When will Watchtower learn? – Karen Morgan speaks out on her abuser’s 14 year sentence

Sewell victim Karen Morgan has appeared on BBC television bravely describing her ordeal
Sewell victim Karen Morgan has appeared on BBC television bravely describing her ordeal

Mark Sewell, the disgraced former elder convicted of a string of sex abuse offenses, including 5 counts of indecent assault against two young girls and the rape of a woman, has now been sentenced to 14 years having shown “not a thread of remorse.”

His crimes were committed during the time he was serving as an elder between the years of 1987 and 1995. Like most Jehovah’s Witness elders he was respected in his congregation, and he used this respect to inflict great damage on people’s lives.

News of the sentencing has prompted the Charity Commission to open an operational compliance case on Sewell’s congregation. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) has also weighed in by issuing a press release expressing gratitude for the “brave victims who worked courageously to get Sewell behind bars.”

One such victim has bravely stepped forward and waived her anonymity by giving a series of media interviews.

Mark Sewell capitalized on the opportunities  and trust afforded him by his position
Mark Sewell capitalized on the opportunities and trust afforded him by his position

Karen Morgan is the perpetrator’s niece who he took advantage of sexually, bribing her with alcohol. She has recounted how, tragically, her congregation did nothing simply because Sewell refused to confess.

Karen told the BBC: “Those group of elders who sat me as a child in front of a guy who’d been abusing me for years, and expected me to talk about it in front of him, and hear him calling me a liar… I think that probably has had the most effect on the rest of my life, because what Mark did to me I’ve had to try to deal with, but I’ve also had to try and deal with how the whole thing was handled… and I want answers for that.”

“I blame them for what continued to happen to me because no-one dealt with it,” she added.

(The full BBC report can be found on this link.)

Karen was sadly forced to attend three church meetings with her abuser in attendance. Sewell even organized an interrogation before other elders where he tried to get her to confess to lying. Astonishingly, it seems Sewell had an entire congregation in his back pocket, and was using it to cloak his appetite for sexual crime.

My heart goes out to all the brave victims who have been put through such an unthinkable ordeal. Their horror stories should rightly shatter the image the Watchtower portrays of their elder arrangement. Mark Sewell is a perfect example of how bad it can truly get when power is handed to someone of an evil, manipulative disposition.

But why was he given that power in the first place? And why was he allowed to hold on to it for so long?

Still waiting on Jehovah

“Wait on Jehovah” were three words I often heard growing up as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. For instance, when it was known that an elder had been overstepping his power, we were told to let “Jehovah” take care of things, and wait on him.

In the meantime the elder was to be considered innocent of any alleged wrongdoing, and talking about it with others, including outsiders, was considered taboo or “gossiping.” Unfortunately, this way of doing things meant that if the elder was engaging in some form of abuse, the victims would have to endure considerable suffering while their community did nothing but watch.

Elders are given a special privilege in the congregation, and this is evidenced by a 2013 Watchtower article telling parents with disfellowshipped children:

“Also, do not blame others. Respect Jehovah’s arrangement for discipline. Take your stand against the Devil—not against shepherds who act to protect the congregation.” – Watchtower, Jan 15, 2013, p. 16 par. 18.

Elders are granted an enormous amount of power over the lives of others. They have spiritual guardianship over their congregations and are respected as shepherds. They are called upon to judge whether wrongdoers under their care are repentant, and they wield the power to sever such ones from their friends and family, all in the name of “keeping the congregation clean.”

Naturally, any position of power, whether inside or outside a religion, will attract people who wish to exploit it. What measures, then, does the Watchtower take to address this problem?

Jim McCabe, a Watchtower spokesman, once told the media: “our problem is that there are some bad men that sneak into organizations. They snuck into our organization, they snuck into other organizations. When we discover who they are we take the action that we can take as a religious organization.”

As you can see, when Watchtower leadership is shown to be entangled in extreme wrongdoing, they have no problems equating themselves with the rest of the world’s organizations.

