View archives
from August 6, 2000 to December 1, 2000 (initial period)
View archives
from December 1, 2000 to December 31, 2000 (many responses)
View archives
from January 1 to January 31, 2001
View archives
from February 1 to February 28, 2001
View
archives from March 1, 2001 to April 30, 2001
View archives from June 2001 to Dec 31, 2001
View archives from January 1, 2002 to June
30, 2002
My story would take too long to write but after the severe abuse suffered at the hands of "elders" and "ministerial servants" I find it encouraging to read of other experiences similar to mine.
I have been in the truth my whole life (37 years) and am finding it really difficult to mentally make the break from something that has been drummed into me from a little girl. However, I find it difficult to comprehend that an organisation that has protected these wicked men who did these terrible things to me can actually be "the truth".
My mother has also sided with them - she refused to come to court for me (even though she knew the truth of the matter) because she said that what I am doing is wrong. It's bringing reproach on Jehovah's name, and she won't be party to that.
For me it is a way of getting my life back and healing!! I'm not deliberatley doing this. I JUST WANT TO HEAL! I am battling to forgive and I will never forget! I am writing this letter from South Africa to prove that this big cover up takes place all over the world. The "elder" is still and "elder" and the convicted "ministerial servant" (in a court of law) has still not been disfellowshipped.
So whats new?
Hello fellow victims of the WT - no one has posted since me on the first of DEC.- if possible let us take a break from our depression, the WT.the abusive ORG. and their reorg.crap and have a great time celibrating x-mas and new years too--GUYs IT IS OK REALLY. WHAt are you guys doing for the holidays--the big parade for me is the Rose Parade. WHAT about you???Then we can rebuild our emotional/mental strength for the new year 2001 a happier New Year for all--put all that crap on the back bunner for the HOLIDAYS..LINDA KERSEY
Ironically, and probably because the holidays are imminent, I have been thinking about my experiences growing up as a JW. Left when I was 18 because of a "crisis on conscience" over doctrine I believe was inaccurate and unbelievable, and suffered greatly as a result. BUT, my experiences pale in light of what I am reading here. My heart goes out to each and every one of you, and I am humbled by your strength. I will pray for you to have peace of mind and heart, and would appreciate same.
I know a friend who's dad continually physically abused him and fought with him. My friend constantly went to the elders for help, but seeing as his father was an elder, they didn't believe him. When my friend left the congr. his father threw him out of the house and left him to fend for himself. He lost no congregation privleges and continues to serve as an elder.
Our congregation had a talk called 'Watch out paedophiles about' and it basically discussed that there was a 'brother' who was touching the kids. He was never formally repremanded but was later moved on to a neighbouring congregation. He is still there and is an elder!. In my congregation the elder who wanted to pass on the information to Social Services was deleted and finally left.
Hello again! Since I logged in about a month ago I have been amazed at the amount of responses. It is certainly chilling to read some of your stories. The one theme I picked out of it all was that the oh so holy elders and ministerial servants are getting away with it! The totally ridiculous excuse of reproach on Jehovah is a joke. The entire Watchtower Borg is a reproach to Jehovah. I still believe in the divine truth of the Bible, that Jehovah is God and that Jesus is our great redeemer. What I no longer in good conscience can believe is the false and arrogant teachings of men.I remember as a young boy after the rapes seeing my molestors speaking at assemblies and being treated as holy wise men. It scared me then, thinking it was my sin. But now I see that the Governing Body and the rest of the Watchtowers minions are nothing more than the Pharisees Jesus condemned. I do not mind giving my name since I do not fear my molestors. They most likely are dead by now or in some nursing home. My name is Mark H. Palo, I live in Lowell, Massachucetts and my email is; palo50@yahoo.com My last comment is that the elders here in Lowell are typical of the idiots and liars that permeate the entire borg. Take care and keep writing your stories, it is grand encouragement and shows the Watchtower for what it really is, a man made organization. your brother marco polo I look foward to dialog with other victims. !
