Posts by messenger

6

New WT book.

by montag in

jw
friends

oooooooh!.

here is the first look at the new "benefit from theocratic ministry school education" book released at this years "teachers of god's word" district convention.. ---------------------------------------------------------.

you may use these settings in any order in the theocratic ministry school when presenting student assignments that take the form of demonstrations.

messenger

The link sends you to a password. Can you get it corrected??

thanks

2

Jehovah's Witness wins case ...

by messenger in

jw
friends

jehovah's witness wins case for conscientious objection.

army deferment for the sake of prayer .

rossiiskaia gazeta, 16 november 2001 .

messenger

.Russia Religion News Current News Items

2

Jehovah's Witness wins case ...

by messenger in

jw
friends

jehovah's witness wins case for conscientious objection.

army deferment for the sake of prayer .

rossiiskaia gazeta, 16 november 2001 .

messenger

Jehovah's Witness wins case for conscientious objection
ARMY DEFERMENT FOR THE SAKE OF PRAYER
Rossiiskaia gazeta, 16 November 2001
An unprecedented judicial investigation whose chief figures are an eighteen-year-old draftee and the leadership of the city military committee began in Pskov province. The occasion for the possible battles on the judicial field is a recent decision made by a local district court in the city of Krasnye Strugi granting deferment from army service to a young believer.

As we were told at the city military committee, eighteen-year-old Viacheslav Kisliuk, over whom judicial passions have been ignited, is a "hereditary" member of the sect of Jehovah's Witnesses. His parents lead the city's division of the sect and it was they who decided to protest the action of the military committee in the district court, appealing to their convictions that do not permit their son to bear arms.

The judges, apparently deciding not to tangle with religious fanatics, granted the young man deferment for the time being, "until a mechanism for alternative service has been created." The issue is the absence for now of a law which would establish the nature and length of service for "alternative servicemen." The decision of the court has upset the local military command; now young people will begin actively turning to the sectarians in order thereby to avoid the army. (tr. by PDS, posted 21 November 2001)

3

It Is Amazing What A College Education Will Buy

by messenger in

jw
friends

well it appears a good education will get you a nice "witness" funeral.

did you notice what his favorite activities were?

no preaching work?

messenger

JW's typically do not allow memorial services for non members in a Kingdom Hall. They will use the funeral home and preach the sermon but the use of a Kingdom Hall is a different matter. Use of a Kingdom Hall has to be approved by the body of elders and it is seldom they will agree for a non witness to use JW buildings.

Perhaps if the man were studying and just about to be baptized could be one senario. Another might be if his widow, a faithful sister, was destitute and could not afford a funeral home. I do not think that applies here, which leads me to the last reason an unbeliever may use a Kingdom Hall. He was wealthy and the Kingdom Hall was getting some kind of cut.

10

Here's your Nickel Go To Hell

by messenger in

jw
friends

i remember the old witness joke about the pope going to heaven.

when he gets to the pearly gates they are locked and he demands entry.

the angel on guard says, who are you?

messenger

I remember the old witness joke about the Pope going to heaven. As the joke goes the Pope dies and goes to heaven. When he gets to the pearly gates they are locked and he demands entry. The angel on guard says, “who are you?” I am the pope! The angel says just a minute and goes away for a few minutes. When he gets back he asks, “God said to ask if you ever did anything good.” The pope replies, “Well two Jehovah’s Witnesses came to my door and I gave them 25 cents for their little magazines, how about that?” The angel said, “just a minute” and leaves again. After a few minutes he returns and the pope says, “well what did God say?” The angel replies, “God said here’s your nickel, Go to hell.”

When I read the article out of the 1-1-02 Watchtower it caused me to remember this joke. Why? Therein Wt described the great work they sought to accomplish after the WTC disaster. The great "comfort" work could be summarized into two scriptures, a tract, and a bible study. As I read how they patted themselves on the back for this meaningless effort all I could think of was:

“HERE’S YOUR NICKEL GO TO HELL!”

Anyone else have any thoughts?

From the 1-1-02 Watchtower

"Comfort All the Mourning Ones”

13 The year 2001 had its share of disasters, and as a result, many individuals were in need of comfort. Last September saw an outstanding example in the United States, with the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon near Washington, D.C. What a shock those attacks were for the whole country! In the face of such events, Jehovah's Witnesses strive to fulfill their commission to offer 'comfort to all the mourning ones.' A few experiences will illustrate how they do this.

14 A Witness who is a full-time evangelizer approached a lady on the sidewalk and asked what she thought about the recent terrorist attacks. The lady began to weep. She said that she felt bad and wished she could somehow help. The Witness told her that God is very much interested in us all, and she read Isaiah 61:1, 2. These divinely inspired words made sense to the lady, who said that everyone was in mourning. She accepted a tract and asked the Witness to visit her in her home.

15 Two Witnesses who were engaged in the work of evangelizing met a man working in his shed. They offered to show him words of comfort from the Scriptures in view of the recent tragedy at the World Trade Center. With his consent they read 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, which includes the words: "Comfort. ..abounds through the Christ." The man appreciated that his Witness neighbors were sharing something comforting with others and said: "May God bless the wonderful work that you are doing."

