Kismet,
Good question. I think the problem IS bigger among JWs than average religions, but I would like to see a thread like this that just sticks to the known facts. I don't have any so I'll just ramble about a few opinions.
I think one of the most damaging statistics might be a comparison of the the number of cases reported to authorities in states where they don't have to report -- for non-JWs abusing JW children vs. JWs abusing JW children. I think that the number would show a problem, no matter how many actually cases there are. It wouldn't take too many cases to indicate to a court that the WTS puts pressure on elders and families not to report when it would bring "unnecessary" reproach on the congregation.
I've read the thread from Amazing about a survey extrapolation from several months ago. Bill Bowen also mentions in a post on his site that he has some surveys which might provide even more data. A full list of cases brought to Bill's attention to date, omitting duplications and without identifying names, times or places might be a more useful for both JWs and the public than the 23,700 number. Even if it's smaller than the 23,700 number, it would be more meaningful to everyone, especially since we could see it increase from week to week.
The WTS supporters tend to claim that the number of pedophile records Bill displays on the first page of his site is exaggerated, but they never propose a "real" number. The only believable excuse I have heard about the possible inflation of that number is the possibility that it contains all underage sex cases, even between two "consenting" underage adults. It may very well contain these because of increasing lawsuits between the parents and guardians of such children. I am still doubtful that they would include them, though. But I think they WOULD include accusations, which would even include non-JW parties, even if they considered them either false or unable to act upon (only one eye-witness in the case of denial by the accused). I can't imagine the Service Department not wanting a file that includes these cases.
If it's of interest, I've heard there is also a murders file. From my perspective it's just a rumor, but a Bethelite of note supposedly mentioned ot someone some years ago (before I had heard of a pedophile file) that the number of JW murder cases in a single year numbered in the teens and this relatively "low" number was unbelievable high to him. (He's still at Bethel.) I don't remember if that was international or US.
That said, I think it IS a bigger problem among Jehovah's Witnesses than the average religion. It doesn't take a huge number of cases reported or acted upon to show that it's a big problem for JWs. Just a few illegally unreported cases would be a huge problem. As some others have said, just a few proven cases is a HUGE problem when JWs are supposedly in a spiritual paradise.
I read somewhere here the opinion that the ratio could be worse among Catholic priests than among JW elders specifically. The priesthood tends to attract those (males) who think that a career in the priesthood will help them deal better with their own demons. But priests come right out seminary into contact with children. JW elders have to climb the ladder, and during that time, some sexual abusers have been known to get caught before reaching elder.
Also, the JWs get more from converts than most other religions, but I don't know if they draw from a cross-section that is less or more likely to be sexual abusers. I hear that the abused are more likely to grow up to be abusers, and I would think that the abused would be the most likely to turn to religious promises for answers. I also believe it's quite probable that a potential convert who was already a pedophile or sexual predator would be attracted to the crowds of children who are so extra trusting of adults because of the so-called "brotherhood." I know I'm not saying anything that hasn't already been said, but JW children seem especially vulnerable because they are taught subtly that they should be willing to give their lives for each other, that these tests may come upon them at any time. Parents are suckered into the belief that it's a spiritual paradise, partly BECAUSE of the cover-up of sexual abuse. Still, do we know enough about the mind of pedophiles and/or sexual abusers. Is it likely that they would suffer through the rigor and regimen of the WTS guilt filter. Would they rather ignore this potential pedophile paradise and go after easier prey, as child sports coaches or other such avenues which don't make you go to so many meetings a week and make you get up and speak hypocritically as often as they can.
If it is a genetic problem, then we'd have to find out if JWs are really capable of breeding more pedophiles than other religions. Of course, I don't think inbreeding was what Ray Franz meant when he said that he could see where the problem might be worse due to the "closed" nature of the religion.
I do know that many young males who accepted studies and baptism have long included those who came in just to try to marry a siste they had their eye on. The sister was often in on this "game" in experiences I was aware of. Still, it's hard for me to imagine the worst-case scenario, that a child abuser who is never caught until he makes "elder" having planned the entire religious career track just to get into a position of authority and trust, so that he can take advantage of children. From what I have heard of abusers, even the "opportunistic" abusers is that they have multiple victims, and therefore many chances of getting caught and losing privileges and therefore never making "elder."
You'd think that the protection of the reputation of JWs would incline them to be quicker to remove even those who might be suspected of causing a scandal, and who knows maybe some abusers are dealt with in this way too. That's what they do with murderers and apostates, they try to disfellowship them before much PR damage or religious damage is spread.
Still trying to put my thoughts in order on this one. Hope a lot more people weigh in.
Gamaliel
Edited by - Gamaliel on 25 November 2002 12:10:6
