Posts by Joe Grundy

90

Evolution Hole #1 - Origin of Life

by shadow in

disclaimer: my graduate degree is in business, not science so i'm writing as a layman in this field.

yes, i know that someone is going to say that evolution does not encompass this topic and should be sectioned off under abiogenesis.

i'm not trying to argue semantics here but it seems like a case of avoiding an uncomfortable subject.

Joe Grundy

I never was a JW.

A few days ago, my son (who works nights) was awakened by dubs at the door. He reminded them politely but forcefully that he had asked them not to call. 'Sorry', said the guy 'But there are a lot of us'. My son pointed out that the 'silent sister' with him was there last time when he had (again) asked them not to call.

The guy offered to discuss stuff - even said he had read 'The God Delusion' (Dawkins). My son told him that there was no point in discussion, even at a suitable time, because while he (my son) was prepared to change his opinion in the light of evidence the JW never would be.

They left a WT (No.1 2016 'Why Be Honest') and 'Was Life Created', which he passed on to me.

These publications are a joke. I really don't have the motivation or the interest or the time to go through them paragraph by paragraph for a critical review. I feel sorry for the dubs who peddle this crap and, TBH, if they come to my door and admit that they're dubs my response is 'I'm sorry'.

IMHO and IME it really is not worth discussing these issues with dubs.

69

Could the Independent Inquiry in England and Wales expose jw.org's child abuse failures? And how can we help?

by defender of truth in

with all the talk about the org's policies and failures regarding child sexual abuse being publically exposed in australia, i thought that it may be a good time to highlight this... i apologise if this has already been discussed, but on the 9th of july the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse in england and wales was opened.

here is some information regarding it's aims.. "about the inquiry.

the inquiry offers an unprecedented opportunity to examine the extent to which institutions and organisations in england and wales have taken seriously their responsibility to protect children.. the inquiry will investigate a wide range of institutions including:.

Joe Grundy

BTTT

8

Jehovah's Witnesses accused of covering up historic sex abuse

by defender of truth in

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/12073247/jehovahs-witnesses-accused-of-covering-up-historic-sex-abuse.html

Joe Grundy

PS: I ought to explain more. I never was a JW. I moved to Cyprus in 2005 when I retired from the old bill. My neighbours were a swedish jw woman, her converted GC jw husband (did jail time re national service) and two kids (3 and 5). Nice people, but utterly besotted by the WT//JW propaganda. I still think of/fear for those girls.

I know what child/sexual abuse is about. Frankly, I think I still suffer from mild PTSD from dealing with so much of it in my professional life.

WT/JW is not the only organisation to hide abuse, but it happens to be my chosen target. I continue to refer stuff I find to the UK charity Commission, to UK Enquiry Commissions, and to the media.

IMHO, WT is an evil organisation. Its policies and practices deserve to be brought to light.

8

Jehovah's Witnesses accused of covering up historic sex abuse

by defender of truth in

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/12073247/jehovahs-witnesses-accused-of-covering-up-historic-sex-abuse.html

Joe Grundy

WT/JW is an admittedly centrally-regulated organisation.

The ARC investigation, with questioning of all levels of WT organisation up to and including the top (GB) has exposed WT policies and practices.

WT/JW policies, practices and attitudes towards abuse have been exposed to the world. No amount of spin/PR/back-pedalling can undo that.

They are, to use the vernacular, f*cked, and the consequences will flow.

13

Wilmington Delaware Media report in another Topic

by truthlover in

sexual abuse by a female member of a 14 year old in the congregation and elders being sued by the county --- now that co's are liable for the elders only - does that mean the elders will lose everything if fines are levelled against them, since the society has washed their hands and separated themselves by setting the co in place??

.

Joe Grundy

PS: I think most jurisdictions have moved away from the 'I was just following orders' defence.

Individuals are accountable for their actions.

I don't know how many elders are aware of this. If I was in WT land I would avoid responsibility at all costs.

13

Wilmington Delaware Media report in another Topic

by truthlover in

sexual abuse by a female member of a 14 year old in the congregation and elders being sued by the county --- now that co's are liable for the elders only - does that mean the elders will lose everything if fines are levelled against them, since the society has washed their hands and separated themselves by setting the co in place??

.

Joe Grundy

(This may only apply to the UK).

Several years ago, when Health & Safety and other legislation was coming into force, I attended several 'senior management' seminars. It was emphasised strongly that liability for breaches lay not only on corporations/organisations (mine was a police force) but also on individual managers/those with responsibility.

I don't know whether there are any/many cases of individuals being held liable, but I am aware that in lawsuits individuals are named as defendants along with organisations.