Hi Randy, I have posted previously on this site since Oct. I am encourage to see so many victim/survivors telling their stories here. You are all so brave. This is something we all were told "not to talk about it or it would bring reproach on Jehovah's name." Since so many of us have been hurt by the elders taking direction from the Society regarding silence in behalf of the molesters, therefore making it a have for pedophiles in the Watchtower Society, it would be a loud statement to be able to post the general areas that these congregations are. I and many other victims come from the North Jersey area where congregations seem to have "holy spirt" directed towards families of elders protecting pedophiles.
In most states, I believe, adults, *all adults* have a duty to report to the child welfare authorities if there is even a suspicion of extreme physical, emotional or mental abuse or neglect on a child.
My thoughts would be that the Elders and the Society could be held liable in civil lawsuits (providing that the Statute of Limitations on criminal liability has elapsed) if there was concrete and corroborative evidence that child abuse was suspected but not reported appropriately to the authorities.
Of course, it would be mostly up to victims and their supports to gather this evidence through lawyers and such. I do know that the Elders of the organization are quite secretive, however, there is some hope as the laws seem to be changing in several countries about what constitutes "ecclesiastical exemption." It is progressively being described that a person may not claim this exemption if it pertains to abuse cases, and if they are not "paid" clergical members. It also seems to me that I read that these exemptions are not valid when there is the abuse of a child involved. It would be interesting to see some case law on this.
Just one question:
Why can people sue the Catholic Church in class action lawsuit and get $$ and an apology, and no one has sued the JW's in a similar matter?
morning - REGARDING 12/5 11:35AM - THAT IS A DAMN GOOD QUESTION - BUT IS MONEY GONA UNDO THE WRONG?? UNDO THE HARM???they SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO LEGAL JUSTICE FIRST AND FORMOST AND WHEN IT IS INCEST THE MOTHER DEFINATELY SHOULD yell LOUD AND CLEAR AND i MEAN LOUD......linda kersey
That is a good question about the money. But what about the pain, humiliation, depression and fear? No amount of money can help that. The entire Watchtower Society should be held as accountable as the Catholic Chruch is. They have to admit thier accountability, thier arrogance, thier secretiveness and stop hiding like so called worldly religions do with ecleasatical privelege. The publicity surrounding this would seriously hurt the borg! Take care and keep writing, your brother marco polo...
Praise the Lord, Jesus Christ! He is my Lord and Savior!
I am disfellowshipped (thank God!) and even though I am now 41 years old and have been out of this Jehovah's Witness cult since age 19, I still feel lots of pain.
I was molested by my brother when I was growing up. Later, when I was married, I told my Jehovah Witness mother what had happened. She said it was "normal" and that's what brothers do. When I finally confronted my brother, asking him why he molested me, he stated that he, too, was molested BY OUR MOTHER when he was a child. He states she would dress him up in girl's dresses and put him in bed with my mom's girlfriend. So, he says, that's why he molested me too. My mom denied ever doing this, but she is prone to being a liar.
My mother, brother, and this "other woman" in the bed are all Jehovah's Witnesses. As hard as it is for me, I do forgive them, and pray they will all become Children of God very soon, before it's too late.
What an evil world we live in. Lord Jesus, we need you and love you!
I just found this site tonight & am so glad I did. I too have an experience to share.When I was a teen,I was raped repeatedly by a fellow teen in the congregation.I was baptized,he was not yet baptized. I was a few years older than he was,but he was larger & much stronger than me.Both our fathers were elders. I never told anyone about it. To this day,21 years later,my parents still don't know.I wanted to tell them then,but was too ashamed & mostly afraid. I was afraid that they would think it was my fault because I was the older,baptized one.I also knew that it would mean commitee meetings. I couldn't bear the thought of sitting in a room with noone but a bunch of men in attendence after what happened. And to have to go into detail about what that boy did to me! This has caused me problems for years.At least reading these posts I know that I'm not alone.As for my JW status now, I dissassociated myself 5 years ago over after laying down the literature & reading the Bible for myself & the kjv at that!
