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← Royal Commission findings: Watchtower policies place JW children “at significant risk of sexual abuse”
The Friday Column: Hypocrisy! Will It Ever End? →
 
Royal Commission findings: Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson “evasive and unhelpful”
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Posted on December 10, 2015

The Royal Commission was far from impressed with Geoffrey Jackson's evidence
The Royal Commission was far from impressed with Geoffrey Jackson’s evidence

On the eighth and final day of the Royal Commission inquiry, something very rare and significant took place.
Watchtower Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson took the stand to publicly answer questions about some of the most secretive and carefully-guarded aspects of Watchtower policy: the way in which Jehovah’s Witnesses deal with internal accusations of child abuse.
It wasn’t easy to get him there.
Jackson’s comments on the day that he was “happy to testify” seem rather incongruous with the titanic struggle of previous Watchtower officials to keep him off the stand, to the point of even seemingly attempting  outright deceit as to Jackson’s role in the organization.
Nonetheless, on Day 8 Geoffrey Jackson took the stand via video link to explain and defend the policies he and his fellow six Governing Body members enforce upon Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide.
In some respects, Jackson put on a better show than many of the elders. He didn’t disintegrate into a shamefaced mess, for example, or give an account of an investigation that was subsequently contradicted by his own notes taken at the time.
Yet his testimony was still disastrous for Watchtower, as the newly-released Submission of the Senior Counsel Assisting demonstrates.
One of the infuriating things about Jackson’s testimony was how often he simply ducked the questions put to him. The more incisive the question, and the more potentially damning the answer, the harder the swerve he employed.
Some observers expressed disappointment at the time, feeling that Jackson had successfully used this tactic to pull the wool over the Commissions’ eyes.
If this was your fear, I have some good news for you.
The report explicitly calls him out on this tactic, documenting every moment that he used it. Here is just one example, taken from the hearing’s discussion of the two-witness rule.

332  Mr Jackson was asked to what extent the Jehovah’s Witness organisation was bound by the Scriptures to maintain and apply the two‐witness rule. He did not respond to the question, instead telling the Royal Commission that he ‘thought that that had already been established in the hearings, but, if not, certainly that is something that we need to follow up.”
Indeed, it became clear as the hearings went on that Jackson, having spent his life around people who are forbidden to question him on pain of shunning, was ill-equipped to face down a room of skilled legal professionals over whom he had no leverage.
Even in the matter of scriptural debate, an area in which you would assume Jackson would be able to hold his own, the Commission found him dreadfully wanting.
For example, Jackson stated emphatically that women could never be elders or take a role in the judgment seat of Watchtower’s judicial process. He justified this statement by stating that women had never had the role of judges in the bible. He was asked a number of times about this, and confirmed it again and again. The bible, he assured the ARC, mentions no female judges.
It would appear that the Royal Commission know their bible better than a member of the Governing Body

342  It should be noted by the Royal Commission that, in his statement, Mr Jackson referred only to those books of the Old Testament in which men are described as judges, and did not refer to Judges 4:4‐5 which tells of the female judge, Deborah. Specifically, the verses report that Deborah, ‘a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time’ and that the ‘Israelites would go up to her for judgment’. Since a woman judge was apparently accepted in the Old Testament, it is not apparent why women should not be judges of ‘Christian’ guilt or innocence in the Jehovah’s Witness organisation.
Geoffrey Jackson seemed wrong-footed by the ability of Angus Stewart and others to engage with him in scriptural debate
Geoffrey Jackson seemed wrong-footed by the ability of Angus Stewart and others to engage with him in scriptural debate
 
For another example of Jackson’s apparent ignorance of the scriptures, take the two witness rule discussion. The cornerstone scriptures used by Watchtower to justify this rule are Deuteronomy 19:15, where the mosaic law states that two witnesses are required to establish guilt, and Matthew 18:16 where Jesus appears to re-affirm this rule.
However, it quickly became apparent that the Watchtower appears to have taken these scriptures out of context. It was put to Jackson that Deuteronomy 22:23‐27 appears to specifically indicate a situation where a woman is sexually assaulted in a field (with her being the only witness) and the attacker is nonetheless found guilty on the basis of her testimony alone. Thus, it was presented to Jackson that the two witness rule as stated in Deuteronomy and referred to in the New Testament specifically allowed exceptions in the case of offenses such as sexual assault.
As recorded in the Submission:

328…It was put to Mr Jackson, and he accepted, that that Scripture contemplates a case where there are no witnesses to the rape other than the woman herself. It was also put to Mr Jackson, and he agreed, that only one witness was sufficient, in those circumstances, for the man to be put to death.
It might have appeared as though Jackson, caught out by this unexpected scriptural proficiency from the ARC, may have been contemplating a change in the rule. However, after the hearings, Jackson submitted a bizarre backtrack via written submission, where he stated that this scripture was not discussing finding the man guilty, but deciding if the woman was guilty or not of complicity in her own rape.
On this point, Senior Counsel’s report is extremely telling.

330…Mr Jackson did not seek to explain the reason for the difference between his oral and written evidence as to context of Deuteronomy 22:23‐ 27.
331  It is submitted that there is little utility in attempting to resolve the conflict between Mr Jackson’s oral and his subsequent written evidence on the subject of the relevance of Deuteronomy 22:23‐27 to the flexibility of the two‐witness rule. However, it is open to the Royal Commission to note the difficulty experienced by even a member of the Governing Body in arriving at an interpretation of Deuteronomy 22:23‐27 which renders it irrelevant to the application of the two‐witness rule.
As far as I can see, that’s lawyer speak for: “There is just no reasoning with this man.”
Summing up Jackson’s testimony on this subject, Senior Counsel states: (bold is mine)

336  It is submitted that Mr Jackson was evasive and unhelpful in assisting the Royal Commission to understand whether there is scope for interpretation of the two‐witness rule such that would allow for action to be taken in circumstances where there is only one direct witness to an incident of child sexual abuse.
More pressure was piled upon Jackson when he was asked if he was familiar with the testimony of the abuse survivors, whose firsthand accounts of terrible experiences at the hands of Watchtower seemingly flew in the face of many of his statements about how effective and caring the Organization’s polices were.
Jackson responded that he had been busy caring for his dying father (a tactic he shamelessly used on multiple occasions to try and kill off questions he didn’t like) and so no, he had not had time to read or listen to those testimonies. Yet he assured the commission he cared deeply for these survivors and had great empathy for them. He agreed that their perspectives on Watchtower policy would be invaluable.
However, as the hearings progressed, it became clear through Jackson’s own words that he had listened to every piece of testimony from the elders who had appeared. It seems rather convenient that Jackson had all the time in the world to keep track of what the elders had said, but not enough time to take in what the victims had reported.
This did not go unnoticed by Senior Council either.




450…Mr Jackson accordingly failed to live by the principle that he said he regarded as important, namely that he should have a good understanding of the perspective of a survivor of abuse, and his stated empathy with BCG was hollow.
F65 Mr Jackon’s failure to have read or be familiar with the testimony of the survivor witnesses yet to have read or otherwise familiarised himself with the testimony of Jehovah’s Witness witnesses belies his stated empathy for the survivors and his stated recognition of the importance of their perspectives.
So to summarise Senior Counsel finds that:
◾Geoffrey Jackson was “evasive and unhelpful” in addressing key areas of concern around his organization’s handling of child abuse.
◾That his claims of empathy and concern for victims of child abuse in the JW organization are directly contradicted by his actions.
◾That the scriptural arguments he made in favor of Watchtower’s version of the two-witness rule, and of male-only elders, relied upon taking some scriptures out of context and utterly ignoring others. (The question as to whether or not this was a result of Jackson being deceitful or simply being a poor scholar is not addressed in the report.)
The report actually goes into a lot more detail as to Jackson’s failings, especially in the discussion of shunning, but we don’t have space to cover them here.
However, I would ask any Jehovah’s Witness who is visiting this page, either because you are having doubts, or because you are seeking the truth about the rumors you’ve heard about how Watchtower treats child abuse, to review the videos of Jackson’s testimony on YouTube and the transcripts on the Royal Commission Website.
Then ask yourself…
◾Did Jackson’s answers on the questions of shunning, on the role of the Governing Body being the only approved channel of God, and many other aspects of doctrine match what you hear from Watchtower publications and talks?
◾Did Jackson’s protestations that the areas being discussed “were not his field,” and that he would have no knowledge of those subjects, match what you understand to be the role of the Governing Body?
◾Did this strike you as the testimony of a humble, kind and knowledgeable man to whom a loving God would entrust the safety of his little ones and who was seeking their welfare as a top priority? Or rather, did you see a man who appeared to have other priorities when giving his testimony?
 
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Further reading…
◾Royal Commission findings: Watchtower policies place JW children “at significant risk of sexual abuse”
◾Reveal article: Jehovah’s Witnesses shield child sex abusers from police, report says
◾12 things we learned from Geoffrey Jackson’s testimony at the Royal Commission
◾Royal Commission’s Angus Stewart accuses Watchtower representative of deliberate deception
◾Elders shamed under questioning by the Royal Commission
◾Australian Royal Commission hears that 1,006 alleged child sex abusers were covered up by Watchtower
◾Stephen Lett slams “apostate-driven lies and dishonesties” concerning child abuse record
◾JWsurvey articles on child abuse


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← Royal Commission findings: Watchtower policies place JW children “at significant risk of sexual abuse”
The Friday Column: Hypocrisy! Will It Ever End? →
 
135 Responses to Royal Commission findings: Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson “evasive and unhelpful”


Newer Comments →
 
 Sarah says:

 December 10, 2015 at 5:45 am
 
The GB has not researched the ‘two witness’ rule very well. Evidence can also be used as a ‘witness’. Jesus stated that his works were testimony that he was the son of God. John 5:36. In that chapter Jesus even alluded to the ‘two witness’ rule and submitted his works as testimony. Therefore evidence is to be taken into account when judging, even if you do not have any eye witnesses.
 With regard to child abuse Romans 13 states categorically that the government is God’s minister to deal with crimes. The Christian congregation is not authorised to deal with crimes and should not do so. The government has the ability to find the evidence which elders do not.
 The dire lack of wisdom in understanding these basic Bible teachings has led the GB and the ones who have been misled into serious trouble.
Reply
 
 Covert Fade says:

 December 10, 2015 at 7:06 am
 
On the point about God’s minister dealing with crimes, as per Romans 13, I think a lot of the problem is that the Watchtower originally thought of child abuse as a sexual sin and not a crime. To them, it was on the same level moral level as, say, a couple of consenting, non-married adults having sex.
It’s only recently that they’ve been forced to alter the approach to accommodate the fact that all civilised societies prosecute child abuse under criminal law, but because the process was constructed on a flawed foundation, it simply can’t be adapted to serve well in the context of this specific offence.
Reply
 
 Pow says:

 December 10, 2015 at 10:13 am
 
That’s exactly, the issue in this case.
Reply
 
 
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 10:24 am
 
The only way that would apply to the gb is if they were subjects of Jesus heeding the words of Matthew 17:5, but the gb have made it clear that they, and they alone, call the shots in every humans relationship with God.
Reply
 
 
 Caltanzee says:

 December 10, 2015 at 2:32 pm
 
Well said Sarah: you summed it up nicely in a nutshell, so to speak..or as they say you hit the nail right on the head.
Reply
 
 
 Meredith J says:

 December 11, 2015 at 2:16 pm
 
Funny, the GB were supposed to be the be and end all of research and yet they let this one slip. Maybe more to it. Well said Sarah.
Reply
 
 
 
 Rowland Nelken says:

 December 10, 2015 at 6:04 am
 
We can only hope that any governmental action as a result of this report will force the JW bosses to change their revolting ways.
Reply
 
 
 Chiafade says:

 December 10, 2015 at 6:05 am
 
For active witnesses this aspect of the investigation should be at best disconcerting. Here you have one of the popes being openly and brazenly uncooperative with the superior authorities. His inability to answer simple and direct questions should tell a person all they need to know about the man.
“I haven’t heard her testimony sorry”
Why?
“I was taking care if my sick father”
Yet on the other side of his mouth he starts referencing the testimony of the elders prior to him. He had plenty of time to listen to their testimony. He MADE time to listen to theirs because what they say has a direct effect on the precious organization. This was and is his and the rest of the gb priority. Not people. People are cannon fodder for the organization.
If he lied on the stand they have NO compunction lying to YOU JWs. It’s something that is so frustrating when reasoning on this point with the witnesses. I showed a witness his testimony. The response? : “I thought he did a good job”. There is no reasoning with an indoctrinated mind. I have no doubt that this has stumbled many though. Yes they’ll be considered weak and all but they have several legitimate reasons to be stumbled and to doubt this org and the deceitful men running it.
Reply
 
 JBob says:

 December 10, 2015 at 1:29 pm
 
Lies are allowed when facing/confronting “the enemy (them)” versus us. Lies, or withholding details (facts), are also okay under the ruse of progressive truth–new light, because “theocracy” rules–it’s for the greater benefit of the conclave. It’s also okay that the inspired but mistaken leaders lied and told millions (and continue to taunt “this generation”) with the lie they may never see death in “this system.”
But, remember, they haven’t been appointed over all belongings just yet…so, how can you hold them to this ridiculously “high standard” @Chiafade? :-)
Reply
 
 
 
 redpilltwice says:

 December 10, 2015 at 6:46 am
 
Thank you for this incredible story Covert Fade, and no more beating around the bush mr. Jackson! I was disappointed too at the time of his misleading testimony, but this was worth waiting for! Yes, he was “hand[ed] over to local courts”, just like the elders involved, but where was “the spirit of [the] Father that [would speak through him]”? (Matth. 10:16-20) Hmm…
Reply
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 10:02 am
 
There is only one spirit that could have moved him to lie under oath, it wasn’t from heaven.
Reply
 
 
 
 Searcher says:

 December 10, 2015 at 7:28 am
 
When I first saw Jackson’s testimony video, I found him to be pleasant, cooperative, and basically answering the questions to his best ability. That was on the surface. After watching it again, I did see and hear what Coverfade and the ARC saw and heard. A dodging, evasive, and squirming liar that did all he could to hide the fact that the WTS is guilty of not protecting these children and preventing further abuse. (I guess that the ARC is trained and experienced in seeing this behavior and I am not.) He knows that the WTS has been caught! He was doing a ‘tap dance’, so that he, the GB, and WTS will have no responsibility in this matter. The key word is RESPONSIBILITY! I have said in a previous post: The GB, WTS leadership, the elders, and hardened JW’s have no concept of responsibility in matters that they have caused or fostered by their twisted policy. They feel that the responsibility lies with the bible and freely quote the bible out of context to support their positions. As we all have experienced, elders and WTS leaders do a ‘hop-scotch’ through the scriptures to build a collage (or montage) of scriptures out of context, and then present it to you as if it were actually written that way. They also do the same to evade responsibility for their policies and actions. Jackson’s testimony performance on the stand shows this behavior most blatantly, except this time it didn’t fool the ARC. He got caught and the WTS got caught!
I hope this is another nail in the coffin for a destructive cult that needs to be removed from this earth.
Reply
 
 Harland Edward Huxley says:

 December 11, 2015 at 7:15 am
 
I view the ARC and JW broadcasting as a blessing and gift from our Father. He has made a provision for all who, would follow Him before man, to see and hear from the mouths of these men, thier blatant and total disregard for his word, direction, or the example that Jesus set before us.
Reply
 
 
 
 Doc Obvious says:

 December 10, 2015 at 7:48 am
 
Every Child Sex Abuse case has more than 2 witnesses. I was told by the Watchtower that every action we do on earth is watched by God, Jesus, and a myriad of angels. So, that means that there millions and millions of witnesses. More than enough to satisfy the 2 witness rule. Also, does the 2 witness rule harmonize with loving your neighbor? Absolutely not.
Reply
 
 Thinker says:

 December 11, 2015 at 12:55 am
 
And then there are occasions when the powers that be are quite happy to have “two witnesses” to a supposed sin, even if it has been established that those “two” had been drinking heavily (they’ll just dismiss that little fact), even if twelve sober eye witnesses testify to the innocence of the accused. It is like a prosecutor in a court of law that has prejudged a person as being guilty and they have the power to dismiss any evidence brought to the contrary. The judicial committee holds the power.
 I saw it first hand. Thankfully, most of those twelve sober witnesses have disassociated or faded. They are disgusted, as am I.
Reply
 
 
 
 Ruthlee says:

 December 10, 2015 at 7:53 am
 
Just ONE child. Just one! If they would acknowledge and apologise for just ONE damaged life instead of stubbornly upholding a misapplied ruling maybe just maybe we would believe they are gods channel(I’m kidding) But the only faith I have with them now is that they will never acknowledge their folly and wrongdoing so will lose all credibility. I have complete faith now in their arrogance moral disreguard for what is right and failure to acknowledge a higher power who they WILL have a reckoning with. Rather they in their shoes than me. ruthlee
Reply
 
 
 Scrubmaster says:

 December 10, 2015 at 7:57 am
 
I like saying this over and over again. Of course the abuses cases and handling is something the Org failed tremendously on. However, when Senior Counsel ask Jackson is the GB the only soul channel, or spokes person for God on earth? And Jackson said that would be a presumptuous statement to make. Any JW should have played that over and over again to let it sync in. My mouth fell open when I heard the response to this question alone. Because this statement alone is HUGE. Because that is not what is taught, and if a regular JW would have made this statement in public, there would have been a committee meeting formed right then and there and the person would have been label an apostate.
Reply
 
 Janice Gilbert says:

 December 10, 2015 at 12:42 pm
 
It is very hard to talk with and reason with active witnesses. I tried to show Jehovah’s friends in Facebook the videos of the hearing and an article about it and I was told that it was apostate info and shouldn’t be read and that it was from the demons. Ridiculous! So I befriended them and want nothing to do with them.
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 12:54 pm
 
I think you mean DEfriended them. 😉
Reply
 
 Janice Gilbert says:

 December 11, 2015 at 3:54 am
 
Ha Ha! Yes.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Eric Arthur Blair says:

 December 11, 2015 at 6:06 am
 
Yes, much like Gerrit Losch’s astounding signed testimony that he “does not answer to Watchtower.” Imagine if I used that as my defence at the Kingdom Hall?
Geoffrey Jackson even put his hand on his own 2013 revision of the NWT and swore to tell the truth, the WHOLE, truth and NOTHING BUT the truth, before embarking on his misleading and deceptive crusade. As if this wasn’t enough, you would think a man who considers himself to be appointed by Christ to head a religion they call “THE TRUTH” would have enough reason to be honest, and have nothing to hide. But then who am I to judge, after all, that’s not my field……
http://thinkingwitnesses.org/i-do-not-answer-to-watchtower/
Reply
 
 Covert Fade says:

 December 11, 2015 at 7:18 am
 
That’s an excellent article, and very relevant to this discussion. Thank you for sharing 😀
Reply
 
 
 
 redpilltwice says:

 December 11, 2015 at 8:38 am
 
When it’s theocratic warfare in front of worldly “gentiles” such as Angus Stewart, I guess it’s allowed. Nevertheless, Jackson was a coward, because he could have made THE statement of statements against the unbelieving world, something Rutherfordian style…know what I mean?
Reply
 
 
 
 Will says:

 December 10, 2015 at 7:57 am
 
Jackson claiming that it was not his “area of expertise” was the most troubling. This guy claims he was appointed by god as part of a governing body to oversee “truth” and make sure literature and talks are given to make sure everyone remains in god’s love and now when asked a question, it’s not his area of expertise. I was floored when he said that, but like was mentioned before, no matter what is shown to devout Witnesses, they will jump to the governing body’s defense. Very sad, but I wish this had more attention. Great job reporting!!!
Reply
 
 
 Average Joe says:

 December 10, 2015 at 8:04 am
 
He was lying through his teeth on many occasions and in my opinion, should have been obliged to show up in person, instead of being surrounded by legal counsel and people helping him out.
 As a professed brother of Christ, his conduct was shocking as Jesus never told a lie when confronted with hard truths. Been part of a “Governing Body” should give the average individual an idea that he is more than a translator; I think it has something to do with “governing”!
Angus was amaaaaazing. I loved the way he used the NWT Bible with flawless logic and NWT cross references to “help” Jackson to see that the WTS do indeed promote corporal punishment.
By the way, I’ve not had any responses to my emails to Lloyd on the “contact” address so could someone on the admin team please confirm that they are being received? Thanks.
Reply
 
 Idontknowhatodo says:

 December 11, 2015 at 7:17 am
 
Average Joe… the powers that be definitely served up the local elders in Australia on a proverbial plate didnt they? They were unprepared and sounded frankly pathetic…its very refreshing to read your comments on here…I just wish there were some elders in my congregation like you….it is sad but the elders served up at the ARC were all too familiar to me… watch your back AJ…. they will come for you in the end…thank you for all your comments.
Reply
 
 Average Joe says:

 December 11, 2015 at 11:03 am
 
@Idontknowwhatodo
 You’re welcome and thanks for your kind words. I’ve always tried to put my interest in others first as strong friendships make for strong congregations. I enjoy meeting with my spiritual brothers & sisters both for spiritual and social fellowship but it is sad how you need to watch your back.
 It’s the easiest thing in the world to show love & kindness and not be judgmental so I don’t see why some people, especially elders find it so hard. There are quite a few elders & servants that feel the same as I do on the WTS fiasco at the ARC hearings. Any honest-hearted individual can see the lies and mistakes in the organisation and it begs the imagination as to why the GB can’t just admit their mistakes and make a profound, sincere apology.
 We can only do our bit in the congs to make sure such terrible things never happen and if they ever did, to place the matter straight into the authorities hands.
 Unfortunately too, there are many power-hungry elders who abuse their position but as I still believe in God (in the minority on this site I think!) I trust he will sort out these rogue representatives of his.
 Chin up mate and just make sure to surround yourself with like-minded individuals; that helps you weather through any rough patches with some of the idiotic, totalitarian attitudes you get in the congs.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Average Joe says:

 December 10, 2015 at 8:06 am
 
Scrub the above request. My email is working perfectly. Thanks.
Reply
 
 
 Simon Kestral says:

 December 10, 2015 at 8:44 am
 
I emailed the commission to explain:
a) Judges 4:4-5 which tells of the female judge, Deborah
b) The relevance of Deuteronomy 22:23-27 to the flexibility of the two-witness rule
I’m glad the commission understands those two important points. It’s astounding that WT gets them so wrong, while claiming to be educators of Bible truth.
But that’s what happens when men run ahead of Jesus and falsely claim the title “faithful and discreet slave” for themselves. It’s a big lie that voids their associated claim of authority. When you realize that, you know you can’t trust anything else they say.
Reply
 