McCabe paints his organization as the victim of outside forces beyond their control. Yet, when they speak to their membership through their publications they deliver an entirely different message – one where their leadership is “appointed by holy spirit” and can be trusted as if the guiding hand of God directs them.

Never is the congregation warned that any elder could at any time be a “Mark Sewell,” who has “snuck into” God’s organization and assumed one of their positions of power.

Leadership appointed by holy spirit?

Sewell’s atrocities, and how he got away with them for so long, are part of a larger pattern that many throughout the decades have been desperately trying to highlight.

Unfortunately, Watchtower’s propaganda machine has successfully concealed this pattern of abuse from their membership. Astoundingly, many witnesses are completely unaware of the seriousness of their organization’s predicament. They simply operate on the “wait on Jehovah” mantra, and explain all negativity away with the idea of “human imperfection.” Are the gross sexual crimes committed by Sewell, and others in the organization, simply a case of human imperfection?

According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, God’s “Holy Spirit” is perfect, but operates through imperfect people. The glaring question is how can a monster like Mark Sewell pass through this alleged supernatural recruitment process of appointment unscathed?

How can an omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent God be circumvented by the criminal mind of a single human being? The extreme suffering that Sewell has caused could have been avoided by simply intervening at the beginning of the process, something a perfect supernatural entity should be capable of doing.

By claiming that the leadership is appointed supernaturally, Watchtower is creating a false sense of security for their entire membership with devastating results. This is especially the case with children who naturally look up to spiritual shepherds, thus providing an opportunity for predators. This was what happened in the case of Mark Sewell, and there are undoubtedly more predators still lurking in the religion yet to be identified.

Interestingly, the governing body has recently handed over responsibility of appointing elders to circuit overseers, effectively further distancing themselves from liability in this extremely flawed recruitment process.

Tip of the iceberg

Sexual crimes are altogether horrific, but I don’t believe they should overshadow the many other forms of abuse that religious leadership is capable of inflicting on their “flocks.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses, and all of the world’s religions, need to come to terms with the fact that their problem is much more than just “bad men” sneaking into their organizations. The Mark Sewell case is symptomatic of a much larger problem which includes a wide spectrum of spiritual, physical and sexual abuse. This abuse is enabled by an imperfect system much more than imperfect operators.

Imagine, hypothetically, that the court found Sewell innocent and all allegations against him entirely fraudulent. We can be sure that Jehovah’s Witnesses, either locally or further afield, would use the story to reaffirm their faith that the Watchtower is God’s organization on earth. But since the case didn’t turn out in the Watchtower’s favor, it will not be reported on, and Watchtower will allow the story to fade in the memories of those who know about it with the passage of time. It will simply be another historical blemish to whitewash years later.

Their mode of operation is confirmation bias – that’s how propaganda machines work. They make sure all positive information is artificially inflated and anything negative is swept under the rug.

If you asked a random Jehovah’s Witness about the Mark Sewell case, they’d probably reply, “Mark who?” and would likely demand some type of proof that his former elder colleagues were indeed “spiritually corrupt and morally bankrupt.” Such circumstances simply don’t fit with the way Watchtower wishes to portray its elders, and this lies at the core of the problem.

It’s frightening to note that people like Mark Sewell had the power to disfellowship people in their congregations for something as simple as refusing to quit smoking cigarettes, all the while engaging in sexual crimes against the ones he swore to protect.

Sadly, Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to believe that they have an exclusive relationship with God despite conclusive evidence that their claims are no more valid than those of other religions. Perhaps one day that bitter realization will dawn on the leadership, and they’ll make the necessary changes and offer modern policies that protect their communities against predators; especially for the sake of their young ones.

In the meantime, how long will they “wait on Jehovah” to protect them against predators who seek to exploit them? How many lives, like that of Karen Morgan, need to be severely damaged in order for Jehovah’s Witnesses to wake up and do what needs to be done?

According to Rick Simons, who represented Candace Conti in yet another Watchtower sex abuse scandal, “Watchtower’s going to need more than one lesson, the Catholic Church sure did, and they’re going to get more than one lesson!” As more abuse scandals pile up for Watchtower, his words continue to be proven a devastating reality.