Randy, although you mentioned not to leave names, perpetrator's names or places, I think it would be a good way of helping to exposed the Watchtower Society by naming areas or where congregations are harboring men who rape and molest and are getting away with it by remaining in good standing in their congregations.
what a great service here thank you randy and all of your staff..may our LORD bless you more fully!!! i have a comment to add. an older lady who was friends with my mom for many years(both devout jw's, but my mom is passed away)had moved to the same state i live in now(tenn). many years ago, while i was "strayed" from jw life, this sister called me out of the blue and was depressed and crying. she was contemplating suicide and was distraught about the cold treatment from her grown sons. i was very bitter about my own life and the marital chaos i was in the middle of, so i was not very receptive to this woman. for that i feel so badly about, as i am now a christain, and realize that was a loveless act to be cold to her. i would approach her today, but as i'm infamous for being apostate, she would never consider speaking to me.... well, my trian of thought was this.. sahe told me about the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her uncles and cousins, as a young girl. these were highly regarded jw men in vermont many many years ago. how sad. all these years of mental suffering , her husband was not right in the head either, but she was a jw to the bone, in spite of these horrific abuses she suffered. i think back to that conversation, it explained alot about her odd personality..living a lie called "the truth", pretending they have the only true acceptable worship of GOD, yet hiding and covering up sins, abuses, lies, and hypocrosy...margaret.. i'm so sorry i turned my back on you.....
i AM GLAD MARCO POLO LEFT HIS PERSONAL INFO / HE IS A NEAT GUY TOO MR, WATTERS IN MANY WAYS MORE SO THEN YOU - BUT WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO IT BRASS TACKS AND ALL------I AM THE BEST ONE OF ALL.....momalousnews@webtv.net
Dear momalousnews, I was very happy to find this Guestbook where people who have been hurt through abuse, violence, sexual assault including child molestation, incest and rape, can express thier stories, and share some of the mutual pain that they experienced while in the Watchtower Society and it's imposed silence by the so called "spiritual shepherds.", However, your comments seem to be agressive and unkind. The people who post here have had to deal with verbal abuse and shaming from their past experiences. That is why this post should be a place where those of us who have experienced these kind of traumas can feel free to share our stories without having to deal with taunting, and perpetrating comments from others here. I am grateful that Randy has provided a site like this where we can all confidently post, without the fear of re-experiencing shaming verbal abuse by another poster. All of us have made mistakes and were often physically and verbally punished first within our families and then within the congregation for speaking out. This site should not be a place where victim/survivors are fearful to do that lest someone hurtfully comments with taunts and ridicule. I understand you have been hurt as well , so please remember to be peaceful, and kind. "P"
A new website for the exposure (within legal parameters) of abusive sexual predators within the Watchtower Society is online at URL: http://hometown.aol.com/abaadun/predatorsamongusindex.html. Just sign the guestbook as anonymous to keep your identity from public scrutiny. There is a privacy option for comments in the guestbook there.
I know first hand of an abuse case where I live. The mother of the victim was going to report the incident to the police, but the elders strongly adviced her not to. I thought this really, really goes to show how the mental hold this religion has on its followers.
If a Crime has been committed such as robbery or a hit and run, or a murder, or a rape, anyone having first hand information should legally and morally feel obligated to call the prosecutors office. The elders are hiding criminals and think they are above the law of God and man. Their only interest is to keep their secret of pedophilia. They, though, are ENABLED by those who don't speak out against thier sins and criminal coverups.HOW DARE THEY TELL A MOTHER NOT TO REPORT THIER CHILD BEING MOLESTED TO THE POLICE. I GUARENTEE,IF SOMEONE STOLE THEIR CAR, OR FOR THAT FACT A CD PLAYER IN THIER CAR YOU BETTER BELIEVE THEY WOULD CALL THE POLICE. IS NOT A HUMAN BEING WORTH MORE. ???????? ANYONE WHO HAS FIRST HAND KNOWLEGE OF A CRIMINAL ACT AGAINST A CHILD INCLUDING A MOTHER OR ONE WITH FIRST HAND INFO HAS A DUTY TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE VICTIM AND NOT PROTECT THE PERPETRATOR OR THOSE WHO ENABLE THEM. WHERE WERE THESE ELDERS LOCATED, IN THE NORTHERN JERSEY CIRCUIT??????? IT WOULDN'T SUPRISE ME.
