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← Australian Royal Commission hears that 1,006 alleged child sex abusers were covered up by Watchtower
Jehovah’s Witness culture creates a ‘perfect storm’ for abuse →
 
Elders shamed under questioning by the Royal Commission
Posted on July 30, 2015

Jehovah's Witness elder Max Horley was among the elders who failed to impress when giving testimony before the Commission
Jehovah’s Witness elder Max Horley was among the elders who failed to impress when giving testimony before the Commission

The following article has been submitted by “CovertFade,” a non-disfellowshipped reader who credits this website with helping him wake up from Witness indoctrination a year ago, and who wishes to comment on developments in Australia…
As recorded this week in major news outlets all over the world, The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Australia has been presented with incontrovertible evidence that, due to the explicit policy and practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1,006 alleged child molesters in Australia have not been reported to the police, with hundreds of these molesters allegedly being repeat offenders.
The evidence comes, not from “apostates” or “Satan’s media.” It comes from the brave and gut-wrenching testimony of abuse survivors, the jaw dropping and sometimes infuriating testimony of elders who dealt with their cases, and Watchtower’s own internal documents. And it is utterly damning, confirming everything that child protection activists and critics of the Watchtower organization have long claimed: Victims forced to confront their accusers in closed off, all-male tribunals. Elders not reporting cases of abuse to the police, even in the face of actual confessions from the abuser. Victims being told to be silent or be shunned.
Sounds awful doesn’t it? Both for the lives of the victims, and for the reputation of the organization that has so spectacularly failed them. But trust us, unless you’ve actually observed the hearings, you’ve not even seen the half of it. And observe you can.
In complete contrast to the closed off, star chamber style of court that Watchtower calls “justice,” the Royal Commission has published its sessions online for the whole world to see in the form of video recordings and transcripts.
The actual commission has looked at two case studies so far; examining the testimonies of two separate abuse survivors from inside Jehovah’s Witnesses (known to the commission as person BCB and person BCG), and the subsequent response of the Watchtower as an institution when it became aware of the allegations.
Both cases date from about twenty years ago. So far, the Commission has taken testimony from the two survivors, and from five elders involved in their cases. To give a blow-by-blow account of all of the suffering, failures and jaw-dropping incompetence displayed in the sessions would take an entire book, not an article. But nonetheless here are a few overall points that can be gained from observing the proceedings so far. (As I type this, day three of the two week hearing has ended, and the commission in taking a one day break before resuming on Friday 31st July.)


Above you can watch a YouTube playlist of video coverage from the Royal Commission
Watchtower’s strategy in dealing with the commission is crumbling. It’s hard to believe that the Elders appearing to testify will not have been coached by Watchtower’s Legal Desk. Indeed, one can see a distinct trend in the testimony each man gives, which speaks of a coordinated response.
Each man takes the stand and begins by trying to press a specific narrative: “We’re not saying everything was handled perfectly in the past: everyone was still new to the problem and didn’t fully understand how to proceed. But we’ve learned since then, and fixed the problems, and now it’s all fine, trust us, no really, and please pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.”
Trouble for them is: the commission is blowing holes in that narrative wide enough to drive Jehu’s chariot through.
Firstly, it has now been demonstrated that even by the standards of the time (both cases being around 20 years old) the elders involved in the process demonstrated horrific incompetence and even active deceit. For example, elder Max Horley admits at one point to “not taking seriously” the wording of a letter he wrote to the branch about the sex abuse case he investigated, with that flawed letter later resulting in a significant and incorrect minimizing of the perceived seriousness of the abuse.
But it’s not just incompetence on the part of the elders that has been uncovered, because on day three, the commission caught elder Dino Ali apparently lying under oath.
Ali had claimed before the commission, and in his written statement, that when he and his fellow elders had investigated the allegations made by a young girl (known to the commission as BCG) against her father (allegedly a friend of Ali), the committee had been unable to disfellowship the father or take any action against him, even though they claimed to believe the allegations, because they had neither two witnesses to the crime, nor a confession from the father.
Ali regretfully but firmly stated that since it was a case of one person’s word against another, there was nothing the elders could do. He was asked during hearings to confirm if he’d have found the father guilty if he’d had two witness or a confession. Ali agreed that either one would have allowed him to do so.
Much to his obvious shock, the Commission then produced a set of aged, handwritten notes. They spent a great deal of time getting Ali to confirm that the notes were his, written during his investigation of the abuse. Ali, as recorded in the transcript and videos was clearly uncomfortable, and tried to dance around the issue, but was soon left with little choice in the matter but to accept that they were his, apparently obtained by the commission from the congregation file.
The Commission then proceeded to read Ali’s own account, from Ali’s own notes, of how not only the daughter BCG had accused the father of abuse, but BCG’s mother had also testified to Ali that the father had abused the two younger daughters, and the eldest of the four daughters had also stated to Ali that she had been abused.
Sounds bad? It gets worse.
Later in the notes, Ali in his own hand had recorded the father confessing to the abuse. The commission thus pointed out that, far from having only one witness and no confession, Dino Ali actually had three witnesses and a confession – enough evidence to find the father guilty.
Having been caught in either an act of gross negligence, outright deceit, or both, Ali spends most of the rest of his testimony trying and failing to convince the judge that three witnesses and a confession is not actually three witnesses and a confession.
Secondly, it quickly becomes apparent that while Watchtower may have changed some things they have not made changes where it really matters, and all the elders confirm this under oath.
The two witness rule. The practice of three men interrogating a survivor of sexual assault, sometimes in front of their attacker. The policy of not reporting to the police unless legally mandated to do so. These core problems are still alive and kicking in Watchtower. Thus, despite Watchtower’s attempt to spin a certain narrative to the Commission, the Commission has in just the first three days left that narrative in tatters.
 And that leads us to the next point.
The failure is systemic to the Watchtower organization from the top down. These are not the actions of a few bad apples or incompetent men. Every single elder has confirmed (with the exception of Ali’s apparently deceitful behavior which, for the sake of fairness, was likely not directly sanctioned by Watchtower) that they were following direct printed policy regarding these matters. Indeed, these elders feel that they cannot deviate from the policy even if they disagree with it. The testimony below from Max Horly is typical of the repeated responses from the elders interviewed…
◾Justice Peter McClellan: Mr Horley, I understand how the church is organized, but what the process means is that the investigation, in a case such as this one, of a woman’s allegations is made entirely by men; correct?
◾Max Horley: I’m sorry, the —
◾Justice McClellan: The investigation within the church is conducted entirely by men?
◾Horley: That’s correct, yes.
◾Justice McClellan: Do you think that’s appropriate when the allegation comes from a woman, and maybe a young woman?
◾Horley: That’s – that’s the procedure that we have in place.
◾Justice McClellan: I know, but I’m asking you a different question.
◾Horley: Well, that sort of comes into my personal feelings. I think I would still have to be bound by what the branch directs me to do.
This is an oft repeated theme in the hearing. Elders follow orders, and they cannot question those orders, even if they disagree with them.
And disagree they do.
Most elders interviewed disagreed with the Watchtower policy when pressed. Out of the four elders specifically questioned about the key concerns of the commission, three of the elders (Max Horley, Doug Jackson, and Kevin Bowdich) eventually conceded in part or in whole that the process was flawed and needed to change. Below we have some such excerpts from the transcripts demonstrating this.
◾Mr Angus Stewart, Counsel for the Commission: The point is, do you accept that in the face of the person accused, it may be very difficult for a person who has suffered abuse to say everything that happened to them?
◾Max Horley: Absolutely, yes.
◾Stewart: And in front of other men as well, at least two elders; is that right?
◾Horley: That’s true, yes.
◾Stewart: So it’s not a process that is necessarily going to come out with the full story, is it?
◾Horley: Obviously not at the first meeting and, in this case that’s borne out, but – yep.

◾Justice McClellan: The problem, Mr Jackson, is really not addressed in that way, though, is it? The problem —
◾Doug Jackson: No
◾Justice McClellan: — is the whole structure of the arrangement with two male elders, a male accused and then a female, in an environment in which she could never feel comfortable, being asked to tell intimate details of a sexual nature – the structure doesn’t work, does it?
◾Jackson: Well, I agree, your Honor, I certainly do.

◾Mr Angus Stewart, Counsel for the Commission: It’s not a good process, is it?
◾Kevin Bowdich: It could be better.
Only one elder, Dino Ali, stubbornly insisted that the process was fine as it was, though his contradictory and sometimes bizarre responses to the commission indicate a man either being deliberately stubborn in refusing to admit the possibility his church may have flaws, a man terrified of publicly contradicting the Watchtower, or a man of such limited critical thinking skills that he cannot understand simple logic and reasoning.
Here is a typical example of the Judge trying to lead him to water, but of Mr Ali refusing to drink, when discussing the practice of bringing a sexual abuse survivor before a three-man committee.
◾Justice McClellan: And you still think that’s an appropriate process for a young woman who is bringing allegations of sexual assault by her father, do you?
◾Dino Ali: I believe it’s a step in understanding the process of what happened. It’s – I understand how difficult it was for her.
◾Justice McClellan: But what she is saying to you is, because of the way this process was conducted, she wasn’t able to tell you all that she could have told you about what happened to her. Do you understand that?
◾Ali: True, true. I understand that.
◾Justice McClellan: So the three of you weren’t actually receiving the whole story, because the process wouldn’t allow it. Do you understand that?
◾Ali: I understand that, too.
◾Justice McClellan: Well is that not suggesting to you there is a flaw in the process?
◾Ali: No.
So of the four elders interviewed, three agreed the process was flawed and thus proved that the Commission’s concerns were valid, and the fourth refused to admit the process was flawed even when the flaws were demonstrable.
Wait, I said four Elders. Wasn’t there a fifth guy?
Yes, there was. Elder Joseph Bello, but he didn’t spend long on the stand. Basically, he appeared to present rather nervous and shamefaced testimony confirming that, when abuse survivor BCB and her husband had been considering going to the Royal Commission with her story, he had made the statement: “But what would that accomplish other than dragging Jehovah’s name through the mud?”
This prompted the following exchange…
◾Mr Stewart for the Commission: I take it within your faith, Jehovah is considered as a loving God?
◾Joseph Bello: Definitely.
◾Stewart: Would Jehovah, then, not also then not be more concerned about the victim than his own name?
At this point, you’d think Mr Bello would take the olive branch being offered, but instead he gives the following insight into why the Watchtower would rather abusers go free than victims go public
◾Joseph Bello: Jehovah would be concerned about the victim, but Jehovah is concerned about his own name, too, that’s what the scriptures told us.
In other words… no.
Yikes.
Oh, and before he got off the stand, he also admitted that he had no real idea what the Commission was for or what it did, and that despite being summoned several weeks ago, he had done no research. When the astonished Judge told him that he must have been aware of the Commission’s work though the news, Mr Bello admitted to never following the news. The look on the face of Justice McClellan after this response spoke a thousand words.
This is just a small snippet of the opened can of worms that the elders interviewed thus far have strewn across the Commission floor. Not a single elder has carried themselves with any grace. They have all either collapsed into a deflated, shame-faced mess under questioning, or showed themselves to be unreasoning, deceitful fanatics.
With over a week of further testimony lying ahead, including the testimony of some high-ranking members of Watchtower Australia, it’s hard to see how the organization can possibly pull out of this legal and PR nosedive.
It would be hilarious, if it wasn’t so tragic.
If you decide to view the videos and read the transcripts, please be certain to take in the harrowing testimony of BCB and BCG. Please listen carefully as they relate how their lives were destroyed by men who should have protected and loved them.
Please listen as they relate how the elders and policies of the Watchtower organization acted to make an awful situation even worse. Please consider their courage, and their pain.
And please consider that these are just two of potentially thousands of victims around the world whom Watchtower has failed and will continue to fail until rule of law, financial penalty and public opinion force it to revise its bronze age approach to child abuse.
 
Covertfade
 
Further reading…
◾Updated list of media reports on the Royal Commission
◾Download page for exhibits from the Royal Commission
◾Australian Royal Commission hears that 1,006 alleged child sex abusers were covered up by Watchtower
◾Jehovah’s Witness Report article
◾JWsurvey articles on child abuse
Related video…




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← Australian Royal Commission hears that 1,006 alleged child sex abusers were covered up by Watchtower
Jehovah’s Witness culture creates a ‘perfect storm’ for abuse →
 
117 Responses to Elders shamed under questioning by the Royal Commission


Newer Comments →
 
 Adam Kane says:

 July 30, 2015 at 3:41 am
 
Thankyou for publishing this article. I hope the evidence against the cult brings a sense of closure to their victims.
 The ones that haven’t committed suicide.
Reply
 
 
 Ken says:

 July 30, 2015 at 3:48 am
 
Very nicely written and summarized. We find the proceedings hard to watch，it bring back sad memories of certain elders and people we knock suffering under the heavy yoke of the WT. may more JW wake up. It’s about time.
Reply
 
 
 David says:

 July 30, 2015 at 4:22 am
 
All this torment and suffering for a small group of deluded men. They say that the follow the Bible but in reality the follow man. Have you seen a contribution box for the poor in your KH? Have you ever read a Bible verse where Jesus asked his followers to build a headquarter?
 The Bible was translated in greek only and Christianity had a huge success. So why investing hard earned money to translate cult material in all the languages? It is a wasted effort. We are in the modern world, people are rational now. They do not need the JW.org version of Santa Claus.
 Jesus was against organisations, where rules, procedures, polices are above people. Organised religion is by definition against freedom. Sooner or later they will hide their dirty secrets. Russell although deluded at least it was more honest. He was against religions organizations. He righly belived that God is the focus for a Christian.
 But since the bigot Rutherford we are seeing the organization has replaced God.
 The jw.org propaganda is a momentary thing. The generations cannot overlap forver!
 The two witnesses rules is just a scandal filter. For my personal experience when something happens the first thing they worry about is the organisation reputation. When jw.org reputation is at stake the elders act quickly in ghestapo style. When a person is disfellowshipped and depression, loneliness kicks in and support is needed they have better things to do. After all you are a a evil person.
 Dealing with the victim is just annoyance. The real effort is to protect their golden calf, the organisation. Many JWs are seeing that, but because of the mafia style blackmail cannot leave.
Reply
 
 Pickled brain says:

 July 30, 2015 at 5:17 am
 
@David. You Express yourself well & ALL the points you have made are SO VALID . Your spelling & English are not perfect But that doesn’t matter because you have Common Sense, Good Logic & DECENCY unlike the EVIL, CRUEL 7 MORONS of the Governing Body who are more concerned about their LUXURIOUS HQ at Warwick than Holding their hands up & APOLOGIZING for the YEARS of UNTOLD DEVASTATION & EMOTIONAL DAMAGE done to these ABUSED CHILDREN in facing their Attackers in front of 3 Elders in a Judicial Committee who haven’t a Clue how to Question a Victim which can be just as TRAUMATIC as the Event Itself.!! These Elders are mainly tradesmen… Painters ,Buikders,Electricians,window cleaners,or Clerical workers!!! Oh Please WAKE UP BROTHERS & ESPECIALLY SISTERs!!!!’ Your Children are IN DANGER!!!!!
Reply
 
 
 
 Rowland Nelken says:

 July 30, 2015 at 4:41 am
 
How long will it be before Jehovah’s directly appointed Faithful and Discreet Slave are in the dock? The Aussie JW bosses are due to be grilled next week, and the Brit. Charity Commissioners, if they are doing their job properly, must be discovering that there is zero of a charitable nature in JWdom.
The Execrable Seven cannot continue indefinitely throwing their sacrificial skivvies to the wolves. It is time they were devoured on their own account. How many judges would be convinced by any buck passing back to Jehovah himself?
Reply
 
 
 Charles Huff says:

 July 30, 2015 at 5:11 am
 
So, the elder wants to protect the “name of Jehovah” by keeping a covert pervert in the congregation?
So, Jehovah is the organization and the organization is Jehovah? Ha!
I’m not a Christian, don’t believe hardly any of the bible is true, but if I did, it would be easy to see that they commit blasphemy every time they open their mouths.
Reply
 
 
 Stirring Awake says:

 July 30, 2015 at 6:42 am
 
Joe Bello’s voice starts to waver badly around the 17min mark onwards after the pressure cooker turns up the heat. I thought they’d have had more coaching and direction from the Branch as they normally can’t say two words in an official public speaking capacity without it.
Reply
 
 Stirring Awake says:

 July 30, 2015 at 6:43 am
 
July 28, Part 2 video
Reply
 
 
 JO101 says:

 July 30, 2015 at 8:10 am
 
Did you notice how he started off trying to hold back a nurvous smile, and how the judge looked at him? (Joe) that was interesting. Then that smile quickly turned into a dry mouth and cracked voice. What is said is simply amazing, but even the expressions are showing more evidence of a crumbling organization
Reply
 
 
 
 DavidR says:

 July 30, 2015 at 7:12 am
 
Its amazing how rank in file appear to be crazy when they spew the same lines they’ve repeated at meetings/assemblies/conventions to someone asking a reasonable question. That elder talking about the name of Jehovah being above the concern for the victim is an example of most of the “faithful” JWs who will find this commission to be the hand of Satan for not accepting that response. I hope that those who have an ounce of sense see this and realize how wrong this is.
This is SOO big but I don’t want to have my hopes dashed, but this can certainly tear the shroud JW’s have covered themselves with completely off and allow them to be scrutinized not for what they put themselves out to be, but for what they really are.
Reply
 
 
 sirius says:

 July 30, 2015 at 7:26 am
 
Dang, what a wonderful preamble pointed argument by Justice McClellan to this elder named Ali. I nearly fell off my chair reading Ali’s response to a rather pointed question about the 2 witness Swiss cheese process.
Justice McClellan: Well is that not suggesting to you there is a flaw in the process? Ali: No.
So in the end, they are just following… quote, “This is an oft repeated theme in the hearing. Elders follow orders, and they cannot question those orders, even if they disagree with them.” Certainly sad watching and reading a live performance of the infamous Milgram Experiment – Obedience to Authority(to a fault*). Seems like a lot of insult to injury stemming from the highest level. Otherwise, Satan is well seeded in the organization. Is house cleaning next after this type of exposure and payouts?
* add in
IMHO
dogstar
Reply
 
 
 Susan says:

 July 30, 2015 at 8:07 am
 
Elders disfellowship people all the time without giving a second thought to the victims. Some of these ones had been molested by elders and were disfellowshipped for trying to warn others or for going to the police – and some of them went on to commit suicide. I’m so glad these elders at these hearings are able to see the devastating affects of their flippant decisions. So many lives have been ruined all because the elders chose to follow Watchtower policy. It’s just as Jesus said, they obey the letter of the law but miss the whole point of the law namely love, justice and mercy. They truly are the modern day Pharisees.
Reply
 
 
 John Baptist says:

 July 30, 2015 at 8:24 am
 
I have been watching every hearing And am not suprised by their preprogrammed delivery of responses from being brainwashed and indoctrinated by their Govering Body. If only Ray Franz could be around to witness the fulfillment of his words.
 These men are so dilousiinal and buckle under the least amount of pressure of the true reality.
 The world needs to see and hear this it’s unbelievable the arogance of this society of self proclaimed men.
 My heart goes out to these victims.
Reply
 
 
 Kat says:

 July 30, 2015 at 8:50 am
 
Its astounding how brainwashed they are, faced with the reality of the questions they can’t seem to comprehend, sad really they are all victims of the GB evil policies passed down that affect the most vulnerable, hopefully some may wake up from the WT spell.
Reply
 
 
 rob says:

 July 30, 2015 at 9:12 am
 
It will be interesting to see what type of damage control will be forthcoming from watchtower headquarters as they must know by now that people all over the world are following this story.
As we all know, the 7 GB will take counsel from the lawyers and try to spin it as coming from God and will probably try to whitewash everything and will say that the media is Satan attacking the organization – and unfortunately many of the rank and file will follow without questioning.
But hopefully there will be other countries that will follow suit and investigate this organization. Once that snowball turns into an avalanche, perhaps justice will finally be served for the victims who have suffered at the hands of an arrogant organization that has no love, justice or mercy.
Reply
 
 Chiafade says:

 July 30, 2015 at 1:42 pm
 
I made a comment earlier on just that very thing but for some reason it didn’t post I’ll try to repost later. But what I mentioned had two scenarios. The gb will claim a greater understanding of the two witness rule then blame the elders for not applying the rule properly. All while not offering any kind of apology. Or, the worldwide effect of a negative judgement will cause them to post a JW broadcast entitled “Is this the start of the great tribulation?” to maintain control of those who would defend the organization no matter what.
Reply
 
 Itfeelsgoodtobefree says:

 July 31, 2015 at 9:16 am
 
Chiafade you had me laughing out loud! It would not surprise me if they made this into the ‘start of the Great Tribulation’ , but then I’m afraid the Great tribulation would have to start ‘overlapping’ soon after that. All joking aside though, this is all very tragic! I wonder if the elders who recognized (and voiced in court) that the 2 witness rule was flawed will have some judicial action against them for not standing up for the WT?
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Melka says:

 July 30, 2015 at 10:24 am
 
I realize the governing body are calling the shots and giving the direction for elders, but it doesn’t matter, these congregations deserve better. A lot of these elders are probably family men, which blows my mind. Why isn’t anybody concerned with protecting their “flock”? It’s so disturbing, to say the absolute least.
Reply
 
 
 Ruth says:

 July 30, 2015 at 10:32 am
 
The Witnesses should not be dealing with sexual abuse problems at all. It’s not in the Christian remit. The Bible clearly says that criminal matters should be left to the Government. Paul wrote to the Romans (13:1-4)and told them that the Government was ‘God’s Minister’ and was the one responsible to deal with criminals.
 Let the Government decide what crimes have been committed and take action to protect the congregation. The Israelites were given the Mosaic law in which we find the ‘two witness’ law, but common sense was also needed. The law told the Israelites ‘Investigate thoroughly’. The Israelites were to use evidence, as well as decide what was obvious, when judging.
 Solomon, when judging the fate of a child, decided who the mother was without two witnesses. It became obvious who the mother really was. Solomon did not abdicate his responsibility because he did not have two witnesses.
 The Witnesses keep claiming they stick to Bible rules but they have not done so and thus have ended up in a mess.
Reply
 
 
 Ted says:

 July 30, 2015 at 10:33 am
 
Elders attending classes, to be instructed in org, policy
 have been persuaded that the judicial system in the congs,
 is “Theocratic” and therefore superior to the worldly courts.
In practice it resembles in many ways that which operates
 in totalitarian dictatorships.
1- Trials, inquiries, held in secret. 2- The main concern,
 the regimes image. 3- Influential and prominent people
 either exonerated or let down lightly. 4- Silence enforced
 on victims by coercion, and or threats.
The Royal Commission has revealed that all these elements
 are endemic in the wt,org. God’s organisation? A theocratic
 arrangement? No way!
Reply
 
 
 Queen Elsa says:

 July 30, 2015 at 10:40 am
 
Another great report from Trey Bundy of Reveal News… It just keeps coming… https://www.revealnews.org/article/jehovahs-witnesses-cover-up-child-sex-abuse-and-oust-a-victim/
Reply
 
 
 Grace says:

 July 30, 2015 at 3:09 pm
 
I can’t wait for the questioning to the WT Lawyer, Vincent Toole. This will be a sword fight of words as he knows how to speak legal language & will have slick words for his defence.
It’s becoming plainly obvious that the double speak doesn’t work on the Royal Commission. JW’s often don’t realise that they are speaking one version to the public but speaking cult language to each other and it’s just not working for them here. They don’t realise that they lie either, I have caught many out lying but they’re oblivious to it because they’re in the “true” religion.
Hopefully, this might be the beginning for more people to sit up & take notice of the damage that destructive religious cults have on its members & not just look at the obvious ones like Islam.
I’ve been wondering while watching the enquiry, how many secular authorities are watching this, especially therapists like Raphael Aaron, who is aware of the JW mental health conditions & cult watcher. Then there is Child protective advocates like Hetty Johnston(one of my heroes here in Australia) & Nick Xenophon, an Australian politician who has been pushing for the investigating of cults in Australia & their charitable status for quite some time now.
Then there are analytical researchers who could find out numbers of followers who suffer from religious trauma as a result of being involved with such cults.
I just hope that the discussions keep going on further afield. People do find it interesting, when I talk with my outside friends about what it has been like being then leaving a high control religion, they are really fascinated by what they hear.
Reply
 
