Jehovah's Witness church seeks exemption from royal commission abuse in care inquiry

Nomex

Well-known member
The answer to that is obvious. The real question however is dealing with csa. The org , (like everyone else) isn't immune to the problem. The solution is god's kingdom, not surrendering your parental rights to the gestapo. The real truth that is being obscured here is that the Catholic Church is on the verge of bankruptcy and nothing will stop that train wreck, because new legislation extends the statute of limitations for victims of csa. The wt will survive this tsunami though because basically Jehovah's witnesses are decent people and everyone knows it.
I really don't get why you're on this forum. Everyone here is here because we saw through after many many years for some of us, the deception and out right lying coming from the GB and WT. Case in point, what does the WT tell the Elders to do in the case of CSA? Well, what does the Elder hand book tell them to do? Does it say report the matter to the police? NO. It says call WT's legal department. Why? Well those of us who are honest know why.

You are suffering from Stockholm syndrome!

But lets talk about this fact. The GB claim to be Jehovah's Channel." How exactly? The obvious intent to making such statements is to convey that they are in communication with God. Yet if you asked them they would deny any direct communication with Jehovah. So how exactly do they get "direction from God." They meet, discuss whatever topic/s happen to be on the agenda, they read scriptures, they pray about it, then they vote. It's exactly the same procedure they use in Elders meetings. Exactly the same.

So you go ahead and continue to defend those leaders have have taken your mind completely captive, but know this, none of us hear have any more patience for these lies from known lairs! You sound exactly like their lawyers, with your use of weasel words, and masterful use of obfuscation. We have their number, and once you've woken up to the reality of what's really going on, there is no putting that genie back in the bottle!

The fact remains, is that WT and the GB will never admit they are or have doing anything wrong, and that they use the brothers donations to fight all these lawsuits, yet they will have every single JW believe that NONE of this has gone on or is going on and that ALL of it is "apostate driven lies." All of it. They are the lairs, and Jehovah will punish WT and the GB for what they are doing. And if you can't see how wicked it is, you are no better than they are!
 

Neoluna

Well-known member
Also, I want you to know, that had I been in your congregation and knew about your situation, I would have fought on your behalf that you got justice.

I have been personally involved in two of such cases:

The first was my own sister-in-law that my husband's "best friend" since youth violated. She was home alone at her parent's house when she was 16 years old and he came over and asked her if she knew how to use a tampon. She said no. They ended up in the bathroom with her putting one up inside of her. She stopped going to the KH. She finally came forward years later.

My husband's family was very weak spiritually and had been friends with this brother's family for two decades and that family had helped them into the truth. So they told her to forgive him and even still let him come over to the house. My sister-in-law left the house and has been living on the streets doing drugs ever since. We don't even know if she's alive.

The brother was privately reproved (he has two kids) and cannot serve in any special capacity. That said, he has never apologized to her or to us and we cut him off.

The elder who presided over his judicial committee was a former Bethelite and later on, his own adopted son ended up murdering a newly baptized brother by meeting him the parking lot of a grocery store and beating him with a bat until he was unrecognizable. The young brother died three days later. Evidently, both of these brothers had had a love interest in the same young sister and were fighting over it. The attorney that the family hired to represent their son's defense, was Leslie Abramson, of the Menendez trial fame.

Their son got prison time, but the father and mother still got a part on the district convention program. It makes me sick to my stomach.

The second one was a sister in an area where I used to live who's father had been molesting her older sister and incesting her from the age of 5 until 15. She is now a drug dealer.

The father used to line all the kids up when they were little and wave a gun at them and ask: "Which one of you a I going to shoot today?"

Another time, he put my friend at age 3 into a turkey pan and threatened to put her into a heated over while the others watched.

We had gone to a 12-step group together where she had shared her story for the first time. I asked her if she had ever told the elders and she said no. I told her she needed to go to the elders with what he had done.

As it happened, the PO at the time happened to be a former Gilead missionary and also a good friend of her fathers. He felt like her father was like a 2nd father to him. That elder told her she needed to forgive him. When her father and mother changed congregations because they were embarrassed, one of the elders announced to the congregation that they were moving and asked everyone to clap to send them off with well wishes.