 Scrubmaster says:

 December 10, 2015 at 9:14 am
 
Simon – I wonder how the Society always over looks this scripture in Judges about women not being Judges. Even at one point Barak telling Deborah, if she goes with him, he will go. Sounds like Barak was following her lead to me. Deborah even told Barak when to go to battle vs 14 ” Rise up for this is the day…….” It is not just one or two verse, but a whole account about Deborah.
Reply
 
 Free Thinker says:

 December 10, 2015 at 2:50 pm
 
Guys,
how about this:
Romans 16:1 calls Phoebe – a woman – a “diákonos” – hence, in JW.ORG-lingo, a “Ministerial Servant”. Some translations have “Deaconess”, but no – the Greek has the male “diákonos” (not “diákonē”). Yet another blow to the JW.ORG’s pompous and conceited “We know it all, and we know it BEST!”-claim.
Reply
 
 Free Thinker says:

 December 10, 2015 at 7:36 pm
 
Forgot to mention the prophetess Hulda, see 2 Kings 22 and 2 Chron 34, who was divinely authorized to even teach anointed priests. Bible knowledge, O gloriously ignorant GB – ubi es?
Reply
 
 
 Scrubmaster says:

 December 11, 2015 at 10:24 am
 
@Free Thinker – thanks!!! So how I never knew that one was in the Bible and Paul is the one calling her a “Deacon” – wow – eye opening.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Searcher says:

 December 10, 2015 at 9:35 am
 
You are very correct in your point! Jackson was disgusting when he would use the evasion tactic, “That’s not my area.” Yeah right! He is a translator and should know the bible scriptures backwards and forwards. The Watchtower had articles proclaiming Deborah in Judges. He claimed no judges in the bible were women? Get real! He knew it all the time. He was just holding the line for a failed policy and not taking any responsibility as a WTS leader.
The GB has a philosophy, “Do what I say and not what I do.” and “The rules we devise will only apply to you, and only when convenient.” This is to protect their power and positions, as well as their sorry excuse for leadership. The ‘Judicial Committees’ practice this very philosophy too when they apply these rules in their inquisitions. What a bunch of hypocritical Pharisees. Isn’t this the type of people that Jesus himself railed against in Jerusalem 2K years ago?
Reply
 
 Free Thinker says:

 December 10, 2015 at 7:55 pm
 
Oh yeah, this “translator”-thing got at me too. What exactly does he mean by “I am a TRANSLATOR”? What languages does he know and/or translates back & forth? Is he a studied philologist with, let’s say, degrees in Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek and Latin to begin with, to support their pompous & boastful claim to have produced “the best Bible translation ever”? What kind of “language expert” can you be when dropping out from school at 15 and starting going door knob scrubbing in Tasmania? Oh – “English and Tasmanian”? Yeah, THAT pays the rent. We live in a time of “pompous but hollow titles”, like, cleaning ladies are now being called “Habitation Purification Technicians” or “Real Estate Maintenance Specialists”. If JAckson is a “Language Expert”, then I am Albert Einstein. Get for real.
I guess what the meaning of this is: He is “translating” into JW.ORG-Lingo, like …
– JW.ORG-brainwashed = being spiritually-minded
– Getting JW.ORG-brainwashed = being taught by Jehovah
– Getting ever more JW.ORG-brainwashed = making spiritual progress
– Being totally JW.ORG-focussed = putting God’s Kingdom first
– JW.ORG-doctrines = The Truth
– Newest JW.ORG-theological contortions = New Light
– Serving the JW.ORG = serving God
– etc.
R u getting my drift?
Reply
 
 Ruthlee says:

 December 12, 2015 at 5:12 am
 
see through wall maintenance engineer aka window cleaner! Also most holy jdub aka Jehovah’s witness. ruthless
Reply
 
 
 
 Meredith J says:

 December 11, 2015 at 2:23 pm
 
Yes, a seven year old child knows about Deborah as it was in My Bible Book of Stories. It beggars belief that Geoffrey Jackson, one of the leaders of the Jehovah’s Witnesses did not know that point. Lies, nothing but lies.
Reply
 
 
 
 Covert Fade says:

 December 11, 2015 at 3:58 am
 
Simon, thank you so much for doing that, I owe you a drink sir!
I think the ARC has been a wonderful showcase of people from all walks of life coming together to help abuse survivors and hammer those who silenced and hid them.
Reply
 
 Simon Kestral says:

 December 11, 2015 at 7:27 am
 
They got a lot of email, I don’t know if they used mine; perhaps other people told them the same thing. In any case, it’s on record now, and shows in yet another way, how WT is not “the truth.”
Reply
 
 
 
 Eric Arthur Blair says:

 December 11, 2015 at 6:15 am
 
They are so mysoganistic; pathetic control freaks. It would be funny if it wasn’t so tragic. Jesus was never mysoganistic, and in that he was ahead of his time. Angus Stewart and justice McClellan showed more compassion, and were more Christlike than any of those Watchtower phoneys. Jesus would not have a bar of this organisation.
Reply
 
 Harland Edward Huxley says:

 December 11, 2015 at 7:25 am
 
Amen
Reply
 
 
 
 
 rob says:

 December 10, 2015 at 8:56 am
 
Jackson was so obviously coached by the lawyers to be evasive.
Funny that witnesses are always told to look for the “Truth”
In my opinion there was no truth with Jackson. But unfortunately the lawyers and the rank and file witnesses will rally around him and pat him on the back and tell him he did a great job.
This is shameful, but not unexpected.
Reply
 
 Covert Fade says:

 December 11, 2015 at 4:00 am
 
He clearly was coached by lawyers, but the problem he had was that the questions he faced were not questions that a smooth lawyerly answer would help you escape. I think the commission picked him up on pretty much every evasion, and even if they didn’t get a straight answer out of him, they made a BIG point of recording the swerve, and drawing the appropriate conclusions.
I actually don’t think the lawyers were much help in this case.
Reply
 
 
 Harland Edward Huxley says:

 December 11, 2015 at 7:31 am
 
No I didn’t. I was/am as shocked and mortified by the whole thing as anyone out there. I was born and raised as a Jehovahs Witness and nothing that was said or done by any of the ” brothers” was in line with the way that I was taught or raised. We no longer have anything to do with the organisation.
Reply
 
 Covert Fade says:

 December 11, 2015 at 8:02 am
 
Hi Harland.
 Glad to hear you are free! Great news! 😀
I”m curious, was it the Royal Commission that was main factor in your awakening, or had you been having doubts for a while?
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Sister drifter UK says:

 December 10, 2015 at 9:47 am
 
Again I ask the question – is this ever going to reach UK national newspapers?
 Because -I’m really not sure many people -Witness or non Witness know about it.
 What is the effect in Australia?
Reply
 
 Tara says:

 December 10, 2015 at 1:43 pm
 
I think sista it will be up to ‘us’ to write to the editors of major papers.
Reply
 
 
 Meredith J says:

 December 11, 2015 at 2:31 pm
 
None so far. There was a small article in the Australian Newspaper I managed to find, which is not a really mainstream paper and that’s it.
So far there has been more publicity to the Catholic Church which has been implicated as well of course. A certain archbishop doesn’t want to appear before the commission and is saying he is sick. That is making headlines at the moment. It is amazing though that the story on the ARC website about the Witnesses has been put right up there next to it. Of all the churches which have been accused of pedophilia it appears that the most serious concerns are for the Catholic Church and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Maybe the Witnesses could be more urgent I think anyway for action.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/jehovahs-witness-group-caned-by-abuse-royal-commission-submission/news-story/e3c79d5ff047bc8d2626914dd23c8836
Reply
 
 Clay says:

 December 12, 2015 at 9:34 am
 
I just wonder what the GB living courtiers look like
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Bill Thinker says:

 December 10, 2015 at 10:03 am
 
I wonder how the ordinary publishers view the Watchtower Brooklyn Real Estate enterprise — https://watchtowerbrooklynrealestate.com/ and http://85jaystreet.com/ ?
Is this the promotion of the “The world that is going to end in any day soon”?
Reply
 
 Will says:

 December 10, 2015 at 10:24 am
 
@Bill Thinker and their plea for more money as seen on JW.org. I work in the DUMBO/Brooklyn Heights area and the Watchtower is going to get some serious money for this. In an article in the Brooklyn Eagle, a representative, Richard Devine, said that if he had the money he would buy it. It’s interesting that we are told to keep our eye simple, but this guy (a WT bigwig) would buy it if he had money, so much for keeping a simple eye.
Reply
 
 
 
 Richard says:

 December 10, 2015 at 10:06 am
 
It is absolutely baffling to me how anyone can remain in this cult after this entire proceeding. They have clearly exposed themselves as fraudulent EVEN BY THEIR OWN SUPPOSED STANDARDS!
This is not an organization of love, or morals, or even biblical integrity. These are nothing more than immoral, perverse, con artists that are taking advantage of desperate, ignorant people.
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 1:02 pm
 
Immoral AND Amoral
Reply
 
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 9:45 pm
 
Brainwashing, it is real and definitely used by this cult. We have to remember that current WT members are victims for the most part.
Reply
 
 
 Covert Fade says:

 December 11, 2015 at 4:01 am
 
I tend to agree that those higher up in the cult who are aware of these issues and the WT’s awful behaviour are far more culpable than the rank and file who are largely unaware of these issues.
Reply
 
 
 
 eyes opened says:

 December 10, 2015 at 10:13 am
 
Perhaps Mr. Jackson didn’t look into the personal accounts from the abuse victims because he thought he would be reading apostate material. That’s totally warped, but maybe.
Reply
 
 Covert Fade says:

 December 11, 2015 at 4:05 am
 
I actually think that’s something the ARC through possible.
Remember they were asking all the elders previous to Jackson if they’d read the statements, then drilling them for the reasons as to why they had not. Stuwart almost came out and point blank asked one of them (Bowditch I think) if it was due to apostaphobia.
After this, Spinks made a big song and dance about how he HAD read all the statements, I think to specifically pour water on this accusation.
So I think the ARC certainly had their suspicions on this, but I think the truth is Jackson just didn’t give a poop about what the victims had to say., as the report identifies
Reply
 
 
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 10:17 am
 
1,006 cases of unreported child abuse. Every last one of the Governing body should receive a subpoena to appear before an international committee on human rights violations. Child abuse brought the last pope in the big C church down, why should it be any different for these conmen running a publishing company.
Reply
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 10:19 am
 
I wonder what numbers in the Bible they will cook this time in order to make these arrest prophetic.
Reply
 
 Searcher says:

 December 11, 2015 at 7:08 am
 
That would be as entertaining as the David Splane presentation on ‘Overlapping Generations.’ What a bunch of con-artists.
Reply
 
 
 Meredith J says:

 December 11, 2015 at 2:37 pm
 
Ha. They’ll be saying “It’s just like it was back in 1918 when the brothers were arrested and sent to prison for upholding the good news.” I can just see it. “See we are being persecuted by evil governments, by lies from apostates.” Yeah right.
Reply
 
 
 
 Pow says:

 December 10, 2015 at 10:23 am
 
And that’s 1000 case out of a branch of 60000 now how many, when you factor the world wide number at 8 million. If you carry those numbers forward it would be well over 100000 cases.
Reply
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 10:32 am
 
Proven sexual predators in WT=child abuse
Shunning children=child abuse
Convincing children God will kill them unless they meet a service quota=child abuse
Keeping children from school=child abuse
and the list keeps going!
Reply
 
 
 
 
 San Diego says:

 December 10, 2015 at 10:27 am
 
I was surprised when Jackson used the text Matthew 18 as support for the two witness rule. I recall as a ministerial servant, at meetings with the circuit overseer, numerous times it was said that in this text the two witnesses need not necessarily be eye witnesses to the wrongdoing, but rather it was to bring in witnesses to the dispute itself. This is right from the Organized To Do Jehovah’s Will book, chapter 14, paragraph 18. Guess Jackson didn’t take the hearing seriously enough to stick to the details of his own teachings.
Reply
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 10:37 am
 
Jesus is just a low ranking subject of God to these men. Remember we’re talking about the GOVERNING BODY/Faithful and (televised) Discreet slave; ordained to alter, twist and manipulate Gods word the Bible to push the brand. Anything Jesus said that contradicts the agenda is his fault not theirs.
Reply
 
 
 
 Pow says:

 December 10, 2015 at 10:38 am
 
Furthermore, the 2 witness rule is a shell game. The truth of the matter up in till a few years ago the org. only wanted this problem to go away. …and there was lots and lots of times that committees/investigations had 2,3 or more witnesses. But if they could make sure that witnesses were not talking to each other, and they could put a gag order on it. Walla, then they could privately make the problem (victims) disappear. So, it was not always a matter of lack of evidence it was, and still is a matter of the reputation of the org.is paramount.
Reply
 
 
 ScotWm says:

 December 10, 2015 at 11:38 am
 
Regarding: The titanic struggle of previous Watchtower officials to blow off a court order:
“But at least one prominent Jehovah’s Witness now claims he does “not answer to Watchtower,” and has even declared that Watchtower “does not, and never has had, any authority over me.” Who is this bold man? None other than Governing Body member Gerrit Lösch!”
http://jwsurvey.org/cedars-blog/i-do-not-answer-to-watchtower-stunning-gerrit-losch-declaration-revealed
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 1:07 pm
 
You mean Gerrit Losch the APOSTATE.
Reply
 
 
 
 Born-2B-Free says:

 December 10, 2015 at 11:38 am
 
One thing that strikes me about this whole problem, is why the hell don’t people call the civil authorities when child-molestation has taken place? I understand that elders, or church officials in any religion, may be involved in discipline within the church, but sexual assault is a crime and if the victim, or the victim’s parents have any sense at all they will report it as such to the proper authorities.
There are sex-offender lists distributed to anyone that wants a copy and there’s no reason these couldn’t be displayed in a Kingdom Hall for the benefit of the attendees. By relying on these, the burden of guilt or acquittal rests with the civil authorities. As regards the status of someone’s membership in the JW organization, that is a separate question. The actions of the elders are not binding in civil or criminal matters and vice versa.
IMHO, the Witnesses could dispose of this matter very easily by simply informing anyone that has a complaint regarding sexual abuse that they should report this to the authorities. To wit, I know of one case wherein a Witness committed several serious crimes and was sent to prison. The elders, in this case, were advised to wait until he had served his sentence before dealing with the matter congregationally.
The bottom line, as I see it, is that the Witnesses have fostered a climate of secrecy; which is bad, but common to cults. If they want out of this mess they need to recognize that criminal matters are not within their purview and not accept the mantle of this responsibility unto themselves. If “Brother A” molests “Witness-Child-B” let the courts determine guilt in the matter. Then, they have a legal platform on which to base internal discipline and can proceed as the see fit. If “Brother-A” belongs on a sex-offender list, the civil authorities are the ones to determine that and by displaying these lists in the Hall they are upholding their civic duty to the members of the congregation. If the civil conviction of “Brother-A” doesn’t meet their organization’s internal standard of proof they can proceed as they see fit (with regard to the standing of that individual in the congregation) but they have, in no way, interfered with civil and/or criminal law and are protecting their members to the standard of that law. If “Brother-A” is convicted of a sex crime he is no longer “free from accusation” and it would be foolish to use him in any capacity. It would probably be a very good idea to not accept any reports of field ministry from such a person (so as to not sanction, in any way, this individual going from door-to-door as a JW).
Don’t get me wrong, I think that the JW judicial process has become a farce and I have no respect whatsoever for it, but it’s their club, their rules, and they can do as they see fit as long as the reach of their authority stays within their organization. People choose, individually, to place themselves under this authority, which is regrettable, but hardly unique to the JWs.
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 1:12 pm
 
This all just shows how STUPID they are. “Oh what a tangled web we weave…”
Reply
 
 
 Covert Fade says:

 December 11, 2015 at 4:09 am
 
Yep, essentially this climate of secrecy is to blame. Remember, the very first finding of the ARC report was that the cult issues contradictory teachings to it’s followers that foster distrust of outsiders and secular authority.
As a result, abuse survivors and their parents, even if horrified by their treatment by the cult, are even more terrified of going to the police.
Reply
 
 
 
 Hakizimana Jean de Dieu says:

 December 10, 2015 at 12:14 pm
 
Theocratic war must be an invention of Jehovah god not a God’s invention. I strongly believe that all people will come to open their mind to discover that Jehovah is a god among other gods and Gods.
Reply
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 1:26 pm
 
More ranting on (man-made) religious insanity: Look at the Pope. WTF is up with the Big White Hat? Where is it written that the leader of Christianity is supposed to wear a Big White Hat?? We all know the Bible. I for one do not recall Jesus ever saying, “Oh, and by the way, the future Leader of my new religion must wear a Big White Freakin’ Hat.” Insanity! Insanity! And yet more insanity! MAN-MADE RUBBISH.
 P.S.: …and what’s with the Staff??…He looks like Little Bo-Peep!
Reply
 
 Jeffreycanning says:

 December 10, 2015 at 1:30 pm
 
Great post dude. You should host the oscars…
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 1:43 pm
 
LOL
“And the Winner for Craziest Religion is…”
Reply
 
 Jeffreycanning says:

 December 10, 2015 at 1:46 pm
 
All of them…
Reply
 
 
 Tara says:

 December 10, 2015 at 1:51 pm
 
Oh! oh! ask me! ask me!
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 Caltanzee says:

 December 10, 2015 at 1:29 pm
 
You will never get a direct and honest forth coming answer from these men who believes there are superior to all others on earth as God’s appointed stewards..They employs what they calls Theocratic warfare by using cunning and deceitful tactics..They will go to great length to further victimize the victim rather own up to any wrongdoing on their part..These men are high on self egos.sympathy is not on their radar screen.
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 1:48 pm
 
“HIGH on self egos” — Yes, EGO is the worst drug.
Reply
 
 
 
 M Saurus says:

 December 10, 2015 at 1:38 pm
 
Many years ago when I was still in, a sister suspected her ministerial servant husband was having an affair. Well aware of the 2 witnesses rule, she and her neighbor followed hubby one day and caught him in the act. When presenting her evidence to the elders, along with her witness, they were told the 2 witnesses had to be actual JEHOVAH’s “witnesses” – the worldly neighbor could not be one of them. This sister has since faded, as have I – what a sham.
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 1:53 pm
 
So apostates “lie”. “Worldly” people cannot be trusted. That leaves Jehovah’s Witnesses as the Source of Any & All Truth(s). What a JOKE.
Reply
 
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 2:04 pm
 
I am curious about Anthony Morris III’s service as a Medic or Op. Room Tech. in Vietnam. I have had the privilege of being acquainted with several Vietnam veterans, and would like more information. In Wikipedia, he is quoted as saying he served “in an army hospital in the Mekong Delta”. Was he in the army? If not, which service? What rank? What designation? Where exactly in the Mekong Delta? That Delta covers a rather large area. Can he provide copies of his Discharge Papers? Or is his name still on any DoD files? Just curious. I’m kind of a Vietnam War buff.
Reply
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 3:43 pm
 
@anonymous4
That conversation has been happening for a while
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/230072/anthony-morris-iii-did-he-really-serve-vietnam-something-doesnt-quite-add-up?size=10&page=7
Reply
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 3:44 pm
 
Sounds like a case of Stolen Valor
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 4:25 pm
 
Maybe he was a SEAL down in the Delta, training to be a Warrior for Jehovah one day. LOL
 P.S.: Speaking of Stolen Valor, check out Don Shipley, USN (Ret.) on YouTube. I’m saving up to attend his “Extreme SEAL Experience” camp over there in Virginia. What a rush!
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 rikos says:

 December 10, 2015 at 4:03 pm
 
very good article but the point is. why these seven men is free to continue to deceiving people?if the mythical god jehovah have chosen these men in Russia, these men will be serving life sentences in siberian. This happen because the religious market in north america is booming.
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 4:11 pm
 
“religious market” — Great term.
Reply
 
 
 
 Winston Smith says:

 December 10, 2015 at 4:26 pm
 
“Mr Jackson did not seek to explain the reason for the difference between his oral and written evidence as to context of Deuteronomy 22:23‐ 27.”
When faced with obvious logic in the moment of his testimony, Jackson had to agree that the two-witness rule did not apply to sexual assault. However, once he had an opportunity to ponder things, he regressed to his cult reasoning: “Rule #1: Watchtower is always right. Rule #2: If Watchtower is wrong, see rule #1” (and possibly someone else from the Org helped him write his retraction).
It seems that perhaps in the moment, Angus Stewart got through to the authentic self and Jackson could not argue with the obvious logic. But once the cult personality reengaged, he reverted to traditional Watchtower dogma.
I have seen similar cases with indoctrinated family members – you get through to them with logic and they agree with you. Then sometime later they revert to the cult indoctrination. It’s frustrating!
WS
Reply
 
 Covert Fade says:

 December 11, 2015 at 4:15 am
 
It’s very possible.
I actually tend to think he was just caught utterly wrong footed by his own lack of knowledge and the ARC’s scriptural proficiency, and couldn’t think of a snappy answer, and so had to agree. Kind of like the moment where McClellan pinned him down on corporal punishment, his “GB” face slipped and he looked honestly lost and bewildered for a few seconds.
But yeah, you could well be right. Maybe for a second we got to see Jackson’s honest side, before the cult side reached out a clawed hand and drowned it again.
Reply
 
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 12, 2015 at 11:03 am
 
Context, that’s a dirty naughty word that should not be.
 Watchtower – everything they print
Reply
 
 
 
 Ruthlee says:

 December 10, 2015 at 4:29 pm
 
You know folks all this banter between us brings up some great points .Sadly to say the sleeping jdubs are still drooling on their pillows and won’t believe us. I’ve just lost a good frend because she will not see anything wrong. So my conclusion is is that at least we know some of the truth about all this corruption .Some of it will be believed and exposed in time , I hope so anyway. Any more word on vicarious liability and the org dumping on the elders. See that coming a mile off. ruthlee.
Reply
 
 Covert Fade says:

 December 11, 2015 at 4:18 am
 
Never give up hope.
Even if people don’t at first wake up, this information DOES reach Witnesses, whether the GB want to or not. It’s online forever, and when Witnesses reach a point where they start to question (as so many of them do, I mean, otherwise where did we all come from?), this banter and info will be waiting for them, to wake them up and welcome them home.
Reply
 