 
 Criticus says:

 July 30, 2015 at 3:23 pm
 
Hi to y’all,
this Doug Jackson C.O. is probably one of the dumbest, stupidest, most uneducated COs I have ever seen. How in the word could such a blockhead ever have become a CO within the WTS-org.? He is absolutey, totally, and utterly incompetent. It was just hilarious to see how the judge and the younger interrogator grilled him in regard to “uncleanness” and “loose conduct” in part 4. How could such a d…a… ever have been let loose as a CO on “God’s flock” without knowing the most fundamental basics needed for handling “judicial cases”? He “couldn’t recall” such a fundamental scripture as Gal 5,19 this whole “uncleanness” and “loose conduct”-WTS-shenanigans is based upon. He did not have the slightest clue with regard to the meanings, nor the differences between “akatharsía” and “asélgeia”. The panel actually had to explain all these things to him; the younger interrogator seemed to knew exactly what the term “pornéia” meant, whereas our CO-brother could just parrot GB-org. guidelines empty-headedly. This shows the true nature of WTS-procedures, and the “(non)quality” of WTS-mandated “judicial” acrobatics. I only watched part of this section, but I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that this Doug-guy, after having left the hearing room, broke down and cried snod & tears. They literally took him apart, limb by limb.
This whole things points to one of the (many) basic and underlying flaws of the Watchtower system, which is: Incompetent people who neither have the needed education, nor the intellect to understand, explain and apply the Scriptures, are the “bosses” and are running the show, lording it over their fellow believers.
I couldn’t help but chuckle seeing one of those “Glorious Ones” being in the hotseat, being held to the fire by a woman – something utterly anathema and unthinkable within the confines of the sunny “spiritual paradise” under the iron rule of “theocratic order”. Imagine a sister hard-core-cross-examining a male member – let alone a C.O. – in tribunal-style. In fact, I was lol several times; this is very entertaining.
Greetings,
 Criticus
Reply
 
 
 James Kingstone says:

 July 30, 2015 at 3:46 pm
 
I am riveted by the Australian Royal Commission videos.
 I do feel for the elders to some degree having served on endless committees but they MUST see how the GB are exposed as cowardly and unfeeling. The original British colonies in America PROVED that religion’s rule is completely unworkable. Then Communism tried. Sharia law. Ku Klux Klan. Kmer Rouge. TV Evangilists. The list is endless. When will people stop all this ‘faith’ nonsense? Maybe I’ll start a religion based on motorcycles if there are THAT many stupid people in the world!?! Oh wait… there IS one…MotoGP.
Reply
 
 
 rikos says:

 July 30, 2015 at 4:28 pm
 
I call the brooklyn bethel three time and i inquire some truth about the australia child abuse enquiry, and the reports from CNN,ABC,NBC, and the video inside the courtroom. to my surprise, the service desk deny these allegations as the truth. They told me these are false accusation from satan. the media is instrument of satan and don’t believe what the media say. The only thing they offer me is to read ascription from the bible. unfortunately jehovah witnesses are deaf.
Reply
 
 Meredith J says:

 July 30, 2015 at 5:04 pm
 
Ha ha ha. Well, what else could you expect? They will be denying this and claiming persecution till the walls crumble around them.
Reply
 
 
 Criticus says:

 July 31, 2015 at 7:08 am
 
Same thing over here (in Texas, U.S.A.). I asked some “elders” why there isn’t the slighest information given by WTS as regards the Candace Conti and other currently ongoing child abuse cases, and when there will finally be sth. said to that effect to the “publishers” – blank stares, silence, then “This is all but lies and falsehoods, smear campaigns, don’t you know this, how dare you even ask us such a silly question” etc. When I referred them to the URLs of several reputed U.S.-newspapers and TV-channels that are reporting about these cases, and that people by and large are beginning to take note of this, they pulled out the “ultimate weapon”: “WHICH APOSTATE WEBSITES HAVE YOU GOTTEN THIS FROM?” Nobody wanted – or seemed to – care that this is not “apostate crap”, but serious news media information. Well, I guess they must have received their instructions from “above”, and things will develop in a similar fashion as with the “U.N.-membership”-incident from a decade ago (“We just needed the U.N.-library for research” blablabla): Only when the tide reaches the brim of the dam and begins to spill over, then they’ll graceously disclose some slanted information to the “dumb flock”, trying to explain the facts away in some self-exonerating manner so that the “stupid sheep” will believe that Candace, Bill Bowen & Co. are nothing but vile liars, dirty muckrakers and mudslingers who will croak miserably in the burning flames of Marhageddon.
Reply
 
 
 
 Grace says:

 July 30, 2015 at 5:00 pm
 
OMG Rikos,
That phone call would just make me want to yell through the phone! You mean to tell me that they are accusing every one else of lying but themselves.
Good on you for calling them, I wonder if the phone lines are lighting up there in Bethel.
Reply
 
 
 Catalina says:

 July 30, 2015 at 5:01 pm
 
After reading this article. I think, I may have more respect for the POPE than for the G.B. What a mess. Hard to believe these men can be so stupid, lack so much common sense and be so mind controlled. I have to believe it because it comes from their own mouths. I’m glad I watched. They are stupid, stupid, stupid without common sense.
Reply
 
 Simon Kestral says:

 July 30, 2015 at 5:30 pm
 
Common sense says a two witness rule does not apply to murder; there may be no living witnesses to that crime. But it’s still prosecuted and the guilty jailed or executed.
Same goes for sex crimes. A two witness rule fails in most cases, so justice needs common sense. WT misapplies the two witness scriptural principle in defiance of justice and common sense.
But that’s what happens when people worship an idol (the WT organization). They abandon common sense.
Reply
 
 William Niles says:

 July 30, 2015 at 9:16 pm
 
Hi Simon Kestral–you make a great point and I was just thinking of that exact same thing. When you get a chance, read in the Bible Deut. 22:25-27…there was no second witness to the rape. It says clearly at the end of verse 27, “but there was no one to rescue her”. So clearly, WT is misapplying the 2-witness rule!
Reply
 
 
 
 
 StrongHaiku says:

 July 30, 2015 at 5:18 pm
 
So far Dino Ali gets my vote for future GB member. He was unapologetic, unreasonable, and the epitome of a true “Company Man” that just follows orders. All the others elders/representatives had just enough humanity left to make them seem “spiritually weak”. I see a bright future for Dino Ali.
Reply
 
 
 Roxanne Temple says:

 July 30, 2015 at 7:45 pm
 
The next trick?
Change “it is prosecution brothers” to “it is persecution brothers!”.
They are pretty close in spelling, but way different in meaning. These are REAL crimes, not some “persecution”.
Reply
 
 
 Grace says:

 July 30, 2015 at 8:27 pm
 
Seriously watching this Royal Commission is so educational even for JW’s.
The so called expert for the WT, Dr. Applewhite has been shown up to be the student not the teacher in matters of child abuse prevention/protection.
I wouldn’t even pay her 30 shillings for her opinion.
Reply
 
 
 Grace says:

 July 30, 2015 at 8:38 pm
 
I thought that it was good that the Judge brought out the difference between clergy confidentiality of the Catholic Church & JW clergy confidentiality. Usually, the priest is the only one to hear the crime. With JW’s, it gets passed through the elders then the branch & whoever is scouring the so called confidential files. So it’s not so confidential after all.
Reply
 
 
 William Niles says:

 July 30, 2015 at 9:11 pm
 
The Royal Commission is ripping those Elders wide open! WOW! Those Elders are stumped over their own words or are either in total silence, just not knowing how to respond….isn’t the holy spirit suppose to help them to speak/know what to say? So either the holy spirit has departed from them, or they never had it in the first place. It will be interesting to see if other countries follow along with what Australia is doing and I am so glad to see that the Royal Commission is taking these steps to help protect children & see to it that the victims get the justice that WT had denied them for so, so many years.
Reply
 
 
 Vivian says:

 July 30, 2015 at 10:16 pm
 
I, as many others that have commented, hope that these latest news stories will help enlighten and help awaken some jws to logic and clear thinking. In the bigger picture tho, these laws that allow a priest or elder to possibly hear a terrible act, such as abuse of a child or even murder and allow the hearer (and even force the hearer) to keep it private and hidden is the larger more urgent problem. The priest- penitent privilege is awful. No human should be privy to criminal actions by others without revealing them. Such a privilege, I would imagine, only calms and benefits the criminal furthering their abuse and crimes on even more victims. All religious leaders across all boards, religions etc need to be redefined and classified as mere humans with no special powers or privileges.
Reply
 
 Pickled brain says:

 July 30, 2015 at 11:08 pm
 
@Grace. You Highlight an EXCELLENT POINT in your comments about the AWFUL WAY the GB claim Clergy Privilege & the difference between the Catholic Church!! How in Gods Name ?? Can the GB claim Clergy Privilege when the confession of CHILD ABUSE is not before just 1 Man & the guilty person BUT in front of a Judicial Committee of 3 Elders & the Branch Office & Legal Department & maybe a Circuit Overseer !!! Believe me some Elders wives will also know the Score too !!
Reply
 
 Wild Olive says:

 July 31, 2015 at 12:58 am
 
@pickled brain,I just had to add too your comment on elders wives, one of the elder defendants said the reason why records of peadophile judicial committees was destroyed was because they “didn’t want to upset their wives ”
How can an elders wife know these facts if either the elder tells his wife,or she’s reading the congregation files, either way confidentiality and correct procedure have nothing to do with what’s going on in the org.
Reply
 
 Pickled brain says:

 July 31, 2015 at 5:48 am
 
@Wild Olive. I AGREE TOTALLY with your comment!! Yes why destroy the incriminating files to stop elders wives nosing around & reading them. One Elders wife I spoke to who was later herself disfellowshipped for immorality said she knew where her husband kept the files & had a sneak look at them every now & again. CONFIDENTIALITY??? It’s a Flipping Joke in the congregation!!Everyone knew why a certain person got reproved or Disfellowshipped! Nothing was Secret in our congregation!
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 pj wilcox says:

 July 31, 2015 at 1:35 am
 
this arrogant inferior mongrel pedophile protector should see the inside of a max prison and let the inmates teach him about what they think of child abuse.
 I would imagine his days of going door to door are over. Who an is ever going to value the words of this ungenuine,phony misborn man ever again
Reply
 
 
 Bad Penny says:

 July 31, 2015 at 2:20 am
 
Brilliant coverage CovertFade.
 This court case shows up the organisation for what IT REALLY IS, a load of blithering idiots!
 William Niles –
Liked your point – at Luke 11-12 it says’ ‘But when they bring you in before public assemblies and government officials and authorities, do not become anxious about how or what you will speak in defense or what you will say, for the holy spirit will teach you in that very hour the things you ought to say.’
Looks like these chaps were expecting Jehovah’s help!
 Got it wrong again boys – God ain’t with you!
 Would it not be ironic if the downfall of this organisation came from their misinterpretation of the ‘TWO WITNESS’ rule. If you research these scriptures, the witnesses are not necessarily eyewitnesses to an event but are ones who have questioned the accused and either got an admittance of guilt or are sure that his testimony is either true or false and he is judged accordingly.
 It looks like the Royal Commission is doing a grand job in bringing in not just two, but a multitude of witnesses to the incompetence of the Watchtower organisation.
 We must take our hats off to the brave souls who have helped to expose this disgusting situation.
 Maybe God’s spirit is really helping them!
Reply
 
 Holly Chu says:

 July 31, 2015 at 7:44 pm
 
Bad Penny, so agree…..blithering idiots. I had also researched Matthew 18 on the 2 witness rule and came to same conclusion as you. Once AGAIN, WT misapplying the Scriptures to their own benefit.
 The Elders on the stand have no where to run, no where to hide under the relentless, but respectful questioning by the Council for the Royal Commission. The Holy Spirit doesnt seem to be coming to their aid, now does it?
Reply
 
 
 
 Everyday Explorer says:

 July 31, 2015 at 3:40 am
 
Thank you, CovertFade, for this article. You are helping to keep the spotlight bright on the WT’s heinous lack of safeguarding procedures. We’re all going to keep the pressure on exposing this issue until rigorous safeguarding procedures are shown to be in place.
Reply
 
 
 Keith says:

 July 31, 2015 at 4:02 am
 
Covertfade thank you for taking the time to write such an excellent analysis of the proceedings. Although I have followed the hearings continuously your take was well worth reading. Please continue with summations.
Reply
 
 
 David says:

 July 31, 2015 at 4:06 am
 
Lett’s video where he said that child abuse allegations were all lies has been removed from their tv. I think this should be reported to the Australian commission. The jw.org corporation actions shows how they do not like justice but are ready to hide abuse information and insult people without reason.
Reply
 
 Chiafade says:

 July 31, 2015 at 8:58 pm
 
You have got to be kidding me?! That was one of the most infuriating statements made on JW.org and I can’t believe that it was said with such conviction. That’s deceitful and shameful “Shaaaame on them” (Tony Morris voice from July broadcast)
Reply
 
 
 
 Keith says:

 July 31, 2015 at 4:50 am
 
The link to the now missing video.
 It’s gone.
http://tv.jw.org/#video/VODProgramsEvents/pub-jwbmw_E_201502_5_VIDEO
Reply
 
 Pickled brain says:

 July 31, 2015 at 8:12 am
 
The video of Stephen Letts saying accusations of GB permissive towards child abuse is at TV.Jw.org then click on ‘Program and Events’ & scroll down to Stephen Letts talk on ONENESS of SPIRIT ‘ It is a 10 minute video & the stupid phrase he uses is in the second half of the video!!
 What is so Disgusting is that the THEME is ‘Oneness of Spirit’ which is SICKENING considering the ABUSE these VICTIMS have Suffered & I bet your bottom dollar these victims DO NOT FEEL at ONE with STUPID Stephen Letts !!!
Reply
 
 
 
 Kat says:

 July 31, 2015 at 5:15 am
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYxG2F3Wd8c
apostate lies Lett don’t think so its GB lies.
Reply
 
 
 Peter says:

 July 31, 2015 at 6:23 am
 
So this is Jehovah’s clean organisation, this is the predator free spiritual paradise is it?
 Years and years of hidden child abuse, years and years of children suffering. . . Absolutely dreadful.
 Had they applied the two witness rule correctly and had reported all accusations of abuse they would have had praise, theres a reason why Gods minister carries a sword and rightly so.
 And this is just one country
Reply
 
 William Niles says:

 July 31, 2015 at 8:05 am
 
Hey Peter–great points. Yes, this is only 1 country, I wonder what would be discovered if the U.N. conducted the same kind of investigation that the Royal Commission is doing…with over 1,000 confirmed people not being reported in 1 country alone, like John Cedars had said in his previous post here, the number would easily go into the tens of thousands. Back in early 2000 when it was exposed in the US that the names of over 23,720 pedophiles were kept on a WT database, the WT said it was all lies and slandered the people who shed light on this terrible truth…..the truth will always come out and it’s easy to see who was really lying v.s. telling the truth. If the Bible says that God is a God of truth, then wouldn’t the type of attitude/response that WT is showing to these accusations be considered an attack on the very principles that they profess to uphold? It would be an attack on the the Bible itself, the very book that they claim to follow! I did check out the video from Stephen Lett that others here are saying was removed…and it was. I wonder how the GB must being feeling right now with all of this hypocrisy coming to light…do they even feel anything at all? People who don’t know the difference between right v.s. wrong usually don’t feel anything at all…their conscience is hardened/insensitive and for these sick, disgusting men(I refer to them as freaks) being in Bethel, or being an Elder, is nothing more than a job or routine for them.
Reply
 
 
 
 DavidR says:

 July 31, 2015 at 6:36 am
 
Max Horley flat out lied in his questioning. He said that when Bill was allowed to step down that it is the same as him being removed.
From the outside it could be seen that way but internally that is a measure that is given so that this pervert could save face and others would just assume he was tired and needed a break. That is why they did not remove the Book Study from his home. That worded with his recommending his reinstatement “after this has passed” shows that he was covering and only doing the bare minimum in response to the victims allegations.
Reply
 
 Peter says:

 July 31, 2015 at 8:36 am
 
That is an absolute truth. At the time if an Elder was found guilty of a disfellowshipping offence he was allowed to step down and save face with dignity.
Reply
 
 
 
 Peter says:

 July 31, 2015 at 6:56 am
 
They are indeed full of dead men’s bones.
 It’s like watching the Nuremberg trials. . .i was just following orders. . .
 The real culprits belong in New York.
 Again and again the committee has probed the conscience of these men and again and again they admitted it troubled them and yet it is all apostate lies.
 The Watchtower Society cannot blame past mistakes on their predecessors while their currently sitting on their hands, they could make a difference today.
 1000 indecent scavengers and not 1 apology or recognition of the mishandling of perhaps thousands of incidents and all kept confidentual. Who’s intrests was that policy in? The irony of the policy of confidentiality. . .you can not mention to those within the congregation of the accusation of abuse you’ve made its gossip. . But you can go to the police. . Ridiculous.
 Very self serving Watchtower wasn’t it?
Reply
 
 
 apostate shamostate says:

 July 31, 2015 at 10:47 am
 
Excellent write up thank you. My feelings are so mixed when reading about what is happening in Australia. I am so horrified and upset by what so many children went through, I am so angry at the cowardice and stupidity of the elders and I am so pleased that all this has finally come to light and something is being done.
Reply
 
 
 Peter says:

 July 31, 2015 at 12:29 pm
 
So Jehovah’s Witness and the Governing body are ‘proud’ of their record in handling child abuse cases (quote from Tony Morris on one of the latest JW.org videos)
 The question individual members of Jehovah’s witnesses need to ask themselves is are they?
 The young woman’s testimony at the tribunal is very deeply moving, what an example, an example the Watchtower should follow. . . Honesty.
 What a brave young woman.x
Reply
 
 

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← Australian Royal Commission hears that 1,006 alleged child sex abusers were covered up by Watchtower
Jehovah’s Witness culture creates a ‘perfect storm’ for abuse →
 
Elders shamed under questioning by the Royal Commission
Posted on July 30, 2015

Jehovah's Witness elder Max Horley was among the elders who failed to impress when giving testimony before the Commission
Jehovah’s Witness elder Max Horley was among the elders who failed to impress when giving testimony before the Commission

The following article has been submitted by “CovertFade,” a non-disfellowshipped reader who credits this website with helping him wake up from Witness indoctrination a year ago, and who wishes to comment on developments in Australia…
As recorded this week in major news outlets all over the world, The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Australia has been presented with incontrovertible evidence that, due to the explicit policy and practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1,006 alleged child molesters in Australia have not been reported to the police, with hundreds of these molesters allegedly being repeat offenders.
The evidence comes, not from “apostates” or “Satan’s media.” It comes from the brave and gut-wrenching testimony of abuse survivors, the jaw dropping and sometimes infuriating testimony of elders who dealt with their cases, and Watchtower’s own internal documents. And it is utterly damning, confirming everything that child protection activists and critics of the Watchtower organization have long claimed: Victims forced to confront their accusers in closed off, all-male tribunals. Elders not reporting cases of abuse to the police, even in the face of actual confessions from the abuser. Victims being told to be silent or be shunned.
Sounds awful doesn’t it? Both for the lives of the victims, and for the reputation of the organization that has so spectacularly failed them. But trust us, unless you’ve actually observed the hearings, you’ve not even seen the half of it. And observe you can.
In complete contrast to the closed off, star chamber style of court that Watchtower calls “justice,” the Royal Commission has published its sessions online for the whole world to see in the form of video recordings and transcripts.
The actual commission has looked at two case studies so far; examining the testimonies of two separate abuse survivors from inside Jehovah’s Witnesses (known to the commission as person BCB and person BCG), and the subsequent response of the Watchtower as an institution when it became aware of the allegations.
Both cases date from about twenty years ago. So far, the Commission has taken testimony from the two survivors, and from five elders involved in their cases. To give a blow-by-blow account of all of the suffering, failures and jaw-dropping incompetence displayed in the sessions would take an entire book, not an article. But nonetheless here are a few overall points that can be gained from observing the proceedings so far. (As I type this, day three of the two week hearing has ended, and the commission in taking a one day break before resuming on Friday 31st July.)


Above you can watch a YouTube playlist of video coverage from the Royal Commission
Watchtower’s strategy in dealing with the commission is crumbling. It’s hard to believe that the Elders appearing to testify will not have been coached by Watchtower’s Legal Desk. Indeed, one can see a distinct trend in the testimony each man gives, which speaks of a coordinated response.
Each man takes the stand and begins by trying to press a specific narrative: “We’re not saying everything was handled perfectly in the past: everyone was still new to the problem and didn’t fully understand how to proceed. But we’ve learned since then, and fixed the problems, and now it’s all fine, trust us, no really, and please pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.”
Trouble for them is: the commission is blowing holes in that narrative wide enough to drive Jehu’s chariot through.
Firstly, it has now been demonstrated that even by the standards of the time (both cases being around 20 years old) the elders involved in the process demonstrated horrific incompetence and even active deceit. For example, elder Max Horley admits at one point to “not taking seriously” the wording of a letter he wrote to the branch about the sex abuse case he investigated, with that flawed letter later resulting in a significant and incorrect minimizing of the perceived seriousness of the abuse.
But it’s not just incompetence on the part of the elders that has been uncovered, because on day three, the commission caught elder Dino Ali apparently lying under oath.
Ali had claimed before the commission, and in his written statement, that when he and his fellow elders had investigated the allegations made by a young girl (known to the commission as BCG) against her father (allegedly a friend of Ali), the committee had been unable to disfellowship the father or take any action against him, even though they claimed to believe the allegations, because they had neither two witnesses to the crime, nor a confession from the father.
Ali regretfully but firmly stated that since it was a case of one person’s word against another, there was nothing the elders could do. He was asked during hearings to confirm if he’d have found the father guilty if he’d had two witness or a confession. Ali agreed that either one would have allowed him to do so.
Much to his obvious shock, the Commission then produced a set of aged, handwritten notes. They spent a great deal of time getting Ali to confirm that the notes were his, written during his investigation of the abuse. Ali, as recorded in the transcript and videos was clearly uncomfortable, and tried to dance around the issue, but was soon left with little choice in the matter but to accept that they were his, apparently obtained by the commission from the congregation file.
The Commission then proceeded to read Ali’s own account, from Ali’s own notes, of how not only the daughter BCG had accused the father of abuse, but BCG’s mother had also testified to Ali that the father had abused the two younger daughters, and the eldest of the four daughters had also stated to Ali that she had been abused.
Sounds bad? It gets worse.
Later in the notes, Ali in his own hand had recorded the father confessing to the abuse. The commission thus pointed out that, far from having only one witness and no confession, Dino Ali actually had three witnesses and a confession – enough evidence to find the father guilty.
Having been caught in either an act of gross negligence, outright deceit, or both, Ali spends most of the rest of his testimony trying and failing to convince the judge that three witnesses and a confession is not actually three witnesses and a confession.
Secondly, it quickly becomes apparent that while Watchtower may have changed some things they have not made changes where it really matters, and all the elders confirm this under oath.
The two witness rule. The practice of three men interrogating a survivor of sexual assault, sometimes in front of their attacker. The policy of not reporting to the police unless legally mandated to do so. These core problems are still alive and kicking in Watchtower. Thus, despite Watchtower’s attempt to spin a certain narrative to the Commission, the Commission has in just the first three days left that narrative in tatters.
 And that leads us to the next point.
The failure is systemic to the Watchtower organization from the top down. These are not the actions of a few bad apples or incompetent men. Every single elder has confirmed (with the exception of Ali’s apparently deceitful behavior which, for the sake of fairness, was likely not directly sanctioned by Watchtower) that they were following direct printed policy regarding these matters. Indeed, these elders feel that they cannot deviate from the policy even if they disagree with it. The testimony below from Max Horly is typical of the repeated responses from the elders interviewed…
◾Justice Peter McClellan: Mr Horley, I understand how the church is organized, but what the process means is that the investigation, in a case such as this one, of a woman’s allegations is made entirely by men; correct?
◾Max Horley: I’m sorry, the —
◾Justice McClellan: The investigation within the church is conducted entirely by men?
◾Horley: That’s correct, yes.
◾Justice McClellan: Do you think that’s appropriate when the allegation comes from a woman, and maybe a young woman?
◾Horley: That’s – that’s the procedure that we have in place.
◾Justice McClellan: I know, but I’m asking you a different question.
◾Horley: Well, that sort of comes into my personal feelings. I think I would still have to be bound by what the branch directs me to do.
This is an oft repeated theme in the hearing. Elders follow orders, and they cannot question those orders, even if they disagree with them.
And disagree they do.
Most elders interviewed disagreed with the Watchtower policy when pressed. Out of the four elders specifically questioned about the key concerns of the commission, three of the elders (Max Horley, Doug Jackson, and Kevin Bowdich) eventually conceded in part or in whole that the process was flawed and needed to change. Below we have some such excerpts from the transcripts demonstrating this.
◾Mr Angus Stewart, Counsel for the Commission: The point is, do you accept that in the face of the person accused, it may be very difficult for a person who has suffered abuse to say everything that happened to them?
◾Max Horley: Absolutely, yes.
◾Stewart: And in front of other men as well, at least two elders; is that right?
◾Horley: That’s true, yes.
◾Stewart: So it’s not a process that is necessarily going to come out with the full story, is it?
◾Horley: Obviously not at the first meeting and, in this case that’s borne out, but – yep.