At the new hall, her father would pass out candy to the children there. I ended up calling the branch and she ended up calling the branch because we didn't have a CO at the time due to circumstances causing him to leave the road, and a brother at the branch told her she would have to forgive him and cited the account about Manasseh.

She called me one day and said that she was sitting on her couch with a knife to her throat contemplating suicide.

Finally, a District Overseer got involved and told her elders that they needed to apologize to her and said that the father had to pay for her therapy. When I was lamenting to one of her new elders about what she had gone through while working door to door out in service, he told me about a judicial committee involving a woman who had been raped by her dentist who had given her Flunitrazepam, also known as Rohypnol, which is a date-rape drug, and she got disfellowshipped after she got pregnant because she couldn't prove that she had been raped.

Somehow it all came out later, perhaps with DNA testing of the baby and the dentist, and she got reinstated.

True justice will not occur until Armageddon and beyond. But in the meantime, our dear brothers and sisters such as yourself deserve all the love and support and validation that they deserve. I just want you to know that I would have fought for you for whatever that's worth.

I had gone with the second sister to a SIA (Survivors of Incest) 12 step group and they have literature online that you might find healing.

Yea thank you for sharing that and your support . For what its worth i would have appreciated the support but the elders would have shut you down like they did my entire family and if you continued im positive you would have ended up in an elders meeting being " counseled". I left the truth at 19 or 20 years old after dealing with all of this. Fast forward to today and im happily married. My wife is not a witness but has no interest in religion. I decided at the age of 50 to re consider the organization thinking things may have changed. Wishful thinking. My wife did attend the meetings with me however she noticed alot that was going on and wasnt interested. The last straw for us was having to sit with a convicted pedophile esp after all i had gone thru. I hope Jehovah has mercy on all of these shepherds that had the job of looking over the sheep.
 

StopTheInsanity

Well-known member
Yea thank you for sharing that and your support . For what its worth i would have appreciated the support but the elders would have shut you down like they did my entire family and if you continued im positive you would have ended up in an elders meeting being " counseled". I left the truth at 19 or 20 years old after dealing with all of this. Fast forward to today and im happily married. My wife is not a witness but has no interest in religion. I decided at the age of 50 to re consider the organization thinking things may have changed. Wishful thinking. My wife did attend the meetings with me however she noticed alot that was going on and wasnt interested. The last straw for us was having to sit with a convicted pedophile esp after all i had gone thru. I hope Jehovah has mercy on all of these shepherds that had the job of looking over the sheep.
I would gladly have been DF'd. They would've had no right to counsel me to stay silent. I would have gone over their heads and "made trouble for them". Disgusting.
 

Neoluna

Well-known member
I really don't get why you're on this forum. Everyone here is here because we saw through after many many years for some of us, the deception and out right lying coming from the GB and WT. Case in point, what does the WT tell the Elders to do in the case of CSA? Well, what does the Elder hand book tell them to do? Does it say report the matter to the police? NO. It says call WT's legal department. Why? Well those of us who are honest know why.

You are suffering from Stockholm syndrome!

But lets talk about this fact. The GB claim to be Jehovah's Channel." How exactly? The obvious intent to making such statements is to convey that they are in communication with God. Yet if you asked them they would deny any direct communication with Jehovah. So how exactly do they get "direction from God." They meet, discuss whatever topic/s happen to be on the agenda, they read scriptures, they pray about it, then they vote. It's exactly the same procedure they use in Elders meetings. Exactly the same.

So you go ahead and continue to defend those leaders have have taken your mind completely captive, but know this, none of us hear have any more patience for these lies from known lairs! You sound exactly like their lawyers, with your use of weasel words, and masterful use of obfuscation. We have their number, and once you've woken up to the reality of what's really going on, there is no putting that genie back in the bottle!

