One of the most alarming Jehovah’s Witness sex abuse cases ever seen in the UK has ended with the conviction of former elder, Mark Sewell, on eight historic sex charges, including rape, between 1987 and 1995.
Sewell, 53, faces a lengthy jail sentence after the jury at the Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court delivered their verdicts, which included unanimous guilty verdicts on five counts of indecent assault against two young girls.
“By a combination of bullying, bluster and hypocrisy you managed to avoid being brought to account for this utterly disgraceful behaviour for many years,” said Judge Richard Twomlow as he remanded Sewell into custody, adding: “Fortunately the jury were not fooled by you and you now face a very substantial prison sentence.”
Clear negligence revealed
But perhaps just as disturbing as Sewell’s litany of abuse has been the way allegations against him were mishandled by his local elders, who according to instructions from Watchtower were under the direction of the London Branch for all child abuse cases.
As full details of the trial continue to come to light, it has emerged that…
- Evidence of allegations against Sewell dating back 20 years was “shredded” by the organization.
- Of the “eight or nine” Barry Congregation elders involved in judicial committee hearings against Sewell, only one agreed to give evidence in his Crown Court trial. The rest refused, claiming that they either couldn’t remember or were unwilling to assist.
- Despite disfellowshipping Sewell 20 years ago, Jehovah’s Witnesses provided no help to police and prosecutors in their investigations.
It was also revealed earlier in the case that the London Branch appointed a seven-man committee of elders to investigate allegations against Sewell. But although this resulted in Sewell being stripped of his position as an elder and disfellowshipped, this action was supposedly taken due to claims of his “belligerent and unforgiving attitude” rather than his sexually abusive behavior. His sex offenses were thus left unacknowledged and unreported.
And in a further indignity, Sewell’s victims were made to confront him personally if they wished to see justice served. As SNAP director David Clohessy remarked in response to the judgment: “The internal church ‘process’ followed here was awful. Victims were sworn to silence and had to be in the room with this predator when they reported their pain, both of which are cruel demands to make on brave but deeply-suffering crime victims.”
Statements conflicting with actions
All of the above flies in the face of PR statements made by Watchtower in the wake of the ruling.
A Watchtower spokesman has reportedly offered the following comment (bold is mine):
“As Jehovah’s Witnesses we have an absolute and unequivocal abhorrence of child abuse and [offer] our support for any victim or parent who reports this crime to the authorities. This is in line with what the Bible says at Romans 12:9. We feel that the care and safeguarding of children and the promotion of their welfare is extremely important. Jehovah’s Witnesses act in harmony with the law and do not condone child abuse in any circumstance or endeavour to shield from the authorities those committing offences of this nature. The spiritual and physical welfare of Jehovah’s Witnesses is of paramount concern to the elders who have been appointed to ‘shepherd the flock’. Individual members of the congregation who seek guidance on personal matters rightly expect that their concerns are treated confidentially. In the shepherding setting the elders offer personal support in a sensitive and caring manner. Therefore, we are unable to comment on the details of any specific case. Mark Sewell has not been a member of the Barry Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses for 20 years.”
If Jehovah’s Witnesses truly have an “absolute and unequivocal abhorrence of child abuse” why were the allegations made against Sewell not reported to the police straight away?
And if Jehovah’s Witnesses “act in harmony with the law” and do not “endeavour to shield from the authorities those committing offenses of this nature,” why did all but one of the elders involved in judicial action against Sewell refuse to offer evidence at trial, why was evidence destroyed, and why was no help given to police or prosecutors during their investigations?
The Mark Sewell case clearly demonstrates that, when it comes to the handling of child sex abuse, Watchtower is willing to say whatever will tickle the ears of the public even if such statements entirely contradict their actions.
Justice finally served
Despite the horrific nature of Sewell’s crimes and the way they were effectively covered up by his elders (and arguably the branch office), there can be at least some consolation in the fact that yet another predator has been brought to justice – even if this is with no thanks to Watchtower.
That Sewell’s victims pursued justice so doggedly despite so many setbacks is worthy of huge admiration.
