So now you understand the roots of the insane policy on blood.
It came from all this enlightened thinking.
Maximus
Maximus
JoinedPosts by Maximus
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22
Wow, I didn't know this
by bboyneko infrom ajwrb site:.
this image appeared in the golden age of march 30, 1932, p. 409, and is very typical of similar pictures or watchtower cartoons of the era.
note the dead and pock marked babies below.
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35
Abuse BOE Now At SL
by silentlambs ini now have links to the abuse boe letters.
they are not scans of the originals but as all know they are completely authentic and accurate.
you go to them from the "wt letters" button on the front page.. enjoy,
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Maximus
Would you like to read part of the letter sent to bodies of elders by Watch Tower of Great Britain? What do you think of this letter in contrast with the letters you are reading from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, both under the one Governing Body in Brooklyn?
It is more than interesting to note that the British policy letter of 1992 is almost identical to the six-page US policy letter of July 1989. Except for one major issue. Herewith is the December 2000 policy letter that reiterates the policy enunciated NINE YEARS AGO. See if you can spot the difference.
WATCH TOWER
BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF BRITAIN
THE RIDGEWAY LONDON NW7 1RN
TELEPHONE 020 8906 2211
December 1, 2000ALL BODIES OF ELDERS IN BRITAIN
Dear Brothers:
C O N F I D E N T I A L
We are writing by way of a reminder regarding the handling of matters that may involve legal issues or questions. Please do not make any copies of this letter, nor should it be read by others. It should be kept in the congregation’s confidential files for any future reference that may be required by the body of elders.
I. WHAT TO DO IN CERTAIN SPECFIC CASES
A. Child AbuseThe protection of children is of the utmost importance to us. (Psalm 127:3, Matthew 18:4-6) Jehovah’s people in no way condone crimes such as child abuse or endeavor to shield those committing offenses of this nature. When elders receive reports of alleged physical or sexual abuse of a child, they should contact the Society’s Legal Department immediately. This is still the case even if the report is second or third hand. Victims of such abuse need to be protected from further danger, and others need to be protected from potential harm.—See Awake! October 8, 1993, page 5 "How Can We Protect Our Children?" and January 22, 1985, page 8 "If the Worst Should Happen".
As members of the community in which Caesar still acts as God’s minister and hence still has a certain authority, all in the Christian congregation will want to consider their personal and moral responsibility to alert the appropriate authorities in cases where a serious criminal offence of this type has been committed or there exists a risk that one may be committed. (See ks91, page 138.) It is natural that the Christian congregation finds such situations to be distressing. There is clearly a need to consider the principles of ‘paying back Caesar’s things to Caesar’ (Matthew 22:21) and those concerning the spiritual cleanness of the congregation, such as, 1 Corinthians 5: 11-13.
When an elder receives an allegation that a child has been abused the first essential is to listen. He should not interrupt until the complainant has finished but he may ask gentle, non-leading questions such as: "Is that everything?", or "Is there anything else you would like to tell me?" Do not ask probing or intimate questions. This is very important and has legal implications. However surprising the allegations, the elder should not indicate disbelief in any way. Nor should he express any criticism of the complainant. Elders are spiritual shepherds but are generally not qualified to evaluate the genuineness or the seriousness of an allegation of child abuse.
.....
Company registered in England No 3858051 Charity Reg No 1077961
Registered Office IBSA House The Ridgeway London NW7 1RN United KingdomPage Two
The elder may express deep and sincere concern and offer Bible-based counsel in harmony with what has been published by the Society. His counsel should always include advising the complainant that the congregation cannot take over the God-given responsibility of the ‘superior authorities’ in dealing with crime. Accordingly, the complainant should consider his or her responsibility to report the matter to the authorities without delay. (Compare Romans 13:4, James 4:17) Such authorities might include the family doctor, the head teacher of the child’s school, the social services, the NSPCC, or the police. The elder should explain to the complainant that he himself might have a duty to report the matter to the proper authorities.If the complainant is a child the elder might offer to accompany him or her to discuss the situation with a parent (but not the alleged abuser) or to one of the above authorities. A child should not be placed under pressure to take such action, and an elder should not be alone with a child who complains of abuse. At an initial disclosure elders should avoid making promises, but they may indicate that they will need to give the matter very serious and urgent consideration. In any event they should treat the matter as a priority so that the complainant does not get the impression that nothing is being done.