My amateur view is that in WT land, it has been established by the ARC that elders are in a position of authority (despite the best efforts of Ms Applewhite) and thus are liable to be sued. There could be an argument that WT (in its various forms) has vicarious liability for the actions of its agents/officers (elders, etc.) but I think that there is sufficient case law in various jurisdictions to indicate that elders etc. are personally liable.

12

ARC: WT cf VAG

by Joe Grundy in

(i never was a jw).. as a retired child abuse professional, i followed (and continue to do so - it's an ongoing process) the arc proceedngs closely.

my understanding is that the purpose of the arc is to establish what current practices exist in various organisations and institutions, how those practices compare with accepted best practice, and what organisations and institutions need to do to bring their procedures and policies into line with best practice.

(and to find a way to compensate victims for what's been done wrong).. wt is case study #29 in the arc process.

Joe Grundy

" I'm not sure what it is going to take for them to finally fess up."

Me neither. It doesn't get much more serious than a Royal Commission. At some points during testimony it seemed as if they were open to change - but they weren't, as evidenced by the WT response. The WT lawyers back home watching the evidence must have been shouting at the screen.

I suppose that the false modesty and humble meekness was just 'theocratic warfare' after all - blended with incompetence and ignorance. I hope it comes back to bite them on the ass. Their deceptions and other reprehensible behaviour is out there for all the world to see. I hope that it is being noted by, for example, the UK Charity Commissioners in their investigation, by the UK Inquiry into institutional abuse, and by individual lawyers world-wide in progressing cases.

Compensation for past cases is very important, of course, but what is crucial is acknowledgement of failings and putting things right for the future. That may be a forlorn hope.

10

Any thought on Business Territory

by Sabin in

i was working one day, had a couple of male customers to serve when this lady walks in & offers me a track on her religion, my answer without thinking " i already know what the bible say's, i'm one of jw's".

she just threw me a dirty look & the two guy's just looked down & said nothing.

i just carried on, served them as nothing had happened.

Joe Grundy

" I even went in to a brothel. That was fun,"

Me too, but it was nothing to do with JW stuff. Just fun.

12

ARC: WT cf VAG

by Joe Grundy in

(i never was a jw).. as a retired child abuse professional, i followed (and continue to do so - it's an ongoing process) the arc proceedngs closely.

my understanding is that the purpose of the arc is to establish what current practices exist in various organisations and institutions, how those practices compare with accepted best practice, and what organisations and institutions need to do to bring their procedures and policies into line with best practice.

(and to find a way to compensate victims for what's been done wrong).. wt is case study #29 in the arc process.

Joe Grundy

Possum: That's a very encouraging report.

Can anyone here (you know WT better than I do) imagine WT making a similar statement?

12

ARC: WT cf VAG

by Joe Grundy in

(i never was a jw).. as a retired child abuse professional, i followed (and continue to do so - it's an ongoing process) the arc proceedngs closely.

my understanding is that the purpose of the arc is to establish what current practices exist in various organisations and institutions, how those practices compare with accepted best practice, and what organisations and institutions need to do to bring their procedures and policies into line with best practice.

(and to find a way to compensate victims for what's been done wrong).. wt is case study #29 in the arc process.

Joe Grundy

(I never was a JW).

As a retired child abuse professional, I followed (and continue to do so - it's an ongoing process) the ARC proceedngs closely. My understanding is that the purpose of the ARC is to establish what current practices exist in various organisations and institutions, how those practices compare with accepted best practice, and what organisations and institutions need to do to bring their procedures and policies into line with best practice. (And to find a way to compensate victims for what's been done wrong).

WT is case study #29 in the ARC process. I confess that I have no idea how the other groups have measured up, except from comments by HHJ McClellan - other groups seem to have acknowledged deficiencies and are prepared to improve.

In contrast, WT (as evidenced by its response to Mr Stewart's proposed findings) seems to have gone into completely defensive mode and has missed the point.

The ARC has given WT a golden opportunity - as emphasised by HHJ several times - to accept its shortcomings, to propose changes, to become more mainstream, to do the right thing. So far, it seems, WT wants no part of it and wants to stick with the sad specimens that appeared on behalf of WT to give evidence.

Their choice, of course.

I am minded to compare their stance with that of the Volkswagen Audi Group which has a major PR problem world-wide because of its admitted deceptive practices. It's not dealing with its problems perfectly, of course, but all the commentary I've read suggests that it's on the right lines.

Admit your faults, face up to them, change management if necessary, suggest a way to fix them, compensate victims.

Whether VAG have got it right or not, time will tell. But Toyota had something similar and got over it.

The world has now seen - or has the capability to see - the best that WT has to offer. It's a pretty poor and shoddy best, I submit.