16 A Witness calling back on interested people met the son of a woman who had previously shown interest and explained that he was concerned about how the neighbors were doing after the recent tragedy. The man was amazed that the Witness had taken his own time to visit people and check on them. He said that he was working quite close to the World Trade Center when the attack occurred and saw the entire event unfold. When he asked why God permits suffering, the Witness read verses from the Bible including Psalm 37:39, which says: "The sal- vation of the righteous ones is from Jehovah, he is their fortress in the time of distress." The man kindly asked how the Witness and his family were doing, invited him to return, and expressed heartfelt appreciation for the visit.

17 Another of the thousands of mourning comforted by Jehovah's Witnesses in days following the terrorist attacks was a whom the Witnesses met while they visiting their neighbors. She was extremely upset by what had happened and listened as they read Psalm 72:12-14: "He will deliver the poor one crying for help, also the afflicted one and whoever has no helper. He will feel sorry for the lowly one and the poor one and the souls of the poor ones he will save. From oppression and from violence he will redeem their soul, and their blood will be precious in his eyes." How meaningful lose words were! The lady asked the Witnesses to read the verses again and invited them into her house to continue the discussion. By the end of the conversation, a Bible study was under way.

18 One Witness works in a restaurant in rather affluent community where people have not previously shown much interest in the good news of the Kingdom. After the terrorist attacks, the community appeared shaken. On the Friday evening after the attack, the manager of the restaurant invited everyone to go outside and hold candles, observing a moment of quiet reflection in memory of the victims. Respectful of their feelings, the Witness went out and stood silently on the sidewalk. The manager knew that he was a minister of Jehovah's Witnesses, so after the period of reflection, she asked him to represent everyone in prayer. The Witness consented. In his prayer, he mentioned the widespread mourning but said that the mourners need not grieve without hope. He spoke of the time when such terrible events would no longer happen and said that all could draw closer to the God of comfort through accurate knowledge from the Bible. After saying "Amen," the manager-followed by the more than 60 people who were outside the restaurant came up to the Witness, thanked him, and hugged him, remarking that the prayer was the best she had ever heard.
A Blessing to the Community

19 In these days especially, communities where Jehovah's Witnesses are active benefit from their presence as many have remarked. How could a people who promote peace, honesty, and clean morals not be a force for good? In one Central Asian country, Witnesses met a retired officer of the former state security agency. He said that he was once assigned to investigate various religious organizations. When he looked into
Jehovah's Witnesses, he was impressed by their honesty and good conduct. He admired their firm faith and the fact that their teachings are based on the Scriptures. This man agreed to a Bible study.

20 From the few experiences related in this article, out of the thousands that could be related, it is clear that Jehovah's Witnesses were very busy during the 2001 service year. * They spoke with millions of people, they comforted many who mourned, and their evangelizing work was blessed. There were 263,431 who symbolized their dedication to God by getting baptized. Worldwide, the number of evangelizers increased by 1.7 percent. And the fact that 15,374,986 attended the annual Memorial of Jesus' death indicates that there is much more work to do. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) May we continue to seek out meek ones who respond to the good news. And as long as Jehovah's year of goodwill continues, may we continue to comfort “the broken- hearted.” What a blessed privilege we have! Surely all of us echo Isaiah's words: “With- out fail I shall exult in Jehovah. My soul will be joyful in my God.” (Isaiah 61:10) May God continue to use us as he fulfills these prophetic words: “The Sovereign Lord Jehovah will cause the sprouting of righteousness and of praise in front of all the nations.”-Isaiah 61:11.

3

It Is Amazing What A College Education Will Buy

by messenger in

jw
friends

well it appears a good education will get you a nice "witness" funeral.

did you notice what his favorite activities were?

no preaching work?

messenger

Well it appears a good education will get you a nice "Witness" funeral. Did you notice what his favorite activities were? What! No preaching work? Now if he was not a Witness how does he rate a Kingdom Hall funeral?

Robert D. Hoien, Bloomfield Hills businessman

By The Detroit News

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BLOOMFIELD HILLS -- A memorial service will be held today for Robert D. Hoien, vice-president of manufacturing for Peterson/American Corp. in Southfield.
Mr. Hoien died Thursday, Nov. 15, 2001, of lung cancer at his home in Bloomfield Hills. He was 61.
Born in Twin Valley, Minn., Mr. Hoien grew up in West Seattle, Wash. In 1961, he received a bachelor of arts degree in administration from Washington State University, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He also earned a master's of business administration in 1986 from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
His resume included work at the Phoenix Corp. in Farmington Hills and Cadillac Products in Troy.
In his free time, he enjoyed golfing and skiing.
Survivors include his wife of 15 years, Carole; children C.J. Hoien and Andy, Tony, Tim and April Armstrong; mother Janet; siblings John and Rosalie and 10 grandchildren.
Services will be at 5 p.m. today at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 21950 W. 14 Mile, Beverly Hills.
Memorial donations may be made to the Karmanos Cancer Institute, 24601 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield, Mich. 48075.

