What Another Watchtower Defeat Means (page 2)

Glad I could help DJ!

Also, you are right, there were a lot of spelling errors in that letter -- I have gone through and corrected them now.

Also, below I am going to post that same Letter, but add my comments to it:

Below is the Watchtower Letter that was quoted on CBS (I have edited this Letter to correct the spelling errors):

The following Letter was read to All Congregations in the United States in response to NBC DATELINE, right before DATELINE aired on Television on May 28th, 2002:

Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses
2528 Route 22 Patterson NY 12563-2237
Phone (845) 306-1100
May 24, 2002
TO ALL CONGREGATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES
Dear Brothers:

At Psalm 144:15 we read: "Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah!" We see the truthfulness of this inspired statement when we associate with our brothers and sisters at conventions, assemblies, and congregation meetings. We enjoy a warm atmosphere of peace while we benefit from fine spiritual encouragement from Jehovah and his organization. (Psalm 29:11) What a contrast to those of the world who lack true spiritual guidance and a solid hope for the future! --Isaiah 65:13.

[UNDISFELLOWSHIPPED'S COMMENT: Isn't it unbelievably hypocritical for the Watchtower Society, inside a Letter trying to make excuses for their pedophile cover-up, and they are STILL trying to claim how much better they are than anyone else!]

What enables us to maintain our happy spirit? For one thing, we fear Jehovah and we deeply respect the admonition in His Word, including what the Bible says on sexual matters. (1 Corinthians 6:9,10; Hebrews 13:4) At first, it was not easy for some of us to bring our lives into harmony with Jehovah's elevated standards. We had to make significant changes in our lifestyle before we could qualify for membership in Jehovah's clean, spirit-directed organization. Was it worth the effort? Absolutely! How happy we are to be living in harmony with God's righteous requirements!

[UNDISFELLOWSHIPPED'S COMMENT: Jehovah's clean spirit-directed organization only has 23,720 molesters moving freely throughout the Congregations raping children -- nothing to worry about at all, sheesh. How happy we should all be about that!]

In recent weeks, the press in this country has focused attention on the way accusations of child abuse are handled by various religious organizations. Such reports may cause some sincere individuals to ask about the procedures followed by Jehovah's Witnesses. Therefore, we believe that it will be beneficial to review with you our Bible-based position, so that you will "know how you ought to give an answer" to any who may inquire.--Colossians 4:6.

[UNDISFELLOWSHIPPED'S COMMENT: Basically, "You should believe everything the Media says about Catholic Molesters, but everything the Media says about JW Molesters is ALL LIES by Satan's Agents!"]

Simply stated, we abhor the sexual abuse of children and will not protect any perpetrator of such repugnant acts from the consequences of his gross sin. (Romans 12:9) We expect the elders to investigate every allegation of child abuse. Even one abused child is one too many. However, in evaluating the evidence, they must bear in mind the Bible's clear direction: "No single witness should rise up against a man respecting any error or any sin .... At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses the matter should stand good." (Deuteronomy 19:15) Later, this requirement to consider testimony of two or three witnesses was confirmed by Jesus. (Matthew 18:16) Thus, although they investigate every allegation, the elders are not authorized by the Scriptures to take congregational action unless there is a confession or there are two credible witnesses. However, if two persons are witnesses to separate incidents of the same kind of wrongdoing, their testimony can be deemed sufficient to take action.--1 Timothy 5:19, 24, 25.

[UNDISFELLOWSHIPPED'S COMMENTS: First of all, in a News Article, Watchtower Spokesman Mario Moreno told the Media that Elders DO NOT even start an investigation if there is only one eye-witness:

Quote from "The Paducah Sun" (Kentucky) Newspaper - January 28th 2001:

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.
___________________________________________________

Also, the Watchtower Society is forcing JWs to follow the MOSAIC LAW about Two Eye-Witnesses, and yet, the Watchtower Publications have repeatedly stated that Jehovah's Witnesses are NOT under the Mosaic Law.

Also, even under the Mosaic Law, there was a ONE-WITNESS RULE for Rape Crimes, as is shown in the following Verses:

Deuteronomy 22:25-27: "If, however, it is in the field that the man found the girl who was engaged, and the man grabbed hold of her and lay down with her, the man who lay down with her must also die by himself, and to the girl you must do nothing. The girl has no sin deserving of death, because just as when a man rises up against his fellowman and indeed murders him, even a soul, so it is with this case. For it was in the field that he found her. The girl who was engaged screamed, but there was no one to rescue her.

Those Verses say that if there were NO OTHER WITNESSES, that the rapist was to be put to death at the mouth of ONE WITNESS -- THE VICTIM!

