Posts by DT

9

HAS ANYONE THOUGHT OF A JW ELDER LETTER PROJECT?

by badboy in

jw
friends

i read about a clergy letter project,so thought of above

DT

I put together a rough draft of some of my ideas. I thought I would write something from the perspective of a group that is concerned about pedophilia in churches. I don't directly attack their doctrine or religion. The purpose is to get them to read it without raising their anti apostate defenses. Hopefully, it would make them think seriously about the policies they are asked to enforce. I'm imagining a situation where this is sent to Kingdom Halls, although it could also be sent to individual elders.

"To Whom it may concern,

We are a group of people who are concerned about the prevalence of pedophilia in modern society. It's very unfortunate that pedophiles often exploit close knit religious communities to perpetrate their crimes. This letter is part of a campaign to better educate religious leaders on how they can deal with this problem and protect the innocent ones in their care.

It must be recognised that pedophilia isn't just a serious sin. It's also a serious crime. Religious leaders can be most helpful when they recognise their limitations. It is important for clergy to comply with all local laws. Most states require clergy to report suspected cases of pedophilia. However, there is an increasing tendency for courts to enforce the opinion that clergy have a responsibility to exercise reasonable care towards their members. This may require going beyond the letter of the law. Some have strictly followed legal and ecclesiastical regulations, only to become involved with costly and lengthy court battles years later.

Some clergy only make anonymous reports of suspected child abuse. This gives the authorities very little to work with. They sometimes feel like they are being mocked by this type of call. Although this might temporarily shield the religion from controversy, it may not fully protect the reporter from litigation.

Pedophiles are often expert manipulators and may be very good at feigning repentance. These kinds of crimes should be handled by professionals with the necessary training. Since these individuals usually repeat their crimes. They should not be allowed to have positions of authority and should always be supervised when in the company of minors. It is wise to not allow them to have contact with the public while representing the church.

One religion made public statements that they do not appoint "known child molesters" to positions of authority. However, in confidential documents it was revealed that the term "known child molesters" has "reference to the perception of that one in the community and in the Christian congregation." Unfortunately, many known child molesters were given positions of authority in churches that were unaware of the person's history. This resulted in many preventable cases of abuse and staggering court settlements, with no end in sight.

If you are a religious leader, you have a great responsibility and opportunity to protect the young ones in your church. This takes education and an understanding of how pedophiles operate. We recommend the following websites to assist you."

I have to find a good list of sites, including Silent Lambs to include at the end of the letter.

I look forward to your thoughts about this letter and approach. It would be nice to have several letters to choose from. We could even think about sending different letters to the same hall, with a period of time in between. I also won't be offended if you want to rewrite my letter with improvements. I may also do some more editing.

56

Alarming statement in today's study article in WT...

by Mickey mouse in

paragraph 15: "as we get nearer to the outbreak of the great tribulation, we may well receive some detailed instructions.

our safe journey through those troublesome days will depend on our keeping in step with other loyal servants of jehovah.

" this in the context of a wt discussing the israelites' exodus from egypt and how jehovah had them into a position where there seemed "no way out".

DT

If I were a member of the governing body and morally corrupt, I would probably believe that they have to change tactics to survive. With the Internet, media and increasing numbers of hidden apostates, they can't survive indefinitely with the same level and kind of mind control that worked in the past. There may be real fear of a catastrophic collapse. Their best strategy might be to become more dictatorial, This could cause big losses, but it might be worth it to have a smaller and more loyal and brainwashed membership. They could always interpret the losses as sifting before the end and get everybody excited again. This might even make it possible to start a new round of prophecies. They have already recycled some prophecies from the 1800's in the 1900's. I'm sure they would like to use them again in this century. They could get people excited again by conventions by saying they are fulfilling prophecies from Revelation.

2

Crusaders Google Bomb Scientology

by DT in

jw
friends

http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2008/01/30/confirmed-crusaders-google-bomb-scientology.

i think this is an interesting article.

it doesn't get too involved with the moral aspects of this, but it talks about the effects of their campaign.

DT

Just a bump to the top. I sent a PM to Besty and would be happy to discuss this privately with anyone else.

25

Blood Issue - Could that mean bloodshed???

by cognac in

if you look up the greek word for blood, it could mean actual "blood" or it could mean "bloodshed".

the scriptures in acts are not quoted anywhere so nobody could really say for certain which meaning it actually has... .

also, just before it in acts, it states to abstain "from things strangled".

DT

Gopher explained it well. I also like your point that the blood could mean bloodshed. It might require a reevaluation of the scriptures and their context, but it's enough to cause uncertainty. Since lives are at stake, that would be enough to cause some JW's to do more research.

Also, just before it in Acts, it states to abstain "from things strangled". If you look up "strangled" it was in reference to an "unbled animal". So, it wasn't the way the animal died that was important, it was the fact that it was unbled.

Pardon me if I'm being picking, but I feel I should point out a distinction that could be important. Leviticus 17:13-15 seems to indicate that how an animal died is important. If an animal was killed by the person, then it had to be bled. It wasn't OK to strangle it to death and eat the unbled meat. However, the situation was different if the animal was found dead. Then eating the unbled meat just resulted in ceremonial uncleanness, rather than the death penalty.

I don't believe the Bible is consistent and that all the Bible writers were on the "same page", but the JW's think they were, so there are kinds of ways to work with this and point out that the prohibition isn't as strong as they think.