The fact remains, is that WT and the GB will never admit they are or have doing anything wrong, and that they use the brothers donations to fight all these lawsuits, yet they will have every single JW believe that NONE of this has gone on or is going on and that ALL of it is "apostate driven lies." All of it. They are the lairs, and Jehovah will punish WT and the GB for what they are doing. And if you can't see how wicked it is, you are no better than they are!
Well said. I believe that the sheep have been so gaslighted they are beyond reason. Ive always said if enough of the sheep stood up and protested this sexual abuse problem thats been going on for many many years there could have been change. The society have mastered the art of gaslighting. You cannot have a reasonable conversation with a witness without being shut down and branded an apostate. My family was ostracized for speaking out and not relenting. When its your own children thats been sexually abused and nothing is down you see things in a completely different light. And btw when you refer to yourself as " Jehovahs channel" , you are make the implication you have more of a special relationship with Jehovah and are inspired or have some type of special communication with Jehovah. What the write in the watchtower about the GB contradicts that.
 

StopTheInsanity

Well-known member
Well said. I believe that the sheep have been so gaslighted they are beyond reason. Ive always said if enough of the sheep stood up and protested this sexual abuse problem thats been going on for many many years there could have been change. The society have mastered the art of gaslighting. You cannot have a reasonable conversation with a witness without being shut down and branded an apostate. My family was ostracized for speaking out and not relenting. When its your own children thats been sexually abused and nothing is down you see things in a completely different light
Exactly. The brainwashing that has been going on since birth for so many of them has blinded them to reason until it happens to them, and even then, often times they don't wake up and choose to be "faithful".

Mark Noumair's sister worked for a company called "Mind Gym" and his father was an aerial photographer which to me, says he was in intelligence, so I think they have high-level psychological operation officers back their that really know their craft. Look up CoIntelPro. That's what I think is going on here.
 
L

Liv4ever

Guest
I really don't get why you're on this forum. Everyone here is here because...
Congratulations Nomex...you are the self appointed spokesman for all who enter here. I regret that an opposing point of view popped your echo chamber.

WT's legal department. Why? Well those of us who are honest know why.
You can't possibly know why. That is prejudicial. And it only serves to underscore the inconvenient truth that you prefer to ignore. In their fiduciary role, elders as well as the wt, as well as the gb have a duty to 3 parties. In the classic sense, a fiduciary has a duty to just two parties. But now elders have to consider not only the victim, but 2 other parties in addition: Jehovah and the perpetrator. How does Jehovah feel about it? Jehovah's capacity to forgive exceeds our own human ability to an incalculable degree.

I realize that it is a daunting task to wade into the mine field of csa. Because even though everyone is allowed a defense, attempting to defend a perpetrator immediately brands one as standing on the politically incorrect side of the issue. If one were to attempt to impeach Neoluna's testimony, one gets labeled as insensitive and callous, and yet it is precisely that thinking that ultimately perpetuates the problem.

Because a perpetrator most likely was at one time a victim. But what if someone genuinely is repentant? Is it your wish that Jehovah's mercy only extend to those in your echo chamber?
 

Nomex

Well-known member
your echo chamber.
ROFLOL. That is absolutely hilarious. I was raised in the truth, and even when I first heard about the CSA problem like a good brainwashed JW, I ignored it and made all kinds of predictable JW excuses that had been programed in me by my upbringing all at the behest of WT! When I finally woke up, I left the "echo chamber." You just gave one of the best examples of a "straw man argument" I've ever seen. No, the reality is, we have all come to the same conclusion here, because we finally realized the biggest echo chamber of all time, is with in the JW org.

You can't possibly know why.
Oh I most certainly can. WT dictates when we "obey the superior authorizes" and we have the last three years as evidence in the way they pick and chose. Child abuse is a crime, and in most states not reporting an accusation is also a crime. And more and more states that don't have those laws, are passing them into law. We know WT by their fruits. On one hand obey the "superior authority, get the jab wear a mask etc, but don't report CSA to the police!" It is unacceptable and you managed two straw man arguments in one post. Nobody is saying anything about whether we should forgive or not child molesters, the issue is that WT are hypocrites and just like the good Pharisees that they are, it's "do as we say not as we do." They do NOT OBEY the superior authorities when it comes to reporting CSA to the police, and THAT is the issue we have with them in this particular case.

And yes I have appointed myself to speak for the vast majority here, because most people won't know how to call out your complete nonsense like I can, and I am saying what everyone else is thinking, and we all know it... except you!
 
