Posts by Incognito

78

The handling of child abuse allegations

by Landy in

there's a lot of criticism surrounding the jw's handling of chiild abuse within their ranks with a lot of it being well deserved.

but i'm interested to know how people on here think child abuse allegations should be handled.

there's a few scenarios below, the first couple are easy then it gets a bit more complex.

Incognito

The correct answer in this case is no you wouldn't - it is and should be entirely up to the victim.

If the 'victim' didn't want the matter pursued, what would be the purpose of that person now reporting the matter to the elders?

There should be a stated policy to the congregation that any sexual assault or abuse reported to the elders, will be reported to authorities. It is then the 'victim's' decision if he/she wishes to report the matter to elders, knowing in advance the elders will report the incident to authorities.

When there is a crime committed, it is not an option for the victim whether or not the matter is investigated and the purp is prosecuted. The only decision a victim may be able to make is whether or not the crime is reported, to anyone. Once reported to elders, then responsibility is transferred to elders if the victim is not willing to report to authorities themself.

17

The great R.B.C rip off!!!

by karter in

jw
friends

i was on a job last week and the p.o from my old congro was there and told me they had just re modled the k.h.the r.b.c quoted them $240.000 they did it for $120.000 so why the big diffrence in price??

?.

Incognito

"Theocratic direction" now is that the LDC makes ALL decisions about if / when a new Kingdom Hall is needed.

Previous to the LDC was the RBC who it seemed, had similar 'authority'.

I recall one congregation I had been associated with previously. While a high percentage if not a majority of the cong voted to renovate the existing building, everyone was told by the elders that the RBC decided a new building was needed, so that was how it was to proceed. It was that cong's members that were then paying the associated costs even as the payment of regular monthly expenses was often questionable.

Perhaps the old RBC could only offer recommendations or advice while the local elders & CO may have been able to accept or ignore that advice, IDK.

Doesn't matter if they have raised a million dollars; if they try to build a KH without LDC input they will be disciplined for "not following theoratic direction".

If everything over $5K is "donated" to WT (as regularly audited by the CO), they then would not have any local money to do anything major.

78

The handling of child abuse allegations

by Landy in

there's a lot of criticism surrounding the jw's handling of chiild abuse within their ranks with a lot of it being well deserved.

but i'm interested to know how people on here think child abuse allegations should be handled.

there's a few scenarios below, the first couple are easy then it gets a bit more complex.

Incognito

The present attempts to keep these matters secret, only serve to portray WT & JWs far worse to the general public, than if each instance was made known from the start while also stating appropriate corrective actions taken by the org.

I don't understand why so many think WT need to reinvent the wheel. The WT is not an island onto itself. I bet there are organizations that have adopted very appropriate policies for these situations and there is no reason those same policies can't be shared and adopted by the WT organization or at least on local levels as appropriate.

Even if great examples cannot be found, there is no reason Child Protective Services or the relevant division within local or state police can't be consulted to provide advice on appropriate procedures. If there are existing policies, those agencies could be requested to review and critique them.

While WT is quick to send various Bethelites to law school, I have not heard any indication of WT training anyone in child abuse matters. This is beyond a legal issue. They need to admit they do not have in-house expertise to develop an appropriate child protection policy. If the expertise is not available in-house, then it would be most appropriate for WT to consult specialized professionals outside of the org, just as they have done when attempting to defend themselves before the ARC and while in court.

Unfortunately, just having policies in-place does not in itself provide much, if those policies are not followed on all levels.

WT make extraordinary claims. They must then accept a higher than average responsibility to lead through example.

17

The great R.B.C rip off!!!

by karter in

jw
friends

i was on a job last week and the p.o from my old congro was there and told me they had just re modled the k.h.the r.b.c quoted them $240.000 they did it for $120.000 so why the big diffrence in price??

?.

Incognito

I had understood that because WT 'forgave' all KH mortgages and demanded all congregation funds in excess of $5K be sent to WT, any KH remodels, add-ons or rebuilds are to be at WT's expense as apparently, WT were taking over ownership of each KH. Of course, WT first stated there were so many KH projects needed but over the following year, very few actually progressed.

Was I misinformed or misunderstand that individual congregations are no longer required to raise their own funds for work on their own KHs? If they are still to raise their own funds, how is any money above $5K banked locally?