As SNAP’s David Clohessy noted: “Given the mean-spirited treatment by JW officials, it’s a miracle that Sewell’s victims are willing to cooperate with the secular justice system. We applaud them for doing so. We hope they take some comfort from the jury’s wise decision today.”
Two witness rule increasingly exposed
The case has also been very helpful in bringing to light the shocking inadequacy of Watchtower’s approach to child abuse, including its increasingly notorious “two witness rule.”
In his coverage of the case, journalist Ciaran Jones told of how “Judge Richard Twomlow touched on the church’s two-witness rule and told the jury it meant anything alleged to have happened in private ‘can never be proved’ unless both people involved agree.”
Judge Twomlow is said to have remarked that “almost all sexual activity, whether consensual or not, happens in private,” noting that the first victim must “challenge” an offender at a judicial committee. “How effective that can actually be as an actual judicial inquiry may be open to doubt,” the judge reportedly commented.
It is a relief to see the absurd and immoral two witness rule finally receiving some much-deserved exposure, not just by journalists investigating these cases, but by law enforcers.
It remains to be seen whether Watchtower can continue its charade as a “charity” in the UK, where indifference and credulity by regulatory bodies such as the Charity Commission is slowly giving way to greater scrutiny – especially over safeguarding measures in which the organization falls so woefully short.
Though the Governing Body stubbornly refuses to bring its child protection policies into line with basic principles of decency and community responsibility, the tide is slowly turning as thinking Witnesses grow weary of having their children placed in harm’s way out of mistaken allegiance to archaic traditions.
As this website has repeatedly insisted: “Let the bible judge sin, let the law judge crime.”
Further reading…
- Elders labelled “spiritually corrupt and morally bankrupt” in Mark Sewell trial
- WalesOnline article: “Jehovah’s Witnesses destroyed documents showing child abuse allegations against church elder“
- WalesOnline article: “Jehovah’s Witness leader guilty of rape and seven other indecent assaults“
- BBC report
- SNAP response to Sewell conviction
- JWsurvey articles on child abuse
I’macountrygirl,
Thanks for your support.x
My daughter has coped with it very well & now has a successful life and is very popular among her many friends:-). She no longer attends the meetings & I felt as a father that she should have the right to make that decision (same as if she wanted to attend). Interestingly when i asked her why she didn’t want to go she said that it was full of hypocrites (though i know she has fondness for quite a number of people & rightly so).
I remember at the trial being struck by the lack of support offered to the victims by the Society. I mean, what a perfect opportunity for a representative of the Society to address the court and give assurance that JW’S do not tolerate such behaviour and that as an organisation they did everything they could to assist the inquiry. SEVEN children had been abused & not one person came to support them or their family’s, that is SHAMEFUL. Don’t tell me that it all happened in an isolated room because it didn’t. One of the assaults took place in the kingdom hall toilets!
If only the organisation had took a pro active stance and informed the authority’s & assisted the police then they would now have praise not only from the family’s and the police but the judge’s as well.
But what do we see instead?
We see an organisation that will actually fight against the inquiring authority’s. Hide what it knows to be true & keep its mouth shut while children have been suffering to protect itself.
These children have been sexually abused they have been emotionally abused & they have been spiritually abused too. SHAMEFUL.
Personally I will never get over it & neither would I ever want to.
“Mark Sewell has not been a member of the Barry Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses for 20 years.”
A nice little smokescreen to try to deflect attention as if he is no longer a Jehovah’s Witness. Although he may not attend the Barry congregation he was attending another close by if you have been following the transcripts.
Due to the Witnesses rule/conspiracy of silence whose not to say there may not be other victims too timid to come forward in those 20 years or others from his reported historic campaign.
It’s an extremly brave route all these took to stand up and be counted let it be hoped that they are trailblazers,the vanguard of a wider movement of public exposure of such vile behaviour.
Their families are brave and strong too giving them the support through such a harrowing ordeal.
Only time will tell if this “business/publishing company” can change. The Catholic Church has been embroiled in sexual scandal since its conception.
I feel for the sincere of heart but the real truth of spirit resides within the heart not outside some old sages writing for their own self gratification.