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Nomex

Well-known member
IF they are permitted to continue consuming oxygen in my vincinity plain and simple. Thou doth protest too much methinks
If I had ever caught a Child molester they would have taken him out in a stretcher and if you knew me and my family, you'd know that that is not a threat, because some in my immediate my family beat the crap outta of some JW douche bags back in the day and sent two to the Hospital for a LOT LESS!!!!!!!
 

Nomex

Well-known member
Is it your wish that Jehovah's mercy only extend to those in your echo chamber?
BTW, you do realize Jehovah does not require us to forgive in every situation? Yes it is true that Jehovah has a capacity for forgiveness far beyond what we are capable of. But he does not expect us, to have that same capacity. For one we cannot read hearts. But there is a certain line we cannot cross, without going passing the point of no return, or as the saying goes, "crossing the Rubicon."

Jehovah does not require or even expect a man or woman, who's mate has been unfaithful to forgive them. I have experienced this first hand. My first wife cheated on me for at least 2 years, and denied it constantly, until I finally said enough was enough and kicked her out. After months of denying her infidelity, for some reason she actually confessed to the elders and was DF'd and remains DF'd some 20 plus years later.

So if Jehovah does not require a husband or a wife to forgive their marriage mate, how do you think he expects us to feel about child molesters? He may forgive them, but we do not have to, especially if we were victims. The odd thing about this whole thing is I was fortunate because that never happened to me. But I have such disgust for this and a natural instinct to fight injustice, I cannot stand or tolerate this inexcusable perversion! Not all victims go on to victimize others, so that is NO EXCUSE!


You are fighting a losing battle and you are on the wrong side of what is right and wrong here, PERIOD! We are told to abhor what is wicked. I can think of nothing more wicked than CSA!!! NOTHING!


If you were smart you'd let this go and quietly move the hell on!!!
 
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StopTheInsanity

Well-known member
But now elders have to consider not only the victim, but 2 other parties in addition: Jehovah and the perpetrator. How does Jehovah feel about it? Jehovah's capacity to forgive exceeds our own human ability to an incalculable degree.

Because a perpetrator most likely was at one time a victim. But what if someone genuinely is repentant? Is it your wish that Jehovah's mercy only extend to those in your echo chamber?
Okay, I am someone who does know that probably 100% of molesters/abusers were victims themselves. Can they be repentant? Yes.

HOWEVER, you glossed over a very big point. Jehovah only forgives when there are "works befitting repentance" and there are amends made. It starts with an apology and then extends to offering to pay for counseling and may include other things. The principle was first established in the Mosaic law by the offender making double the compensation for what was lost. Christianity did not negate having to make what kind of restitution that we can. Even when a bank "forgives" a loan as in bankruptcy, the person who filed for bankcruptcy cannot get credit for 7 years. That is part of the consequence of having the loan forgiven.

The abuser also has to know that forgiveness does not equate with reconciliation. You can forgive without reconciling. You get to set boundaries and keep yourself safe from unsafe people even if they are in therapy and trying to turn things around. You "forgive" by not seeking revenge and you "let go of resentment" by wishing them well in their healing journey WITHOUT YOU IN IT.

As an example, Nomex talked about an unfaithful spouse. You can forgive that spouse in the WT's definition as laid out in the Insight on the Scriptures under the article "forgiveness" by "letting go of resentment" and "giving up wanting to retaliate". No where does that say "become friends and start associating again".

David was "forgiven" by Jehovah for the sin with Bathsheba, but he still suffered the consequence of having his child with her die and then later having troubles with this other sons. But he was forgiven.

So a molester/abuser may be "forgiven" by the elders and may even remain in good standing in the congregation, but still be incarcerated. Even the WT admits this in their articles. I can post them here to read if you'd like. And, even if a molester/abuser is forgiven by men, that doesn't mean that Jehovah has forgiven them because he reads the heart

The WT has stated in that article that it's a personal decision for the victim and his/her family to report it to the authorities and that elders must comply with any and all laws.


13 Do elders comply with secular laws about reporting an allegation of child abuse to the secular authorities? Yes. In places where such laws exist, elders endeavor to comply with secular laws about reporting allegations of abuse. (Rom. 13:1) Such laws do not conflict with God’s law. (Acts 5:28, 29) So when they learn of an allegation, elders immediately seek direction on how they can comply with laws about reporting it.