45

What's preventing YOU from stopping meeting attendance?

by nicolaou in

we all 'exit' in our own way and at our own pace but i'm curious, why carry on stuffing yourself into that stiff suit and tie or meeting dress years after you realised the truth about 'the truth'?.

they kept you a prisoner, what's stopping you from leaving now that you have the key to your own cell?.

loved ones?

Incognito

They are still the only ones teaching the Truth - the Question

But are they teaching the truth about 'The Truth'?

It appears many of us have a different understanding of what truth is, than you do.

JW friend told me that I'm "bad association" - SBF

You're not if you're not associating.

Our household stopped attending some years back. While personal matters initially caused irregular attendance for a few months, once becoming educated on the real 'Truth', we each made the decision to stop attending fully.

Some JW family have cut us off completely while others have reduced contact and are more cautious when we are together.

We view any lost/reduced relationships as their losses. They made a decision to cut us off or reduce contact and they retain the power to change that decision.

10

JW.org website and Matt 6:1-4

by NikL in

jw
friends

saw the news story on jw.org this morning about all the help they are sending to congo after flooding there.

yay for them!

oh wait!.

Incognito

I haven't read the trumpeting on this matter but wonder how much assistance WT has actually provided? Usually, WT doesn't do much of anything but takes credit for actions of individual JWs who commit their time and resources to assist at their own expense.

49

Sisters as Ministerial Servants?

by Spoletta in

my wife has been trying to convince me that the organization is hinting at the possibility of making some older sisters ministerial servants.

she is awake to a lot of the false doctrines, but is still clinging to the hope that the org may become more progressive in the future.

anyone else pick up on this?

Incognito

You only need to watch Geoffrey Jackson's reaction to the Australia Royal Commission's suggestion that women be involved in assisting victim's of child sexual abuse, to know the answer to this question.

Jackson's testimony can be seen on youtube.

9

Paedophiliac

by midnight in

i don't think jehovah likes paedophiliac behaviour .

has anyone got a reference to an article anywhere that shows watchtower giving council that paedophiliac thoughts , feelings , leanings are wrong ?

.

Incognito

RO - How do your comments address Midnight's question posed in the original post?

32

Irregular to meetings, can I partake in memorial?

by Squekylive in

hi friends .

i don't believe in jw doctrines anymore but because of family i have to be a jw for now.. i am not regular to meetings, and don't answer in meeting, but i report some hours so i remain as active jw now.. .

congregation knows that i am not spiritual and i don't talk to people and i don't care what they think about me.. now, i believe it's important to observe lord's supper as a christian as per john 6:53, so in the coming memorial if i attend i want to partake in the communion,.. i believe it is a sin to pass the bread and wine inspite of knowing it's flesh and blood of jesus.. it's like rejecting jesus.. so i want to partake.. but i dont consider i am anointed etc.

Incognito

But is there anyway they can DF me?

While I have never heard anyone being DF'd for participating, remember, it's their club. They set the rules and they can change the rules as they see fit. There are actions which now commonly result in DF'ing although not so in the past.

Consider smoking. Although frowned upon previously, it later became a DF'ing offense.

Christmas had been celebrated at Bethel previously, but later became something a JW could/would be DF'd for observing.

I understand Ray Franz had been the first person to be DF'd for associating (eating a meal) with a DA'd ex-JW.

They somewhat recently adopted a new reason - Brazen conduct. I do not believe this term was defined in stone and might be referenced when other reasons don't fit. Some here have speculated that it could include not adhering to the counsel and dictates of the GB or Elders, which then could include rejecting WTBTS doctrine which you would be expected to know and understand as a baptized JW.

32

Irregular to meetings, can I partake in memorial?

by Squekylive in

hi friends .

i don't believe in jw doctrines anymore but because of family i have to be a jw for now.. i am not regular to meetings, and don't answer in meeting, but i report some hours so i remain as active jw now.. .

congregation knows that i am not spiritual and i don't talk to people and i don't care what they think about me.. now, i believe it's important to observe lord's supper as a christian as per john 6:53, so in the coming memorial if i attend i want to partake in the communion,.. i believe it is a sin to pass the bread and wine inspite of knowing it's flesh and blood of jesus.. it's like rejecting jesus.. so i want to partake.. but i dont consider i am anointed etc.

Incognito

amoung my JW family, they would be schocked if I am not present in the memorial! and would create unwanted sorrow in the family.

And you don't consider partaking would do the same thing?