Considering the fact that the WT Society refuses to release in courts ANY of it's written directions to elders through confidential letters to elder bodies- I thought I'd do the courts and WT Society a "favor " by posting excerpts from this Oct 1st. 2012 letter from the WT Society to all bodies of elders. These instructions are VERY exposing of the negligence of WT authorities in how they view the seriousness of felony child abuse. I'm sure excerpts of these instructions have been posted here before - however with the recent exposure on PBS and Revealnews.com. I felt it was important to let exiting JW's or others know exactly what the written direction is from the WT Society to elders in congregations. Which rank & file JW's know nothing about.
From Oct. 1st, 2012 point - 22. " It cannot be said in every case that one who has sexually abused a child could never qualify for privileges of service in the congregation. However the elders will certainly want to be very cautious especially when dealing with one who had repeatedly engaged in this kind of wrongdoing or who had been disfellowshipped for such an offense. Such a man must meet Scriptural qualifications of being self-controlled and irreprehensible. He must have a fine testimony from individuals inside and outside the congregation. "
O.K. Let's talk about this. So the WT Society claims not EVERY former child molester would be disqualified from serving in a position of oversight in congregations ? That's what it says. You read it correctly. What I don't understand is HOW after having molested a child can a person be considered " IRREPREHENSIBLE ? "And having a " fine testimony from individuals inside and outside the congregation " ? Oh- You mean the ones who NEVER KNEW about his molesting of children ? Those people's testimony ? Unbelievable WT Society would put children in harms way by appointing a former child molester AT ALL as an elder.
Point # 23. - " Hence privileges of service should never be extended hastily. Considerable time should always pass before one who has sexually abused a child is recommended, if ever. "
" Considerable time " ? Will that change a pedophile from ever molesting an innocent child again ? It's like, " Oh well, let's let about 5 years go by and good old boy Johnny will lose his taste for abusing children sexually . " Not. It doesn't happen that way. Message to WT Society - once a sexual child molester, always a sexual child molester. Most all of them re-offend.
Point # 24 - " If the elders as a body conclude that one who has sexually abused a child in the distant past may qualify for privileges - they should assign two elders to call the Service Department. "
Right. Like THAT will help anything. The Service Department is no more qualified to ascertain the mental or emotional disposition of a former child molester than elders are ! Richard Ash stated as much in his court deposition ! And how in the hell would a former child molester " qualify for privileges " anyway ? It's pure irresponsibility and idiocy if you ask me on WT Society's part.
Point # 26. - " It is hoped that the direction provided in this letter will help you brothers in handling matters in the congregation so as to PROTECT CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL ABUSE and at the same time BALANCE Bible based JUSTICE and MERCY. "
" Balance Bible based justice and mercy " ? How so ? By appointing men who are former child molesters as elders into the congregation again so they can have MORE access to children ? How would that " protect children from sexual abuse " ?
As you can tell this is an EXTREMELY hot topic which makes my justice streak burn inside. The REAL outside world and the court systems NEED TO KNOW what the REAL WT Society policies are regarding child abuse and need to know how the WT Society and Governing Body and Service Committee ARE putting children at risk constantly with criminal and faulty, negligent policies communicated to elders on a regular basis. What are your feelings on this ? I'm interested to hear your expressions on these communications from the WT Society to elders concerning child molesters in congregations. And their possibly being appointed again as elders. It HAS happened, and continues to happen as there are probably hundreds of former child molesters serving as elders today - some of whom probably STILL are molesting children as I write this. We need to make our voices known people. Have a good weekend