Ecclesiastical Privilege

by BOC 7 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  BOC

  Hello all,

  I have been a lurker for sometime now. Some may remember me from a few years back on H2O.
  I remain an active JW due to my family.

  I had chose not to continue participating in any forums out of a concern to not weaken the faith of others. But, I can no longer be silent regarding the issues that Silentlambs has brought to the forefront.

  The issue of ecclesiastical privilege being used to shield people that have committed crimes, particularly against children, is appalling. This is particularly a problem when the person that has committed the crime is considered repentant. The WT then uses the law of the relevant state to determine if reporting is required.

  I believe the WT is missing the point here. The person has committed a crime. There is clear scriptural principal that should require the criminal to report the crime themselves to the “Superior Authority” . This act of reporting should be required as proof of the persons repentance, showing there desire to take responsibility for their actions.

  As an example the letter regarding the issue of the unreported case of murder. There is no statute of limitations for murder therefore the murderer is still wanted by the law. He has an obligation to the “Superior Authority” to report his crime and take responsibility for this blood guilt.

  The concern of child molesters taking refuge within the congregation as a brother or sister in good standing is a real concern to say the least. If the elders consider a molester is repentant and the state that they live in does not require the elders to report the crime, they will not do so. Again the WT is missing the point, this person has committed a CRIME. If they are truly repentant the Criminal should be required to report the Crime.

  I have additional thoughts and concerns on this matter, but I will leave those for later.

  Thanks,
  BOC
• 

  slipnslidemaster

  Especially since child molesters tend not to molest just one child. Especially because if anyone EVER molested my child they would be in very serious trouble from me. How can these elders sleep at night? Don't they have children? Aren't they human?

  Thanks for your post and welcome to the board, BOC.

  My name is Slipnslideius Masterus: commander of the armies of the North, general of the Felix legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius...
• 

  outnfree

  BOC,

  Thank you for echoing my thoughts posted on the "murder letter" thread, in a more reasoned manner, and making it the subject of a separate thread.

  As I stated there: The WT Society may be legally constrained from reporting the confession, but it is not MORALLY constrained from urging the murderer to turn himself in to the superior (God-appointed) authorities. And therein lies the ethical problem which the Society's letter totally ignored!

  outnfree
• 

  BOC

  outnfree

  Ironically, I read your response to the murder thread right after I had typed my post.

  Great minds must think alike! ;)

  I liked your comment:
  “ Haven't we all read past issues of the WT with life stories of brothers/sisters who had been guilty of crimes who went back to repair the damage (and/or serve time) either before or after becoming one of Jehovah's Witnesses because they CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD that to be forgiven one must turn around and actually REPENT?”

  I ask why is it not so CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD in this circumstance?

  Thanks,
  BOC
• 

  outnfree

  I'm hoping "PorkChop" or some other Society legal eagle will let us
  know...

  outnfree
  (very tongue-in-cheek)
• 

  MacHislopp

  Hello everyone,
  Good post BOC . I do like your comment:
  “The concern of child molesters taking refuge within the congregation as a brother or sister in good standing is a real concern to say the least. If the elders consider a molester is repentant and the state that they live in does not require the elders to report the crime, they will not do so. Again the WT is missing the point, this person has committed a CRIME. If they are truly repentant the Criminal should be required to report the Crime. “
  andalso from:
  slipnslidemaster
  “…Especially since child molesters tend not to molest just one child. Especially because if anyone EVER molested my child they would be in very serious trouble from me. How can these elders sleep at night? Don't they have children? Aren't they human?”

  and the logical point made by
  Outnfree
  “..The WT Society may be legally constrained from reporting the confession, but it is not MORALLY constrained from urging the murderer to turn himself in to the superior (God-appointed) authorities. And therein lies the ethical problem which the Society's letter totally ignored!”

  It is really shocking to know that such things happen and the WTS …covers them up!

  Agape, J.C. MacHislopp
• 

  waiting

  Perhaps all this non-required/required reporting not being reported is because of Public Relations and has nothing to do with the rightness of the situation or the protection of children? Having nothing to do with the biblical showing of acts of repentance on the account of the molester?

  The WTBTS is trying to keep its reputation clean - at the expense of its own people. Thus, evolving into the typical organization, feeding off its own.

  waiting
• 

  Prisca

  Great thoughts, BOC - I feel the same way.

  Waiting, you hit it on the head. Public relations is all they're worried about. Who cares what happens to the victims???