Why don't they just reschedule WT study to coincide w/Panorama air-time? That way they could also make a list of absentees and cleanse the cong of potential apostates!
Letter read iIn ALL UK Congregations this Sunday
by Jim Dee 56 Replies latest jw friends
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Amazing
Thanks Jim: This is the most disturbing commnet they made:
5. The Society has a long history of protecting Children
It is statements like this that really reveals what deliberate willful liars the Watchtower leaders are ... and they know it ... they directly instructed JW Elders va the oral directions to NOT go to the police, and thus protect children ... and the NBC Dateline story containing the audio tape with teh Watchtower Service Desk proves that even recently they still were giving such oral directives to cover up the pedophiles ... the WTS leaders who write this junk are pure liars.
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deddaisy
scully, I'll e-mail Stephen Bates.......I wish I were there, I'd go to the meeting dragging along some recording-equipment behind me, notebooks falling, pencils tucked in my hair........tell them I just moved into the area, I'm a "new study" and a quite efficient note-taker. OMG....sit in the front row.....how long do you think it'd take for the PO to make a call to Brooklyn ? aaahhhhhh, if I left now, could I make it?
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silentlambs
Back by popular demand....
Christian Congregation
of Jehovah's Witnesses
2528 Route 22 Phone (845) 306 1100
TO ALL CONGREGATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES
Dear Brothers:
At Psalm 144:15 we read: "Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah!" We see the truthfulness of this inspired statement when we associate with our brothers and sisters at conventions, assemblies, and congregation meetings. We enjoy a warm atmosphere of peace while we benefit from fine spiritual encouragement from Jehovah and his organization. (Psalm 29:11) What a contrast to those of the world who lack true spiritual guidance and a solid hope for the future! --Isaiah 65:13.
What enables us to maintain our happy spirit? For one thing, we fear Jehovah and we deeply respect the admonition in His Word, including what the Bible says on sexual matters. (1 Corinthians 6:9 ,10 ; Hebrews 13:4) At first, it was not easy for some of us to bring our lives into harmony with Jehovah's elevated standards. We had to make significant changes in our lifestyle before we could qualify for membership in Jehovah's clean, spirit-directed organization. Was it worth the effort? Absolutely! How happy we are to be living in harmony with God's righteous requirements!
In recent weeks, the press in this country has focused attention on the way accusations of child abuse are handled by various religious organizations. Such reports may cause some sincere individuals to ask about the procedures followed by Jehovah's Witnesses, Therefore, we believe that it will be beneficial to review with you our Bible-based position, so that you will "know how you ought to give an answer" to any who may inquire.-Colossians 4:6.
Simply stated, we abhor the sexual abuse of children and will not protect any perpetrator of such repugnant acts from the consequences of his gross sin. (Romans 12:9) We expect the elders to investigate every allegation of child abuse. Even one abused child is one too many. However, in evaluating the evidence, they must bear in mind the Bible's clear direction: "No single witness should rise up against a man respecting any error or any sin .... At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses the matter should stand good." (Deuteronomy 19:15) Later, this requirement to consider testimony of two or three witnesses was confirmed by Jesus. (Matthew 18:16) Thus, although they investigate every allegation, the elders in not authorized by the Scriptures to take congregational action unless there is a confession or there are two credible witnesses, However , if two persons are witnesses to separate incidents of the same kind of wrongdoing, their testimony can be deemed sufficient to take action.--l Timothy 5:19, 24, 25.
What if someone is a proven child molester? The article "Let Us Abhor What is Wicked !" published in the , issue of The Watchtower had this to say on page 29: "For the protection of our children, a man known to have been a child molester does not qualify for a responsible position in the congregation. Moreover, he cannot be a pioneer or serve in any other special, full-time service." We take such decisive action because we are concerned with maintaining Bible standards and protecting our children. (1 Timothy 3:2, 9, 10) Everyone in the organization is ex-
To All Congregations in the
Page 2
pected to meet the same requirements, namely, to be clean physically, mentally, morally, and spiritually.-- l Corinthians 7: 1; Ephesians 4:17-19; 1 Thessalonians 2:4.