To the writer that complained about picking on the JWs. Get real! The person who said that the JWs point fingers but refuse to look in the mirror at themselves is totally correct. They do nothing! You might have been lucky to meet some mindless minions of the borg, but that does not make them all saints. The rapes that occured to me happened 40 years ago, yet I am still angry and feel betrayed. The Jehovahs Witnesses ruined a 21 year marriage, ruined my reputation and wiped me out financially. I turned to drink! How did the mindless elders handle it? One of these rubes offered me a study in the Truth book. How ignorant can you be? Alcoholism and drug abuse is not a MORAL ISSUE! It has been proven to be a disease! The JWs still treat it as a moral issue, how neandrethal can you get? I was left to sink or swim. It was a Roman Catholic and a Baptist that saved me. How ironic, the Wathctower claims these people are minions of Satan and that Great Whore Babylon. Don't even get me started about Babylon, the writers at the WT had to be on some damn good peyote.So before you just look at your SMALL little cozy world, look around and in conclusion I ask, why are you , a friend of the JWs, even looking at this Watchtower labeled apostate web site? Have worries? Doubts? Then all can't be hunky dory in Candyland. It was members of the HOLY Bethelites that raped a 10-112 year old boy, ME! My name is Mark H. Palo: palo50@yahoo.com
I just discoved this site today. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know that I am not alone. I was abused by the elders son when I was only 4. They said it was my fault because I was too pretty,at 4 years old! He was never punished for what he did to me. He is married now and has children of his own. How can they let this happen? I hope one day the congregation will be exposed for the sick,demented,fucked up cult that it is.
I have every sympathy for some peoples bad experiences and I in no way condone them, but unfortunately we are living in a world where people, believe it or not, ARE imperfect.
Some of you really have an axe to grind with members of the Watchtower Society but didn't you ever learn while you were members that these characters WOULD infiltrate the congregation in the time of the end?
Its nobodys fault, except for the individuals who caused these travestys and perhaps the Elders DID handle it wrong in some instances but at the end of the day we are all imperfect!
Give people a break!
TO ALL BE IT FRIEND OR FOE---WT/is a cult and is full of abusive people as members from mere publisher to higharcy etc. RELIGION is man made anyway--GOD is not / I look to GOD and the GOD within myself and then it does away with rules ad regulations of the WT considerably...I dress to suit myself for instance - flannels to sweats - I am warm and that is what matters..HAPPINESS comes from within - in other words it starts with YOU first and only you....SO ALL I CAN SAY - after much soul searching and 40 years in the WT and standing back and observing people, etc. I am Happier out of the ORG. singing Jesus loves, and celebrating the Holidays. Being as single and celibate that I am = the list goes on.....Mark Palo can call himself what he wants. I am going to still call him honey cause that is what I choose too. Ignore the negative and actuate (sp) the positive..I have not seen Susan Forward in 21 years now - but the 4 months I spent in worldy therapy with her - lets say certainly left her mark....MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A SAFE-SOBER And EMOTIONALLY REFLECTIVE NEW YEAR.HAPPY HOLIDAYS
You seem to miss the point. Whe are aware that things like child abuse do happen all over the world and in every religious organization. All we want is to fight for our right as victims and we want to point out that the"Oh so clean" WTBS is not so clean after all. How would you react when your neighboor molested your child, I bet you would screem and gave them a run for the money. Would you give them a break? I think not.
I do take your points and you are right that child molestation happens all over the world. That is why surely we are in the last days. It also talks in the bible about the one "who endures to the end will be saved". From that scripture it is not surprising that people will fall away and act disgracefully. Some of you are just on a witch-hunt against the Society and are looking for any excuse to attack. - get a life.
To the person who attacked every aspect of the WTS - to say that you are happier now out of the organization is true but to say that religion is man-made is garbage. How on earth do you explain the scripture where it says "Jesus is the head of the congregation?" - Surely that talks about people gathering together in a congregation setting (Heb 10:24,25). Where is your excuse? And would you think that Jesus would like you celebrating Christmas( check Catholic encyclopaedia) - pagan festival?
