Posts by Gary1914

Elder: But your 1992 letter says all have a responsibility to report child molestation. And it says it is their absolute right to report even unsubstantiated abuse.

Bethel: Thats just a cover up. Thats not really our policy. The lawyers think we should try to hide it. They like being sued and going to court you know.

Do you think this conversation has ever taken place? Lets be reasonable please.

TW:

You don't have much of an imagination, do you?

I am an elder in my congregation.

The PO assigned recently assigned me to call the Serice Desk to report a case of child abuse.

A 17 year old brother had been found on top of a five year old girl by the girl's mother. They were both fully clothed when discovered.

The boy had been questioned and punishment was to be held in abeyance until we received instruction from the society. After I explained why I was calling they connected me to the Legal Department and I had almost the same conversation with a Watchtower representative that you outlined above. Well, okay, the words were not the same, but there was a VERY STRONG suggestion to handle the matter internally. One of the things I was aked by the representative was if the boy had had an erection. We had posed that question to him already and he denied having one and I told that to the representative. The rest of the conversation is too private to share and it might incriminate someone so I won't say more.

It's sad that you are so quick to defend the Watchtower organization because it does not matter how great their policy is. It is just a policy that they like to point to. It's implementation seems to be effective on a congregation by congregation basis and is iffy at best.

149

Does the Policy of the Watchtower Create a Safe Haven for Child Molesters?

by listen in

not a society apologist!!

just wanting to know what you all think.

does this "sound" fair & balanced, you decide.

Gary1914

Since JWs do not judicially punish members for reporting crimes or for separating from their mate...............

You, Sir, are beginning to try my patience.

Any Witness knows that if the elders preceive a member took a wrong action, there are ways that they can be punished that have nothing to do with a judicial hearing. There are other ways that a member can be ostrasized and made to feel that he is punished.

149

Does the Policy of the Watchtower Create a Safe Haven for Child Molesters?

by listen in

not a society apologist!!

just wanting to know what you all think.

does this "sound" fair & balanced, you decide.

Gary1914

Hi Big Rex. I too love history. I really wish I could have gone to college and studied it. I have many history books, but because of limited time they serve as decorative pieces.

I enjoyed your post. It was really interesting.

149

Does the Policy of the Watchtower Create a Safe Haven for Child Molesters?

by listen in

not a society apologist!!

just wanting to know what you all think.

does this "sound" fair & balanced, you decide.

Gary1914

JWs do not transfer known child molesters to different parts of the country to continue to serve as elders.

Okay, now you have just lost me. Are you really so naive as that?

Let's take just the case of Bethel Elder, Brother Jesus Cano, one of the most respected elders at the Bethel Farm. He is the "fine spiritual man" who was recently arrested after a raid at the Bethel Farm. Although it is not now widely known he is one of the brothers who "many years ago" was a known sexual deviant in his congregation. But because he had convinced the Governing Body that he was repentant, he was allowed to serve in the congregation in a prominent position until he finally became a member of the Bethel Family. He probably wanted to go there because it is primarily a male environment and he could be closest to those who gender he was attracted to.

So, okay, the Watchtower, has the aboslute, the finest, the best, the first, the number one child molestation policy of any church or organization or temple or synagogue on earth today. SO WHAT? It is only so that they can point to it when critisized and say: Look here. Here is our fine policy. We are not a pedophile paradise.

But nothing could be farther from the Truth. Because what they say and what they actually do are are miles apart.

I really feel sorry for you Third, because you really seem to believe that the Watchtower has the best interests of its members at heart.

Your stance reminds me of Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a myth to this day that Abe freed the slaves because of altruism. When in fact, Abe said himself that he didn't really care anything about the slaves or their freedom. He only did what he did because he felt that it was in the best interests of his administration.

Abraham Lincoln meet the Governing Body.

149

Does the Policy of the Watchtower Create a Safe Haven for Child Molesters?

by listen in

not a society apologist!!

just wanting to know what you all think.

does this "sound" fair & balanced, you decide.

Gary1914

Obviously I disagree with it on some things but, again, I don't accuse them of being evil but only that they keep themselves in ignorance because of wanting so badly to believe in something that gives them hope and a reason to live.

Hi Keo. I enjoyed reading your posts. You are obviously a sensitive and caring person and I respect that.

However, please do not be misled. Your statement above would aptly describe the publishers in the local congregations. They tenaciously hold on to the hope of everlasting life.

But the Governing Body and the those who run the corporations of the Watchtower are another story altogether. These men will do anything to advance their corporations and to make them financially viable. What they are doing has little to do with religion and A LOT to do with making money.

To that end their written policies may sound good on paper, but as someone else mentioned, implementing those good policies leave much to be desired.

149

Does the Policy of the Watchtower Create a Safe Haven for Child Molesters?

by listen in

not a society apologist!!

just wanting to know what you all think.

does this "sound" fair & balanced, you decide.

Gary1914

Its like sueing Mcdonalds because you were molested by someone who works at Mcdonalds.

Did it happen on MacDonald's premises? Because if it did someone has an excellent case to take to Court.

149

Does the Policy of the Watchtower Create a Safe Haven for Child Molesters?

by listen in

not a society apologist!!

just wanting to know what you all think.

does this "sound" fair & balanced, you decide.

Gary1914

If this is the case why doesn't the Society publically make known their child abuse policy? Why keep it a secret and send letters only to the elders?Actually they have made it public for anyone who wishes to read it. It is found here for the general public to read:

http://www.jw-media.org/newsroom/index.htm?content=background.htm

Unfortunately that is not good enough. There are many Witnesses who do not have computers because they are afraid that demonism is somehow connected with computers or that Satan is in control of the internet.

For this policy to reach all Witnesses, they need to publish it in a Watchtower and make it a study article. Only then can it be said that their policy is public knowledge and that all Witnesses are informed of the policy.

In addition, I never trust anything that is on jw-media. This is all pablum for consumption by the weak and gullible. All persons "in the know" are aware that the real story would never be posted on the Watchtower website.

18

My Cake is Doughy in the Middle

by Gary1914 in

jw
friends

i am trying to help my wife out by baking a pound cake.

i volunteered after going over the recipe.

actually it seemed simple enough and i thought it would be a snap to do.. i was wrong.. the problem is it looks fine in the oven.

Gary1914

Hi Scully:

Can I send you Mr Scully's email address so you can let him know that it isn't unmanly to bake a cake?

lol

If Mr. Scully knew the trouble I was having he would probably steer clear of the kitchen forever!

18

My Cake is Doughy in the Middle

by Gary1914 in

jw
friends

i am trying to help my wife out by baking a pound cake.

i volunteered after going over the recipe.

actually it seemed simple enough and i thought it would be a snap to do.. i was wrong.. the problem is it looks fine in the oven.

Gary1914

Thanks everone. I knew I could count on you.

I am going to try again using all of your suggestions. Lets hope the third time is the charm.

The oven has been on all this time so it is throughly preheated.