Watchtower has disgraced itself in a child abuse case before the trial has even begun
Watchtower has disgraced itself in a child abuse case before the trial has even begun

It seems that one can hardly swing a dead Seven Headed Wild Beast on the internet these days without hitting a fresh report of Watchtower having to once again defend its handling of child abuse in court.

I submit that there are three main reasons for this:

One: Via a combination of undue influence, rigid adherence to laws devised from ethically out-dated and scholarly dubious scriptural interpretation, and plain old downright negligence, Watchtower has created an environment in its congregations that was described as “a perfect storm for abuse” by a Senior Council for a Royal Commission on the subject.

Two: Growing numbers of activists and, even more significantly, brave abuse survivors themselves, have been tirelessly dragging a spotlight onto injustices and transgressions that Watchtower has desperately tried to keep hidden.

Three: Partly as a result of the above, and partly because good journalists understand that their craft is at its best when it gives voice to the wronged, and holds to account those who have wronged them, the media is increasingly covering this issue. In recent years, a number of professional, credible journalists have started to dig deep into Watchtower’s hidden secrets. Journalists like Trey Bundy.

Bundy has been following Watchtower for a while now, documenting in careful detail the results of his investigations for Reveal News, an Emmy-nominated organization specializing in credible, fact-checked, investigative journalism.

Now, Bundy has published news of yet another Watchtower child abuse story. But this report is a little different: the trial hasn’t even happened yet, and already Watchtower has rushed to disgrace itself.

Bundy documents an upcoming case first brought against Watchtower in 2013 by Stephanie Fessler. According to Fessler, she was abused by a middle-aged Jehovah’s Witness woman some 30 to 50 times from the ages of 14 to 16.

The allegations take a painfully familiar route: it appears Watchtower have admitted that they knew about it; that they didn’t report it, and Fessler has therefore claimed that Watchtower’s policy of non-reporting enabled her abuse. You can read more details of Fessler’s account here.

But that’s not where the current issue lies.

According to Bundy’s report, Watchtower tried to have the case moved from Philadelphia to York county. Why?

Bundy reports “Watchtower argued that holding the trial in Philadelphia would burden witnesses who would have to travel to testify.”

That might almost sound reasonable… unless you know that many of the witnesses apparently live far closer to Philadelphia than to York county. And also that York County apparently has the largest backlog of civil cases in Pennsylvania.

In other words, this was apparently nothing but a shameless attempt by Watchtower to significantly delay what appears to be a compelling case against it for shielding a pedophile from justice.

This was certainly the opinion of the judges who ruled on Watchtower’s request to move to York County. They labelled this tactic “abusive,” and judged it to be nothing more than a “last-minute gambit to delay trial.”

“The facts strongly suggest that the motion to transfer venue was the product of bad-faith collaboration between the Congregations and the four York County witnesses” writes Judge Patricia Jenkins.

One imagines that the trial itself, now safely gathering steam, will not go much better for the already beleaguered Watchtower.

Bundy’s article then goes on to put this event into context against a long history of such behavior from the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. I’d urge to you read it, and to keep following Bundy’s excellent work, both on this story and in general. The world of journalism needs more people like him.

Watchtower likes to dismiss any mention of their failure to act on instances of child abuse in their organisation as “apostate lies,” rebutting the claims as mere stories made up by disgruntled former members.

However, the growing mountain of evidence from credible, responsible news sources, legal court cases and transparent, professional Government investigations shows that someone is indeed lying.

And it’s not the “apostates.”

 

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Further reading…

137 thoughts on “Philadelphia Judges criticize Watchtower court tactics as “abusive.”

  • January 12, 2016 at 4:45 am
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    “The Truth goes marching on”. The article makes compelling reading and I am so grateful for investigative journalism based on a genuine desire to expose wrongdoing in whatever source. I wonder how many Witnesses or those studying with them actually take the time and effort to do proper research in what claims to be God’s organisation?

    • January 12, 2016 at 5:04 am
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      To James Broughton, your comment was posted at the same time as mine. I live in Australia. I watched progress from here. It’s damn painful. I learnt about God through this religion and still believe. I can’t possibly go door to door, however, and promote their doctrine. I know that all churches have a similar problem with regard to this. I wish you well and hope you keep your faith in God. I know and understand why men like Lloyd Evans and Paul Grundy now consider themselves as agnostics. I don’t agree with them on that level but that doesn’t change the fact that these men are doing a good thing for the sake of children. They’re worthy of respect. Alan

    • January 12, 2016 at 5:49 am
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      No they don’t when they are schooled under Cult tactics. But alas Google to the rescue to tell the truth. So would this then make Google a apostate as well? Lol

      • January 12, 2016 at 6:02 am
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        That’s a very stimulating question, John Baptist. I’m going to keep the ‘Is Google an apostate?’ angle in mind when I next engage in a debate with our JW family members about so-called ‘apostate’ and/or ‘wordly lies’ about the Watchtower’s cover-up of sexual abuse. Thanks!

