The Right to Know

by ozziepost 11 Replies latest watchtower scandals

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  ozziepost

  An intriguing aspect of the child abuse scandal among Jehovah's Witnesses is why don't the WTS want these offenses reported in the first instance to the police? Why is it that other offenses, such as fornication, adultery or theft, are dealt with publicly and usually swiftly, why is the matter of child abuse treated differently? Why is it that the Borg's procedures ensure that the crimes against silent lambs are kept hidden from the authorities?

  Could the answer lie in the jealous guarding of the Borg's estate? Put simply, they (the leaders) don't want the secular authorities nosing around in the congregations. Somehow, the borg senses it would lose total control. If we can imagine a police investigation, we can soon see that they would be seeking to interview all and sundry within the congregation, and who knows what might be revealed? Yet, the WTS teaches that THEY are the ones who should be in control of "all the Lord's interests" on earth. It is they who would want to direct any investigation.

  We can get some idea of this attitude by referring to what the WTS has caused to be put in print. Note these recent comments about the recently revealed "Chieftain class":

  So the chieftain class is now being groomed with the prospect of later serving in an administrative capacity in the new world.... ...... Such faithful anointed elders have been training the developing chieftain class for decades, preparing prospective members of this class for the day when they will be delegated their full measure of authority in Gods new world to come. (Watchtower, March 1, page 16)

  The scope of their authority is stated on page 18 of the same article:

  Finally, what does the city in the vision represent? It is no heavenly city, for it lies in the midst of "profane" (nonsacred) land. (Ezekiel 48:15-17) So it must be something earthly. Well, what is a city? Does it not convey the idea of people coming together as a group and forming something structured and organized? Yes. Hence, the city appears to picture the earthly administration that benefits all who will make up the righteous earthly society.

  So what is the Borg's attitude to the secular courts? Note these comments from the Watchtower of 1979:

  Then, too, in taking matters before unbelievers for judgment, they would, in effect, be saying that no one in the congregation had the wisdom to judge "matters of this life" among Christians. This was wholly inconsistent with the fact that spirit-anointed Christians as heavenly associate rulers of the Lord Jesus Christ would be judging, not only men, but also angels. And by dragging fellow believers before pagan judges, they would bring great reproach upon Gods name. As outsiders would be led to believe that Christians were no different from other people in being unable to settle differences, the interests of true worship would be injured. It would have been far better for individual Christians to take personal loss rather than to injure the entire congregation by bringing their disputes to public notice.

  Note that two reasons are given. Firstly, that the congregation has a God-ordained position to serve as judges for the congregation. Secondly, the good name of the organisation would be tarnished. Note how the same article makes clear to the R&F that they should not be availing themselves of the courts, and notice the language that is used to coerce the reader: (Emphasis added)

  Of course, the injured party would want to take into consideration whether it would be worth the time and expense as well as whether the congregation could still come into disrepute by bringing to public attention the actions of one of its former members. If the wronged Christian conscientiously felt that Gods name would not be reproached and legal action was definitely needed, he would not necessarily be acting contrary to the spirit of Pauls counsel if he were to take to court one who was no longer a part of the Christian congregation. Jehovah God has permitted secular authority to serve as his instrument in bringing lawbreakers to justice, and in this case the one wronged would be availing himself of legal help after exhausting the intracongregational means to have the wrong corrected.

  It may be then, that the WTS is now faced with the very adverse judgment that they were seeking to avoid. Will this result in another "sea-change"?

  Cheers, Ozzie
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  jst2laws

  Hello Ozzie,

  The witnesses feel their judicial system is superior to the worlds, because they are God's chosen people. The flawed governmental judicial system is only used as a last resort because God has temporarely given them 'the sword' to punish wrong doers. We only tolerate them until it is time for them to be destroyed.

  With this atmosphere it is no wonder local elders sometimes go even farher and advise folks not to go to the authorities when they should, or even threaten them with judicial action if they go to the authorities.

  congregation could still come into disrepute by bringing to public attention the actions of one of its former members

  Although talking about a former member, this attitude creates an atmosphere of PROTECT THE CONGREGATION FROM DISREPUTE..

  If the wronged Christian conscientiously felt that Gods name would not be reproached and legal action was definitely needed, he would not necessarily be acting contrary to the spirit of Pauls counsel if he were to take to court one who was no longer a part of the Christian congregation.

  This allowance is conditioned on the fact that he is "no longer a part of the Christian congregation". So what recourse does one have if the perpetrator is STILL A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING, perhaps and ELDER?

  Jehovah God has permitted secular authority to serve as his instrument in bringing lawbreakers to justice, and in this case the one wronged would be availing himself of legal help after exhausting the intracongregational means to have the wrong corrected.

