This is a fascinating case in many ways. What caught my eye in an earlier stage of the case is that, once more, the WT tried the 'we're a religion so we aren't answerable in court' line, and, once more, a British judge politely slapped them for such stupidity in his judgement. (HHJ Maloney, 5/12/13)
Mephis
JoinedPosts by Mephis
-
7
Watch Tower appeal unfavourable judgement in Otuo v Morley and Watch Tower
by Adwoa Kromo insir david eady sitting as emeritus high court judge, quite likely in court 13 of the high court in the queens bench division at 10:30am tomorrow will hear an appeal against the decision of master leslie refusing to strike out a claim from mr otuo against an elder, j morley of the wimbledon congregation in england.
watch tower seeks to assert that the repetition of the allegation of fraud by the said elder at a meeting to hear the reinstatement application of the claimant in the presence of three other elders can not amount to publication sufficient to found a claim in slander.
further, the occasion should attract qualified privilege and as such even if the words were defamatory of otuo, the defendants should be protected in law by the privilege in so as far they acted in good faith.
-
-
-
11
Boy, 7, taken away from his parents. Judge rules he has been damaged by his Jehovah's Witness mother's religious beliefs
by snugglebunny ini guess that's what a cult upbringing does to a child:.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3092457/boy-7-taken-away-parents-judge-rules-damaged-jehovah-s-witness-mother-s-religious-beliefs.html.
-
-
Mephis
I've read the judgement of this case. ( http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/markup.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWFC/HCJ/2015/40.html ) It's more complex than the Mail puts out (not a surprise), but yes, the mother has indoctrinated the boy in a way in which a very experienced judge feels has been very detrimental to this boy's wellbeing. eg He is so afraid of being around 'worldly people', he is refusing to even go to school.
There is obviously a nasty split between the parents, neither of whom have put the boy's needs first. But the mother made assurances three years ago that she would not use religion to try and distance the boy from his father. She lied about that and not only has she damaged the boy's relationship with the father, she's caused her own son a great deal of distress (his dad's not going to live in paradise) and 'significant emotional harm'. This case has been in the courts for quite some time, and the judge has placed the boy into foster care as a last resort and with the sole desire that someone should be placing a distressed little lad's interests first.
JWs, as I assume Malachi is, may not like it, but a high control religious group which enforces a doctrine of being separate is harmful at the best of times. In a case such this, it's been absolutely devastating for a child. I hope the lad gets all the help he needs to have a more balanced view of life.
-
4
Jehovah`s Witnesses today & first Century Christianity
by smiddy inin the first century ,did not christians who took the lead , have to earn their own keep ?
and provide for their own sustenance ?
their are numerous texts that support that position are their not ?.
-
-
Mephis
Earliest texts seem to suggest that those who travelled would stay a day or two at most and have basic needs provided for. Some texts (eg the Didache) seem to suggest they had a problem with imposters and people taking advantage and so set time limits for the hospitality to be provided. The non-Christian stuff which touches on the religion (eg Lucian's Passing of Peregrinus) also suggest they were seen as being somewhat gullible and could be taken advantage of. There were also communal meals held at the houses of the richer members in each area, with the suggestion that the richer helped provide for the poorer. Worth noting that the bible examples of people like Paul suggest they had trades to support themselves. -
4
what was the public reaction to elders enforcing child sex abuse policy.
by joe134cd ini was just watching this you tube video regarding the liability that elders put them selves under when handling child abuse matters.. https://youtu.be/3l25-mbvqyq.
so my question is.
dose anybody know what happened to the elders involved not just in this case but in all the cases wt finds itself getting embroiled in.
-
-
Mephis
Elders, as trustees of charities as they more often than not are, here in the UK are responsible for their actions under charity law. Those of Moston,. Manchester are currently the subjects of a Charity Commission statutory inquiry, and those at Barry congregation, Wales are facing an operational compliance case. In the past, the Charity Commission has tried to work a little more behind the scenes over issues around abuse and cover-ups and individual congregations.