        • January 12, 2016 at 6:04 am
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          * ‘worldly’, of course. Tut.

      • January 12, 2016 at 4:40 pm
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        Very good point you make John Baptist ! Two weeks ago I sent a very telling video to a pioneer friend who keeps in contact with me through wattsap..Her reaction was, that’s coming from apostates who no longer believe in Jehovah’s promises…so when I got this latest news in my Google news inbox.I forwarded it to her, telling her this is not from apostates, but from a reliable source of information that’s dealing with real court cases against the secret wrong doings in the organization..Guess what !! She immediately replied that she cannot be distracted from the ministry by disheartening news.in other words she choose to blindly ignore the eminent dangers..she prefer to stay and drink the cool aid.So just as the leaders trys to sweep systemic problems under the rug.so is deeply entrenched jw members.They hear of the badness.They see the badness, but prefer to go along an take the fateful ride on the sinking ship.

        • January 12, 2016 at 10:34 pm
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          How did that work out at the Neurenberg trials? Guilt by association!

          That attitude makes me sick, the JW’s are the first to get on their high horse and point their fingers at any other religion, when the tables are turned its apostate lies even though it is being reported by credible sources not “apostates”.

          • January 13, 2016 at 8:40 am
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            The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree: hypocrisy breeds hypocrisy.

            WS

        • January 13, 2016 at 6:30 am
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          I think that’s very positive, Caltanzee. Your pioneer friend has significantly shifted her response, thanks to your action. That’s progress. Respect!

        • January 13, 2016 at 8:48 am
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          @Caltanzee,
          Your friend prefers lies over truth. If she accepts factual reporting then she must deal with dissonance it creates. If she out of hand dismisses it, she can avoid the dissonance. It’s a form of intellectual avoidance.

          Unfortunately, attitudes like this perpetuate a corrupt system. Per the old saying: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men (and women) to do nothing.”

          WS

        • January 14, 2016 at 11:32 am
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          Some time back I told my sister about the abuse as reported in actual court cases. She responded the same. First the reports are apostate lies, then she can’t be distracted from her focus on persecution in Russia. She is stuck on the ride, too.

    • January 13, 2016 at 10:20 am
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      In the 1970s’ 80’s I saw some that any kind of researching outside of WT liturature was discoraged , that was in the hayday of Silent Lambs newsletters , I did get a subscription when I was a witness teenager to that newsletter. The latter problem is if you showed that newsletter to a witness friend , its likely you’d be reported on to the Elders for reading apostate materials. Unlike today with internet so much info their , its easy to look , but for some witnesses nothing has changed.

  • January 12, 2016 at 4:51 am
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    I can understand the concerns of groups like this disclosing such atrocities. I know that many brothers and sisters would agree. What I really marvel at is when these stories are permeated across websites like this it is viewed as nothing more than apostate lies. I’ve played a few talks to faithful brothers given by Samuel Herd, David Splane and Stephen Lett. They’ll only believe these men no matter what. This is Jehovahs channel of truth. Everything outside of what they say is satanic and propaganda driven by the world of Saran. Heaven forbid if the satanic world that the information is coming from is correct anyway.

    • January 12, 2016 at 7:54 am
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      @Alan, yup, if I go to a relative stating I read about the abuse on an “apostate” website, naturally, it gets denied, but it’s rather difficult to deny news reports from investigative sources. However, what many use as defensive claim is that “this fits with foretold end-times signs”–‘the love of many would cool down’. Does that address the issue? No, and that is where the undue influence and high-control damages.

      Individuals see “bad things” happening and are not empowered to take action to counter or discourage them because doing so is perceived by Watchtower leadership as a presumptive nature or rebellious one. I consider it being passenger locked in a car driven by a DUI/DWI driver. Yet, to get out of the circumstances, you realize you will have a damaging impact on yourself. Take out the driver and the auto might careen out-of-control into a tree, unlock a door and bail out, you get some bruises and losses, too. The latter seems to be the sane, yet painful choice of many.

      • January 12, 2016 at 8:45 pm
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        And don’t forget the other comment is “But there are pedophiles in all religions”. As if that makes it nothing to get upset about. Oh they are so cool aren’t they? And I am a foul mouthed crazy ‘apostate’. Yeah right.

        • January 13, 2016 at 3:29 am
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          That’s an argument that really annoys me.

          This isn’t about whether there are Paedophiles in Watchtower, this is about how Watchtower DEALS with those Paedophiles.

          In fairness, I think a lot of the R&F parrot off these defences because that’s what they were told when they maybe asked an elder about it, and never actually gave any thought to the answer they got.

