by jschwehm 18 Replies latest watchtower scandals
Hey Gang-
I got another email from Watchtower PR. It has their general counsel stating the following in regard to child abuse cases:
"The assertion has been made that Jehovah's Witnesses take no action when an allegation of child abuse comes to the attention of the elders unless the accusation is verified by two separate witnesses, and that's just simply not true."-- Philip Brumley, General Counsel for Jehovah's Witnesses
How would you guys respond to Brumley's comments?
Jeff S.
I would say:
Why do you continue to lie?
Is that all of the quote? Did he actually go into any great detail as to what they DO actually do?
Tell the Bastard to watch Dateline.
Also he is technically correct.
Why? Well its your typical misrepresentation by not putting all the information in the response.
The other rule is that the accused Witness can voluntarily admit to the offence and thus, the 2 Witness rule would not be necessary.
So the bastard is NOT giving all of the information to you to make it sound like he is telling the truth and making it sound like the WTS has a really solid policy - which of course if the farthest thing from the "whole" truth.
hawk
WATCH TOWER
BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF BRITAIN
THE RIDGEWAY LONDON NW7 1RN
TELEPHONE 020 8906 2211
[XX] June 1, 2001
ALL BODIES OF ELDERS
Dear Brothers:
In our letter To All Bodies of Elders dated [XX] January 1, 2001, we gave instructions relating to disfellowshipping and disassociation records, and files relating to child molesta-tion. We thank you for all your hard work in complying with this necessary and important direction so that the government’s deadlines as incorporated in the Data Protection Act 1998 can be met.
Part of the direction given concerned creating a list entitled “Child Protection-Psalm 127:3.” In connection with this List we have had a number of enquiries as to who should ap-pear on it. Also, as you will appreciate, Caesar’s law does not stand still and this at times ne-cessitates adjustments. We are pleased to provide clarification as to the use of the List and how records can be kept to enable our children to be properly protected in the congregation. - Isaiah 32:1, 2.
Those who have confessed to child molestation, or who have been found guilty of child molestation by the congregation on the basis of TWO OR MORE CREDIBLE WITNESSES,should appear on the Child Protection List. (For a definition of child molestation see para-graph 3 of our letter To All Bodies of Elders dated April 15, 1997.) Also, those who have been convicted by a court of crimes that constitute child abuse should be included on the List. If necessary, additional information may be kept in a sealed envelope in the congrega-tion’s confidential file as described below. If such an individual moves to another congrega-tion, the procedure found in paragraph 3 on page 2 of the April 15, 1997, letter should be followed.
There is one exception to the above direction: The elders may have written to the branch office and given full details about a former child abuser who is currently serving as an elder or ministerial servant. In such a case, if the branch office has decided that he can be appointed or continue serving in a position of trust because the sin occurred many years ago and because he has lived an exemplary life since then, his name should not appear on the List, nor is it necessary to pass on information about the brother’s past sin if he moves to another congregation unless contrary instructions have been given by the branch. If therefore, such an appointed man moves to another congregation a letter confirming the move should be sent, addressed to the Society’s Legal Department.
There are, however, many other situations that are connected with the abuse of a child. For example, there may be just one eyewitness, and the brother denies the allegation. (Deu-teronomy 19:15; John 8:17) Or, he may be under active investigation by the secular authorities for alleged child abuse though the matter has not yet been established. Then again, a young child might be abused by someone who himself is a minor, perhaps in his pre- or early-
ALL BODIES OF ELDERS
June 1, 2001
Page 2
teens. In these and similar cases no entry will be made on the Child Protection List. Rather, information should be kept in a sealed envelope in the congregation’s confidential file as de-scribed below. When such individuals move, the Congregation Service Committee should write a letter addressed to the Society’s Legal Department seeking advice as to whether to communicate the details to the new congregation.
Keeping information relating to child abuse in a sealed envelope in the congrega- -tion’s confidential file: Only a brief note should be kept. This would show the name of the molester or alleged molester. If known, the following information should also be recorded: The name(s) of the victim(s) or alleged victim(s), the relationship of the offender to the vic-tim(s), and how the matter was brought to the attention of the elders. The date the matter came to light, and the names of all the elders who were involved in some way or another would be noted. Facts such as when the alleged offence(s) took place, the period of time in-volved, and the ages of the alleged molester and victim(s) at the time of the incidents can be recorded. Make a simple statement of whether the allegation(s) amounted to uncleanness, loose conduct, or porneia as defined in Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock, pages 92-4. Do not record details other than those mentioned in this paragraph. Alterna-tively, if a written allegation is made by the victim, then this should be kept in the confidential file and, depending on the contents of the letter, there may be no need for the elders to write anything further. The only information that should appear on the outside of the envelope is the person’s name, the date the matter came to light, and the names of the elders involved.
Elders do their utmost to fulfil the serious responsibility of protecting children from harm. The cleanness of Jehovah’s organization needs to be preserved while, at the same time, we conform to Caesar’s laws respecting the handling of sensitive information. As well as providing guidance for your existing records, the instructions in this letter will also apply to situations that arise in the future and that are connected with child molestation.
