All I can say is WOW.
Your perspective, void of generalizations and organizational characatures is refreshing to read. So often, so many of us are so angry at the organization for matters of this sort and others, that we fail to really probe how we felt and thought as witnesses. Which is the essence of why there is so many wrong things within that group - like you stated at one point - We were in a circus, but we didn't know we were in the circus.
Well written - and I can see why you struggle with the next move, if there is one.
Two groups are involved here as I can see it;
- The witnesses in the area that were affected by this guy and his possible future perversions
- Outsiders who would have no knowledge of the guy and his problems
The first group was apparently well informed of the nature of the problem by James himself, according to your account. His being DF'd satified justice in thier minds. The gossip within the organization probably insulated them from harm from this guy, at least in the near term. But by this point, many years later, congregations change, new ones come in, some die, others leave. After the shuffle, there might be some potential victims out there completely unaware. Not to mention that he could travel to other areas, find new victims. So the first groups immunity from his perversions was dependent on his staying local, perhaps disfellowshipped. The current complexion of that group and it's dynamics makes it plausible that danger exists there now for them and the children. There is little you can do there outside of contacting some you know could be in danger, and you could be accsused then of slander, both legally and within the congregations.
The second group - the rest of the world, is at risk from him if he has continued his ways. If he left the organization behind and never returned the danger is now with everyone else in the world. Even if he has returned to be reinstated as a witness, the world outside would be completely unaware of his actions past. They are at risk if he is still having these tendencies.
I think you need to have a quiet conversation with the proper authorities, as they may already have information that would protect others that you are unaware of at this time. Some child may not have to suffer this if the right authorities are aware of him. There might be unsolved cases that you could put a name to for them, who knows? OR they may have suspected him without any real info that he had been involved in something like you described. Even if the crimes committed by him, and that you are aware of, are no longer under the statute of limitations for prosecution, you may have valuable infomation that will save the current Jareds or Chad's in his world.
Mostly - this matter is still heavily on you mind. You are bothered about it for some reason, though you felt at the time that you did all you could and should have. Your conscience is active. Not the one that the WTBTS instilled you with, the one that God instilled you with. The real conscience! I think you should act on it. You did not spend hours writing this account in detail for no reason. You need to clear this matter to the right people. Of course, my opinion, and a buck, will only buy you a cup of coffee. So for what it is worth.
As to your statement as to why others did not report it;
None of them had been JWs for years; it certainly didn't have anything to do with organizational pressure.
I am not so sure about that to be honest. Many leave this organization, but the organization does not leave them. They can't shake it. They still trust it. They still believe what it says and does is right. They still feel it's pressures even though not in attendance at the meetings. In short; they are still brainlocked to it. That would explain why they thought in the same manner as you did as to the matter of reporting it.
BTW - nice writing style. Enjoyed it. Keep us up to date if there is more to know.
Jeff