◾Justice McClellan: The problem, Mr Jackson, is really not addressed in that way, though, is it? The problem —
◾Doug Jackson: No
◾Justice McClellan: — is the whole structure of the arrangement with two male elders, a male accused and then a female, in an environment in which she could never feel comfortable, being asked to tell intimate details of a sexual nature – the structure doesn’t work, does it?
◾Jackson: Well, I agree, your Honor, I certainly do.

◾Mr Angus Stewart, Counsel for the Commission: It’s not a good process, is it?
◾Kevin Bowdich: It could be better.
Only one elder, Dino Ali, stubbornly insisted that the process was fine as it was, though his contradictory and sometimes bizarre responses to the commission indicate a man either being deliberately stubborn in refusing to admit the possibility his church may have flaws, a man terrified of publicly contradicting the Watchtower, or a man of such limited critical thinking skills that he cannot understand simple logic and reasoning.
Here is a typical example of the Judge trying to lead him to water, but of Mr Ali refusing to drink, when discussing the practice of bringing a sexual abuse survivor before a three-man committee.
◾Justice McClellan: And you still think that’s an appropriate process for a young woman who is bringing allegations of sexual assault by her father, do you?
◾Dino Ali: I believe it’s a step in understanding the process of what happened. It’s – I understand how difficult it was for her.
◾Justice McClellan: But what she is saying to you is, because of the way this process was conducted, she wasn’t able to tell you all that she could have told you about what happened to her. Do you understand that?
◾Ali: True, true. I understand that.
◾Justice McClellan: So the three of you weren’t actually receiving the whole story, because the process wouldn’t allow it. Do you understand that?
◾Ali: I understand that, too.
◾Justice McClellan: Well is that not suggesting to you there is a flaw in the process?
◾Ali: No.
So of the four elders interviewed, three agreed the process was flawed and thus proved that the Commission’s concerns were valid, and the fourth refused to admit the process was flawed even when the flaws were demonstrable.
Wait, I said four Elders. Wasn’t there a fifth guy?
Yes, there was. Elder Joseph Bello, but he didn’t spend long on the stand. Basically, he appeared to present rather nervous and shamefaced testimony confirming that, when abuse survivor BCB and her husband had been considering going to the Royal Commission with her story, he had made the statement: “But what would that accomplish other than dragging Jehovah’s name through the mud?”
This prompted the following exchange…
◾Mr Stewart for the Commission: I take it within your faith, Jehovah is considered as a loving God?
◾Joseph Bello: Definitely.
◾Stewart: Would Jehovah, then, not also then not be more concerned about the victim than his own name?
At this point, you’d think Mr Bello would take the olive branch being offered, but instead he gives the following insight into why the Watchtower would rather abusers go free than victims go public
◾Joseph Bello: Jehovah would be concerned about the victim, but Jehovah is concerned about his own name, too, that’s what the scriptures told us.
In other words… no.
Yikes.
Oh, and before he got off the stand, he also admitted that he had no real idea what the Commission was for or what it did, and that despite being summoned several weeks ago, he had done no research. When the astonished Judge told him that he must have been aware of the Commission’s work though the news, Mr Bello admitted to never following the news. The look on the face of Justice McClellan after this response spoke a thousand words.
This is just a small snippet of the opened can of worms that the elders interviewed thus far have strewn across the Commission floor. Not a single elder has carried themselves with any grace. They have all either collapsed into a deflated, shame-faced mess under questioning, or showed themselves to be unreasoning, deceitful fanatics.
With over a week of further testimony lying ahead, including the testimony of some high-ranking members of Watchtower Australia, it’s hard to see how the organization can possibly pull out of this legal and PR nosedive.
It would be hilarious, if it wasn’t so tragic.
If you decide to view the videos and read the transcripts, please be certain to take in the harrowing testimony of BCB and BCG. Please listen carefully as they relate how their lives were destroyed by men who should have protected and loved them.
Please listen as they relate how the elders and policies of the Watchtower organization acted to make an awful situation even worse. Please consider their courage, and their pain.
And please consider that these are just two of potentially thousands of victims around the world whom Watchtower has failed and will continue to fail until rule of law, financial penalty and public opinion force it to revise its bronze age approach to child abuse.
 
Covertfade
 
Further reading…
◾Updated list of media reports on the Royal Commission
◾Download page for exhibits from the Royal Commission
◾Australian Royal Commission hears that 1,006 alleged child sex abusers were covered up by Watchtower
◾Jehovah’s Witness Report article
◾JWsurvey articles on child abuse
Related video…




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← Australian Royal Commission hears that 1,006 alleged child sex abusers were covered up by Watchtower
Jehovah’s Witness culture creates a ‘perfect storm’ for abuse →
 
117 Responses to Elders shamed under questioning by the Royal Commission

← Older Comments
 
 Koos says:

 July 31, 2015 at 12:57 pm
 
Stephen Lett Captain of the Titanic
Reply
 
 Criticus says:

 August 1, 2015 at 7:25 pm
 
His eyebrows are trying to paddle away as fast as they can for quite some time now … we should help them escape.
Reply
 
 
 
 Sharon Ryan says:

 July 31, 2015 at 1:08 pm
 
Wow. Unbelievable, yet all totally true. So glad I woke up & got out of the JW’s almost 6 years ago.
Reply
 
 
 Peter says:

 July 31, 2015 at 1:24 pm
 
I apologise for the multiple posts but I would just like to add one more comment and say to individual Jehovah’s witnesses, without condemnation or finger pointing etc, the governing body are ‘proud’ of how they’ve handled this young woman’s case and others like it but the real stinger is this. . .the Watchtower has been aware of this information for many years and they still say they are ‘proud’. They knew this was coming and have tried to deceive you. Listen to Tony Morris for yourselfs. . .who are the apostates and who really is the faithful and wise servant, a question posed by the master.
Reply
 
 
 anonymous says:

 July 31, 2015 at 1:55 pm
 
Does anybody know if this like a civil suit where the victims are suing for compensation for the pain and mental suffering they have gone through?
It is clear the elders don’t want to take responsibility and if they do take responsibility for the cover ups, then they could all be sued? So, if they say they were taking orders from the Society, then if it was proved that the Society prevented the victims from reporting the abuse to the authorities, then the Society would be the ones sued?
Like my husband keeps saying: The Society has never said that the victims cannot go to the police. No, the Society is smarter than to put it in writing that victims are not being barred from reporting the abuse to the police.
So, then why 1006 out of 1,006 cases of child sexual abuse that were reported to the elders, not even one of those men told the victims and their families to report the abuse to the authorities? If the abuse was in the family, then they would have to know that the man or father is not going to turn himself into the police and so the elders should have reported it to the police to protect the child in that home but they didn’t report it to the police.
Since the elders felt uncomfortable in relating their experiences in those situations where the child had to confront the abuser in front of a bunch of men, it would seem that most of those men went against their conscience. No, they weren’t following orders from the Society to tell those people that they couldn’t go to the police, but they discouraged it by telling them that the victims’ reporting it to the police would bring reproach on Jehovah’s name.
The Society is smart enough not to put it in writing that victims can not go to the police but the elders were dumb enough to go against their conscience and not report it and discouraged the victims not to report it. They were no different than those in WW2 following orders from Hitler. People follow orders from men dressed in suits, no matter how stupid the orders might be. It’s human nature. Now the chickens are coming home to roost and the elders are being left to take the blame. If the elders realize just how they have been thrown under the bus so save the Organization, maybe they will realize what a disgusting lowlife bunch of men they are following.
If the Society were real men, they’d stand up for those elders. After all, with 1006 out of 1006 cases of child sexual abuse not being reported to the police, it has to tell the authorities that the Society has to be giving those men orders, even if it’s not in writing.
If each of those 1,006 people each got one million dollars compensation, that could wipe out the Organization and just think, this is only one country. This abuse has been happening all over the world in the Organization for decades.
Reply
 
 Peter says:

 July 31, 2015 at 2:15 pm
 
A wonderful comment, logical, sensible and compassionate. The civil cases,I presume, would begin withthe conclusion of the trial and its findings.x
Reply
 
 
 Peter says:

 July 31, 2015 at 2:50 pm
 
I do believe this is the beginning of the end of the Watchtower, deservedly so. There are many lovely people who are Jehovah’s witnesses,we all have our favourites, I just hope they don’t get caught in the crossfire, nevertheless what will be is what will be.x
Reply
 
 
 peter says:

 July 31, 2015 at 3:30 pm
 
let the foolish virgins grow together
Reply
 
 
 
 Enuffsenuff says:

 August 1, 2015 at 12:40 am
 
Just a few comments on a Royal Commission. It is comparable to a Grand Jury in the US as I understand what a Grand Jury is. A Royal Commission is not a court of law. It is a fact finding body initiated to determine the truth about whatever it is assigned to examine. It has enormous powers of investigation. If you are summoned to appear before it then you must appear or you will be imprisoned until you do. The rules of evidence in a Court of Law do not apply. If you are asked to give evidence whether it incriminates you or not you must answer whether that is to your detriment or not. The RC will amass facts and make recommendations to the Govt of the day for Legislative consideration and its findings will usually be carried out. It will make recommendations for criminal prosecutions to the Dept’s of Public Prosecutions and or Police whichever be the more appropriate body. It is not an instrument to impose judicial findings, judgements or determinations. It is not adversarial as a court of law is and it does not act on behalf of or for litigants and it does not impose reparations of any sort.
 If Losch had of been called before a RC, unlike the case in Texas(?) and it cost the WTC $13 million, where he refused to appear that would have landed him in gaol.
 Hope this helps
Reply
 
 Keith says:

 August 1, 2015 at 4:14 am
 
Well said. Pervasive powers. You cannot escape the reach of a Royal Commission in Australia.
Two of their forthcoming recommendations are that institutional compliance requires a two pronged approach involving both Legislative and Financial Sanctions. The arbitrary figure of $65,000 was mentioned once in conversation.
Cheers All
 Keith
Reply
 
 
 
 Excelsior! says:

 August 1, 2015 at 4:47 am
 
anonymous,
To add to your excellent comment.
We need to remember that the 1006 refers to individuals, NOT cases. Sadly, it is probably the case that these 1006 criminals abused more than one victim.
I am looking forward to the investigation in the UK. We will hopefully get full disclosure from the UK branch about how many sick paedophiles are hiding in their congregations. The brave lady here in the UK who won the first civil case against the WTBTS has opened the way for further cases.
Folks have commented that Stephen Lett’s morning worship talk about unity, where he says that the accusation that the WTBTS has covered up cases of child abuse are “apostate driven lies and dishonest its” has been removed from JW broadcasting. Too late! It has been downloaded and is still available!
The WTBTS cannot sweep this under the carpet. They now live in a reality where anyone can learn about this disgusting scandal at the click of a mouse. Their old solutions now only make them seem worse. They have lost the information war.
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
Reply
 
 Sir R says:

 August 1, 2015 at 6:20 am
 
Has a similar inquiry in the UK already been scheduled? Not heard anything about it personally.
Reply
 
 
 sirius says:

 August 1, 2015 at 7:33 am
 
Can’t help but think of the constant drumbeat of it’s better to reveal than conceal, lawyers are pretty good at separating the wheat from the chaff. Ignorance is usually not a good defense, particularly those of authority. Also, the Royal Commission seems to have a very commanding handle of the process understanding. While the GB seems to be stuck in the reactive mode(ie putting out fires), the smarter organizations are in preventative and predictive modes. On the very basic level, do the Elders have any training including verification of training (ie records), particularly on child molesters?
IMHO
dogstar
Reply
 
 
 ScotWm says:

 August 1, 2015 at 10:22 pm
 
The Watchtower has not removed Stephen Lett’s Morning Worship talk which discusses child abuse stories that he calls “apostate-driven lies and dishonesties.”
Lett is one member of the governing body that I find difficult to watch. His exaggerated facial expressions and mimicking gestures, combined with outrageous lies, are a disgusting combination. To help you search and find it quickly, here is the exact title of the Stephen Lett talk to which you are referring:
Stephen Lett: “Maintain the Oneness of the Spirit”
Starting at 7 minutes and 30 seconds, Lett tells his biggest lie ever: “Another way we can contribute to the oneness; rejecting false stories that are designed to separate us from Jehovah’s organization. As an example, think about the apostate-driven lies and dishonesties that Jehovah’s organization is permissive toward pedophiles. I mean that is ridiculous isn’t it. If anybody takes action against someone who would threaten our young ones and takes action to protect our young ones, it’s Jehovah’s organization. We reject outright such lies.”
Reply
 
 Excelsior! says:

 August 2, 2015 at 2:53 am
 
Scot Wm,
Thanks for putting me right on the Stephen Lett unity talk. Much obliged.
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Tammy says:

 August 1, 2015 at 7:31 am
 
Where is the news Media? We heard all about the Carholic church all over the major news Media Fox News NBC CBS ABC CNN and CNBC. But hear nothing from them regarding this dangerous cult?
Reply
 
 
 Exhausted says:

 August 1, 2015 at 7:42 am
 
I have watched nearly every second of the streamed
 Coverage of the Royal Commission and have found it
 To be better than fiction. It is about time that these
 Arrogant, uneducated, morons be shown up for the
 Buffoons that they often are. I especially liked the
 Dry mouthed, clearly nervous Elder who made the
 Comment about dragging Jah’s name through the mud.
 CNN found that to be newsworthy as well.
 I also notice the glances between the lead prosecutor
 And the Judge when they say stupid things. It is so
 Embarrassing and rather painful to see them look so
 Ridiculous in front of the world. Elders that is. I was
 Raised in this religion and even if I were still active, I
 Would shudder at this spectacle. I hope some good comes
 Out of this. it also appears that Watchtower is scrambling
 To do damage control. However, the eighties weren’t exactly the dark ages. Truth does not change, and these
 Issues have been around for centuries. The comments
 About learning more about The problem doesn’t wash with
 Me. Come on. You handled these women like clodhoppers
 And you know it. Too little too late.
Reply
 
 
 Ted says:

 August 1, 2015 at 9:49 am
 
The blatantly orchestrated statement, by elders at the Royal Commission.
“That we abhor child abuse, and have published many articles to help
 parents guard against it”. Is simply a white wash tactic, bluff, camouflage
 to cover over the org’s main concerns.- Self image and survival.
It’s true that many such helpful articles have been written. But with
 1006 JW, paedophiles in Australia alone, and who knows how many
 Worldwide? An official inquiry, sooner or later, was inevitable, and
 the WT, articles were preempting this, and are an attempt to distance
 themselves from any blame and bad publicity.
Their written, confidential ( secret ) policy, and practice, expose their
 deceit. The following are instructions from N, York , to the Aussie
 branch. —
.”Where the Law does not obligate elders to report cases that come
 to their attention, there is no need for them to do so, but if the matter
 becomes known to the authorities and they are required to disclose
 information they have in their possession, they will do so unless they
 can claim eccle-siastical privilege.”
So we could legitimately insert into those helpful WT, articles.—
Beware of paedophiles even in the congregations, but if any come
 to our attention, we will keep it to ourselves, unless the Law forces
 us to disclose it. But if we can get round the Law by invoking
 Clergy Privilege, we will do so.
Hypocrites ! Whitewashed Graves!
Reply
 
 
 MrFair says:

 August 1, 2015 at 10:45 am
 
While none of us should lose sight of the main theme of these hearings, the mishandling of child abuse allegations, there are some secondary themes that are blatantly obvious to anyone who has been a Witness (especially former elders). Mind control is on trial here too. I myself was an elder for several years and although I never personally handled a child sexual abuse case, I did handle cases involving young women confessing to “sexual misconduct” (I’m definitely not putting these on the same level). Even at that level, it is clear to me now that these investigations and judicial hearings involving three men asking for details of sexual contact were at the least very upsetting but more likely traumatizing. I admit to personally being dehumanized, desensitized and unable to use my own common sense in these cases because I was blinded by policy. Therein, lies the major problem in the Watchtower mentality – people are treated as policies and those administering the policies are controlled by the policies. Regardless of what your feelings, thoughts and common sense tell you as a human, the policy is above all else. I am pained over those committees to this day… I’m glad that the royal commission has picked up on the policy mentality and is pressing the elders to express a personal feeling or opinion on what is appropriate, which is clearly painful or even impossible for them to do. Even the kindest of elders are bound by the policy and find their own feelings and thoughts handicapped by them. It usually requires a crisis of conscience (which happened with me) for them to realize the error of their way. I’m glad I never handled child abuse cases when I was under that indoctrination because I would probably have committed the same errors. Dino Ali said he had sleepless nights over the case – that was his human side telling him something was wrong – but then he went ahead with the policy anyway. He’s still to this day ultimately siding with the policy and not the victim.
Reply
 
 Simon Kestral says:

 August 1, 2015 at 12:08 pm
 
Agreed, but I don’t think people can be mind controlled unless they like it. To stay in the organization, they must like it.
They have been told the WT is spirit directed by God, and they believe it. So they substitute WT for God, and worship it like an idol.
That’s perhaps the most devilish indoctrination of all.
Reply
 
 Idontknowhatodo says:

 August 2, 2015 at 2:01 am
 
Some people are trapped in it…after a lifetime in the organization I have woken up… but all my loved ones and friends are jw’s… I would be alone and shunned by my whole family…Im scared all the time of this result…there are I believe others in the same position as me earthwide…its a prison…my parents created it for me and though my mind is now free…I am not.
Reply
 
 
 
 Paul says:

 August 2, 2015 at 2:53 am
 
I too served as an elder. I agree with you about the policy dehumanizing and desensitizing us. I had many reservations about the system & methodology.
 We have exited about 4 months ago when many concerns compounded to a point where our consciences were troubled to such an extent that we could no longer remain in such a high control cult.
 I know that there are many genuine people in the Org, but the Royal Commission clearly shows how the following of Society Rules dumbs elders down – which results in great miscarriages of justice and unloving, unkind, inhuman behaviours.
Reply
 
 
 
 Ted says:

 August 1, 2015 at 2:15 pm
 
Mr, Fair. Simon Kestrel.
Both good comments, I think the mind control is a lobotomy
 job accomplished without the surgeons ice pick.
Brain washing shuts down the part of the brain that gives us
 autonomy. It then allows a space for someone else to take
 control, without us realising it. The WT, is always warning
 about independent thinking being a form of rebellion, Satan
 like.
As you rightly point out Simon, some like being controlled,
 having others do their thinking for them, even when the
 ideas are clearly wrong. there’s obviously a great many of
 them in the jw org. But there are many exceptions also.
The expression “Woken Up” is very appropriate, as from a
 hypnotic state. Mr, Fair says he had a crisis of conscience.
 Maybe some of the elders at the Royal Commission, after
 having their robotic obedience to shameful wt, policies
 exposed , will have a similar crisis of conscience, and wake up.
Reply
 
 MrFair says:

 August 1, 2015 at 3:58 pm
 
Exactly what I was going to mention. Some do choose the structure and to have someone else do their thinking but many don’t realize they are being controlled. As a third generation witness, I certainly didn’t choose to be born into a witness family, to be indoctrinated from childhood, to be homeschooled, etc. That was the only world view And information I had access to and I wasn’t given the valuable assets of critical thinking or freedom to choose. I’m sure many “born-ins” can relate to that.
Reply
 
 Vivian says:

 August 1, 2015 at 7:50 pm
 
Yes I totally relate and agree with your words. I was also a 3rd Gen jw. My mother had little critical thinking skills taught to her, and my grandparents were young immigrants to US with many children in the 40s when they were contacted by the cult. So so sad for my family and others as well. I am ending this control with my generation!
Reply
 
 Paul says:

 August 2, 2015 at 2:55 am
 
Me too !
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 Simon Kestral says:

 August 1, 2015 at 4:33 pm
 
Sorry if I offended born-ins. That was not my intent.
I already had critical thinking skills before exposure to the WT, and I fell for it too. Back in the ‘80s, paradise and the resurrection sounded so good. It took time to realize they mix lies with Bible promises.
If served a glass of water 90% pure and only 10% sewage, who would drink it? Of course WT fails to disclose the sewage content.
It still makes me angry that I drank their s**t!
Reply
 
 MrFair says:

 August 2, 2015 at 7:07 am
 
Hi Simon. I’m not offended and I understand where you are coming from. I sometimes feel the same way as you when I try to explain my reasons for “waking up” to my family members who are still in. In those moments, it seems that they want to be under mind control and they will deny all facts that might be contradictory to their beliefs. They’ve told me that they don’t care about the evidence, that they’re going to be loyal no matter what, that you can’t trust the news, etc. In those moments it does really seem that they want to be controlled and that they like it. I think it’s important that we remember that they aren’t even using their own minds to think about the facts presented to them. They are putting up mental walls using the very defenses fed to them by the Watchtower. As someone mentioned, there is also fear involved, the fear of changing their beliefs and losing everything they know. It’s very, very frustrating but we just have to keep trying to the extent possible. To help others, it’s important to identify those that truly WANT to be in, those being unwittingly CONTROLLED and those that feel TRAPPED. I’m sure you’ll agree that anger is justified when realizing that we’ve been deceived, but I think only love and empathy can help people. I’m glad you found your way out!
Reply
 
 
 
 Ocma says:

 August 1, 2015 at 8:30 pm
 
My heart aches for all the victims. Until I read the article before this one, I never even thought about what went on in those elder meetings. That they would ask for all the disgusting details, in graphic. Re victimising the victims. And I believe those elders do get off on listening to all the details. So glad they are being exposed for the uncaring liars that they are.
Reply
 
 
 Chiafade says:

 August 1, 2015 at 9:12 pm
 
The very reasonable questions from the royal commission are exposing how extremely unreasonable and repugnant the watchtower policies are. I especially LOVED the point made about reporting child abuse being a community responsibility. While the elders claim to be concerned with protecting children in the kingdom hall’s there is ZERO thought or concern for children on the outside.
The elders absolutely stupid remark “we can’t be responsible for the children in all of Australia” exposes the abysmal ignorance present in this organization. Of course you can’t! That’s why you report it to the authorities whos very job IS to protect children PERIOD.
An organization who preaches to the public has a responsibility to that very PUBLIC to not expose them to possible danger. I can’t think of the many times a child came to a door I knocked on, opened it, only to tell me that mommy and daddy are not at home. Immediately I would tell them to close the door and never EVER open the door to a stranger when mommy or daddy are not home. Just imagine the worst case scenario: An unreported child molester who was privately reproved is still allowed to preach and he gets one of those doors. It would be like Halloween except a very REAL monster would be at the door.
The point made was very clear. Even if the man was dissfellowshipped he still had access to non witness children. I wanted to hit that elder with a brick. Ultimately though the organization should bare the responsibility.
Reply
 
