defender of truth

Joined

• started 101 topics
• posted 1,338 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by defender of truth

• 
  7

  Trey Bundy interview - Questions Surround Jehovah's Witness HQ and Allegations of Sex Abuse

  by defender of truth in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  dec 29, 2016. a years-long investigation into allegations of child sex abuse in the jehovah's witness organization has also uncovered a culture of secrecy at its watchtower headquarters in brooklyn.. last summer, donald trump's son-in-law, developer jared kushner, bought the property.

  the jehovah's witnesses, meanwhile, have been building a massive compound upstate in warwick, new york, where they plan to relocate.

  trey bundy, a reporter for reveal, from the center for investigative reporting, has been investigating the watchtower for two years.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  defender of truth

  Valerie from Brooklyn from Brooklyn, NY

  Nothing stops a victim from reporting any offense to public authorities. This is not the problem of any organization but of the human condition. If victims would report, future victimization could be prevented.

  Dec 29, 2016, 12:22 PM

  Zart
  

  THE WHOLE ISSUES REVOLVES AROUND CONFIDENTIALLY. Heres a stripped down version on confidentiality and the issues of this situation.

  California law and ethics for counselors (i.e. therapist, practitioners, doctors, etc) and how they handle confidentiality of client information, which sort of related to the same standards of clergy, explain that if a client comes to you with infomation saying the are presently hurting a child; then they are mandated to report to CPS. But, if they (the client) reveals that they have hurt someone (i.e. sexually abused, murdered, etc.) then it must not be reported "IF" it was in the past AND there is no ID to the victim nor can the counselor ID a potenial or future victim. That information is confidential and cannot be revealed to authority (i.e. police, cps, etc)
  

  Same rules (in a way) apply to clergy. With the JWs, the priests of the congregation most likely ( i would hope) encourage the family or victim to report to authority, but if the family wants to resolve within the religion, then thats there right. BTW the parents who dont report should be held liable as well as the perpetrator...thats my own opinion. Whatever info is told to the priest must be made confidential.

  You people need to brush up on your knowledge of law and the rules of confidentiality and stop trolling. AND Dont be fooled by a journalist writing a very controversial article. Remember folks, the more dramtic the story the more likely you'll read it and view the ads.

  Dec 29, 2016, 5:20 PM

  Here are two comments on the page that defend the organization (there are some comments that do not, and even a member of SNAP, but these are the ones that we might want to reply to).

  www.wnyc.org/story/watchtower-jehovahs-witness-headquarters-brooklyn/
• 
  7

  Trey Bundy interview - Questions Surround Jehovah's Witness HQ and Allegations of Sex Abuse

  by defender of truth in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  dec 29, 2016. a years-long investigation into allegations of child sex abuse in the jehovah's witness organization has also uncovered a culture of secrecy at its watchtower headquarters in brooklyn.. last summer, donald trump's son-in-law, developer jared kushner, bought the property.

  the jehovah's witnesses, meanwhile, have been building a massive compound upstate in warwick, new york, where they plan to relocate.

  trey bundy, a reporter for reveal, from the center for investigative reporting, has been investigating the watchtower for two years.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  defender of truth

  Had somebody already posted this?

  Strange that nobody's posted..

  Anyway, here is his previous interview as well.

  www.wnyc.org/story/secrets-of-the-watchtower
  
• 
  7

  Trey Bundy interview - Questions Surround Jehovah's Witness HQ and Allegations of Sex Abuse

  by defender of truth in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  dec 29, 2016. a years-long investigation into allegations of child sex abuse in the jehovah's witness organization has also uncovered a culture of secrecy at its watchtower headquarters in brooklyn.. last summer, donald trump's son-in-law, developer jared kushner, bought the property.

  the jehovah's witnesses, meanwhile, have been building a massive compound upstate in warwick, new york, where they plan to relocate.

  trey bundy, a reporter for reveal, from the center for investigative reporting, has been investigating the watchtower for two years.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  defender of truth

  Dec 29, 2016

  A years-long investigation into allegations of child sex abuse in the Jehovah's Witness organization has also uncovered a culture of secrecy at its Watchtower headquarters in Brooklyn.

  Last summer, Donald Trump's son-in-law, developer Jared Kushner, bought the property. The Jehovah's Witnesses, meanwhile, have been building a massive compound upstate in Warwick, New York, where they plan to relocate.

  Trey Bundy, a reporter for Reveal, from the Center for Investigative Reporting, has been investigating the Watchtower for two years. Watchtower leaders refused to talk to him, but he was able to talk to a former insider about it.

  "It's the nerve-center of a multi-billion dollar corporation that has interests in publishing, in real-estate....it's the head of a religion with eight million members, but it's this very secretive place," he said.

  Bundy says the Jehovah's Witnesses also have a database that potentially contains the names of thousands of child sex abusers.

