Hey AGuest......have you ever served as a chairman of a judicial committee? Were you an elder at all?
No, dear DH13 (peace to you!); I don't think they let women serve in such capacities (and every woman among them should be grateful for THAT! Attending more than 14 JC meetings over several years (the 14 during my last 2 years), though, kind of gives me clue as to what takes place. Why do you ask?
Just to clarify, the point here is not that they USE disfellowshipping (of course they do - my Lord himself is recorded to have said that his sheep would be "expel[led] from their synagogues" - which is what a KH is: a "public" place where folks (men) can go to "publicly discuss" (talk) about the Law - hence, the "public talk." Yes, see that? Pay attention, dear ones! Because being asleep will allow very revealing facts to slip by and over your head...).
The point is why DF'ing WORKS. It wouldn't... if folks were awake... and aware... and didn't just take other folks' word as to the conduct/sins being alleged against someone (well, not even alleged... because allegations are subject to being disproved. The accusations these bring are not). As it doesn't for those who are awake. Which, thankfully, was the case with the Corinthian congregation: Paul could assert what that part of the Body "should" do all he wanted as to an alleged sinner among them... but some just weren't buying it, praise JAH. Nor should we. Just because an accusation is made... doesn't mean it's true. OR than someone should be judged harshly as a result.
It COULD be true... but it also may not be... and hearing only one side doesn't give one enough information to know. Unfortunately, all manner of things bring about false accusations... particularly those that "bear false witness" against a brother/fellowman (Exodus 20:16)... including jealousy. Which is rottenness... to the BONE... and thus, all the way down to the SPIRIT (Proverbs 14:30).
That would be a big mistake. It gives the culprit time to cover their tracks, dispose of evidence and perhaps threaten their victim.
That's what a witness is FOR, C. In case a culprit tries to cover their tracks, dispose of evidence, even threaten their victims. The witness themself would have to have some evidence of the wrong themselves, yes, including perhaps having seen it with their own eyes... and if not, something that corroborates they're feeling about it? I was not thinking of a situation where someone just came and told me of it... unless it was a child or someone I trusted. Even so, I would have to look into it, would I not to be sure? Imagine if someone, even a child, just told me YOU were a molester... and I ran off with that information. Your life could be absolutely ruined if it were not true. So I would have gotten enough FROM that child... or someone else... to KNOW it was true... before even approaching you with it.
Does that mean I don't believe the child? Of course, not. But I wouldn't simply run to authorities without making SURE that that child was SURE as to what took place. Because the police may not believe them, either... without some kind of facts, etc., that show there's a possibility it could BE true. For example, if the child told me you had touched them at a place and time I KNOW you could not have (you were out of town)... then I would have to ask a few more questions to get that place/time down. I personally wouldn't run to the authorities unless I was told a little more than "I think Uncle Cofty 'touched' me." I would need to know just a little more than that before I throw your hiney to the wolves. Note, though, once I got what I needed, I would have NO problem tossing your butt right to them.
And I would have NO problem letting you know I was going to... if you didn't do it yourself. Of course, I most probably would have told someone else that if "something happened" to me... to look to you. Maybe write a letter and leave it somewhere where it could found if something DID happen to me (and let you know I had done so, so don't even think of trying something snakey with ME).
Now, how do I know I would tell you to tell and do so if you didn't? Been there and done that, too, luv. Not re molestation but several other crimes/sins. Especially as a JW. I mean, hey, don't wanna have to tell your dirt - YOU tell your dirt. Don't put that mess on me.
A doulos of Christ,
SA
