Posts by Balaamsass

25

Some Poll Questions to Answer

by jwfacts in

i have updated a site of mine, jwfacts.mobi, which has a few articles from jwfacts.com, but better designed for smart phones.

on it i am going to include a few polls, and need people to answer them so that there are some intial numbers for the graphs.. please go to jwfacts.mobi/pollsarchive and answer any that are relevant.

it should only take a minute.

Balaamsass

Done.

Missing "Fade". Or "inactive" under disfellowshipped

1

Not on JW.ORG : L.A. Times "Judge; publics right to know outweighs privacy rights" Watchtower Society next?

by Balaamsass in

judge orders archdiocese to restore names in abuse filesthe public's right to know how the church handled molestation allegations outweighs officials' privacy rights, court rules.comments20emailshare227the cathedral of our lady of angels in downtown los angeles.

(los angeles times / january 7, 2013).

alsophiladelphia monsignor sentenced in cover-up of priest sex abuseboy scout files on suspected abuse published by the timestop executives did not report suspected scout abuse cases, files showchurch volunteer molested boys 'for years,' police allege by harriet ryan and victoria kim, los angeles timesjanuary 7, 2013, 5:56 p.m.. church leaders who mishandled child sex abuse allegations will be named in a 30,000-page cache of internal archdiocese of los angeles records set for public release in coming weeks, a judge ruled monday.. the decision by los angeles county superior court judge emilie h. elias reversed a ruling by a private mediator that the names of archdiocesan employees should be redacted from the documents to avoid further embarrassment to the church and "guilt by association.".

Balaamsass

I found it an interesting legal argument and precedent. Perhaps it will pave the way to "look behind the Bethel curtain" and force release of the Watchtower Pedo list.

42

I am new here and need help...or just a listening ear

by Fallingaway in

my husband and i have two small children, one of which recently became an unbaptised publisher and joined the school.

my husband is an elder and firmly committed to our family and loves me deeply as i love him.

i would like to find a way for all of us to fade away as we have family in the organization that we do not want to lose.

Balaamsass

Welcome! Our hearts go out to you.

Everyone here has been through some of what your are experiencing. The questions for us were: "Why is it wise to examine your religion?", "What kind of fruitage does the Watchtower Society produce?" Is Watchtower closer to the Pharasees or Jesus in attitude and teachings?.

Read, Read, Read. Crises of Conscience" by Ray Franz. Websites: JW Facts, JW survey, Watchtower Documents, Marvin Shimmer Blogspot.

Show kindness to your family. Arrange activities and day trips for Sundays. Natural History Museums, etc to get there minds engaged. Turn on Nat Geo, Discovery, PBS, and History TV to help them break free from 17th century cult thinking.

Be patient, kind, and discreet.

Hugs from the Mrs and I.

1

Not on JW.ORG : L.A. Times "Judge; publics right to know outweighs privacy rights" Watchtower Society next?

by Balaamsass in

judge orders archdiocese to restore names in abuse filesthe public's right to know how the church handled molestation allegations outweighs officials' privacy rights, court rules.comments20emailshare227the cathedral of our lady of angels in downtown los angeles.

(los angeles times / january 7, 2013).

alsophiladelphia monsignor sentenced in cover-up of priest sex abuseboy scout files on suspected abuse published by the timestop executives did not report suspected scout abuse cases, files showchurch volunteer molested boys 'for years,' police allege by harriet ryan and victoria kim, los angeles timesjanuary 7, 2013, 5:56 p.m.. church leaders who mishandled child sex abuse allegations will be named in a 30,000-page cache of internal archdiocese of los angeles records set for public release in coming weeks, a judge ruled monday.. the decision by los angeles county superior court judge emilie h. elias reversed a ruling by a private mediator that the names of archdiocesan employees should be redacted from the documents to avoid further embarrassment to the church and "guilt by association.".

Balaamsass

Judge orders archdiocese to restore names in abuse files

The public's right to know how the church handled molestation allegations outweighs officials' privacy rights, court rules.

Comments 20

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227

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels in downtown Los Angeles. ( Los Angeles Times / January 7 , 2013 )

By Harriet Ryan and Victoria Kim, Los Angeles Times

January 7, 2013 , 5:56 p.m.

Church leaders who mishandled child sex abuse allegations will be named in a 30,000-page cache of internal Archdiocese of Los Angeles records set for public release in coming weeks, a judge ruled Monday.

The decision by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Emilie H. Elias reversed a ruling by a private mediator that the names of archdiocesan employees should be redacted from the documents to avoid further embarrassment to the church and "guilt by association."

Elias said the public's right to know how the archdiocese, the largest in the nation, handled molestation allegations outweighed such concerns. She also reversed the ruling of the mediator, retired federal Judge Dickran Tevrizian, that priests who had faced a single allegation of abuse would have their names blacked out.

"Don't you think the public has a right to know … what was going on in their own church," she asked a lawyer for the archdiocese. She said parishioners who learn from the files of a priest accused of abuse in their local church "may want to talk to their adult children" about their own experiences.

The records — confidential personnel files that include psychiatric files, investigative reports, parents' letters of complaint and Vatican correspondence — are being released as part of a 2007 settlement between the archdiocese and more than 500 victims.

Lawyers for the Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press had filed court papers arguing that the names of the hierarchy were essential for the public to understand how the scandal occurred. More than 200 priests were accused of abuse stretching back decades and the church, its insurers and others paid more than $720 million to settle claims.