Yet, the Watchtower Society completely ignores those Verses, even though the Watchtower Society loves to abuse the Verses right above those, in order to enforce their "Rape/Screaming Policy".

Also, it is amazing how the Watchtower Society tries to use Matthew 18:16 to claim that Christians must follow a super-strict rigid "Two-Witness Rule". Let's see what Matthew 18:16 says:

Matthew 18:15: "Moreover, if your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
Matthew 18:16: But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, in order that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every matter may be established.
Matthew 18:17: If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector.

Jesus was saying to bring along one or two others who could LISTEN to both sides of the disagreement, and THEN they would BECOME eye-witnesses to what was said in that meeting -- the one or two did not have to be eye-witnesses to the actual sin. Even the Watchtower Publications show that to be the case.

Also, the Watchtower Publications have stated several times that Matthew 18:15-17 DOES NOT APPLY TO SEXUAL SINS AND CRIMES! (However, there is an exception found in the 11-01-1995 Watchtower, which says that Matthew 18:15-17 DOES apply to child molestation).

The Watchtower Society should be more concerned with another Verse in Matthew Chapter 18:

Matthew 18:6: But whoever stumbles one of these little ones who put faith in me, it is more beneficial for him to have hung around his neck a millstone... and to be sunk in the wide, open sea.

What if someone is a proven child molester? The article "Let Us Abhor What is Wicked!" published in the January 1, 1997, issue of The Watchtower had this to say on page 29: "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 or serve in any other special, full-time service." We take such decisive action because we are concerned with maintaining Bible standards and protecting our children. (1 Timothy 3:2, 9, 10) Everyone in the organization is expected to meet the same requirements, namely, to be clean physically, mentally, morally, and spiritually.--1 Corinthians 7: 1; Ephesians 4:17-19; 1 Thessalonians 2:4.

UNDISFELLOWSHIPPED'S COMMENTS: Remember, in order to be a "proven molester" there has to be two eye-witnesses or a confession.

Basically, a "proven molester" is downgraded to the status of a JW woman (not allowed to be in a position of authority), and wow, what a severe punishment -- a "proven molester" does not get to Pioneer! I bet those punishments really scare all those child rapists!

Actually, I'm wrong, the "proven molester" still gets more "privileges" than JW women, because "if enough years have passed" he can again become an Elder!

That Letter left out a few other statements from that January 1, 1997 Watchtower Article:

For a man who was a child molester before he was baptized, there may be another consequence. When he learns the truth, he repents and turns around, not bringing that cruel sin into the congregation. He may thereafter make fine progress, completely overcome his wrong impulses, and even be inclined to ‘reach out’ for a responsible position in the congregation. What, though, if he still has to live down notoriety in the community as a former child molester? Would he “be irreprehensible, . . . have a fine testimony from people on the outside, . . . [be] free from accusation”? (1 Timothy 3:1-7, 10; Titus 1:7) No, he would not. Hence, he would not qualify for congregation privileges.

That Quote says that a person who was a molester BEFORE being Baptized, CAN become an Elder IF the people in that community do not know he was a molester!

Here's another Quote from that January 1, 1997 Article:

What if a baptized adult Christian sexually molests a child? ... If he seems to be repentant, he will be encouraged to make spiritual progress, share in the field service, even have parts in the Theocratic Ministry School and nonteaching parts in the Service Meeting. This does not mean, though, that he will qualify to serve in a position of responsibility in the congregation.

If a child molester SEEMS to be repentant, he will be ENCOURAGED to go DOOR-TO-DOOR and give talks at the Meetings!

Can you imagine how a little girl feels seeing the man who molested her giving Talks from the Platform, while at the same time the Elders threaten the girl into silence? Makes me absolutely sick.

Also, right after that January 1, 1997 Article came out, Bethel sent the following Letter to all Elders in the USA:

WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC.
25 COLUMBIA HEIGHTS. BROOKLYN. NEW YORK 11201-2483. U.S.A.
PHONE (718) 560-5000
BODY OF ELDERS
Dear Brothers:
We have given consideration to your letter dated xxxxxx xx,xxxx, regarding Brother xxxx. Enclosed you will find an S-52 form showing the deletion of Brother xxxxxx as an elder.
For good reason, the January 1, 1997, issue of The Watchtower, page 29, states: "A dedicated adult Christian who falls into the sin of child sexual abuse reveals an unnatural fleshly weakness. Experience has shown that such an adult may well molest other children. True, not every child molester repeats the sin, but many do. And the congregation cannot read hearts to tell who is and who is not liable to molest children again. (Jeremiah 17:9) Hence, Paul's counsel to Timothy applies with special force in the case of baptized adults who have molested children. 'Never lay your hands hastily upon any man; neither be a sharer in the sins of others. (1 Timothy 5:22) 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." Therefore, in the best interest the congregation and its members, neither the local congregation nor the Society should be viewed as delegating authority or position to one who is a known child molester.
Now that we have given careful and prayerful consideration to all the factors in the case of Brother xxxxx xxxxx, we believe that what is stated in the foregoing applies to him. Hence, you should not extend to him any specific responsibility that could be construed as an assigned duty, even though some assignments might be considered minor. He should not be used to handle accounts, literature, magazines, subscriptions, or territories. Nor would he be used as an attendant, microphone handler, to operate sound equipment, to represent the congregation in prayer, or to present "Announcements" on the Service Meeting. He would not be used as the reader at the Congregation Book Study or Watchtower Study, nor to conduct a meeting for field service. It would be advisable not to have a book study in his home. And, he would not qualify to auxiliary or regular pioneer. Whereas he could volunteer to assist with general care of the Kingdom Hall where he attends meetings, he could not be approved to work on other Kingdom Halls or Assembly Halls. He may give student talks on the Theocratic Ministry School and share in non-teaching parts on the Service Meeting, provided that his doing so will not be offensive to those in the congregation who know of his past wrongdoing.
Please be reminded of the following direction that appears in the Society's March 14, 1997, confidential letter to all bodies of elders regarding known child molesters: "Individuals who have manifested a weakness in this regard should be sensitive to their need not to be alone with children. They should refrain from holding children or displaying other forms of affection for them. It would be appropriate for elders to give kindly cautions to any who are doing things that may be a temptation or a cause for concern to others in the congregation." (1 Corinthians 10:12, 32) This would include not allowing children (other than his own) to spend the night in his home, not working in field service with a child, not cultivating friendships with children, and the like.
After a number of additional years have gone by, you may wonder whether certain privileges can be extended to this brother. If he has continued to build a commendable record, if there are no complaints either by his victim(s) or by relatives, and if the body of elders concludes that no one would find fault with his being given extra privileges of a minor nature in the congregation, you may write the Society and make known your observations and recommendations, indicating how you feel he can be used in the congregation. Explain clearly what the current feeling is toward him on the part of the one(s) he wronged and by relatives, and how the congregation views him now. Direction from the Society should be obtained before certain privileges are extended to him.
Along with this letter we send you our warm Christian love. Your brothers,
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society
Of New York, Inc.

Also, the Official http://www.JW-Media.org Website states the following:

"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."

Now, back to the original Letter we are disussing:

We have long instructed elders to report allegations of child abuse to the authorities where required by Law to do so, even where there is only one witness. (Romans 13:1) In any case, the elders know that if the victim wishes to make a report, it is his or her absolute right to do so.--Galatians 6:5.

Ask the Elders to explain the SCRIPTURAL reasons why they only report molesters where the State Law REQUIRES Clergy to do so?

At least since 1981, articles have been published in our journals, The Watchtower and Awake!, with a view to educating Jehovah's people and the public on the need to protect children from child abuse. Besides the above-quoted article, there was the article, "Help For the Victims of Incest," which appeared in the October 1, 1983, Watchtower. Awake! has featured such articles as "Your Child is in Danger!" "How Can We Protect Our Children?," and "Prevention in the Home" (October 8, 1993) as well as "Child Molesting-Every Mother's Nightmare," in its January 22, 1985 issue.
We believe that we have a strong, Bible-based policy on child abuse. Over the years, as we have noted areas where our policy could be strengthened, we have not hesitated to follow through. At Kingdom Ministry Schools the elders receive ongoing reminders regarding this policy and related matters. And we continue to urge the elders to follow closely the procedures that we have established.

Disgusting lies.

The moral cleanness of the congregation continues to be of vital concern to the "faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45) As we keep applying Scriptural principles in our lives, our happiness will increase. We trust that these reminders will be helpful to you as you share the Kingdom hope with right-hearted ones. We have much to look forward to in the way of spiritual refreshment as we attend the "Zealous Kingdom Proclaimers" District Conventions. What a happy prospect! Yes, there is no doubt about it: "Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah!"--Psalm 144:15.
Your brothers,
Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses
Note to the presiding overseer: Please have this letter read at the first Service Meeting following its receipt. The letter should be read by one of the elders. All Scriptures that are cited but not quoted should be read.

I hope all this info helps everyone!

What Another Watchtower Defeat Means

DJ

UnDisfellowshipped

The following Letter was read to All Congregations in the United States in response to NBC DATELINE, right before DATELINE aired on Television on May 28th, 2002:

Share this