 
 Searcher says:

 December 11, 2015 at 7:22 am
 
Agree with you Ruthlee. There has got to be a scapegoat coming down from the hallowed halls of ‘Bethel’ in NY. The GB and CO’s certainly cannot be held responsible in these matters.
Poetic justice for some of these power hungry elders, sorrow for others.
Reply
 
 Ruthlee says:

 December 11, 2015 at 8:50 am
 
Thanks friends just was having a wobble moment all part of the distancing process and needing reassurance .Sometimes its exciting and great being part of the awakening but in quieter moments it is REALLY depressing because they so blatantly lied to us and they smirk and seem to get away with it . I know rationally all will be exposed and this is just another rotten lost cause It just seems so wicked to have put “gods” name on themselves and us too. cheers all ruthlee
Reply
 
 Winston Smith says:

 December 12, 2015 at 10:00 am
 
@Ruthlee,
 I relate to your feelings between excitement and discouragement. I often think why didn’t I wake up sooner? How did I not know I was being manipulated?
During the early part of my awakening I began to take solace in the writings of the early founders of the United States government. Based on where you are from, these writings may not be as familiar to you, regardless I believe the sentiment won’t be lost.
“Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.” – Thomas Paine
WS
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 Justin (formerly J*L*C*R) says:

 December 10, 2015 at 4:37 pm
 
Just for my own edification…what does this mean for the Watchtower? Fines…court cases…punitive damages?
Reply
 
 Covert Fade says:

 December 11, 2015 at 4:23 am
 
Right now?
 Public Vilification and bad publicity. Vindication for their victims and condemnation of their policies and elders.
In the near future?
 Massive punitive damages when the government implements statutory compensation. Possible removal of their Senior Lawyer Vince Toole for malpractice. Possible new laws making some of their current child abuse practices (non-reporting and religious courts) illegal
In the long term future? Ongoing lawsuits, aided by the facts uncovered in the arc. Dwindling members and exiting JW’s as more of the rank and file compare the facts of the case to the lies spun by the GB.
Reply
 
 Justin (formerly J*L*C*R) says:

 December 11, 2015 at 8:24 am
 
Very good! Thanks for the feedback.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 10, 2015 at 4:45 pm
 
As anyone can tell, I’m not exactly Religion’s No.1 Fan. But “The Pursuit of Happiness” is every human being’s Right. Do people have a right to worship the god of their choosing? Of course. Do people have a right to congregate to talk about upbuilding things? Of course. But it is hard to defend organizations that propagate unsupported stories (fairy tales), brainwash people, and incite their members to do nasty things like kill and/or persecute (including “shunning”) individuals who do not believe and practice as THEY do. Entities like that should NOT BE PROTECTED under the “umbrella” of “Religious Freedom”.
Reply
 
 
 JB Reezner says:

 December 10, 2015 at 4:52 pm
 
Covert Fade, the information in these articles is fantastic, and your writing style is flawless. As I was reading this latest one though, something flew into my eye and caused a certain amount of irritation. Then the same thing happened in the other eye. Really, I can’t express how deeply encouraging it is to see the arrogance and deception emanating from this cult being called out in such a public way by people who genuinely are superior authorities. And anyone capable of viewing the testimony objectively would have known that there was never a second when it looked like GJ had successfully conned ANY of them.
I hope this is a sign that, FINALLY, this cult may actually be heading for the grave its misguided leaders have been digging for it for the last 100+ years.
Reply
 
 
 Bad Penny says:

 December 10, 2015 at 6:30 pm
 
I agree with JB, another superb article Covert Fade.
 What very talented writers we have on this forum.
So pleased that Geoffrey ‘Lizard eyes’ Jackson did not fool the Commission. I just wish that he could have had the intimidation of the courtroom in person, instead of on video link. I don’t think he would have been so cocky.
 Jesus Christ never had such a privilege, he had to face his accusers man to man. But of course, Geoffrey is above the Christ isn’t he??
Reply
 
 
 Eric Arthur Blair says:

 December 10, 2015 at 7:13 pm
 
I want to share with you all an email I just got from a sister who sent me a link to the Watchtower’s submission, and ONLY the watchtower submission. No word of a lie, I have just cut and pasted this as is, and it is one of the best examples I have seen of the captive cult mentality the ARC is trying to break through. No doubt it will illicit the same emotional response from you as it did from me:
“The below is a must read for anyone interested in the findings of the Royal Commission. It’s long, but we read whole books/novels on other matters. It really clarifies things and puts even the most minor worries into perspective.
 Any logical and deep thinker in the truth would remove ANY negativity even if fleeting after reading this comprehensive analysis. But, most don’t care enough to go that deep. Easier to criticise and dismiss. It’s a bit like the masses that wanted to hear Jesus stories but didn’t want to bother to delve deeper and get the full meaning.
 This is from a worldly top legal person putting a submission in response to the findings or criticisms that came from the RC on child abuse. Wow how different we are to the world’s organisations!
 For eg, it’s so telling that the ex witness who was abused and now criticises the way the elders handled it, had given a more favorable (re the elder’s response at the time) rendition to the secular hearing in 2001. Now it was so colored against the bros.
 Thought I’d share…
http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/case-study/636f01a5-50db-4b59-a35e-a24ae07fb0ad/case-study-29,-july-2015,-sydney.aspx
Submissions on behalf of Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia & Others
 2.1 MB”
Reply
 
 Eric Arthur Blair says:

 December 10, 2015 at 7:26 pm
 
And then she followed up with this:
“Sorry, when I sent the R/Commission link I should have clarified. When you open the link you need to click onto :
Submissions on behalf of Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia & Others
 2.1 MB
…which is near the bottom of the webpage.”
Whoops! We nearly got the whole picture (unlike that “apostate” Portuguese documentary!)
Reply
 
 
 Covert Fade says:

 December 11, 2015 at 4:34 am
 
I would honestly love to debate with this person point by point on each finding the arc made, the rebuttal from the WT, and why the WT rebuttal is junk. Any “honest truth seeker” would be quite happy to do that.
By the way, the WT rebuttal IS junk. If anyone has an interest I might put an article together as to why.
Reply
 
 Eric Arthur Blair says:

 December 11, 2015 at 5:38 am
 
Yes, I completely agree. I’ve read through Watchtower’s response and it is beyond pathetic – callous and self serving. No repentance, no acknowledgement, no apology, just more of the same. It’s shameful. I don’t even respond to the person who sent me this email anymore; she is beyond reason (as is her elder husband.) They watched the first three days of the ARC and dismissed it as “Queensland country bumpkins” who didn’t know what they were saying. I sent her a link to the bbc podcast from July 23 (below) dealing with the sexual abuse problem in the UK to illustrate that this was a systemic problem fundamental to the entire organisation (I didn’t extrapolate the obvious conclusion that there is clearly no Holy Spirit associated with this organisation – still going softly softly at that time.) What I got back was four long vitriolic emails in the space of 12 hours which all basically amounted to the same thing – that the abuse victims were lying and they should just shut up. You will notice in this latest email (above) that the only person she denigrates is the abuse survivor. There is just no reasoning with some people, they are truly captive and we can only hope that the organisation suffers a massive setback (some major fines and criminal convictions would be nice) which brings it to its knees, breaks their grip and releases those held captive.
https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/the-report/id311195029?mt=2
Reply
 
 Eric Arthur Blair says:

 December 11, 2015 at 5:48 am
 
I would also like to add that I really appreciate your coverage of the ARC and the articles you’ve written (as has my wife who has now completely faded too – the ARC was the last straw for her.) Your articles and comments have been balanced, reasonable and insightful, and for me personally, very healing, so thank you. And I would welcome an article on Watchtower’s submission (but only if you have the time )
Reply
 
 Covert Fade says:

 December 11, 2015 at 7:23 am
 
Thank you, I’m glad you and your wife found the articles helpful :)

 
 
 
 Winston Smith says:

 December 12, 2015 at 3:44 pm
 
When I hear about JW responses to the ARC findings, I want to scream: “What’s wrong with you? How can you be so blind?” Then I remember that at one time I was just like them and would have dismissed the information too. Cognitive Dissonance and such.
WS
Reply
 
 
 
 Tara says:

 December 11, 2015 at 8:14 am
 
I trawled through it last night and found it hard going. So much denial it made me feel very down hearted. I would love to have it debunked. When I was reading the bits on how we can leave at anytime and not be shunned I nearly cried. What a load of lies. No one on this site could ever agree with that.
Reply
 
 
 Meredith J says:

 December 11, 2015 at 2:42 pm
 
Yes, please, Covert Fade. That is exactly the term when describing the Watchtower to our son as to why we left recently. I said that I realised it was just ‘a piece of junk’. Funny I couldn’t think of a better way to describe it at the time.
Reply
 
 Meredith J says:

 December 11, 2015 at 2:43 pm
 
I meant I explained this recently. We didn’t leave recently, that was years ago.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 Meredith J says:

 December 10, 2015 at 9:16 pm
 
Thank you Covert Fade for your great articles. You have dismantled the goings on of the ARC after the submissions. You have put into words, as many others have to by their comments here, to be just what I was thinking. One wonders when action will be taken. They cannot let children be threatened forever by policies that destroy their lives. They must act soon I feel, but processes take time to happen as far as government is concerned. Care will be taken in how it will be handled. We have to be patient.
Reply
 
 
 zeebo says:

 December 11, 2015 at 12:06 am
 
Isn’t it strange how this huge event didn’t make it onto the legal news section of the jw site? …
Reply
 
 Eric Arthur Blair says:

 December 11, 2015 at 2:47 am
 
Yes. Last week’s Watchtower Study had a section on “legal victories” and how this is evidence that Jehovah is backing his organisation today. No mention of the ARC strangely……
Reply
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 11, 2015 at 9:08 am
 
If they twist the wording of the entire ARC commission the way they do with scripture, they can easily create a tale of victory over the ARC.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Tara says:

 December 11, 2015 at 8:19 am
 
I was talking to a friend yesterday morning. He told me that his nephew had been DF’d from Bethel and was on suicide watch. His home cong. were treating him very badly. It came out that when he entered Bethel he had to basically sign over his bank account to them. He has been left traumatized by the whole thing. I didn’t ask what he was df’d for. So when I came on here and saw the new article I was very troubled. I just want all of this shouted from the roof tops before the kill any other person because of their cult lies.
Reply
 
 Searcher says:

 December 13, 2015 at 4:05 pm
 
Tara,
This is a glaring example of the conditional love that the JW’s express. Their love is taught to be conditional upon you walking the establishment line and getting the hours in as a good little slave to the corporation should. Examples of the hypocrisy are in the ‘Hypocracy!’ article that was just published by Gionet on this site.
Reply
 
 
 
 MimiLove says:

 December 11, 2015 at 8:24 am
 
Does anybody have a suggestion on how to reason with active JW’s about staying with organisation when they know the leadership is wrong? My husband and some friends continue to bring up Eli and his sons and how they were left in control until “Jehovah” saw fit to remove them. So their reasoning is “Jehovah will remove them eventually so we don’t have to worry, just stay faithful to Jehovah….” I want to slam my head into things it is so frustrating.
Reply
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 11, 2015 at 9:47 am
 
Remind them that God expects them to side with truth and those who worship him must do so in spirit and truth. Jesus himself said that Satan was the father of lies and identified the strict dogmatic teachers of his day as children of that liar. These men and Brooklyn have been proven to lie and deny to push their product.
 In Mathew 17:5 God himself instructs those alleging to follow the Christ to listen to HIM, the beloved, the one who God himself approved. Nothing in there about self deputized, self righteous twisters of both scripture and faith replacing the Christ as mediators between men and God. There is nothing in all of scripture to back their self interpreted account of Mathew 24:45
Call them what they are, followers of men. Remind them of the last words of Deutoronomy 18 where God instructs Israel on how to identify a false prophet, along with Proverbs 30:5,6 and Jesus closing words in all of scripture Revelation 22:18-21
Some JW’s are in the organization for the cult of it, not for God, atleast not really. At the end of the day, if they show more love for false prophets than for God and the Christ, just knock the dust off your sandals and move on to the next brainwashed victim of this cult.
Reply
 
 
 Bad Penny says:

 December 11, 2015 at 5:18 pm
 
MimiLove – “when they know the leadership is wrong?”. Do your husband and friends mean the GB or elders? If they are questioning the GB (which of course they are not allowed to do as it is a disfellowshipping offence) it may be good to quote Rev 14:5 and ask them if the GB really fit the bill.
 If they are waiting for ‘Jehovah’ to remove them, where is he going to remove them to? If they are troublesome on earth, would he really want them to be joint heirs in heaven?
 I wish you luck. I have tried to reason with active JWs as well and it gives me a headache so I just let them get on with it. I have offered help and a listening ear to some who were ‘friends’ if they ever have doubts. No-one has yet taken me up on the offer. I live in hope.
Reply
 
 Winston Smith says:

 December 12, 2015 at 4:25 pm
 
@MimiLove,
 It can be challenging trying to reason with active JW’s. Their minds are given over to a cult, so logical reasoning eludes them. Still we try. I have used Deut 18:20 about false prophets as Robert67 suggests. It usually falls on deaf ears and is dismissed out of hand, but maybe they will think about it again later on.
When they bring up Eli and his sons and talk about waiting for Jehovah to remove them, my response is that they are basing this on an incorrect premise. The position of Eli and his sons was based on a continuation of an arrangement put in place by God centuries earlier, a legacy arrangement.
What is the JW legacy? When was their system put in place by God? A number of JW’s cannot even tell you. The more well-read ones will say back in or around 1918, when Christ chose them as his Faithful and Discreet Slave. So Christ chose them on the basis of what they were doing and teaching at that time. So ask what were they teaching? Did it have validity in God’s word? Since most JW’s don’t know what was taught at that time, you can mention the fact that they still taught that Christ’s presence had occurred in 1874, they still celebrated Christmas (a big no-no for JW’s), and taught the end was coming in 1920 (see The Finished Mystery). And those are just a few of the blatant issues. In view of all the erroneous teachings, why would Christ choose them over the other churches of Christendom? They have no legacy to lay claim to like Eli and his sons.
It probably still won’t make an immediate difference, but getting someone to leave a cult is a gradual process and won’t happen overnight.
WS
Reply
 
 
 
 Bad Penny says:

 December 12, 2015 at 6:08 pm
 
MimiLove –
Just following on from my earlier comment, I was checking up some info in the ‘Gods Word for us through Jeremiah’ book (which is absolutely packed with erroneous dates by the way) and I came across mention of Eli. Page 21, para 12. In part it says ‘Jehovah would forsake his temple. And he would do the same to the hypocrites who worshipped in it, just as he abandoned the tabernacle at Shiloh in the days of High Priest Eli.’
Fighting fire with fire here, the Society’s own publication suggests that the ones who worshipped at the temple were just as culpable in Jehovah’s eyes – by not acting on what they knew to be wrong. Waiting for Jehovah to act is not a ‘get out’ clause in order to remain with the org.
 More like a ‘get out’ clause to leave!
 Worth a try perhaps??
Reply
 
 MimiLove says:

 December 14, 2015 at 7:26 am
 
Thanks everyone! I am definitely going to use the fire with fire method:) Thanks everyone who contributed. It is so nice to know there is a site to go to for good information.
Reply
 
 
 
 Covert Fade says:

 December 13, 2015 at 8:30 am
 
I just want to add an extra thought to everyone else’ good advice on this point:
I think that one of the steps to total awakening is a period of thinking “the leadership has apostatised but the Organisation is still Gods. In time, God will fix it.”
I certainly went through that period on my road to realising the reality of the cult. I think was a couple of years where I desperately held onto that idea. It was my way of admitting the facts I couldn’t deny about some of the awful things the Organisation did, whilst still holding onto the idea of Paradise, God and the rest of it.
I’m not saying your husband and friends are the same as me, but maybe this gives you grounds for hope? I does sound like they are on a road. The road may take a while for them to walk, but once a person is on that road, I think there is real grounds for hope.
Reply
 
 Winston Smith says:

 December 13, 2015 at 10:46 am
 
Very good observation Covert Fade. I recall a similar period about 1 – 2 years before my awakening as well.
WS
Reply
 
 
 
 Searcher says:

 December 13, 2015 at 3:57 pm
 
@MimiLove,
Get a copy of Steven Hassan’s “Combating Cult Mind Control”. This is virtually a handbook on how to approach an indoctrinated victim of cult mind control. The edition I have does not mention JW’s directly, but the principles apply. I believe there is a new edition that does include WTS as a listed destructive cult. Lloyd (aka Cedars) has also made a video with Steven Hassan talking about the ways a person should approach a victim of a destructive cult.
I feel for you and wish you the best. As well, I feel for all the people here that have family indoctrinated and trapped by this despicable organization and the leaders that propagate it.
Reply
 
 
 
 Reader says:

 December 11, 2015 at 10:30 am
 
It was two EYEwitnessses to put the accused death.
 Perjury was whatever the goal of the false witness fell on the accuser.
 Persons have been executed or spent decades in prison in recent times on one false witness.
 For 1500 bce well ahead of the contempories.
 This Law would protect Mary from a stoning.
 If someone is not put to death, future retrial remains possible.
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 11, 2015 at 3:07 pm
 
No problem. Pedophilia is not a Capital Offence.
Reply
 
 
 Covert Fade says:

 December 12, 2015 at 3:23 am
 
For 1500 BCE it was indeed probably the best they could do.
In 2015, we have far better systems and methods to apply to allegations of child sexual abuse, and remember the ARC brought out that even in 1500 BCE, the scriptures seem to indicate that you could stone someone to death on the evidence of one accused in certain circumstances.
Reply
 
 Simon Kestral says:

 December 12, 2015 at 12:26 pm
 
Two witnesses just means there is no dispute; it’s a simple case that can be handled quickly by local older men.
But the Bible also provides for difficult cases where there is dispute: TAKE IT TO A JUDGE! The judge can put a murderer to death, even when there are NO living witnesses.
The system of 1500 BCE worked just fine. But WT willfully subverts it, as “reader” dogmatically parrots.
Reply
 
 
 
 

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← Royal Commission findings: Watchtower policies place JW children “at significant risk of sexual abuse”
The Friday Column: Hypocrisy! Will It Ever End? →
 
Royal Commission findings: Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson “evasive and unhelpful”
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Posted on December 10, 2015

The Royal Commission was far from impressed with Geoffrey Jackson's evidence
The Royal Commission was far from impressed with Geoffrey Jackson’s evidence

On the eighth and final day of the Royal Commission inquiry, something very rare and significant took place.
Watchtower Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson took the stand to publicly answer questions about some of the most secretive and carefully-guarded aspects of Watchtower policy: the way in which Jehovah’s Witnesses deal with internal accusations of child abuse.
It wasn’t easy to get him there.
Jackson’s comments on the day that he was “happy to testify” seem rather incongruous with the titanic struggle of previous Watchtower officials to keep him off the stand, to the point of even seemingly attempting  outright deceit as to Jackson’s role in the organization.
Nonetheless, on Day 8 Geoffrey Jackson took the stand via video link to explain and defend the policies he and his fellow six Governing Body members enforce upon Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide.
In some respects, Jackson put on a better show than many of the elders. He didn’t disintegrate into a shamefaced mess, for example, or give an account of an investigation that was subsequently contradicted by his own notes taken at the time.
Yet his testimony was still disastrous for Watchtower, as the newly-released Submission of the Senior Counsel Assisting demonstrates.
One of the infuriating things about Jackson’s testimony was how often he simply ducked the questions put to him. The more incisive the question, and the more potentially damning the answer, the harder the swerve he employed.
Some observers expressed disappointment at the time, feeling that Jackson had successfully used this tactic to pull the wool over the Commissions’ eyes.
If this was your fear, I have some good news for you.
The report explicitly calls him out on this tactic, documenting every moment that he used it. Here is just one example, taken from the hearing’s discussion of the two-witness rule.

332  Mr Jackson was asked to what extent the Jehovah’s Witness organisation was bound by the Scriptures to maintain and apply the two‐witness rule. He did not respond to the question, instead telling the Royal Commission that he ‘thought that that had already been established in the hearings, but, if not, certainly that is something that we need to follow up.”
Indeed, it became clear as the hearings went on that Jackson, having spent his life around people who are forbidden to question him on pain of shunning, was ill-equipped to face down a room of skilled legal professionals over whom he had no leverage.
Even in the matter of scriptural debate, an area in which you would assume Jackson would be able to hold his own, the Commission found him dreadfully wanting.
For example, Jackson stated emphatically that women could never be elders or take a role in the judgment seat of Watchtower’s judicial process. He justified this statement by stating that women had never had the role of judges in the bible. He was asked a number of times about this, and confirmed it again and again. The bible, he assured the ARC, mentions no female judges.
It would appear that the Royal Commission know their bible better than a member of the Governing Body

342  It should be noted by the Royal Commission that, in his statement, Mr Jackson referred only to those books of the Old Testament in which men are described as judges, and did not refer to Judges 4:4‐5 which tells of the female judge, Deborah. Specifically, the verses report that Deborah, ‘a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time’ and that the ‘Israelites would go up to her for judgment’. Since a woman judge was apparently accepted in the Old Testament, it is not apparent why women should not be judges of ‘Christian’ guilt or innocence in the Jehovah’s Witness organisation.
Geoffrey Jackson seemed wrong-footed by the ability of Angus Stewart and others to engage with him in scriptural debate
Geoffrey Jackson seemed wrong-footed by the ability of Angus Stewart and others to engage with him in scriptural debate
 
For another example of Jackson’s apparent ignorance of the scriptures, take the two witness rule discussion. The cornerstone scriptures used by Watchtower to justify this rule are Deuteronomy 19:15, where the mosaic law states that two witnesses are required to establish guilt, and Matthew 18:16 where Jesus appears to re-affirm this rule.
However, it quickly became apparent that the Watchtower appears to have taken these scriptures out of context. It was put to Jackson that Deuteronomy 22:23‐27 appears to specifically indicate a situation where a woman is sexually assaulted in a field (with her being the only witness) and the attacker is nonetheless found guilty on the basis of her testimony alone. Thus, it was presented to Jackson that the two witness rule as stated in Deuteronomy and referred to in the New Testament specifically allowed exceptions in the case of offenses such as sexual assault.
As recorded in the Submission:

328…It was put to Mr Jackson, and he accepted, that that Scripture contemplates a case where there are no witnesses to the rape other than the woman herself. It was also put to Mr Jackson, and he agreed, that only one witness was sufficient, in those circumstances, for the man to be put to death.
It might have appeared as though Jackson, caught out by this unexpected scriptural proficiency from the ARC, may have been contemplating a change in the rule. However, after the hearings, Jackson submitted a bizarre backtrack via written submission, where he stated that this scripture was not discussing finding the man guilty, but deciding if the woman was guilty or not of complicity in her own rape.
On this point, Senior Counsel’s report is extremely telling.