  But if you have exhausted "the intracongregational means to have the wrong corrected" and have got no where the elders have basically conveyed you do not have enough proof to take action. Even talking with current elders about how to handle the pedophile issue they keep getting the congregations judicial standard confused with the requirements of local law. They fail to think in terms of IF IT'S A CRIME, IT SHOULD BE REPORTED.

  Thanks for posting this, Ozzie

  Jst2laws

  edited for unwanted underlining

  .

  Edited by - jst2laws on 22 August 2002 9:56:48
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  minimus

  WOW! Great points,you two. Can you imagine if the Society ever was able to be investigated by the courts or the government? If real dirt exposed the TRUTH about the "truth", it would be unbelievable! The less the world knows the more the people in the organization will carry on.
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  gumby

  Hi Ozmeister

  Why is it that other offenses, such as fornication, adultery or theft, are dealt with publicly and usually swiftly, why is the matter of child abuse treated differently.

  The above offences are not treated differently if the accused denies these offences.

  If there is no PROOF, and the accusation is denied..... the case is treated the same.

  Child abuse is kept more hidden by the dubs because of the SEVERE NATURE of this, and the bad light that is given to the borg. This sin brings the media into the picture where as the other sins you mentioned ...do not.....for the most part.

  Edited by - Gumby on 22 August 2002 9:4:52
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  jst2laws

  H Gumby,

  True. There is another factor as to why this problem is handled differently. The issue of "credible witnesses" as touched on in the May 26 WT letter. The society seems to be reluctant to take too seriously the charges of a child. To take a childs testimony against an adult the elders are supposed to consider the age of the child, history of telling lies or making up stories, the POSSIBILITY that the child misunderstood or that the notion was planted in the childs mind by a paranoid parent and so on.

  The problem is since when are janitors and lawn men qualified to evaluate matters of this nature.

  I feel the WT has the right as any other religion to assess danger as far as their own congregation is concerned but when a crime is reported it should be TURNED OVER TO THE AUTHORITIES first. They have experts now who help determine the credibility of a childs accusations. Yes, the experts will make mistakes sometimes but not as often as the totally untrained local elder.

  Jst2laws

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  LyinEyes

  Very good points here. I too think they are definately looking out for themselves first. They really have alot to lose, I have found this out since leaving , the amount of money and property they have. They keep the child abuse brushed under the rug, because if Child Welfare ever poked around in their files, they would be in serious trouble. Most of the elders want to get it over with , put it away, this child abuse so they can not think of it anymore. They don't know how to deal with it, they are not trained in helping abuse victims, and telling a little 5 yr old to trust in God and read the Bible just doesnt cut it. It made me sick when the WT made their official statement , about encouraging abuse victims to get help and they even offer assistance after to help them thru this ... that made me sick.That was such a lie. It is sickening to know that the WT will not help the silent lambs that have been abused all because of what they stand to lose. They are guilty of abuse for their actions by doing this. I think if a crime, such as child abuse is not reported, the elders would be guilty of sharing in the sins of others by not telling, not reporting it. After all, if a regular publisher held back information about some sin someone did, they would be considered just as guilty by the elders ,according to their own rule of sharing in the sins of others. Double standards!!!!!
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  joeshmoe

  The problem is since when are janitors and lawn men qualified to evaluate matters of this nature.

  Because God is helping them.

  If they accept that "experts" exist in the evil, ungodly world that know better than the local elders, they'll lose their authority.

  This is the classic "God is with me, so what do I need you for?" thinking that got the crusades off to such a rousing start.

  As long as the witnesses see their organization as the only one with God's ear, they won't pay any attention to what anyone else thinks. I'm afraid this means that eventually there may be an outward decision to change the policy (designed to avoid drowning in lawsuits and make the media leave them alone), but within the congregations everything will continue as usual.

  Fundamentally, the witnesses cannot accept that anyone outside the organization has any authority over them. Period.

  -Joe
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  hillary_step

  Excellent Post Ozzie,

  The worship of the 'visible' is the WTS great weakness, it practices this with such fervor that truth and justice play second fiddle to it. It's continual paranoi as to how it is viewed by others, and not what kind of spirit it is producing, is an absolute guarantee of the compromise of its integrity as an Organization.

  By the way, this is the "Chieftan Class' that J.R.Brown refers to as 'basically untrained clergy' is it not?

  Best regards - HS
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  Englishman

  Chieftain Class, oh my aching sides!

  In the UK, the "Chieftain Class" is a battle tank that just tramples everything underfoot and can be handled with very little skill.

  Ah, now I get it!
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  LFitzwater

  Can you tell me what '79 Watchtower had the quote about taking a brother to court. It would be very helpfull. Thanks