3

A SAD AND LONELY TURKEY DAY

by messenger in

jw
friends

how could this widow possibly be sad and lonely with the spiritual paradise of brothers and sisters who are involved in the great comfort work following the world trade centers?

shouldn't this brother's family be offered financial aid by the local congregation?

the silence of jehovah's witnesses screams the point of what a farce the spiritual paradise pretends to be.

messenger

How could this widow possibly be sad and lonely with the spiritual paradise of brothers and sisters who are involved in the great comfort work following the world trade centers? Shouldn't this brother's family be offered financial aid by the local congregation?

The silence of Jehovah's Witnesses screams the point of what a farce the spiritual paradise pretends to be.

. http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nypost/20011121/cm/a_sad_and_lonely_turkey_day_for_sept_11_widow_1.html
Wednesday November 21 03:52 AM EST
A SAD AND LONELY TURKEY DAY FOR SEPT. 11 WIDOW
By ANDREA PEYSER
STAR ORTIZ was deep in thought on the living-room couch when she looked up. And she panicked.

Her baby, Rebecca, 10 months old, was playing there a second ago. Where had she gone?

Star yelled for the child and for her parents. She ran to the kitchen. And Rebecca was just standing there, smiling.

Standing there.

"I couldn't believe it!" Star told me yesterday. "She'd walked there all by herself. For the first time! It was so beautiful."

Then, the ecstatic mother grew sad. Happy thoughts tend to end this way.

"I wish Paul was there to see it," she said. "He would be so thrilled."

The last time Star, 21, saw her husband, Paul, was early in the morning on Sept. 11. Paul, also 21, kissed her gently before leaving their Brooklyn home, and leaving for work at Windows on the World, where he was to set up computers for Bloomberg.

Rebecca had just started pulling herself up on her feet the day Paul left. "He couldn't wait to see her walk," Star said.

Rebecca has gotten pretty good at the walking thing since taking those first steps last month. But she still likes to say just one word.

"Dada," she says, over and over.

Star, too, gets stuck on a single thought.

"It is still my hope that the phone will ring and someone will tell me, ‘I think I saw him,' " said Star. "I still have hope."

A gaping hole was blown into Star's heart on Sept. 11. But the days keep on passing. The baby grows. The bills pile up. And Paul is still gone.

Tomorrow, Star's mother will cook Thanksgiving dinner. Where once the table overflowed with family, the event will be far smaller this year.

On Dec. 7, Rebecca will celebrate her first birthday. And while Paul, a Jehovah's Witness, did not observe birthdays, Star will keep a seat open for him.

Yet, it is hard for Star to think of celebrating, when everyday life has become so overwhelming.

Paul was his family's breadwinner. Since he went missing, his employer, Bloomberg, has helped pay the rent. But Star said she was turned away from two charities set up to help families of trade center victims because her husband was not a cop or a firefighter.

Star has had to rely on her parents for financial help. Lately, she's turned to a friend, a lawyer, to help navigate the maze of paperwork required to cut loose any benefits to which she might be entitled.

Next month, Star plans to leave the home she shared with Paul, and take baby Rebecca to live with her parents in Williamsburg.

"I couldn't deal with that apartment alone," she said. "It was just too much."

Soon, it will be Christmas. Star hasn't even thought about that.

Blood, Canada, Court decision

by messenger in

jw
friends

director of child welfare to the care of his parents, julian yeatts and pauline yeatts, subject to the .

supervision of the director of child welfare until adrian yeatts sixteenth birthday, under section 19(1-)(a) of the act; and.

by section 15(4) of the act, treatment includes the provision of blood transfusion or.

messenger

The case below was featured on a brochure the story of Adrian.

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ROBERT WELLS
SUPREME COURT OF NEVJFOUNDLAND
MAL DIVISION
P.0. BOX 937. ST. JOHN'S, NF. A1C 5M.'

July 9, 1999

Ms. Jutta Birlenberg
Bogenstraße 11
51375 Leverkusen

Dear Ms. Birlenberg:

Thank you for your recent letter. 1 am enclsoing a copy of my reasons in the case of Adrian Yeatts.

Yours sincerely

ROBERT WELLS
Justice

RW/If
Enclosure

1.

1993 No F/93/0311
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEWFOUNDLAND
UNIFIED FAMILY COURT

IN THE MATTER of the
Child Welfare Act, R.S.N. 1.990
c.C-12

AND

IN THE MATTER OF Adrian Yeatts,
child of Pauline Yeatts and
Julian Yeatts

ORDIER-OF--MR,. JUSTICE ,RODERT WELLS

(Child Welfare Act, Section 14 ( 7 )

DECISION DATE :: delivered, orally, 19 July 1993.

HEARING DATES: Sunday, 18 July 1993: Monday, 19 July 1993.

COUNSEL:

Ms. Veva Moulton, for Director of Child Welfare:

Mr. David C. Day, Q.C. for Adrian Yeatts (by ( Order of
Wells, J. made- 18 July 1.993); and with him, Ms. Anna
English - Smith, student -at - law (by Order of wells, J. made
18 July 1993);

Mr. Julian Yeatts and Ms. Pauline Yeatts in person.

