PURPOSE OF JUSTICE SERIES
Before I make my first Justice post tomorrow, I thought that my introduction would be useful. I have updated this from the original:
Many JWs, whether of low or high station in the organization have been caught up in the vortex of Watch Tower justice. I have read many posts, talked personally with many ex-JWs and JWs, and read several books where one case of injustice after another has been experienced by many JWs. My own observations and experiences as a JW and then an Elder have confirmed the serious level of injustice within the walls if the Iron Tower.
Therefore, it seemed like a helpful idea to start a periodic series of interesting judicial and non-judicial cases that I either participated in or had first hand knowledge of. I will leave out names and places to avoid any possibility of hurting some.
The purpose is to show that the problem with the Watch Tower Society's judicial system goes far deeper than just the impact of shunning. Even those that do not get disfellowshipped or shunned often receive terrible justice that their lives are made a mess. If you look closely at the way in which the Watch Tower judicial process proceeds in case after case, it shows how easy it is for the JWs to lose all sense of what is right and presume facts not in evidence. Because JW Elders all to often really presume guilt, then justice and compassion can never be accomplished in any real sense of the word.
In this series I am not questioning the sincerity or the efforts of Elders to do what they believe is right. In one case so far, I showed how I myself contributed to some of the unfortunate decisions and actions of a judicial hearing. The purpose of the series, however, is to address the incompetence and lack of counseling qualifications of many of the men who have served as Elders. The purpose is also for those who can relate to the Watch Tower system of justice and know why judicial cases in that religion get handled the way they do.
Finally, the purpose is to highlight the real harm done to people that is not only needless, but often irreparable. It is inconceivable to see how a religion that says so much about being good and true, can than be so destructive and live in such denial.
Tomorrow, I will start with Justice #1 as an example of a judicial case I was partly involved in. - Amazing