We have long instructed elders to report allegations of child abuse to the authorities where required by Law to do so, even where there is only one witness. (Romans 13:1) In any case, the elders know that if the victim wishes to make a report, it is his or her absolute right to do so .---- Galatians 6:5.
At least since 1981, articles have been published in our journals, The Watchtower and Awake ! , with a view to educating Jehovah's people and the public on the need to protect children from child abuse. Besides the above-quoted article, there was the article. "Help For the Victims of Incest," which appeared in the , Watchtower. Awake! has featured such articles as "Your Child is in Danger!" "How Can We Protect Our Children ?, " and "Prevention in the Home" (October 8, 1993) as well as "Child Molesting-Every Mother's Nightmare," in its issue.
We believe that we have a strong, Bible-based policy on child abuse. Over the years, as we have noted areas where our policy could be strengthened, we have not hesitated to follow through. At Kingdom Ministry Schools the elders receive ongoing reminders regarding this policy and related matters. And we continue to urge the elders to follow closely the procedures that we have established.
The moral cleanness of the congregation continues to be of vital concern to the "faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45) As we keep applying Scriptural principles in our lives, our happiness will increase. We trust that these reminders will be helpful to you as you share the Kingdom hope with right-hearted ones. We have much to look forward to in the way of spiritual refreshment as we attend the "Zealous Kingdom Proclaimers " District Conventions. What a happy prospect! Yes, there is no doubt about it: "Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah!"-Psalm 144:15.
Your brothers,
p.s.
If you do not accept this we will disfellowship you from God's "happy" people...
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dungbeetle
1) NO THEY DID NOT JUST ORALLY INSTRUCT ELDERS NOT TO GO TO THE POLICE..though that's bad enough.
They instructed IN WRITING all JW's not to tell ANYONE including but not limited to the police, since 1967. Violating the law in all fifty states and the US government.
I repeat: IN WRITING.
Those instructions IN WRITING are going to cook their goose.
Edited to add
2) Hey Bill: trot out all of those media statements by James and J.R. and then the rest of you can show THOSE to JW's. Also, a list of those 48 Supreme court cases Watchtowerites are so proud of winning, controlled by Satan...
OOOPS
It can be viewed this way: Watchtower has been given freedom of religion for 120 years;
millions of tax dollars' worth subsidation;
over 40 Supreme Court victories,
police and fire protection, etc etc.
And in return:
A lot of dead children and rapists at our doors.
RUN WATCHTOWER RUN
Watchtower it ain't just over...It is SOOOOO over.
The only thing that could save Watchtower is to do what I heard they did in France; move their property and money to another country out of reach of plaintiffs here in the US. I HOPE THEY ARE NOT DOING THAT RIGHT NOW.
Edited by - dungbeetle on 13 July 2002 15:41:34
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anglise
Is anyone in contact with the producer of the Panorama programme to give them the info about this letter.
Could it be worth someone from the programme going to a KH tomorrow to hear this for themselves?
Failing that could someone record the 25min item at a hall?
Maybe those outsdie the org will begin to see what sort of people the JW's really are.
Please there must be something that we can do to get this publicized.
Anglise
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William Penwell
Instead of putting all their time and energy in denying the allegation, why don't they put it into changing WT policies on pedophiles? Although this makes sense to us but thats what you get with a cult.
Will
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anglise
Is this letter for real?
Has anyone seen it?
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dungbeetle
Well, see WP, Watchtower is stuck between a rock and a hard palce.
They are trying to say they never HAD policy like this (in spite of this policy being in WRITING for over thirty years)
So how can they CHANGE a policy they never HAD?
They need BETTER lawyers and BETTER PR people. THAT'S what you get for being a cult...hahahahaha
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SYN
Anglise: Tomorrow morning/afternoon, many, many people in the UK are going to hear that letter.