2.

I NATURE OF PROCEEDING:

The Director of Child Welfare (Newfoundland) has applied for Orders under The Child Welfare Act, R.S.N., 1990, c. C-12

( 1 ) declaring, under section 14 of the Act, that Adrian Yeatts ( born 22 June 1978;:

present age 15 years) is a child in need of protection as defined by clause 2(b) (ix) (B) of the Act;

(2) returning Adrian Yeatts from apprehension by, and detention in the care and custody of the

Director of Child Welfare to the care of his parents, Julian Yeatts and Pauline Yeatts, subject to the

supervision of the Director of child welfare until Adrian Yeatts sixteenth birthday, under section 19(1-)(a) of the Act; and

(-3) authorizing medical treatment in the form of blood and / or blood products be given to Adrian
Yeatts under the direction of a duly qualified

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physician at The Dr. Charles A. Janeway Child Health Centre and such other medical
facilities in the Province of Newfoundland as may be necessary, until Adrian Yeatts
sixteenth birthday.

II. SUMMARY OF FACTS:

Adrian Yeatts, aged 15 years, is the son of Julian and Pauline Yeatts of Paradise, Conception Bay South, Newfoundland who are members of The Jehovah's Witnesses faith. Adrian was being treated for a life-threateninq illness at Dr. Charles A. Janeway Child Health Centre in St. John's, Newfoundland. The parents when asked by the Janeway, consented to investigations and treatments for their son, provided no blood or blood products were used in his treatment. They requested that alternatives to blood and blood products be employed if the need arose .

A paediatrician treating Adrian regarded the use of blood and blood products, in the event of loss of or damage to blood following intensive chemotherapy, as the most usual and accepted method of treating patients following intensive chemotherapy. Though not yet a member of
Jehovah´s Witnesses, the boy believes in their

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teachings, includinq those forbidding the use of blond or blood products in medical treatment. These beliefs are the basis for his expressed instruction to the treating paediatrician, that no blood or blood products be used in his treatment. The treating paediatrician assessed the boy as being mature enough to have his wishes respected, and accepted from the boy a written consent to treatment, provided that alternatives to blood and blood products were to be used if the need arose. He was on that basis, prepared to proceed in accordance with the boy's wishes.

The boy is unmarried and under the age of 16, and therefore, a "child " under provisions, of The chiId Welfare Act and a person subject to the jurisdiction of The Director of Child Welfare. The hospital
notified the Director of the situation. The acting Director responded by apprehending and detaining the
hospitalized boy in the belief that he was in need of protection, and then applied for several orders under the Act, including an order for a declaration the boy was, in need of protection as defined by Section 2(b ) (ix) (B) of the Act, and an order authorizinq the use of blood and blood products in his treatment.

5.
Section 2 ( b ) (ix) (B) of the Act defines a 2child in need of protection" as being a child who is in the care or custody of a person who refuses or fails

*****

to permit ... [proper medical or
other recognized remedial] care and
treatment to be supplied to the
child when it is considered
essential by a qualified medical
practitioner,******

By section 15(4) of the Act, „ treatment“ includes the „ provision of blood transfusion or
injection “

III. ORDER:

For the following reasons the applications of the Director of Child Welfare are dismissed; the child is not in need of protection; the use of blood or blood products for the purposes of blood transfusion or injection, have not been demonstrated to be essential, and in the particular circumstances of this case, could be harmful.

Unless a change in circumstances necessitates a further order, the use of blood or blood products
in his treatment, is prohibited; and the boy is declared to be a

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mature minor whose wish to receive medical treatment without blood or blood products is to be respected.

IV. REASONS FOR ORDER: ( EDITET )

1 indicated this morning that 1 would qive a decision today, because the matter is of such urgency that were 1 to adjourn and prepare a written judgment, the delay would cause considerable mental stress and hardship. For that reason I propose to give the decision orally, because time is vory much of the essence.

I indicated this morning that I would give a decision today, because the matter is of such urgancy
That were I to adjourn and prepare a written judgment, the delay would cause considerable mental stress and hardship. For that reason I propose to give the decision orally, because time is very much of the essence.

First, let me deal with the Director's role. The Act though there may be uncertainties and ambiguities in it, as may occur in legislation, - places a very serious responsibility on the Director or actinq Director. I believe, that faced with the situation with which she was faced, Mrs. Elizabeth Crawford the Acting Director, made the right decision in seeking the assistance of the Court.

There is a special value in the Court procedure, and it is that those involed can be represented, and can have their say in a formal manner. The Court, - which in this case is a Court of unlimited jurisdiction - can take
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into consideration what is said, and what is arqued. The atmosphere under which such an inquiry takes place has been found in our society to be the most effective way to deal with difficult matters. I think therefore that Mrs. Crawford was wise and correct in submitting this matter for the decision of the Court, so that Adrian himself could have the benefit of obtaining legal advice and being represented - so that all
arguments could be püt forward and competantly arguet. That is not to say that she did not have the discretion to take a decision without going to Court. Every case, as Counsel said, must be looked at on the facts, and circumstances which surround it. What I do find, is that in this case it was a proper and wise decision..