330…Mr Jackson did not seek to explain the reason for the difference between his oral and written evidence as to context of Deuteronomy 22:23‐ 27.
331  It is submitted that there is little utility in attempting to resolve the conflict between Mr Jackson’s oral and his subsequent written evidence on the subject of the relevance of Deuteronomy 22:23‐27 to the flexibility of the two‐witness rule. However, it is open to the Royal Commission to note the difficulty experienced by even a member of the Governing Body in arriving at an interpretation of Deuteronomy 22:23‐27 which renders it irrelevant to the application of the two‐witness rule.
As far as I can see, that’s lawyer speak for: “There is just no reasoning with this man.”
Summing up Jackson’s testimony on this subject, Senior Counsel states: (bold is mine)

336  It is submitted that Mr Jackson was evasive and unhelpful in assisting the Royal Commission to understand whether there is scope for interpretation of the two‐witness rule such that would allow for action to be taken in circumstances where there is only one direct witness to an incident of child sexual abuse.
More pressure was piled upon Jackson when he was asked if he was familiar with the testimony of the abuse survivors, whose firsthand accounts of terrible experiences at the hands of Watchtower seemingly flew in the face of many of his statements about how effective and caring the Organization’s polices were.
Jackson responded that he had been busy caring for his dying father (a tactic he shamelessly used on multiple occasions to try and kill off questions he didn’t like) and so no, he had not had time to read or listen to those testimonies. Yet he assured the commission he cared deeply for these survivors and had great empathy for them. He agreed that their perspectives on Watchtower policy would be invaluable.
However, as the hearings progressed, it became clear through Jackson’s own words that he had listened to every piece of testimony from the elders who had appeared. It seems rather convenient that Jackson had all the time in the world to keep track of what the elders had said, but not enough time to take in what the victims had reported.
This did not go unnoticed by Senior Council either.




450…Mr Jackson accordingly failed to live by the principle that he said he regarded as important, namely that he should have a good understanding of the perspective of a survivor of abuse, and his stated empathy with BCG was hollow.
F65 Mr Jackon’s failure to have read or be familiar with the testimony of the survivor witnesses yet to have read or otherwise familiarised himself with the testimony of Jehovah’s Witness witnesses belies his stated empathy for the survivors and his stated recognition of the importance of their perspectives.
So to summarise Senior Counsel finds that:
◾Geoffrey Jackson was “evasive and unhelpful” in addressing key areas of concern around his organization’s handling of child abuse.
◾That his claims of empathy and concern for victims of child abuse in the JW organization are directly contradicted by his actions.
◾That the scriptural arguments he made in favor of Watchtower’s version of the two-witness rule, and of male-only elders, relied upon taking some scriptures out of context and utterly ignoring others. (The question as to whether or not this was a result of Jackson being deceitful or simply being a poor scholar is not addressed in the report.)
The report actually goes into a lot more detail as to Jackson’s failings, especially in the discussion of shunning, but we don’t have space to cover them here.
However, I would ask any Jehovah’s Witness who is visiting this page, either because you are having doubts, or because you are seeking the truth about the rumors you’ve heard about how Watchtower treats child abuse, to review the videos of Jackson’s testimony on YouTube and the transcripts on the Royal Commission Website.
Then ask yourself…
◾Did Jackson’s answers on the questions of shunning, on the role of the Governing Body being the only approved channel of God, and many other aspects of doctrine match what you hear from Watchtower publications and talks?
◾Did Jackson’s protestations that the areas being discussed “were not his field,” and that he would have no knowledge of those subjects, match what you understand to be the role of the Governing Body?
◾Did this strike you as the testimony of a humble, kind and knowledgeable man to whom a loving God would entrust the safety of his little ones and who was seeking their welfare as a top priority? Or rather, did you see a man who appeared to have other priorities when giving his testimony?
 
covert-fade-signature
 
 
 
 
 
 
Further reading…
◾Royal Commission findings: Watchtower policies place JW children “at significant risk of sexual abuse”
◾Reveal article: Jehovah’s Witnesses shield child sex abusers from police, report says
◾12 things we learned from Geoffrey Jackson’s testimony at the Royal Commission
◾Royal Commission’s Angus Stewart accuses Watchtower representative of deliberate deception
◾Elders shamed under questioning by the Royal Commission
◾Australian Royal Commission hears that 1,006 alleged child sex abusers were covered up by Watchtower
◾Stephen Lett slams “apostate-driven lies and dishonesties” concerning child abuse record
◾JWsurvey articles on child abuse


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← Royal Commission findings: Watchtower policies place JW children “at significant risk of sexual abuse”
The Friday Column: Hypocrisy! Will It Ever End? →
 
135 Responses to Royal Commission findings: Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson “evasive and unhelpful”

← Older Comments
 
 J says:

 December 13, 2015 at 7:31 pm
 
I’m thoroughly surprised the lawyers didn’t make mention of the organisation’s modern take on rape as fornication and then it’s published re-think and subsequent manipulation of this rule to be more forgiving to take victims. It’s so hard to be in this religion with people like GJ and AM3 in the lead and the misogynistic approach to women that excludes them from being on sensitive JCs for no intelligent or scriptural reason. I can understand why the author is covert. If anyone is reading this and thinking should I leave, the decision is yours but if you stay I thoroughly recommend never approaching elders about your “wrong doing”. Keep it between you and your god if you still think there’s a loving, interested god at the helm of all this rubbish.
Reply
 
 
 Wip it says:

 December 13, 2015 at 9:42 pm
 
What they don’t realize these people who run the commission are very smart people, when our KH was searched by police & one elder had hidden the letter outlining a brothers former abuse from his old congo, it didnt take them long to work out that when someone moves in theirs always a letter from the previous congo, so the question was where is it?, i did’t know, it had been hidden, & the same guy gets on the platform recently & says the commission is all lies!
Reply
 
 Chiafade says:

 December 14, 2015 at 9:02 am
 
“Hid the letter” DESPICABLE!
What your or any elders don’t realize or care about is the fact that if this former abuser victimizes another child they SHARE the blame. Even more terrible is that the org would praise such behavior.
Reply
 
 
 Searcher says:

 December 14, 2015 at 2:29 pm
 
Isn’t that act illegal in Australia? I know it is here in the USA. That’s just like lying on the stand.
Reply
 
 
 
 Willows says:

 December 16, 2015 at 1:21 am
 
When it takes a Royal Commission into child abuse to awaken compassion for the victims, not by word only but by action also, it reminds one of Christs answer to the man who asked him, who is my neighbor?
Christ chose to use the example of the good Samaritan. Who stopped and showed compassion in word and deed to the man beaten, robbed & left half dead by the roadway. It is interesting Christ used a Samaritan who proved himself to be the beaten and robbed man’s neighbor. The Jews walked by and even crossed the road and left the beaten man alone.( Christ knew the Jews hated Samaritan’s because they hindered the temple rebuilding. ) It shows Christ looks at the love a person shows toward there neighbor he renders credit where credit is due.
When a Royal Commission has to draw attention to showing compassion to victims what does it say about
 religions who claim to be examples of Christ!
Reply
 
 
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The Friday Column: Hypocrisy! Will It Ever End?
avatar 
Posted on December 11, 2015

The other side of Watchtower: cries of hypocrisy in a recent magazine ring hollow
The other side of Watchtower: cries of hypocrisy in a recent magazine ring hollow

The title of this week’s Friday Column matches that of an article from the December 2015 online edition of The Watchtower.
In the article, three people are featured: Panayiota, Daniel and Jeffery. Each person wrestles with their own dilemma, but I will concentrate on Daniel.
Daniel has disturbing memories of “priests who drank heavily, gambled, and stole from the collection plate.” However, during Mass, these priests would warn their parishioners not to sin so they would not burn in hell. The Watchtower makes it clear that these priests were hypocritical.
Later in the article, it is revealed that Daniel “made an error” which caused him to relinquish some of his privileges in the Kingdom Hall. The article doesn’t mention what he did, but it does let the reader know that he was ‘readjusted’ and able to resume his privileges “with a good conscience.”
The article ends by encouraging the reader to “find out who Jehovah’s Witnesses are” and “what they believe.”
The December 2015 Watchtower bemoans hypocrisy in other organizations
The December 2015 Watchtower bemoans hypocrisy in “nearly every area of human activity”
 
When I read this article, many thoughts ran through my mind. One thing I noticed is that, when reading about the priests in Daniel’s scenario, there was no mention of child sexual abuse. These priests drank heavily, gambled and stole from the collection plate… but they weren’t pedophiles! Over the years, how many times have the Watchtower and Awake! magazines mentioned the child sexual abuse crisis that grips the Roman Catholic Church?
In the June 2009 issue of the Awake! magazine, three pages were devoted to Catholic youth. That article mentions that Catholic youth are “disillusioned by church scandals, such as those involving pedophile priests.”
While the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society was devoting pages of the Awake! magazine to warning Catholic youth about church scandals and pedophile priests, they were hiding the child sexual abuse scandal taking place within their own organization.
During my teenage years and into my early twenties, I attended a small Kingdom Hall. When I was around thirteen years old, I was close friends with another girl my age. Once in a while, after school, we would spend time together. Her mother was single and was dating a brother from the Kingdom Hall. He was the conductor of the Tuesday night book study at the Hall, so I assume he was a ministerial servant or maybe even an elder.
My friend told me that she didn’t like her mother’s boyfriend. I couldn’t imagine why. He was soft-spoken and always very nice when I saw him at the Hall. She told me that the reason she didn’t like him was that he had molested her many times over a period of about a year. I don’t know where it happened. I only know what she chose to share with me.
I don’t know if he also molested non-JW kids, but at some point, someone reported him to the police. He went to jail.
The kingdom hall Karenne attended in the 80s
The kingdom hall Karenne attended in the 80s

In the Kingdom Hall, people noticed that he was missing meetings. I don’t think many people (except the elders) knew where he went. I remember hearing that he was away, but would be back. One night, many months later, I entered the Kingdom Hall on a Tuesday or Thursday night and he was there. People were surrounding him and hugging him. My friend and her mother were also there that night. I felt bad for them because no one knew what that brother had done to my friend. If the others knew, would they be hugging him?
That night, from the podium, the speaker welcomed this brother back to the Hall and everyone clapped. They welcomed him home as if he had just come back from serving a mission. To this day, I still think the whole thing was bizarre.
While researching for this article, I checked the Sexual Offender Registry for my home state. He is among the people listed.
In the December 2015 article, “Hypocrisy! Will It Ever End?,” it states that Daniel was ‘readjusted’ and able to resume his privileges “with a good conscience.”
Before there was an online Sexual Offender Registry, did people at the Kingdom Hall know there was a pedophile in their midst at our small Kingdom Hall? According to the list, he has been arrested for child sexual abuse multiple times since the 1980’s. Apparently, he was not ‘readjusted’, although he was welcomed back to the Kingdom Hall and allowed to resume conducting the Tuesday night book study “with a good conscience.”
There are so many examples of hypocrisy within the Watchtower organization. In Australia, child sexual abuse within the Watchtower organization has been investigated. In England, an investigation is in the planning stages. Do these scandals make the pages of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines?
In the December 2015 article, it states that those who serve God without hypocrisy “learn to ‘remove the rafter’ from their own eye before offering to ‘remove the straw’ from their brother’s eye.” By their own definition, they are hypocrites!
It is time for the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society to follow their advice and “remove the rafter” from their own eye.
 
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81 Responses to The Friday Column: Hypocrisy! Will It Ever End?


Newer Comments →
 
 Pj wilcox says:

 December 11, 2015 at 11:51 am
 
Thank you
 Great post
 Very informative
Reply
 
 
 James Wittinger says:

 December 11, 2015 at 11:57 am
 
I wonder how God is going to handle this? At one point he certainly must rectify the wrongs. Do these guilty ones actually believe they are free from blame and in the clear now? Certainly not when there are hidden secrets yet. He should be exposed to the congregation for what he is. In these cases a talk is given that discusses the sin without pointing fingers. But the congregation hearing the “reproof” talk should put two and two together and realize the man who was just reinstated is guilty of the sin. This way parents can take measures to protect their children, thus allowing the repentant wrongdoer to prove he has conquered his problem. They can hug him, but with a tongue in the cheek that they will keep a safe distance.
Reply
 
 San Diego says:

 December 12, 2015 at 11:47 am
 
@JamesWittinger: I’m sure you are a sincere person, but why must the question “What will God do” constantly be asked? Aren’t you aware of the 1755 earthquake in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, what was then the most religious country in Europe? After the city was completely destroyed, all the people were asking why God allowed such a tragedy to happen to them, and the religious leaders had no answer except for telling them to pray. When the city was rebuild, it was modernized, and the church lost a great deal of influence over the people from which it never recovered. The question is not “What will God do?” It is “What will the ordinary Witnesses do?” Clearly the Governing Body have no remorse over the child sexual abuse scandal, as highlighted by David Splane’s recent comments in Portugal to “just leave things as they are, and let the story die.” Change will not come from the top, so it has to come from Witnesses who can learn to break free from the GB’s influence and do something themselves.
Reply
 
 Willy says:

 December 15, 2015 at 3:39 pm
 
Yes, the only way change will take place is for Witnesses to vote with their feet and money. If you think God is going to change how the Watchtower’s CEOs will handle abuse your wrong!
Let’s play the Devil’s Advocate and you tell me what Extraordinary Things have the Jehovah’s Witness Religion done vs other religions that serve human beings both physically and spiritually?
What is your premise “God is with the Watchtower Society”? How would you explain to Christians working with Ebola patients or helping with Clean Water Projects?
How is the Watchtower and its CEOs better than people without Religion doing their best to run Orphanages? What has the Watchtower Society actually done for the World that God would take notice of? They don’t preach the “Good News of the Kingdom”, their Gospel is a different message and they treat others that don’t kiss their rings with contempt.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Simon Kestral says:

 December 11, 2015 at 11:59 am
 
Thanks for the fine article. As you remark in closing, many people want WT to change their evil ways. But I don’t think that’s possible. WT is like an incurable, contagious disease. The only effective measure is quarantine.
Reply
 
 Bad Penny says:

 December 11, 2015 at 4:06 pm
 
Or, maybe euthanasia…!!!
Reply
 
 
 
 Doc Obvious says:

 December 11, 2015 at 12:05 pm
 
I believe the Sexual Offender Registry should include the names of all Governing Body members from 1950 through 2015. They were all accomplices to the Child Abusers who did the heinous crime. Watchtower’s policies were a breeding ground for Child Abusers to run amuck.
Reply
 
 
 Meryl Corey says:

 December 11, 2015 at 12:07 pm
 
I have seen my father, who was an elder, and at times, a presiding overseer, in a state of drunkenness. He was alcoholic and denied he had a problem. My mother reported him to the elders when he was drunk. They came over, but did nothing. Sometimes my father and another elder would drink hard liquor together until their speech was slurred.
A female pioneer was living with my family. She was a very young, but adult woman, a little older than me. In the early morning she would take a shower before starting her day. In the middle of the night, I got up to go to the bathroom, but didn’t know she was taking a shower. But I found my elder father kneeling down and peeking underneath the tiny space between the floor and the door. I can’t prove he was trying to sneak a peek of her as she exited the shower, but that is what is sure seemed to me.
It is not as serious as the discussion above. But there is definitely hypocrisy among the leaders of this organization that goes “uncorrected”.
Reply
 
 Idontknowhatodo says:

 December 12, 2015 at 4:20 am
 
Oh too familiar…hypocrisy all through my young life… mother a mental case with frequent nervous breakdowns with the strain of trying to live up to impossible rules and a part time husband because he was a high profile elder with many responsibilities and much adoration…with a temper like the devil at home and in turn my mother turned to drink…all the while presenting a perfect image to the congregation…it makes me sick…life was hell.
Reply
 
 Winston Smith says:

 December 12, 2015 at 5:18 pm
 
It often seems like the more JWs try to portray themselves as “spiritual” the bigger hypocrites they turn out to be.
 WS
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Janice Gilbert says:

 December 11, 2015 at 12:11 pm
 
Well said, well said.
Reply
 
 
 Da' says:

 December 11, 2015 at 12:53 pm
 
Hypocrisy ! Will it ever end ? Surely, a rhetorical question and the answer is NO ! No, hypocrisy will never end when a spin and fairytale ending is adjusted (oopps I meant applied) This is sad and my sympathies extend to all involved with the welcomed return of Brother Pedi file
Reply
 
 
 JimmyK says:

 December 11, 2015 at 1:42 pm
 
Not that it compares, but has anyone taken a look at their new world headquarters? The FDS doesn’t have to steal from the collection plates. They get the JWs to send their money directly to them. Then they use it along with slave labor to build a compound that rivals that of the Catholic church.
Reply
 
 
 JBob says:

 December 11, 2015 at 1:53 pm
 
So, obviously the point of this article was to highlight hypocrisy but it misses a few key points–making judgements on morality and values is “hit and miss” at best in a kangaroo justice system that has “feudal lords” ruling over serfs in their mini-dominions.
The hit is on with the hypocrisy, but another miss is what precautions current/returning JW’s need to take to protect their children and themselves from predators among the “sheep” and shepherds.
It could also have examined the predicament of weighing pastoral (grace) versus administrative justice and values within the confines of protecting individuals while opening the Gospel to “repenting people of all sorts.” When does the group begin to trust an “adjusted” thief? an adulterer? liar?
Perhaps a follow-up on what precautions or written advice is missing in Watchtower literature that “cautious serpents” can take to guard themselves and their offspring from predators.
Reply
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 11, 2015 at 3:13 pm
 
Does the WTS and their GB, etc., remind anyone of the Boy Who Cried Wolf? (on more than 1 level BTW)
Reply
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 11, 2015 at 3:18 pm
 
Speaking of wolves, these guys let a wolf in the fold. He gets caught and removed, by the ACTUAL authorities. THEY let him go. THEN these guys let him BACK into the fold!! Are we living in civilized society or a huge lunatic asylum??!
Reply
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 11, 2015 at 3:26 pm
 
Geoffrey Jackson stated that to say Watchtower is God’s spokesperson on Earth would be ‘presumptuous’. Gerrit Losch stated that he ‘does not answer to Watchtower’, and that Watchtower has no authority over him. Well, it looks like there will be 2 slots opening up in the Governing Body, because, according to their OWN doctrine, these 2 are………APOSTATES.
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 11, 2015 at 3:37 pm
 
Who knows, there may even be more openings. Steve Lett is just an Eyebrow Robot, so he doesn’t count. Sam Herd is the token Black, so he gets to stay. Tony “tight pants” Morris will be re-recruited into the military to help fight ISIS in Syria, based on his extensive experience in the ‘Nam. And the other 2 can go suck a lemon…
Reply
 
 Tara says:

 December 11, 2015 at 5:32 pm
 
Haha I like you.
Reply
 
 
 Idontknowhatodo says:

 December 12, 2015 at 4:22 am
 
I think Tony Morris has dementia..
Reply
 
 
 
 Ruthlee says:

 December 12, 2015 at 1:43 am
 
Pick me! Pick Me! I could try and grow a beard and squeeze into some tight pants Ha ha! ruthless
Reply
 
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 11, 2015 at 3:44 pm
 
To all thinking JWs: Here is a little carrot for you: Imagine not being obligated to attend meetings anymore. Not having to wake up early on weekends to knock on random strangers’ doors. Being able to STAND for the national anthem at baseball games, etc. And NO MORE Personal Study (Aaaaaaarrrghhh — always hated that). That’s right, folks, no more crazy Hebrew names to memorize!! I can tell you, it’s like a BREATH of FRESH AIR…….
Reply
 
 Winston Smith says:

 December 12, 2015 at 5:29 pm
 
Personal study – real personal study (not mindless underlining of cult dogma) is what helped me to wake up. But I know what you mean A4.
 WS
Reply
 
 Tara says:

 December 13, 2015 at 2:46 pm
 
Yes, it was when I started to ‘study’ again that I uncovered lots of lies and hypocrisy. I even told two elders that paid me a visit that I was really studying and looking into the history…. I am sure I saw them squirm.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Bad Penny says:

 December 11, 2015 at 4:40 pm
 
When the Catholic Church was being investigated for child abuse in the 80’s, I remember being on the ministry and calling on a Catholic man. The subject came up in conversation and the man flatly denied there was a problem, ‘Oh no, not in my church’, he said.
 I later brought up the question with my door to door companion on how anyone could stay in a religion that covered over such things. Faced with the facts that JWs have done exactly the same thing it would have been totally hypocritical of me to stay with it.
 I would ask any current JWs to think on this ……
Faced with the facts, would you have remained a Catholic?
Reply
 
 Meredith J says:

 December 12, 2015 at 2:27 am
 
Bad penny, that’s it, that’s it, it is hypocrisy to stay in this corporation cult that calls itself the only true religion on earth. As soon as you figure out where it is coming from and realise how hypocritical it is to be known as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, that is when it is time to exit and never return back to Watchtower World.
Reply
 
 
 
 Caltanzee says:

 December 11, 2015 at 5:40 pm
 
You can shout it from every mountain top. Hypocrisy ! Hypocrisy ! Watchtower Is Hypocrisy !!! “We criticize other religions while cleverly hiding our own badness”.That should be the caption text on the front page of every watchtower and awake magazine. The brazen hypocrisy is what got me to step back and pause, look more closely at the men holding positions in the organization.. I weighed them in the scales of truth and justice and found them lacking. Research revealed that they use deceptive measurments and a cheating pair of scales when dealing with others. There will white wash over anything they think will tarnish they egotistical holier than thou image.They have become very adept at the game of “twist N turn”.
Reply
 
 
 questionall451 says:

