Where I can find the WTS policy that says elders must comply with state law that requirse them to report BUT they are not required to report in states that do not legally compel them?
HELP - NEED QUOTE
by Big Tex 8 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse
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minimus
That's in a BOE letter
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Big Tex
I know. Which one?
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adelmaal
I don't know where the info. is but I like your line of reasoning. Why would the Society not report the information to the authorities under any circumstances? Because the law in some lands does not force them to report such information should not be a reason to keep silent in such matters. God would in fact be supporting an organization that allowed the abuse to continue unpunished if they were God's organization because:
1) They do not report the abuse unless required by law
2) They require 2 or more witnesses to take any action against such abuse
Does CoC discuss the issue of child abuse? Or In Search of Christian Freedom? Could either of those sources contain such a BOE letter?
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Gopher
http://watchtower.observer.org/apps/pbcs.dll/oversikt?Kategori=BOE
Scroll down to the headings labelled 'child abuse' and 'child abuse part 2'.
BTW -- In his updates to Crisis of Conscience, I heard that Ray Franz addressed the UN / NGO issue but not the child molestation coverup scandal within Jehovah's Witnesses.
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adelmaal
It is funny they seem to have weakend their stance as far as reporting over the years due to legal issues... Neither of these items below encourage the elders to report allegations. They actually call into question whether or not reporting such an incident is necessary.
*** Watchtower 1973 November 15 pp.703-704 Questions from Readers ***
Questions from Readers
The injured party could thereafter decide whether legal action should be taken in an attempt to force the guilty one, now disfellowshiped, to rectify matters. Of course, the injured party would want to take into consideration whether it would be worth the time and expense as well as whether the congregation could still come into disrepute by bringing to public attention the actions of one of its former members. If the wronged Christian conscientiously felt that God's name would not be reproached and legal action was definitely needed, he would not necessarily be acting contrary to the spirit of Paul's counsel if he were to take to court one who was no longer a part of the Christian congregation. Jehovah God has permitted secular authority to serve as his instrument in bringing lawbreakers to justice, and in this case the one wronged would be availing himself of legal help after exhausting the intracongregational means to have the wrong corrected .?Rom. 13:3, 4.
There may even be times when Christian brothers conscientiously feel that they could go to court with fellow believers. This might be to obtain compensation from an insurance company. In some countries the law may specify that certain matters have to be handled in a court, such as wills that may have to be probated by courts. But this does not create adverse publicity or bring reproach upon the congregation. In handling such legal matters that would not affect the congregation adversely, Christians can be governed by what they consider to be best under the circumstances.
However, if any member of the Christian congregation, without regard for the effect of his action on the good name of the congregation, ignores the counsel from God's Word on this matter, such one would not be "free from accusation" as a Christian. He would not be one who has "a fine testimony from people on the outside" of the congregation. (Titus 1:6; 1 Tim. 3:7) He surely would not be an example for others to imitate, so this would affect the privileges that he might have in the congregation.
*** To All Bodies Of Elders In The United States 2002 February 15 p.4 ***
[ Scan Available (PDF format, 547kb) ] Reminders Regarding the Handling of Cases Involving Child Abuse: (1) As directed in the July 1, 1989, letter to all bodies of elders, you should immediately call the Legal Department for direction if you learn of a case of child abuse. Child abuse would include sexual abuse, self-evident physical abuse, and extreme neglect involving a minor. (2) If the alleged victim is now an adult but was a minor at the time of the abuse, please call the Legal Department. (3) If you become aware of a past case of child abuse and you are not certain whether the elders involved at the time called the Legal Department for direction, please call the Legal Department for assistance as soon as possible. (4) Child abuse is a crime. Never suggest to anyone that they should not report an allegation of child abuse to the police or other authorities. If you are asked, make it clear that whether to report the matter to the authorities or not is a personal decision for each individual to make and that there are no congregation sanctions for either decision. That is, no elder will criticize anyone who reports such and allegation to the authorities .
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Big Tex
Can't find it there. Maybe it wasn't a BOE letter, maybe it was a media statement.
Thanks!
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Valis
http://www.watchtowernews.org/paducahsun.htm
J.R. Brown, public affairs director for Jehovah's Witnesses at the church's headquarters in Brooklyn, N.Y., said in a statement that the members of the faith "abhor all forms of wickedness, including child abuse.?? "If child abuse becomes known to our church elders, they strictly comply with applicable child abuse reporting laws. We also encourage the wrongdoers to do everything they can to set the matter straight with the authorities.
How easy it would be for that schmuck to have just said "We report ALL incidences of pedophilia to the authorities". PERIOD! If you go and read through the BOE letters you will find they do have a plan for reporting abusers to the society and the protocols they have for "sealing the little blue envelopr"..as it were. I can only imagine some drawer somewhere in Bethel stuffed with "little blue envelops" that wre never presented to the authorities..
SIncerely,
District Overbeer
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Elsewhere
Christian Congregation
of Jehovah's Witnesses
2528 Route 22 Patterson NY 12563-2237 Phone (845) 306 1100
May 24, 2002
Page 2
(Romans 13:1) In any case, the elders know that if the victim wishes to make a report, it is his or her absolute right to do so.----Galatians 6:5.
Please have this letter read at the first Service Meeting following its receipt. The letter should be read by one of the elders. All Scriptures that are cited but not quoted should be read.