          It doesn’t excuse their behaviour as such, but I don’t think most R&F “know” these excuses are BS. Their cognitive dissonance just eagerly soaked up any excuse they could find so as not to have to address the problem.

      • January 13, 2016 at 8:54 am
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        @JBob,
        Great analogy about being in the car with the drunk driver. When I left, it did feel like I had just jumped from a moving vehicle.

        WS

  • January 12, 2016 at 5:19 am
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    To add further to my previous comments, I hope that others support the effort to change what’s going on within the organisation. If only people knew that it’s not completely run by “the faithful and discreet slave”. It has a massive legal team protecting it.

  • January 12, 2016 at 5:55 am
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    Thanks, Covert Fade. Fine piece.

    Agree that the increase in joining-up-the-dots media scrutiny on Watchtower’s inhumane policies on handling allegations and confessions of child abuse is extremely heartening.

    Let’s keep on getting the message out there, fellow activists all. Step by step, we are succeeding in demanding the protection that children and vulnerable people in the Watchtower deserve.

  • January 12, 2016 at 5:55 am
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    Thanks, Covert Fade. Fine piece.

    Agree that the increase in joining-up-the-dots media scrutiny on Watchtower’s inhumane policies on handling allegations and confessions of child abuse is extremely heartening.

    Let’s keep on getting the message out there, fellow activists all. Step by step, we are succeeding in demanding the protection that children and vulnerable people in the Watchtower deserve.

  • January 12, 2016 at 5:55 am
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    Thanks, Covert Fade. Fine piece.

    Agree that the increase in joining-up-the-dots media scrutiny on Watchtower’s inhumane policies on handling allegations and confessions of child abuse is extremely heartening.

    Let’s keep on getting the message out there, fellow activists all. Step by step, we are succeeding in demanding the protection that children and vulnerable people in the Watchtower deserve.

  • January 12, 2016 at 6:00 am
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    Great article Covert Fade. Good to see this issue getting more press coverage here in the States. Hopefully this will help more folks to wake up from the Warchtower delusion. The org can claim “apostate lies” all they want, but as more cases like this come to light, their claim will be shown to be nothing more than rhetoric.

    They could avoid a lot of the bad press if they just came forward and humbly acknowledged the errors they made in the past and that they will be implementing changes. But since humility is not their strong suit, I doubt that will ever happen. In today’s world of information, the more an institution like Watchtower tries to hide something, the more it seems to come to light. Perhaps they will be given enough rope to proverbially hang themselves.

    As a side point, your metaphor of swinging a seven-headed wild beast, made me think “seven headed wild beast and seven members on the GB…hmmm.” Coincidence I am sure.

    WS

    • January 12, 2016 at 10:00 am
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      The problem WT have is that they’ve nailed the colours to the mast: “THESE-ARE-ALL-LIES!”

      To backtrack on that would create an explosion of cognitive dissonance and awkward questions from the rank and file, even from people so indoctrinated and used to New Light as JW’s.

      Then again, if they DON’T backtrack it’s going to keep getting worse for them in legal, financial and PR terms.

      “Hello wild dog. Let me grab your ears…”

      • January 12, 2016 at 10:01 am
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        Also, which member of the GB gets to be the drunken hooker ontop of the beast? :D

        • January 13, 2016 at 7:57 am
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          I vote T3 but then again Jackson could do a great take on Frankenfurter.

          • January 13, 2016 at 8:56 am
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            Maybe they are taking turns steering the great beast

            WS

          • January 13, 2016 at 9:01 am
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            “The Great Beast” reminds me a bit of Moby Dick: “To the last, I grapple with thee; from hell’s heart, I stab at thee; for hate’s sake, I spit my last breath at thee.”

            (As a side point I know there are a few Star Trek fans out there – what famous TOS character made that statement in one of the movies?)

            WS

          • January 13, 2016 at 8:46 pm
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            Khan

          • January 13, 2016 at 11:13 pm
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            Too easy. ;)

          • January 13, 2016 at 11:20 pm
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            Little known fact: Khan was actually addressing those words to Anthony Morris III, after being criticized by the latter for wearing pants that were too tight.
            Didn’t mention the bare chest though…So sexy.

    • January 12, 2016 at 4:39 pm
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      Even if they decided to now admit mistakes and apologize, it’s too late. At this point, it would be insincere.

  • January 12, 2016 at 6:05 am
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    Thanks, Covertfade. The ‘legal’ tactics of the WT organisation needs to be exposed. It’s hardly Christian. In my own case, which I took as a lay litigant, WT legal department took every step they could think of to get my case struck out. They succeeded in the end but not before the Irish Supreme Court ruled that I had been injured by the ‘unlawful activity’ of the organisation. My case was ruled statute barred.
    The judge asked the defendants, WT, to take notice of the ruling but WT did nothing about the unlawful activity and it still remains part of the religion.
    So although WT know they are in the wrong they will still defend their wrong course of action using any legal tactic they can think of.
    But thanks to your sort of reporting it might change one day.