 December 11, 2015 at 8:16 pm
 
“It would be good for you as a parent to ask yourself, ‘Does my church tolerate or cover up child abuse? Is my religion holding firmly to high moral principals?’ Answers to such questions could help you to make wise choices in protecting your children.”–Awake, April 8, 1999, pg. 11
Hypocrisy indeed! I guess they apply the counsel to everyone else except themselves. They claim exemption from their own standards. When other churches do it, it’s proof God is not with them but when it happens in their church, it’s just that some poor brother just made a mistake and needs a little readjustment.
Reply
 
 
 PODaughter says:

 December 11, 2015 at 8:26 pm
 
its funny that’s why I left. I left at 23, told my parents that I just couldn’t get deal with hypocrisy anymore! I saw too many Elders and their wife’s including ones in my own family, which is deep indoctrinated, doing the exact opposite of what they are supposed to! Going to clubs, partying and just acting very different at meetings than outside the hall. I found myself falling into that and of course getting away with it, cause of who my family was! I said I don’t want to the hypocrite that I loathe, so therefore no more meetings, I like going out and having fun and sleeping in! I’m not going to pretend to be something different when “God” can read your heart anyways, might as do what your already playing in your head as you’re going to be judged for it anyway! So glad to be done with it!
Reply
 
 
 Bati says:

 December 12, 2015 at 4:24 am
 
I never knew about the child molestation cases and thank goodness I did bc it is one of the reasons I decided to stop going. Theres alot of hypocrisy with the JW church.
I grew up as a JW. I became a regular pioneer after graduating from high school. Everything and everyone in the congregation showed so much love to me because of it. Years later I got expelled. My entire family turned on me even my own mother and to win them back I got reestablished a year later. I was rasing my son alone so the stress of that alone was inmense. I received no emotional help or love from my family or anyone in the congregation. Sadly not even a home visit. I was trying so hard to go preaching once a week, study and assist the meetings 3 days a week (at the time). I felt no happiness while doing it but did bc its what I thought I had to do. For the first time I got to feel how a simple publisher was treated. I felt no love, many excluded me from from events or would barely talk to me in meetings. I felt so alone.
I decided one day to stop going and leave everthing with JW behind. The freedom I felt was unbarable. It felt like I had chains for many years and ripped them off! I was now happy
A few yrs later I met my husband and started celebrating holidays. It was the most beautiful feeling. When we had children together we did it for about 4 yrs.
But then I thought that we needed to teach our children about God and Jw. So we started attending meetings and left the holidays behind. My husband got baptized. After 3 years being in a this particular congregation I started feeling no love. I thought by now I should have friends there. My family and I were excluded from many events. My husband and I realized the hypocrasy. They would act all friendly and loving as they greeted us in the kingdom hall but never would want to spend time w us outside the kingdom hall.
We started questioning ourselves if we are bad people or not good enough or if we offended anyone. We started to think it could be THAT particular congregation.
We had to move to another state. We have been in this congregation now for 1 year. We feel no love just over friendliness in the kingdom hall, but Just like the previous congregation, outside those doors we havent received any love. Still No friends.
This is extremely dificult bc you cant be with worldy people or non JWs. We are just limited to be friends in the congregations . I Finally started to realize the issue here that its not ME. It’s the fact that I wasnt a PIONEER And bc my husband had no privileges, bc he chose not to have. We were just normal publishers. So we dont get any love!
 This to me is beyond hypocrisy. You are treated good on how many hours a month you preach. The less hours you preavh the less love you get. My husband decided to stop attending last week and I will also. Its harder for me bc I have close family there. Im distancing my selve little by little.
Reply
 
 Simon Kestral says:

 December 12, 2015 at 9:03 am
 
I got similar treatment. They would shake my hand and say “good to see you” before meetings, but beyond the KH, nothing. No invitations to share a meal.
People occasionally showed interest when they thought I might be marriage material. But when they realized I was not looking for a Watchtower woman, they quickly lost interest.
Reply
 
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 12, 2015 at 10:19 am
 
“The less hours you preach the less love you get.” Exactly what was drilled in to me as an elder. It was whomever pushed or claimed to push the most product that got their “spiritual paradise” prize.
I recently watched the new Mad Max fury road movie and a theme throughout the film is the need the baddies have for approval of their brothers. They would yell out WITNESS ME! when attempting to do something to impress and if it was not up to standard they would get a MEDIOCRE! reply from their brethren.
It seems you and your husband are just mediocre witnesses to this cult. Rest assured that the only witness that matters is watching and smiles with every effort your family makes to build up your relationship with him. You have faith, knowledge and a willingness for works, according to the Bible you already made it. Welcome to eternity.
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 12, 2015 at 6:20 pm
 
Good encouragement Robert67!
 There is definitely a “caste” system in JW World. In my fading years, because I was not “active” or maybe sported a little facial hair, Witnesses (incl. elders and wives) wouldn’t even greet me if we crossed paths in the local Mall, as if I was already DF’d (or in my case, DA’d)! I rarely got invited to get-togethers, and even then only by the Filipino members of the Cong, who were much less uptight.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Richard says:

 December 12, 2015 at 7:18 am
 
Thanks for the article. Good one…
Reply
 
 
 Susanna says:

 December 12, 2015 at 7:33 am
 
As a teenager I asked my JW_mother why it was “By their fruits ye shall know them” as soon as other religious made errors but personal conscience when witnesses did the same thing. She always changed the subjects and told me to think less.
Reply
 
 dee says:

 December 12, 2015 at 11:41 am
 
Good point Susanna.
Or we are told that JWs are imperfect and we won’t achieve perfection until the end of Christ’s 1000-year reign but nevertheless we are in a spiritual paradise.
 This point about imperfection is only applied to the JW religion however, and not to any other religion.
Reply
 
 
 Pow says:

 December 12, 2015 at 2:57 pm
 
Susanna –
I believe that is now our official creed “think less”
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 12, 2015 at 6:27 pm
 
Just what I was thinking. That should be on the cover of every Watchtower. Straight out of Orwell’s ‘1984’.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Oscar Cruz says:

 December 12, 2015 at 8:39 am
 
I really appreciate the weekly columns and new stories in quest to help others break free from manipulative mind controlling organizations
Reply
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 12, 2015 at 10:24 am
 
Watch the John Cedars YouTube channel latest video. You can help others, but it takes a lot of tact on your part and this specific episode has great pointers.
Reply
 
 
 
 AllenC says:

 December 12, 2015 at 12:38 pm
 
A relative who is a JW commented that JW’s are a protected people because no JW would be at a Christmas party or gathering like the one they were having when the mass shooting took place in San Bernardino.
I found this comment appalling because it suggests many things that are not true and displays a superior uncaring attitude towards those who “innocently” were victims of that tragedy.
Other comments I have heard are when disasters happen the first concern that comes up is “I hope none of or bros/sisters were hurt or killed.” They make no mention of the sorrow they feel for the others who fell victim to the tragedy.
Unfortunately this is the JW mindset that has been programmed into them. In reality no else really matters unless they are a JW.
I find these attitudes to be very hypocritical as true Christians should be caring of all people not just those in their own group or religion!
Reply
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 12, 2015 at 1:09 pm
 
We can say that none of the thousands of children who were sexually abused by Watchtower men would have gone through that experience if only their family were not in that pedo protecting cult.
Reply
 
 
 dee says:

 December 12, 2015 at 4:54 pm
 
@AllenC
“In reality no one else really matters unless they are a JW.”
JWs are caught up in belonging to a special group which becomes more special the more they demonize all those outside of their group – “bad associations”, “worldly people” etc. – so when non-JWs are victims of tragedies it is of little concern to them, after all those non-JWs are “bad associations” and “worldly people”.
Also, the GB’s emphasis on not having non-JW friends has the effect of dehumanizing the “enemy.”
Reply
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 12, 2015 at 6:31 pm
 
Seems JW “love” is EXTREMELY CONDITIONAL.
Reply
 
 
 Winston Smith says:

 December 12, 2015 at 10:10 pm
 
@AllenC
 Yes, non-JW’s are treated as almost subhuman. While certainly not to the same extent, I do see a correlation to the way Jews were viewed in Nazi Germany. Another correlation is the way the Pharisees of Jesus day viewed Samaritans and Gentiles.
 WS
Reply
 
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 12, 2015 at 6:36 pm
 
To all Elders of all Congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses Worldwide:
 Congratulations on doing an OUTSTANDING job of PULLING THE WOOL over your SHEEP’s eyes!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
 P.S.: How does all that SH*T taste as it comes flying out of your mouth? Just curious. LOL
Reply
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 12, 2015 at 6:40 pm
 
“I’ve been the victim of…
A SELFISH kind of LOVE”
Michael Jackson
“Man in the Mirror”
Reply
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 12, 2015 at 7:01 pm
 
I recently viewed a fascinating documentary series on Netflix (also on YouTube) entitled The Pyramid Code. It suggested, among other things, that the Pyramids were NOT tombs built by slaves, to feed the egos of tyrannical Pharaohs. (You’ll have to watch it to learn their REAL function. 😉 ) In fact, it seems for most of its existence, Egypt was an Enlightened and Peaceful culture, in many ways SUPERIOR to ours, with most Pharaohs actually being rather benevolent leaders. The Decline from the Golden Age began when the PRIESTLY class figured out they could make MONEY by “selling” salvation (in the afterlife) to the common people. (PROPHET = PROFIT) And, of course, they learned to employ FORCE and VIOLENCE to achieve their ends, apparently assassinating any Pharaoh who refused to “get with the program”. This led to the eventual degeneration of Ancient Egyptian Civilization from Light into Darkness (and eventual extinction). PROPHET=PROFIT=VIOLENCE
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 12, 2015 at 7:51 pm
 
P.S.
 A lot of evidence for this is being suppressed, because we are expected to believe that we are living in the most enlightened period in all of human existence.
Reply
 
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 12, 2015 at 7:33 pm
 
The apathy with which the pandemic of child abuse is met, amazes me. When I was growing up, it was unheard of. And now, children are being ROBBED of the safety, security, and FREEDOM which many of us took for granted. When a society no longer has the will to protect its weakest members, it ceases being a society, and degenerates into a mob. That is why I condemn, not only Watchtower, but the rest of the world (except Apostates, Australia, and a few others) for sitting on their fat a**es. I no longer make a distinction. I mean, it’s not like this all started just last week. I personally have emailed at least a couple of News Networks about it. I never received any response, nor saw any reports on those programs, even a “snippet”. I suppose they have more “important” and “glamorous” stories to pursue, like following around Bozo the Clown Trump and reporting on his fiascos. It seems in our “society” insane billionaires take precedence over innocent children. PATHETIC. We are going the way of Egypt, Rome, The British Empire, etc., if not an outright Zombie Apocalypse. Pack your Bugout Bags and Crossbows! 😉
Reply
 
 
 Man from the lions pit says:

 December 12, 2015 at 9:34 pm
 
Thanks for your article Karenne.You made good point !best regards,
Reply
 
 
 enuffsenuff says:

 December 13, 2015 at 5:56 am
 
I know this is off topic a bit (Hmm maybe a lot) but I have to mention it where most might see it. My wife and I wondered where Geoff Jackson’s phrase “we are Guardians Of Doctrine” came from it is odd. For example he might have said, we are guardians of God’s word, for example. Take a look… Note the date
 Vatican City, 27 February 2014
The Pope defines the mission of the Congregation for Bishops and the characteristics of the Apostles’ Successorshttp://www.news.va/en/news/the-pope-defines-the-mission-of-the-congregation-f
6. “Kerygmatic” bishops
“Since faith comes from proclamation we need kerygmatic bishops. … Men who are guardians of doctrine, not so as as to measure how far the world is from doctrinal truth, but in order to fascinate the world … with the beauty of love, with the freedom offered by the Gospel. The Church does not need apologists for her causes or crusaders for her battles, but humble and trusting sowers of the truth, who know that it is always given to them anew and trust in its power. Men who are patient men as they know that the weeds will never fill the field”.
Then there is the notion that higher education is bad? Where did this idea come from? Surprise, surprise,
 Attitude towards higher educations
http://revista.drclas.harvard.edu/book/catholic-universities
However, in most cases the hierarchy of the Church didn’t see things that way. In fact, Pope Pius X (1835-1914) called modernism the source of all evils, which meant that for many people to be an academic and also a Catholic started to be seen as incompatible. Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903), an intellectual himself, was the first to suggest establishing Catholic universities as a way to confront the pervasive intellectual secularism of the time.
 Makes you wonder, is the GB a secret religious order of the Catholic Church?
Reply
 
 Bad Penny says:

 December 13, 2015 at 7:25 am
 
enuffsenuff – Right on!
 Even the name ‘Jehovah’ was invented by a Catholic monk!
 Remember the same powerful force is behind ALL RELIGION! No good comes out of any of it, even though ‘it appears as an angel of light’ to the majority of gullible victims.
 The ONE THING Charles Taze Russel was right about – ‘Religion is a snare and a racket.’
Reply
 
 Bad Penny says:

 December 13, 2015 at 7:41 am
 
P.S. Before I start a storm of protest – I am not condemning the good souls working under a religious banner who try and benefit mankind. It is the hierarchy who take the money and the credit and supposedly the blessing of God.
 One can be a good person without being attached to a religion.
Reply
 
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 13, 2015 at 8:25 am
 
1 Corinthians 9:15-18 Paul made it clear that taking money for his person from the congregation members and living off that contribution would be an abuse of his power.
He made sure to keep making tents in order to cover his personal needs, just like the apostles went back to fishing to provide for their homes.
How unlike these men in Brooklyn who live 110% off of the hard work of others. Hypocrites indeed.
Reply
 
 
 Winston Smith says:

 December 13, 2015 at 11:20 am
 
@enuffsenuff,
 Good points! Although, was it Rutherford who came up with the “snare & racket” slogan? He may have based it on something stated earlier by Russell. I can’t recall for certain.
During my awakening I took the time to read a number of Russell’s writings. While his thinking was erroneous on a lot of stuff (pyramids, dates, etc.) he was definitely against organized religion. He felt that the various denominations of Christianity only served to divide followers of Christ and that there were true Christians (wheat) in all the various denominations. That’s why he never would endorse taking on a specific name for the Org (e.g. Russellites, JW’s).
In the early part of his presidency, Rutherford maintained Russell’s views in this regard (whether he agreed with them is open to debate; but the followers viewed Russell as a prophet, the FDS, so any extreme deviations early on would have jeopardized Rutherford’s authority). Gradually he shifted toward a more typical, controlling denomination. He turned the Org into exactly what Russell wanted to avoid! No surprise since Russell never chose Rutherford as his successor.
WS
Reply
 
 Bad Penny says:

 December 13, 2015 at 5:06 pm
 
Winston –
I stand corrected, it was Rutherford
 who said it.
 The hypocrisy of it all was when he then started another ‘religion’, snare, racket!
Reply
 
 Winston Smith says:

 December 14, 2015 at 7:53 am
 
Bad Penny
 Thanks for clarifying. I definitely agree with you on the hypocrisy. I think much of the responsibility falls on Rutherford for helping to make this organization the cult it is today – followed by Knorr and F. Franz. While Russell was definitely ‘out there’ I don’t think he was the control freak Rutherford was. Sometimes I wonder what this organization would be like if Rutherford has not been able to sieze control as he did. My family originally got involved during the later part of Russell’s tenure; regrettably they stuck with it under Rutherford.
 WS

 
 
 
 
 
 Winston Smith says:

 December 13, 2015 at 11:05 am
 
In the course of the research I did during my awakening, I was always amazed at the similarities between the JW’s and the Catholic Church.
 1.)The church has a Pope that can change and reinterpret scripture as he sees fit – the Watchtower has a body of Popes who do this.
 2.)The Church has strange rules and regulations that even extend into the bedroom: no contraception – the Watchtower has strange rules that even extend into the bedroom: no oral sex between married couples, etc.
 3.) The Church conducted extensive and demeaning inquisitions – The Watchtower Org has conducted their extensive, demeaning inquisitions (on a nearly continual basis!).
 4.) The Church seeks to control members through guilt and fear – The Watchtower seeks to control members through guilt and fear (of course this one could apply to most organized religions).
 5.) The Church is bloodguilty (crusades, inquisitions, etc.). The Watchtower is bloodguilty (medical procedures, members driven to suicide, etc.).
Need I go on? I once commented to a friend (actually a former RV who gave me support during my awakening) that the Watchtower is basically where the Catholic Church was 1,000 years ago – except without the supreme control the Church had back then – wouldn’t that be scary. In recent times, it seems that the Church has mellowed a bit, not so dogmatic and condemnatory. Might the WT mellow out as well in another 1,000 years? Let’s not find out!
Reply
 
 Bad Penny says:

 December 13, 2015 at 5:20 pm
 
Interesting stuff Winston.
 During my research into Vatican backed ‘secret societies’, I was amazed to read that part of their agenda was to actually denigrate the Catholic Church!
 Another similarity there then – JWs have been doing that for years!
Reply
 
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 13, 2015 at 2:20 pm
 
“Is the GB a secret religious order of the Catholic Church?”
GOOD QUESTION.
 Answer: Why not?
 My high school Business teacher told us, that even though Chrysler, Toyota, and Mercedes are in competition, once a year or so the CEOs from each Corporation, along with their Business Strategists, convene to discuss mutual strategy, price-fixing, parts lifespan, etc for their MUTUAL benefit and profit. So although they present the image of being in fierce competition, they are actually in close cooperation as well, behind the scenes. I believe this also applies to politics and religion. Republicans, Democrats, Conservatives, Liberals, Tories, Labor, you know what?, I don’t know about you, but they’re all the same to me. Different Teams playing for the same League. And, win or lose, they ALL get paid out of OUR pockets. Case in point: Ever watched Congress, Senate, or Parliament sessions? They always argue and debate. Which IS understandable. That’s how it works. The Ruling Party says Go left, and the Opposition says No, Stupid, Go right. That’s their job. However, AMAZINGLY, when the question of a PAY RAISE for the Members comes up, BEHOLD, ALL are suddenly in UNITY! ALL hands go up as one. ALL mouths say YEA. No debate there.
 I rest my case.
Reply
 
 
 
 dee says:

 December 13, 2015 at 12:43 pm
 
Rutherford produced a publication in 1940 entitled RELIGION in which the famous words: “Religion is a snare and a racket” were penned:
“..…religion is a snare of the Devil and the Devil’s associates and is operated as a racket against the people. Again let the people be reminded that RELIGION IS A SNARE AND A RACKET, originating with the Devil, the leader of the demons, and forced upon the people by the demons: the snare of the Devil, in which to catch the people, and the racket of the religious leaders to rob the people. All the practitioners of religion, and the adherents thereto, will find no place of safety or escape at Armageddon.…religion is wholly an invention of the Devil.”
******Religion (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, 1940) pp. 88,104-105, 125******
http://wtarchive.svhelden.info/archive/en/publications/1940_JR_Religion.pdf
Reply
 
 dee says:

 December 13, 2015 at 1:16 pm
 
There was also a public lecture by Rutherford regarding “RELIGION IS A SNARE AND A RACKET”. He also sent his followers into the streets wearing sandwich boards that said, “Religion Is a Snare and a Racket” – there is a YouTube video which captured this.
https://www.google.ca/search?site=&source=hp&ei=edBtVqHePMuMjgT-hoKoAQ&q=religion+is+a+snare+and+a+racket+sandwich+boards&oq=&gs_l=mobile-gws-hp.1.0.41l3.0.0.0.274881.1.1.0.1.1.0.0.0..0.0….0…1..64.mobile-gws-hp..0.1.101.3.dIAWWrGu6s0
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 13, 2015 at 1:49 pm
 
Errrrrrrrr…Excuse me, “Judge”, is not Jehovah’s Witnesses a religion????????
…Maybe he knew it was a Cult, too. :)
Reply
 
 
 
 
 'Let it die' says:

 December 13, 2015 at 12:45 pm
 
There is without a doubt an issue within the Jehovahs Witness community of child abuse.
 It is extraordinary to think that the Watchtower or the Awake (ironically) magazines have not dealt with this issue within the church, rather than discussing it in generic/general terms.
 It would seem that denial is the key policy while children are being placed at continued risk.
 Though the Caltholic church has had many years of (some) of its members abusing or being abused they have a least made a number of positive steps to address the issue namely 1. Recognised they had a problem within their community 2. Apologised 3. Adjusted (with continuing education) their policy’s.
 The Watchtower is more concerned about poor publicity than the children it purportedly cares for Suffer the children indeed.
Reply
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 13, 2015 at 9:44 pm
 
We heard what Splaine said the strategy was and that was to let this all die down. It’s our job as the ex-jw community not to let that happen.
Reply
 
 
 
 'Let it die' says:

 December 13, 2015 at 12:51 pm
 
Apologies . . It would seem that the Watchtower is more concerned about bad publicity. Thx.
Reply
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 13, 2015 at 1:18 pm
 
The Watchtower is the ultimate Us vs Them Cult.
Reply
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 13, 2015 at 1:25 pm
 
I had JWs break their Word so many times I wanted to pull out my hair. So I guess it’s now “Let your YES mean NO, and your NO, YES.” lol
 I’ve also heard stories, from other JWs, of JWs borrowing $ and never paying back (obviously following the example set by their Glorious Leaders lol). So I guess it’s now “Let the stealer steal some more.”
Reply
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 13, 2015 at 1:28 pm
 
Q. What’s the difference between a catfish and a Watchtower Lawyer?
 A. One is a scum-sucking bottom feeder and the other is a fish.
Reply
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 13, 2015 at 1:30 pm
 
Q. What do you call 50 Watchtower Lawyers at the bottom of the ocean?
 A. A good start.
Reply
 
 Tara says:

 December 13, 2015 at 2:55 pm
 
Bad boy lol
Reply
 
 
 
 Big B says:

 December 13, 2015 at 4:03 pm
 
Great article Karenne;
The rafter the Watchtower needs to remove are the seven mental midgets currently serving as the self-proclaimed “faithful and discrete slave”.
Liars, hypocrites, and time-bandits all! To blazes with them and their pedophile protecting organization. If there is a God in heaven, surely he will pass judgement on these life destroying, imbecilic zealots.
Hopefully, the governments will continue to investigate the Watchtower Society by shining the “spotlight of truth” on these cockroaches; thus sending them back under the rock of cultism from whence they came.
Reply
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 13, 2015 at 8:00 pm
 