As soon as possible THEREAFTER [CAPS ARE FROM MAXIMUS] contact the Society’s Legal Department. The presiding overseer should also be informed, but do not arrange to speak with any other person. The elders should not lose sight of the fact that victims urgently need to be protected from further abuse and abusers need to be prevented from finding additional victims.
B. Judicial Action and Criminal Investigations
The secular authorities quite properly view it as their prerogative to examine criminal charges and to judge the matter. (Romans 13:1-4) Should congregation elders become involved in probing a matter that is under investigation they are in jeopardy of being seen as "obstructing the police" or "attempting to pervert the course of justice". In all cases where a brother or sister may have committed a criminal offense and that offense is also a violation of God’s laws necessitating the formation of a judicial committee, please contact the Society’s Legal Department immediately.
Applying these directions may result in a lengthy delay in dealing with a serious matter from the congregation’s standpoint. In such circumstances the congregation must be patient and wait on Jehovah, remembering that the secular authorities are acting as "God’s minister". (Romans 13:4) Likely it will be advisable for a brother who has been accused not to be used for assignments until the matter is resolved. A charge that is to be heard in Court has at least to a limited extent become a matter of public knowledge. The brother who has been charged, even if he is innocent will wish to cooperate in maintaining the good name of the Christian congregation. Of course, every case is different and it is not possible to make the rules to cover every situation.
When the time is ripe all documents will be published in scanned form, for everyone to see their authenticity. To answer Expatbrit's question, NBC Dateline is very much aware of the disparity he mentions.
Do you think Dateline will be comparing the British letter with what the Society's PR spokesman has stated to them about policy from the Governing Body?
It's show time.
Maximus
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35
Abuse BOE Now At SL
by silentlambs ini now have links to the abuse boe letters.
they are not scans of the originals but as all know they are completely authentic and accurate.
you go to them from the "wt letters" button on the front page.. enjoy,
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Maximus
Why do I have the feeling that here in the US the Society would be quite happy if all child molestation records miraculously disappeared?
Thank you for helping me make a point, Jemimah. Great Britain has had a fine policy in place for dealing with child abuse. I'm not sure about the June 2001 letter, which seems to repudiate previous policies. Did the Governing Body think that would cover THEIR ass?
In conversation with UK friends, I kept writing about Romans 13 as superseding the two witness rule, as clearly demanding recognition as a teaching. "For it is God's minister." The superior authority can be construed as a family doctor, therapist, or the police. JW elders are not qualified to assess the genuineness of a charge by a child and should let experts do what they do best, blah, blah. You've seen my argumentation.
Their response was something like what kids in the US say when something is obvious. "Well, DUH-uh." We were not in disagreement!
We finally discovered that at least since 1992 Great Britain has had a most enlightened policy THAT IS IN LETTERS TO BODIES OF ELDERS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DESTROYED. They are there for all to see. UK elders must wonder what the hullabaloo is all about in this country.
How can the GB in the US have one policy, while having an enlightened policy in Great Britain? NOT ONE US BOE letter says ANYTHING about Romans 13 or any consideration of a moral obligation to report a charge of molestation. The first directive is always to call the Society's Legal Department.
The FIRST LINE of the Watch Tower of Great Britain letter starts by saying that protection of children is of paramount importance!!! Then Romans 13. They got it right! What happened in the United States? Didn't the policy originate from the Governing Body?
With all their legal problems the French branch must be in a tizzy. Imagine if it became public knowledge there that JWs have a child abuse policy that's about to be exposed via NBC Dateline and lawsuits. This is not just bad publicity, this is a nightmare.