Being a trustee of a charity carries legal obligations. If elders aren't aware of that when becoming a trustee, then they're demonstrating that they shouldn't be one in the first place.
-
26
Does Bruce Jenner (Caitlyn) qualify for Baptism?
by John Aquila inim not sure if bruce had a sex operation but lets say someone did have a sex operation and then studied with the witnesses and wanted to get baptized, would he qualify in todays jw world?
could he have privileges?
the bible says the past cant be held against you, once you accept the truth.
-
-
Mephis
The answer I got, mid 90s, was that a reverse transition would be expected. I know of one person who was studying who was expected to stop their transition but eventually realised they needed to bail for their own sanity. -
51
Best Argument for Atheism - In your view.
by LAWHFol inif crisis of conscience is one of the top watchtower doctrine killers, what is the coc of theism?.
i'd like to read a book, or other material that does the best job logically arguing for atheism.. i've not read any darwin, however it is my assumption that his focus is primarily on evolution, is this correct?
if you were to recommend one book or a few pieces of reading material, which do the best job of defending atheism, what would they be?.
-
-
Mephis
Russell's essays on religion, such as Why I Am Not A Christian, are worth reading. -
28
Education makes you leave God
by FusionTheism inquote from the watchtower, simplified edition, september 2015, "how can we show that we love jehovah?".
higher education often makes them lose their love for god..
-
-
Mephis
The fun thing would be to know whether that is cause or effect. It seems to be true so far as it goes as a general statement. The more education you get, the less likely you are to be a fundamentalist over religion - or even to be religious at all. But is that the effect of education, or that people who go through with education are more open to new experiences and so are more willing to throw aside beliefs which no longer make sense to them? My parents put the blame for me leaving on going to university, but the blunt truth is that I was never a believer and university just gave me the space to make choices. See enough of those who leave who then pursue a university degree to make me wonder whether the WT's assumption is too simplistic. -
21
New Light on HOLIDAYS and BIRTHDAYS? (September 2015 Watchtower)
by FusionTheism inwatchtower-- simplified study edition, september 2015, "is your conscience a reliable guide?":.
in ancient rome, some christians had different opinions about certain foods and celebrations.
what advice did paul give them?
-
-
Mephis
When I was in, it wasn't uncommon for people in my congregation to read a rhetorical question over doctrinal matters as a rhetorical question. Yes, the GB can fulminate about education but it's a conscience matter. Yes, the GB may not like certain types of music, but it's a conscience matter to a certain degree. Same with books and tv. Conscience and a bit of freedom. This piece is them further trying to erode that. Some things are conscience matters but the only consciences which matter are those of the GB. The bit on blood at the beginning is classic WT backside covering language. -
17
How EARLY CHURCH divisions destroyed HISTORY
by TerryWalstrom incan history really be destroyed?.
would otherwise moral authorities participate in such destruction?.
can we believe there is accuracy in historical documents pertaining to the early christian church?.
-
-
Mephis
The Didache (c.100 but possibly a lot earlier or a bit later) also has the same kind of message. It effectively sets out shunning. "But to anyone that acts amiss against another, let no one speak, nor let him hear anything from you until he repents." (chapter 15) I'd be cautious about trying to imply too much doctrinal rigidity (eg Polycarp heading to Rome c.150), although clearly gnosticism and 'judaising' were pushing things too far for 'orthodoxy'. -
10
where in london can i talk to someone/get help
by chrism inhi my name is chris.
im in a not good way and need to know where in london i can talk to someone/get help?
im currently sleeping rough in london.
-
-
Mephis
Hi Chris, the chances of people helping you out directly with money are slim sorry. As you're rough sleeping, I'm guessing that you are currently receiving benefits? If so £60 for the fortnight seems very low? Have you tried accessing a social fund loan? They can help with travel costs providing you have evidence of why you need to travel. As you're rough sleeping, Streetlink may be able to help you with finding options to get off the streets and maybe get some help with your addiction: http://www.streetlink.org.uk/ . All the best.