  • January 12, 2016 at 6:58 am
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    The Watchtower has lost all credibility on an international front . Unless policy changes come into reality, the sect will always suffer.

  • January 12, 2016 at 7:14 am
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    Great article Covert Fade. JW Survey is on top of everything. I love all of your articles. Thank you for bringing this to everyone’s attention. I’m glad the judge in this case could see through the Watchtower’s deceit straight away. It seems 2016 is going to be a very busy year for this cult and I couldn’t be happier. Too bad the individuals that concealed these crimes won’t be charged separately as well. This abuse is disgusting and out of control. Thanks again!

  • January 12, 2016 at 7:50 am
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    Reality will catch up with these deceiving old men in Brooklyn- Satan is indeed their God. They have gotten to believe a lie as the bible says. They are an insult to God. He indeed does not even know them. A good question to ask yourself is, what has the watchtower done for anybody but themselves? A cult with 8 million mentally diseased followers. A mind is a sad thing to lose. The biggest losers are the children and families.

  • January 12, 2016 at 8:26 am
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    Excellent piece , Covert Fade. It must be time for some ‘New Light’ whereby to bin the 2 Witness rule.

    Slagging off apostates, delaying procedures, not turning up at court, hoping that zero communication with the media will enable to story to die, will, surely soon run their course.

    The stories keep on coming. Watchtower, fortunately, is on a a mega losing streak.

  • January 12, 2016 at 8:38 am
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    Can’t fix stupid. That’s all I have say about that.

  • January 12, 2016 at 8:42 am
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    perfecto y clarito

  • January 12, 2016 at 8:49 am
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    Another informative article, thanks again for the “new light” Covert Fade;

    To Alan who writes,”If only people knew that it’s not completely run by “the faithful and discreet slave”. It has a massive legal team protecting it”. My experience has shown me that the seven mental midgets are ‘definitely’ in charge and the legal team does not have the authority to act independently, but receive their marching orders from the faithful slave. The slave are first informed of the situation and they are advised as to the legal ramifications of different scenarios by their shyster lawyers and then they are ‘released’ to do what is best for the Watchtower.

    I have derived this experience from over 55 years as a former J.W. that has happily since faded. But as has been said it’s the victims of child abuse that suffer.

  • January 12, 2016 at 9:16 am
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    axe, axe, axe that tree. Chop it down and let the prisoners free. What exactly are watchtower protecting with their fancy lawyers? Reputation, finances, the bible or god? Whatever it is they are trying to salvage they are doing a rubbish job. ruthlee

  • January 12, 2016 at 9:49 am
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    Abuse is rampant in the Organization….. It happens and is ignored while the individual is still a JW. Active JWs accuse the perpetrator….. When nothing is done to help them, they leave. Hence becoming ex-JWs who take action against their inaction.

  • January 12, 2016 at 10:06 am
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    Thanx for that heartening info.
    The Watchtower Brainwashing & Trickery Society’s reputation is beginning to spread like a cancer.
    They truly are Satan’s Organization.

  • January 12, 2016 at 11:45 am
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    “They truly are Satan’s Organization”.

    Since their outing as a N.G.O. (non-governmental organization) member of the United Nations they have had the following misfortunes befall them;
    1. loss of membership,
    2. appreciable loss of contributions for their world-wide work,
    3. a loss of international respect,
    4. an apparent loss of countless court cases that show bad faith and lack of concern for victims of child abuse,
    5. a loss of credibility such that a “mole”, inside the world H.Q., has leaked information to this forum
    regarding new policy changes among other information,
    6. a complete loss of trustworthiness among those who have already distanced themselves from this cult as well as those savvy enough to research their misinformation and double-speak on the internet.

    Yes, their downfall is coming and it’s approaching faster than a speeding bullet. For example, what if the U.S. government decides, after much written complaint, to have congressional hearings on them? The revelation of their cover-ups will flip the light switch on these cockroaches so everyone will see them for who and what they are. Then let the ‘unfaithful and indiscreet’ slave run for cover.

  • January 12, 2016 at 11:51 am
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    This is kinda like the Bill Cosby case but on a global scale…deny, deny, deny..as the evidence keeps mounting. What is, or should be most troubling to regular j.w.s is the fact that the organization is prepared to lie, lie, lie to attempt to save face, and really, is it just in child abuse cases this happens? Where else? How about our history, let’s be truthful, 1914, Rutherford, Greenlee, Beth-Sarim, Faithful slave, spirit anointing, 607 & the 2520 yrs.., the great crowd, contributed moneys, blood, pyramid, and so on…We have told alot of lies and half truths…unfortunately, this is just another example, but it definitely is the one that’s getting traction in the public, because does any non witness give a rats-ass on whether Jerusalem was destroyed in 607 or 587?

