BBC Radio 4. 14th February 2016. ''Sunday'' program with article on Witnesses and child abuse.

by ThomasCovenant 76 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse

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  Slidin Fast

  I would say that the outlook of the legal department in the British dub HQ is along the lines of the recent (WT '16 Issue 1), first sentence.

  Lying

  WHAT IS IT? Saying something false to someone who is entitled to know the truth. Lying can include misrepresenting or distorting facts in order to mislead a person, omitting key information to deceive someone, and exaggerating the truth in order to give a false impression.

  Any misrepresentation of the facts to the authorities to protect the organisation is to them perfectly morally acceptable. They believe they are working to a higher code. It's like talking to a Nazi about war crimes.
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  Ruby456

  slim I've listened to the recording again and I don't get the impression that the BBC are categorically saying that Jehovhas witnesses are one of the 18 religions contacted by the inquiry. The group of victims and their reps are making the claim that Jehovahs witnesses have destroyed documents..

  so I guess the BBC are working on the assumption that the victims and their reps know for certain that Jehovahs witnesses are one of the 18 religions.

  we will know for sure soon enough

  if only matters of fact were reported media outlets would be out of business
• 

  AndersonsInfo

  http://watchtowerdocuments.org/bbc-reports-did-jws-destroy-evidence/#more-7183

  There is no one in this world more desirous of seeing WT's accountability in this child abuse mess come to light through the courts and media than me as I do have a dog in this fight! But I've learned a long time ago that before I rush to judgment, I need all the facts, otherwise my credibility is at stake. The following is some of what I wrote on my website about this accusation that WT ordered elders in the UK to destroy evidence:

  BBC Reports: Did JWs Destroy Evidence?

  

  BBC Radio 4 reported on Sunday, February 14, 2016 that Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall elders in the UK were directed by the Watchtower Society’s headquarters to destroy certain documents that were of particular interest to the Goddard Inquiry investigating child abuse and reporting of criminal behavior.

  The British government hearings are comparable to the Australian Royal Commission hearings that took place in August, 2015.

  While the BBC’s report is correct that all Kingdom Halls were given direction about the destruction of certain internal documents, there is some debate and many unanswered questions as to whether this was a “change of policy” specifically intended by the Watchtower Society to prevent the Commission’s access. Watchtower branch officers in the UK claim that this was not the case – and there is some evidence to support their claim. On the other hand, the Watchtower’s critics claim that the instructions regarding document destruction were specifically designed to complicate and frustrate the Commission’s investigation.

  Jehovah’s Witnesses leaders did prepare a formal response to the BBC Radio 4 Broadcast (as read near the end of the program) that stated:

  READ MORE:

  http://watchtowerdocuments.org/bbc-reports-did-jws-destroy-evidence/#more-7183
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  Phizzy

  The letter to the Elders if I recall, specifically tells the Elders to destroy " Any other personal records, notes, or correspondence that refer to particular individuals."

  Most Elders will thus destroy any notes they made during a J.C hearing in to an Abuse Case.

  That is destruction of the only actual hard evidence, as nothing outlining the full hearing will be in the Congregation File.

  They are trying to hide behind the Data Protection Act to justify this destruction, but the only danger in keeping it is that it may at a later date be requested by individuals mentioned, and of course by the Police and Courts.

  It is a blatant move to try to block the JW Org from being rightfully sued.
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  Juan Viejo2

  Barbara forgot to mention that there is an edited version of the BBC4 audio that eliminate the unrelated elements of the show. All that was included is the brief introduction and then the actual JW story portion.

  Located at the bottom of the article. Player provided. About 11 minutes long.

  http://watchtowerdocuments.org/bbc-reports-did-jws-destroy-evidence/
  

  JV
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  Ruby456

  thanks Barbara for a cool headed reasonable response.

  there are enough ex elders, ex circuit overseers and district overseers and bethelites around to give info to the Goddard inquiry. Many people have also kept copies of incriminating letters.

  I'm really against creating moral panics - they damage credibility
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  BluesBrother

  Thanks T C , just caught this thread, will listen on I Player
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  defender of truth

  A spokesperson for the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse said:

  “The chair has stated that the inquiry will investigate abuse in religious settings (including all faiths and religious traditions) and issued a letter giving notice of retention/non-destruction of documents to the leaders of 18 prominent religious organisations.”
  

  www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/jehovahs-witnesses-ordered-destruction-notes-10848053

  A deliberately vague statement by the Inquiry.

  (Are jw's thought of as prominent, though? Not likely..)

  But one thing's for sure..

  The org is definitely on the Independent Inquiry's radar.
  
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  defender of truth

  This link goes straight to the JW part.
  

  www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0709v34#playt=0h33m30s

  (easier to send to elders with short attention spans) ;)
• 

  slimboyfat

  It terms of adherents JWs probably do rank well inside the top 18. But in terms of "prominence"? Probably not.