14 Elders assure victims and their parents and others with knowledge of the matter that they are free to report an allegation of abuse to the secular authorities. But what if the report is about someone who is a part of the congregation and the matter then becomes known in the community? Should the Christian who reported it feel that he has brought reproach on God’s name? No. The abuser is the one who brings reproach on God’s name.

16 When they learn that someone in the congregation is accused of child abuse, elders endeavor to comply with any secular laws about reporting the matter, and then they conduct a Scriptural investigation. If the individual denies the accusation, the elders consider the testimony of witnesses. If at least two people—the one making the accusation and someone else who can verify this act or other acts of child abuse by the accused—establish the charge, a judicial committee is formed. * The absence of a second witness does not mean that the one making the accusation is untruthful. Even if a charge of wrongdoing cannot be established by two witnesses, the elders recognize that a serious sin may have been committed, one that deeply hurt others. The elders provide ongoing support to any individuals who may have been hurt. In addition, the elders remain alert regarding the alleged abuser to protect the congregation from potential danger.—Acts 20:28.

18 When elders serve on a judicial committee, their role is spiritual, or religious. Guided by the Scriptures, they judge whether the abuser is repentant or not. If he is unrepentant, he is expelled, and an announcement is made to the congregation. (1 Cor. 5:11-13) If he is repentant, he may remain in the congregation. However, the elders will inform him that he may never qualify to receive any congregation privileges or to serve in any position of responsibility in the congregation. Out of concern for the welfare of children, the elders may privately warn the parents of minors in the congregation of the need to monitor their children’s interactions with the individual. When taking such measures, the elders are careful to maintain the privacy of those hurt by the sin.

23 As Jehovah’s Witnesses, we view child sexual abuse as a gross sin and a wicked deed. Governed by the law of the Christ, our congregations do not shield perpetrators of abuse from the consequences of their sins.
 

Nomex

Well-known member
No where does that say "become friends and start associating again".
You know this brings to mind something I have thought a lot about also, that is actually key to the whole problem. And I dare say the most problematic aspect of this whole issue. The world finally started the "sex offender registration list", that is required by law. Why? Because people with children, and anyone who might have any kind of interactions with children, have the right to know if anyone in their area and or sphere of association, is a convicted child abuser. That way a parent can take precautions regarding any individual they may be in contact with whose been convicted of these crimes.

The elder body in any congregation, makes a very big deal about dating couples having chaperons! It's the very same principal in the case where someone with this perversion, whose attracted to children, and we can see how insidious it is, when the world is trying to label child molesters as "minor attracted person". In any case, the point is a person's sexual desire is one of the most persistent, and motivating emotion any of us have! Jehovah's command to "be fruitful, become many and fill the earth", was installed in human creation as one of the strongest desires and motivators of all, because that was part of God's purpose. All the more serious is when someone perverts that desire.

@Liv4ever So, to obfuscate, and down play the seriousness of a pedophile in the midst of the congregations, is one of the most egregious, offensive and irresponsible things I can think of anyone doing! And in my mind the best and most demonstrative proofs we have, the GB and WT do NOT CARE ABOUT CHILDREN! Even the world led by Satan the Devil, see's the seriousness of how wicked a pedophile is that they make it known to the public, so parents can protect their children.

Oh and to be clear, they do this in complete and total opposition to their god Satan! Satan hates all of us, including our children! So WT cannot even rise to the level of Satan's controlled governments to do the right thing, when it comes to children! That should be all you need to know, when considering the sins of WT! It is all I need to know, and this isn't even debatable. We are talking about children! Protecting children. If these people had a shred of decency and a conscience, they would hang their heads in shame, and repent and beg for forgiveness! You know why they don't, "because they are from their father the Devil."
 

Nomex

Well-known member
You know this brings to mind something I have thought a lot about also, that is actually key to the whole problem. And I dare say the most problematic aspect of this whole issue. The world finally started the "sex offender registration list", that is required by law. Why? Because people with children, and anyone who might have any kind of interactions with children, have the right to know if anyone in their area and or sphere of association, is a convicted child abuser. That way a parent can take precautions regarding any individual they may be in contact with whose been convicted of these crimes.