    • January 12, 2016 at 1:17 pm
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      @Pow — Only history buffs care about when Jerusalem was destroyed. My life is not hanging on dates. JW’s care about 607 BCE. Everyone else believe historians in 587 BCE.

      • January 12, 2016 at 1:53 pm
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        @Doc Obvious
        Excally, it’s just a date in history, but for JWs it’s as pivotal to the theology as who really is Jesus, and since at least the 1970s the organization has went to great lengths to suppress any discussion concerning the facts, …the point is, for an organization that is supposed to be the “truth” we don’t always tell the whole truth,
        And as it relates to the article at hand, there is under current of thought that we tell the truth even when it’s not and can be proved that it’s untrue. Our own little religious paradox.

    • January 12, 2016 at 4:44 pm
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      Funny you should mention 607. The talk on Sunday was on the Messiah. I went for the talk just to let people see my face. I wish I hadn’t… well, maybe it was a good thing. One of those whom I would call a friend was giving the talk. He is an MS. I wasn’t paying too much attention – glazed eyes, head lolling back every now and then… but then he started on 607 and I began to listen…. he blaa blaa’d on about it being the amazing date and the math that brought us to 1914 and Christ being enthroned…. it was at this point that I knew the final nail in the coffin had been hammered home for me. I came home and actually cried. I cried because this was a friend who, from the platform was telling others this was all real, honest to god, hand on my heart truth…. I know it’s not. It really destroyed me inside that lie after lie after lie is being streamed from the platform and the innocent bobbleheads are lapping it up like a cat with the cream… I can’t go back now. It really broke my heart that it was this person who hammered said nail home. I can never tell him. I think he knew something was wrong because he texted me later asking if I was ok. What do you say? No sorry you just lied to the whole cong. and they fell for it… but thats ok I will continue to be there at the meetings devouring your every word. To be honest… now maybe only UK peeps out here will understand this… how did you feel when you found out that Jimmy Savile was a kiddy fiddler? remember how we watched him on a Saturday and wished it was you who he was fixing things for…. well Sunday was like that for me. It was a part of my innocence completely shattered. I still feel sad that it was a friend who did it.

      • January 13, 2016 at 8:47 pm
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        Pssst – I’m still in moderation guys… just saying.

  • January 12, 2016 at 3:50 pm
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    Our CO was just saying last night how we must not trust the media…and how propaganda is bad…LOL!

    • January 12, 2016 at 6:49 pm
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      …Sounds like they’re getting nervous.

    • January 13, 2016 at 9:20 am
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      Yelp and if the media was talking about the Catholic Church or another organization, all of a sudden the media could be trusted. The organization has really created this atmosphere in which any bad reporting against the org is apostate or persecution. But on the flip side if the news is good about the org, then all of a sudden it is NOT media propaganda and can be trusted.

      • January 14, 2016 at 10:09 pm
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        @J “they must not trust the media and their propaganda”
        They are in the media now, they have their own tv station with their own propaganda. The hand of God making a hurricane deliver sand. The worldly Scandinavian event coordinator praising the org for being so nice so nice when they hired the convention centre she works at. Cartoon characters giving their pocket money to the org, the list goes on.

  • January 12, 2016 at 8:47 pm
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    It would be interesting to know how many lawsuits are pending against the Watchtower at this moment in time. So far this is all that I have read lately, maybe there are more with other firms.

    Zalkin Law Firm: 16
    Kathleen Hallisey: 10
    Australian Royal Commission findings: around 100-200? (not sure of the exact amount that will be redressed)

    Anyway if each are settled, that would add up to something spectacular. I hope that one of the Law Firms will try to get one of the GB to testify in court again. At least they should try. $13 million was a big chunk, bigger than any settlement that I have read so far. It’s so good to see their dirty tricks being exposed to the public.

  • January 12, 2016 at 10:36 pm
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    If, given that it is correct, and considering Watchtowers previous antics regarding gag orders, it is clearly unscriptural to delay justice for ones own gain.
    It is quite obvious that the Watchtower has either put its head in the sand or more disturbingly deliberately put its own interests ahead of child abuse victims (perhaps both), the latter becoming ever more apparent considering the non apostates lies. Quite simply devious is the word I’d use.

  • January 12, 2016 at 10:45 pm
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    I hasten to add, not only are gag orders unscriptural and the tactical delaying of court hearings but, and it gets right down to the nub of it, it’s not loving, and even if you say they are apostates they remain your neighbor.

  • January 12, 2016 at 10:55 pm
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    And lastly, (fury starting to vent), did they consider the victims circumstances when they requested the trial be moved to another jurisdiction though knowing she was an actual victim?, how loving.