 

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Further reading…

72 thoughts on “When will Watchtower learn? – Karen Morgan speaks out on her abuser’s 14 year sentence

  • July 4, 2014 at 2:34 pm
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    Thank you so much for your support and for the honesty with which you wrote this article. I am absolutely determined that the society HAVE to act and act now to prevent this from happening time and time again. I feel like I have a massive mountain to climb but I’m determined to take this all the way. I was let down by elders, the society and members of my congregation. I do not accept the party line of dealing with abusers from the society as I am proof it DOES NOT happen that way. I hope everyone who reads this shares it over and over so we can do something about it.

  • July 4, 2014 at 2:49 pm
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    Jim McCabe stated in 2011 that the Watchtower organization is not concerned with “a little bad press”… do you and the Governing Body who leads the Watchtower organization still think that same way today McCabe!

    What about all the victims of Jehovah’s Witness child abuse, how many more depositions with Jehovah’s Witness child abuse victims will it take McCabe to finally melt your cold heart?

  • July 4, 2014 at 2:54 pm
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    The Watchtower still gets off too easy. Mark Sewell goes to jail but what are the consequences for the Watchtower? Do they have to pay a fine? There is no mention of that in any of the articles I have read about the case.

    The only punishment Watchtower understands is heavy financial penalties. As long as they hold billions of dollars they will continue to be arrogant.

    This case won’t affect them much. I am sure 95% of witnesses don’t know about this case and will never know about it. Probably over 99% of the world population knows nothing about this case.

    Watchtower gets a little blemish on their reputation and shares no responsibility for the crimes committed.

    People need to use cases like this as a catalyst to challenge the charitable status of the organization world wide. Otherwise it’s business as usual for the Watchtower; raking in donations, investing tax free dollars to make more money, profiting from money laundering….

    As it stands now, this case is no threat to their money making scheme.

  • July 4, 2014 at 2:55 pm
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    Beautifully written article James, thank you.
    Karen I am in complete awe of your bravery, I wish I had an ounce of your courage to confront the past.

    This sick man has really got what he deserved and that is due to your strength.

    I hope you don’t give up in your fight to change the societies policies although I fear it will be an uphill struggle but possibly with the fear of losing money or maybe even losing their charitable status they might have to.

    I live in the vog too so I will keep an eye out for your progress. I really do thank you from the bottom of my heart, may your story help show the cult up for what it really is.

  • July 4, 2014 at 3:01 pm
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    Karen , i have absolute respect for you for speaking out about this sick way of how elders are instructed to Lead the flock ( i have the book) … and i respect how brave you are to bring this into the light. Hold the elders to account and Watchtower, go all the way, you will have much support, God bless you.
    Jesus said …. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.Math 18.

  • July 4, 2014 at 4:01 pm
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    Just 3 words sum up this as I want to vomit. “WTF”!!!!!!

  • July 4, 2014 at 6:53 pm
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    I truly admire your courage and strength, Ms. Morgan, for publicly sharing your story. It will encourage many other victims of abuse to come forward with their stories, and motivate social activists to keep up the fight to force the Watchtower to change its policies.

    Thank you very much.

  • July 4, 2014 at 8:07 pm
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    Great article. The “society” has been wrong on ALL their predictions for over 130 years, and the sheep are still following! Not to mention their flip-flopping on all their silly dogmas… incredible!

    Went into a fight with my mom and sis this morning, frustrated that they censure me on even telling them the info!!! I’m sick of all of it!