 Paul says:

 August 2, 2015 at 3:02 am
 
I was also of a mind to hit that elder with a brick !
 It was chilling to think that they were supposedly interested in protecting those in the congregation, but did an appalling job of it, due to following the policy to the letter – yet despite claiming to love their Neighbour ( by witnessing to them ) they would not warn, report, or help prevent molestation of any “worldly” child – true hypocrisy worthy of Pharisees whom Jesus strongly rebuked ! Shame on them !
Reply
 
 anonymous says:

 August 2, 2015 at 4:39 am
 
It all boils down to the mindset that the Organization belongs to Jehovah and as the God of the Universe, his name has to be protected above all else and those elders think that when a child abuser is reported to the police and it gets in the newspapers, then God’s Organization looks bad and it will bring “reproach” on Jehovah’s name.
That is the mindset that I had for fifty years also. No matter how bad certain people were within the Organization, I never “blamed” it on Jehovah. I always thought it was bad people in the Organization and that is the problem. I didn’t realize that reproach did need to be brought on Jehovah’s Organization because it deserved reproach, just as any other organization that doesn’t report child abusers to the police and any organization that is only concerned about it’s reputation in the community, could never be an organization that is run by a perfect god.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Garrett says:

 August 2, 2015 at 4:48 am
 
Since all these policies come from one source, namely the Governing Body, why haven’t they been held criminally responsible?…. Or is that yet to follow?
 G
Reply
 
 
 MrFair says:

 August 2, 2015 at 6:32 am
 
Did anyone else find it interesting, sad and laughable that the “expert” witness used by the witnesses isn’t an “expert” on witnesses? She was also hired as a consultant but not paid to do consulting? “Consultant: a person who gives professional advice or services to companies for a fee.” Watchtower wasn’t interested in her advice or services. It was classic when she had to admit that she has never offered testimony critical of the witnesses and that that wasn’t what she was paid to do. They just wanted someone with a “Dr.” at the beginning of their name to say that they are better than “Babylon the great” at distributing magazines. I’m sure Dr. Applewhite is a very good person with good intentions, who is interested in children’s welfare, but it seems the branch set the poor woman up to fail. (I hope she still gets her money :-) She had to be taught about the witnesses, their mentality and procedures by the commission. It will be interesting to see if she can muster any empirical evidence outside of the witness propaganda to base her opinions on. I think the justice destroyed the Watchtower’s whole defense when he told their lawyer he wasn’t interested in who was best among the religions or who got there first. Could someone get that clip to the GB? I’m sure that they aren’t watching this… 7 Joe Bellos locked up in Brooklyn… “Shame on them!” To quote Tony #3.
Reply
 
 MrFair says:

 August 2, 2015 at 6:46 am
 
One additional point… Why wasn’t she given the victim’s statements to read? It seems she would have had access to them? Come on! I have read transcripts of the case to know the victim’s stories and I’m not even testifying in the case. She only referenced the statements and opinions of the heads of the legal department, service department, branch committee, witness publications and an unrelated child abuse case fed to her by the branch. Did Watchtower use information control with her? Otherwise, I can’t imagine why she wouldn’t have read the victim’s statements particular to the commission’s case study. Additionally, she was probably given a tour of bethel, had lunch there, got love-bombed and swept away in a sea of love and trust. When I worked at Bethel, they really rolled out the red carpet for any non-jw professionals who visited the branch for business purposes.
Reply
 
 
 
 MrFair says:

 August 2, 2015 at 7:51 am
 
Sorry just forgot to mention this in the last post… The moment when Justice McClellan tells WT’s lawyer that whoever had Dr. Applewhite prepare this statement was missing the point. The GB itself is completely missing the point and probably forced the branch to miss it to. Sad…
Reply
 
 
 mcfan says:

 August 2, 2015 at 8:58 am
 
I cant take this anymore!!
 Whats wrong with all these blind people!!
 How much more proof do you need!!
 An organization that covers up thousands of CHILD RAPE cases all over the world can in no way be considered a religious organization. It is a CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION!!
 ORGANIZED CRIME!!! The Governing Body are the MASTERMINDS behind this CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION!!
WAKE UP!!!
Reply
 
 Criticus says:

 August 2, 2015 at 1:58 pm
 
One could ask: If somebody TRULY believes in a good and just God, TRULY believing there are things that are “bad”, “wrong”, “sinful”, horrible and disgusting in this one God’s eyes; if someone truly wants to follow Jesus Christ, taking all that is said by, and about him, seriously – how in the world could such a person even THINK of – let alone commit – this atrocity of taking advantage of small children to satisfy depraved, perverted, and base sexual lusts? Wouldn’t something like this be the epitome of a gastly and hellish combination of “uncleanness, “loose conduct”, “porneia” and whatever other term describing the worst imaginable twisted aberrations of human behavior?
The only possible explanation that comes to mind, to come to grips with this paradox is: These people, these child rapist-“elders” and “shepherds of God’s flock” don’t believe what they pretend to believe in front of others, from platforms when delivering pious speeches, and from door to door. Evidently, they don’t feel that the “eye of an all-seeing God” is watching them – or they don’t care (anymore). They are just like those Catholic and Protestant priests who are atheists, to whom the Bible is not an inspired divine revelation, but just a collection of myths and fables, but they pretend in front of others to be pious “men of God”, to get a paycheck at the end of each month for an easy and comfortable job.
Now, should it surprise us that those men either have never TRULY believed, or have lost whatever measure of faith they may once have possessed, in the light of JW.ORG’s incessant theological contortions and dogmatic acrobatics as regards “The end is coming sooooooon, it’s AT HAND, the generation consists of two overlapping parts and we live in the time of the 2nd younger part, only the 7 in BRK are God’s mouthpiece on earth, …”? Should it surprise us that so many JW’s – including the “elder/shepherd”-henchmen and enforcers of the governing central committee – are losing (or have lost) their faith in the light of the never-ending false JW.ORG-promises and –prophecies, and constantly shifting theological somersaults of a committee of petty little, but biblical utterly uneducated gang of machos? JW.ORG-“theology” is dull and dead, hollow and empty, unfulfilled and unfulfilling, frustrating, restrictive, deceiving and misleading.
I believe those aberrations, and surging wave of utter grave misconduct on the part of JW.ORG-“dignitaries” are but an indication, and a reflection of a total spiritual barrenness, the spiritual wasteland, the dried-up desert these people are living in, are forced to live in by Watchtower-leaders. To them, the often-quoted adage of Jer 2,13 applies: “They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” Those people have been forced to live on spiritual nothingness, on stuffy hot air of broken promises and false prophecies, mixed with gall and stench and the pettiness of small minds who deem themselves divine. “By their fruits you will recognize them”; “what is sown is what will be reaped”. Should one expect false teachings to yield a good crop? How about DECADES of false teachings, hammered as “THE TRUTH, nothing but the TRUTH and the ONLY TRUTH” into peoples’ minds and hearts? Feed on trash, drink poison, and you can’t expect to fare well. Have decades of JW.ORG-doctrines pumped into your system, and the results become obvious. And oh how they are in process of unraveling themselves before our eyes.
I am not saying that this is an “excuse” for what these people have done, and are still doing, to all those abused kids. Despite all those fundamental flaws and “poor quality” of JW.ORG-theology and its screamingly obvious falseness, let alone its lack to ennoble people, enabling them to control and overcome “sinful tendencies”: People are still responsible for their actions; it’s all about choices. Those Nazi concentration camps guards, those border patrols at the East German frontier were held fully responsible for having killed so many of their fellow human beings, despite claiming to “simply have followed orders”; this did not exonerate them, and rightly so. In the same vein, those JW.ORG-“dignitaries” cannot shift the blame for their own misdeeds neither to their “orders” from JW.ORG’s top guns, nor for their absence or loss of “believe” due to having been served spiritual crap for decades. We stand or fall based on our OWN choices and our OWN actions, since we got a brain to reason with, and to enable us to control and master our innermost and darkest animalistic impulses and instincts. Else, we wouldn’t be human, nor human beings.
The fruit of feeding on trash is literal sickness.
The fruit of feeding on spiritual junk is sick behavior.
The fruit of over 100 years of JW.ORG-indoctrination has ripened; the harvest has come, and it is here.
That’s what I think.
Criticus
Reply
 
 
 Richard says:

 August 2, 2015 at 7:50 pm
 
I share your frustration. I’m the only member of my family that escaped that dangerous cult, and it’s so incredibly hard to get through to my family. I hope, I sincerely hope, that this at least sows a grain of doubt in their head about what they call “the truth”.
Reply
 
 
 
 Koos says:

 August 2, 2015 at 11:42 am
 
Telling the Truth you’ve nothing to hide.
So why sending a secret manual to all the elders
 over the world?
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mz9z38909t3fh7c/2012-Shepherd-The-Flock-Of-God-ks10_E.pdf?dl=0
http://jwleaks.org/boe-letters/
Reply
 
 
 exhausted says:

 August 2, 2015 at 12:42 pm
 
My first thought was just where are the governing body
 At this hearing? shouldn’t they be front and center to
 Proudly defend their position as Christ’s brothers and
 Give a proper defense of the stance that they publish to
 The world? Is it just me or are they in some way cowering
 As to the responsibility of loyalty to their own doctrines?
 I listened to a brother on line who goes by the handle
 Johnny the Bethelite, who said they seem to be laying
 Low even in Brooklyn this past week. If that is in fact
 True, it makes ya wonder. It occurs to me that it is
 Easier for them to dish it out than to take it. I don’t see
 This as persecution, but an exercise in ACCOUNTABILITY.
 I have felt persecuted ever since I was disfellowshipped
 Because I did something stupid to try to end an unhappy
 Marriage. When I did that I was not associating at all
 With the congregation. At least I didn’t lie or deceive
 Anyone about it. Still, I have been an emotional basket
 Case ever since. When I would try to get to the meetings,
 I found it too much to bear, the shunning that is.
Reply
 
 
 Holly Chu says:

 August 2, 2015 at 2:57 pm
 
Oh please, let the WT Titanic go down in my lifetime. And all the media in the U S reporting it
Reply
 
 
 Peter says:

 August 2, 2015 at 3:12 pm
 
Tomorrow, when the trial continues, I would love to see the prosecution examine the legal department over the two witness rule.
Reply
 
 
 Peter says:

 August 2, 2015 at 3:21 pm
 
I believe that if you present a scriptural argument to Jehovah witnesses they are more likely to believe.
Reply
 
 
 Peter says:

 August 2, 2015 at 3:34 pm
 
If you can get a Jehovah’s Witness to question gravity will take over (I have a snow ball in mind).
Reply
 
 
 Grace says:

 August 2, 2015 at 4:43 pm
 
In the jw mindset, they haven’t yet unmeshed the 2 things that keep them locked in this paradox. That is, that God’s organisation & God are one & the same thing. The secret powers behind the organisation have managed to manipulate the minds of the follows to believe that they are tied together. That rules out any question that there maybe any error in their “divine policy”.
The GB have successfully usurped the worship for themselves, above Jesus & above Jehovah. Until the r&f can unplug that thought they will always base their thinking on what the “faithful & discreet slaves” version of divine policy is.
To all doubters, please search your heart for what your internal voice of justice is & if you still believe in God as the true justice maker, then ask yourself if this is what Jehovah God or Jesus would do.
Reply
 
 
 Kat says:

 August 2, 2015 at 6:21 pm
 
So very true Grace you nailed it! But at sometime ones conscience have to come into the equation or else they will just continue to allow themselves to be used.
Reply
 
 Grace says:

 August 4, 2015 at 6:14 pm
 
Kat,
So true. The thing that’s occurring to me as I look at this whole sorry state of a religion is that one’s conscience has to be deadened to make excuses for the WT’s handling of abuse.
Reply
 
 
 
 Richard says:

 August 2, 2015 at 8:15 pm
 
I’ve just finished watching part 1 of the hearing. Which you can watch here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlz131o77Uk) and is described above, and my jaw is just open. It is hard to listen to the details of the BCG case, and infuriating to listen to that elder lie in such an arrogant, yet incredibly stupid way. I want to punch him mercilessly in the face! This is beyond negligent, this is the embodiment of evil. The JW organization is the embodiment of evil. Period. Don’t believe me, just listen to that hearing.
Reply
 
 
 Route Pac 6 says:

 August 2, 2015 at 11:47 pm
 
There is a large underground movement in WT. Many secret cells working to undermine the organization. Just a matter of time now…
Reply
 
 David says:

 August 3, 2015 at 2:58 am
 
What do you mean? Have you got more details?
Reply
 
 
 
 Laddie says:

 August 2, 2015 at 11:53 pm
 
I know many inside still trying to get out.
Reply
 
 
 Idontknowhatodo says:

 August 3, 2015 at 3:37 am
 
I love the way that one elder says….’My Wife might have said that…thats not me…’…. ahhhhhh so lets just dob his wife in to the RC…. as long as his hands remain clean… the usual mysoginist reply…’it was the woman you gave me’… and he says it twice!
Reply
 
 
 Kaput says:

 August 3, 2015 at 3:54 am
 
Dear Friends
Remove the unloving practice of shunning and this whole house of cards will fall down – members who are not threatened by the loss of family and friends would soon see through this organisation for what it is – there should be a Global Commission into this terrible practice – this is a direct violation of human rights as mentioned many times. (we will take a Royal Commission in Australia to start with if need be!)
This Commission hearing proves to me that the WBTS does not have the resources, knowledge or intent to fulfill a comprehensive spiritual and (intrinsically related) emotional duty of care to all its members – which they have presumptuously assumed ownership of.
The victims of child abuse need love, support, family and friends to move on with their lives – not (unprepared) testimony of men, a legal team and a subject matter expert.
 Sadly at this most vulnerable time for them (according to the testimony) they are made to feel dirty, liars, trouble makers and guilty – this is shameful and needs to change now.
Comparisons, legalize, clever wording and deception expose this organisation – the incisive and logical questions from the Commission staff will hopefully help our friends and family that are still part of this organisation do some serious thinking if they want their destiny, freedom of association, security of their children and which neighbor they can love set by a US based corporation.
Love will always win – Jesus and other great men and woman of history set the example for us.
Kaput
Reply
 
 
 Meredith J says:

 August 3, 2015 at 2:43 pm
 
Kaput, you are so right. The victims of child abuse need their parents, sisters and brothers around them, of course if the father is not an abuser. And that is removed from their lives at such a crucial time (not in all cases of course, but for many this is a reality as their family stick to the Watchtower like glue) and to have elders, who are representing God, mind you, to accuse them of sinning in some cases by default of having been defiled would be the height of treason. You tell me how could a child go to the authorities? They are too young and inexperienced. And it is all to protect Jehovah’s name? They paint Him as an unjust and hateful god who loves punishing innocent ones. Hypocrites! Jesus said he was the end of the Law, so the GB are going against the law of love that Jesus instigated.
Reply
 
 
 Criticus says:

 August 4, 2015 at 9:04 am
 
Y’all,
to me, one of the most revealing moments – exposing one of the most fundamental “systemic” flaws in JW.ORG-“Theology” – was when judge McLellan asked Ron de Rooy: “What is the context in Deuteronomy in which the 2-witness-rule was given?” Ron couldn’t answer that, laying bare his utter ignorance as to TRUE biblical knowledge and education. Later during the session, McLellan even took the JW-“silver”-NWT, evidently opened it to Deut 17,6 (or 19,15), again getting back to the “context”-question, to no avail. He then stated, and I was utterly lol, applauding & cheering: “The Mosaic Law also states to stone people for adultery and for murder. So you do stone people?” Ron flailed, flapped, struggled, floundered helplessly BIG TIME. The judge’s smirk spoke volumes.
Now, here is a “worldly” judge, and HE – not our “theocratically well-trained brother” – is asking exactly the right question, one that is so fundamental as knowing the ABC before starting to read: What is the context of a Bible passage that makes it clear how to understand and to apply this passage? You can’t just rip any passage of any textbook out of its context to assign it a meaning. That’s basic. He – the judge – knows more about the Bible than a “divinely educated spiritual shepherd of God’s flock”. Ron – as all the other shining JW-luminaries grilled prior to him – has no clue; all he can do is shallow-brainedly parrot GB-Org-rules. TRUE and SOLID Bible education – ubi es? Not with JW.ORG, that’s being demonstrated right before our eyes beyond any doubt.
It was similar earlier when Angus Stewart grilled former Circuit Overseer Doug Jackson with regard to “uncleanness” v. “loose conduct”: The ks-book has all those “deliciously candid” scenarios as regards “touching breasts” and “fumbling with genitals”, “sex with animals” etc., either “accidentally” or “repeatedly”, which – so JW-“Elders” are taught – is the great distinguisher between “sinning out of weakness” and “intentional, repeated sinning”. Everybody who already has had the pleasure of being “examined” by a JW-“Judicial Committee” knows how those “amateur-wannabe-hobby-pastors” drill and peer and pry, trying to determine whether a “sin” was “only unintentional” (= uncleanness), or “willingly, based on a rebellious, shameless attitude”, which would constitute “loose conduct”. To begin with: None – NONE – of those untrained amateur-“shepherds” has the slightest clue as regards the meaning of the underlying Greek words “akatharsia” and “aselgeia” which are being “used” by JW.ORG to lay down their arbitrary “fact-finding”-procedures. This alone is a task totally overstraining most of those Joe Blow JW-“elders” who have neither the necessary professional, psychological training, nor the intellectual or human skills to accomplish a task as complex and serious as determining other peoples’ intents and motives and root causes of their behavior. Even “experts” fail at that. Guys: To do psychological evaluations of human behavior requires at least a 4-year university degree – and even THIS is no guarantee that one is doing a good job, as this Monica Applesauce-person with her PhD, BAs and “expert” credentials clearly and sadly demonstrates.
So: Here is an elder who REPEATEDLY abuses young girls – and he gets a slap on his wrist with the “uncleanness” (not the “loose conduct”)-verdict – and Mr. Stewart, a “worldly, not ‘theocratically educated’ ” prosecutor has to point out to a JW-C.O. (!!!) that – acc. to JW.ORG’s own definitions – this was not only “uncleanness”, but “loose conduct” due to the aspect of repetition??? I mean: Who is the JW-“dignitary” here? This shows, not only the utter lack of qualification on the part of most JW-enforcers, not only with regard to solid biblical education and understanding, but also as regards to applying their own church rules, but also the utter lack of quality of those rules as well, their being riddled with flaws and errors. All of this sheds a revealing light on the (non)quality of “the best education there is, namely, ‘divine’ JW-education”. JW.ORG’s arrogant and delusional claims are ridiculous. Here we see a toxic, concentrated agglomeration of false teachings, coupled with human incompetence. And all of this is “spirit-directed”? Oh yeah, and 2 times 2 equals 5, and the earth is flat. Maybe it is, but this “spirit” is not the true God’s Holy Spirit, that much we can rely upon. Maybe Jonny Walker’s or Ballantine’s spirit.
Looking forward to the remaining sessions yet to come.
Greetings,
 Criticus
Reply
 
 
 James Broughton says:

 August 5, 2015 at 9:20 am
 
Peter is right on both counts. Their teachings can be demolished by a true handling of scripture, but you have to demonstrate to them that they are not the truth. No easy task but it is a labour of love and not persecution that will open doors.
Reply
 
 Pickled brain says:

 August 6, 2015 at 12:06 am
 
@Criticus . Your ANALYTICAL DESTRUCTION of The Amateur 7 GB interpretation of Biblical Passages is ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT. Any Intelligent?? JW could see what you have just written shows the 7 GB MEN are NOT INSPIRED!!!!
 I have said in the past the only Spirit they are inspired by is Johnnie Walker,so I concur Wholeheartedly with what you say! My only fear last night as I sat at the Kingdom Hall looking around there are so many with limited education & those who are educated are Frightened, YES Frightened to Leave because of Losing Friends & Family! & This is the VERY SAD point that many stay in the Organisation because of FEAR & the 7 GB Men know this because of the EVIL SHUNNING RULE!!!
 WICKED beyond BELIEF!
Reply
 
 Criticus says:

 August 6, 2015 at 9:20 am
 
True, dear Pickled Brain, but the jar goes to the well only until it breaks. Nothing lasts forever, and just as those pedophile elders obviously have no ounce of true faith and godly fear left in their bones, so the members of the “flock” will loose their faith big time – not only due to JW.ORG’s incessant doctrinal mutations and utilitarian “theological” contortions and acrobatics (“New Blacklight”), one of the latest & greatest of which is the utterly unbiblical “2-part-generation”-hypothesis; not only in the light of their constant broken promises and false predictions; not only due to the insolent abuse of power and arrogance on the part of JW.ORG’s petty little local reps & enforcers; but also in the light of this massive surge of revelations about JW.ORG’s and it’s bosses TRUE essence and nature. How very revealing it is, how GB-member Jackson dodges the bullet, refusing to appear before the commission. He is in AUS due to “compassionate” reasons, bec. his daddy is ill? SO WHAT??? Tell this to the traumatized abuse victims, whose entire lives have been ruined by those abuser pigs. I don’t understand why the AUS-authorities could not just have seized him and brought him in, since he is Australian; but I am no lawyer, so I can only speculate. Those GB-villains keep their butts safely out of the fire while throwing others under the bus, to face the music they – GB – have hatched. THAT’s what I call “good shepherds”. Utterly disgusting & revolting this is. Reminds me of Ezekiel 34,8: “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock.” Now, THAT is a perfect description of what is currently going on amidst the “Spiritual Paradies” of the JW.ORG: Shepherds who fleece the flock to feed themselves, to feed their fat bellies. “Appointed Servants” that are like “wild animals” ravaging the tender sheep. But what else does it say in Ezekiel? “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them. I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries … I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice. ”
Dear friends: I seriously believe we are going to see this unraveling before our eyes VERY soon (oh yeah: “The end is coming SOOOOOOOn”, haha), and the events in AUS may be a first step toward this direction. May those words from Ezekiel be applied to those unfaithul & undiscreet slave-bosses and their henchmen all over: “Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? Must my flock feed on what you have trampled and drink what you have muddied with your feet? “ ‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another. I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David (= Jesus, inserted), and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lord have spoken.”
The time has come to pay the bill, and the bill isn’t pretty for those seven self-made and self-proclaimed lords and rulers over the believers. “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Greetings,
 Criticus
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Stirring Awake says:

 August 6, 2015 at 3:36 am
 
So everyone should have their copies of the ‘Flocking the Sheep’ manual by now (including the 2015 Digital Edition with markup), but ICYMI.. here’s the Branch Organization manual!
https://jhonlemos.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/branch-organization-watchtower.pdf
Reply
 
 
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← Elders shamed under questioning by the Royal Commission
Reflecting on the Australian Royal Commission (Day 3, Part 1) →
 
Jehovah’s Witness culture creates a ‘perfect storm’ for abuse
Posted on August 3, 2015

Watchtower's expert consultant Dr Monica Applewhite is grilled at the Royal Commission
Watchtower’s expert consultant Dr Monica Applewhite is grilled at the Royal Commission

The following is a follow-up to the article submitted on Thursday by “CovertFade” – a non-disfellowshipped subscriber to JWsurvey…
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Australia has been running its inquiry into the Jehovah’s Witnesses child protection policies for just under a week, and so far it’s been pretty painful to watch. Especially for the Watchtower.
We’ve seen elders caught apparently lying under oath, we’ve seen elders admitting that the policy they are required to follow is flawed, elders admitting that they cared more about protecting their organization than protecting the victim, elders stubbornly insisting that it was perfectly okay for three men to interrogate a loan female abuse survivor in front of her attacker, and to cap it all we had an elder admit that he’d done no preparation for his appearance before the Commission and didn’t really know what the Commission was for. How embarrassing!
Well, just as it looked as though things couldn’t get any worse for Watchtower, day four (July 31st) of the hearings began and Doctor Monica Applewhite took the stand.
Doctor Monica Applewhite is no stranger to those following Watchtower’s child abuse battles. She has appeared in several US cases, most recently in a UK case, always on behalf of Watchtower and against the claimant.
On each occasion, she had been there to present her professional informed opinion as an expert in the prevention of child abuse that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are actually much better than all other religions when it comes to abuse prevention, and that everything is fine in the house that Russell built.
It hasn’t always worked. For example, the UK case was lost by Watchtower despite her testimony, but it did at least allow the organization to release the following face-saving statement.