Most of you are familiar with my style. I'm going to let this stew a bit and then we'll speak about the most effective publicity for this knowledge.
The prime policy I've seen from Brooklyn lately:
COVER YOUR ASSWell, I've got news: it's going to be exposed for all to see, in all its ugliness.
Maximus
Wondering if the UK Branch listens more carefully to God than the Governing Body! -
38
Irate email
by D wiltshire inbelow is a email i received today.
the person doen't know me except from i think randy watter web site where i post my appeal letter to the body of elders on which i left my email address.
i never told her i wasn't df but she gets facts confussed alot.. anyway i sent the post on barbra anderson from our site to her you might find it interesting so i'm posting it below.. .
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Maximus
: Perhaps Dateline would be interested?
Trust me, they know already.
Max
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Why the WatchTower T S never answers
by Nassau inas jw since 1976 i wonder why watchtower official spokemen always keep silent on every difficult and controversy subjects!
just ignore the letters and the questions of sincere jws trying to have good arguments to defend the "god's organisation"?
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Maximus
Oh, they answer letters many times.
What they say, however, is maddening. Rather than address the heart of questions asked, they tell you
Wait upon Jehovah.
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47
"Special" meeting in October?
by Esmeralda inquestion.
my mother told my husband that there is to be a 'special meeting' in october at the local sports arena (same place as dc's are held here) and that "only publishers are allowed to attend" that they will get "special cards" for admission from their local congregation and have to hand them in to get into the building.
i have no idea if this has anything to do with the "annual meeting" they always have (isn't that generally in october?
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Maximus
NYtelecom, you will remember the major points. Trust me.
Max
Thinking of getting Alan to do a live feed ... -
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Greenlees & Chitty -- Some Sources
by AlanF inposted on an email message board:.
posted on an email message board:.
posted recently to the h2o message board:.
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Maximus
Skimmer, check your mail.
Max
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38
Irate email
by D wiltshire inbelow is a email i received today.
the person doen't know me except from i think randy watter web site where i post my appeal letter to the body of elders on which i left my email address.
i never told her i wasn't df but she gets facts confussed alot.. anyway i sent the post on barbra anderson from our site to her you might find it interesting so i'm posting it below.. .
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Maximus
: JEHOVAH'S ORGANIZATION IS JEHOVAH'S ORGANIZATION
I swoon at the positive brilliance of this statement.
It's people like this who do not want to bring reproach on that blessed organization, AND SO THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM COVERING UP CHILD ABUSE no matter how ugly it is!
Positively brilliant, isn't it? Ruin a life but protect that organization from reproach at all costs!
DW has it right. It's abysmally sad.
Maximus
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98
Greenlees & Chitty -- Some Sources
by AlanF inposted on an email message board:.
posted on an email message board:.
posted recently to the h2o message board:.
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Maximus
Speaking of Ray Franz, and just giving some insight as to why he is silent on some matters. I made no judgement WHAT he considers titillating; he certainly does not shrink from truth or accuracy. One particular point I wanted to make was about the subject of the thread. Ray has said in print all he is going to say on that. It would be grossly unfair to say his motive was protecting the governing body in any way.
He does get offended when someone writes: "How many times did Knorr get it on with Percy Chapman? Details, please." Folks even get demanding in their quest to know and sometimes they get intrusive. I know.
Yes, I knew Mike Smilnak. As to Howard, you would have been his pal if you could have facilitated the buying group in the Service Department ....
Knorr was not exactly known for dispensing justice.
Warm thoughts to fellow former residents of the Bible House,
Maximus
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35
Abuse BOE Now At SL
by silentlambs ini now have links to the abuse boe letters.
they are not scans of the originals but as all know they are completely authentic and accurate.
you go to them from the "wt letters" button on the front page.. enjoy,
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Maximus
Then again, what was the child abuse policy in FRANCE?
Come to think of it, what will happen to the Society's legal problems in FRANCE when they learn of the child abuse situation in the U.S., thanks to NBC Dateline?
Charles/Chasson? Are you there, mon cher?
Can we talk?
Maximus