We send you our warm Christian greetings.
Your brothers,
Watch Tower B. & T. Society of Britain
[Official stamp appears here.]
PS to Presiding overseer: As soon as possible arrange to have this letter read out to the body of elders. Following this the Congregation Service Committee should meet to review the Child Protection List to make sure it complies with the direction found in this letter. If it is found necessary to remove a person’s name from the Child Protection List rather than at-tempting to obliterate the name, please make a new List, destroying the old one.
THEIR WORD TRICKERY IS THIS: Another person (probably from the Watchtower Society given the timing) posted earlier today that elders in a hall just turned a molestor over to the police although only the one person (the child victim) mentioned it.
So now, as of one day before Dateline NBC airs, they say they do not tell elders to not report to the police even though there's only been one witness.
True for today but not for all days previously. Thus they can "honestly" if limply says "we do not say...."
See, "Theocratic Warfare." However, it's now too late to do them much good. For years they had the elders not reporting except maybe if there were two witnesses to pedophilia, if even then.
A little word game to make themselves look better, to make themselves look so "slandered" and the like. Just that. And their asinine trickery is seen right through.
See what they're doing?! Pathetic. It won't work, Brooklyn.
MikeMusto: I like you better every day! Your thinking has been "re-adjusted" very well indeed! Welcome to the dark side! I always knew you were a bad Chelsea Boy LOL
BlackCat: Absolutely damning. Thanks A LOT! Those Jehovah's Witnesses who are lurking here, take a lookee at this and see what your Organization is doing behind your back, damnit! Feel the hypocrisy! Non, tell us ALL about why this is right, please! Since you are defending the WTBTS, defend THIS!
And I am willing to put money on the fact that Non is going to either A) dodge or B) not post a response. Bets are on, guys!
"Vaccination has never saved a human life. It does not prevent smallpox." The Golden Age, Feb 4 1931 p. 293-4 - The Sacredness of Human Blood (Reasons why vaccination is unscriptural)
I would respond that no one at silentlambs has ever made that statement or accusation. It is one thing to deny factual evidence but quite another to create false statements and them deny them. As always WT Legal loves to create comments they can easily deny.
"The assertion has been made that Jehovah's Witnesses take no action"
We have never stated JW's take no action, this is a fabricated statement. It is the action taken that conceals the problem. We have clearly stated WT elders take no actions when legally not required, they leave it as a personal decision. They do initiate a investigation of the matter by two elders, that is an action, they determine whether to establish a judicial committee, that to is an action. If two eye witnesses are not able to establish the matter in the face of a denial, then in over 100% of cases the matter will be
kept confidential with parents being charged to not warn others in the congregation, that is an action also. When the victims tries to speak of the abuse to others or report the crime they are often shunned and treated badly, that to is an action. When due to repression the victim develops a mental state that causes them to have behaviorial disorders, the elders df them, also another action.
"when an allegation of child abuse comes to the attention of the elders unless the accusation is verified by two separate witnesses, and that's just simply not true."-- Philip Brumley, General Counsel for Jehovah's Witnesses
Your little statement Brother Phil is self serving and misleading as to the actual facts of the "actions" you actually take at the expense of child abuse victims. You thus prove yourself to be a wicked, rotten, to faced coward, who gives fabricated comments to fabricated statements to protect the snakes you work for. You sir have no morals, no ethics and no God who would ever bless or guide a pedophile enabler like you.
Well said Bill.
hawk
Is that all of the quote? Did he actually go into any great detail as to what they DO actually do?
You find it in the transcript of the video found at http://www.jw-media.org/releases/default.htm?content=/vnr/default.htm
Application of "Two Witnesses" Principle
Mr. Brumley: While the assertion has been made that Jehovah's Witnesses take no action when an allegation of child abuse comes to the attention of the elders unless the accusation is verified by two separate witnesses, and that's just simply not true. The elders are vitally concerned with the welfare of the congregation. And if even
one credible allegation is made of child molestation, and that comes to the attention of the elders, they immediately investigate the situation, and they immediately take steps to see to it that the victim is protected. Now in addition to seeing to it that the victim is protected, the elders will meet with the accused and find out what he or she has to say about the situation. In those cases, they also
contact our headquarters to receive any recommendations or advice that we may have. Where even one allegation is made of child molestation, steps are taken to see to it that the authorities are also involved.Perhaps where the accusation comes up is in the setting of what we do internally as an organization. Now there are clear Scriptural mandates about keeping the congregation clean and undefiled. The elders work very hard to see to it that those who practice such things are not part of the organization. If an allegation is raised against a certain individual, elders will meet with that individual to see if he wishes to confess or see if he wishes to seek the help of the elders in any way. If two separate witnesses raise an accusation against an individual, and if it is
found that the practice is going on and he is unrepentant, then the individual is dismissed, or disfellowshipped, excommunicated, from the congregation.The difference then lies in what we do with regard to legal requirements and protecting the victim. Those steps are taken even if only one individual raises an allegation of child molestation. On a separate matter, disciplinary steps are taken
if two witnesses raise an accusation against an individual suspected of being a child abuser.