Can I just point out that its unlikely that sexual abuse/molestation is any more common among JW's than any other religious organisation, for example the Catholic church. I would hope that it is less widespread, and has a lower percentage rate than the population as a whole.
Thanks for beeing considerate in your language when speaking to us. I realy appriciate this, some just get to emotional or angry. Please also excuse my english I'm German and make a lot of mistakes I know. Here are some thoughts of my own. I used to be a smoker because I wanted to be one of JW I stopped. I had a lot of bad habbits I stopped. A child abuser should be able to stopp if he realy wants to. He can get help if he can not do it on his own. If I was cought smoking I would have been disfellowshipped, why the double standard when it comes to child abuse? Which is in my opinion no comparison to smoking. I remember while studying and also later, that JW's do not let any clergy they know of who did something like this, get away with. How can anybody be so selfrightous not to see that they themself have the very same problems? It does not make an organization clean by just not talking about it or to cover up the stories. The victims where abused twice Can you even imagine what it is like to be sexual abused as a child and to grow up with this? I have been sexual abused by my own grandfather whom was one of JW's, funy, this is the first time I talk about this. I was on prozac while I was a JW, I was in a mental health institution right after I got baptized because I had to have an operation and was scared that something might happen and I needed blood. I told an elder at my congr. what had happed to me and why I suffer depressions, all he had to say was: "I wished you wouldn't have told me, so that I can see you still as the same person as before you told me." After reading all these stories, and these are just stories about child abuse, doesn't that make you think just a little bit? Everyone of us has a story to tell and we all would have never admitted that we even had one to tell when we where still in the org.. I just picked up Ray Franzes book because I thought that I was to die at armageddon anyway because I could not take the pressure anymore. And this was the best thing I ever did in my life. It took me three years to free my mind from the "clean language" I had learned by the JW's. Is that brain washing or not? You are not even able to express your own toughts no more in your vern own words after beeing a JW. That is not something to be proud about. If we are spiritual adults, we should be able to speak and express ourself like adults, and don't need to have others do the thinking and speaking.
Hi,
There shouldn't be any double standards for child abuse. It should be dealt with and the people removed from the congregation. If not the the visiting Overseer should remove the Elders responsible from their positions(if they have made a mistake in dealing with the situation).
As a JW I have heard of many of these situations and I am disgusted as some of you that are no longer in the WTS. But was it really worth giving it all up?? You can be stumbled but really can you be stumbled out of the Truth if it meant so much to you?? At the end of the day, we come to the Kingdom Hall and go on the Ministry to serve Jehovah - NOT to serve men.
Unfortunately Satan is effecting the Christian Congregation(as foretold in the scriptures) and people are infiltrating of this nature. Believe me I sympathise deeply with you ones which have genuinely suffered I have also suffered injustices myself at times, but I AM NO WAY GOING TO LET ANYONE DESTROY MY RELATIONSHIP WITH JEHOVAH. Its a pity some of you have. I urge you to reconsider your thoughts and realise that these people WILL be dealt with by Jehovah. Please don't let yourselves go down with them and the rest of this wicked world.
Best Wishes
You do care about us and that is refreshing. My relationship with Jehovah by the way was never better than after I left the ORGANIZATION. Jehovah does not equals Organization for me. It is the WTBS who makes us believe that this is the case. The Organization just reminds me too much of that what the Jews did when they came up with the talmud. There was the bible but they had to interpred every single scripture to such an extend that it was almost impossible to follow. I just can no longer believe that a Organization who has made so manz mistakes and still makes is singled out by God to be the only tru religion. When I went out in service I have met so obviously strong christians at the door that every single time that happend I asked myself what kind of God I worship if he let these people die at armageddon since their faith was so strong. They didn't believe in going to meetings xamound of times in the week, they didn't go from door to door to bring in hours preaching to others, but there meeknes and warmth towards others was a testemony in itself. They had love, which I missed between "God's people". In 10 years of beeing a JW I have been only three times to an elderly person a sister, who lived in an old folks home, to see her or visit her. I never knew the sister, but others in the congr. did. Why, just because you couldn't count the time. I know you meen well and I thank you for that, but I just have seen too much and it is just not possible that the WTBS equals Jehovah.