“We are disappointed with the decision, particularly since the court accepted expert evidence that Jehovah’s Witnesses in the late 1980’s and 1990’s were ahead of their time in addressing the issue of child sexual abuse.”
I don’t think that will be happening this time. In fact, I’d be curious to know if Doctor Applewhite will ever want to work for Watchtower again.
It turns out Doctor Applewhite has become a walking case study on how NOT to approach research. Before the hearings began, Doctor Applewhite submitted a written statement to the Commission in general defense and praise of Witness policies on child abuse, but it quickly became clear when she took to the stand that the Commission again had serious concerns, this time not with the activities of elders, or the polices or Watchtower. Their concern was with her credibility.
For example, her written statement repeatedly asserted that Watchtower compared much more favorably than other religions “throughout the world” when it came to dealing with child abuse, but when pressed to give hard data as to which religious organizations she was actually using for comparison, and the data sets she used to come to this conclusion, she was very vague and apparently unable to produce such.


More to the point, when pressed on what data she had actually used to study  Watchtower’s effectiveness when dealing with child abuse, she was forced to admit that her study came not from empirical data collected from real world case studies, but rather, simply from reading Witness publications.
In other words, what she was presenting was not a scientifically researched study, she was just presenting an opinion based on reading cult propaganda and assuming that this propaganda actually depicted reality.
Sounds bad? It gets worse, because it turns out even by the standards of her own flawed methodology, Doctor Applewhite did a terrible job of understanding what the publications actually indicated. Over the course of the day, the Commission identified and proved a large number of factual errors that Doctor Applewhite had made in her report. Here are some examples…
◾Doctor Applewhite incorrectly offered the opinion that elders are not viewed as “superior” by the congregation but as “fellow workers.” The Commission found that they could not accept this as the reality of Witness culture, based on many other statements in the publications indicating (1) that elders are considered shepherds rather than sheep, (2) that they have a position of honor in the congregation, and (3) are appointed by holy spirit, and thus whilst some written JW material might try to convey the idea of equality, other JW publications and the clear reality on the ground was that the hierarchy of Watchtower was clearly split into shepherds and sheep.
◾Applewhite incorrectly presented the opinion that an elder or a ministerial servant would never be alone with children. The Commission, however, found that the ks10 elder’s guidebook explicitly stated that “Those who are appointed to privileges of service, such as elders and ministerial servants, are put in a position of trust. One who is extended privileges in the congregation is judged by others as being worthy of trust. This includes being more liberal in leaving children in their care and oversight. The congregation would be left unprotected if we prematurely appointed someone who was a child abuser as a ministerial servant or elder.” Doctor Applewhite replied that as a rule this was not supposed to happen. The Commission asked her to point to this rule in the book. She could not.
◾Applewhite was unaware of the restrictions placed on Witnesses getting professional psychological help. She stated that she had assumed the counsel was just limited to finding a therapist who respected witness beliefs. Angus Stewart SC demonstrated again with the ks10 book that group therapy, for example (which can be an important form of treatment for abuse survivors), was discouraged by Watchtower. Doctor Applegate conceded her error in this point.
The above errors threw the credibility of Applewhite’s entire report into doubt. None of this was a great start from someone Watchtower was no doubt hoping would be able to turn the tide in what has thus far been a complete debacle for them.
The Commission team, however, was only just warming up.
They then moved into weightier details of concern to them: the two witness rule, the all-male star chamber, the forcing of a survivor to confront her abuser. Justice Peter McClellan and his team were clearly confused as to how Doctor Applewhite, an apparent expert in the prevention and treatment of child abuse, could support these policies. It turned out that Doctor Applewhite had again been pulled in by Watchtower propaganda and had failed to do critical, investigative research.
For example, let’s take the issue of a survivor being forced to confront his/her accused. When Doctor Applewhite was asked if this is acceptable, she first countered that the accuser is not actually forced to face the accused and can instead write a letter detailing their evidence (this is in direct contradiction to all the testimony that the elders had offered thus far). This is happened next:
◾Justice Peter McClellan: Doctor, are you familiar with the work that has been done in Australia in the civil justice process in relation to the prosecution of these types of offenses?
◾Doctor Applewhite: In terms of how survivors are —
◾Justice McClellan: How witnesses are handled and, particularly, how survivors are managed? Are you familiar with those processes?
◾Applewhite: I am.
◾Justice McClellan: Are you familiar with one of the fundamentals being that the abused person need not confront the abuser in that scenario?
◾Applewhite: Absolutely.
◾Justice McClellan: This process offends against that principle, clearly, doesn’t it?
◾Applewhite: But my understanding is that they can write a letter and that there doesn’t have to be a confrontation at all.
◾Justice McClellan: We just looked at all those processes.
◾Applewhite: Yes.
◾Angus Stewart SC: I don’t know where you get that understanding, whether someone told you that, or what, but you restricted your report and your evidence, now, to what the documents say, and the documents don’t say that, do they?
◾Applewhite: So you are saying that in the judicial process today, that evidence can’t be received from a witness through a letter?
◾Stewart: Well, according to these documents, yes, I am saying that. There may be some judicial committee somewhere —
◾Justice McClellan: I think it probably should be put slightly differently. The words are “however it may be that the witnesses live a great distance away” – you have to ask yourself what is meant by “witnesses” there, whether that includes the survivor, “or for some reason are not able to be physically present.” So we’re talking about an exception, do you understand?
◾Applewhite: I do.
◾Justice McClellan: Otherwise, the procedure contemplates what Mr Stewart has been putting to you, and that is, that the girl or woman would have to confront ultimately three men in the presence of the abuser and without any moral support. So on her own. Now, is that a good practice?
◾Applewhite: Absolutely not. And I – I want to be clear, if there – if it turns out that the practice that they have today does not allow someone to write a letter and they have to confront their offender and they have to sit in the room with no support, it is not going to meet the standards of care. I didn’t understand that that’s the process, and there are probably people more qualified than I am to say whether it is, but it wouldn’t meet the standard of care if that is the fact.
◾Justice McClellan: Well, the difficulty for us is that you have proffered to us your written report in relation to all of this.
◾Applewhite: Yes.
◾Justice McClellan: And we’re trying to work out whether or not what you have said is something that we, as the Commission, should accept, carrying with it of course the consequence that if we say it is a good practice, then others might follow it. Do you understand?
◾Applewhite: Absolutely. And in no way am I trying to say that that’s a good practice.
What the above transcript fails to capture, but it is clear in the video footage, is the expression and tone of voice of Doctor Applewhite. Her responses are those of a woman realizing that she has made a terrible mistake, and then frantically trying to distance herself as far as possible from the position she previously held.
The same pattern unfolds when the Commission discusses the two witness rule, and in particular an aspect of this rule that seems of particular concern to Justice McClellan, who has correctly identified that the Watchtower faith requires a person, essentially under pain of destruction by God, to report wrongdoing.
However, when coupled with the two witness rule, a potential situation is created where an abuse survivor is compelled under threat of divine judgement to report abuse, but then the very nature of the system which handles her complaint will not allow the complaint to be believed or dealt with, thus creating a no-win scenario and huge trauma for the victim.
◾Justice Peter McClellan: Now, do you see that there may be a problem for a survivor, who has the obligation to report sexual abuse, which very often will happen in private – most often will happen in private —
◾Doctor Applewhite: Yes.
◾Justice McClellan: and find that because there is not another witness, her allegation is not accepted? Do you see that that might have real difficulties for the survivor?
◾Applewhite: Absolutely.
Ouch. Well, at least the day is over and Watchtower can lick its wounds, right? Nope.
The Commission then presents Doctor Applewhite with a checklist of factors in a sociological environment, as proposed by David Finkelhor (a leading researcher, academic and writer in the field of child protection), that would significantly increase the risk to children in that environment. They are:
◾Repressive norms about masturbation and extra-marital sex.
◾Weak criminal sanctions against offenders.
◾Ideology of patriarchal prerogatives for fathers
◾Erosion of social networks.
Sound familiar?
◾Mr Angus Stewart SC: This model would certainly raise for you some flashing lights about the social/cultural environment of the Jehovah’s Witness Church insofar as child sexual abuse is concerned, wouldn’t it?
◾Doctor Applewhite: Tell me what you mean by “flashing lights.”
◾Stewart: These factors come together really in a perfect storm for the Jehovah’s Witnesses in the risk of child sexual abuse occurring there.
◾Applewhite: I think I would have to look at this more carefully to be able to say that. I just would have to look more carefully.
Doctor Applewhite might not be certain on this point, but it is clear from the above statements by Mr Stewart that, in spite of evidence submitted by Watchtower and the testimony of elders (or perhaps because of it), the Commission is presently of the opinion that this is the case, demonstrating the grave nature of the trouble that Watchtower Australia finds itself in.
As the day came to a close, with the credibility of Doctor Applewhite under serious doubt and her evidence officially ruled to be so flawed that it was inadmissible, and her client looking worse than ever, Justice Peter McClellan presented Applewhite with the chilling logical consequences of the practices employed by the cult she had been hired to defend.
◾Justice Peter McClellan: Just to finish the discussion you and I had previously, doctor, if a woman brings an allegation that she has been sexually assaulted by a member of the Jehovah’s Witness, and she does so because of her strong adherence to the tenets of the church, and believes that she has to report, but she doesn’t want to go to the authorities, she doesn’t want to be involved in a criminal trial, and there is no other witness, and the alleged abuser doesn’t confess, but those listening to her story don’t have any doubt that she is telling the truth, but they can’t take any action because there is only her evidence, what happens, then, within the church? I assume – well, you tell me, does the abuser then stay with all of his rights intact and the woman would be required to, if she wished to remain part of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, interact with him in that environment? Is that what happens?
◾Doctor Applewhite: In addition to some other warnings or things of that nature, I would think that that would be what would happen.
◾Justice McClellan: It is not a very good place to end up, is it?
◾Doctor Applewhite: It isn’t.
In some respects one can feel a degree of sympathy for Doctor Applewhite. She is not the first otherwise intelligent and rational person to have been suckered by manipulative cult propaganda. On the other hand, as an academic working in a field such as child protection, where the stakes are so high and the human consequences for error so appalling, she clearly should have demonstrated the kind of professional diligence and spirit of critical inquiry shown by the Royal Commission. She failed, and instead ended up being an apologist for a cult that has hidden 1006 alleged child molesters from the law in Australia alone.
At least now she finally seems to be aware of it.
The day ended with Watchtower’s lawyer inviting Doctor Applegate to re-submit her report. But despite her expressed willingness to help the Commission, from the expression on her face and the tone of her closing remarks, one wonders if we have seen her final appearance in defense of Watchtower.
 
CovertFade
 
 
Further reading…
◾Daily Mail report
◾9News report
◾Sydney Morning Herald report
◾Updated list of media reports on the Royal Commission
◾Download page for exhibits from the Royal Commission
◾Australian Royal Commission hears that 1,006 alleged child sex abusers were covered up by Watchtower
◾Elders shamed under questioning by the Royal Commission
◾JWsurvey articles on child abuse
Watch a playlist of the Royal Commission…




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← Elders shamed under questioning by the Royal Commission
Reflecting on the Australian Royal Commission (Day 3, Part 1) →
 
70 Responses to Jehovah’s Witness culture creates a ‘perfect storm’ for abuse


Newer Comments →
 
 rikos says:

 August 3, 2015 at 5:10 am
 
Is really very sickly to watch these videos and see the justices unveiled and against the dark secrets of crimes of the watchtower and of those who support this demonick organization to be claim that are god’s servants. WE NEED TO FIND MORE AFFECTED METHODS TO BLOW THE TRUMPET TO EXPOSE THIS CORRUPT ORGANIZATION TO THE WORLD. I DO THINK WE ALL HAVE TO THINK AND SUGGEST IN ONE PLACE HOW WE CAN DO IT. WE CAN NOT LIVE THIS IN TO FEW PEOPLE TO DO THAT. SOMETHING WITCH EVERY JEHOVAH WITNESSES BE ABLE TO SEE AND NOT BE RESTRICTED BY FEAR AND WARNINGS BY THE WATCHTOWER.
Reply
 
 Jakemon75 says:

 August 3, 2015 at 6:01 am
 
The .org is getting pretty good at getting worldwide publicity about their ignorant policies.
They need to get a lawyer in tight pants to issue a gag order……….. On GB members and hired expert witnesses.
While the majority of J-Dubs will remain willfully ignorant of this, I see it hurting contributions. The only voice that the rank and file have is their pocket book.
Too bad the GB couldn’t have seen this coming. I bet the GB wishes that they could go back a couple of months and openly pander for more money.
Wait a second………………. They did.
Reply
 
 Idontknowhatodo says:

 August 3, 2015 at 7:52 am
 
They only recently asked for congregation savings to be sent to them for the worldwide work…JUST before this RC section on jw’s began….how convenient…..
Reply
 
 jakemon75 says:

 August 3, 2015 at 7:51 pm
 
Exactly…………. They prayed about this as god’s only spirit directed channel of bull stuff.
And this is what they got.
Anybody want to argue that Holy Spirit is with them?
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 Jakemon75 says:

 August 3, 2015 at 5:41 am
 
I knew too many unqualified, uneducated, arrogant elders in my time in the cult.
Obviously, the bosses aren’t any better. Your expert witness, the one that you paid, just shot herself and your precious .org in the head.
I loved seeing these high and mighty elders looking so dumb.
I really love seeing their leaders commit legal suicide. You can’t blame Satan for this. You put her up there. Not some wicked imaginary enemy of your imaginary friend.
This kind of stuff might make an elder think twice about enforcing these criminal policies. Right?
Nope, they love their power too much.
Reply
 
 
 Ariel says:

 August 3, 2015 at 5:50 am
 
It appears to me that this expert witness, is anything but an expert. The commission is understandably upset with her, having come before them so ill prepared and apparently unconcerned about the gravitance of the situation.
The watchtower, I believe, has grossly underestimated the commissions ability to uncover and display the utter incompetence of their standard practices.
Reply
 
 
 sirius says:

 August 3, 2015 at 6:02 am
 
OUCH!!! Another fine display of due diligence on the Royal Commission side. Looking more and more systemic, meaning cultural from the top. The Doctor appeared as professional expert but is she a JW too? Not sure if that was established. All riveting!
IMHO
dogstar
Reply
 
 
 Bad Penny says:

 August 3, 2015 at 6:10 am
 
It’s very interesting to me to see all this being uncovered at this time. The date when this hearing ends is roughly 40 days before Atonement Day, 23rd September 2015.
 The Watchtower should take account of the warning that GOD IS NOT TO BE MOCKED!
 I believe the downfall of the organisation is imminent.
 What about this as a ‘sign of Jonah’. Unless you repent in sackcloth and ashes, in forty days your fate is sealed!
 Final vindication is now due for the sake of all these poor victims of unscrupulous men.
 I can’t see that they will be humble enough to admit their error. Have to wait and see!
Reply
 
 
 Rowland Nelken says:

 August 3, 2015 at 6:56 am
 
This is the e.mail I sent to Dr. Applewhite’s firm. The adress is at the foot for anyone else who cares to contact the lady:
Dear Doctor Applewhite,
May I congratulate you on your performance for the Australian Royal Commission on institutional sex abuse.
In your ‘defence’ of the JWs, you clearly demonstrated that the policies and practices of this execrable cult are utterly indefensible.
The only reason you imagined that your report was plausible was that your vaunted expertise in this particular instance amounted to total ignorance.
Perhaps you could continue with the good work and act as the JWs’ spokesperson and speak in defence of their expertise at interpreting Biblical prophecy, and of the rationale and also the humane nature of their ever changing attitudes to blood transfusion. Thousands of avoidable deaths caused since 1945 must surely be a credit to any organisation.
Having completed your reports on those topics you could enlighten the world by explaining how wonderful it is to fill children’s minds with images of imminent mega destruction of all non Jehovah’s Witnesses at the forthcoming Battle of Armageddon. Kids need nightmares!
And there are further projects where the Jehovah’s Witnesses would welcome your expertise. The breakup of countless families through the shunning of apostates, I am sure you could, with your profound knowledge and lengthy experience, justify if not glorify.
And finally there is the social isolation from the ban on birthday, Christmas and all other wordly (i.e. Satanic) celebrations and the stunted lives resulting from the severe discouragement of education once the ability to read and parrot JW literature has been acquired.
I hope you are aware that, to your credit, there are now countless ex Jehovah’s Witnesses, the world over, delighting in your performance before the Australian Royal Commission. You have clearly helped to hasten the journey of the Watchtower Society to its deserved destination; i.e flushed down history’s toilet!
Rowland Nelken
Here’s the e.mail address : expert@parkdietzassociates.com
Reply
 
 Driving Force says:

 August 3, 2015 at 7:11 am
 
I like the letter.
 Maybe, just maybe, she new exactly what she was doing and wanted to harm the organization.
 In any case her career is over.
Reply
 
 
 Felipe says:

 August 3, 2015 at 8:24 am
 
You could have been more diplomatic. She may have stopped reading by the time she got to the second paragraph
Reply
 
 
 
 Catalina says:

 August 3, 2015 at 7:28 am
 
The way JW org arrogantly acts makes me think at the time of the end Christ would say “I do not know you.” If you get what I mean.
Reply
 
 
 Dee says:

 August 3, 2015 at 7:43 am
 
My impressions of her were all over the place. But ultimately I believe she was duped by them as well. If they would have given her REAL and COMPLETE policies procedures and documentation, in her line of business she would have found the WTSs position indefensible by default. Her expression changed so dramatically when she saw how incomplete her information was. I think by the end she was reallly pissed at her client.
Reply
 
 
 JWIntellect says:

 August 3, 2015 at 7:57 am
 
Twice the article mentions a Dr. Applegate, in the middle and toward the end. Is that a typo? Should it be Dr. Applewhite?
Reply
 
 
 Felipe says:

 August 3, 2015 at 8:21 am
 
“loan woman” change that “lone woman” in second paragraph
Reply
 
 
 John Baptist says:

 August 3, 2015 at 8:58 am
 
I have been Watchimg the hearings and these two men are Methodicly tearing the Watchtowers policies to shreds before us all. I would think after they get through with them the Watchtower would have to seriously reconsider their reporting policies on Child sex abuse. Shame on them if they don’t and remain Arrogent in spite of all these children’s lives being ruined.
 One only needs to listen to one case after another of the victims statements to have your heart moved because of their mental state and just trying to deal with ordinary life. Then again the Watchtower is anything but normal.
 The floodgates have opened and the Watchtower can no longer control it’s hiding of these offences in order to protect their sole reputation.
 This has nothing to do with God it has to do with a secretive cult that no one in their right mind should ever be a part of.
 So ask yourselves is this the TRUE RELIGION? All evidence in the past and the present proves beyond a reasonable doubt they are NOT!
 Thanks to this Commission perhaps the rest of the world and its followers will see that they are truly a cult and false prophet.
 This is not what Jesus would want to be happening EVER!!!!!!!! To his little children.
Reply
 
 jakemon75 says:

 August 3, 2015 at 7:55 pm
 
Couldn’t agree more. Yet there is no malice. No axe to grind. They are not driven by “You know who”.
One of these bodies wants to protect children from predators.
One wants to uphold their unquestioned authorty over subserviants.
It’s rather obvious which one is on the right side of this issue.
Reply
 
 
 
 R1madbrit says:

 August 3, 2015 at 9:23 am
 
One thing that highlights the utter hypocrisy of the Gov Bod is paying a Catholic to defend them. They Have always slammed the Catholic Church at every opportunity. Yet as soon as their sorry arses are on fire they run to the woman who works closely with the Catholic Church and pay her to say the JWs are way better than other religions. Watch the secretly filmed videos of a Judicial Committee meeting re, apostacy. Whilst the young man could be disfellowshipped for being a Coastguard, the GB can join the UN with impunity. The hypocrisy is jaw-dropping. Almost hilarious.
Reply
 
 
 Catalina says:

 August 3, 2015 at 10:55 am
 
The reason why I enjoy this website and keep returning to it is because the information and the majority of the comments are intelligent. I hate arrogance. I close my ears to it. These articles expose them without bias. That is very important for someone waking up. I have a childhood friend who was born and raised in the ‘truth.’ In 1981 when she was 13 she was raped by her brother-in-law. He controlled her for many years until she was 29. She never fell out of the ‘truth’ and she is still strong in the truth. She got into trouble with the elders when she warned people she knew to protect their children. She asked me to warn my sister because my sister and her husband invited him over several times to watch football and baseball. My sister went to the elders and the elders told my friend to stop telling people. I felt bad because my friend got in trouble. Six years later her brother-in-law was disfellowshipped for immorality and never returned. My friend married in the truth and is so brain washed she thinks everything is alright. She doesn’t blame the religion. She says the problem isn’t the elders ot the religion, she says the problem is with some of the people. She says the elders can’t take sides and have to protect the falsely accused. She believes the elders shouldn’t be held responsible for being forgiving. She is brainwashed.
Reply
 
 
 ScotWm says:

 August 3, 2015 at 11:24 am
 
It appears that Stephen Lett’s statement that we should reject outright apostate-driven lies and dishonesties that claim Jehovah’s organization is permissive toward pedophiles, is the last word on the subject.
In the August 2015 installment of JW Broadcasting, we are treated to words of wisdom from Samuel F. Herd (Governing Body) and Governing Body wannabe Harold Corkeren (Helper to the Publishing Committee). It looks like Sam is still wearing his Rolex. This broadcast includes personal testimony from a few overjoyed, brainwashed zombies who have devoted all of their time, energy and resources to Watchtower interests.
Herd says that we too can gain eternal happiness by serving as full time salespersons for a large publishing company. Next comes a discussion of true generosity, which eventually zeros in on how we can secure our eternal future by giving generously to the Watchtower Society. Give, give, give! It’s all about the spirit of giving. We are thanked for our generous support of Kingdom interests, which apparently includes paying child abuse settlements.
Reply
 
 
 Wanderer says:

 August 3, 2015 at 1:17 pm
 
My elderly parents live in a poorer area. About 30 years ago some of the congregations in the area saved for a some land and paid it off, then they built a hall and over the years repaid their loan. They had busy bees to make the curtains and chairs, the hall was something they were very proud of.
The society have just sold the hall and now they have to drive quite a long way to another hall. They agreed to sell their hall because the society kept on having talks and showing short videos on how the poor in Africa and Asia have nowhere to meet and need halls.
Is there really a large building project happening in these countries? If there is wouldn’t it be all over JW.org as PR?
I feel for my parents and all of their friends who have sacrificed so much over the years to get their hall and pay it off, then the society comes in and sells it (to a church) to pay for court cases and settlements.
Reply
 
 
 Ted says:

 August 3, 2015 at 1:57 pm
 
A Law unto themselves.
There has long been a culture within international Catholicism that in some way the Church is its own jurisdiction, its own legal system, and that the proper place for judging clergy is within the structures established by Canon Law. Canon Law provides that clergy or religious who abuse children under 18 are to be “punished with just penalties, not excluding dismissal from the clerical state” (Canon 1395(2)). However, it is no part of canonical thinking that child sexual abuse is a crime that ought routinely to be reported to the police and dealt with by the criminal courts. In this sense, the Church perceived it to be a law unto itself. Geoffrey Robertson QC:
The above comment comes from the commissions investigation into the
 RC church , and could be applied word for word to JW.org.
Could it be that society has finally had its fill of these despotic organisations
 doing what they like with people’s lives ? And is exposing their claim of
 having a Devine mandate for their actions, as a mere delusion.?
Incidentally the Wt seems to have lightened up on its criticism of the
 RCs lately, I wonder why? The old saying about “Glass houses”
comes to mind. And if Dr, Applewhite finds herself unemployable
 after being dropped in it by the good bros, I’ve got some ladders
 and window cloths she can have, to start a new career.
Reply
 
 
 William Niles says:

 August 3, 2015 at 4:26 pm
 
It would not shock me, one bit, if the so-called “expert” that WT hired, Dr.Monica Applewhite, is herself a JW. I’m certainly not saying that she is, but I can certainly see a pattern in WT tactics and the research that Dr.Applewhite shows….all the research was taken from WT publications. A real & true expert in child abuse would not base all their research solely from religious publications. In fact, that is very dangerous because it can send the wrong message–trying to establish all of the research from a religious magazine “truth” It would also blend in perfectly with their “theocratic warfare” ways. As long as they determine that no one deserves to hear the truth, then it’s okay to lie. It could be worth doing some research to see what the Dr.’s religion is.
 One thing is for sure…we can see in this case how WT and their Elders have been totally, 100% ripped wide open—seems like their philosophy on being against higher education is proving to be 100% garbage. It’s the folks with the Royal Commission who are proving themselves to be wiser, smarter, deeper insights, etc.. and they are the ones who have obtained a higher education. Take that and contrast it to the ignorance of WT and their Elders–they don’t even know how to think or reason on anything…they are simply speechless. That, in itself, is clear proof as to the benefits of having a good education v.s. not having one….the folks with the Commission are using their education to protect children and show how utterly sick these Men are. WT’s ways/philosophy of being against education is being put to the test here against those that do have the education….the results/contrast are pretty easy to see.
Reply
 
 jakemon75 says:

 August 3, 2015 at 7:57 pm
 
From the competence of her testimony, i’m thinking that she is a special pioneer.
Reply
 
 
 Covert Affairs says:

 August 3, 2015 at 11:36 pm
 
She identified herself as Catholic in her testimony when she took the stand. And the Royal Commission have already destroyed any sense of “credibility” to her “expert testimony” simply by asking reasonable and logical questions that denounced her initial statement to the Commissioner.
Reply
 
 
 
 Grace says:

 August 3, 2015 at 4:37 pm
 
Dr. Applewhite… “Dr. Applegate” sounds more appropriate.
Is she or isn’t she a JW? One thing we know is that she is a paid WT propagandist. I found it amusing that this “worldly”,”catholic”,”woman” would be privy to the secret mens business of the WT. I hope that Elders wives find that insulting.
She started out sounding very confident with herself but ended up looking deflated & defeated. Her face seemed to show the look of someone that had her whole world ripped from under her. I suppose it did because her reputation as an expert in child protection/prevention strategist has gone down the toilet in this country.
Reply
 
 
 Richard says:

 August 3, 2015 at 5:00 pm
 
The brainwashing is sadly, so thorough in some people. I shared all of this information with my mother, and her response was depressing:
“this means nothing. This only reflects that there are fallible human beings in the Watchtower. Most of those allegations are lies created by apostates who want to steal money from the organization. But all of this makes me happy, because the bible predicted that we would be persecuted in the last days. This just means we are closer than ever to our salvation, and this strengthens my faith in the organization”
Yes those words were uttered by my mother. How can anyone possibly combat that level of cognitive dissonance?
Reply
 
 Simon Kestral says:

 August 3, 2015 at 5:34 pm
 
I don’t think you can.
I never discuss WT with JWs when I see them around town. I make small talk and move on. Criticizing their idol, the organization they substitute for God, just makes them defensive.
For many, it will take more than human reason to change their mind.
Reply
 
 
 Itfeelsgoodtobefree says:

 August 4, 2015 at 1:40 pm
 
@Richard: Don’t loose hope, a few months ago my mother would have said the same.. but I kept dropping a few things here and there, and now she’s halfway awake, she asked me to get her the Ray Franz book the other day, I nearly fell off my chair…persist my friend, you never know what will turn on the switch for her!
 <3
Reply
 
 
 josie picot says:

 August 4, 2015 at 6:44 pm
 
Too true, Richard. They are so far gone that they can not see reason even when it right in front of them. I was born into it and every time there was an earthquake or flood or disaster we would gleefully say “it’s a sign!” Now at 50 I can also still remember the terror that followed, knowing I was going to be persecuted first… talk about living in fear. It makes my blood BOIL.
Reply
 
 
 
 Exhausted says:

 August 3, 2015 at 5:40 pm
 
Monica Applewhite states she is a practicing Catholic.
 Special isn’t it? wow.
Reply
 
 
 Alone in MD says:

 August 3, 2015 at 7:28 pm
 
Can someone explain to me what the commission can and cannot do. Can they fine the WT, can they remove the charity status of the WT? I’m confused as to what power the commission has after the hearings are completed. Looks like Babylon is falling. Who knew that they would be the first to go.
Reply
 
 
 jakemon75 says:

 August 3, 2015 at 8:21 pm
 
I don’t want to monopolize this thread so this is the last thing I’ll post. This has really moved me and I’ve watched the expert’s testimoy in full.
Now I’m on to the Elder’s testimony.
What is clear to me, beyond doubt, is that only one of the sides of this issue cares for the victims.
Only one side is for true morality.
This isn’t a mock trial. The only joke is the shame of the Watchtower.
And it is the Government of Australia that is fully moral in these proceedings.
Reply
 
 Pickled brain says:

 August 3, 2015 at 11:02 pm
 
@Catalina & @ Richard. I enjoyed your comments & don’t be surprised at your relatives brainwashed reaction as there are 14 million Mormons worldwide which shows me how SADLY some Humans will follow any TRASH & Not use their Power of Reason , But both of you don’t give up trying as something you say might just go round in their head & when the time is right they will wake up. Most go into Defensive mode when presented with facts that challenge what they have believed all their lives!! It is a slower process for some as it can be devastating to think ALL you have believed in is FALSE!
Reply
 
 
 
 Excelsior! says:

 August 4, 2015 at 4:34 am
 
Folks,
I don’t think that Dr. Monica Applewhite will be giving any more “expert” testimony on child abuse for the WTBTS.
Hopefully, she will join our cause. Her testimony for our side could explain how she was only provided with propaganda, and that she was used by the WTBTS.
I hope that she learns from this and I hope that her conscience will move her to support the victims of child abuse in the WTBTS.
In any event, any testimony that she has given previously will be viewed with scepticism and will only aid our cause.
The governing body cannot hide these abuses with impunity any more. Thank you, Australia, for providing such an excellent forum to get to the truth about how badly these cases are handled.
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
Reply
 
 sirius says:

 August 4, 2015 at 5:55 am
 
@Excelsior! Somewhat true, the given propaganda is more likely about selective spoon-feeding. Rather surprised that Dr. Monica Applewhite with her credentials and reputation on the line she didn’t do more due diligence on WTBTS first! She must of saw some red flags.
IMHO
dogstar
Reply
 
 
 
 ruthlee says:

 August 4, 2015 at 5:30 am
 
you know it has always grieved me that God’s name would be dragged through the mud when this horrible situation became public knowledge but now i really think that this has to be because it is not God is it? its men and these silly rules we have put ourselves under.I doubt there will ever be a proper apology for all the damage done and when this whole scenario finally fizzles all our wasted years and time consuming nonsense will fade into history but at least it will be on record how unfaithful these people and policies have been and God big as he is can fight for his own reputation he dosent need little ol us but He does expect humans to tell the truth so now is very much the right time to tell the truth to all who listen or not
Reply
 
 
 Covert Affairs says:

 August 4, 2015 at 6:07 am
 
Quote from below news article:
“Counsel for the commission, Angus Stewart SC, said the problem for the commission was trying to pin down the source of the policies was like trying to “put your finger on a ball of mercury”.”
All letters (and/or handbooks) sent to the Elders are signed with a nondescript “Your brothers” so at no stage now or in the future will ANY sources of existing or new policies see the light of day.
http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/women-to-never-rule-in-jehovahs-church/story-e6frfku9-1227470092202
Reply
 
 Grace says:

 August 4, 2015 at 2:02 pm
 
Cover Affairs,
I saw that too. What a wonderful analogy, they have always written things with no reference to who has written them. I picked up on that many years ago but like everything else I packed it away to the back of my brain.
Did Mr Stewart ever get the answer to what the symbols mean on the paperwork? Like “sca” etc. I know that Spinks said that they mean service or legal but didn’t seem to have said what they fully stand for.
Reply
 
 
 
 MrFair says:

 August 4, 2015 at 6:09 am
 
Great headline “Expert” witness hired by the Jehovah’s Witnesses isn’t an “expert” on witnesses. – She was hired as a consultant but not paid to do consulting? “Consultant: a person who gives professional advice or services to companies for a fee.” Watchtower wasn’t interested in her advice or services. It was classic when she had to admit that she has never offered testimony critical of the witnesses and that that wasn’t what she was paid to do. They just wanted someone with a “Dr.” at the beginning of their name to say that they are better than “Babylon the great” at distributing magazines. I’m sure Dr. Applewhite is a very good person with good intentions, who is interested in children’s welfare, but it seems the branch set the poor woman up to fail. (They even had her write her report in typical Watchtower fashion!) Why wasn’t she given the victim’s statements to read? It seems she would have had access to them? Come on! I have read the transcripts of the case to know the victim’s stories and I’m not even testifying as an expert in the case. She only referenced the statements and opinions of the heads of the legal department, service department, branch committee, witness publications and an unrelated child abuse case fed to her by the branch. Watchtower used information control on her. Otherwise, I can’t imagine why she wouldn’t have read the victim’s statements particular to the commission’s case study. She looked silly as she had to be taught about the witnesses, their mentality and procedures by the commission. It will be interesting to see if she can muster any empirical evidence outside of the witness propaganda to base her opinions on. I think the justice destroyed the Watchtower’s whole defense when he told their lawyer he wasn’t interested in who was best among the religions or who got there first. Could someone get that clip to the GB? Additionally, she was probably given a tour of bethel, had lunch there, got love-bombed and swept away in a sea of love and trust. When I worked at Bethel, they really rolled out the red carpet for any non-jw professionals who visited the branch for business. The crowning moment for me was the moment when Justice McClellan tells WT’s lawyer that whoever had Dr. Applewhite prepare this statement was missing the point. The GB itself is completely missing the point and probably forced the branch to miss it to.
Reply
 
 
 Ted says:

 August 4, 2015 at 6:20 am
 
Latest statements from Rodney Spinks, Head of service desk,
 Australian Branch. —
He said when there were mandatory reporting requirements with some sort of uniformity across the country “we will happily and willingly comply”
Spinks said he had been made aware of this in these hearings and the church would accept and comply with mandatory reporting, “regardless of our strongly held religious belief that individuals should have the right to decide what is done with that
 information.
Reply
 
 al etheredge says:

 August 4, 2015 at 11:11 am
 
Mr. Spinks will be lucky if he still has a service desk at the Australian branch after these hearings.
Reply
 
 
 
 MrFair says:

 August 4, 2015 at 11:13 am
 
Some rants- With a name like Spinks, I knew he would be a slippery little devil… I noted at least a few bold faced lies. How about him saying the branch has “autonomy” and doesn’t need the approval of the GB to make changes? He also said in so many words, that they are open to any suggestions and making changes if a teaching or procedure is shown to be unscriptural by JWs or nonJWs. Yeah right! If any rank and file said this stuff in the congregation and not while kissing a court’s backside, they’d be tossed out in a heartbeat. He blabbed on about things that needed to be addressed/changed and about how happy they are about this royal commission’s case study… Meanwhile the elders in the case took a beating because they couldn’t publicly disagree with the organization or its procedures. Finally, it was nice to hear that Geoff Jackson (who is in Australia at the moment) pulled a Gerritt Loesch and didn’t appear to defend Jehovah’s name. They claimed that the GB doesn’t handle this stuff?! Then why is T Morris #3 acting like a professional on the subject in the July JW broadcasting.
Reply
 
 
 Jerry O Connor says:

 August 4, 2015 at 12:04 pm
 
Hello to all.
I have no pity for Applewhite nor for any watchtower apologists involved in this commission. Well done Australia for showing the world the complete failure of watchtower to protect children. This cult tries to hide behind a book that sanctions genocide, incest, homophobia, human sacrifice, historical and geographical inaccuracies to mention but some. Religion has all way`s been a blight on mankind but watchtower sinks to never before seen depths of depravity. Anyone that lends support to this most sinister of cults is guilty by association in its many crimes against humanity. A plague on watchtower and all its houses.
Reply
 
 
 Bart says:

 August 4, 2015 at 12:36 pm
 
What are the chances of something like this commission happening in the USA? One thousand cases, and with only 68,000 Witnesses in Australia. It really blows my mind. What would that equate to in the states?
Reply
 
 
 Gina says:

 August 4, 2015 at 12:51 pm
 
I wanted to google this Applegate ladies credentials and I cant find her anywhere… how did you guys find out shes Catholic?
Reply
 
 
 Koos says:

 August 4, 2015 at 1:06 pm
 
Rodney Spinks, sorry for you but you’ll be removed,
 as head of the service desk, for independent thinking.
Reply
 
 
 Exhausted says:

 August 4, 2015 at 1:56 pm
 
Gina
 She is asked if she is a practicing Catholic by Mr. Stewart
 At the start of her testimony. She replies yes that is right.
Reply
 
 
 Grace says:

 August 4, 2015 at 2:12 pm
 
Cutting through all of the crap that the WT is spewing to get out of this is one thing. WHERE IS THE LOVE.
For a religion that spruces love the world, love for neighbour & love for the brothers, they are showing how incredibly loveless they really are.
The love that they have is for a false god & for themselves.
Reply
 
 
 Keith says:

 August 4, 2015 at 3:12 pm
 
Covert Affair, thank you again for your essay. Of the thousands words written about this unfolding tragedy yours are the most insightful and credible by far.
 Keep it up and how about a long Word Press piece when proceedings conclude.
 Was AppleGate a Freudian slip ?
 Regards
Reply
 
 covertfade says:

 August 4, 2015 at 11:13 pm
 
Thank you :) I am going to write an article at the end of the process to summarise things, the JW Survey team will get first refusal on the article, but I’ll stick it on wordpress if it’s too long form for the site.
Reply
 
 
 
 Keith says:

 August 4, 2015 at 3:23 pm
 
Sorry, meant CovertFade.
Reply
 
 
 Natural Factors Spy says:

 August 4, 2015 at 5:25 pm
 
“Oh! What A Tangled Web We Weave When First We Practice To Deceive”
I have found this writing to be MOST revealing.
Talk soon.
Reply
 
 
 Garrett says:

 August 4, 2015 at 6:45 pm
 
To Covert Affairs….
A brilliant analogy… that trying to find the creators of these policies was like trying to put your finger on a ball of Mercury.
Hitler was careful just like the Governing Body to give verbal orders and not put things in writing. A word given was law that none would defy, but left no trace. Still it was followed to the letter…
I HOPE, that these Aussies have the common sense to see that when 10s of thousands of tendrils (congregations) all take the same action ( or lack thereof) that there is an octopus seated in Brooklyn that is pulling all the strings.
 These elders are the pawns, the cannon fodder for the nucleus of evil, the Governing Body….Those bastards in New York must be brought down, exposed, killed and ashes strewn to the winds…..
We are so close my friends and allies!…..let us salivate at our approaching victory and defeat of this cult….
Who will drink with me to the end of this evil cult????
 Who is with me????
Garrett
 Minneapolis
Reply
 
 
 Covert Affairs says:

 August 4, 2015 at 7:23 pm
 
Day 7 – Vincent Toole…
Wow…this guy is truly living up to his name! He’s a complete tool!
The arrogance and defensive tone of his voice in his answers is horrible! No mildness, no humility… He has obviously misread Colossians 4:6 “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.”
Another from the ‘Do as I say, not as I do’ club.
Reply
 
 
 Keith says:

 August 4, 2015 at 8:53 pm
 
This morning
….denied the existance of the Branch Handbook. Never seen one. Then when SC quoted from it the WT solicitor requested it be suppressed as confidential if produced. Then denied the concept of theocratic warfare, also never heard of it. This man is in contempt of every Witness who embraces the concept of truth.
Reply
 
 Pickled brain says:

 August 5, 2015 at 12:31 am
 
@Garrett. Excellent comments & as good old Elisha said to his Attendant ‘ their are more with us than against us’ !! I am with you in all you say & there are millions of ex-JWs who have been disfellowshipped or Left over the last 20 years who agree with you!
 I say millions because on average 1% get disfellowshipped each year & that is 80,000 & times that by 20 years that is 1.6 million & that doesn’t include those who fade,Disassociate & those who are irregular ,etc
Reply
 
 
 

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← Elders shamed under questioning by the Royal Commission
Reflecting on the Australian Royal Commission (Day 3, Part 1) →
 
Jehovah’s Witness culture creates a ‘perfect storm’ for abuse
Posted on August 3, 2015

Watchtower's expert consultant Dr Monica Applewhite is grilled at the Royal Commission
Watchtower’s expert consultant Dr Monica Applewhite is grilled at the Royal Commission

The following is a follow-up to the article submitted on Thursday by “CovertFade” – a non-disfellowshipped subscriber to JWsurvey…
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Australia has been running its inquiry into the Jehovah’s Witnesses child protection policies for just under a week, and so far it’s been pretty painful to watch. Especially for the Watchtower.
We’ve seen elders caught apparently lying under oath, we’ve seen elders admitting that the policy they are required to follow is flawed, elders admitting that they cared more about protecting their organization than protecting the victim, elders stubbornly insisting that it was perfectly okay for three men to interrogate a loan female abuse survivor in front of her attacker, and to cap it all we had an elder admit that he’d done no preparation for his appearance before the Commission and didn’t really know what the Commission was for. How embarrassing!
Well, just as it looked as though things couldn’t get any worse for Watchtower, day four (July 31st) of the hearings began and Doctor Monica Applewhite took the stand.
Doctor Monica Applewhite is no stranger to those following Watchtower’s child abuse battles. She has appeared in several US cases, most recently in a UK case, always on behalf of Watchtower and against the claimant.
On each occasion, she had been there to present her professional informed opinion as an expert in the prevention of child abuse that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are actually much better than all other religions when it comes to abuse prevention, and that everything is fine in the house that Russell built.
It hasn’t always worked. For example, the UK case was lost by Watchtower despite her testimony, but it did at least allow the organization to release the following face-saving statement.

“We are disappointed with the decision, particularly since the court accepted expert evidence that Jehovah’s Witnesses in the late 1980’s and 1990’s were ahead of their time in addressing the issue of child sexual abuse.”
I don’t think that will be happening this time. In fact, I’d be curious to know if Doctor Applewhite will ever want to work for Watchtower again.
It turns out Doctor Applewhite has become a walking case study on how NOT to approach research. Before the hearings began, Doctor Applewhite submitted a written statement to the Commission in general defense and praise of Witness policies on child abuse, but it quickly became clear when she took to the stand that the Commission again had serious concerns, this time not with the activities of elders, or the polices or Watchtower. Their concern was with her credibility.
For example, her written statement repeatedly asserted that Watchtower compared much more favorably than other religions “throughout the world” when it came to dealing with child abuse, but when pressed to give hard data as to which religious organizations she was actually using for comparison, and the data sets she used to come to this conclusion, she was very vague and apparently unable to produce such.