  • July 4, 2014 at 8:34 pm
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    First of all let me give my commendation and encouragement to Kmorg and the other victims of this great Monstrosity…Thank you for displaying such strength and courage against all the odds that were stacked up against you,and there were many;you stated a pertinent fact of truth when you say you did not even have the support of the congregation.This is always the case in my own experience also ,and i am quite sure that countless others can say the same that to make any accusation against an elder or any appointed servant is taboo withing the org; as these men are revered as being exclusive,being above reproach as they pride themselves as being appointed directly by GOD THROUGH HIS HOLY SPIRIT… ALTHOUGH THAT’S A SHALLOW CLAIM WITH NO PROOF WHATSOEVER!!!! They are very quick to silence any challenge of their qualifications by saying that you are challenging GOD’S AUTHORITY, THUS INSTILLING FEAR…BECAUSE OF THIS MANY SUFFER IN SILENCE… APPEALING TO THE GB ARE MET WITH COLD RESPONSE IF AT ALL,BECAUSE THEY HARDLY RESPOND TO ANYTHING…So the only response they ever give is through sessions of covert mind control articles in the watchtower study editions,about obeying Jehovah’s shepherds…Thus because of this too, the elders themselves feel that they are next in line or even equal to Christ himself ,that’s why if takes great courage and strength to stand up as you did to face this delude and very hypocritical monster; and even though it may seem that your are fighting against all odds against this deeply entrench deceit ,is no reason to give up the fight as the due time has arrived for them to face the music and dance to the tune they themselves has composed in the shades of charade which can no longer escape the expos’e of these well researched and written blogs brimming with truth such as these two last ones ,,one by cedars on that sugar coated new book,and this oh so truthfully blog by JAMES STRAIT…KUDOS TO YOU, YOU TOOK THEY BIG HAMMER AND HIT THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD!!!!YOU TRUTHFULLY REVEALED THE CORE OF THE FLAWED POLICIES THAT ARE BEFOULING THE ORG.

  • July 4, 2014 at 10:05 pm
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    Vincedeporter,
    The enemy wants you to fight, be carefull and do everything with gentleness and respect, remember that your witnessing to your family, keep researching and study and lean on Him.
    God bless you

  • July 4, 2014 at 10:41 pm
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    Seems to this man got just what he deserved 14 years prison sentence. Considering that someone a well known as R.Harris got less than 6 years and that even some Nazi criminals in the past got a similar sentence, even though many of them were released in just a few months, convinces me that the judge must have fully aware of the danger and predatory mature of this man. What is more shocking and reprehensible in the lack of support his victims received from the supposed spiritual elders within the congregation and how this certainly reflects so badly on their mean spirited little god je-ho-vah.

  • July 4, 2014 at 11:31 pm
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    Hi James,
    I watched the BBC video last night. Thought Karen ‘ s interview was spot on, well done Karen and family for highlighting an issue that the Watchtower still refuses to acknowledge takes place among it’s ranks & for trying to protect other innocents. X
    What really got to me was the Watchtower ‘ s response. No recognition of what has happened personally to this family or any other case. Watchtower made the comment that Sewell was disfellowedshipped 20y ago but didn’t disclose the reason why but in my opinion made it look like sexual abuse was the reason. It’s so frustrating that they just cannot admit mistakes were, have & continue to be made. There’s no recognition, no apology just a legally sounding blanket statement that appears to justify itself in the best possible light. Thoughts anyone?
    Victims are not made to face the abusers!? No they just have to sit there week in week out facing them and their family’s while they may use their influence to to justify and bully their victim.

  • July 4, 2014 at 11:32 pm
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    By the way, some of those victim’s have been younger than 4 years old!

  • July 4, 2014 at 11:35 pm
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    Of course an Organisation that abhors child abuse would do all it could to assist the victim and the police/judiciary in their inquiries, wouldn’t they?

  • July 4, 2014 at 11:51 pm
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    ” we support victims & their families”, Bullshit.