I like to think that the Jesus story is a template for how to achieve a higher understanding of the self , its one long parable. “Gee -it’s -us ”
I can’ help always go back to what one of the Popes said in the early days “this myth has served us well”
The head of Jehovah’s organization is rotten, what would you expect of the rest of the body:
“Shocking as it is, even some who have been prominent in Jehovah’s organization have succumbed to immoral practices, including homosexuality, wife swapping, and child molesting. It is to be noted, also, that during the past year, 36,638 individuals had to be disfellowshipped from the Christian congregation, the greater number of them for practicing immorality. Jehovah’s organization must be kept clean!” (w86 1/1 p. 13 par. 12)!!
Hi I am really sorry what you have been through. I hope this man spends the rest of his life in prison. I am one of JW’s and will continue to stay as a JW. I have been to 40 countries and lived in 5 different countries so have seen more than most people will ever see. I hope our organization will change the policy and immediately report to the authorities of any reports of child abuse. It seems that every organization has some past problem with members and child abuse. At least in the western countries those that are abused have some recourse and can eventually get some justice. Not so for most of the planet. My wife is Russian and when she rang the police about her first husband beating her up, they replied…” It’s your problem” and hung up the phone. In Russia it is not even illegal to have child pornography and only last week Japan finally made it a crime. I am glad you got justice and I hope that anyone who covered up the crime will also face justice. I have no tolerance for child abuse and hope the publicity will encourage our organization to change the 2 witness policy. However even my once Atheist Russian Orthodox wife is convinced that JW’s have the truth. She is now a pioneer. What other religion follows the Bible as closely as we do? Usually my posts are deleted before they are published so I hope this one finally gets through. We have seen many positive outcomes in people’s lives thanks to the JW’s but I am sorry for any who have been damaged as a result of another JW’s improper actions. If they are not caught now at least they will pay the penalty in the future and answer to God himself. Better late than never.
Mark was disfellowshipped for three years and then reinstated. He has been an active member of the llantwit congregation ever since. On Sunday morning, Marks father Tony Sewell took the meeting. Marks wife Mary Sewell answered up four times. Now I am struggling to get my head around this.
Thank you for all your kind words and support. We the victims, have all been victimised and shunned for simply telling the truth. One massive cover up 20 years ago, and it seems nothing has changed as important documents have now been destroyed. My life has been ruined by the elder who was once my best friend and shepherd. My whole faith system was wiped out when he sat and lied after swearing on the bible to tell the truth and the judicial committee told me it was his word against mine and there was nothing more they could do. I was completely devastated and was told to go home and read the bible.
He took my life and family away from me and now it’s his turn. His and his wife’s actions are the ultimate betrayal. I’m hoping for a long sentence. The life sentence he has given me is one of total mistrust of anyone!! I feel completely betrayed and let down.
kmorg and Mrs Knightowl,
I add my support and sympathy to all those you have already received.
I left the WTBTS behind twenty years ago, only to find that there were so many truly evil acts being perpetrated against the rank and file. I offer what little help I can to your worthy cause.
We are here to help you.
Peace be with you
Excelsior!
Folks, it sickens me that this vile person’s wife and father are allowed to carry on as if nothing has happened! Answering up? Giving talks? This is disgrace piled on top of disgrace!!
These people assisted in the covering up of these vile crimes! Why haven’t they been marked and their privileges taken away?
No, just business as usual and everyone just carries on as before.
Folks, this is what happens when you hand over your morality to a cult. The good in people is purged, altered until bad is good and good is bad.
I am disgusted by the WTBTS. I think they are some of the most evil people on the planet, as they pretend to be righteous and Christian but are nothing of the kind.
They resemble whitewashed graves, as Jesus would say.
Dear ladies, you victims are such brave and unselfish people. I salute you and I honour you.
I believe that your case, along with countless others, will bring about positive change. The WTBTS’ Teflon coating is wearing thin and our culture has the ability to see through their lies.
Peace be with you
Excelsior!
Excelsior.
I know what you mean when you refer to the WTBTS GB but readers of your post might not. My family are all JW’s. They are good people and are shocked by what is going on. They try to be good Christians and they are not vile or evil. It is the WTBTS GB who can rightfully hold that title. Where as I almost always agree with your comments I feel you are being a tad unfair with this one.