I would imagine that pedophiles, much like Satanists, have their own little Underground, with secret clubs, meetings, websites, and the like. Obviously, word will get out that JW World is a Pedophile Paradise. In fact, I’m sure this has been the case for some time. I’m probably WAY behind the Curve on this one. So it’s easy to see how a whole “army” of these perv’s are infiltrating the ranks of JWs, feigning an interest in the “Truth”, accepting bible studies, even getting BAPTIZED, and engaging in the door-to-door activity, etc. Some may even be “bold” enough to accept privileges as Servants or Elders, all the while simply using the organization as a “hunting ground”. Anyone can see what a Nightmare this is! If the GB think that all this will simply “die”, they could not be more wrong. In fact, as horrible as it sounds, if nothing is done, the problem will become EXPONENTIALLY worse. Think about it JWs. And any of you with kids, I would start taking very serious measures to protect them, ABOVE and BEYOND whatever the WT suggests!
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 13, 2015 at 8:10 pm
 
Either way, The Watchtower Society has been seriously and irrevocably tainted.
Reply
 
 
 
 Ruthlee says:

 December 14, 2015 at 1:56 am
 
OH faithless and discreditable slave
Reply
 
 
 david says:

 December 14, 2015 at 2:38 pm
 
Just be aware there are victims of child abuse at the hands of JW and that I will represent them in class action as I have had negative response from JW
David
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 14, 2015 at 11:03 pm
 
If you tear WT to shreds, I will sweep up after you.
Reply
 
 
 
 Willy says:

 December 14, 2015 at 3:22 pm
 
Imagine living next door to the JW COBE who threatened to kill one of the most productive members of the Central Coast. When all his sins were laid bare, he called in a favor and the Watchtower Society ignored his abusive language, threats to “beat the hell out of a man who employees one hundred members of our County” because he donates his time and construction materials to the Regional Building Group.
Yes, all you need for the Watchtower Society to ignore or hide punishment they would inflict on Average Joe or Jane is donate “Time and Money”. To date the Watchtower has never punished this Wicked Man, he get’s invited to the Watchtower’s “Inner Chambers” so he can learn from the best! Seeing the Facebook Stalkers in the 2016 Magazines should teach anyone who wants privacy “Unfriend” and “Block” all JWs you know that have no thinking skills!
Reply
 
 

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The Friday Column: Hypocrisy! Will It Ever End?
avatar 
Posted on December 11, 2015

The other side of Watchtower: cries of hypocrisy in a recent magazine ring hollow
The other side of Watchtower: cries of hypocrisy in a recent magazine ring hollow

The title of this week’s Friday Column matches that of an article from the December 2015 online edition of The Watchtower.
In the article, three people are featured: Panayiota, Daniel and Jeffery. Each person wrestles with their own dilemma, but I will concentrate on Daniel.
Daniel has disturbing memories of “priests who drank heavily, gambled, and stole from the collection plate.” However, during Mass, these priests would warn their parishioners not to sin so they would not burn in hell. The Watchtower makes it clear that these priests were hypocritical.
Later in the article, it is revealed that Daniel “made an error” which caused him to relinquish some of his privileges in the Kingdom Hall. The article doesn’t mention what he did, but it does let the reader know that he was ‘readjusted’ and able to resume his privileges “with a good conscience.”
The article ends by encouraging the reader to “find out who Jehovah’s Witnesses are” and “what they believe.”
The December 2015 Watchtower bemoans hypocrisy in other organizations
The December 2015 Watchtower bemoans hypocrisy in “nearly every area of human activity”
 
When I read this article, many thoughts ran through my mind. One thing I noticed is that, when reading about the priests in Daniel’s scenario, there was no mention of child sexual abuse. These priests drank heavily, gambled and stole from the collection plate… but they weren’t pedophiles! Over the years, how many times have the Watchtower and Awake! magazines mentioned the child sexual abuse crisis that grips the Roman Catholic Church?
In the June 2009 issue of the Awake! magazine, three pages were devoted to Catholic youth. That article mentions that Catholic youth are “disillusioned by church scandals, such as those involving pedophile priests.”
While the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society was devoting pages of the Awake! magazine to warning Catholic youth about church scandals and pedophile priests, they were hiding the child sexual abuse scandal taking place within their own organization.
During my teenage years and into my early twenties, I attended a small Kingdom Hall. When I was around thirteen years old, I was close friends with another girl my age. Once in a while, after school, we would spend time together. Her mother was single and was dating a brother from the Kingdom Hall. He was the conductor of the Tuesday night book study at the Hall, so I assume he was a ministerial servant or maybe even an elder.
My friend told me that she didn’t like her mother’s boyfriend. I couldn’t imagine why. He was soft-spoken and always very nice when I saw him at the Hall. She told me that the reason she didn’t like him was that he had molested her many times over a period of about a year. I don’t know where it happened. I only know what she chose to share with me.
I don’t know if he also molested non-JW kids, but at some point, someone reported him to the police. He went to jail.
The kingdom hall Karenne attended in the 80s
The kingdom hall Karenne attended in the 80s

In the Kingdom Hall, people noticed that he was missing meetings. I don’t think many people (except the elders) knew where he went. I remember hearing that he was away, but would be back. One night, many months later, I entered the Kingdom Hall on a Tuesday or Thursday night and he was there. People were surrounding him and hugging him. My friend and her mother were also there that night. I felt bad for them because no one knew what that brother had done to my friend. If the others knew, would they be hugging him?
That night, from the podium, the speaker welcomed this brother back to the Hall and everyone clapped. They welcomed him home as if he had just come back from serving a mission. To this day, I still think the whole thing was bizarre.
While researching for this article, I checked the Sexual Offender Registry for my home state. He is among the people listed.
In the December 2015 article, “Hypocrisy! Will It Ever End?,” it states that Daniel was ‘readjusted’ and able to resume his privileges “with a good conscience.”
Before there was an online Sexual Offender Registry, did people at the Kingdom Hall know there was a pedophile in their midst at our small Kingdom Hall? According to the list, he has been arrested for child sexual abuse multiple times since the 1980’s. Apparently, he was not ‘readjusted’, although he was welcomed back to the Kingdom Hall and allowed to resume conducting the Tuesday night book study “with a good conscience.”
There are so many examples of hypocrisy within the Watchtower organization. In Australia, child sexual abuse within the Watchtower organization has been investigated. In England, an investigation is in the planning stages. Do these scandals make the pages of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines?
In the December 2015 article, it states that those who serve God without hypocrisy “learn to ‘remove the rafter’ from their own eye before offering to ‘remove the straw’ from their brother’s eye.” By their own definition, they are hypocrites!
It is time for the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society to follow their advice and “remove the rafter” from their own eye.
 
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81 Responses to The Friday Column: Hypocrisy! Will It Ever End?

← Older Comments
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 14, 2015 at 11:07 pm
 
Psychological Profile of Typical WT District / Circuit Overseer:
BLANK PAGE
:)
Reply
 
 
 rikos says:

 December 15, 2015 at 5:08 pm
 
i can tell you, panayiota is a illiterated woman from a village, in greece the majority of greek jehovah witnesses in greece is vilage people, don’t use internet or read. they’re looking the orthodox priest like his is a satan So the watchtower use theses kind of people to criticize other religious. sorry, is so sickening. i knew many seniors witnesses in my city in greece, which they donated thousand of thousand of euros to the watchtower.
 few years back near thessalonica the witnesses collect millions of euros to build assembly hall but the hall was canceled and the watchtower held the money……. sorry no refund…….
Reply
 
 
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← The Friday Column: Hypocrisy! Will It Ever End?
 
Royal Commission findings: Jehovah’s Witness elders left abuse survivors “silenced and unsupported”
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Posted on December 14, 2015

The shocking treatment of
The shocking treatment of BCB and BCG was brought to light by the Royal Commission

The previous two articles in this series have discussed Watchtower policy and scriptural debate. However, this is not some theoretical debate of interest only to scholars and lawyers. At the core of all this back and forth over scripture and law are real human beings.
What is the actual impact of Watchtower policy when put into practice for real abuse survivors?
Two of these survivors were able to give detailed and comprehensive testimony at the ARC hearings, and the submission of the Senior Counsel contains detailed findings related to their experiences.
The Case of BCB
The first survivor was a woman referred to as BCB in order to protect her identity. She described how Jehovah’s Witness elder Bill Neill repeatedly abused her from the age of 15. She outlined the various impacts of Watchtower’s policy on her case in harrowing detail. These included:
◾An instance where, as per Watchtower policy at the time, she was forced by the elders to confront Bill Neill, repeat her accusations directly to him, and hear him challenge and dismiss them – an experience she found deeply traumatic.
◾She was required to describe intimate details of her assault to a room full of men. As a result, she found herself unable to fully detail the worst aspects of her experience.
◾She was given no counseling or support for her extreme emotional trauma, and was simply instructed to read Watchtower literature.
Even though the elders claimed to believe her, due to the two witness rule, nothing significant could be done. Neill did step down as an elder, but the reason was not announced to the congregation. No further sanctions were imposed. Neill remained a Witness in good standing.
And almost unbelievably, BCB was forced to continue attending meetings in Neill’s home.
I’ll say that again.
◾BCB was required to continue attending meetings in the home of the man whom she had stated, and the elders apparently agreed, had abused her.
Additionally, elder Max Horley and Circuit Overseer Doug Jackson sent a letter to the branch described as follows by the Commission:

148  The letter of 1 February 1992 further reported that both Mr Horley and Mr Doug Jackson were ‘impressed by Brother Neill’s acceptance of counsel and his humility throughout the ordeal’ and recommended that he be appointed as an elder again ‘once this has died down’.
Unsurprisingly, BCB didn’t fare well as a result of this treatment. She testified that she’d since had a nervous breakdown and required ongoing expensive medical and therapeutic care to deal with the mental and physical injures Neill’s abuse had inflicted.
Max Horley and Doug Jackson appeared before the ARC to defend themselves. They didn’t impress.
Jackson gave meaningless responses that often verged on gibberish, and a shamefaced Horley, despite attempting initially to defend his actions and Watchtower policy, in the end agreed that BCB had been terribly failed by both.
Here are just some of the Commission’s many detailed findings on the case of BCB. They back up and validate all the claims BCB made (bold is mine):

F6  It was distressing for BCB to be required by the elders to tell of what had happened to her to a group of men, including the man whom she accused of abusing her, and it was not likely to, nor did it, result in BCB disclosing the full extent of her abuse.
F9  The application of the two‐witness rule meant that there was insufficient evidence for the elders to act against BCB’s abuser even though they believed her, which left her feeling disbelieved and unsupported, and it left the abuser in the congregation where he may have been a risk to other children.
F10  Mr Horley telling BCB that she should not discuss her abuse with anyone left her feeling silenced and unsupported.
F13  It was traumatic for BCB and inappropriate of Mr Horley for him to have required BCB to attend Bible study at Bill Neill’s home when he knew that BCB accused Bill Neill of abusing her.
F14  The recommendation of the elders to the Branch Office that Bill Neill be reinstated as an elder ‘once this has died down’ and their expressed concern ‘that there may also be worldly people who also know’ demonstrates that they were more concerned about the reputation of Bill Neill and the congregation than about the risk that he posed to children.
Max Horley departs after giving evidence at the Royal Commission
Max Horley departs after giving evidence at the Royal Commission
 
The Case of BCG
BCG was born into a Jehovah’s Witness family, and had three sisters. When she was 17 her father, a ministerial servant, began to abuse her. Her initial attempt to contact the elders were rebuffed, and when she finally was able to get their attention, her story took a sadly familiar path. Among the indignities the Watchtower process inflicted, BCG recounts that:
◾She was required to confront her father with the accusations, who became so angry and aggressive that he had to be restrained from violently attacking her. BCG found this experience terrifying.
◾She stated that the elders, all friends of her father, appeared to attack her credibility as a witnesses, rather than support and protect her as an abuse survivor. She was left with the distinct impression that they were not impartial in the matter.
One of the most troubling aspects of BCG’s story highlights how elders can act in defiance of Watchtower’s rules with impunity.
Remember the two witness rule? Well, BCG told told the elders that her father had abused her younger sisters as well her older sister. The elders dismissed this report, stating that the girls were too young to know what they were talking about, and were not witnesses to the same event, even though Watchtower policy at the time would have accepted their evidence as a second witness.
During the hearings, the elders involved (Ron De Rooy, Dino Ali, and Kevin Bowditch) flat out denied under oath that she had made this report to them. Ali in particular was quite adamant on this fact.
To the clear shock of Ali, the ARC then produced a set of handwritten notes, taken from the congregation archives, and written by Ali during the investigation. The notes confirm, in Ali’s own handwriting, that not only had BCG informed the elders as to her father’s abuse of her sisters (a charge her mother corroborated) but that her father had confessed to the abuse before the elders.
Yet, despite having more than enough evidence to act, even under the discredited process of Watchtower, Ron De Rooy, Dino Ali and Kevin Bowditch did not find that BCG’s father had abused his daughters.
Among the many findings on the case of BCG, the Senior Counsel finds: (bold is mine)

F21  The evidence presented to the judicial committee of BCH having abused his other daughters satisfied the Jehovah’s Witness organisation’s own rules with regard to sufficiency of evidence  to establish that BCH had abused BCG, but the elders wrongly ignored that evidence and accordingly failed to uphold BCG’s complaint against BCH.
F23  The elders inexplicably and wrongly ignored BCH’s confession to having abused BCG and thereby, within the precepts of the Jehovah’s Witness organisation’s own rules and procedures, failed to uphold BCG’s complaint against BCH.
F26  The failure by the elders to report BCH’s sexual abuse of BCG to the police had the result that BCH remained at large in the community and a risk to children, and reflects that the elders were not concerned with child safety but rather with keeping their organisation ‘clean’.
F27  The judicial committee’s failure to uphold BCG’s complaint of abuse by BCH conveyed to BCG that the organisation tolerated child sexual abuse within its ranks.
F28  The advice given by the elders to BCG that she not speak about her abuse to anyone had the effect of silencing her.
As a result of this bungled (or worse) investigation, BCG attempted suicide. Her father was later disfellowshipped on a separate charge of “loose conduct and lying,” though a later appeal did confirm the charges of sexual abuse as well.
However, he was still re-instated just three years later.
Upon being informed of this BCG, terrified for the safety of children in the congregation, decided to report her own abuse to the police. She alleges that Ron De Rooy threatened her with disfellowshipping if she did so. De Rooy denied this under oath, just as he denied BCG reporting the abuse of her sisters.
Ron de Rooy on the Witness stand
Ron de Rooy on the Witness stand
 
Among the many damning findings of Senior Counsel on the reinstatement are: (bold is mine)

F31  The decision to reinstate BCH took no account of the risk that BCH posed to children, paid little regard to the fact that he had been disfellowshipped because of child sexual abuse, and was focussed principally on his extra‐marital relationship.
F32  The decision to reinstate BCH took no account of BCH’s failure to apologise to BCG, a factor relevant to consideration of sincere repentance, or of what BCG might have had to say about BCH being reinstated.
F33  The decision to reinstate BCH was disrespectful and unsupportive of BCG.
Nonetheless, BCG took her case to the police. The ARC also found, after testimony from a legal professional involved, that the delays caused by the Watchtower process, and the clumsy nature of the process itself, had rendered much of the evidence inadmissible. Nonetheless, her father was finally convicted on the third trial. What did BCG have to say about this?

245  BCG told the Royal Commission that her experience of the three criminal trials was significantly less traumatic than her experience sitting through the committee meetings.
Today BCG is disfellowshipped, and is currently being shunned by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
A Plea to Elders
It may well be that you are an elder reading this. Perhaps you no longer believe in the faith, but are trapped, not wishing to be shunned by your family and friends. Perhaps you still consider yourself a Witness but believe, as other elders do, that in this specific area the Organization is making a terrible error of judgement.
Whatever the case, if a member of your congregation comes to you with an allegation of sexual abuse, please:
CONTACT THE POLICE

You may lose your privileges of service. But surely that is a small price to pay for being able to look yourself in the mirror and know that, when a vulnerable member of your congregation came to you for help, in the moment they needed you most, you did not fail them.
 
covert-fade-signature
 
 
 
 
 
 
Further reading…
◾Royal Commission findings: Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson “evasive and unhelpful”
◾Royal Commission findings: Watchtower policies place JW children “at significant risk of sexual abuse”
◾Reveal article: Jehovah’s Witnesses shield child sex abusers from police, report says
◾12 things we learned from Geoffrey Jackson’s testimony at the Royal Commission
◾Royal Commission’s Angus Stewart accuses Watchtower representative of deliberate deception
◾Elders shamed under questioning by the Royal Commission
◾Australian Royal Commission hears that 1,006 alleged child sex abusers were covered up by Watchtower
◾Stephen Lett slams “apostate-driven lies and dishonesties” concerning child abuse record
◾JWsurvey articles on child abuse


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← The Friday Column: Hypocrisy! Will It Ever End?
 
82 Responses to Royal Commission findings: Jehovah’s Witness elders left abuse survivors “silenced and unsupported”

 pj wilcox says:

 December 14, 2015 at 9:15 am
 
Thank you for this article. Job well done. These types of incidents need to be told. Keep up the good work
Reply
 
 
 Ruthlee says:

 December 14, 2015 at 9:38 am
 
Faithless wicked men Will be outed it is just time now. This is one crazy flawed religion that is not worth the paper it is written upon, let alone the heart of the people. They most certainly are Not followers of Jesus Christ. This enquiry flags up the most insensitve system conceived. It serves no purpose anymore. To purport to be doing God’s will and blatently refuse to honour God’s compassion, and trusting young people, who they schooled to be truthful in all things really goes to show who their father is who they should go to and who is laughing at all this pain to humanity. You know all Jehovah’s Witness children form an early age are taught to not tell lies so those wicked elders who could not give the young people the benefit of the doubt because of stupid policy and their own stupidity deserve condemnation and some recompense due for their error. As far as watchtower policy well the final analysis to me is let them have it from both barrels its too late for squirming behind naivety and ignorance. After all ignorance is no excuse of the law be that the secular one or the God law they are supposed to be under. Mercy not sacrifice.The measure they have been measuring out over the past 50 years is shoddy workmanship and will fall apart. There is nothing refined or pure about dirty policies just victims and distasteful conduct along with downright lies. I am officially ashamed to have been part of this religion. it is God dishonouring and we will all get tarred with the same brush. A reputation shot to bits cannot be patched together and made to look good it just won’t work. Those that have eyes OPEN THEM! ruthlee
Reply
 
 Willy says:

 December 14, 2015 at 12:23 pm
 
Ruth, knowing several victims of sexual abuse and gross incompetence on the part of the Elders and Watchtower Society, when will this Organization finally fail?
My friend in the Mid West was abused by her father along with her six sisters and the Elder Body did nothing.Seven Sisters were forced to provide explicit sexual descriptions while men in their 40s to 70s sat back. Her comment to me was “I always wondered if they had a bottle of lotion and sock under the table because it was horrible reliving our abuse, they were emotionless and immune to empath or had no compassion for my sisters!”
I don’t understand how the Elders and Watchtower Society could allow the father to continue as the PO when all these allegations were becoming more public. The girls were told to shut their mouths, they were told “don’t go to the police because it will bring reproach on Jehovah’s Name.” Did you know all seven of the sisters are obese, suffer severe depression and two of them killed them selves? Team Watchtower is a losing Team!
Watchtower want’s Happy Shiny People, they want all the members they destroyed to leave the Kingdom Hall so these Survivors won’t tell their stories and show the Watchtower Organization is a Fake Christian Religion! Its not fair to attack all Christian Religions as evil when their not following Christ’s Commandments, Jehovah’s Witnesses are a “Cult of Doom” and need their Tax Status along with other Cults removed and forced to pay back taxes on all donations they received.
How many Jehovah’s Witnesses do you see offering off help to victims of Mass Shooting, their MIA or might set up a Literature Cart near but they have no skills to help. Every evil event I hear “How many Brothers or Sisters were there?” and “Oh, those jobs required a education or college degree so I am sure no JW died, Praise Jehovah for keeping his People Safe!”
Reply
 
 
 Bad Penny says:

 December 14, 2015 at 7:29 pm
 
I agree with you ruthlee.
 I too am ashamed to think I was a part of this. I was only thinking today how much I hurt my dear Mother when I became a JW. It was a source of contention right up until she died. Now I just want to hug her and say I am sorry – but it’s too late.
 Let’s face it, we too were innocent victims of WT deceit and lies. If not physically abused we have certainly been mentally abused. Many have, (including me) gone through depression and some have even committed suicide because of the WT policies. We won’t get any compensation for our ‘abuse’. The best we can hope for is that, as you say, they get full recompense for their error.
 May the Royal Commission findings go Global and destroy this mind controlling cult, AMEN.
Reply
 
 
 
 Imgonaburn says:

 December 14, 2015 at 10:03 am
 
I left the jws 4 years ago. I am not disfellowshipped. My husband left too but returned a year later. I spoke with him about the commissions findings. His attitude was ‘its old news’ and ‘this sort of thing went on a lot in the 70’s’, ‘it’s not like that any longer’- ‘the society has made changes’ blah blah blah
 His response made me sooo angry I had to walk away. Even if what he claims is true (which it isn’t!) then why would anybody choose to gloss over the fact that regardless of how long ago this took place there were still CHILDREN that were damaged by the practises of this religion and its overseers. . My adult children who are still members would consider me an apostate if I mentioned it to them.
 I wish they would wake up and be brave enough to question the organisations behaviour!
Reply
 
 
 Ruthlee says:

 December 14, 2015 at 10:15 am
 
Ive had a thought about inheritance. Let’s say the current GB have inherited a weak structure with rotten policies. Not their fault technically but in a way even more reason to overhaul the whole system . To start with an unconditional apology would be a step in the right direction. Instead of denying it all happened and blaming everyone else ,its time to press on to maturity take some responsibility and acknowledge it all happened and God was not interested ,not one bit and that it was mankind’s doing. They could grow their book club along new lines and may get some credibility back.Some buildings do need demolishing for the safety of all concerned no point weeping over dryrot and faulty foundations Just because you have an inheritance does not mean you are rich that can be a delusion , a castle in the sky. They need a reality check and realise how poor they have become. ruthlee
Reply
 
 Simon Kestral says:

 December 14, 2015 at 11:30 am
 
In 1881 Russell said the body of Christ (144,000) was the faithful and discreet slave, and he thought himself to be among that number. As the GB does today, he falsely claimed the title for himself.
WT’s authority stands on its claim to the title “faithful and discreet slave.” Without that title, their associated claim of authority is false. From the beginning, WT never had any authority from God.
WT is a house with leprosy:
Leviticus 14:45 “He shall therefore tear down the house, its stones, and its timbers, and all the plaster of the house, and he shall take them outside the city to an unclean place (New American Standard Bible).
WT cannot be fixed. It can only be torn down. You can’t build a house of truth on a foundation of lies.
Reply
 
 Thinker says:

 December 14, 2015 at 10:31 pm
 
In response to the statement that the “WT never had any authority from God” here are my thoughts for what they are worth: I have been aware of, or witness to, a number of sinful acts by elders, and their relatives or friends. In every case, nothing more than a slap on the hand was given. These men remained in their positions of oversight, as their cohorts patted themselves on the back. Every time I prayed sincerely for these men to be fully exposed and dealt with appropriately. I could not understand why they got away with deeds that they should have been removed, reproved, or disfellowshipped for. Then duhhhhhhh……it finally dawned on me. Why should God care–it’s not His organization! A wake-up call that helped me get out of it.
Reply
 
 
 Depressed Sheep says:

 December 15, 2015 at 3:24 pm
 
Simon, well said………WT cannot be fixed.It is a house with leprosy. The God of mercy will destroy those who have mislead his sheeps.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 M Saurus says:

 December 14, 2015 at 11:01 am
 
Great article.
As someone who faded with my husband and son 4 years ago, I’ve had comments made to me on this site that it was easy for me since my husband and son faded as well. It was easier than for some, but still difficult.
I understand that it’s hard to do if your immediate family is still in. But usually the right thing to do IS hard.
My husband and I were in since early childhood and my son was born in. We had made hundreds of “friends” over the years – and all of them are shunning us. That is hard. But do I really want to be friends with someone who has no problem dropping me without a word if I leave their religion? What have I lost? Not a REAL friend.
My mother is still in – she hasn’t spoken to us in a long time. That is hard. I believe that a real mother would never shun her daughter for having different beliefs. It’s HER CHOICE to do so since I don’t believe what she does. The org means more to her than I do. It’s a sad realization, but in this case I really don’t have a mother – because a real one wouldn’t treat me this way.
We are calling the Witnesses hypocrites – how hypocritical is it to remain part of an organization when you know (and comment on) how horrible they are just to remain close to people who only care about you if you are “one of them”?
I’m sure I’ll get a lot of negative responses, and I know everyone’s case is different. But we can, and should do “hard” things – if they are the right thing to do. The freedom and relief you will feel cannot be explained.
Reply
 
 Cesar Arguelles says:

 December 14, 2015 at 11:55 am
 
I totally agree with you. Perhaps if all the ones that are in, started coming out, then it would be a wake up call for our those still in.
Reply
 
 
 John Baptist says:

 December 14, 2015 at 2:50 pm
 
Bravo for you in getting out. Is it better to have it hard but be true to oneself? Absolutely!! Everyone is always trying to be someone your not. Be yourself and do the right thing! Peace is priceless!
Reply
 
 
 ForestDaughter says:

 December 15, 2015 at 12:51 am
 
Yes, although it was a lot easier for me and my son to leave as we had no other relatives in, it was four years from wanting to leave to actually leaving due to the fear of Armageddon. The journey out for me included having a mental breakdown on the way, so we should never underestimate the dangerous hold and fear this organisation, and others like it, have on it’s members.
Reply
 
 dee says:

 December 15, 2015 at 2:11 am
 
Faith at gunpoint!
 The WT claims that hellfire is unscriptural, yet what is the difference between the threat of hellfire vs the threat of Armageddon?
Religion certainly knows how to exploit the power of fear to their advantage in order to control people emotionally.
Reply
 
 Will says:

 December 15, 2015 at 8:47 am
 
dee, no difference at all. A threat is a threat, either through eternal damnation or “everlasting destruction”. It’s all the same.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Justin (formerly J*L*C*R) says:

 December 15, 2015 at 7:06 am
 
Excellent Comment @M Saurus! I know how difficult it can be to leave but after I realized that the JW’s were a mind controlling cult…I had to make the right choice and leave. Yes, that had consequences in regard to shunning but like you say…doing what’s right is often hard.
 Sometimes, in order to do what’s right…you have to be willing to accept the consequences…but it is still the right thing to do…continue to be true to yourself and enjoy your freedom. Congrats!
Reply
 
 
 
 Pow says:

 December 14, 2015 at 11:11 am
 
Wow, l fall in that final paragraph, still in, serving, but realize that we are sooo wrong.
 Kinda waiting for the shoe to drop…when I have been approached as of late my response has been “you need to call the authorities ” not me. But, the reality is the root of the problem is the same but the organization is aggressively attempting to cover their tracks and count on the sheeple to have a very short memory. Here it is we belong to a religion that is largely based on circumstantial evidence of events that took place 2000 years ago on one fateful nite, yet what happened 20 or 30 years ago, is considered ancient history and impractical and impossible to verify, and then even if it is, it’s considered irrelevant. ..really,…it’s for that reason that our real history (Rutherford, Russell and the like), mise well be the story of Santa Claus, great story who really cares about the facts.
Reply
 
 
 eyes opened says:

 December 14, 2015 at 11:42 am
 
A well done series of articles Covert Fade. Things going on within the organization make me want to shout it from the rooftop, however, it takes a lot of thought and discernment to reach such highly indoctrinated family and friends. Thanks for your research and thoughtful writing.
Regards
Reply
 
 
 Pow says:

 December 14, 2015 at 11:55 am
 
One more comment, ,,the apparent failure of the organization to properly handle child abuse cases, was not simply a failure to comprehend the magnitude of the problem, we keep far to many records for that, and besides, since the early 90s the branch has demanded to be directly involved in every case from the start. So there has to be another explanation…..
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 14, 2015 at 9:56 pm
 
I would say, if there is a Devil, THAT’S the explanation — Satan, the “Father of the Lie”, the Tormentor of Humans.
Reply
 
 
 Sarah says:

 December 15, 2015 at 6:49 am
 
It’s willfully ignoring principles of justice which the Bible outlines. Judicial hearings should be public and if young people do not wish, or are unable, to relate their problems they should be allowed to have a spokesperson do it for them, even if it is a woman, while the abused person stays out of the hearing. There is an old article in the 1997 Awake on the Inquisition, which denounced it on the basis that the accused person was not allowed proper legal representation and much was kept secret. I’d say this article denounces WT quite well.
Reply
 
 
 
 Hoodwinked says:

 December 14, 2015 at 11:59 am
 
Thank you for the article.
We unfortunately have had to endure the meeting with the elders after our child spoke up about being abused by an ex-elder. I can agree with BGC that what goes on in those meetings is truly traumatic!
 It’s been over 7 years and I still can close my eyes and see my young child being interrogated by elders. Men she was taught from infancy to respect sitting across the couch asking the same questions over and over again. Even at her young age, she felt they didn’t believe her.
 Imagine the guilt her father and I had after unknowingly exposing her to this type of questioning, I truly believed they were there to help us…that’s what we were taught after all!
 Elders are doing more damage then they know by questioning victims of abuse, they have no training whatsoever.
 Please, as a mother who is dealing with the aftermath of this, I beg any elder to follow what was said at the end of this article. Contact the police, let them do what they were professionally trained to do in these cases.
Reply
 
 
 Mama Joy says:

 December 14, 2015 at 12:13 pm
 
The violence that happens to someone who is sexually abused is horrific and monstrous. For the JW Org. to treat this lightly, it is showing everyone just how little they think of a child’s wellbeing and how much they think of protecting their own reputation. Karma is: They cause their own reputation to be ruined by hiding such evil.
Reply
 
 
 Searcher says:

 December 14, 2015 at 2:38 pm
 
We all need to write letters to major video news magazine shows in our respective countries to ‘tip-off’ the producers about this story. Stories like this, unfortunately, sell a lot of press here in the USA. Anything to do with sex scandals or sexual crime get front page billing. This should be a whopper for the press and they are missing the boat here. Should I bring dishonor on Jehoviah’s organization? YES. Because this is NOT Jehoviah’s, God’s, or whatever you wish to call it. This case and the uncaring leadership is proof. It should be exposed for all it’s worth!
Reply
 
 M Saurus says:

 December 14, 2015 at 2:55 pm
 
Searcher, you misspelled Jehovah twice in your comment. Not to be paranoid, but are you for real? No Witness would do that….
Reply
 
 Searcher says:

 December 15, 2015 at 10:00 am
 
Sorry. Fat fingers I guess?
Reply
 
 
 Searcher says:

 December 15, 2015 at 10:48 am
 
Or maybe a fat head. :)
Reply
 
 
 
 Janice Gilbert says:

 December 14, 2015 at 5:59 pm
 
Go for it. I have considered doing the same.
Reply
 
 ForestDaughter says:

 December 15, 2015 at 12:57 am
 
Lol! Me too. It’s a name I can’t read, say or think of without some feeling of distaste, so any misspelling or deliberate tinkering with the word sounds good to me. :)
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 15, 2015 at 6:59 pm
 
Me too. I’m SICK of hearing the word “jehovah”.
Reply
 
 Ruthlee says:

 December 16, 2015 at 4:25 am
 
Dare I say It I would rather hear the name Jesus from Christians. Oh well Jdubs are not Christians shame isn’t it. It took 100 years to work that out .ruthlee

 
 
 
 
 
 
 jeff canning says:

 December 14, 2015 at 3:26 pm
 
Shouldn’t be surprised that they lie, they lied about 1975 and brought countless thousands into their nest. Survey is doing a great job and many years from now when the Watchtower is just a distant sad memory the good folks at Survey can kick back in their rocking chairs out on their porches and proclaim “We had a hand in that…” And they can be proud as we are of them.
Reply
 
 
 Average Joe says:

 December 14, 2015 at 3:36 pm
 
Lovely sentiments and plea at the end.
 I know there are still some decent elders amongst us. I would hate to come across an abuse case but even so, the victim needs all the love & support they can get, so it’s our human duty to get them the professional help they need.
 I would like to see the WTS TRY and remove me as an elder for reporting or for helping a victim report a JW abuse to the police! That’s publicity they wouldn’t want.
Reply
 
 Chiafade says:

 December 14, 2015 at 6:25 pm
 
Well Joe we know they wouldn’t say a word. Their policy already states that “any brother who contacts the authorities should not be criticised”.
Your outspokenness will likely spell the end of your service as an elder. There are alot of good men just trying to do the right thing. The right thing as they’ve been taught that is. I’ve known many that when presented with situations like BCGs have stepped down and stated ” serving as an elder is too awesome a responsibility for me”. After which they went inactive.
The watchtower society/JW.org will be their own undoing. They will push away their brightest and in many cases their most loyal which is very self defeating. It is possible that honest people will eventually take over the leadership but even that is a death sentence for the org.
One only needs to look at the end result for similar groups to see the direction watchtower is heading towards. An example can be found in the group known as the worldwide church of God. Their organizational structure closely mirrored that of the watchtower society complete with a governing body who yielded only to the President and founder of the group. Disfellowshipping, misleading and damaging policies, false prophecies, you name it. Many suffered as a result.
Eventually the founder died and left a successor. The successor was a very honest man who after his appointment wrote a letter to all congregations. The letter can be summed up in these words : “everything you were taught are lies and mistaken concepts of men. We are sorry for misleading you and the suffering that was caused”.
The organization shortly crumbled after that with small splinter groups forming. The most prominent being found in Pennsylvania. A mere shadow of its parent organization.
I believe that the watchtower organization knows that this will be the end result. Their goal is self preservation without the consideration of the people in mind. How long can this go on? Who knows, but it can’t and won’t go on forever.
Reply
 
 
 M Saurus says:

 December 15, 2015 at 11:05 am
 
Joe – you should remove yourself! How can you still be an elder with all this stuff going on??
Reply
 
 Average Joe says:

 December 16, 2015 at 12:40 am
 
@M SAURUS
 To answer your question: because
 1) Somebody has to make sure the congregation is looked after properly and ensure that the elders don’t enforce their own rules of men. The brothers & sisters need to have someone to back them up and it’s a lot harder to do that if you’re not an elder as unfortunately there’s always one who tries to abuse his power.
 2) To my knowledge we have not had a single case of child or domestic abuse. If we did ever come across one, then at least the congregation knows they can count on me for support, especially with helping them to get professional help or from the authorities.
 3) I have many good friends amongst my brothers & sisters in the cong.
 At times it is very difficult and maybe one day I will relinquish my privilege if things continue their spiral downwards in the WTS. In the meantime, I do what I can and have a very clear conscience with God. Thanks.
Reply
 
 Ruthlee says:

 December 16, 2015 at 4:31 am
 
Ave Joe I totally agree with you .Within we are rapidly losing the voice of reason and I believe brothers like you will be the safe haven at the end because when this does come crashing around their ears in ruins ,some of the weaker sheepw ill need solid support. It is tricky though because of continually having to listen to garbage and misapplied scripture .That becomes wearisome to the soul but Jesus put up with a lot rubbish so must we .Keep on keeping on bro reguards ruthlee
Reply
 
 
 Simon Kestral says:

 December 16, 2015 at 4:55 am
 
If someone asks who is “the faithful and discreet slave” what do you say? You believe the GB’s claim to that title?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekh4wXdKTe4
To keep your circle of “friends” you must tell WT lies to householders when out in service.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Depressed says:

 December 15, 2015 at 4:15 pm
 
You are brave and thank you for standing up. At times it is so difficult trying to help love ones wake up and see that the WT is a cult. I have to stay under the radar because some of the elders are working extremely hard to disfellowship me for warning members to report sex abuse cases to the police and not the elders. So far, to my knowledge no one has directly called my name. the elders are basing this on hearsay. Nevertheless, I am still afraid. It is very uncomfortable when the elders are watching my every move. Not a good feeling. I pray that soon the core of the WT and its policies are exposed for their wicked works.
Reply
 
 Bad Penny says:

 December 15, 2015 at 6:38 pm
 
Depressed –
I am sorry that you have to live in fear of the elders. Why? They should be shepherds and protectors of the flock. It is them that should feel guilty by allowing wolves to remain in the congregation, not you! Just think of them as ‘dust dressed up’, they cannot kill you. If they try to disfellowship you, count it as a privilege for standing up for truth. They would probably just try to reprove you. That could be an opportunity to slowly fade whilst still keeping contact with your family.
 If, or when, you do escape, it will feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. You start to breathe the air and appreciate living free.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Kat says:

 December 14, 2015 at 4:46 pm
 
Imgonaburn.
Maybe you could inform your husband that according to Tool’s testimony they still get 3 or 4 a month of complaints and allegations of child sexual abuse this in Australia alone, so the problem is not old and these are the ones they know about or have been reported.
So clearly shows that the GB policies have not worked and children are still suffering, their keeping this from the flock only gives the abusers more freedom to abuse, the two witness rule is dangerous and has to be addressed, only when the GB are forced by law will they do anything, and then it will be kept from the flock with elders being privy to information, until the elders allow their conscience to be their guide nothing much will change.
Its all about protecting the orgs image not children, but their days are numbered, all they can do now is make sure the flock believe its not their fault they will continue to do this by propaganda and blame.
Reply
 
 Imgonaburn says:

 December 14, 2015 at 6:32 pm
 
Kat,
 Thank you for your response. I will try and find the testimony that you referred to re 3-4 cases still occuring per month in Australia. Then I will mention it to my husband when I get the right opportunity. He’s a bit traumatised of late as I’ve put up a Christmas tree and garlands in one of our living rooms at the rear of our house. It’s the first time I’ve ever had the pleasure of doing such an outrageous thing lol. Out of respect for him it’s not in full view of passers by.
 I’ve told them (my jw family members) that life is for living and I’m getting on with mine. I’ve had the conversations with them about how disfellowshipping is a cruel and unusual punishment etc and that a person should be able to leave the religion without losing their family. They insist that they themselves are not forced to remain [within religion] out of fear of reprisal/ consequences and are happy to serve Jehovah as pioneers/volunteers. They also say that if I choose to celebrate Christmas by having a Xmas tree they will stay away from our home til the new year when the festivities are over.
 It will be interesting to see if the elders ‘come after me’ because of my celebrating Christmas because it’s been over 4 years since I last attended a meeting. It’s widely known in the local community that I’m not a jw any more, mainly because I tell everyone. Ha!
 I’m not aggressively opposed to the religion as I think it’s counter productive. What’s the saying?… Innocent as serpents and cautious as doves? I do try to slip a little something into the conversation just now and then to try and make them think independently though. How they can shut their powers of reason off when it comes to issues surrounding child abuse within the org though is beyond me!!
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 14, 2015 at 10:12 pm
 
Nice work!! Resistance starts in the home! BTW I love your turnaround of the quote (still not sure if it was intentional): “Innocent as SERPENTS and cautious as DOVES” — I think it’s an improvement — after all, doves are probably a lot more cautious than serpents (which must take risks hunting), and being as innocent as a dove could get a person SQUASHED in this world. Nice work again!! That’s my new mantra.
Reply
 
 Imgonaburn says:

 December 15, 2015 at 5:50 pm
 
Yes, my mis-quoting scripture was intentional.
 Feet shod with the good shoes of Pete.
 Stay sane the vedil.
 I have a lot more time on my hands now that I’m no longer preparing for meetings, attending meetings, dragging children to meeting, going on ministry etc etc
Reply
 
 
 
 Tara says:

 December 15, 2015 at 8:52 am
 
My son in law is not a JW – his mother is. He married my daughter – JW (df’d because she got pregnant to him and df’d – now reinstated but fading) He put up a tree and lots of lights outside the house :) My living room has some small signs of rebellion – some baubles and shiny things… I have a stack of gifts for my grandbabies wrapped and in the corner. I gave Christmas cards to clients this year. No one visits me from the hall anyway so next year maybe a tree. The whole abuse thing makes me sick and ashamed. I am now telling clients I am fading from the Org. and they are supporting me.
Reply
 
 Imgonaburn says:

 December 15, 2015 at 6:12 pm
 
I purchased most of my Xmas decorations and tree in the post Xmas/ January sales last Xmas. I kept them all in a spare wardrobe for months. My husband knew about my plans well in advance. I told my 2 adult JW son and daughter more recently. We’ve always had coloured lights as part of our year round decor. I’d love to decorate the front of our house with xmas icicle type lights and have it all twinkly! Maybe next year you will have a Xmas tree in your home and I will throw some lights on a tree in my garden! 😉
I like to think that my leaving the religion and demonstrating to my family that I’m happier without it will make it easier for them to leave should they decide to do so in the future. At least they won’t have to worry that by leaving they will lose me! It’s such a frightening prospect- getting dfd and being shunned by family and friends that I couldn’t criticise others for being too scared to leave. Everybody has to do what’s best for themselves until the time is right for them.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 Janice Gilbert says:

 December 14, 2015 at 5:57 pm
 
Thank you for this article. I strongly believe this, since a former friend of mine told me that she had been told that she could be disfellowshipped if she went to the police. Talk about putting a muzzles on an innocent victim. This is not the loving organization I once believed in
Reply
 
 
 C says:

 December 14, 2015 at 8:42 pm
 
This is my first post on this website, tho I’ve lurked for awhile. This absolutely makes me ill. It is so freaking disgusting that it bothers me physically. I want to fight and puke and cry. There is absolutely no way this can be an organization directed by Jesus.
Despite my queasiness, the article was done very well.
Reply
 
 Searcher says:

 December 15, 2015 at 10:12 am
 
You are so right! Makes me sick too!
No way this can be God’s organization and have all this secrecy and lies.
Reply
 
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 14, 2015 at 10:31 pm
 
Speaking from personal experience, it is a real struggle making the decision, then leaving the Borg. No question. Just like any other major life decision. But, in considering the drawbacks, also take into account the benefits, such as FREEDOM, the ability to be an INDIVIDUAL, choose your OWN dress/grooming, lifestyle, associates, etc. “Every dark cloud has a silver lining.” “When one door closes, another one opens.” Think back through your life to times when something “negative” happened, which inadvertently and unexpectedly led to something positive, something positive which never would have happened otherwise. I know a guy who was DF’d last spring, and ended up having the best summer of his life, checking off one item after another on his “bucket list”. It may not be that dramatic for everyone, but, like I said, take time to consider the BENEFITS.
 Good Luck :)
Reply
 
 Searcher says:

 December 15, 2015 at 10:42 am
 
“Give me liberty or give me death!” – Patrick Henry, March 1775. That was spoken by an American revolutionary, but it is also very relevant to your thoughts. Freedom isn’t free! It comes with a big price and many people want to take that away from you to satisfy their power hungry ends. Once I got over the fact that they (the elders) would (and they did) destroy my marriage, then I found freedom that is OH SO SWEET. I don’t have to do anything for this evil cult, these self-servant leaders, or try to impress the rank and file in the Kingdom Hall. It is all about weighing the cost vs. the benefits of freedom. The benefits far outweigh the costs. Especially in self-respect.
Reply
 
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 14, 2015 at 10:46 pm
 
I put those who deny and/or suppress these cases of abuse, up there with those neo-Nazi Holocaust Deniers. These are horrible crimes and there is absolutely NO excuse for covering them up!!! If WT is concerned about their reputation, I say, “What reputation??” Their squeaky clean rep. is already tainted. By engaging in further coverups, it’s just going to get WORSE. It’s like trying to hold water in your hand, or trying to plug holes in a dam with bubble gum. Get a clue, Watchtower.
Reply
 
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 14, 2015 at 11:35 pm
 
Doesn’t the bible account of the flood say jehovah decided to destroy mankind because ‘the Earth came to be filled with violence’? Well, rape is, by definition, a VIOLENT crime. Ergo, Watchtower is GUILTY of covering up VIOLENCE, something which jehovah purportedly hates.
Reply
 
 
 Enuffsenuff says:

 December 15, 2015 at 12:19 am
 
It is interesting about the Watchtower’s reaction to the Royal Commission.
 So far I haven’t seen or heard any sort of apology in an official manner by the WatchTower.
 I haven’t seen or heard any public acknowledgement that WT has changed any policies, re, women, shunning and child abuse.
 I haven’t seen any acts of genuine empathy for any victim and I haven’t heard of any elder standing down in shame over their behaviour at how they have conducted a (sham) judicial case.
 For example Dino Ali, elder on BCG’s case. A complete drongo who refused to accept the confession by the father of BCG.
 Is he still there, et al, dispensing their brand of kangaroo court justice?
 I have not had any word perhaps others have?
Reply
 
