the church has published several articles over the last 20 years encouraging members to report sexual abuse and child molesters. "We handle transgression and sin," he said. "But if that involves criminal activity, we say that should be reported to the government." " (THE SPOKANE REVIEW, Sunday, January 27, 2002)

"Leaders of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, as the organization is formally known, have disputed these claims, saying they obey all laws requiring the reporting of child abuse and do not interfere with police investigations. They say that in states that do not require reporting of abuse, they prefer taking steps to protect children while not breaching what they see as confidential communications between elders and members. Church officials say they might advise elders to move victims out of abusive homes or refer them to counseling. In its statement, the Jehovah's Witnesses Office of Public Information quoted biblical references in saying elders must use church discipline to ''shepherd the flock of God in their care.'' ''In fact, they are required by the Holy Scriptures to see to it that the congregation remains clean and unified,'' the statement said. ''No hasty decision is made in this process.'' The goal is not to expel a member, but to follow the Apostle Paul's injunction to ''try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness,'' the statement said. One suit filed in January by Erica Rodriguez, who said she was repeatedly abused by a church member years ago, claims an elder at her former congregation in Washington state threatened her with excommunication if she reported her abuser to police. A Watchtower statement denies this, saying that there are no sanctions against anyone who chooses to go to police, and that church elders and Watchtower did not know of the abuse until years after it had occurred." (LOUISVILLE-COURIER (Kentucky) Newspaper, Wednesday, May 8, 2002)

"In harmony with what the Bible teaches, elders of Jehovah's Witnesses shepherd the flock of god in their care. They have the spiritual welfare of each congregation member in mind. (1 Peter 5:2) This pastoral work is done confidentially, out of respect for the congregation and the individual(s) involved. Even as the local elders are concerned about the spiritual health of each member of the congregation, they are also concerned for the spiritual welfare of the congregation as a whole. In fact, they are required by the Holy Scriptures to see to it that the congregation remains clean and unified. (1 Corinthians 1:10) No hasty decision is made in this process. It is never the goal of local elders to remove someone from the congregation. Rather, every effort is made, in harmony with Paul's words, to "try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness." ---Galatians 6:1 Contact J. R. Brown, telephone: (718) 560-5600" (Watchtower Society Press Release, May 8, 2002)

"You cannot be a known sex offender and hold any position of responsibility within the organization," said J.R. Brown, the spokesman. "We have a very strong and aggressive policy for handling any sexual molestation that might take place." (NEWSDAY-NY, Wednesday, May 8, 2002)

"Both sides agree that all Witnesses - including relatives of the four - would risk excommunication by having contact with any excommunicated person, except under certain circumstances. While the four believe the show's impending broadcast has spurred the church's actions, church spokesman J.R. Brown said that before Tuesday, church headquarters had no idea that these people would be on the show. He also said local congregations decided to charge them with various spiritual violations." (New York Post Newspaper, Thursday, May 9, 2002)

"In a statement issued from their headquarters, the Jehovah's Witnesses said that church leaders are "required by the Holy Scriptures to see to it that the congregation remains clean and unified." J.R. Brown, a spokesman for the denomination, said that parents are not punished by the church for going to the police first in cases of child molestation. And he said that anyone found guilty of molestation by a church judicial committee is removed from all positions of responsibility and cannot evangelize door-to-door without being accompanied by a fellow Jehovah's Witness." (Associated Press News and also on CNN.com, Thursday, May 9, 2002)

"Steve Lyons, an elder at Bowen's Draffenville church of about 60 members, said Jehovah's Witnesses are responsive to allegations of child abuse. "I think we do as well as we can do," he said. "We comply with all local laws when it comes to reporting. We do our best to protect children in cases where even there's just been an alleged abuse." " (Associated Press News and also on CNN.com, Thursday, May 9, 2002)

"In an interview with the New York Post, JW spokesperson J.R. Brown stated that the threatened excommunications had nothing to do with the Dateline interview and that "church headquarters had no idea that these people would be on the show." Yet research displayed more than six internet announcements on the program, updates and names, all linked to the Silent Lambs and the Watchtower sites. Brown also said that local congregation decided to charge the members with various spiritual violations." (The Tullahoma (Tennessee) News, May 11, 2002)

J.R. Brown, a national spokesman for the Jehovah's Witnesses, confirmed that the four had been called to the hearings, but he said the proceedings may focus on "sins" unrelated to public comments on sexual abuse. He provided no specifics. The judicial committees will decide whether the four should be "disfellowshipped," the group's term for excommunication. (Washington Post Newspaper, May 11, 2002)

" ''What she [Barbara Anderson] alleges is not true at all,'' said J.R. Brown, a spokesman for the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York Inc., the incorporated name of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Brown said he had been talking to Dateline about the show's story for a year but said he and other organization leaders did not know which members television producers had interviewed. ''We have no idea what she told Dateline,'' Brown said of Anderson. The consequences of excommunication are severe for a reason, Brown said. It is hoped that the harsh isolation that disfellowshipped members feel will draw them back to the organization. Other members of the faith are not allowed to speak to disfellowshipped members. They can't greet them in a store or share a meal with them. Live-in family members can speak to the person but never about spiritual issues. ''Our statistics bear out that you have many people every year be reinstated,'' Brown said. Brown said Jehovah's Witnesses have a strict policy about child sexual abuse. If parents come to congregation leaders with concerns that their child is being abused, the leaders follow state law, he said. If state law requires parents to report the abuse, congregation leaders tell them that. People in the organization who are accused of sex abuse are subject to a hearing like the one Anderson attended yesterday, Brown said. They are automatically removed from leadership positions and can't go door-to-door without other members' being present. Anderson said she knew of pedophiles in four Middle Tennessee congregations who had confessed to elders and who had not been disciplined. She said those elders did not go to authorities with what they knew. There was no way yesterday to corroborate the accusations that Anderson made. Brown said they were false. A call to the local district attorney at his home yesterday did not yield a return call." (Tennessean Nashville News, Saturday, May 11, 2002)

"A Jehovah's Witnesses national spokesman, David Semonian, cited confidentiality rules and said the church could not discuss the Pandelos' case. "The proceedings may focus on sins unrelated to any public comments on sexual abuse," he said. Semonian said the church does not have specific rules against talking to the media, but churches could take action against those who disrupt the unity of the church. Semonian said he did not know about the Pandelo case. He said anyone convicted of child molestation cannot hold a position of authority in the church and cannot perform church work alone." (Asbury Park Press, May 14th 2002)

JOHN LARSON (NBC Dateline Reporter) Speaking: "Bill Bowen says if you want to get an idea of how the Church sweeps cases under the rug, just listen to part of a conversation Bowen Recorded a little over a year ago with an Official in the Jehovah's Witness (Bethel) Legal Department. Bowen calls seeking advice on how to handle a suspected molestation case involving a young girl and her father. Instead of being told to report it to the Police, Bowen is told to confront the suspected abuser." ... Bethel Headquarters #2 Speaking On the Phone: "You just ask him [the accused molester] again, "Now is there anything to this?" If he says "No," then I would walk away from it. ... Leave it for Jehovah. He'll bring it out. ... But don't get yourself in a jam." (NBC DATELINE -- "WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION", May 28th, 2002)

More to come soon....

ballistic

Thought you might all like this:

alt

also it's interesting we can have a whole thread about a guy and no one actually says his real name.

searchfothetruth

gerard

excellant!

Did You Like The Iraqi Minister 4 'Information'!?

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