Mrs Knightowl,
This whole case is DISCUSTING. I personally know what many sleepless nights, day after day of prayer, begging for justice feels like. Your brain aches, you can hardly function… “This cannot be happening!” My heart bleeds for you sister. Please take care of yourself.
I have just finished reading a book by Steven Hassen called ‘combatting cult mind control’ . It is only by understanding how cults work that you will ever get your head around this.
It has greatly helped me come to terms with over 40 years of brain washing and at last I can get on with the rest of my life in peace. Please remember that these people are a disgrace. It is not your fault. After reading the story I thought this was something that happened over twenty years ago and Mark was disfellowshipped and no longer a Jehovah’s Witness. This is what I mean about deception. He was only out for 3 years and now is a member of another congregation!
Good grief!
The elders were ordered by the judge to reveal leightons confession.they refused a number of times even up to the first day of trial.the society intervened and told the elders to speak up.the following morning they went to trial and told the judge and jury of leightons confession.judge was furious with the elders.
The elders were ordered by the judge to disclose gordons confession.they refused a number of times untill the society intervened and told them to speak up.the next morning at court they gave there evidence. I know this because i was there
.
Gordon leightons wife(who is an active jw) lied under oath at trial
has called everyone involved in the case liars.accused us all as conspirators.yet she has not been disciplined..
Confused.com,
I agree that individual Witnesses can be good people. However, ALL of the Elders have a copy of the “Shepherding the Flock of God” book, and that book proposes a child protection policy that is EVIL. Sorry, but it’s true.
We hit on a challenging moral dilemma – can an individual be held accountable for an Organisation’s crimes.
It is not my place to judge individuals, but I will simply say this. Any Elder who co-operates with the Watchtower child protection disgrace has a moral question to answer, not to me, but to his Savior and God, and most importantly to the innocent victims.
I agree that most rank and file Witnesses are completely unaware of the disgusting practice of covering up child abuse and domestic abuse. But the Elders are, at least in principle, due to their receiving training from the “Shepherding the Flock of God” book.
We must all be accountable for our actions, and the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses are ultimately accountable for the disgraceful child protection policy exercised by their “Spirit appointed” Elders at their Bethels around the world.
The question you and your relatives have to answer is, What do we do know we KNOW what is REALLY going on?
I cannot answer that question for you. I will not give you any advice other than this – search your Christian consciences and do what you sincerely believe Christ would do in this situation.
Peace be with you
Excelsior!
Says to imacountrygirl2 i gave evidence at a trial last year (Gordon Leighton) and we had no representative from bethel or any elders from the congregation to comfort and suport us. I have been left heartbroken and totally let down. While sitting in a room before i had to go into court i was totallly alone,i remember thinking why am i here on my own when i belong to a brotherhood of 8million.wheres the love compassion etc. .
My family are JW too and so I also hate to tarnish EVERYONE with the same brush. I agree, not everyone is vile or evil and most are generally “good people”.
I spent the first 23 years of my life as a witness, however yesterday I attended a meeting and after spending the last 13 years in “the world” and despite being DF, a fair few people came to hug & kiss me and say hello which was very sweet – BUT in my opinion, just NOT being vile or evil doesn’t cut it for me any more. I feel that many are “good people” but for the want of better words, have no back bone, don’t speak out, don’t fight for change or try to better things. They are in a little bubble. Like in la la land. Seriously.
In my secular work, if a process isn’t working or is some system is flawed and creating problems, I would be one to speak out, call a meeting and try to fix it and find alternatives. I had the utmost of respect for others colleagues who did the same. We were the people who progressed and rewarded.
The opposite is found in the JW. The people who try to speak out are threatened, ignored and often pushed out. I cannot believe I am saying these things As I never thought I would have spoken out against Jehovahs organisation, but it’s true.
So basically, with respect, in response to Confused.Com’s comment earlier in the thread about being “good people”,
Is it good enough just to stand by, keep your head down and be a good person? Or perhaps if folk are horrified at such things, they should be talking to the society and explaining their concerns. The more people who do this, the greater the effect.
My mother for years had never backed my father in speaking out against wrongdoing, nepotism and corrupt decisions. Never. She had been too scared of loosing her social circle and “friends”. She would never have spoken up against the elders. This is not a shy woman we are talking about – far from it!!!