  • January 12, 2016 at 11:37 pm
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    Reveal the database Watchtower, you have thousands of known (only to you) peadophiles in your congregations, you are putting children at risk.
    You have your hand on your heart but the inside of the cup is dirty.

  • January 13, 2016 at 12:07 am
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    Great article! Personally I don’t believe there is more child abuse in the organisation than in other places in the world. The point is that the organisation showed gross negligence in the handling of such cases and refuses to apologise or recognise how it’s added to the victims suffering. One of the great debate tactics the organisation uses is to change the other persons argument! “Claiming that apostates a branding Jehovah’s witnesses as a bunch of pedophiles.” This is besides the point and is not exactly what people are saying. The point is that the JW internal structure and regulations failed to report child abuse to the authorities and the organisation therefore aided and facilitated pedophiles in the continued abuse of victims. Apologise and stop sweeping things under the rug!

    • January 13, 2016 at 12:43 am
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      It would be interesting to see the ratio per head of population in regards of peadopilia
      Personally I do think it’s much worse as the organisation makes the claim it is Gods mouth piece and therefore has silenced victims with this theocratic, authoritative aurgement (a bully) and has been vocally critical of other organisations.

      • January 13, 2016 at 2:42 am
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        I agree. Being a Pedophile’s Paradise, I’m sure it ATTRACTS molesters from all around.

      • January 13, 2016 at 3:39 am
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        Well if you take the Australian figures as an example, since 1950 they’ve had 1006 abusers reported internally (never reported to authorities) and currently have 778 congregations.

        Now if one assumes there have always been 778 congregations since 1950 (there have not, so we are being more generous than WT deserves here) and assuming a 70 year lifespan, than potentially every congregation in Australia has at some point had it’s very own pet paedophile. Some have even had two.

        Plus according to Watchtower’s own admission they get around 4 extra reports a month, so every year around 40 more Australian congregations get another molester.

        tldr; Yes, per head of population they have a massive problem.

        • January 13, 2016 at 4:01 am
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          Seems they’re just bursting at the seams.

        • January 13, 2016 at 10:52 am
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          Nice point,
          And I will add, it’s one thing to have a propensity for a problem, it’s another to have an opportunity. Think of the damage a invasive species can wreck on a new environment. That’s why the Catholic Church, Watchtower, and others have come under special scrutiny as they have many times over created an environment were a pedophile can offend again and again with near immunity. That can be contrasted with other high profile cases like Penn st. U., or BBC. however those were isolated cases involving perhaps one individual exploiting their opportunity,

        • January 13, 2016 at 3:31 pm
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          The fact is that most cases don’t get reported. I know from discussion with elders and victims here in Australia that this is the tip of the iceberg, but I was still staggered at the number produced but the ARC, not least of all because over half of these were proven paedophiles.

  • January 13, 2016 at 12:08 am
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    (Apostate lies),
    An apostate is an apostate when an apostate lies.

    • January 13, 2016 at 2:58 am
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      I used to be uncomfortable with the term “apostate”, as it is a biblical, & JW term, thus a ‘label’, & a negative 1 at that. I’ve gotten used to it, but it is still a rather dry term. I propose a secondary, informal term: Fifth Column.
      Long live the Fifth Column!
      Down with the WT Whore!

      • January 13, 2016 at 4:46 am
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        , we acknowelge what is truthful.
        This clergy/laity nonsense is a mischief and is used, has been used, to protect themselves.
        It is apparent that the use of the word apostate is another nonsense used to stereotype, and has been used, to dismiss those with a genuine grievance. That is utterly contemptuous and I throughly disagree with their actions.
        As regards belief we are all equal, not so over in animal farm, I don’t have a grievance about that but don’t P down my back and tell me it’s raining especially when children are being abused and your at the centre of it.
        Shoddy work Watchtower.
        Opening eyes and education, many thanks

  • January 13, 2016 at 2:01 am
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    How much Watchtower did the clergy/laity confidentiality clause protect you?
    Give Gods things to God and the law to the law.
    You are a spiritual chameleon.

  • January 13, 2016 at 2:47 am
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    I don’t know what Unholy thing the GB’s & their Lawyers’ mothers slept with under a full moon, but they (the mothers) owe us all an apology.