In court Monday, an attorney for the news outlets said that although much of the information about the abuse has been reported, the files would provide a complete picture of "how information was relayed up the chain of command."

"What the public is entitled to know is the full story and the full story of what the archdiocese did and didn't know," attorney Rochelle Wilcox said.

Elias' ruling appeared to surprise archdiocesan lawyers, who had already redacted the documents pursuant to Tevrizian's order and said they didn't want to incur the expense of redoing the work.

"Are you seriously reversing Judge Tevrizian," the church's lead attorney, J. Michael Hennigan, asked Elias. When she confirmed her ruling, Hennigan urged her to reconsider and suggested alternatively that only the name of Cardinal Roger M. Mahony be published. He said he met Sunday with Mahony, who retired as archbishop in 2011, about the files' release.

"He is perfectly prepared to have his name included," Hennigan said. "He is prepared to take personal responsibility for everything that's happened since the beginning of time."

But the judge dismissed the suggestion, noting that there were others named in the files who had supervisory roles in the assignment of priests.

The timing of the files' release is unclear. Hennigan said church lawyers might have to revisit every page of the records to restore the names of archdiocesan officials, a process that could take months. Lawyers for the church, the alleged victims and the media are to work out procedures for the release in coming days.

Before she made her ruling, the judge heard arguments against the release of any portion of the files from a lawyer for accused priests. Donald H. Steier, who represents 19 priests, said the public dissemination of psychiatric records and other private materials was a violation of his clients' rights. He said the records would "fan the flames" of public outrage, potentially resulting in violence against the accused, and would discourage those with pedophilic impulses from seeking help.

"A lawyer will have to advise that individual that they really don't have the option of psychiatric intervention, because what you tell your therapist can be published in the L.A. Times or reported to the police," he said.

A lawyer for the California Psychiatric Assn. joined him in expressing concern about the release of mental health and substance abuse records, saying it could jeopardize doctor-patient relationships.

Elias rejected their arguments, noting that appellate courts have said that when it comes to the disclosure of clergy psychiatric records, the public interest in protecting children from abuse outweighed individuals' privacy rights.

[email protected]

Times staff writer Ashley Powers contributed to this report

7

Who's going hunting in Florida- Open Season on Pythons

by designs in

for the gun enthusiast crowd a real trophy has been offered in florida.

pets gone wild is the problem and these snakes that can reach 20' eat just about anything including the natural inhabitants of the everglades.

there are prizes and cash for the winner.

Balaamsass

How does one hunt a python? Do you bring them in with a Call ? A snake blind? Use dogs? Stake-out (tie) a small yappy poodle near the waters edge and wait ?

95

Any suggestions on handling financial abuse of a senior by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society?

by Balaamsass in

does anyone here have any suggestions on handling financial abuse of a senior by the watchtower bible and tract society?

mom gave a lot of money to the watchtower bible and tract society over her lifetime- (6 figures).

after she ran low on funds she made a 5 figure "conditional loan" to wtb&ts.

Balaamsass

Excellent resources. "Voluntary impoverishment" ...humm What about involuntary.

51

I am stunned!!...CharitablePlanning

by sf in

jw
friends

i feel like i did when i first read ray's book crisis of conscience"; like i was punched deep in the gut and can't catch my breath.. i took someones suggestion here to call the: .

charitable planning office.

watchtower bible and tract society of pennsylvania.

Balaamsass

95

Any suggestions on handling financial abuse of a senior by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society?

by Balaamsass in

does anyone here have any suggestions on handling financial abuse of a senior by the watchtower bible and tract society?

mom gave a lot of money to the watchtower bible and tract society over her lifetime- (6 figures).

after she ran low on funds she made a 5 figure "conditional loan" to wtb&ts.

Balaamsass

If anyone can get me a CURRENT set of the secret directions for the "Conditional Gift" program, it would be appreciated. This program is semi-secret.

I believe it is a thinly disguised fraud against the federal and State senior aid programs. Gifts given 2 years prior to government aid are OK, loans are not. So rather than paying for their own medical and resthome care at 50-80K per year, the senior's estate is secretly funneled into WTBT$ and the government is stuck with bill.

IF the senior asks for the money back the WTBTS claims it was "forgiven" verbally. Seniors are easily bullied and abused.

I believe this is a widespread criminal conspiracy which is on-going. Perhaps statutes will run for a long time and RICO statutes may apply. With the government seeking tax revenues perhaps they will lein halls.

A California Attorney was prosecuted in California for having clients funnel estate funds to family and get state aid. Does anyone remember the case?

81

Would Elders You Knew Have Ordered Stonings If They Could Have?

by Cold Steel in

for those of you who used to be jws, or who are active, if the society was in charge of the earth, how many people do you think you would have seen stoned during your lifetimes?

i realize some elders can be zealous about their work, but if they'd actually had administrative authority to have kh members stoned to death, how many elders did you know who would have been zealous enough to really order them?.

did you know any elders who would have ordered stonings, even if the condemned people had been willing to repent?.

Balaamsass

Some. 20-30%? Mean spirited Pharisaical ones. Usually uneducated and unbalanced.

JW Taliban?

91

What Was Your "Status" Within The Organization?

by minimus in

jw
friends

were you a sought after associate?.

were you often invisible?.

did other witnesses view you as "exemplary"?.

Balaamsass

Born in. 3rd generation. Pioneer. Bethelite. Served where the need was great. Elder. Heritic (anti-pedophile +anti- Molech/GB worship) Moved and faded.