My dad however has been bullied, threatened and verbally and mentally abused by these men FOR YEARS.
He (we) attended the Stamford congregation in the 80’s and uncovered child abuse, tried to speak out and got pushed around. Then moved again and the same thing happened. Of course then he is labelled as “a problem” and so like when crying wolf, any other of his claims or “conspiracies” were ignored.
Old infirm, senile brothers were able to do the microphones and say prayers on behalf of the congregation, but not my dad. He wasn’t allowed. He was told on more than one occasion that he would never be an elder because he didn’t keep his mouth shut.
He even went to a psychiatrist to prove he was not a pchizophrenic, as this is what he was accused of being by an elder LAST YEAR.
My blood still boils at this. Why should he have to do this?!!!
He is still in the truth as he love Jehovah and I am so proud of him.
I am happy to say my mother has turned a corner and is totally different now. She is aiding our efforts in trying to “out” another peadophile who is currently in the Barry congregation and who no elder has gone to the police about. Yes, this is how nuts it is.
My blood boils also that Tony Sewell wangled his way into being chairman at the meeting yesterday and Mary Sewell had the gaul to answer FOUR times. I am ABSOLUTELY floored.
I suppose the moral of my story is, even the “good” JW need to grow some balls and start trying to initiate change.
Ang X
There is a video of Gordon Leighton leaving court. I presume that that was his wife with him. The body language of both them is disturbing. What i saw was a fat, stupid, pompous pair of pigs.
It’s heartbreaking that you were alone:-(
but not in spirit:-) xx
You know, when I went to the trial involving my daughter I was shocked that no one else came, no one at all. No representative from the Society, no Elders, nobody.To think that 7 Jw children had been sexually assaulted one child being under the age of one & another being sexually assaulted in the kingdom hall toilets I find it despicable that they wouldn’t & didn’t offer their support. An utter disgrace to the point were they won’t even assist the police in their inquiries. . Self serving Bastards. Love you though.xxx
Don’t know how to post links. Just YouTube Gordon Leighton. . Who is that dickwit of an elder waving at the camera does think it’s some sort of show? Tosser.
(Apologies for the bit if language) x
I haven’t heard about this. Sound absolutely horrendous. Where was it based? Will have a google.
WTF. I have no words.
Excelsior
Please dont get me wrong here. I completely agree with you when it comes to anyone, not just the elders, who thinks that for one minute, the two witness rule is right. My husband was an elder for 20 years, going back to 1986. We talked about the rule and he said, he never realised this applied to child abuse. It was not something he came across or even heard about all those years ago. However another issue did arise that he had to deal with and as a result of the GB guidelines , he first no longer felt he could give public talks and eventually resigned as an elder. His friend was removed because he questioned the legal desk. What does distress me greatly is that I have spoken to some witnesses who are refusing to read the articles on Mark Sewell. Now that makes me angry. Ostrich comes to mind. The article in Wales on Sunday is especially damning and yet they carry on. By this I mean in the very town where he attends meeting I saw witnesses outside the newsagents that the day before had the bill board with that huge damning headline, and they had their stall out saying “what does the bible teach” they are oblivious to the BOE letter on child abuse, the shepherd the flock book and other guidelines. So I say again i dont agree they are evil, but I do think they are thick. So as you see I agree with you. Just took a lot of words saying it lol.
“A picture paints a thousand words”.
Harry Logan an elder who refused, for three years, to testify against or assist the police in their inquiries in what he knew to be a self confessed paedophile.
When you watch the video on YouTube of him waving at the camera & you see his picture on the Daily Mail artical (you can see both by searching Gordon Leighton on google) Does that look to you like a man who takes sexual abuse seriously?
I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could catapult him.