It is impossible to consider this dilemma without considering first and foremost the medical evidence, which has been given here by a highly qualified practitioner in the oncology / haematology - field, namely Dr. Lawrence F. Jardine.

As I interpret his evidence, which I will not attempt to reproduce word, f or Word, it is essentially this: that Adrian contracted a cancerous condition some five or six months aqo, in March; that that condition was

8.

treated in a conservative fashion; that the treatment was not fully effective, but was partially effective only. It kept the illness, while not in remission, at least controlled to some deqree for a period of time. Approximately two to three weeks ago, it was found that his condition had worsened and was worsening rapidly, until, as of yesterday the doctor said that without treatment of any kind, Adrian could not be expected to live for more than one to two weeks.

He was asked what the effect of intensive chemotherapy treatment would be, and he said; nobody can be absolutely certain of that, but under the best conditions and in the best circumstances, it can be hoped that Adrian has a chance expressed in percentage terms of something between 10 or 20 and 40 percent. That is not a 10, 20 or 40 percent chance of complete recovery and cure. That is a chance that the disease could be - or the progress of the disease could be - arrested to some degree.

There is, however, as a result of intensive chemotherapy, the possibility of side effects which can be and probably will he, extremely serious.. Even i t the progress of the disease is arrested, that arrest will not.

9.

allow, in his view, for the normal life span to be lived without complications.. He said that one can
expect recurrences and Problems to continue.

I am very sad to say, and particularly in the presence of his family, that Adrian´s condition is extremely serious, and the prognosis i not good. I think that his family knows that, and Adrian knows that has to be accepted as being so.

The doctor was then asked: What can be done now.?
What ougbt to he done? He said, the only practical thing that can be done now, is to undertake this regime of massive chemotherapy, in the hope that the disease can be arrested or stayed in its progress. He said that one of the results - one of the usual results - of massive chemotherapy of this kind, is that. the platelets in the blood - being a component of the blood - are seriously affected, and reduced in number, so that there is a likelyhood that the patient, if the platelets fall below a certain level, will suffer internal bleeding into the major organs, which if it occurred would cause death. Death. He .said that there are other ways to treat that condition, but they are not proven ways, and the chances of success.

10.

are not really known. But also, as I understand his evidence, even if blood products were to be is no provided, there is no quarantee of success, or any measure of success, It is just that at this time it appears to be the best medical course under the circumstances.

I use that term "best" narrowly, because the doctor made what I think was a wise observation, that treating a patient involves more than just physical- treatment, with chemicals or with surgery - I think his concept is the "holistic" view -- and the evidence of the doctor indicated to me that he is looking at the treatment of Adrian, his patient, from the holistic point of view. That leads to the question of Adrian's mental state and how important bis mental state is to the entire process of treatment

There is no question that this "youuq person „ is very courageons. I think he has the support of a loving and caring family, and I think he is facing his affliction with a great deal of courage. Part of his religious belief, is that it is wrong for him to use blood products by having them introduced into his body,
for whatever purposes, and certainly the only purpose for

11.

which they would be introduced into his body, would for medical purposes.

Obviously his beliefs are not shared by everyone, but I think that misses the point. The point is, that if Adrian has that belief, and he believes it with firmness and conviction, then whether that belief is correct or not, in either a medical sense or in a spiritual sense, is beside the point. The point is that it is his belief and it is a correct belief for him. It is his belief and it is he who is ill and suffering, and that is what we are concerned with.

I make these observations, only to underscore that in the holistic approach which Dr. Jardine mentioned in the treatment of cancer, it is important that the patient have as good, as, strong, and as positive a mental attitude as he or she can possibly have, because without, such an attitude, the chances of success in any form of treatment are materially reduced. I think that is a most highly significant and important point.

I have had the advantage of reading an affidavit that was made by Adrian yesterday, and I have had the

12

advantage of hearing his mother, who gave evidence, and have had the advantage to talking to Adrian himself.

I am satisfied that he believes with all his heart, that to take blood would be wrong, and that to be forced to take blood in the circumstances about which we are speaking, would be an invasion of his body, an invasion of his privacy, and an invasion of his whole being, to the extent that it would impact severely on his strength and ability to cope with the dreadful ordeal that he has to undergo, whatever the outcome.

I agree that the doctor made eminent sense, when his he said that the patient must be in a cooperative and positive frame of mind about chemotherapy and other cancer treatments, in order for there to he any hope, any real hope, of success, and that a patient on whom something is forced contrary to his most deeply held beliefs, would be a patient whose suitability for the treatment would be drastically reduced. That is the message I got from the doctor. It is a message that has been supported by other evidence, particularly from Adrian's affidavit, and from the conversation which I had with him today.

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That is the framework in which I must exercise the discretion which I have under the Act, and the various other headings of law which have been mentioned this afternoon.

When I turn to the question of the medical treatment "when it is considered essential by a qualified medical practitioner," (under clause 2(b)(ix)(B) of the Act), I cannot find in the evidence of Dr. Jardine a statement either directly or by implication that the provision of blood is essential.