  • July 4, 2014 at 11:58 pm
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    This is Why i see it all corrupt and evil,many years back i found out about two Bro,s in what was my congregation who are known sexual offenders this came to light with the work i was doing in Social Health care,I mentioned it to what i thought was a trusting elder,which i was told leave it in Jehovah,s hands,and he the went on to say your also breaking confidentiality in my work and it would not look good with me being a JW. this i struggled with for a few weeks until i spoke to my employer which i was surprised to be told to mention it again and at this i did,but was still told not to say any more of it,but i did and was counciled and disciplined and got a private reproof….thing is i,am no longer a Jw any more,this happened over 20 years back,and it still makes me angrey,there was also a elder who abused his grandkids this was in the same cong,he was took of being the co ordinator and public re proofed but not DF,his now ex wife is DF for smoking,please is it some sort of sick joke and a man thing with all this,he is no longer around any more,but on saying all this i will say it was in Stockport cong cheshire uk,and some of the elders are still practising,i was DF for challenging policy’s and teachings and also the sex abuse out look from the GB,thing is i very much miss a lot of friends who are still jw,s..and now iam seen either as having mental illness or an apostate…mental illness i did have and moved on but even to this day people still see me as that bro who caused divisions and gossip(which i even had paper work on the first two abusers in the cong)and false accusations against the sex offenders,but to this day i will not be quite on anything Injustice,needed to say this and i doff my hat to karen Morgan for speaking and also coming out in the open to let people no the injustice which still goes on…Dean Smith… formually Stockport/Fleetwood…

    j

  • July 5, 2014 at 12:02 am
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    James strait here clearly and factually laid bare the fundamental flaws of the org that has led to the rotten fruitage that is the product thereof ..this cheap facade of being exclusively GOD DIRECTED //APPOINTED AS IT WERE HAS LED TO AN ALOOFNESS AND DEEPLY ENTRENCHED ABUSE OF POWER SO THAT ONLY RESPECT THEY HAVE IS FOR THEMSELVES…So the way they see it and this is the only way they see,that to challenge or make any accusation against then is to challenge GOD….That’s the reason many suffer in silence and why we must support and commend the strength and courage kmorg as well as these other victims displayed as you never gets the support of the congregation…they are in awe of these men and worship them to the point of being fearful that they will not gain salvation if the don’t give blind obedience to them….James strait has clearly and eloquently laid bare the fundamental flaws of the org and the elder arrangements and abuse of power ….he has given clear and precised facts of truth as to why we see these rotten fruitage…it’s time for them to give up on this pretense of exclusiveness and stop this thinly coated charade,..

  • July 5, 2014 at 12:21 am
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    Kudos to you JAMES FOR YOU FEARLESSNESS IN SPEAKING OUT ON THIS!!!

    Many thanks to you James strait for your fearlessness in telling the truth about this matter.I have spent many years with the org and have seen and experience it just as you said it …millions knows it’s true but are afraid of being marked,. df and shunned,,,this too gotta go as it’s the opposite of GODLY AND CHRISTLIKE LOVE….Here i have said it and so let it be.
    .

  • July 5, 2014 at 12:38 am
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    they keep saying some have slipped in, but that is nor entirely true, I know of some molesters born in and have not been DF at all, they have gotten away with it just a slap on the wrist, no privileges, but you know after awhile they can be reappointed unbeknown to the congregant’s that this was a pedophile.

    If the abuse is known outside only then is something done, mostly its silenced and the victims are told not to say anything, and as Cedars pointed out wait on Jehovah.

    The WT has to recognize that these are crimes not just sin, they pride themselves on obeying the law, but when it comes to any dirty laundry they do their best to keep it from the public and most hypocritically from their own members.

    No thought for the victims at all.’

    When have we ever heard of the WT standing by victims in court? never, but it seems that the victims are made out to be the problem not the WT.

  • July 5, 2014 at 1:15 am
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    @ Les hoy, you have the silver bullet so to speak by having that secret book there fore your knowledge will go a long way in shedding more light on this behind the scene operation,i would surely like to take a look through that book to see and come to know more of the hidden secret instructions…i had the experience of having a difference with and elder over scriptural procedures who refused to bring his copy of the bible to clarify the reason for his acting up towards me and he bluntly refused…saying he only follow what the slave say…when i asked him well what would GOD’S words have to say on the matter he said he don;t want to hear…so verbatim i quoted him three scriptures and he looked at me and ask me what i mean…again he retorted he don’t accept anything except it’s from the slave…now i know he meant those secret guidelines in that book..what a shame and sham.that was the turning point of my blind allegiance, when i was rudely awaken that the will and words of man was trumping the words of GOD..THAT’S WHY I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT WHAT’S IN THAT BOOK THAT IS FUELING THESE EGOS;; PEACE BE WITH YOU..

