Posts by Mephis

posted

12
Australian branch co-ordinator Terrence O'Brien gets called out for lying to the Royal Commission
by Mickey mouse in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
watch from 1:47:00 as angus stewart of the royal commission investigation into child abuse calls out the australian branch co-ordinator for lying about geoffrey jackson's role on the governing body.

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Mephis

Absolutely agree with that Listener. O'Brien was asked about how long he'd been in country. Answered 'one or two weeks'. It's been three weeks. Any member of the GB could have accepted the invitation and so allow Jackson to attend to his father. But as they're happy to hide in Brooklyn and pay multiple millions in damages rather than turn up to a court, well, I think McClellan is right that there's room here for Jackson to attend to the responsibility of being in charge of a religion which fails those inside it.
21
Geoffrey Jackson's powerful role in the WT
by Splash in
1. watchtower
2. child-abuse
if anyone knows which committees gj sits on or what some of his responsibilities are, can you please post here with supporting quotes.
Mephis

Bio given on his appointment. WT, 15th March 2006, p.26.
Brother Jackson started pioneering in February 1971 in Tasmania, the island state of Australia. In June 1974, he married Jeanette (Jenny). Shortly thereafter, they were appointed to serve as special pioneers. From 1979 to 2003, they served as missionaries in Tuvalu, Samoa, and Fiji—island nations in the South Pacific. While in the islands, Brother and Sister Jackson also contributed much to the work of translating Bible literature. Beginning in 1992, Brother Jackson served on the Branch Committee in Samoa, and from 1996, on the Branch Committee in Fiji. In April 2003, he and Jenny became part of the United States Bethel family and began to work in the Translation Services Department. Soon thereafter, Brother Jackson was made a helper to the Teaching Committee of the Governing Body.
What the teaching committee does, WT, 15th May 2008, p.29
TEACHING COMMITTEE: This committee oversees the instruction provided at assemblies, conventions, and congregation meetings. It arranges spiritual programs for Bethel family members and has oversight of various schools, such as Gilead School and the Pioneer Service School, as well as of the development of audio and video programs.

According to O'Brien, today, in testimony to counsel for the commission, Jackson is now on the Writing Committee, which does cover translation work but also a lot more.
From WT, 15th May 2008, p.29
WRITING COMMITTEE: It is the responsibility of this committee to supervise the putting of spiritual food into written form for publication and distribution to fellow believers and the general public. This committee answers Bible questions and approves such material as drama scripts and talk outlines. It also oversees the translation work done worldwide.
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

smiddy - oh sorry, thought with 8 years on here you'd have seen the statement. 'Let's review, it's a cult.' Not a question - no question mark.
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

Franz confirmed that in his testimony in the Scottish case Smiddy. It's the unity, not being correct, which they're after from R&F.
Let's review..
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

McClellan informing counsel for WBTS that commission will be pulling JWs back in and be expecting WBTS to have made changes within the next 2 1/2 years.
WBTS trying to find reasons not to call Jackson. McClellan telling him that personal circumstances may not be sufficient to excuse him.
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

McClellan saying Jackson must now testify next week, unless Stewart agrees he shouldn't.
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 asking O'Brien whether he agrees that the instructions he gave his counsel were false.
"By giving those instructions, you were deliberately misleading this commission"
O'Brien argues that compassion for Mr.Jackson was his point. Stewart questions the truth of what O'Brien has said about it.
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

Monty Baker's counsel is taking O'Brien to task over where the idea of authority over women comes from.
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

McClellan refusing to keep branch organisation book secret. Asks whether the rules of organisation are withheld from the people in it. WBTS batting on a very sticky wicket. What's referred to goes on record now, WBTS have to persuade McClellan and Stewart there's good reason for keeping whole thing secret. Stewart wants time frame set for WBTS to make that argument.
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

"Do you accept this is psychologically devastating and cruel?".
"It makes your organisation a captive organisation.. it makes it impossible to leave because of the pain"
"You do realise this policy of shunning is the one which makes people most angry amongst exJWs around the world"
Thank you Mr.Stewart.