Posts by BOC

12

WT Policy- What needs to change?

by silentlambs in

jw
friends

1.report matter to the police first.. what does the watchtower say?

note the 97 wt on direction for reporting what is bad:.

w97 8/15 26-30 why report what is bad?.

BOC

The WT Org should treat Child Molestation as the Crime that it is.

As stated the first thing that needs to be done is report the crime to the police (the “Superior Authorities”). The victim and/or the victim’s family should be encouraged to go to the police immediately.

No repentance of abuse should be accepted by the congregation if the abuser has not reported his or her crime to the authorities. If the abuser is not willing to face the authorities and admit the crime he/she is not truly repentant and should be df’d.

If the authorities investigate an abuse crime and the abuser is convicted, the “Superior Authority” should represent the second witness.

The congregation then should act judicially. An announcement to the congregation should be made that this person has been convicted of “name crime” by the “Name Authority” (state, county etc.) and has been judicially reproved or df’d.

26

A Different JW Viewpoint

by Nicodemus in

jw
friends

i have seen reference here to some of the posts on witnessesonline.com (wol) in response to the horrific events of yesterday, september 11, 2001.. please allow me to express a few different thoughts.. first of all, what happened yesterday was, just as president bush described it, despicable.

in making this attack, the attackers showed complete and utter disregard for human life.

those who commandeered the plane, knowing their ultimate goal, had no consideration for their own lives.

BOC

Nicodemus,

Thank you for your comments and true Christian attitude.

I for one can not understand the attitude of some of Jehovah's Witnesses toward such tragedies as this.

I would like to pass on my experience with our local book study last evening. The concern by all that attended seemed to be genuine and heart felt for all the victims and their families. Both the opening and closing prayers included comments and petitions on behalf of all the victims and their families. I know the brothers offering the prayers meant for this to include everyone because they added comments asking that our effected brothers also be aided by Jehovah's spirit.

I too have spoken with a few JW's that have made comments that I thought were harsh and unchristian. I make no excuse for such ones.

I have and will continue to pray for all those that have been effected by this tragedy.

Your Brother
boc

90

POLL - Elders vs Molesters

by Amazing in

i wish to conduct a legitimate poll, or at least as legitimate as it can get on this forum.

unless you are or were a jw, please do not respond or make comments.

please simply give an answer, without extended comments.

BOC

Five (In three Congregations)

7

Ecclesiastical Privilege

by BOC in

jw
friends

i have been a lurker for sometime now.

some may remember me from a few years back on h2o.. i remain an active jw due to my family.

i had chose not to continue participating in any forums out of a concern to not weaken the faith of others.

BOC

outnfree

Ironically, I read your response to the murder thread right after I had typed my post.

Great minds must think alike! ;)

I liked your comment:
“ Haven't we all read past issues of the WT with life stories of brothers/sisters who had been guilty of crimes who went back to repair the damage (and/or serve time) either before or after becoming one of Jehovah's Witnesses because they CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD that to be forgiven one must turn around and actually REPENT?”

I ask why is it not so CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD in this circumstance?

Thanks,
BOC

7

Ecclesiastical Privilege

by BOC in

jw
friends

i have been a lurker for sometime now.

some may remember me from a few years back on h2o.. i remain an active jw due to my family.

i had chose not to continue participating in any forums out of a concern to not weaken the faith of others.

BOC

Hello all,

I have been a lurker for sometime now. Some may remember me from a few years back on H2O.
I remain an active JW due to my family.

I had chose not to continue participating in any forums out of a concern to not weaken the faith of others. But, I can no longer be silent regarding the issues that Silentlambs has brought to the forefront.

The issue of ecclesiastical privilege being used to shield people that have committed crimes, particularly against children, is appalling. This is particularly a problem when the person that has committed the crime is considered repentant. The WT then uses the law of the relevant state to determine if reporting is required.

I believe the WT is missing the point here. The person has committed a crime. There is clear scriptural principal that should require the criminal to report the crime themselves to the “Superior Authority” . This act of reporting should be required as proof of the persons repentance, showing there desire to take responsibility for their actions.

As an example the letter regarding the issue of the unreported case of murder. There is no statute of limitations for murder therefore the murderer is still wanted by the law. He has an obligation to the “Superior Authority” to report his crime and take responsibility for this blood guilt.

The concern of child molesters taking refuge within the congregation as a brother or sister in good standing is a real concern to say the least. If the elders consider a molester is repentant and the state that they live in does not require the elders to report the crime, they will not do so. Again the WT is missing the point, this person has committed a CRIME. If they are truly repentant the Criminal should be required to report the Crime.

I have additional thoughts and concerns on this matter, but I will leave those for later.

Thanks,
BOC