More to the point, when pressed on what data she had actually used to study  Watchtower’s effectiveness when dealing with child abuse, she was forced to admit that her study came not from empirical data collected from real world case studies, but rather, simply from reading Witness publications.
In other words, what she was presenting was not a scientifically researched study, she was just presenting an opinion based on reading cult propaganda and assuming that this propaganda actually depicted reality.
Sounds bad? It gets worse, because it turns out even by the standards of her own flawed methodology, Doctor Applewhite did a terrible job of understanding what the publications actually indicated. Over the course of the day, the Commission identified and proved a large number of factual errors that Doctor Applewhite had made in her report. Here are some examples…
◾Doctor Applewhite incorrectly offered the opinion that elders are not viewed as “superior” by the congregation but as “fellow workers.” The Commission found that they could not accept this as the reality of Witness culture, based on many other statements in the publications indicating (1) that elders are considered shepherds rather than sheep, (2) that they have a position of honor in the congregation, and (3) are appointed by holy spirit, and thus whilst some written JW material might try to convey the idea of equality, other JW publications and the clear reality on the ground was that the hierarchy of Watchtower was clearly split into shepherds and sheep.
◾Applewhite incorrectly presented the opinion that an elder or a ministerial servant would never be alone with children. The Commission, however, found that the ks10 elder’s guidebook explicitly stated that “Those who are appointed to privileges of service, such as elders and ministerial servants, are put in a position of trust. One who is extended privileges in the congregation is judged by others as being worthy of trust. This includes being more liberal in leaving children in their care and oversight. The congregation would be left unprotected if we prematurely appointed someone who was a child abuser as a ministerial servant or elder.” Doctor Applewhite replied that as a rule this was not supposed to happen. The Commission asked her to point to this rule in the book. She could not.
◾Applewhite was unaware of the restrictions placed on Witnesses getting professional psychological help. She stated that she had assumed the counsel was just limited to finding a therapist who respected witness beliefs. Angus Stewart SC demonstrated again with the ks10 book that group therapy, for example (which can be an important form of treatment for abuse survivors), was discouraged by Watchtower. Doctor Applegate conceded her error in this point.
The above errors threw the credibility of Applewhite’s entire report into doubt. None of this was a great start from someone Watchtower was no doubt hoping would be able to turn the tide in what has thus far been a complete debacle for them.
The Commission team, however, was only just warming up.
They then moved into weightier details of concern to them: the two witness rule, the all-male star chamber, the forcing of a survivor to confront her abuser. Justice Peter McClellan and his team were clearly confused as to how Doctor Applewhite, an apparent expert in the prevention and treatment of child abuse, could support these policies. It turned out that Doctor Applewhite had again been pulled in by Watchtower propaganda and had failed to do critical, investigative research.
For example, let’s take the issue of a survivor being forced to confront his/her accused. When Doctor Applewhite was asked if this is acceptable, she first countered that the accuser is not actually forced to face the accused and can instead write a letter detailing their evidence (this is in direct contradiction to all the testimony that the elders had offered thus far). This is happened next:
◾Justice Peter McClellan: Doctor, are you familiar with the work that has been done in Australia in the civil justice process in relation to the prosecution of these types of offenses?
◾Doctor Applewhite: In terms of how survivors are —
◾Justice McClellan: How witnesses are handled and, particularly, how survivors are managed? Are you familiar with those processes?
◾Applewhite: I am.
◾Justice McClellan: Are you familiar with one of the fundamentals being that the abused person need not confront the abuser in that scenario?
◾Applewhite: Absolutely.
◾Justice McClellan: This process offends against that principle, clearly, doesn’t it?
◾Applewhite: But my understanding is that they can write a letter and that there doesn’t have to be a confrontation at all.
◾Justice McClellan: We just looked at all those processes.
◾Applewhite: Yes.
◾Angus Stewart SC: I don’t know where you get that understanding, whether someone told you that, or what, but you restricted your report and your evidence, now, to what the documents say, and the documents don’t say that, do they?
◾Applewhite: So you are saying that in the judicial process today, that evidence can’t be received from a witness through a letter?
◾Stewart: Well, according to these documents, yes, I am saying that. There may be some judicial committee somewhere —
◾Justice McClellan: I think it probably should be put slightly differently. The words are “however it may be that the witnesses live a great distance away” – you have to ask yourself what is meant by “witnesses” there, whether that includes the survivor, “or for some reason are not able to be physically present.” So we’re talking about an exception, do you understand?
◾Applewhite: I do.
◾Justice McClellan: Otherwise, the procedure contemplates what Mr Stewart has been putting to you, and that is, that the girl or woman would have to confront ultimately three men in the presence of the abuser and without any moral support. So on her own. Now, is that a good practice?
◾Applewhite: Absolutely not. And I – I want to be clear, if there – if it turns out that the practice that they have today does not allow someone to write a letter and they have to confront their offender and they have to sit in the room with no support, it is not going to meet the standards of care. I didn’t understand that that’s the process, and there are probably people more qualified than I am to say whether it is, but it wouldn’t meet the standard of care if that is the fact.
◾Justice McClellan: Well, the difficulty for us is that you have proffered to us your written report in relation to all of this.
◾Applewhite: Yes.
◾Justice McClellan: And we’re trying to work out whether or not what you have said is something that we, as the Commission, should accept, carrying with it of course the consequence that if we say it is a good practice, then others might follow it. Do you understand?
◾Applewhite: Absolutely. And in no way am I trying to say that that’s a good practice.
What the above transcript fails to capture, but it is clear in the video footage, is the expression and tone of voice of Doctor Applewhite. Her responses are those of a woman realizing that she has made a terrible mistake, and then frantically trying to distance herself as far as possible from the position she previously held.
The same pattern unfolds when the Commission discusses the two witness rule, and in particular an aspect of this rule that seems of particular concern to Justice McClellan, who has correctly identified that the Watchtower faith requires a person, essentially under pain of destruction by God, to report wrongdoing.
However, when coupled with the two witness rule, a potential situation is created where an abuse survivor is compelled under threat of divine judgement to report abuse, but then the very nature of the system which handles her complaint will not allow the complaint to be believed or dealt with, thus creating a no-win scenario and huge trauma for the victim.
◾Justice Peter McClellan: Now, do you see that there may be a problem for a survivor, who has the obligation to report sexual abuse, which very often will happen in private – most often will happen in private —
◾Doctor Applewhite: Yes.
◾Justice McClellan: and find that because there is not another witness, her allegation is not accepted? Do you see that that might have real difficulties for the survivor?
◾Applewhite: Absolutely.
Ouch. Well, at least the day is over and Watchtower can lick its wounds, right? Nope.
The Commission then presents Doctor Applewhite with a checklist of factors in a sociological environment, as proposed by David Finkelhor (a leading researcher, academic and writer in the field of child protection), that would significantly increase the risk to children in that environment. They are:
◾Repressive norms about masturbation and extra-marital sex.
◾Weak criminal sanctions against offenders.
◾Ideology of patriarchal prerogatives for fathers
◾Erosion of social networks.
Sound familiar?
◾Mr Angus Stewart SC: This model would certainly raise for you some flashing lights about the social/cultural environment of the Jehovah’s Witness Church insofar as child sexual abuse is concerned, wouldn’t it?
◾Doctor Applewhite: Tell me what you mean by “flashing lights.”
◾Stewart: These factors come together really in a perfect storm for the Jehovah’s Witnesses in the risk of child sexual abuse occurring there.
◾Applewhite: I think I would have to look at this more carefully to be able to say that. I just would have to look more carefully.
Doctor Applewhite might not be certain on this point, but it is clear from the above statements by Mr Stewart that, in spite of evidence submitted by Watchtower and the testimony of elders (or perhaps because of it), the Commission is presently of the opinion that this is the case, demonstrating the grave nature of the trouble that Watchtower Australia finds itself in.
As the day came to a close, with the credibility of Doctor Applewhite under serious doubt and her evidence officially ruled to be so flawed that it was inadmissible, and her client looking worse than ever, Justice Peter McClellan presented Applewhite with the chilling logical consequences of the practices employed by the cult she had been hired to defend.
◾Justice Peter McClellan: Just to finish the discussion you and I had previously, doctor, if a woman brings an allegation that she has been sexually assaulted by a member of the Jehovah’s Witness, and she does so because of her strong adherence to the tenets of the church, and believes that she has to report, but she doesn’t want to go to the authorities, she doesn’t want to be involved in a criminal trial, and there is no other witness, and the alleged abuser doesn’t confess, but those listening to her story don’t have any doubt that she is telling the truth, but they can’t take any action because there is only her evidence, what happens, then, within the church? I assume – well, you tell me, does the abuser then stay with all of his rights intact and the woman would be required to, if she wished to remain part of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, interact with him in that environment? Is that what happens?
◾Doctor Applewhite: In addition to some other warnings or things of that nature, I would think that that would be what would happen.
◾Justice McClellan: It is not a very good place to end up, is it?
◾Doctor Applewhite: It isn’t.
In some respects one can feel a degree of sympathy for Doctor Applewhite. She is not the first otherwise intelligent and rational person to have been suckered by manipulative cult propaganda. On the other hand, as an academic working in a field such as child protection, where the stakes are so high and the human consequences for error so appalling, she clearly should have demonstrated the kind of professional diligence and spirit of critical inquiry shown by the Royal Commission. She failed, and instead ended up being an apologist for a cult that has hidden 1006 alleged child molesters from the law in Australia alone.
At least now she finally seems to be aware of it.
The day ended with Watchtower’s lawyer inviting Doctor Applegate to re-submit her report. But despite her expressed willingness to help the Commission, from the expression on her face and the tone of her closing remarks, one wonders if we have seen her final appearance in defense of Watchtower.
 
CovertFade
 
 
Further reading…
◾Daily Mail report
◾9News report
◾Sydney Morning Herald report
◾Updated list of media reports on the Royal Commission
◾Download page for exhibits from the Royal Commission
◾Australian Royal Commission hears that 1,006 alleged child sex abusers were covered up by Watchtower
◾Elders shamed under questioning by the Royal Commission
◾JWsurvey articles on child abuse
Watch a playlist of the Royal Commission…




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← Elders shamed under questioning by the Royal Commission
Reflecting on the Australian Royal Commission (Day 3, Part 1) →
 
70 Responses to Jehovah’s Witness culture creates a ‘perfect storm’ for abuse

← Older Comments
 
 Covert Affairs says:

 August 4, 2015 at 10:22 pm
 
OH WOW! Now the act of shunning is on the table. And the witness lawyer is wanting to keep documentation confidential bc it has no public interest and the Commissioner is not having it.
 This Royal Commission is definitely earning it’s money!
Reply
 
 
 Covert Affairs says:

 August 4, 2015 at 11:03 pm
 
Geoffrey Jackson has been just requested by the Commissioner to appear before the Commission while he is in the country!!! And naturally, the legal representation for the Witnesses is trying to find a way to worm him out of this request.
 This could get even more interesting…
Reply
 
 covertfade says:

 August 4, 2015 at 11:18 pm
 
Agreed.
Remember that it is illegal to refuse to appear before the royal commission, under threat of imprisonment. It appears that Jackson now faces a choice. He apparently has one of three options:
1. Refuse, stay in the country to look after his father and go to prison.
2: Appear before the commission and take part in the worst PR Debacle the WT has even seen,
3: Flee the country and make it clear to the world that he is so scared of the commission he will even abandon his father to avoid testimony.
Reply
 
 
 Andrew Haas says:

 August 5, 2015 at 12:15 am
 
I wonder if Geoff will quickly leave the country?
Reply
 
 covertfade says:

 August 5, 2015 at 12:26 am
 
Of course, there is always option 4: One of Geoffrey Jackson’s fellow GB members could offer to take his place via video link. I’m sure the Commission would accept that substitution, and since I’m sure the Seven Faithful Slave are all prepared to die for each other as followers of Christ, I have no doubt that Tight Pants Tony or Lett the Loon will step up and take the bullet for Jackson…
 …yeah, maybe not. 😉
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Keith says:

 August 4, 2015 at 11:48 pm
 
Covertfade
 What a day!
 Looking forward to the coming developments.
 Cheers
Reply
 
 
 Ocma says:

 August 5, 2015 at 1:06 am
 
I’m just watching part 4 – this joker going on about policies from 25 years ago, wasn’t it just as rubbish as it is now? Speaking as though things are better now?
 The society has always handled child sex abuse cases poorly.
 As for the elders, none of them, I can not think of one that I used to know, who should be dealing with something as serious as sexual abuse of children.
 As for Dr Applewhite, is she for real? “that is my understanding” and ”I don’t know”, I’d be falling out of my chair drunk if I took a drink every time she said these phrases.
Reply
 
 
 Kat says:

 August 5, 2015 at 1:48 am
 
When Stewart questioned Toole about reporting child sexual abuse he said (not his exact words but same meaning) In the past two years for example when one phones for advice I always inform them of their rights to go to the authorities, he said we get 3 or4 calls a month.
Really so its still going on is it Toole, or are these cold cases? whatever 3 or 4 a month over 2 years is a lot!
Now if he was talking to the victims or parents of the victims of their rights, how do they know that bethel has a special legal dep; that handles this issue, wouldn’t they go to the elders first anyway?
I found this whole statement of Toole really strange.
Reply
 
 
 Peter says:

 August 5, 2015 at 3:31 am
 
Enter Sandman.
Reply
 
 
 Bad Penny says:

 August 5, 2015 at 8:57 am
 
Garrett
 Minneapolis is a hell of a way from ‘old blighty’ (England) but I will certainly raise a glass or two or maybe three when the ‘Tower’ finally crumbles to the ground!
 I’m with ‘ya all the way!
Reply
 
 
 Bad Penny says:

 August 5, 2015 at 9:20 am
 
Covert Affairs –
Geoffrey Jackson should have no fears about appearing before the Commission, after all he surely believes the words of Jesus Christ when he said, ‘Why, you will be haled before governors and kings for my sake, for a witness to them and the nations. However, when they deliver you up, do not become anxious about how or what you are to speak; for what you are to speak will be given you in that hour; for the ones speaking are not just you, but it is the spirit of your Father that speaks by you.’
This should establish whether the ‘holy spirit’ has appointed him, don’t you think??
 It will be sooo good to see how he fares if he’s brave enough to appear. His minions are not doing too well are they. It shows who their Father really is.
Reply
 
 
 Stirring Awake says:

 August 6, 2015 at 3:38 am
 
So everyone should have their copies of the ‘Flocking the Sheep’ manual by now (including the 2015 Digital Edition with markup) but ICYMI.. here’s the Branch Organization manual.
https://jhonlemos.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/branch-organization-watchtower.pdf
Reply
 
 
 Warren says:

 August 6, 2015 at 6:21 pm
 
Unbelievable, wow, wow, wow.my wife’s cousin is married to a CO, she & her (disfellowshipped) sister are victims of abuse, the abuser is still in a congregation, & leading life as a so called normal brother, nothing happened to him, they will never serve in his congregation, as they & him are protected, this is so sick & twisted, her father was accused of the abuse (false) so that her mother could get grounds for divorce, so as to re marry, the original husband was not a JW, this is not a fairy tale, this is true. I wonder what they are thinking at the moment, i am sure that the branch is feeding the CO’S & DO’S some stuff (lie’s) to deal with us plebs, but deep down they know what has really happened, bring on Jackson, can’t wait.
Reply
 
 
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← Jehovah’s Witness culture creates a ‘perfect storm’ for abuse
 
Reflecting on the Australian Royal Commission (Day 3, Part 1)
avatar 
Posted on August 5, 2015

Abuse survivor Karen Morgan gives her take on evidence given by Dino Ali (above) at the Royal Commission
Abuse survivor Karen Morgan gives her take on evidence given by Dino Ali (above) at the Royal Commission

As you can appreciate there is so much information coming out of this investigation, it’s difficult to know where to start with reviewing it. I would like to begin by focusing on day 3, part 1, which sees Mr Dino Ali on the stand. He is one of the elders who dealt with the case of BCG.
I would love to know what advice/direction the elders have been given prior to this investigation. To me, the elders seem extremely unprepared and very out of their depth.
They are a far cry from the elders who sit in judgement on Judicial Committees and speak eloquently with authority and confidence from the platform.
The other thing that strikes me is the Commission seems to have a lot of the original paperwork, including notes taken by elders at Judicial Meetings. During my own case, the Society and the elders were asked to provide all paperwork related to the case, but they claimed paperwork was destroyed. Maybe in Australia the elders are more organized.
Back to Mr Ali who struggles to interpret his own notes that he took at the time (although I do wonder whether his struggles are related to the fact his own notes are about to drop him right in it).
Ali’s own notes clearly show that more than one child had been abused by their father, and that the elders were told about the abuse at the time of their investigation. However, the fact there were at least two witnesses as required by JW rules was not enough for the elders. It beggars belief, and I find myself saying out loud, “what the hell were you thinking?” I just cannot figure out what goes through these elders’ minds.
After countless judicial meetings, no action was taken against BCH (the father) until it transpired he had been involved in immorality with an adult female. This called for another judicial meeting where his immorality was the focus of the discussion.
At this meeting, the abuse of his daughter was again discussed. His notes state that BCH admitted to everything, and he stated that whatever his daughter BCG had said about him was true. It was only at this point that he was disfellowshipped. So at this point the elders had an admission at last, so there should have been no reason why BCH could not have been disfellowshipped for the abuse.
But no! Mr Ali claims that as this meeting was concerning immorality, then that’s all they could deal with. Also, and this is the killer, Mr Ali suggests that they couldn’t accept that admission as the elders felt it might not be true! Absolutely ludicrous.
So BCH gets disfellowshipped for immorality, but still no action is taken by elders on the child abuse claims. Let’s not forget that, at this stage, all four daughters and even the wife of BCH had all told the elders of the abuse that had taken place.
We then come to the letters sent by the elders to the Branch. The letters contain lots of information about the immorality, but no mention is made of the abuse. Mr Ali claims that at that time the guidelines did not require reporting of child abuse. He refers to the older version of Shepherd the Flock of God. What screams out at me here is: did they really need to have it in black and white in order to report it to the Branch?
Mr Ali is asked if he recalls BCH actually admitting to the abuse. His response: “Well I was only there as a bystander, I wasn’t directly involved.” He goes on to say that he “can’t remember,” which seems to be a common claim among these elders when asked any awkward questions.
Now here’s the clincher: Ali is asked the question I’ve been waiting for. Did he consider reporting these matters to the police? His answer: “No.” Even after the confession, they still did not feel any need to report to the police. Why? “Well, we were still trying to find all the facts on pornea which he was guilty of and we didn’t have the direction in order to do that.”
So in other words, because someone on the end of a phone didn’t say it’s a crime and needs to be reported, the elders didn’t report it. But it’s OK, because the elders tell the accused he/she is never to be on their own with children anymore, and they are not to have children staying overnight. They feel that is enough.
The next part of the questioning turns to the fact the elders had a full confession from BCH, and yet they still did nothing. Mr Ali goes back to his terrible explanation that they had to be sure BCH was being truthful in his confession. He claims that BCH may have only confessed to molesting his daughter to get out of the situation. Now, I don’t know what situation BCH found himself in at the time, but I’m struggling to think of ANY circumstances that would mean a father would falsely say he had been molesting his daughter?
So BCG claims to have been molested by her father, her father admits to molesting her, but the elders still weren’t sure. They were also worried that he may deny it later and they would find themselves stranded. We are supposed to share their concern about what would happen if they had gone to the police and then he had changed his mind. How would they live with themselves? Absolutely farcical!
The questioning moves to the suggestion that no one wants to accept that elders and ministerial servants would carry out child abuse because they are appointed by the Holy Spirit. Mr Ali denies this is the case, and he then describes being an elder or servant as the same as being a ‘Slave’ – claiming it is not a dignified position at all. You have to just laugh at that statement. He will not admit that it may have been a mistake to appoint BCH as a ministerial servant.
Mr Ali spent sleepless nights after hearing what BCG went through with her father. However, this did not prompt him or any of the elders to actually do anything. In fact, the four girls remained at home with their father until he later moved out. So these men appointed by Holy Spirit allowed four young girls to remain in the same home as their father who had abused them physically and sexually.
Let’s not forget that their mother was also aware of what was going on, and she too did nothing. So wouldn’t it have made sense to go to the police and allow them to properly investigate the crime? Mr Ali doesn’t seem to think so, as in 1988 they were following the old guidelines and it’s completely up to the victim to report.
The Judicial Committees are clearly designed to assist the wrongdoer and not the victim. The hope is that the wrongdoer will see their mistakes and repent and come back to Jehovah. Mr Ali feels they are well equipped to deal with the victims of child abuse. His reasons? Publications, circuit overseers, and the ability to ring the Bethel.
Elders also follow up by reading scriptures with the victim, but only within the committee meetings. The elders never told BCG that they believed her, or that it was not her fault. Mr Ali also claims that he was unaware of the gossip in the congregation that BCG was telling lies. He also doesn’t recall BCG had attempted suicide after these events.
The similarities between this case and my own experiences are scarily similar. I was subjected to countless meetings with elders, some on my own, some with my dad, and some with my abuser. I received NO support whatsoever outside of those meetings. My abuser was never disfellowshipped for what he did to me, he was disfellowshipped for admitting to being drunk and belligerent.
I too was called a liar by my congregation at the time, and also a trouble maker. Listening to this case takes me back to my own experience, and when I hear the victims describe how they felt, I know exactly what they are talking about.
Surely Jehovah’s Witnesses must realize how ridiculous their policies are when they watch this Commission? It’s sad, but I suspect your average Witness has no idea of these developments. Even if they do, they will view it as persecution and not see it for what it is – sorely needed exposure of a damaging organization that is failing children.
 
new-karen-signature2
 
 
 
 
 
 
Karen is herself a victim of child sex abuse as a Jehovah’s Witness. You can read more about her story here and here.
Further reading…
◾Jehovah’s Witness culture creates a ‘perfect storm’ for abuse
◾Elders shamed under questioning by the Royal Commission
◾Australian Royal Commission hears that 1,006 alleged child sex abusers were covered up by Watchtower
◾Media reports on the Royal Commission
◾JWsurvey articles on child abuse
Watch an updated playlist of Royal Commission footage…




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← Jehovah’s Witness culture creates a ‘perfect storm’ for abuse
 
44 Responses to Reflecting on the Australian Royal Commission (Day 3, Part 1)

 alanv says:

 August 5, 2015 at 6:22 am
 
I think you are right Karen when you say the elders are out of their depth. They are so used to being judge and jury, but now it is them that have to explain their actions, and they are finding that very hard.
 I would not say the Australian elders are more organised because they still had their notes, they just didnt destroy them as the gov body wanted them to.
Reply
 
 roid says:

 August 5, 2015 at 6:40 pm
 
Yep, their destroying of notes was one of the major early revelations of the Royal Commission.
Here’s Max Horley (an active elder) spilling the beans https://youtu.be/03fcjN_Dglw
Reply
 
 
 
 Searcher says:

 August 5, 2015 at 7:27 am
 
“It beggars belief, and I find myself saying out loud, “what the hell were you thinking?” I just cannot figure out what goes through these elders’ minds.”
Basically, they don’t think. They are mind-controlled, conscience-numb robots. If whatever situation isn’t explicitly explained in the their publications and mother Bethel cannot answer them, then they are lost little automatons. PATHETIC at best and SICKENING at worst.
Reply
 
 
 StrongHaiku says:

 August 5, 2015 at 7:28 am
 
Great article and recap. Nicely done.
As I listen to all of the hearings, I am constantly stunned by the level of bureaucratic dehumanizing non-sense passed off as “loving arrangement/direction”. At times I felt like I was watching the Terry Gilliam movie “Brazil”.
If it wasn’t so tragic, it would be comical.
Reply
 
 
 Idontknowhatodo says:

 August 5, 2015 at 7:56 am
 
It seems to me that under the reasoning and logical questioning from the Attornies and Judge the elders were exposed for what they are….incompetent and brainwashed to follow whatever direction given by that mystical place ‘The Branch’…it made a mockery of the Two Witness rule…and the classic and straightforeward reasoning from the Judge….’Paul said women cannot teach…he also said women must be silent…do you carry that through also?’… and if I hear one more time from those elders..’I dont remember’…’I dont recall’…’I dont know’…I will go mad!… They are ultimately stooges and they dont even realise it… it is sickening.
Reply
 
 MrFair says:

 August 5, 2015 at 9:45 am
 
I completely agree on the elder’s memory lapses. If you only have dealt with one or maybe two child abuse cases in your life, and especially ones that are as shocking as those presented in this case, it would be hard to forget the matter even if 25 years in the past. You’d have to be emotionally or mentally numb to forget such horrific stories, details. I think they used their supposedly faulty memory to try and slink out of it. Thankfully (and sadly) they kept written records of this stuff and were hit over the head with it.
Reply
 
 Searcher says:

 August 5, 2015 at 1:05 pm
 
Selective amnesia?
Reply
 
 StrongHaiku says:

 August 6, 2015 at 6:03 am
 
“Theocratic Warfare”?
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 David says:

 August 5, 2015 at 8:26 am
 
It is tragic that worldly people have to teach them how to deal with sexual abuse cases. For the GB is hard to understand that a young gild would find easier to talk to a woman instead of three men. It is difficult to convince religious bigots that shield themselves with their personal flawed Bible interpretations.
 It is also comic how they always compare themselves with other religions. If they really protect children why do not put in place the best practices instead of practices that are a bit better then anybody else? Convincing them that they are deluded is a lost cause but hopefully people will do some research instead of losing their freedom for myths.
Reply
 
 
 James Broughton says:

 August 5, 2015 at 9:01 am
 
Some very good comments. Karen is right. “Surely Jehovah’s Witnesses must realize how ridiculous their policies are when they watch this Commission? It’s sad, but I suspect your average Witness has no idea of these developments. Even if they do, they will view it as persecution and not see it for what it is – sorely needed exposure of a damaging organization that is failing children.” With ongoing investigations in the UK into former British Prime Minister Edward Heath people will soon put it down to the prevailing culture. No child deserves to be abused.
Reply
 
 
 Hakizimana Jean de Dieu says:

 August 5, 2015 at 9:15 am
 
Mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse will surely make “Jehovahdom” fall. I wonder how criminals will confess to Elders knowing they will be reported to the Police. A wise or crook criminal will now choose to eliminate its victim… What about Africa?
*** w86 7/15 p. 6 Do You Respect God’s Gift of Procreation? ***
 Is the same thing happening today? Yes, for after reading past issues of this magazine, thousands have been helped to bring their lives into harmony with the Bible. Consider the example of a teenager in Africa who was sexually molested as a child. In time, she got involved in all sorts of immoral conduct, including lesbianism. “The world may give pleasure for a short while,” she said, “but it becomes like a drug resulting in a lost, worthless feeling.” In desperation, she tried to commit suicide, but during this crucial period something happened that changed her life. She began attending meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses and accepted the advice to read the Bible daily. This gave her strength to overcome immoral practices. “I feel so much better now,” she says. “It’s amazing what Jehovah can do for a person.”
Reply
 
 
 ScotWm says:

 August 5, 2015 at 9:15 am
 
Watchtower Governing Body member Stephen Lett has dismissed all criticism of Watchtower child abuse policies as being “apostate-driven lies and dishonesties that Jehovah’s organization is permissive toward pedophiles.” Jehovah’s Witnesses are trained to believe that all utterances of Governing Body members, no matter how asinine, are inspired by holy spirit. So brainwashed Jehovah’s Witnesses will continue to go along with the Watchtower’s paedophile protection policies.
Fortunately, the members of the Australian Royal Commission aren’t so easily fooled. However, the only concession by the Australian elders that I have been able to find is that they have agreed to obey the law from now on and report all sex crimes to the police.
So, will obtaining this modest concession from Watchtower elders be all that this Royal Commission can accomplish? Will there also be some sort of punishment for those involved in this massive child abuse cover up? Could the Watchtower lose its tax exempt status and be forced to pay huge financial penalties? Will the congregation’s confessed paedophiles and the elders who pimped for them face any punishment?
Reply
 
 
 JWIntellect says:

 August 5, 2015 at 10:33 am
 
“. . . I suspect your average Witness has no idea of these developments. Even if they do, they will view it as persecution and not see it for what it is – sorely needed exposure of a damaging organization that is failing children.”
You could not have said it any better. Excellent article!
Reply
 
 ForestDaughter says:

 August 5, 2015 at 11:39 am
 
I should imagine that they’ve been instructed not to watch the proceedings. Unless the witness elders assume that the org will come out looking wonderful for their scripturally-based way of dealing with paedophiles. They got that wrong didn’t they! 😉
Reply
 
 Chiafade says:

 August 5, 2015 at 7:50 pm
 
I actually would like to know what instructions the congregations in Australia are receiving.
It would be very hard to respect anything coming from an elder after watching them get torn to pieces by the royal commission.
Reply
 
 Stirring Awake says:

 August 5, 2015 at 11:29 pm
 
@Chiafade
 No instructions, announcements or mention of it thus far. There’s only been one mid-week meeting thus far AND this week had a local needs partin the KM, so it was a prime opportunity to do so IMO.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s completely slipped past the majority of witnesses. Glossing over one or two news reports versus watching the RC hearings and reading the statements/evidence etc. are vastly different. One could easily assume that without critical thinking abilities and relying on blind faith alone, there’s bound to be thousands of heads still buried in the sand.
Reply
 
 
 Queen Elsa says:

 August 6, 2015 at 11:15 am
 
I have a friend there, I’m tempted to ask .. I was wondering the same thing.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 Ted says:

 August 5, 2015 at 12:14 pm
 
Vincent ( Oh! ) Toole, Top Aussie JW, has conceded they will
 now cooperate with mandatory reporting of child abuse, and
 claimed. “Coming to this commission has been a wake up call
 for me I can assure you”.
Sounds like an act of contrition, but were he to come before
 a committee of elders it would not meet the requirement of true
 remorse.- Elders would be guided by, Shepherd the Flock of God.
 manual p92 para,10,–under the section, indications of repentance.
Which asks, “Was his confession voluntary or did he have to be
 accused by others ?” Well bro Toole didn’t volunteer to appear
 before the Royal Commission, he was subpoenaed.
Were that not the case he would have continued to keep quiet about
 all the fresh cases of abuse, 4 every Month, knowing full well that it
 was binding on all citizens to report them.
It’s just cynical manoeuvring, the victims according to JW.org are
 just “Proud, greedy and litigious ” and where the law allows it
 the victims will be thrown under the bus, And Toole and his bosses
 will keep schtum.
Reply
 
 Wild Olive says:

 August 5, 2015 at 7:24 pm
 
I know Vin Toole quite well and once upon a time would have believed anything he said,he can speak with a lot authority.
 However time and the royal commission has shown the true colours of all these “spiritual men” and their deluded leaders.
 If ever there was a time to distance oneself from the org it’s now !
Reply
 
 
 Chiafade says:

 August 5, 2015 at 8:01 pm
 
Wow I haven’t watched that yet I’m still catching up. You are absolutely correct on that statement about contrition. In a judicial committee of his peers it wouldn’t be enough. “This was a real wake up call for me brothers” Eders :”well his repentance has to be commensurate with the sin committed and in his case we have multiple counts of covering over someone’s sin for YEARS! Wake up call is not enough. I move to dissfellowship”
Reply
 
 
 
 Meredith J says:

 August 5, 2015 at 4:54 pm
 
Wouldn’t you have thought that if the Watchtower had nothing to hide that they would be positive about this Commission? Surely, they should have been urged to pay it close scrutiny so that the GB would come out looking sparklingly white and clean. And if this was the coming of Armageddon then also surely they should be interested in the proceedings. No, they are not because they are full of it. Their brainwashed babble has come to entangle them. Let’s hope it is the beginning of their end.
Reply
 
 
 Ken says:

 August 5, 2015 at 7:18 pm
 
The “elders” obviously did not know what to do because their rule book is full of flaws. The GB at headquarters has only till recently issued new procedures in handling sex molestation cases which their legal department has to handle because all the lawsuits are totaling in the millions of dollars . It’s again obvious . I don’t want so much to say by enraging readers but I don’t think the Watchtower should be held responsible for the criminal actions of its members , they should have expelled the molestors from the Kingdom Halls when news of improper conduct was “reported” to them . Logically the victims had the right to go to the law (hello parent JWs) so this vicious circle repeats it’s self over and over……..
Reply
 
 Ken says:

 August 5, 2015 at 7:52 pm
 
See thishttp://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/200401/200401_78_legalrisks.cfm
What “churches” are supposed to do under the law.
Reply
 
 Chiafade says:

 August 5, 2015 at 8:25 pm
 
While it’s true that the parents should have called as well one thing to remember is the amount of loyalty to the organization present in these cases. Both on the parents part and the elders. The parents(parent in this case) trusted in an arrangement that they feel comes from God so do the elders. So this comes into play when dealing with such a serious matter because all JWs are encouraged/told to come to the elders with serious problems.
Since they feel that they are trusting in Jehovah they ignore ALL common sense which includes calling the police when this kind of crime is committed.
I understand why you feel the organization should not be held responsible but keep in mind they make the policies that are followed. Now the leaders of the organization deny all of these reports calling them lies and the witnesses blindly accept these statements “you see those stories aren’t true, bro Lett said so”. This is a systemic cultural issue within the witness organization. Plenty of blame to go around.
Reply
 
 
 
 Meredith J says:

 August 5, 2015 at 8:16 pm
 
The truth is Ken, that this is not new. This has been going on for years. You may not have been aware of this but this mistreatment of vulnerable young persons has been made an issue many times in the media but has not made it to mainstream press like this has. It is an old issue that keeps getting tucked away conveniently by the Governng Body. Many victims have been treated extremely badly. Some have suicided over the years. Many have been cut off from family and left to figure all this out on their own which has left them damaged. When a victim takes on the Watchtower Society they are faced with a whole contingent of lawyers looked after by the Watchtower. They have as much expert help at their disposal which is available, while the victim has limited funds and limited emotional stability to carry it through. It is like the situation of David and Goliath. It got to a point some years ago that it was alleged that they paid off a number of victims in the US making them sign a statutory declaration that they would not take it to the media. But there are so many victims, it is incomprehensible. I think you possibly need to look into this further as I am sure you will find it comes from the top. These elders are just brainwashed puppets who do as they are told and not allowed to question anything and that is why this has all happened. It’s the wrong scriptural counsel in this instance as it is dealing primarily with the rape of children who have no voice or wisdom to know what is going on.
Reply
 
 
 Pickled brain says:

 August 5, 2015 at 11:35 pm
 
@Ken . You are right on the point the GB change the advice on child abuse in the book for Elders(KS) recently because of the compensation claims are damaging but the GB have done this for years. When the GB or then Knorr back in the 1940s a complete reversal on the ban on VACCINES because the Society knew the U.S government would either imprison or financially sting them because of the Advice how to avoid the Smallpox Vaccine in the 1930s primarily coming from Clayton Woodworth who wrote most of the Golden Age & the early Awake Mags . Remember Clayton Woodworth was one of the 7 men with Rutherford imprisoned in 1918 by the U.S Government & then in the year 2000 BLOOD FRACTIONS were allowed whereas before they were banned by the GB in older Watchtower Mags & advice to Elders prior to this was to Disfellowship for taking Hemoglobin & other Fractions in the 1960s & 1970s, but again the GB knew to avoid Financial compensation & Law suits against the GB the Advice changed so more damage limitation could be avoids against the GB!
 This organisation changes its interpretation of scripture when it is to their financial benefit! That is why it is Just a BOOK PUBLISHING ORGANISATION & PROPERTY EMPIRE!!’ Nothing Inspired by Holy Spirit!! GOD DOESNT CHANGE but the 7 GREEDY MEN who Use INNOCENT CHILDREN does Change to Grab More Money & Property. That is why they don’t publish Worldwide Annual Accounts to see how much of the Donations are paid to CHILD ABUSE VICTIMS & How much is paid to 7 GB Members & Families & their new Lovely Lakeside HQ Buildings at Warwick,Walkill &Patterson & the New 88 acre site in England at Chelmsford which is 4 times size of Mill Hill the current Bethel in England.
Reply
 
 
 Searcher says:

 August 6, 2015 at 11:10 am
 
I can remember the ‘disfellowshipping’ talk at one of the recent conventions. The brainwashed many in this organizations are ‘instructed’ to throw away their own children if it is a choice between the children and the organization. The GB, leaders, and elders that support them and support this despicable organization would rather lie, dismiss from memory, cheat, or other devices to preserve the organization. It is a religion to them and goes to their very core of belief. Very sad. Children and parent’s grown children have to carry the brunt of this rotten organization and it’s depraved leaders.
Reply
 
 
 
 GEM says:

 August 6, 2015 at 12:21 am
 
I have never understood why the Governing Body, if claiming to be guided by the Holy Spirit finds itself incapable of using the words of Acts 15:28
“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: ….” (NIV)
Times had changed, the Gentiles had entered into the congregations… issues like dietary requirements and ethics had prompted a review.
The Elders of Jerusalem back them took on the responsibility of reviewing principles, laws and commandments and putting them into a new time and context.
Today, the only thing the current body of men seem capable of doing is Cherry picking outdated instructions given to a vulnerable Nomadic tribe for its protection against the elements and influences of the time.
Take the principle… and, rewrite the Christian Statute book to reflect the needs of our Times. The JWs have grown from a Nomadic tribe into a substantial Nation.
It is time for reform…under their own appointment .. only they can do it .. the onus and the judgment is on them, Squarely!
Reply
 
 
 Average Joe says:

 August 6, 2015 at 1:55 am
 
Couldn’t help but chuckle to myself when I read the transcript of Day 152 between the Chair and Mr. Tokley when trying to get one of the GB to turn up (page 42 of the PDF document, lines 26-34):

Could anybody that has seen the video tell me the expression on the Chair’s face please? I can imagine him rolling his eyes when he said “and you realise where HER evidence ended up!”
In all, I am very impressed by the quality of questioning & reasoning on the part of this commission. They are truly professional & impartial. Maybe the GB should think about employing THEIR services if they are really concerned about the welfare of the organisation.
Reply
 
 
 Average Joe says:

 August 6, 2015 at 1:57 am
 
Oops, this is what happens when I try to be clever and use HTML in my comments!
 Here’s the quote:
“THE CHAIR: … We had Dr Applewhite, last Friday, and you realise where her evidence ended up —
MR TOKLEY: Yes, I do, your Honour.
 THE CHAIR: — in terms of the church’s process. Although she came to say that they were good, the ultimate position, as we understand what she said, they are flawed. Those flaws are the things that I’m talking to you about now.”
Reply
 
 
 Anonymous Speaker says:

 August 6, 2015 at 2:30 am
 
Hello
 I’m just commenting trying to see if anyone has an email address to the Jehovah’s Witness headquarters. I have searched online for a week and found nothing. I called their headquarters and the woman said she is a switchboard operator who has no emails to give out. I was sexually abused by a brother in a Kingdom Hall as a child and that act has lead to several other sexually abusive acts. It’s literally ruined my life. I feel the least they can do is hear what happen to me and acknowledge it. If anyone has an email to their headquarters please let me know. Please! I would be very grateful. Thank you.
Reply
 
 Grace says:

 August 6, 2015 at 3:43 pm
 
Anonymous Speaker,
I hate that you have to go through this. I hope that you can get through to them to get things on record.
Have you been to the Police about it? Please report this person to the Police if you haven’t already done so.
Please take care of yourself & stay strong.
Love & Peace.
Reply
 
 
 
 Stirring Awake says:

 August 6, 2015 at 3:34 am
 
So everyone should have their copies of the ‘Flocking the Sheep’ manual by now (including the 2015 Digital Edition with markup), but ICYMI.. here’s the Branch Organization manual!
https://jhonlemos.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/branch-organization-watchtower.pdf
Reply
 
 
 Average Joe says:

 August 6, 2015 at 4:17 am
 
@Anonymous Speaker
 I’ve responded to your comment/request with the email addresses I’ve found and the links to back them up but my comment is still awaiting moderation. When LLoyd or one of his team have had chance to review it you should then be able to see it.
 @Stirring Awake
 I posted a link to that manual on here but from the official Royal Commission site. That way, the WTS can’t accuse anybody from getting hold of it via “apostate” sources!
Reply
 
 
 Stirring Awake says:

 August 6, 2015 at 5:05 am
 
@Average Joe,
 Are you able to provide the Document ID please? I may have missed your earlier comment and can’t seem to locate the file in the list of Exhibits.
Thanks.
Reply
 
 Average Joe says:

 August 6, 2015 at 7:02 am
 
Of course, no problem:http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/downloadfile.ashx?guid=75759c53-1248-4710-a6a8-7beda7ae5411&type=exhibit&filename=WAT.0003.001.0001&fileextension=pdf
 Document ID: WAT.0003.001.0001
“Marked Up” means it comes with all the additional notes & changes included as available from the Elders log-in section of jw.org.
Reply
 
 Stirring Awake says:

 August 6, 2015 at 8:34 am
 
@Average Joe,
 That’s the link to the Shepherd the Flock book. I’m fairly sure everyone has that one now in one form or another.
The link I posted was for the complete rundown on Branch Operations, outlining everything from policies and processes pertaining to the Branch… i.e. the Governing Body and Branch Committees, Bethel Home Organization, Files and Filing, Legal Matters, Annual Reports, Donations and Purchasing etc. It’s the 1997 document (2003 revised version). I haven’t seen this manual posted anywhere on the recent threads.
Reply
 
 Average Joe says:

 August 6, 2015 at 8:51 am
 
Oops my mistake, sorry.
 I didn’t know about such a manual so thanks for sharing. I will download it and have a butcher’s later.
 Cheers!
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 anonymous says:

 August 6, 2015 at 5:31 am
 
The Society’s lawyer, Mr. Tool, seems to think that pleading ignorance of the moral law to report that a child is being abused is going to get them off the hook but I think most thinking persons can see that these men are lying to protect the precious name of the Organization. In the U.S. ignorance of the law is no excuse. Also, the fact that they get three to four calls per month shows that the Society is still not protecting the children.
This commission into the child abuse within the Organization is even an eye opener to me the way they brought out that when a person knows of a wrong doing that they are under obligation to report the abuse but unless they have another witness that they will not be believed. I know what a terrible position that puts a person in because the same thing happened to me and at one point we were having the circuit overseer’s visit and it was a Friday night and they were having a closed meeting with the elders at the Kingdom Hall and I drove to the Kingdom Hall and the doors were locked but if the doors hadn’t been locked, I would have went into that Kingdom Hall, I would have gone into the Kingdom Hall and screamed my bloody head off at them because of what I was going through because I got absolutely no support from the elders and they know what I was going through with my husband so I fully know of the frustration at abuse victims go through. One good thing that came out of it was, was even though I was almost at the point of suicide, I went to the internet to find some support (since I could get none from the elders) and I found JWsurvey and JWfacts. If it hadn’t been for that point in my life, I’d still be in the bubble.
Reply
 
 
 Erik says:

 August 6, 2015 at 9:52 am
 
Karen, I’m so glad you found the personal strength to survive the elder’s negligence and worse!
Reply
 
 
 Bad Penny says:

 August 6, 2015 at 3:37 pm
 
Anonymous speaker –
After watching this hearing I would say the best thing for you to do would be to report the matter to the police. Historic cases of sexual abuse are becoming more and more common. If the perpetrator is still alive, he can be questioned by police and the correct procedure will follow. I would not rely on JW headquarters for any assistance in the matter. It seems that they are currently in denial of these abuses happening in their ‘clean’ organisation.
 I hope you will succeed in getting the needed help and ultimate closure to your ordeal.
Reply
 
 
 anonymous says:

 August 6, 2015 at 4:10 pm
 
Does anyone know if the Society can be held criminally negligent if they refuse to comply with the commission’s suggestions as to changing their policies to protect the children?
Reply
 
 
 Grace says:

 August 6, 2015 at 5:07 pm
 
Sorry if this post comes up twice.
I think that the RC should make all congregations of Australia submit their personal files to the RC.
There will be some creeps around Australia these last few months sh’ing bricks at this point wondering who has dobbed them in. Wondering when they will be called up to answer to the Authorities.
Sisters & brothers, if you are shy about going forward, do it now while you have a voice. You will be protected. It’s the only way to heal.
The sisters that are still in that shared their stories with me, they have hard copy files on their matters. Sisters, I hope that if you are reading any of these comments & listen to your conscience, go forward so that justice maybe served.
The many times that you repeated your story wasn’t because you were murmurers, it’s because you weren’t being heard.
To those that I listened to over the years, I loved you & it hurt me to see your pain & not be able to do anything about it.
 Reply
Reply
 
 
 Warren says:

 August 6, 2015 at 5:54 pm
 
I had a dealing with Vince, when serving as an elder, certain elders hid a letter outlining evidence showing a brother being guilty of child abuse, i never knew of the letter, nor was i aware of the case & the letter being hidden, Vince said to me that we were to keep silent before the police, & that we were on our own legally, i was not prepared to do that, in the end nothing happened, the brother confessed to the police & the matter was dealt with. I have long been vocal in the congregation that this practice is wrong, & now we are seeing the truth, except as someone has said this will be hidden from the average JW, as they are to scared to have a good open look at whats going on in real life, another comment has been made as the financial situation, we have already seen the payouts in America & very soon it will happen here, its no wonder they have just drained all the local accounts of cash for the world wide work, how convenient!!! we have saved $50,000 for our refurb, mmmm i wonder if that will ever happen now, at least as i say to many disgruntled members, they didnt get a cent of me or my family, i am also waiting for a new financial venture from them, another con to get our money, too pay for this mess..
Reply
 
 
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 KtotheRAD "Konrad" says:

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Continue the good work on this site that expose what Watchtower Organization really are — a fanatic end-time driven cult that only serve interests of its leaders. I left this
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 Fred says:

 November 2, 2013 at 12:09 pm
 
Forget taking your numbers from a 1974 yearbook if you question the amount of those killed, interned, etc get the numbers from the Holocaust museum. You forgot to mention the ‘JEWS’ were and its quoted several times in the Watchtower publications as it is related in the bible, “ONCE GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE” but they did not remain that because of their actions. Your quotes from WT publications are based on the latter that they fell out of favour in God’s eyes. They therefor were NOT written in an anti-Semitic nature. Many Jews have become JW’s over the years are they lesser beings because they were of Jewish blood?…ABSOLUTELY NOT! All races are equal so this video in my opinion is twisted in its presentation. Not to mention the ridiculous claim of Rutherford’s so called love letter to Adolf Hitler. No blinders on here, I have checked the facts. Sorry but this video paints an untruthful twist of events and statements about the WT as regards the comments on the Nazi’s and Jews.
Reply
 
 
 Palma says:

 February 28, 2014 at 3:48 am
 
Hi everybody! Hi cedars!
 I found this article about a discovery in egypt that brings light to the origin of story of joseph in the bible.
 What do you think?http://www.davidovits.info/the-lost-fresco-and-the-bible-my-new-book-in-french/
Reply
 
 
 Idris says:

 March 27, 2014 at 8:12 am
 
Thank you for this page, it has been a great help to me, as I seek the truth of the word of God, however I noticed in the video ‘Does the Bible speak of ‘Paradise Earth’ the speaker quotes Luke 21v43 twice, regarding Jesus word on the cross, there should be a correction note as the verse he mentions is in Luke 23 v 43.
 Keep up the good work
Reply
 
 
 Julia Orwell says:

 July 17, 2014 at 3:47 am
 
Been to internationals before and this elaborate souvenir thing is entirely new. The last one I went to in 2009, the last ones they had, had nothing like this so it’s not a matter of you having not noticed it in the past, it’s a matter of it being a new phenomenon.
 I theorize that the wt motives for this involve keeping the masses busy and therefore obedient. Jws would volunteer to do this because there are no other legitimate outlets for creative expression. Armageddon being near has nothing to do with it: it’s about keeping the sheeple busy and happy. Making stupid trinkets is also a team building activity as it involves jws working together, thus reinforcing the herd mentality jws have.
Reply
 
 
 frankie fernandez says:

 February 27, 2015 at 4:44 pm
 
dear friends I was baptized in 1974. Thank God I am no longer a member of the WT. Free at last and oh what a relief it is. A member of my former congregation who I considerd my best friend molested a minor. There was a big argument amognst the elders on the judicial committee. One elder who was a maverick, wanted to notify the police. But, instead they followed the instuctions of the society. They kept this crime against the child, hush hush. So as not to tarnish the name of Jehovah. But in reality it was a coverup to protect the wt’s reputation. Meanwhile this poor child that was raped has to carry the heavy burden of a victim for the rest of thier lives without compensation and without justice. While the abuser has remaind a member in good standing. The congregation he is attending now has not been notified that he is a sexual preditor.
Reply
 
 
 Kirtley W. Burggraf says:

 March 11, 2015 at 11:16 am
 
Tell me, since governing body members are elected (replacing someone who dies) at what point do do they become “divinely inspired” or “spirit guided”? Were they always thus in the lower ranks or does this just “happen” the moment that they are appointed? What’s Watchtower’s take on this?
Reply
 
 
 Alone in MD says:

 March 31, 2015 at 6:00 pm
 
Regards your video on the Memorial Service. I am one of those “non believers” married to a baptized witness. I go to just keep the peace but I’ve made it known that I consider this service one of the worst religious ceremonies that I have ever been to. “Anointed What”. Also it was announced at last years meeting that “this may be the last memorial service”. They are at it again. Thanks for the great videos.
Reply
 
 
 frankie fernandez says:

 May 10, 2015 at 9:50 pm
 
IF CHRIST WAS ENTHRONGED IN 1914, WHY ARE THE WITNESES STILL CELEBRATING THE MEMORIAL? CHRIST SAID THAT AFTER HIS ARRIVAL NO ONE WAS TO CELEBRATE THE MEMORIAL .ALSO HE SAID THAT THE DAY OF HIS PRESENSE, IT WILL BE LIKE LIGHTNING FROM ONE POINT OF THE EARTH TO ANOTHER. LIGHTNING TRAVELS AT THE SPEED OF 3500 MILES PER SECOUND. SO IT WILL TRAVEL AROUND THE GLOBE IN LESS THAN A MINUTE. HE ALSO SAID THAT ALL EYES WILL SEE HIM. NOT LIKE THE WTS THAT SAYS WE ARE IN HIS INVISIBLE PRESENSE.
Reply
 
 
 pj wilcox says:

 July 31, 2015 at 3:21 am
 
I watched the latest video of the inept elder being questioned by the commission. Who prepared this man for testimony? You all are aware of the dentist who shot Cecil the lion in Kenya? Well his life is over. He is in hiding. What he did ,did not break laws in Kenya and his is in a world of trouble with public sentiment. But this elder being questioned is far worse. He covered deeds that drove people to think of killing themselves. Should he not go into hiding? Is his life over? Has he know conscience? Emotion, caring? You know the answer. Bet ya, damage control is working overtime on this.
Reply
 
 
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 Merice Ewart   @Woldzcoastfotoz 
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 Rick Alan Ross    @RickAlanRoss 
Jehovah's Witnesses let 'repentant' child sex abusers return to church http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/aug/03/jehovahs-witnesses-let-repentant-child-sex-abusers-return-to-church … #JWs #Witnesses

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29 Jul
 Lloyd Evans   @cedarsjwsurvey 
Jehovah's Witness elders ignored child sex abuse rules of evidence, royal commission told http://www.smh.com.au/national/jehovahs-witness-elders-ignored-child-sex-abuse-rules-of-evidence-royal-commission-told-20150729-gimnwb.html … via @smh



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28 Jul
 Lloyd Evans   @cedarsjwsurvey 
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Ex-Believers Accuse Jehovah's Witness Leadership Of Covering Up Sexual Abuse http://www.inquisitr.com/2265651/ex-believers-accuse-jehovahs-witness-leadership-of-covering-up-sexual-abuse/ … via @theinquisitr



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