So says the Adventist ancestor of the WT. (OK, distant relative....it's from 7th Day, not 2nd Day)
Just another clergy frog croaking that they should be above the law.
The preacher took on marital counseling of a couple and started having a fling with the wife he was counseling. Eventually the preacher divorced his wife and the flingee divorced her husband and the preacher married the flingee.
excerpts/quotes:
While the counseling was occurring, the president of the Adventists' Conference ("Carlson") received three anonymous letters complaining about the alleged inappropriate relationship between Rideout and Diane. Carlson did not investigate.
Church policy required investigation of complaints involving sexual improprieties, including formation of a sexual ethics committee. Carlson did not invoke the policy...
Lawsuit
Steven sued the church for negligently employing Rideout, including claims of negligent supervision and retention of Rideout. He sued Rideout individually for negligent counseling, intentional infliction of emotional distress, clergy malpractice, and breach of fiduciary duty. He alleged that the church was vicariously liable for the claims against Rideout.
Decision
The question before the Minnesota Court of Appeals was whether Steven could bring his claims in state court even though the constitution prohibits excessive state entanglement with religion. The court cited established legal principles. It observed that, even though the role of secular courts in resolving religious disputes is limited by the federal and state constitutions, the state may exert its authority if its action has a secular purpose, does not inhibit or advance religion in its primary effect, and does not foster excessive governmental entanglement with religion.
The church argued that scripture governs discipline within the church, and that if a minister trespasses but repents, scripture requires forgiveness. However, the court noted that "Minnesota has long recognized that an employer has the duty to refrain from retaining employees with known dangerous proclivities." Since Steven's claims did not relate to Rideout's duties as a pastor, but in his role as a secular counselor, the court concluded that Steven was entitled to a trial ....
The court further observed that, "given the frequently vulnerable nature of those receiving mental health services, the state's interest in their safety and well-being is compelling." Here, the state is properly regulating only secular conduct, not the provision of spiritual advice or guidance by clergy members.
http://library.findlaw.com/2003/Feb/7/132534.html
My point in posting this is just in case some of those elders counsel you on anything that could be regarded as a mental health issue by sticking their nose where it doesn't belong....maybe there is a way to turn it around. The blood issue certainly causes mental anguish for many people. I wish there was a way to use this precedence in keeping religion out of health issues. Maybe someone will find a way....
Anytime you are forced with interrogations about your sex life, discipline of children, prescription drug use, etc and you do not wish to divulge information, but your family is being held hostage unless you comply....this is also mental anguish. There must be a way to turn the tables.....