all exhibits for case study 54, jehovah's witnesses and watchtower, have been released by the arc.. http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/exhibits/10908a67-70c5-4103-94cc-dac096fdb585/case-study-54,-march-2017,-sydney.
exhibit list.
joint statement of o'brien and spinks.
And Viodit:
Many states allow for anonymous reporting while others don't. If the legislature feels that would hinder the prosecution then you should get those legislatures to change the laws so that it is mandated to get a name. And it is common for people to report crimes annonymously, that is why many police department has Crimestoppers numbers because they know not everyone is comfortable getting involved with the investigation of the crime.
all exhibits for case study 54, jehovah's witnesses and watchtower, have been released by the arc.. http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/exhibits/10908a67-70c5-4103-94cc-dac096fdb585/case-study-54,-march-2017,-sydney.
exhibit list.
joint statement of o'brien and spinks.
For reporting the matter to the police Watchtower has removed the two witness rule portion:
Protecting Minors From Abuse
Page 2 Section 6
6. To ensure that elders comply with child-abuse reporting laws, two elders should immedi-ately call the Legal Department for legal advice when the elders learn of an accusation of child abuse. (Rom. 13:1-4) A call should be made even when both persons involved are minors. The elders should not ask an alleged victim, the accused person, or anyone else to call the Legal Department on the el-ders’ behalf. The elders should call the Legal Department even in the following situations:
• The alleged abuse occurred many years ago.
• The alleged abuse is based on the testimony of only one witness.
• The alleged abuse is believed to be a repressed memory.
• The alleged abuse involved perpetrators or victims who are deceased.
• The alleged abuse is believed to have already been reported to the secular authorities.
• The alleged perpetrator or victim is not a member of your congregation.
• The alleged perpetrator is a non-Witness associating with the congregation.
• The alleged abuse occurred before the alleged perpetrator or victim was baptized.
• The alleged victim is now an adult.
• The alleged abuse occurred in the past, and it is unclear
Please note in that same letter there is a distinction between the legal responsibilty:
2. Child abuse includes the sexual or physical abuse of a minor. It would also include the extreme neglect of a minor by her parent. Child sexual abuse is a perversion and generally includes sexual intercourse with a minor; oral or anal sex with a minor; fondling the genitals, breasts, or but-tocks of a minor; voyeurism of a minor; indecent exposure to a minor; or soliciting a minor for sex-ual conduct. Depending on the circumstances of the case, it may include involvement with child pornography or “sexting” with a minor. “Sexting” describes the sending of sexually explicit mes-sages or images electronically.
3. From the Bible’s standpoint, child sexual abuse is a gross sin. (Deut. 23:17, 18; Gal. 5:19-21; ks10 chap. 5 par. 10; w97 2/1 p. 29; g93 10/8 p. 10, ftn.) Jehovah’s Witnesses abhor child sexual abuse. (Rom. 12:9) Thus, the congregation will not shield any perpetrator of such repugnant acts from the consequences of his sin.
Note that paragraph 2 speaks of the legal requirements and section 3 speaks of the congregational actions that would be brought into consideration.
Also following in that same letter:
The elders should carefully adhere to all direction provided by the Ser-vice Department regarding reasonable steps that should be taken to protect minors from one who has engaged in child sexual abuse. For example, the Service Department will provide direction when (1) a congregation judicial committee determines that one guilty of child sexual abuse is re-pentant and will remain in the congregation, (2) one disfellowshipped for child sexual abuse is rein-stated, (3) when an unbaptized publisher or a baptized member of the congregation who denies an accusation of child sexual abuse is convicted by the secular authorities, or (4) one viewed as a child molester by the community or the congregation becomes a publisher or becomes a baptized member of the congregation.
18. Direction from the Service Department to the elders will include restrictions imposed on an individual’s activities within the congregation, on his participation in the field ministry, and on his interaction with minors. The elders will be directed to caution the individual never to be alone with a minor, not to cultivate friendships with minors, not to display affection for minors, and so forth. In some cases, the Service Department may specifically direct elders to inform parents of minors within the congregation of the need to monitor their children’s interaction with an individu-al. If the body of elders has questions about a past case, two elders should be assigned to call the Service Department for direction. The coordinator of the body of elders should ensure that newly appointed elders and elders who move into the congregation are made aware of the Service De-partment’s direction regarding such individuals.
19. One who has engaged in child sexual abuse does not qualify to receive any privileges in the congregation for many years, if ever. This includes seemingly minor privileges. Elders should keep in mind what is stated in the January 1, 1997, Watchtower article “Let Us Abhor What Is Wick-ed,” page 29, paragraph 2: “Child sexual abuse reveals an unnatural fleshly weakness. Experience has shown that such an adult may well molest other children. True, not every child molester repeats the sin, but many do. And the congregation cannot read hearts to tell who is and who is not liable to mo-lest children again. (Jeremiah 17:9) Hence, Paul’s counsel to Timothy applies with special force in the case of baptized adults who have molested children: ‘Never lay your hands hastily upon any man; nei-ther be a sharer in the sins of others.’ (1 Timothy 5:22).” Therefore, if the body of elders believes that one who has engaged in child sexual abuse decades ago may now qualify for minor privileges, such as carrying or adjusting microphones, operating audio/video equipment, or assisting with accounts, liter-ature, magazines, or territories, they should assign two elders to call the Service Department. The as-signed elders should call the Service Department before any congregation privileges are extended.