  • July 5, 2014 at 1:48 am
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    James what a brilliant piece of writing. I couldn’t have written it better myself. As one of Sewell’s victims, we were told to wait for Jehovah by the elders, I was told to go home and read the bible. I was told it was his word against mine. I had to face him and talk to the elders about what he had done to me as did the other victims. He threatened me if I didn’t stay quiet. His wife tried to blackmail us into silence a regular pioneer !! We have been shunned for telling the truth, and having to relive the abuse again in court, we still continue to be shunned. No-one has approached me, no one has offered me counsel and support. I do however, have the support from complete strangers on here and from my fellow victims. I am currently weighing up the consequences of waiving my anonymity. Thank you again James for a fantastic article. Reading this has reaffirmed my sanity. The Sewell beast and his family have done what all abusers do and that’s mirror it back to the victims !!

  • July 5, 2014 at 1:59 am
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    I found a copy of the “Shepherd” book in the trash next door and had a read. On the surface it didn’t seem much different than the usual JW books.

  • July 5, 2014 at 2:05 am
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    An inspired piece of writing.
    Should be made available at all halls for sermon, do they have post boxes?

  • July 5, 2014 at 2:53 am
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    James an exceptionally well presented article highlighting watchtower`s inhumanity. So brave Karen, my heart goes out to you! Let us keep up the pressure on this highly dangerous cult. The Brooklyn Dodgers have tried to distance themselves but the buck stops with these despot`s. Watchtowe has been a blight on the landscape far too long, we who have escaped must see to it that there is no hiding place for this evil murderous cult.

  • July 5, 2014 at 3:05 am
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    Rudeawake, Knightowl,

    i can’t remember where i got it from but if you would like a copy mail me.

    leshoy2@gmail.com

    God bless

  • July 5, 2014 at 3:15 am
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    Admiration to Karen very brave lady and much appreciated for victims.

    Regarding the WT/GB saying some have sneaked into the congregations, there are some paedophiles that have been second third generation JW abusing their own children and nothing was done only they loose privileges, many victims are silenced and unless its known outside rarely anything is done.

  • July 5, 2014 at 5:04 am
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    Erik,

    The “Shepherding the Flock of God” book is NOTHING LIKE any other Witness book!!!

    It is FORBIDDEN for non elders to even know of its existence, or to read any of it.

    Now, either you found a Witness book of a similar title and are confused, or you lack the reading ability to understand its subtle and evil nature, or you are a JW apologist.

    Sorry, Erik, but you have made an error of judgement here, sir.

    There are ways to download this tome. Search for it online and get reading. I have a copy in PDF format and I refer to it regularly.

    Peace be with you

    Excelsior!

  • July 5, 2014 at 6:01 am
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    They don’t have any heart!

  • July 5, 2014 at 8:48 am
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    @Jerry O Connor, you are so right in giving out the motto that we must keep up the pressure on that extremely dangerous cult, particularly for the sake of all the innocents who trust the elders and can at any time become easy prey of them. The WT, and especially the study articles, always put it as a fact that the elders are trustworthy, mature, accessible, helpful, able to give Biblical counsel and so on. The reader always gets the impression of infallibility on their part. It is only the “stupid little sheep” that must come and confess any mistake they do. If they don’t approach an elder, they won’t be friends of God any longer. But it is never ever taken into account that also an elder could do wrong. For along time, my wife and I wondered if the leaders in NY are not aware of what’s going on in the congregations. Because, if they would, then they are deliberate liars. Meanwhile, we know.
    I feel dizzy when I remember years ago during a WT study in the KH, the conductor talked on the subject that some opponents regard JW as a dangerous sect. He joked on it and ironically told the audience, “Now, look araound here, everyone, and…what do you see…we are soooo dangerous.” And all the audience chuckled, including myself, having absolutely no clue on the evil danger behind the facades of that self-proclaimed Christianity, and I had absolutely no idea back then of the horrors that I had yet been to go through.
    Having escaped very recently, I now thoroughly understand how fitting Micah 3:2 describes the real state in that life-destroying cult: “You haters of what is good and lovers of badness, tearing off their skin from people and their organism from off their bones.”