The elder body in any congregation, makes a very big deal about dating couples having chaperons! It's the very same principal in the case where someone with this perversion, whose attracted to children, and we can see how insidious it is, when the world is trying to label child molesters as "minor attracted person". In any case, the point is a person's sexual desire is one of the most persistent, and motivating emotion any of us have! Jehovah's command to "be fruitful, become many and fill the earth", was installed in human creation as one of the strongest desires and motivators of all, because that was part of God's purpose. All the more serious is when someone perverts that desire.

@Liv4ever So, to obfuscate, and down play the seriousness of a pedophile in the midst of the congregations, is one of the most egregious, offensive and irresponsible things I can think of anyone doing! And in my mind the best and most demonstrative proofs we have, the GB and WT do NOT CARE ABOUT CHILDREN! Even the world led by Satan the Devil, see's the seriousness of how wicked a pedophile is that they make it known to the public, so parents can protect their children.

Oh and to be clear, they do this in complete and total opposition to their god Satan! Satan hates all of us, including our children! So WT cannot even rise to the level of Satan's controlled governments to do the right thing, when it comes to children! That should be all you need to know, when considering the sins of WT! It is all I need to know, and this isn't even debatable. We are talking about children! Protecting children. If these people had a shred of decency and a conscience, they would hang their heads in shame, and repent and beg for forgiveness! You know why they don't, "because they are from their father the Devil."
I think I have out done even myself with this post......:LOL:
:LOL::LOL::LOL::LOL::LOL::LOL::LOL:
 

StopTheInsanity

Well-known member
You know this brings to mind something I have thought a lot about also, that is actually key to the whole problem. And I dare say the most problematic aspect of this whole issue. The world finally started the "sex offender registration list", that is required by law. Why? Because people with children, and anyone who might have any kind of interactions with children, have the right to know if anyone in their area and or sphere of association, is a convicted child abuser. That way a parent can take precautions regarding any individual they may be in contact with whose been convicted of these crimes.

The elder body in any congregation, makes a very big deal about dating couples having chaperons! It's the very same principal in the case where someone with this perversion, whose attracted to children, and we can see how insidious it is, when the world is trying to label child molesters as "minor attracted person". In any case, the point is a person's sexual desire is one of the most persistent, and motivating emotion any of us have! Jehovah's command to "be fruitful, become many and fill the earth", was installed in human creation as one of the strongest desires and motivators of all, because that was part of God's purpose. All the more serious is when someone perverts that desire.

@Liv4ever So, to obfuscate, and down play the seriousness of a pedophile in the midst of the congregations, is one of the most egregious, offensive and irresponsible things I can think of anyone doing! And in my mind the best and most demonstrative proofs we have, the GB and WT do NOT CARE ABOUT CHILDREN! Even the world led by Satan the Devil, see's the seriousness of how wicked a pedophile is that they make it known to the public, so parents can protect their children.

Oh and to be clear, they do this in complete and total opposition to their god Satan! Satan hates all of us, including our children! So WT cannot even rise to the level of Satan's controlled governments to do the right thing, when it comes to children! That should be all you need to know, when considering the sins of WT! It is all I need to know, and this isn't even debatable. We are talking about children! Protecting children. If these people had a shred of decency and a conscience, they would hang their heads in shame, and repent and beg for forgiveness! You know why they don't, "because they are from their father the Devil."
In all fairness, first of all I don't pretend to know what's going on with all their legal shenanigans and it certainly doesn't cast them in a good light as being honest and upright, but I DO know that as recently as four years ago, my husband and I were studying with a man who had gotten out of prison who had lied to us as to why he was in. By chance, we decided one day to go on the sex offender registry and Lo! and Behold! there he was.

So, we informed the elders since he had been coming with us to meetings and then we learned of their policy that they must be escorted at all times while in the KH, even to the bathroom. In addition, the elders then privately inform family heads with children to put them on guard.

Plus, the sex offender registry is a public website for all to check out as often as they wish.

There have been a lot of changes in the organization from all the lawsuits and so now it appears that everyone is on the same page:

1) Never prevent anyone from reporting abuse
2) An escort at all times accompanies a sex offender at the KH
3) Private disclosure is made to family heads with children of known offenders attending meetings. Now that there's Zoom and letter writing, it might be beneficial to require offenders to utilize those two provisions indefinitely perhaps? Who knows?
 