  • January 13, 2016 at 3:09 am
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    In the good old bad old days when my dad was done over by an elder and fleeced of his money he was told you cannot go to court just let yourself be wronged and wait on J. Ha ha ha, dad is now pushing up daisies and i’m still waiting on jah. My point is why don’t the watchtower take a good swig of their own medicine and let themselves be wronged (for god’s sake) Just pay the blood money accept they prefer the company of a child rapist to a child, and start again. They will never wipe the slate clean but a little thing like the collective conscience may have a little salve rubbed on it. Does it really take the world’s brains and consciences to see justice served? Does it have to come to the theatre of the court to play out such dereliction of duty? Talk about pride before a crash. How can any one say that a child is not worth the cost of honour. A rapist and an abuser takes what they are not entitled to. Well pretty is as pretty does, because this organisation takes liberties and the punters will only follow suit. I think you can think of this shameful demise two ways either it is god’s way of exposing a bad apple spoiling his barrel or it’s just justice a worldly remedy for a worldly problem. Either way years from now people will be ashamed to have had this name upon them as it was a dirty place that did not have the guts or honour to clean it’s own house but left it to the world to do. ruthlee

    • January 13, 2016 at 3:37 am
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      “Why don’t the watchtower take a good swig of their own medicine?”
      — Because, Ruthlee, that’s not how HYPOCRITES operate. Hypocrites are super-good at dishing out all sorts of sh*tty advice, but really, really lousy at doing it themselves. In fact, they have NO interest or desire to follow their own advice. They push other folks to eat their sh*t, but will NEVER taste it for themselves.

    • January 13, 2016 at 5:13 am
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      @ruthlee
      “they prefer the company of a child rapist to a child”

      Jesus said: ‘let the little children come to me and do not hinder them.’

      By their actions the Watchtower has said: ‘let the child molesters come to us and do not hinder them.’

      Actions speak louder than words, Watchtower. You can claim that you abhor child abuse all you want, but until you take positives steps to protect children, your words are meaningless.

      WS

      • January 13, 2016 at 5:56 pm
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        “Actions speak louder than words.”
        — ABSOLUTELY
        It’s time to STOP listening to Propagandists’ bullsh*t & drivel, and START judging them by what they DO.

  • January 13, 2016 at 3:52 am
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    Anyone up for a screening of “Clear and Present Danger”? LOL

  • January 13, 2016 at 3:56 am
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    Why don’t the GB & their Lawyers just drink the magic Kool-Aid & get it over with, fcs?

  • January 13, 2016 at 6:03 am
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    Came across this JW “zealot” on Twitter and it was quite scary to read his stuff, especially as an active JW myself: https://twitter.com/Sacredsecret
    Apart from all the condemnatory Armageddon references, he has the check to put an infographic on there, slating Islam. Amongst the things he mentions is their lack of respect for women & child abuse. Talk about the copper calling the kettle!
    Ah the benefits of awakening. :)

    • January 13, 2016 at 6:03 am
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      *cheek not check*

  • January 13, 2016 at 9:55 am
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    Back when I was a Witness one of my favorite scriptures was Genesis 24:56, when Rebekah’s family tried to delay her departure for 10 days, Abraham’s servant said: “Do not detain me, seeing that Jehovah has given success to my way.” It was a motivation scripture for me, that if Jehovah is supporting your endeavor, you have no reason to procrastinate.

    Apparently Watchtower don’t believe Jehovah is backing them in these court cases, or they would have no reason to seek to delay trial. It’s quite the contradiction. They claim adamantly that all their policies regarding child abuse allegations are based on the Bible, and yet by their actions they show they trust lawyers’ tactics over “God’s spirit.” You can tell how fraudulent this organization is when they don’t even believe their own propaganda.

    • January 13, 2016 at 3:34 pm
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      This is an extremely good point.

      I mostly subscribe to the “Governing Body are deluded, not cynical” argument, but this aspect of WT behaviour is one of the data points that I struggle to fit comfortably into that narrative.

      The way they approach these trials does indicate they are terrified of court, and have no faith in Jehovah to “publicly” vindicate them.

      Do they “know” they’ve behaved badly in this one area and feel that it’s “outside of God’s blessing?” I don’t know, and I think this would be a fascinating area for further discussion and thought.

      • January 13, 2016 at 4:52 pm
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        Interesting thoughts. What does the GB gain by delay? Do they believe that if they delay it long enough, it will go away? Do they know they are ‘screwed’ if it goes to trial and therefore they want to delay long enough to space out damages payments? Do they think that if they delay long enough some of the witnesses (legal witnesses, not JWs) might lose their nerve to testify?

        They obviously see delay to be favorable to them. If they were complelely innocent you would think they would want to move forward quickly to exonerate their organization from these ‘apostate lies.’

        So very good question, what do they think is the reason this problem just won’t go away for them (i.e. Jehovah is not protecting them or working for their favor)?

        WS

        • January 13, 2016 at 5:06 pm
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          They delay because by the time the trial is scheduled the great tribulation will already be here….silly ;-)

          • January 13, 2016 at 6:02 pm
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            Why did Hitler (& others) commit suicide? He knew he was a bad boy.

          • January 13, 2016 at 6:23 pm
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            That’s exactly what I thought when I read this article. That fits in perfectly with their way of thinking and the delusion narrative Covert Fade mentioned.