Gary.. Oh that’s so awfull and very sad ,your poor daughter.you all must have gone through hell.hope the monsters got sent to prison and you got a certain amount of closure. The woman next to GL (i cant bear to say his name) is his mother in law.who accompanied him and her daughter to court everyday.GL was reproved in feb 2010 .we as family was not told why ,nor were we warned there was a child molester in the hall.in July he was DF for something else.inbetween the months ,i am convinced he was in the process of grooming my grandson.giving him money,wanting to alone with him eg driving range,golf…i was concerned and wouldn’t allow him to go. I have wrote to bethel and told them how i feel and have demanded answers to many questions
.they are sending 2travelling oversears to see me. No doubt i,ll get df. I love Jehovah with all my heart but i have lost faith in the judiciary system of the society.why would 3 men be prepared to go to prison than reveal GL confession
They said it was confidential. I must say though Brooklyn got involved at the ladt minute and told them to speak. There needs to be a massive overhaul of rules and procedure.
.
“I think that I have answered that question to what should be to your satisfaction”
Ted Jaracz governing body member.
Such loving concern for the abuse of children.
BBC. Panarama- suffer the little children- YouTube.
Quite a few years ago I was indecently assaulted by someone in the workplace.
He was nothing to do with JWs and no doubt what happened to me was minor compared to the abuse of victims in this case; but the revulsion, disgust, humiliation and self-doubt that I experienced as a result of this remained with me for a long-time.
It happened at a time when I was very young and vulnerable – having been recently cut off from my entire JW family. As a result I was not brave or strong enough to stand up against this person in order to see him brought to justice.
So to kmorg and all the other victims of this case and others (including Gary and his family), I empathise deeply with the suffering you have gone through and applaud your courage. I am happy that justice has been done in this case.
I should perhaps add that had I mentioned the incident in my previous comment to my JW family at the time, the response I would have received would have been that; –
“This is what we can expect from people in the World!” followed by more emotional blackmail as to why I should return to “Jehovah’s Clean Organisation!”
I find it remarkable that there are still ones within the Org that continue to blindly remain in that bubble where even in spite of all the evidence, they really believe that the congregations are clean and set apart from “Worldly Behaviour!”
If watchtower ever does lose charity status they’ll put the spin on it and claim it’s down to persecution, The same way their spinning a hundred years since 1914 with special
activity in August, Since when does a hundred years of
false predictions and dissappointments become a cause for
celebration,? And why August,? I thought it was October
Jesus took Kingdom power, you guessed it August is the holiday season, So forget your well earned rest from the
pressures of work be a pioneer.
Just to clarify.
Gordon Leighton did not sexually abuse my daughter. That was another Jehovah’s witness call Andrew Smith.
My daughter, has to be said, coped with it extremely well. She’s now 20 & has a life of her own & has lots of friends:-) so proud that I am the father (who at the time was 4) of a little girl who not only told the truth despite being labelled as a lair & attention seeker but at the age of 4 had an interview with the police. That’s my babe xxx
To the n-b eds, In your shameful face.
Me? I’m fine (lol although that is a matter of opinion) Im as angry now if not more at the Watchtowers lack of recognition of child abuse within its ranks, it’s appalling policy’s, & lack of support for victims & what’s worse the time it’s taking to rectify this issues. Disgraceful.
The elder waving is Harry Logan from Washington Lambton congregation.
You got a weak willed peado in ur congregation ladies. No problem. (I don’t do the hero bull) get my email off Cedars. I’ll come and sit with you in the meeting then sit next to the weak willed cabbage. He won’t be there next week. UK.
I believe the only thing that is going to change them is when people start voting with their wallets and feet. I believe this will never happen due to Wt policies of silencing and intimidation. Change will be slow.
I was brought up as a JW in North America, where we have our fair share of crazy cults and weird religions. I think the Americans have started some of the most outlandish ways to worship in the modern age.
What I can’t understand is; how do you forward-thinking Europeans get duped into following a bunch of wacked out Yanks?!? Isn’t that the biggest give-away? That the leaders are all U.S. citizens?
Maybe as the western economies go down the toilet, people in the developing world will be less inclined to follow the American missionaries.
Just some thoughts that I’ve had for a while.
Ang, I just yesterday told my therapist that now that I have learned that it’s the tendency of most bystanders to rally to give support to the ACCUSED over the accusers; I’m reminded of stories I was told of how an older (now deceased) brother had been accused by two foster daughters of abuse. Now I’m very much more open to the idea of the accusations being true, just because he had defenders apparently means nothing, because that’s just what people tend to do! I’m sorry. Sometimes the bravest things we need to do, we have to do alone. You didn’t run away, and you are not alone now. You are one of the fixers, healers, helpers now.