Nomex

Well-known member
There have been a lot of changes in the organization
Too little too late...and I would argue the changes have been forced by ligation. The fact is they will never admit they did anything wrong ever.

Have they disclosed that they have been fighting a "pandemic" of CSA lawsuits for the last several years, funded by the poorest counties in the world, like the family in the drama? NO!!!
 

SusanB

Well-known member
In all fairness, first of all I don't pretend to know what's going on with all their legal shenanigans and it certainly doesn't cast them in a good light as being honest and upright, but I DO know that as recently as four years ago, my husband and I were studying with a man who had gotten out of prison who had lied to us as to why he was in. By chance, we decided one day to go on the sex offender registry and Lo! and Behold! there he was.

So, we informed the elders since he had been coming with us to meetings and then we learned of their policy that they must be escorted at all times while in the KH, even to the bathroom. In addition, the elders then privately inform family heads with children to put them on guard.

Plus, the sex offender registry is a public website for all to check out as often as they wish.

There have been a lot of changes in the organization from all the lawsuits and so now it appears that everyone is on the same page:

1) Never prevent anyone from reporting abuse
2) An escort at all times accompanies a sex offender at the KH
3) Private disclosure is made to family heads with children of known offenders attending meetings. Now that there's Zoom and letter writing, it might be beneficial to require offenders to utilize those two provisions indefinitely perhaps? Who knows?
Good to know. I didn’t know this.
 

StopTheInsanity

Well-known member
Too little too late...and I would argue the changes have been forced by ligation. The fact is they will never admit they did anything wrong ever.

Have they disclosed that they have been fighting a "pandemic" of CSA lawsuits for the last several years, funded by the poorest counties in the world, like the family in the drama? NO!!!
I agree. They seem to be reactionary rather than proactive. As a former psychology major, I have been aghast at the lack of emotional intelligence in the organization with regards to all things emotional health, from men who abuse their headship role, to spousal abuse, child abuse, depression (take a pill, don't talk it out), suicide, alcohol abuse, sexual abuse....etc.

They view all therapists with a jaundiced eye and it's not fair. While there are therapists who will advocate for divorces and LGBTQ agendas and other bad unscriptural behaviors, it's not all of them and there's a lot of value in getting emotional help.

And admitting a mistake??? OMG. Don't even get me started. Hypocritical to say the least.

It's totally opposite of what they say to do in this article:


When an Elder Makes a Mistake

Admitting mistakes and making sincere apologies will also help Christian elders to work together harmoniously and ‘show honor to one another.’ (Romans 12:10) An elder may be reluctant to admit a mistake because he fears that this will undermine his authority in the congregation. However, trying to justify, ignore, or minimize a mistake is much more likely to cause others to lose confidence in his oversight. A mature brother who humbly apologizes, perhaps for some thoughtless remark, earns the respect of others.

Fernando, an elder in Spain, recalls an occasion when a circuit overseer presiding over a large gathering of elders made an inaccurate statement about how a meeting should be conducted. When a brother respectfully corrected what he had said, the circuit overseer immediately acknowledged that he had been mistaken. Fernando recalls: “When I saw him admit his mistake in front of all those elders, it impressed me greatly. I respected him a lot more after that apology. His example taught me how important it is to recognize my own shortcomings.”

Be Quick to Admit a Mistake

An apology is usually appreciated, especially if made quickly. In fact, the sooner we admit a mistake the better. To illustrate: On October 31, 1992, Pope John Paul II admitted that the Inquisition had acted “mistakenly” 360 years ago in punishing Galileo for asserting that the earth is not the center of the universe. Yet, postponing an apology for such a long time tends to diminish its value.

The same is true in personal relationships. A quick apology can heal a wound caused by an unkind word or deed. Jesus urged us not to delay in making peace, saying: “If . . . you are bringing your gift to the altar and you there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go away; first make your peace with your brother, and then, when you have come back, offer up your gift.” (Matthew 5:23, 24) Often, restoring peaceful relations simply requires admitting that we handled matters wrongly and asking forgiveness. The longer we wait to do this, the more difficult it becomes.
 
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