  In this interview, WNYC's Richard Hake talks with Bundy about his investigation, the Jehovah's Witnesses' vast network in Brooklyn, and why federal authorities haven't stepped in.

  www.wnyc.org/story/watchtower-jehovahs-witness-headquarters-brooklyn/
  
• 
  6

  Do you know someone who is going to the Elders school 2017, in any country?

  by defender of truth in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  an informant in spanish forum, active elder in a congregation in madrid (spain) has posted new info regarding elders school 2017. important changes are to be done for "child" or sexual abuses.

  https://abusostj.vbulletin.net/forum/main-forum/audiencias-judiciales/5506-escuela-de-ancianos-2017.

  doing a summary:.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  defender of truth

  I don't know (can't care less either).
  

  Hello scratchme.

  I agree with the rest of what you said, but that first sentence is an unusual response.

  I care what instructions that elders are being given, as to how to handle sexual abuse cases.

  I suspect these might not be the only changes. Also, unless this can be verified by someone who has been to the school,there may be some inaccuracy. You never know. (Not that I am suggesting I don't believe it, it is covering them legally, as Scratchme said. Which is typical behaviour for this Org. There is nothing there to show concern for the victim..)

  I hope that you have never been through a 'elders inquisition' after an attack, or that it has happened a member of your family, but I know how stressful they can be. Putting a form in front of someone to sign after they have been discussing such painful and traumatic things, in order to cover themselves from being sued, is rather callous in my view.

  In my view, how these cases are going to be handled is important.

  How victims are treated is important.

  I want to know if this will be a Worldwide practice. Then we can start to get the word out there..

  I wonder what the ARC would think of this?
• 
  6

  Do you know someone who is going to the Elders school 2017, in any country?

  by defender of truth in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  an informant in spanish forum, active elder in a congregation in madrid (spain) has posted new info regarding elders school 2017. important changes are to be done for "child" or sexual abuses.

  https://abusostj.vbulletin.net/forum/main-forum/audiencias-judiciales/5506-escuela-de-ancianos-2017.

  doing a summary:.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  defender of truth

  sp74bb

  Hello to all,

  An informant in Spanish forum, active elder in a congregation in Madrid (Spain) has posted new info regarding Elders School 2017. Important changes are to be done for "child" or sexual abuses. https://abusostj.vbulletin.net/forum/main-forum/audiencias-judiciales/5506-escuela-de-ancianos-2017

  Doing a summary:

  - New changes are being check by the lawyers at this moment.

  - Changes are held in order to fulfill European laws.

  - Once exposed to a sexual abuse, when the judicial committee starts, the ones present must listened and read a statement stating that applying the state law of the country the victims can report to the authorities.

  - The victim might be asked to sign a statement according he/she is aware of the possibility to report to the authorities.

  - The signed statement or the info that the victim can report to the authorities will be held inside the "Do not destroy" envelope.
  

  www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5660066994716672/elders-school-2017-new-instructions-handle-sexual-abuses
  

  Many thanks to sp74bb.

  Will these directions be given at all Elder schools in 2017?
  

  If you know of anyone who is attending this school, or you will be yourself, please can you post on this thread?

  Just to say that you know someone who is going to the school, and in what country.

  We would all really appreciate it if you could report back with any details.

  I am wondering if this will be a worldwide action.

  (Please bump this to the top occasionally).
• 
  23

  Elders School 2017: New instructions to handle sexual abuses?

  by sp74bb in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  an informant in spanish forum, active elder in a congregation in madrid (spain) has posted new info regarding elders school 2017. important changes are to be done for "child" or sexual abuses.

  https://abusostj.vbulletin.net/forum/main-forum/audiencias-judiciales/5506-escuela-de-ancianos-2017.

  doing a summary:.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  defender of truth

  Thank you for sharing this and translating for us.

  Is there any good reason to believe that this will be standard practice for all EU states?

  We need more insider elders going to schools across EU.

  Would it help if someone started a thread, saying something like:

  "If you know someone who is going to the Elders school 2017 and might tell you what they heard, in any country, please post here"?

  Then we'd know who to ask and could collate the reports.

  The OP of this thread could be quoted to get things started..
  
• 
  754

  Theists, why does God allow suffering..

  by The Quiet One in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  ..specifically, the suffering of animals.

  you can talk about free will/sin/people choosing to not listen to god etc to explain human suffering being allowed.. but how can you love a god that allows animals, that haven't sinned or chosen to not have anything to do with god, to have their short lives ended in often long, drawn out, painful ways.

  i could list stories i've read that would probably make you feel ill, but i'm not looking to shock anyone or start an emotional debate.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  defender of truth

  This will be my final word on the subject...
  

  The Watchtower has always used Adamic sin to explain why God allows all humans to inevitably suffer and die, but this teaching does not explain why animals have always suffered and died.

  The Watchtower teaches that whilst humans were meant to live forever, animals have always grown old and died, without even a hope of resurrection.

  This seems to contradict their teaching of a loving and caring God, who designed the earth to be a wonderful place for humans and animals to live, a God who only allows his creatures to suffer because of the sin committed by Adam and Eve.