Considering all the counsel that’s given against sexual
Indiscretion, I found that most judicial committees were
formed to deal with just that subject, Personally I felt it was un dignifying, and I’m sure the the person involved
must have felt the same, Especially sisters having to reveal
personal details to three or four men, I know the Bible says
Confess your sins to one another, But no way can this mean
Interrogation by a judicial committee.
On the elders course at Bethel the instructor asked the class
“Why do we put sexual sin in a special category”? He then
answered, “because the Bible does” I think that’s open to
question also, While we were on the subject, One of the
class related how three elders from his congregation hid
behind bushes in a garden nearly all night to get evidence
against a certain brother, Honestly.!
I don’t know for certain but perhaps all this harping on about the subject has the opposite effect of whats intended.
Considering all the counsel that’s given against sexual
Indiscretion, I found that most judicial committees were
formed to deal with just that subject, Personally I felt it was un dignifying, and I’m sure the the person involvedo
must have felt the same, Especially sisters having to reveal
personal details to three or four men, I know the Bible says
Confess your sins to one another, But no way can this mean
Interrogation by a judicial committee.
On the elders course at Bethel the instructor asked the class
“Why do we put sexual sin in a special category”? He then
answered, “because the Bible does” I think that’s open to
question also, While we were on the subject, One of the
class related how three elders from his congregation hid
behind bushes in a garden nearly all night to get evidence
against a certain brother, Honestly.!
I don’t know for certain but perhaps all this harping on about the subject has the opposite effect of whats intended.
Sorry for the sisters. Unfortunately there are also sisters who have affairs with Elders by tricks. Some Elders imitate “The Dung Beetle” as you can read it in Awake! June 2014 page 16:
“EXCREMENT serves many purposes for the dung beetle. […] Some males will offer a large piece of it to a female dung beetle, hoping to attract her. Competition for fresh manure is intense. Researchers once observed some 16,000 beetles swarming onto a pile of elephant dung and removing it in just two hours.” (http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/l/r1/lp-e?q=g+6%2F14+p.+16)!!
Like “the dung beetle” many Elders are crook and know how to use, not dung, but the Bible (NW) to attract sisters. Sisters committing adultery with Elders report Jeremiah 5:8 as one of the verse Elders use to persuade them that sex is inevitable in followers of Jehovah.
Let sisters carry condoms among “(Ephesians 6:13) . . .the complete suit of armor from God. . .”
I think you are exactly right! Repression breeds desire.
Look at Muslim countries where the women cover from head-to-toe. There is a big problem with rape in those places.
Now look at Polynesia where women are half-naked and sex is a very open subject and practice. There is almost no rape.
The Watchtower Society is attempting to live in the past and drag us back there with them!
6.30am here in the UK & looking forward to
Mark Sewell’s sentencing. I hope it’s over ten years:-)
Hope everything goes well today for you ladies.x
Re policy change.
If at work I was accused of abuse I would be immediately suspended by Social Services. This protects both parties whether it’s from further abuse, witness intimidation e.t.c until the investigation has been completed. Innocent or not I would be suspended. . Fact.
I believe that the Watchtower Society should implement a similar procedure if an aligation of abuse is made.
I think its right and proper, whether the accused is innocent or not, to be advised not to attend the meeting where the allegation has been made. To inform the congregation that the person is planning to attend of the situation and if it’s in a rural location and there isn’t another local KH then use the phone link in.
By doing so both parties are protected. Any judicial action should be taken after the police inquiries. All aligations should be reported to the police, it is a safe guarding issue.
Now an innocent brother would comply with the above because he wouldn’t put his own justification above the love of his sister would he?
If guilty then sister has been protected.
If innocent he did the right thing.
(Apologies for the poor English)
Taken from courtserve website
Keep refreshing and it gives updates
HIS HONOUR JUDGE R TWOMLOW
For Sentence
U20140004 Mark Sewell
via link to Parc Prison con 9.15
Keeping my eye on walesonline.
Love to this wonderful family
Xxxxxx