bart ehrman's blog reveals some very interesting facts about the recent discovery of a manuscript of the koran.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oksxmo9moqk.
"in case anyone is missing the significance of that, here is a comparison.
the first time we have any two-page manuscript fragment of the new testament is from around the year 200 ce.
Nice post.
The best example I found of willful tampering is in the Old Testament regarding the height of Goliath.
The Qumran fragments (250 BCE) and Josephus (200 ACE) both contradict the earliest OT manuscripts. Turns out Goliath was about 6 foot 5. Tall but not a Giant.
i have been in correspondence recently with silentambs and a few interesting things have been highlighted.
some of you may know, that bill bowen has twice tried to get the fbi involved in investigating child molestation issues in the jws org.
this is what he said to me, i quote: we have reported to the fbi on two occasions and were rebuffed due to them not wishing to get involved with a religion.
"Or are you saying that they [the FBI] do not have the power to investigate a serious allegation?"
Pleas see my first comment.
i have been in correspondence recently with silentambs and a few interesting things have been highlighted.
some of you may know, that bill bowen has twice tried to get the fbi involved in investigating child molestation issues in the jws org.
this is what he said to me, i quote: we have reported to the fbi on two occasions and were rebuffed due to them not wishing to get involved with a religion.
they thought he was dead...they thought the world was safe...jwtalk believes this guy is great!.
personally he scares the bejusus out of me!!!.
http://tv.jw.org/#video/vodprogramsevents/pub-jwbmw_201507_2_video.
how much do you want to bet that the organization has already started preparing articles for the watchtower magazines, convention talks, circuit overseers talks and letters to bodies of elders, to refute what is happening in australia?
.
right now the most important thing for the wt to do is protect their image that they are gods visible organization.especially in the u.s. and latin american countries.
Isn't this why they have this problem in the first place?
Yeah its the problem. The WT is so bloody slow in doing anything about it.
And so from the old dusty book comes some timely prophetic words:
And I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great host, all of them with buckler and shield, wielding swords.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfj1ecde5fy.
"Another Shocking clip From JW Australia Royal investigation Elder would not report MURDER"
ah hahahahahahahahaha. oh ohohohoh. Ha hahahahahaha.
When I was a JW my opinion was that secular laws always superseded ANY church body's opinion. My only exceptions were blood and military service because in my mind they were well defined issues and I felt I could make a reasonable defense if I ever was challenged in a court of law. I had debates with brothers and sisters about criminal offences and what the elders authority in these matters were. My opinion was that they had no authority.
So thank you Jehoober for never making me an elder. It would have meant my IQ would have dropped by 40+ points making me a vegetable like the Elder from this video.
...Elder would not report murder. ah hahahahahhaha. oh hahahahahaha my sides.
are you pleased with the exposure of the society in australia?
do you feel personally vindicated by it?
do you think it gives you credibility with others now that all the things you said were going on, actually are documented?
Hi Orphancrow,
The WTS has to stand on their old, outdated judical law. If they started to dismantle the "two witness rule" and those archaic laws they follow
If they do stand on that law, they're pretty much done for financially. The lawsuits will just keep on coming.
Secular law has the moral high ground and will destroy them without anybody batting an eye. Now the WT can kick and scream all they want, they will have to obey to survive. The GB are such ill equipped dinosaurs. If they just applied their own dusty books counsel:
"And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two."
are you pleased with the exposure of the society in australia?
do you feel personally vindicated by it?
do you think it gives you credibility with others now that all the things you said were going on, actually are documented?
for the jw apologists, they debate certain factors to down play all the recent sex abuse information in the jehovah's witness organization.
and there is so much focus on "two witness rule" and "parents can report" the "elders aren't legal authorities" and many other smoke screen issues.
a lot of these issues and discussion are down stream from what i believe to be the root of the issue.
Why don't the Elders have judicial committees on murder cases?
Because its a criminal offence.
First phone the police, then phone your clergy.
Why don't the Elders have judicial committees on assault cases?
Because its a criminal offence.
First phone the police, then phone your clergy.
1. Rape and molestation are also criminal offences.
First phone the police, then phone your clergy.
2. Every citizen in every civilized country has the duty to report a matter which they think may be a criminal offense and that has gone unreported. Its that simple.
i'm picturing a situation in which a savvy 12 year old doesn't like the house rules that mom's new husband has put into place.
or something along that line.
i can certainly agree that protection of children is paramount, but who protects the real victim in those cases?
Elders in congregations should advise all victims to report their cases to the authorities. They should follow up with the victims and their families on the status regularly. They should NOT take any child abuse cases BEFORE the authorities have not been notified and the investigation completed. Based upon the outcome of the secular investigations they can then make decisions regarding the accused standing. While the person is under investigation they should impose boundaries on the accused such as not having bible studies with minors and asking them to voluntarily suspend any congregational privileges (This should be voluntary and not an imposed suspension unless there is a clear indication of wrongdoing). Even if the authorities clear an individual, the elders could then still impose certain boundaries, such as not having bible studies with minors unless a second baptized witness is present or handing over those studies to another witness, if they feel uncertain. They should ask the accused to limit their interaction with minors in the congregational setting until they are cleared. It could be argued to the accused that it protects them, the congregation and the victims of child abuse.