            Or it could simply be that the more they pay out and the more media attention this subject gets when it goes to trial (resulting in more people waking up and less contributions), the more they will have to cut publications and/or Bethel staff. They already announced cuts recently all across the board, and to have to announce more cuts so soon afterwords would really be damaging. And clear evidence they do not have divine backing. So the longer they can delay paying, the longer they can delay more cuts. Of course that scenario once again leads back to lack of faith in Jehovah to direct things. Either way I sincerely believe they are living on borrowed time. Once they blow through the money from NYC property sales, it’s all downhill from there. They better but some Powerball tickets while there’s still time ;)

          • January 13, 2016 at 6:40 pm
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            The first issue of the Watchtower said something to the effect that the publishers would never ask for funding to continue producing the journal. If God failed to provide the necessary funds, then it will be time to discontinue publication. I doubt they would ever keep that promise – they are already begging for kids’ ice cream money – but it seems like they are coming close to the situation described in that first issue. Of course at that time the world was going to end by 1914 (and the rapture was coming in 1881 as well, as I recall).

            WS

  • January 13, 2016 at 10:40 am
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    To the Watchtower religion:

    Apologize to the victims

    Change your policies to ensure that children are protected

    Report any and all abuse that comes to your attention to the proper authorities immediately

    Pray to God for forgiveness for your past actions

    Be open and honest to your members

    In my opinion a true christian religion would want to take all of the steps mentioned above.

    • January 13, 2016 at 12:18 pm
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      @Rob

      That would be a reasonable response, ,,
      However, …if the org. Started coming clean about its blunders and missteps…well…
      What would be left?..and why just stop here?
      If they could be this wrong here, where else?
      The response will follow Standard operating procedure. Deny, ignore, conceal, release misinformation, follow up by informing (if necessary ) that were under satanic attacks by media and.apostates. Then go dead silent, with threat that anyone who specks a word must be privately censored.

      • January 13, 2016 at 6:08 pm
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        That’s the problem with claiming to be right ALL the time. If u screw up (& u will), u’re screwed.

      • January 14, 2016 at 4:54 pm
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        “Deny, ignore, conceal, release misinformation, follow up by informing (if necessary ) that were under satanic attacks by media and.apostates. Then go dead silent, with threat that anyone who speaks a word must be privately censored.”

        This standard operating procedure was followed in the early 1980’s when Ray Franz and others were kicked out. It doesn’t work anymore due to the power of the information superhighway. Times have changed, but the org has not kept up well enough. This standard procedure will no longer work in their favor.

        Thanks to the Internet and sites like this one, we now have the means to expose their lies and we will not be silenced.

        WS

  • January 13, 2016 at 12:40 pm
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    @Pow

    Yes, what you said regarding the standard operating procedure is exactly what this religion has been doing and will probably continue to do.

    When will people see the “truth” about this corporate religion?

  • January 13, 2016 at 1:16 pm
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    If the JW’s counsel to abused kids is effectively don’t go to court, trust in Jehovah and pray, why can’t they take their own advice? Why don’t they leave these cases in Jehovahs hand and pray? If Jehovah can bring them sand via a hurricane surely he can help them win some court cases!

    • January 13, 2016 at 6:15 pm
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      Exactly!!! Why doesn’t “Jehovah” just send a typhoon to knock down all the courthouses & News outlets??? LMAO

      • January 13, 2016 at 9:58 pm
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        • January 13, 2016 at 10:01 pm
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          My empty reply above was a smiley face but for some reason it didn’t work???

  • January 13, 2016 at 1:45 pm
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    You know, if you think about it…almost every old testament prophet directed his message to the kings then the princes then the priests on down the line ….lastly to widows and fatherless boys..because the fish stinks from the head down. Sure the king wants his subjects to be honest, law abiding, generous, moral and so on, King Solomon wrote a couple of Bible books, all about sexual morals and not being greedy, yep he would know all about that…but, it’s one thing to talk the talk, but it.should start at the top….down.

    • January 13, 2016 at 6:19 pm
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      If the GB were old testament prophets, they would have been stoned long ago. lol

  • January 13, 2016 at 6:26 pm
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    So depressed I missed the state of the Onion address. LOL But it seems the Elites of Washington, Wall Street & Hollywood are doing fine. I guess as long as they’re OK, everything’s good in the world. Now looking forward to the Oscars. RFLMAO It all gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. Funny, I also get a feeling that THEIR Apocalypse is coming too. Da da dada da daaaaa da da da daaaaa da….. ;)

    • January 13, 2016 at 6:28 pm
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      wink

      • January 13, 2016 at 6:30 pm
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        Those JW Hackers shall NEVER deprive me of my Imogees, Goddammit!!!

Comments are closed.