Posts by Mephis

posted

239
Royal Commission Live Hearing Now
by LostinJapan in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
wednesday 5 , day 7 live hearing.

case study 29, july 2015, sydney.
Mephis

Toole now claiming they don't isolate themselves. Counsel for BCA (?) not impressed.
Loving how JW beliefs are passed off as being the responsibility of others. 'Choice' does not mean what you think it means in JW land. How many times has 'freedom' been placed in a 'relative' context in the WT etc? You are free to jump off the cliff... you are free to go to the police... you are free to attend a judicial committee... you are free... It's the little things like 'consequences' for exercising your 'absolute rights' which is the part being left out by JW witnesses.
239
Royal Commission Live Hearing Now
by LostinJapan in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
wednesday 5 , day 7 live hearing.

case study 29, july 2015, sydney.
Mephis

BCB's counsel is picking up on the issue of legislation about reporting criminal matters generally. Toole confirming that they'll be taking independent advice on this now. Law requiring it has been there for 25 years. Toole's competence as lawyer is really being questioned as he didn't realise this. BCB's counsel is questioning how they square scripture with obeying law here. Toole gets chance to demonstrate again how they pick and choose which laws they follow.
239
Royal Commission Live Hearing Now
by LostinJapan in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
wednesday 5 , day 7 live hearing.

case study 29, july 2015, sydney.
Mephis

This is brilliant by the commission in not taking the answer offered and instead asking what it really means. It's not like there isn't high profile examples of what happens when that isn't done (eg Bulgaria with blood issue). Stewart mentioning 'Jehovah's Witness morality' was pretty spot on. Toole says "we're bending over backwards to cooperate" but they conveniently leave out handing over anything they don't think the commission should see. Ultimately, this goes right to the issue of whether they will implement and pay heed to any recommendations to improve their policies to protect children. They'd be happy enough to print a new book detailing their thoughts on child abuse whilst doing nothing to address how they need to take action themselves. Is it Matthew 23 about Pharisees?
239
Royal Commission Live Hearing Now
by LostinJapan in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
wednesday 5 , day 7 live hearing.

case study 29, july 2015, sydney.
Mephis

Toole getting tied in knots over his involvement as legal advice. He writes letters, signs them off with his code but insists that the Service Department then revises them and sends them out.
239
Royal Commission Live Hearing Now
by LostinJapan in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
wednesday 5 , day 7 live hearing.

case study 29, july 2015, sydney.
Mephis

Letter from branch to GB mentions a list of names of abusers. Stewart wants to know where it is. Toole hasn't a clue - that's Service department things. Stewart now questioning whether they've withheld information from the commission or whether branch has lied to governing body about the list. List has been demanded as evidence.
239
Royal Commission Live Hearing Now
by LostinJapan in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
wednesday 5 , day 7 live hearing.

case study 29, july 2015, sydney.
Mephis

Stewart takes apart their argument that 383 of the cases have been reported to police. What Aussie bethel has done is searched the files for words like 'police' and authorities' and equated that to police being involved. Stewart points out that it may actually say "do not report to police and authorities" and count to their numbers. Points out again that not a single case has been reported by elders according to their own files - unless a law has forced them to.
239
Royal Commission Live Hearing Now
by LostinJapan in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
wednesday 5 , day 7 live hearing.

case study 29, july 2015, sydney.
Mephis

I think they know Umberto. Stewart's showing it by his line of questioning. McClellan by his comments yesterday. At the same time, they're conscious that these guys are just totally oblivious to the inconsistencies in what they write and the culture they create.
239
Royal Commission Live Hearing Now
by LostinJapan in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
wednesday 5 , day 7 live hearing.

case study 29, july 2015, sydney.
Mephis

Stewart's dismantling their approach to confidentiality as reason for not working with authorities as set out in their last letter about 'legal matters' to elders. Effectively, this is their hope to claim ecclesiastical privilege in Oz, at least, being forensically kicked apart.
239
Royal Commission Live Hearing Now
by LostinJapan in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
wednesday 5 , day 7 live hearing.

case study 29, july 2015, sydney.
Mephis

He's got Toole to say that his understanding that going to court is prohibition of civil cases. Stewart mentions that there is also often a civil case which goes along with the criminal case. Still indicates he's very sceptical that Toole's understanding is one shared at congregation level about criminal cases.
239
Royal Commission Live Hearing Now
by LostinJapan in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
wednesday 5 , day 7 live hearing.

case study 29, july 2015, sydney.
Mephis

lol thanks LostInJapan.