  The Watchtower teaches that God originally created the earth as a place of peace and security for mankind, without any threat to humans from predators. Humans would live forever, free of disease and pain. It was only Adamic sin that ended this supposed hope of everlasting life on earth without having to grow old and die.

  Yet animals have never had such an idyllic existence, even before Adam and Eve sinned.

  Animals have been hunting and killing each other for thousands, if not millions, of years before humans existed.

  They have also suffered from disease for many years before humans existed.

  A sample of the evidence that animals were suffering from disease (such as arthritis), long before Adamic sin occurred, can be found here:

  www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/blog/animals-suffering.php

  www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/08/70-million-years-later-duck-billed-dinosaur-has-diagnosis-septic-arthritis

  www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2144715/The-dinosaurs-suffered-arthritis-150-million-years-ago--scientists-find.html
  

  www.mirrordaily.com/dinosaur-suffered-from-arthritis/
  

  Even the animals who have been fortunate enough to avoid suffering caused by predators and diseases, have inevitably had to experience the ageing process, hence suffering and death.
• 
  19

  Informative Article-The Guardian: Police expect 30,000 new child abuse reports from Goddard inquiry

  by AndersonsInfo in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/may/19/child-sex-abuse-police-expect-30000-goddard-inquiry-cases.

  police expect 30,000 new child abuse reports from goddard inquiry .

  sandra laville.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  defender of truth

  @Vidiot

  @Simon

  As in Australia, Northern Ireland, Jersey and Scotland, the level of public concern has resulted in calls for an overarching inquiry to look at the big picture, to learn the lessons of the past, to take stock of child protection procedures that are currently in operation, and to set a new course for the future.

  In conducting its work, the Inquiry is liaising with the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse, with the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry, with the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry in Northern Ireland, and with the Scottish Inquiry into Historical Abuse of Children in Care. Together the inquiries have much to learn from each other.

  https://www.iicsa.org.uk/about-us/background
  

  The jw organisation is not part of the main investigations at this point, they are focusing on the Anglican and Catholic churches. I have emailed them to ask them to look at JW's, but they may not have time in their schedule.

  They are open to looking into other organisations though, in the future, so who knows?

  These 13 investigations constitute the first phase of the Inquiry’s work and further investigations will be announced as the Inquiry progresses.

  https://www.iicsa.org.uk/investigations

  To anybody reading this..

  If anyone wants to share information with the Inquiry regarding how abuse is handled within the org, or maybe ask them if they might be able to look at the Jehovahs Witnesses next, you can do so confidentially.

  "If you wish to ask a question about the Inquiry or if you have information to support our investigations please get in touch:
  

  https://www.iicsa.org.uk/contact-us
  

  Or if you want to help by sharing your experience.

  Share your experience

  Sharing your information will help us to investigate how institutions failed to protect children from sexual abuse. This part of our work is called the Truth Project. Watch our Truth Project video to find out more about how the Inquiry will work.
  

  We want to hear from:
  

  anyone who was sexually abused as a child in an institutional setting like a care home, a school or a religious, community or state organisation, or who first came into contact with their abuser in an institutional setting
  

  anyone who was sexually abused as a child, and reported their sexual abuse to a person in authority, like a police officer or teacher, where the report was ignored or not properly acted on

  https://www.iicsa.org.uk/share-your-experience
  
• 
  22

  UK: Would anyone like to attend Frank Otuo's next hearing against the Watchtower? Or send him your support?

  by defender of truth in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  www.standard.co.uk/news/jehovahs-witness-sues-for-150000-after-church-snubbed-him-over-fraud-claims-9750062.htmlfrank otuo is suing the watchtower for disfellowshipping him and causing the loss of his family and his friends, after being disfellowshipped based on a false accusation of fraud.on friday may 13th 2016, a hearing will take place to decide whether the watchtower's defence will be thrown out.otuo is confident that it will be.

  ;)would anyone like to be there on the day, to see what happens and maybe even report back and tell us what you saw?.

  otuo would like it if some people could be there to cheer him on, as it were.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  defender of truth

  @akromo

  Is there a report available yet?

  Thank you.
  
• 
  33

  78 to go and hopefully something good comes of it. Please do your part and sign up. Thanks

  by Tenacious in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  only 78 signatures are needed in order to send the request to the irs that they revoke or at the very least investigate the borg.

  come'on guys, support it.. click here to support and sign up!.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  defender of truth

  Sorry, I may not have expressed that clearly enough.

  The blood policy does obviously endanger children's lives, and they may not make an informed and voluntary decision.

  But it is not the responsibility of the IRS to look at what a religion teaches, which is the only link between the parents decision to refuse blood and the org's policy.

  Frankly, I have doubts that even covering up child abuse will be looked into by the IRS.

  All they seem to be concerned with is political campaigning.

  https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/the-restriction-of-political-campaign-intervention-by-section-501-c-3-tax-exempt-organizations

  Anyway, this is a good effort, but unless you get the petition into the media somehow with an organisation behind you, I cannot honestly see it having an effect.

  http://aawa.co/about-aawa/contact-us/

  Again, all the best. :)