Shifting tides

by lastmanstanding 1 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse

• 

  lastmanstanding

  • Sexual abuse never permissible
    

  Assuming that the Montana Supreme Court’s recent opinion in the Jehovah’s Witnesses case (Nunez v. Watchtower Bible, 2020 MT 3) sets forth the state of the law, then the law needs to be changed.

  First, no person should be allowed to sexually or physically abuse another person — minor or adult — and be protected from the consequences of that heinous act by a shape-shifting religious rule, protocol or doctrine. Freedom of Religion, guaranteed under the First Amendment does not protect criminal conduct whether perpetrated by a deity’s ministers or by anyone else.

  Secondly, the perpetrators and facilitators of such conduct must be held accountable to the criminal laws. That means simply that perpetrators must be timely reported and criminally prosecuted. And just as important, those who facilitate or cover-up the perpetrator’s criminal conduct—no matter how high up in church hierarchy--must also be held accountable under the criminal law for aiding and abetting the perpetrator.

  This country and our state have witnessed far too many instances of sexual assaults by religious ministers, (not to mention trusted adults in athletics, scouting organizations, and other institutions). Sexual predators and facilitators must not get a pass, because they claim to be following their religious doctrines, protocols or beliefs.

  It is long overdue that our legislators remedy this situation, and it is long overdue that voters demand that they do.

  
  

  Jim Nelson

  retired Montana Supreme Court justice

  
  

  
  

  
  

  https://billingsgazette.com/opinion/letters/sexual-abuse-never-permissible/article_26547de5-1ed8-58ac-9cfa-8ff062335c14.html
  
• 

  Giordano

  I agree with these realistic improvements re the child and adult sexual abuses.

  A crime is a crime........ a sin like sexual abuse is both.......but it's still a crime first and foremost.

  Many religions shield themselves by claiming these are their religious beliefs like the two witness rule re the JW's. Or the charity tax evasions that a number of religions hide under.

  Change is a must when it comes to any institutions, be it a non profit, a university, or a so called religion like the Mormons that have amassed 100 billion dollars for the purpose of funding Charities when the reality is they have collected and grown their holdings and managed not to spend a penny on any charitable programs. The JW Corporation and Scientology join in this same tax evasion crime.

  The Catholic Church does spend money on it's charities but what does one do about a criminal record of 1970 plus years permitting sexual child abuse and adult rape. Recent reporting indicates it is still going on.

  The first amendment in the US Constitution and many over countries...... provides for freedom of religion... but also police powers to redress any grievances. That's the issue this has come down to.