The chemotherapy is essential. The provision of blood products for the platelets problem is in medical terms the best approach that has been found so far, but it is not the only approach. There was nothing in the doctor's evidence to indicate that it is essential to impose that treatment on an unwilling patient in a way that would damage his faith, which is one of the few things, and perhaps the most important thing, that he has left in life.

Rather than being essential, it seems to me that the enforced use of blood products, could, in the
.

14.

circumstances which apply here, be more harmful than beneficial.

I am not satisfied on the medical evidence which I have heard, that in this particular case - and every case is different - I am not satisfied that in this particular case that the use of blood products as a follow up to the chemotherapy, is considered essential by the qualified medical practitioner from whom I have heard, and in whom I have considerable confidence.

Rather, taking the holistic approach to the problem, Dr. Jardine, believes that it is better to go the route that satisfies not only Adrian but the doctor also, in the circumstances. He feels so strongly about it, that he said that if it should he ordered that blood products be administered to Adrian, that he himself would not do it, and if it were to be done, somebody else would have to do it. When a qualified and responsible specialist in the field says something like that, I must doubt that he, as a qualified medical practitioner considers such treatment essential.

Counsel have pointed out the various heading under which the Court may exercise its discretion, and I take no issue with these. (The exemption from the Act for a

15.

mature minor under The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, or the exercise of parens patriae authority to bridge a gap, if one exists, in the Act.) However, as always with matters involving children or young persons who are below the age at which the law allows them to deal with matters independently of officials and courts, what the Court must take into consideration and be guided by, is in all respects the best interests of the child.

It's hard to think of Adrian as a child, and that causes me to move to the question of maturity. Maturity is not the same in every case, and maturity can come, with circumstances. A happy, healthy, well - adjusted teenager of fifteen, is concerned usually with school work, with friends, fellow students, and having a good time, which is perfectly permissable, and with developing socially, developing physically through sports; and as well developing intellectually. Most adults would consider fifteen year olds to be immature in most respects, and perhaps they are.

However, I think that what has happened to Adrian has matured him to a degree that would be unthinkable for a 15 - year - old who is not facing and living with he is living with, and has to face and facing. I think

16.

that his experience is as bad an experience I can conceive of, and I suspect that their faith is one of the things that is sustaining him and his family. I think that what has happened has made Adrian mature beyond any normal expectation of maturity in a 15-year-old. I think the boy that I spoke to this morning, is very different from a normal 15-year-old, because of this tragic experience.

I think he is mature enough to express a cogent view, and he has expressed it to me, and I am satisfied that he is a mature, young adult. I am also satisfied that it is proper under the Act, and in law generally, for me to take into consideration his wishes, and I do so. His wishes are, that blood products not be administered, and I am satisfied also, that if these wishes are countermanded in some fashion by the Director under an order of this Court, that his best interests would be manifestly, and in a very real sense adversely affected, because I believe that his will to oppose the and to participate in treatment would be seriously affected .Furthermore, if, and this is very possible, if he should indeed succumb to this disease, he would do so hin a state of mind that, taking into consideration his beliefs, would be very sad,

17.

very unfortunate., and not at all to be desired. I am taking all these things into consideration.

I refer to the case of Re L. D. K. ; Children´s Aid Society of Metropolitan Toronto v. K. and K. (19 8 5) ] , 48 R. F. L. (2d) 164 (Ont. Prov. Ct. [Fam. Div. ] ) Main Prov. J.] which has been quoted to me. I think the words in the written judgment express the situation very welI . The Judge in this case, referring to the young girl as she was, said [at p.171]:

She has wisdom and maturity well beyond her
years and I think it would be safe to say that
she has all the positive attributes that nay eni?
parent would want in a child. She has a well
thought out, firm and clear religious belief.
In my view, no amount of counselling from
whatever source or pressure from her parents
or anyone else, including an order of this
court, would shake or alter her religious
beliefs.

And, in this case, Adrian's religious beliefs.

I believe that ... [she] should be given the
opportunity to fight this disease with dignity
and peace of mind. That can only be achieved
by acceptance of the plan put forward by her
and her parents.

The same applies in this case, and here the plan includes Dr. Jardine who is Adrian's physician.
Time is of- the essence, and these reasons are not as exhaustive as they might have been had I the, time to

18.

prepare a written judgment. Nevertheless I have expressed the factors which I feel to be of greatest importunce in the case.

In all of the circumstances, I feel that it is proper for me to deny the request that blood products be used in Adrian's treatment.

I am prepared to hear counsel, and to discuss the question of whether an order should be made placinq Adrian in the care of the Director, with the treatment to be given as has been discussed and recommended by Dr. Jardine in consultation with Adrian - falling short, of course, of the use of blood products. Whether counsel feel that that might be a useful way to proceed, so that if necessity arises at some future stage of the treatment, for further
Consideration of these matters on any particular point - because one ever knows what can arise - then I would be prepared to hear submissions.