Please note that it does not matter if the congregation finds the person guilty or not on a two witness requirement. If the secular authorities has already made the determination, restrictions WILL be placed on the person.
all exhibits for case study 54, jehovah's witnesses and watchtower, have been released by the arc.. http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/exhibits/10908a67-70c5-4103-94cc-dac096fdb585/case-study-54,-march-2017,-sydney.
exhibit list.
joint statement of o'brien and spinks.
I am sorry Dubstepped. I thought you were one of the ones that said that Watchtower says that child porn is not child abuse. I apologize to you.
all exhibits for case study 54, jehovah's witnesses and watchtower, have been released by the arc.. http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/exhibits/10908a67-70c5-4103-94cc-dac096fdb585/case-study-54,-march-2017,-sydney.
exhibit list.
joint statement of o'brien and spinks.
Also do you honestly think that if the GB said that JWs can speak with DA ones that all of a sudden every single witness who has a family member who is DA will talk to them. Remember to many witnesses they will still see it as that person has rejected not Jehovah's Witnesses but their faith in God. We are seeing where family relations are strained because some voted for Trump and others in the family didn't, where family members won't talk to each other.
all exhibits for case study 54, jehovah's witnesses and watchtower, have been released by the arc.. http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/exhibits/10908a67-70c5-4103-94cc-dac096fdb585/case-study-54,-march-2017,-sydney.
exhibit list.
joint statement of o'brien and spinks.
I feel that as a private organization they can make any rules that they want as long as it is not illegal. Should they change it? maybe. Do I think that they will? I won't hold my breath. I don't believe that it is made better or worst in the context of child abuse. It appeared during the testimony during the ARC the commission felt that it was made lighter. Again this is my thoughts on it. The GB reasoning may be completely different than mine. I may be right or I may be wrong but it is my opinion just like you have your opinion.
all exhibits for case study 54, jehovah's witnesses and watchtower, have been released by the arc.. http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/exhibits/10908a67-70c5-4103-94cc-dac096fdb585/case-study-54,-march-2017,-sydney.
exhibit list.
joint statement of o'brien and spinks.
Because Jehovah's Witnesses believe that one dedicates their lives to Jehovah and then symbolize that dedication in water baptism. Jehovah's Witnesses do believe that as a united people they too have dedicated the organization to Jehovah God and for the advancement of the work that he provided those that profess to be his witnesses to be. When one chooses to stop identifying themselves as a member of that organization formally, there has to be actions to protect those that continue to want to associate with that organization from any possible bad influence. Because Witnesses cannot read hearts and fully understand why people want to formally leave that organization they have made a policy that all individuals who take that step must be treated the same. That is why there is no announcement of why someone DA themselves or was DF, because that may not be the full reason why someone chose that or why the elders decided that the person was no longer repentant, the only important part is that the announcement is made that they are no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses. These individuals may be very good and fine people, but no one can read or know the full story of why someone chose to make that decision of the formal removal of themselves from that organization. The reason stated in the formal letter may not be the real and true reason and may want to encourage others to leave or they may not, again it is something that no one can know for sure. And again it is a policy that anyone regardless of the reason, including if they are a victim of child abuse, is treated in the same way, again because no one can fully know why they chose to do so.
it is also the fact that Witnesses do not believe in interfaith activities. Witnesses who get baptized after they were part of another religion is encouraged, not sure if required, to formally remove themselves from the other religion. Witnesses believe that formal removal of a religion's rolls releases them from that religion's policies and guilt before God. So they have a formal way of removing people who don't want to be witnesses anymore.
Again it doesn't matter, what the answer is, you won't accept it as being a valid one.
all exhibits for case study 54, jehovah's witnesses and watchtower, have been released by the arc.. http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/exhibits/10908a67-70c5-4103-94cc-dac096fdb585/case-study-54,-march-2017,-sydney.
exhibit list.
joint statement of o'brien and spinks.
Yes Outlaw because computers never glitch. It is always that I am an idiot correct.
all exhibits for case study 54, jehovah's witnesses and watchtower, have been released by the arc.. http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/exhibits/10908a67-70c5-4103-94cc-dac096fdb585/case-study-54,-march-2017,-sydney.
exhibit list.
joint statement of o'brien and spinks.
Because they have either committed a subsequent sin that would require disfellowshipping or they have chosen to disassociate themselves. They are treating everyone the same when it comes to disassociation. NO ANSWER EVER WOULD BE SOMETHING YOU ACCEPT.
all exhibits for case study 54, jehovah's witnesses and watchtower, have been released by the arc.. http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/exhibits/10908a67-70c5-4103-94cc-dac096fdb585/case-study-54,-march-2017,-sydney.
exhibit list.
joint statement of o'brien and spinks.
Also Dubstepped:
Does "There is none so blind as he who shall not see." apply to you because you were one of the people who claimed that Watchtower does not consider child pornoraphy as child abuse even though it is proven in their own policy that they do consider it as child abuse. Will you admit that you are wrong.
all exhibits for case study 54, jehovah's witnesses and watchtower, have been released by the arc.. http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/exhibits/10908a67-70c5-4103-94cc-dac096fdb585/case-study-54,-march-2017,-sydney.
exhibit list.
joint statement of o'brien and spinks.
And dubstepped the rest of that scripture from the NIV reads:
9I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sisterc but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
12What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”d
In verse 13 it says expel those wicked person from among you. It also says that you can't judge those that aren't amongst you. So yes the congregation has a responsibility to expel those that are within the congregation that doesn't live by their standard. I have been expelled, I don't like it but I have accepted it.