 Imgonaburn says:

 December 15, 2015 at 6:45 pm
 
An elder in my former cong stood down a few years ago because of the way a sexual abuse case was handled. There was a sister in the cong who had sexually assaulted her own son and daughters when they were young. Her husband at the time was also a jw. He raped his own daughter to show her how horrible men can be and to illustrate to her how she needs to be careful! (Go figure?!!). Apparently he was a domineering bully towards his entire household so his wife went along with his demands and encouraged her daughters to comply with the abuse. They eventually divorced and she married a brother from our hall. Her children went to the elders about the abuse. The sister denied everything and claimed she couldn’t remember what happened. It ended up a police matter. Both parents were sent to jail. She got 10 years on a charge of sexual assault! He got longer.
 The elder stood down because the sister was not disfellowshipped. She maintained her innocence throughout despite the testimony of her 3 children. It caused a lot of distress to many within the cong. I had already left by then so wasn’t involved in any of the hullabaloo. What I do know though is there was a rota drawn up by some do gooder in the cong to provide transport for her second husband to go visit with her in jail!! After sentencing she was moved to a prison many miles away so the rota was scrapped. The whole saga split the cong. The kh was vandalised and had graffiti spray painted on it about pedophiles. Her abused children got the blame for that but I know it wasn’t them.
 Anyway, in my old cong at least, the elders were very much in favour of getting the police involved. What’s more, one of them on the committee handling the judicial did stand down.
Reply
 
 
 
 'Let it die' says:

 December 15, 2015 at 12:58 am
 
Disagreeing those who claim to speak for God is tantamount with disagreeing with God. You will be viewed by such ones as an apostate, a heretic, a disgruntled one, an a opposer, a Satan.
 Considering Matt 18 judicial procedure one can see that the two witnesses do not necessarily have to eye witness the incident. Bearing in mind the law regarding rape and the single witness in Deu it is quite evident that a single eye witness is sufficient.
 It is quite obvious that this ( the watchtowers stance) is in error and it is equally obvious that this issue is not about what is truthful but rather about power and control, and the believe that these one speak on behalf of God. Having watched a number of the Royal commissions videos again it is clearly apparent that the elders are under the Watchtowers influence to the point were common sense leaves their minds. How very brave of such young women, and all those abuse survivors, to highlight this issue.
 Has the Watchtower listened to these ones and changed their policy’s, after all they speak for God and can not be seen to be fallible.
Reply
 
 dee says:

 December 15, 2015 at 2:40 am
 
“…….after all they speak for God and can not be seen to be fallible”………
an important concept if one is to believe that the Governing Body will rule the world after Armageddon. LOL.
Reply
 
 Searcher says:

 December 15, 2015 at 10:19 am
 
If that bunch of circus clowns (GB) is running the place after Armageddon, then destruction at such event is a mercy kill!
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 15, 2015 at 7:17 pm
 
LOL
Reply
 
 
 dee says:

 December 15, 2015 at 11:37 pm
 
Isn’t it just grand, God is going to replace the governments of the world (including the Australian government which is now unearthing the WT’s child abuse policy flaws) with the GB past and present who will rule in his kingdom over the WT’s promised paradise earth after all these other governments have been destroyed. LOL.
If only the new system would come right now so that earth’s new rulers (the GB) will have their way and be the ones to call the shots! They can’t wait to get their hands on writing those new scrolls that will be opened in the new system – imagine a two witness rule in paradise to deal with the child molesters who will be resurrected from the dead. LOL.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 'Let it die' says:

 December 15, 2015 at 1:54 am
 
Asking Jehovahs Witnesses:- To your knowledge has anyone ever challenged one of Gods decisions (besides the devil) and remained in good standing?
 Has the Watchtower ever enforced a false teaching upon its members with the penalty of disfellowshipping if that person refuses to accept that teaching?
 If it is the case that you accept the Watchtower has acted in this manner then you have to recognise this is not necessarily about what is truthful but rather about authority, control and power.
 In my opinion a Christians conscience, under these conditions, should be 1st and foremost on high alert. In spirit and in truth.
Reply
 
 
 Let it die says:

 December 15, 2015 at 2:19 am
 
Dedicated to all those brave young people, fellow activists and my own daughter X
 Peter Gabriel Wallflower live.
Reply
 
 
 redpilltwice says:

 December 15, 2015 at 2:38 am
 
Stephen Lett’s earlier comment that this is all “apostate-driven lies and dishonesties” becomes more painful by the day. A modern day WT lie, carved in stone, never to be lost in oblivion. Does this man (or his fellow brothers of Christ) ever look in the mirror and ask himself “What have we done? Let’s apologize, change policies immediately and ask for forgiveness”? Too late probably. Let justice be done for the victims and their families.
 By the way, Ron de Rooy (one of the elders pictured above) is a Dutch name. Is he from The Netherlands?
Reply
 
 
 Hakizimana Jean de Dieu says:

 December 15, 2015 at 2:56 am
 
Sexual abuse is another subtle way of testify Jehovah god and “his/her organization” is the ONLY solution of human problems. Consider the following in their own publications….
*** g81 2/8 p. 19 Incest—The Hidden Crime ***
 She was molested by her grandfather from the age of six until nine. She tried immorality, drugs and psychiatrists, but found in these no relief from her unhappiness.
 Happily, there is help for such a person. However confused and “down” we may be, there is One who is “raising up the lowly one from the very dust,” and we can get to know him by means of the Bible. (Ps. 113:7)
Reply
 
 
 Justin (formerly J*L*C*R) says:

 December 15, 2015 at 7:13 am
 
The fallout from this Australian Commission’s hearing is going to shake the Watchtower to it’s core. If there were any undecided victims waiting for the outcome before perusing legal action…they are not waiting anymore.
The GB will need to continue it’s mad dash to unload it’s Brooklyn HQ real estate, and their branch offices, to pay for these cases.
To all JW’s still in…prepare to belly up to the contribution box…and DIG DEEP!
Reply
 
 Peggy says:

 December 15, 2015 at 8:00 am
 
I have to thank everyone here for working hard to keep us informed about the ARC hearings in child abuse. I favor them requiring all JW’s who work with children to under go a back round check. They may do something like this or take away their tax exempt status. In any case as stated the fall out should prove great! And I too bet many more abused victims will come after the WT corporation.
Reply
 
 
 
 Robert67 says:

 December 15, 2015 at 7:39 am
 
The moment when all these self appointed ursurpers who placed the will of a publishing company over that of the mercy Christ tought in scripture.
Elders quivering-
“What is that Jesus?…Wh wh why did we let the children suffer?, well you see the thing is we was just following orders. Did we not shun and tirade and lord ourselves over others in your name to keep them in line? Did we not expell your sheep when they were at their weakest, in your name and under prayer?
 Did we not wash our hands of widows and orphans that couldn’t meet the quotas? Did we not receive our full reward in applause and praise for our actions on the platform on a weekly basis in your name?
 Jesus reply-
 I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’
Reply
 
 Ruthlee says:

 December 15, 2015 at 11:35 am
 
spot on Robert ruthlee
Reply
 
 
 Bad Penny says:

 December 15, 2015 at 6:56 pm
 
Robert67 – Nice one!
Reply
 
 
 
 Doc Obvious says:

 December 15, 2015 at 7:49 am
 
There are several correlations between the movie “The Godfather” and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. The Godfather is movie about the mafia in New York City. The Godfather is claiming he owns an olive oil business and that he is thoroughly involved in the business. But in reality, it is about killing people who are not with the Godfather. Or, the Godfather wanting to be the top mafia boss, the Don. The Godfather’s family hires a “family lawyer” to protect his mafia from going to jail. The Family lawyer, Tom Hagen, is used when things go wrong and the police are trying to bring to justice the mafia. Later in The Godfather, the police chief has partnered with the Godfather and tries to smooth things over.
One similarity between the film and the Watchtower is their forcing their ideology down your throats and having conditions on their members. The Watchtower uses religion as business to cover the Watchtower’s illegal behavior. When the religion has been unmasked by the authorities and the media for having Child Sexual Abuse, the religion enacts the Bethel family’s lawyers. The Bethel family lawyers try to smooth talk the judicial system into thinking that they are doing their religion and the religion requires the cutting off of wicked people (called disfellowshipping). If the media tries to paint the Watchtower in a bad light. Guess what happens? The Bethel family’s lawyers are at their best trying to smooth over and cover up Watchtower’s illegal mistakes with laws that protect them. One of the Bethel Mafia bosses wishes the Child Sexual Abuse matter with the Watchtower would just “die”. In addition, the boss tries to discredit a journalist in Portugal for not getting two sides of the story. Who knew the Mafia boss was a journalism teacher. However, the journalist stuck to her story and went to the Bethel in Portugal for their side of the story. Unfortunately, the Mafia boss flew the coop with a statement and could not furnish his side of the story.
Another similarity, is how the Watchtower treats their members who think differently from them. Watchtower uses threats to get their members in line. Just like the mafia. You will be swimming with the fishes. You will die at Armageddon if you do not follow what we say.
The Watchtower’s family lawyer(s) have gone all the way to the United States Supreme Court and have smooth talked the Supreme Court justices to see that their way (“religion”) is wholesome for the whole family and they should not have to register with the authorities when recruiting new members in the mafia. I mean the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The buttering up of the authorities is how both the mafia and The Watchtower do things.
It is also amazing how both the movie and the Watchtower are based in New York City. Why do bad things happen in this city?
In order to get protection from the mafia or the Watchtower you need to “donate” to them. In the Godfather, people donate their services and fine gifts to the Godfather. Watchtower is asking for the finer things in life. Stocks and Bonds, CD’s, Savings accounts, etc.
I could go on and on with the similarities. However, these are just a few.
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 15, 2015 at 7:31 pm
 
Your comparison of Organized Religion, especially this one, to the Mafia, is right on!
Reply
 
 anonymous4 says:

 December 15, 2015 at 7:36 pm
 
P.S.
 Why New York City? IMHO, probably because it is one of the World Hubs of money-grubbing Parasites and fame-craving Narcissists.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Pow says:

 December 15, 2015 at 12:01 pm
 
I will try to share a story, without giving away to much info, but to illustrate that the problems that we have are not just old cases. A few years ago a man moved to our area, he had recently been removed from an appointed position. The letter of introduction was very vague, in some respects inferring he was the victim of slanderous accusations, ,but when pressed for more info…sure enough he was a bonfide molester. …So, parameters were set, which He didn’t appreciate, so he bounced from hall to hall looking for a better reception. Anyway a while back he showed up for service at a combined meeting for service and was assigned to work with sisters from another hall, two of which were teenagers. this was arranged by a bro. from his current congregation. …well some heard about this and quickly called the COBE of his cong. It was reported that the branch had removed his restrictions? ??? This guy was guilty as Sin..the only explanation one can think of is that the victim was finally going to the police and the org. wanted to give impression that they knew nothing.
Reply
 
 
 rob says:

 December 15, 2015 at 12:12 pm
 
In my opinion, to really expose the greediness and corruption of this religion, the government should wipe out the tax free status, impose sanctions or court fines for covered up child abuse and enact legislation which requires this corporation to publish its financial statements.
I think that we would finally see the true colors of this religion. Hit them in the pocket book where it really really hurts.
Reply
 
 
 Meredith J says:

 December 15, 2015 at 2:35 pm
 
Covert Fade, thank you so much for that further insight into Watchtower’s wicked flawed system of dealing with child abuse. It is so interesting when these dealings are put under the microscope by the legal profession.
I particularly liked your last point about ‘A Plea To The Elders’. Surely, any elder who is still calling himself that cannot read this and stay with the cult. May the true God and Jesus help them leave however means they can.
Reply
 
 
 Alexandria R says:

 December 15, 2015 at 3:25 pm
 
Jehovah’s Witnesses could get $1 billion for NYC properties
 Associated Press By KAREN MATTHEWS
 55 minutes ago
 Inline image
 NEW YORK (AP) — The Jehovah’s Witnesses, the door-knocking religious group that’s been based in Brooklyn for a century, is selling its headquarters and other properties for an expected price tag of $1 billion or more.
The Witnesses’ move to a town about an hour north of New York City will likely mean the end of the complex’s most well-known feature, the neon “Watchtower” sign advertising the church’s flagship publication. But it will free up hundreds of thousands of square feet for businesses and apartments in a now-trendy neighborhood at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge.
“It’s going to be incredibly transformative,” said Alexandria Sica, executive director of the DUMBO Improvement District, a business group.
Jehovah’s Witnesses spokesman Richard Devine said the move will allow the organization to operate more efficiently. The church had owned 36 separate Brooklyn properties before it began selling them off in preparation for the move upstate to Warwick. The printing plant where the Witnesses produce Bibles and religious tracts moved from Brooklyn to the town of Wallkill in 2004.
“As we’ve grown as an organization we’ve had to buy scattered properties wherever we could find them,” Devine said. “With a big, scattered campus like that it’s challenging to administer and to maintain.”
The Witnesses bought their 733,000-square-foot headquarters from Squibb Pharmaceuticals for $3 million in 1969. It was placed on the market this month along with a nearby apartment building and a 135,000-square-foot lot. Despite the prominent “Watchtower” sign, the building has no historical designations that would place restrictions on the buyer.
The church has not announced an asking price but Tucker Reed, president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, called $1 billion “a conservative estimate” for the Witnesses’ real estate portfolio.
A partnership including Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner purchased a nearby 1.4 million-square-foot complex from the Witnesses in 2013 for $375 million and is developing it as a tech hub, while smaller buildings have sold for varying amounts.
In upstate New York, the Witnesses have purchased hotels and other properties for volunteers building the church’s new headquarters.
The Witnesses have more than 8 million active members worldwide and about 11 million more who attend some services, according to church officials.
Witnesses are required to spread their message door to door and are not allowed to vote, receive blood transfusions or serve in the military.
The organization has been in Brooklyn since 1908 but seems culturally distinct from its gritty-meets-yuppie surroundings.
Church members lead English- and Spanish-language tours of the headquarters, decorated with pastel-toned Bible paintings.
Devine said 100,000 people a year visit the Brooklyn headquarters but the Warwick facility an hour north of the city will get more visitors when it opens in 2017.
“To be honest with you,” he said, “many people find New York City intimidating.”
Sica said she is looking forward to the Witnesses’ move in part because the church’s properties seem off-limits to non-members, with fenced-in parking lots and no street-level retail. “It’s closed off,” she said. “You get that sense of ‘This place is not for the public.'”
But both Sica and Reed said that before they leave the Witnesses should follow through on a promise to redevelop a neighborhood park, which they agreed to do in exchange for a zoning change.
Devine said the Witnesses will fulfill the commitment to build the park “either through our efforts or through the efforts of the new owner. We won’t walk away from it.”
Reply
 
 
 Alexandria R says:

 December 15, 2015 at 3:47 pm
 
I didn’t realize how wealthy the org is.
Reply
 
 
 rikos says:

 December 15, 2015 at 4:33 pm
 
I just finish reading this article and i wish i could vomit at faces of the government body, at elders and any officer of the watchtower. this organization is so corrupt and disgusting. How these people stand on the platforms and preaching ethics?
Reply
 
 
 Alexandria R says:

 December 15, 2015 at 5:10 pm
 
I think many ideas and what many of you have been saying is true. The JW religion actually is a for profit organization. I remember the year they stopped serving food at a convention. I was at my convention at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. It was sad to see the homeless line up for food. They lined up because they had been given food and drink every year before. The brothers had to explain we no longer served free food. The JW organization acts like a for profit business.
Reply
 
 
 Bad Penny says:

 December 15, 2015 at 7:15 pm
 
The long asked question – What are they going to do with all the money from the sale of Brooklyn?
 In Stephen Lett’s broadcast he was saying, ‘There is more going out than there is coming in.’ Yes, come on brothers, ‘lets’ empty your pockets!
 Do they not know?
 Greedy persons will not inherit God’s Kingdom!
Reply
 
 
 Chiafade says:

 December 15, 2015 at 11:19 pm
 
I haven’t read through all of watchtowers rebuttal to the royal commission yet but there is something that I would like to bring to the attention of any and all elders who may be reading these comments.Its this :
9.67 Suggested finding F14 should be amended to : The recommendation of the elders to the branch office that Bill Neill be reappointed as an elder ‘once this has died down’ and their expressed concern ‘that there may be worldly people who also know’ were inappropriate and did not reflect the policy and practice of Jehovahs Witnesses.
This is part of watchtowers rebuttal. Notice that they made no excuses or defense for the brothers who made this statement. All of these years they had no problem with it now all of a sudden its a problem? It was inappropriate?
I want you to take a good hard look at that statement. Those brothers were torn to shreds trying to DEFEND the precious org. Did the org try to shield them for this seemingly harmless statement? Nope and nope. So why should YOU take a bullet for THEM?
Reply
 
 
 dee says:

 December 15, 2015 at 11:45 pm
 
Isn’t it just grand, God is going to replace the governments of the world (including the Australian government which is now unearthing the WT’s child abuse policy flaws) with the GB past and present who will rule in his kingdom over the WT’s promised paradise earth after all these other governments have been destroyed. LOL.
If only the new system would come right now so that earth’s new rulers (the GB) will have their way and be the ones to call the shots! They can’t wait to get their hands on writing those new scrolls that will be opened in the new system – imagine a two witness rule in paradise to deal with the child molesters who will be resurrected from the dead. LOL.
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16 Responses to Videos

 KtotheRAD "Konrad" says:

 August 25, 2013 at 6:55 pm
 
With every word they reveal and “impart” far more than they ever intended…
Reply
 
 
 george says:

 August 27, 2013 at 4:45 am
 
Sorry Cedars, I can only access the first video on my I pad. There are a lot of over sized play icons and they won’t work.
Reply
 
 
 Luke says:

 October 27, 2013 at 5:27 pm
 
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
 cult three years ago for good. My only regret is that I had not left the Watchtower Cult earlier! On Easter Sunday this year, I was baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit and received into Eastern Orthodox Church, apostolic Church that preserved the Faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
Cedar, you have my blessings of your work on this site that
 will yet help millions of JWs to see the truth of so-called ‘Truth’.
Reply
 
 
 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
 
 Holy Connoli says:

 November 17, 2015 at 1:14 am
 
Frankie.If I were you I would turn him into the police now even though it may have been several years ago he committed this crime. Many sexual predators get turned in years later after the crime is reveled. At the very least he will be investigated and his Name will be mud for being a creep.
 He deserves it and so does the WT for its NON protection of the flock and not caring for the victim but only their phony reputation.
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
 
 
 Adrian says:

 September 8, 2015 at 3:32 am
 
I think the Royal Commission videos demonstrate that fragility of the governance within the WT society. Yes, it’s an Australia branch issue but cross examination only points to the seat of control on which the governing body members sit. Everything starts and stops with the governing body, they set the policy but where are they? Sitting comfortably in NY watching from a distance ready to abdicate any responsibility whatsoever. A governing body governs and leads but I see no leadership I see the followers talking and being bashed around the head with questions, all too easy for the legal team.
However, it might just be me but does anyone else not see the lawyer’s gap in knowledge regarding the fundamental rationale for the WT society policies, they fall back in their comfort zone knowing that they can say ‘well we don’t have the authority to go beyond the bible.’
It’s this gap in knowledge of the legal representatives which the WT society exploit. I mean nobody is going to ask ‘ where actually did this translation come from anyway?’ What were the academic qualifications of the translators? Is there a possibility that you have interpreted things wrongly or even worse, translated things incorrectly? If there’s a possibility that your interpretation on how to deal with modern day child abuse cases in congregations may be flawed, then are you in agreement that your policies could result in lasting harm to victims of abuse? In my view that translation is the ‘elephant in the room’ every scholar knows it’s perverse but no one is holding this cult to account. So easy to say it’s all in the bible but should they really be saying it’s all in the NWT instead?
The WT society in the videos almost give of an innocence as if to say, ‘ but that’s what we understand from the scriptures’, and I think it works in their favor, but a savvy legal representative would do well to tease out the basis for the rendering of certain verses on which doctrine, policy and organisational decisions are based. So far the WT Society appears to be one step ahead because their authority is not a person but a book, which they are ‘only trying to understand and live by’. Expose the origin of the NWT and the basis for so many ridiculous uncaring decisions is called into question.
Reply
 
 
 Rick Viger says:

 November 10, 2015 at 3:26 pm
 
Thanks John for all you do with your videos.
 I’m an ex JW for 40 years now. I hope your videos reach some witnesses and make them think. For all of you that have left Watchtower remember you made the right decision.
Reply
 
 
 S.T. says:

 November 24, 2015 at 9:48 pm
 
I was wondering if anyone has heard that Jehovah’s witnesses are telling there congregations that the end of this system could have only hours left? My sister who is a Jehovah’s Witness said they are preaching this at the congregations. Has anyone else heard this?
Reply
 
 
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7 Dec
 Reveal        ✔   @reveal 
A new report claims Jehovah's Witnesses shield child abusers from police intervention. http://ow.ly/VAwq8  pic.twitter.com/IZZNwF8eb4

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7 Dec
 Trey Bundy   @TreyBundy 
Jehovah's Witnesses under fire by Australian gov't for shielding child sexual abusers. @reveal https://www.revealnews.org/blog/jehovahs-witnesses-shield-child-sexual-abusers-from-police-report-says/ …

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6 Dec
 Lloyd Evans   @cedarsjwsurvey 
In case you were unaware, future tweets and videos will be increasingly atheist. Bullying by evangelical thugs only makes me shout louder.

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4 Dec
 Susannah JW Reporter   @JWReport 
Portuguese Documentary overshadows #Governingbody visit  http://jwsurvey.org/governing-body-2/the-friday-column-portuguese-documentary-overshadows-governing-body-visit …

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4 Dec
 Lloyd Evans   @cedarsjwsurvey 
This week's Friday Column takes a look at the Governing Body's misadventures with the Portuguese media... http://wp.me/p1TWXJ-2dK



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2 Dec
 Lloyd Evans   @cedarsjwsurvey 
In my latest article I use recent controversies to explain the dynamics of the ex-JW "community"... http://wp.me/p1TWXJ-2dd



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2 Dec
 Lloyd Evans   @cedarsjwsurvey 
It's so encouraging to see authorities waking up to the harm caused by the #watchtower cult http://gu.com/p/4ekfx/stw



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