9

HAS ANYONE THOUGHT OF A JW ELDER LETTER PROJECT?

by badboy in

jw
friends

i read about a clergy letter project,so thought of above

DT

DT:
I might point to an elder's letter that says that they can appoint known child molesters to positions of authority, as long as only the elders know about it
No longer true. When I was an elder a few years back, I knew of a long time elder who was removed after it was discovered he had committed a single act of pedophilia he committed with a female relative before he became a JW. He remains in good standing otherwise. Not JC because it occurred before he was a Witness.
This has been emphasized over and over in recent elders schools...any brother who has ever been proven to be a known pedophile (even if not known to the authorities) can no longer be appointed as an elder, MS, regular pioneer, etc. Just publisher status for that brother. No additional extended privileges of theocratic service, even if they are not (or no longer are) judicially under "restricted" status. And of course, now such a brother would be required to not work alone with a child other than their own in the ministry or other theocratic activity. We elders were hammered on that in our elders school (and also in MTS).
Snakes ()

Thank you for this information. However, I believe my assertion is still true, even if it might not be the common understanding among elders. I will present my information and request that anyone correct me if I'm mistaken in something or if their have been very recent adjustments.

The WTS has often said it doesn't appoint known pedophiles to positions of authority. When I was a dub, I assumed they were speaking normal English, not a dialect known only to elders. This quote is from a pdf scan of the March 14, 1997 letter to bodies of elders.

" Who is a known child molester? The January I, 1997, Watchtower article "Let Us Abhor

What Is Wicked" mentions on page 29 that a man "known to have been a child molester" would not

qualify for privileges in the congregation. An individual "known" to be a former child molester has

reference to the perception of that one in the community and in the Christian congregation. In the

eyes of the congregation, a man known to have been a child molester is not "free from accusation"

and "irreprehensible," nor does he have "a fine testimony from those on the outside."

(I Tim.

3:1-7,10; 5:22: Titus 1:7) In view of his past, people in the community would not respect him, and

the brothers might even stumble over his appointment."

So if the elders are the only ones in the community or congregation that know about it, then the person isn't considered to be a "known child molester" by the WTS even though he is known to be a child molester.

Barbara Anderson's CD commentary quotes from a much more recent body of elders letter. (page 90 of her commentary) The March 14, 2007 body of elders letter says, "An individual 'known' to be a former child molester has reference to the perception of that one in the community and in the Christian congregation." The letter also says, "Others may have been guilty of child molestation before they were baptised. The elders should not query individuals." The entire section of that commentary is worth reading and gives some background information. I can't click and paste it for some reason.

The WTS has been elusive, but they seem to strongly imply that known child molesters can be appointed as long as the community and congregation are unaware that he is a child molester. Of course, I'm interested if there is any more current information. I'm also curious about how many elders are aware of this. I wouldn't be surprised if the WTS is content if only a few know about this loophole for situations when it comes up.

I'm appaled that they make public statements and then redefine their teminology in private, confidential letters. It's just a sneaky way of lying.

40

WT Comments VIDEO (Keep Watching)

by V in

DT

Excellent video. Keep up the good work. I'll embed it in my blog tomorrow..

9

HAS ANYONE THOUGHT OF A JW ELDER LETTER PROJECT?

by badboy in

jw
friends

i read about a clergy letter project,so thought of above

DT

Maybe we could coordinate that: create a draft of the letter, post it here and agree on the language to be used.

I'm working on a rough draft. I'll try to finish it and post it in a day or two. It's mostly for ideas. I'd be happy to see any ideas or drafts that anyone else has.

58

WHO WILL WIN THE SUPER BOWL?

by minimus in

jw
friends

and by how much???

?

DT

I'm hoping for a tie. I don't even know if this is possible, but I think it would be hilarious if it ever happened.

42

How many x jdubs want to write a book?

by Alex Delta in

jw
friends

if i only got a nickel every time i heard an x jdub say i should write a book, i'd be a zillioniare.

DT

I've been thinking about it. I have some notes. I'm also at a similar stage with a book on music and mathematics. What I like to do is start a blog or blogs and just start writing on the subject. It's a great way to organise your thoughts. You can also get some immediate feedback from readers and learn what doesn't work. Even if the book never pans pans out, you can at least take pride in producing something of value. You can also have some ads and might make some money either way. If the book actually happens, then you already have a way to promote it and may already have a group of people who want to buy it.

Rekless is doing something like that. http://thedreampushers.blogspot.com/ I like what he's doing.

9

HAS ANYONE THOUGHT OF A JW ELDER LETTER PROJECT?

by badboy in

jw
friends

i read about a clergy letter project,so thought of above

DT

Yes, I believe there have been some in the past. I don't know how they turned out. There are some obstacles to making it work, but I still think it has some good possibilities. If I were to do it, I think I would keep the letter very simple and brief. I would avoid discussions of doctrine. I would simply discuss one aspect of their pedophilia policies. For example, I might just make a plea that they personally report any suspected child molesters and point out that anonymous phone calls are worthless and just interfere with the authorities' ability to do anything.

Or I might point to an elder's letter that says that they can appoint known child molesters to positions of authority, as long as only the elders know about it. I would point out that most pedophiles will repeat their crimes if given an opportunity. I would simply plead with them to make a conscientious decision to not recommend any known pedophiles to positions of authority. This might be a good way to make them think about the evil policies they are asked to follow.

Campaigns like this can be hard to organise. However, we already have an informal campaign to call the headquarters on or around the first of every month. I don't see why we cant piggyback other ideas onto this. I would be willing to send a few letters to elders around the first of the March. I may also send a letter to the headquarters. If anyone wants to do something like this, you can just announce your intentions and some others may decide to join in. Even very modest efforts can be effective if enough people do it.