Posts by Mephis

posted

236
Royal Commission live streamingstarting soon!
by possum in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
august.

mon 3 (cont) fri 7 .

public hearing: case study 29 into jehovah's witnesses, sydney.
Mephis

"As you know, I've been indoctrinated by my beliefs."
Lot of empathy for that man.
236
Royal Commission live streamingstarting soon!
by possum in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
august.

mon 3 (cont) fri 7 .

public hearing: case study 29 into jehovah's witnesses, sydney.
Mephis

McClellan questioning Monty over role of women in JWs, specifically over being elders and whether bible should be read in the context of modern society.
236
Royal Commission live streamingstarting soon!
by possum in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
august.

mon 3 (cont) fri 7 .

public hearing: case study 29 into jehovah's witnesses, sydney.
Mephis

McClellan, "One of the conclusions available [about secrecy over pedophile cases] is that the hierarchy of the church would be embarassed if allegations of this type had got out."
Monty explains that public image is important to JWs, attracts people into religion, and it would be damaging to come out. Expresses doubt about numbers cited by commission.
McClellan explains those are church's own files.
Just personal thing, but think this poor man still is partly in the JW way of thinking even after 20+ years out. Lot of empathy for that. Was only over past year I've woken up after 20 years out too. Things which shouldn't be were still 'normal'. But he's still a human voice after those drone elders.
236
Royal Commission live streamingstarting soon!
by possum in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
august.

mon 3 (cont) fri 7 .

public hearing: case study 29 into jehovah's witnesses, sydney.
Mephis

Monty expressing regret that he didn't "follow through on my question 'what about the daughters?'".
In hindsight, wishes he'd asked about welfare of the daughters. Believes that any elder would do that.
236
Royal Commission live streamingstarting soon!
by possum in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
august.

mon 3 (cont) fri 7 .

public hearing: case study 29 into jehovah's witnesses, sydney.
Mephis

They're questioning Monty Baker over videolink and it seems to have died. Lots of whispered conversations as they try to sort it out.
236
Royal Commission live streamingstarting soon!
by possum in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
august.

mon 3 (cont) fri 7 .

public hearing: case study 29 into jehovah's witnesses, sydney.
Mephis

The difference is striking. He's clearly trying his best to give absolute full disclosure of what he remembers and knows. He perhaps hasn't joined the dots on why elders wouldn't do this now. But still "I don't want to diminish our responsibility [for not looking into abuse when looking to reinstate abuser]". The serving elders can't even contemplate they did anything wrong.
236
Royal Commission live streamingstarting soon!
by possum in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
august.

mon 3 (cont) fri 7 .

public hearing: case study 29 into jehovah's witnesses, sydney.
Mephis

Monty Baker's counsel just nailing them on the 'why aren't you reading statements by df'd people including victims?'. Elder falls back to 'didn't occur to me, personal choice'. Curious pattern indeed.
236
Royal Commission live streamingstarting soon!
by possum in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
august.

mon 3 (cont) fri 7 .

public hearing: case study 29 into jehovah's witnesses, sydney.
Mephis

Questioned by BCG's counsel on how he can offer support to someone who he doesn't believe enough to take action for. The elder can't see the point being made and does the 'Jehovah sees all' thing.
236
Royal Commission live streamingstarting soon!
by possum in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
august.

mon 3 (cont) fri 7 .

public hearing: case study 29 into jehovah's witnesses, sydney.
Mephis

He's deliberately being evasive and McClellan's picked him up on not answering the question. I know there's a charitable view of this, but I'm more inclined to think this is deliberate. The phrasing is too careful, too ambiguous.
236
Royal Commission live streamingstarting soon!
by possum in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
august.

mon 3 (cont) fri 7 .

public hearing: case study 29 into jehovah's witnesses, sydney.
Mephis

Super question from BCG's counsel. Outside of what parents tell children, there is nothing to guide children how to handle something like abuse from a parent. This idiot has just missed the point with mentioning the new Caleb and Sophia video. Which does nothing of the sort.