    I wish Ms. Morgan the necessary power to cope with all the challenges she is facing now. She is so courageous!

  • July 5, 2014 at 10:29 am
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    Nice balanced article James.

    @Karen,

    I know it has already been said, but it did not think it would hurt to repeat. Thank you for your bravery. The fact that you had to face a tribunal where you were called a liar and nothing was done, because he denied the facts is appalling. Then if I read correctly the Watchtower states he was disfellowshipped 20 years ago so as to white wash what happens is despicable!

    My sister was a victim of abuse by a JW abuser, sadly it caused untold harm in her life. She lacks the ability to articulate how this has profoundly affected her life. You represent so much more than your own experience, your voice gives understanding to many other victims. To you I say, thank you!

  • July 5, 2014 at 10:32 am
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    I did not think
    not “it did not think” sorry, I should proofread before posting

  • July 5, 2014 at 11:33 am
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    Great write up James.

    I think the bravery of these women will finally break the powerful Org.
    The fear that comes along with being a mind controlled victim of the WTS is a hard thing to let go of, but once you do there is no stopping you!! I truly hope the brave individuals starting with Candace Conti know they are making a huge difference!! You all are giving others the courage to move forward with their own cases.
    @kathleen Conti, I have a feeling that smug James McCabe is eating those words of his!!

  • July 5, 2014 at 11:40 am
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    James

    Your article is so true, and highlights the enormity of Mark Sewell’s crime, not just because of the hurt to his victims (shocking though that is), but also a wider picture;

    “Elders are granted an enormous amount of power over the lives of others. They have spiritual guardianship over their congregations and are respected as shepherds. They are called upon to judge whether wrongdoers under their care are repentant, and they wield the power to sever such ones from their friends and family, all in the name of “keeping the congregation clean.””

    Watchtower is responsible for putting these men in a position of power with the means to influence other peoples lives in a radical way. Yet who are they to stand in judgement?

    As evidence has proven, some Elders have been found guilty of child abuse. In my former congregation I found out in the subsequent years after I left, that Elders both who had gone through the questions with me prior to my baptism (as a young teenager) and who also sat in judgement of me during my judicial committee were guilty of alcoholism, wife swapping, child neglect and homosexuality.

    Some of these men are still Elders within the congregation, delivering Public Talks and standing in judgement of others!

    What a hypocritical organisation! With so much information about it being revealed, how anyone can continue to believe it is “The Truth” and that “the congregations are clean”, I fail to comprehend!

  • July 5, 2014 at 5:25 pm
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    If you KNOW a person is guilty of abuse & say nothing to the authority’s when asked your as guilty as the perpetrator. Scriptural & morality correct.

  • July 5, 2014 at 5:39 pm
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    The Watchtower in the case of Gordon Leighton KNEW that Leighton was guilty of child abuse. They were a witness to his confession during a judicial committee. They refused to testify and assist the police and the trial by a God appointed judge and fought a 3 year legal campaign against giving evidence at his trial. That the Watchtower claims it supports victims and the law is a moral joke. Their real interests lay in protecting themselves by using clergy/ laity confidentiality. That the Watchtower claims to support the victims is never before its self. Fact.

  • July 5, 2014 at 5:40 pm
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    Apologies for the poor English. x

  • July 5, 2014 at 5:50 pm
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    Well come on Watchtower blacken me before all these individuals. Tell them about any judicial committees that i may or I may not have been involved with & I’ll screw you with the same confidentiality that you hide behind. . Gutless sons.

  • July 5, 2014 at 6:04 pm
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    Watchtower would be crap at the world cup because they don’t have a ball between them!

  • July 5, 2014 at 6:18 pm
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    The ain’t Jehu’s sons and that’s for sure.

  • July 5, 2014 at 6:36 pm
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    It’s like watching Mavis it out of Coronation Street, ” I don’t really know”. I feel ill. Chow x

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