PRIME said, " The victim in this case was not a child. This is par for the course when a victim tells something to an elder. Victims come forward as adults about abuse that occurred years ago."
Your point?... You seem to think that the time at which the crime is reported should somehow absolve responsibility for the Elders or the WTBTS. You apparently do not understand the nature of abuse, or the cycle of loathing and guilt that it causes the victim. Some never live long enough to resolve their issues because they take their own lives. Then those adults brave enough to face the situation are further victimized by cold, legalistic abusers. The WTBTS tries to make things all better by love bombing the victim. The reason for the "love" is to cover over the fact that a terrible crime took place. Something so wrong that the victim must suppress it or they cannot survive the ordeal. Then the WTBTS specifically casts doubt upon the credibility of those memories. Notice in the following article that the subheading " Did it really happen" could have been entirely merged with the preceding paragraph. Frank Fitzpatrick's story could easily have been include without the WTBTS slyly creating a loop-hole for dismissing abuse.
"Repressed Memories"
In recent years some have been "brokenhearted" for reasons that others find difficult to understand. They are adults who, on the basis of what have been described as "repressed memories," say that they were sexually abused when they were children. Some have no thought of having been molested until, unexpectedly, they experience flashbacks and "memories" of an adult (or adults) abusing them when they were young. Do any in the Christian congregation have such disturbing thoughts? In a few lands, yes, and these dedicated ones may experience deep distress, anger, guilt, shame, or loneliness. Like David they may feel isolated from God and cry out: "Why, O Jehovah, do you keep standing afar off? Why do you keep yourself hid in times of distress?"-Psalm 10:1.Many aspects of these "memories" are not well understood by mental-health professionals. Still, such "memories" can affect the spirituality of dedicated Christians. So we look with confidence to God's Word for guidance in handling them. The Bible provides "discernment in all things." (2 Timothy 2:7; 3:16) It also helps all concerned to put faith in Jehovah, "the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation."-2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.
Did It Really Happen?
In the world, there is much controversy as to what these "memories" are and to what extent they represent things that actually happened. Jehovah's Witnesses are "no part of the world" and take no part in this controversy. (John 17:16) According to published reports, "memories" have sometimes proved to be accurate. For example, after insurance adjuster Frank Fitzpatrick "remembered" being molested by a certain priest, almost one hundred others came forward to claim that they too had been abused by the same priest. The priest reportedly admitted to the abuse. It is noteworthy, however, that a number of individuals have been unable to corroborate their "memories." Some afflicted in this way have had vivid recollections of a certain individual committing abuse or of the abuse being committed in a specific place. Later, though, legitimate evidence to the contrary made it clear that these "remembered" details could not be true.
Shepherd The Flock Book:
The following questions should be answered with regardto the accuser: (1) What is the level of maturityof the child or youth? (2) Is he (or she) describing conduct that one his age would not normally know about? (3) Is the child or his parents known to be serious,mature? (4) Is his memory consistent, or is it intermittent, or does it involve repressed memories?(w95 11/1 pp. 25-26) (5) What is the reputation ofthe parents? (6) Are they spiritually and emotionally mature? After carefully considering the matter, the branch office will then give you direction as to what information about the allegation should be shared, if any, with the elders of the new congregation.
Also, " The victim in this case was not a child."
1) " Jehovah Witness ministerial servant Gordon Leighton admitted sexually abusing a child when he was confronted by his church elders, a court heard. "
2) "Leighton, who has since been expelled from the church at Lambton Kingdom Hall in Washington, denied two charges of indecency with a child and seven of indecent assault. He was yesterday found guilty of two charges of indecency with a child and six of indecent assault.
He abused a child. The abused came forward later, as an adult. A horrible crime was committed against a child, end of story. I have to agree with Cofty on this one, " They are moral retards as are you." Yes, in the true sense of the word, YOU are morally retarded. The growth of your moral center has been retarded by WTBTS legalism. It's sad and deplorable, and sooner or later you will reap the consequences. It may be happening already.
