Brooklyn is off the hook in the Amarillo TX case

by Nathan Natas 20 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse

• 

  RunningMan

  This might be the best possible outcome. Here's what I mean.

  The Society has virtually unlimited funds to cover the cost of litigation, appeals, and damages. They are also protected by freedom of religion. They are very very hard to beat. They are a rock.

  But, the local elders are just a bunch of guys. They can't afford costly lawyers or appeals. They are not a faceless corporation. They can be beaten. They are the clay feet.

  If you destroy a few elders, or a few hundred elders, you will scare the jeepers out of all the elders. The society will have a hard time finding local bag men, who represent their free administrative labor.

  If the court seizes a few kingdom halls, putting a few hundred rank and file Witnesses out on the street, you will wake up a lot of snoozing Witnesses.

  This could very well be the silver bullet that takes down the society. They are well defended against direct frontal attack. But, how will they get by if the "waters" that they stand on "dry up" - just like Babylon.
• 

  shotgun

  That's what I was thinking as well RM...I wasn't sure if the local congregations would be able to use the WT lawyers though...don't you think they'll find a loop hole to use them...If so then it's no better.
• 

  Elsewhere

  I would have to disagree... there is nothing like martyrdom to strengthen the resolve of fanatics.

  The only way this could cause a weakness in the organization is if there are already cracks in the foundation and the elders were not "truly faithful" to the organization.

  The fear of breaking step with the group is a very powerful force in keeping these people in line? even with the threat great personal monetary loss.
• 

  shotgun

  Elsewhere

  cracks in the foundation

  Do you mean the GB are cracks or quacks
• 

  Elsewhere

  Sorry, I should have been more clear.... I ment to say that they are Quacks on crack.
• 

  RunningMan

  Stringing up a bunch of local boys and ruining them financially will make at least some persons think twice about accepting the appointment. Over the years I have known many elders who have stepped down for one reason or another. I have known some who have declined the appointment. This will move the scale a little. And, every little bit helps.

  Also, it is one thing to be a martyr for a righteous purpose - say for example, being imprisoned as a conciencious objector, or being arrested for preaching the gospel. It is quite another to be held liable in civil court on the wrong side of a child molestation case. It will wake up some people - not all or even most, but some. The floodgates are opening a little wider with every problem they face.

  Our memorial attendance was down considerably on Sunday. Where my inlaws live, they will likely amalgamate their two congregations soon. When I lived there, the two congs were busting at the seams. Now they are barely sustainable, attendance is low, and they are aging. There are almost no young people left.

  The wheels are falling off the JW wagon.
• 

  onintwo

  The wheels are falling off the JW wagon.

  Hooray! ....Love the picture of a wagon stuck in the mud missing a wheel or two!

  Onintwo
• 

  avishai

  The WTS will leave the individual elders holding the bag on these cases

  I was upset when i read the articles. But this makes me feel better. I hope that it also lets the bro's know that maybe they should be more forthcoming on the whole connection between them and brooklyn? Or will they "fall on a grenade" giving up their homes, businesses etc., because of a wts precedent?
• 

  amac

  Not to make light of this but this line cracked me up!

  While Kelley was a Dumas elder
• 

  Country Girl

  Avi and others:

  Eventually, this case will wend it's way through the Texas system, and eventually to the Supreme Court. As per usual: Texas will show no mercy. It is QUITE clear: Texas is a mandatory reporting state. We have three rules: 1) Don't mess with our children; 2) Don't mess with our women; and 3) Don't mess with Texas.

  It's been very clear to all of America and the world that we don't mess around with crime. That's why there are lots of articles against Texas: it doesnt put up with crime. It's a hard criminal that comes here and messes up. Our prisons are full of them. But I want to be the first to say that I think that Texas is the first to note that child sexual abusers can't be reformed and sentence them to hard time. What they deserve. This guy also will be subject to extreme scrunity by jail guards since it's not COOL to be a child rapist.

  CG