I wish to reiterate, that whether or not an order is made placing Adrian in the care of the Director of Child Welfare, such an order would include a prohibition of the use of blood products on Adrian, certainly at this stage, and until further and different medical evidence, or

19.

evidence of a change of mind, is brought before the Court -. If therefore you feel that an order should be made in the terms that I have just spoken about, I will hear you now. I take it, Mr. Day that you are asking that no order be made at all, or, that no order is necessary.

Day, Q.C.: That is our position. Our position is predicated primarily on the fact the application on
which this hearing, in fact an inquiry, proceeded, relied solely on the basis of the acting Director's perception that medical treatment - more to the point, the aspect of medical treatment - more to the point, the aspect of medical treatment that that prompted the Director to initiate the application - involving blood or blood products were
necessary and had been refused. To put it another way, there is nothing in this application or the evidence to
suggest that independently of that part of health care, involving blood or blood transfusions which the Director
requested you authorize and which you have refused, there had been any refusal or failure on the part of either
Adrian or his parents to accept the medical advice that had been offered at the Janeway Hospital; the strongest
evidence of which you had first hand, today, when Adrian indicated at the Hospital that he had startet the
chemotherapy.

20.

Per curiam: My only concern is, and it may be unnecessary, that if in consultation with the doctors at some point he were to change his mind, then it might he necessary to activate a mechanism that would give effect
to a change of mind.

Day, Q. C. : I f the boy changes his mind and would accept blood - that is an issue Ms. Moulton raised
earlier today - the doctor has told you he would regard the resulting treatment to be a form of treatment he feels is desirable.

If the boy changed his mind and decided to accept it, his parents would support him. There is nothing to suggest that if there were a change of circumstances in this regard there would he anything in those circumstances that would require an order, because then the boy would be submitting to the form of treatment that was regarded by Dr. Jardine as most desirable. To put it another way; there would no protection issue. I would see no protection issue
before the Court if that were to happen. For example if Adrian were to notify me this afternoon that he had
decided, upon reflection, that he was going to accept blood or blood products, and Dr. Jardine has us he regards him as a mature minor, that treatment would, I assume, proceed. That is not a possibility T am able to

21.

anticipate. That is not to say, however, that there might not be several other scenarios that might attract
the concern of the Director or Court. Then, it seems to me, the Director has the option of bringing on an application with the same expedition as was done yesterday by notice served quarter to two for a hearing starting half past two. That option is open if the need should arise in future. The only option that I see Your Lordship having available to you in the circumstances would be an order that made the boy subject to the supervision of the Director, but then the

question arises; What evidence in there to justify placing the Director, in a supervisory capacity between the boy and his parents?. That is am much as I can say My lordship to contribute to the issue you`ve raised.

Per curium: The only thing t can conceive of, is if Adrian desired a course of action in which the parents were not prepared to acquiesce, although Mrs. Yeatts said to me this morning that she would not stand in his way, whatever course he choses. That is the only circumstance which occurs to me, which may make, or could make, the intervention of the Director and the Court a possibility

22.

Day, Q. C. : In that circumstance my position on behalf of the boy - I cannot speak for the parents - is that he has an understanding with the doctor, independent of his; parents. If he were to change his mind, and if there were indications that his parents were attempting to bring to bear on that decision their own views - in other words, "you may want blood but we're opposed to it, " then: Who stands between them and this young man? I do. I stand ready to bring an application at a moment's notice, hopefully as efficiently as the Director did, to deal with any potential for interference on the part of the parents. Were that to happen - no one is suggesting that it would - I have a duty that even goes beyond the duty to Adrian. I have already indicated that that is my duty to the duty to the Court; a duty I regard a s being a very serious one. Whether the parents wish to speak for themselves in this regard is a matter for them to decide.

Per curium: Having heard Mr. Day's position, Ms. Moulton, have you any comment?
Ms. Moulton : My Lord, t he Director would be satisfied with a declaration that Adrian is a mature minor.
23

Per curium: I see. I have certainly found that to be so, and I am prepared to declare that he is a mature minor. Perhaps, then, that resolves any such problems, and I think concludes the matter.

I wish to thank counsel for their assistance, which has been invaluable, and for the care and sensitivity with which they have dealt with the matter. I express my wish, especially to the parents, that matters turn out as well as possible.

Day, Q. C. : I think I would be remiss if I did not, on behalf of my client with whom I spoke but briefly after you left the hospital today, thank you from the bottom of his heart, which is a very big heart, for your having dealt with this matter with expedition and with sensitivity and with great fairness. He is ever so grateful to you My Lord and I wish the record to show that you.

Per curium : Thank you.

24.

Schedule

( Pleadings filed in the proceedinq are attached. )

8

Guardian Article on Laree

by messenger in

jw
friends

stephen bates is at it again.

brother gillis will no doubt have a no comment on this one.. .

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,596231,00.html.

messenger

Stephen Bates is at it again. Brother Gillis will no doubt have a no comment on this one.

. http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,596231,00.html
Devout couple accused of flogging daughter to death

Stephen Bates, religious affairs correspondent
Saturday November 17, 2001
The Guardian

A devoutly religious couple from Chicago's South Side have been charged with murder after allegedly beating their daughter more than 160 times with a 2cm-thick length of electrical cable.
A court heard yesterday that Larry and Constance Slack, both Jehovah's Witnesses, beat 11-year-old Laree - a punishment they believed was laid down in the Bible - after she was uncooperative during a search for her mother's jacket.

The girl was tied to a metal futon frame, and at one point her five siblings, aged eight to 17, were told to hold her down. A towel was stuffed in her mouth to stifle her screams.

The Slacks, both 41, gave themselves up to the police when Laree was pronounced dead at a local hospital. They are liable to the death penalty if convicted.

Demetria Soter, coordinator of paediatric trauma at Cook county hospital, said: "Do you know how hard it is to kill an 11 year-old? Massive amounts of force are needed to die like this."

How One Sister Moved On With her Life

by messenger in

jw
friends

archers aim at spiritual target.

center teaches ancient zen art to eager students.

by matthew walberg.

messenger

Archers aim at spiritual target
Center teaches ancient Zen art to eager students

By Matthew Walberg
Tribune staff reporter
Published November 11, 2001

In the practice of Zen archery, called kyudo, it takes about five minutes to go through the cycle of shooting and retrieving an arrow.

Each movement is infused with the contemplation of one's mind and heart and the clearing away of distraction. Every step is part of a meditative process.

The archer fits the shaft to the bowstring, takes the proper stance, steadies mind and muscle. The bow is held aloft, then lowered slowly, like a falling leaf, as it is drawn. The archer pauses to focus before loosing the arrow toward the target with a shout.

"Kyudo is like mindfulness practice in action, and it's often referred to as polishing the mind or polishing the heart," said Peter McLaughlin, former director of the Shambala Meditation Center of Chicago. "I don't really regard it as a martial art. I've always referred to it as standing meditation."

McLaughlin is a student at Fuko Kyudojo, 3117 W. Montrose Ave., where instructor Tina Carter teaches about 20 students, most of them on Saturday mornings.

Open since May in a storefront space that doubles as Carter's office and art studio, the facility is the only kyudojo in the city to date, although occasional classes are taught at local colleges or meditation centers.

On a recent Saturday morning, incense burned on a small altar along the wall as students in stocking feet padded around. The sound of Carter's quiet instruction or encouragement was punctuated by the regular shout of "ee-ah!" as an archer released the bowstring and the "thwap" of the arrow as it pierced a straw target.

`It's about calming myself'

The participants come from widely divergent religious backgrounds. Carter was raised a Jehovah's Witness but has been a Tibetan Buddhist for more than a decade. Two students are Jewish. Several were raised Catholic.

Martha Fourt, 46, said she and her partner, Patricia Benjamin, 54, took up kyudo several months ago.

"I've been enjoying it more than I thought I would. It calms me down," Fourt said. "Basically, I try to let go of the busyness in my mind--it's about calming myself."

Another student, Jim Nudo, 47, is an attorney who holds black belts in karate and kendo, or Japanese fencing. He has wanted to study kyudo ever since he read Eugen Herrigel's "Zen in the Art of Archery" in the 1970s.

"I like that you're just doing it for yourself, and you're doing it to improve yourself," he said. "When I do this, I tend to be aware of myself and all that's around me."

Fourt said the spiritual principles of kyudo do not interfere with her religious beliefs. "I don't think that anything we learn here has any conflict with Judaism, which has its own meditative aspect," she said.

There are a number of branches of kyudo. Some emphasize competition; others, such as the Heki Ryu Bishu Chikurin-ha branch that Carter teaches, stress spiritual development.

Pointing in new directions

In Chikurin-ha kyudo, the goal is not to hit the target. Instead, practitioners strive to see their reflection in the target, purifying their minds of doubts and distractions as they hold the bow in the drawn position, then releasing it when they see themselves clearly.

"Your ego becomes the target," said Dennis Martin, a kyudo historian and instructor at the Kishintaikan Dojo in Bangor, Maine.

Although the slender, asymmetrical bows used in kyudo are virtually identical to those that samurai wielded from horseback in feudal Japan, kyudo evolved into a more spiritual practice as firearms replaced the bow in warfare during the 16th Century.

Schools that were formed to preserve the skill introduced Zen, Confucian and Shinto teachings to the study of archery, Martin said.

"You still had the methods, but they were not as directed at killing. The emphasis was to develop the individual spiritually as well as physically."

In the United States, kyudo has none of the recognition that karate or judo enjoys.

"Kyudo is not a popular martial art," said Keith Moore, a martial arts instructor at the Japanese Cultural Center, 1016 W. Belmont Ave. There are few qualified instructors and relatively few competitive outlets, making it difficult to raise the art's profile, he said.

In addition, the cost of equipment can be prohibitive. The composite bamboo bows, most more than 6 feet tall, range from $375 to thousands of dollars.

For Carter and her students, the measured, meditative forms of kyudo served as a refuge after September's terrorist attacks.

"It was like practicing in the heart of sadness--which wasn't terrible at all," Carter said. "It was a way of seeing the moment as it was, letting go of the past, and being available for the changes."