To Mr. D.R. van Engers: I recieved your email about your doubts on my story. I have tried to reply but keep recieving message "not sent" due to error in the "to" field, meaning your email address may have a mistake. I would gladly verify my story for you if you contact me again. I am interested as to why my story stood out from the others. Was it because it occurred at Bethel? I have not been in therapy for five years because I feel like it nor can one fool trained professionals for too long. I know, I am a Human Service major in college. To all, have happy holdays however you may spend them, your brother, Mark H. Palo; palo50@yahoo.com
To the JW who signed,"Best Wishes" What would make you think that anyone on this site who has been victimized by the WTS's ignoring pedophilia would believe this is God's Organization. When I learned the "TRUTH" in the Truth Book in 1970, what drew me was the fact that it claimed to be God's clean representative on earth. and the other religions filled with immoral spritual leaders were to be recognized by the "fruitage". Well let's apply that standard that WATCHTOWER applies to all other religions of "Christendom". The Watchtower Society cannot measure up to any of it's own standards. It is a money hungry, wealthy Business Corporation hiding all it's financial interests all over banks of the world without being too up front with the governments where the money is going. Now they send Bethelite sharpies to college to learn to be lawyers to "protect their interests' and that is a known fact. They have so much real estate that they need to turn into cash and hide and transfer funds supposedly for kingdom hall buildings, but guess what, they have lawyers doing their legal dirty work and it is not only in the interest of real esatate but in the interest of hiding it's huge problem with SEXUAL ABUSE COVERUP. Their corrupt lawyers love to work hard to hide this, that is why elders are directed from the top to keep the secret. And guess who is the fall guy. SATAN Himself. This way they don't have to take responsibilty for the filth they call "BRothers in good standing" knocking on the doors. Watchtower is just as blood guilty as those it claims to be. And no abuse victim here is sorry for not being in the kingdom hall where the Society speaks lies from the stage.What a dishonor to Christ to protect a pedophile and show a shunning attitude to anyone who tries to speak out. Ask any molestation victim/survivor and they will tell you. And yes the Bible says wolves will enter in among the sheep, but in case you didn't know it, that is true of all those who want to follow their christian conscience and not go along with the religious organization that protects wolves, no matter who they are. Watchtower is a perpertrating abuser of those broken in spirit, and you and those like you are enabling it to happen. Do your research and read the Bible and not the NWT. I learned that is their version of the TRUTH. If you ever get the chance to see Sexual abuse victims sitting in a courtroom against their molester, and the elders and the WTS lawyers hiding behind "ecclesiastical privlege" just the way the clergy did that WTS accused, you would see that this is not God's mouthpiece on earth. Why? because it is impossible for God to lie. R.
Dear person who signs post as Best Wishes,
Why are you on this site?? Are not all of Jehovah's Witnesses supposed to stay off the internet with so called apostates? I am and so are many other posters on this site baptized witnesses who love God but do not believe the Borg is worried about you and our spirituality on the net. They don't want you to see how many people in the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses have been sexually abused by their elders. Were you on this site because you are so interested in us and want to encourage rape victims to go back into the system that embraces their abusers with protection from exposure. They fear exposing themselves. Remember the story of the Wizard of Oz? We have walked in Dorothy's shoes watching the "man" behind the curtain using fear portraying the Wizard. But the Wizard isn't what they believed it was. And Dorothy wasn't sighing and groaning over the fact that she didn't have the Wizard to beleive in anymore. The Wizard was the creation of a small greedy man. Dorothy learned that she must believe in her own strengh of faith. And she was happy to see that her faith led her in the right direction. Faith in God is not dependent on man telling you how to have faith. It is born out of distress and total dependence on God to direct you and faith in his love and mercy that he will always sustain you through prayer in your private room and from the heart. He does not dwell in manmade temples or buildings or kingdom halls, and 5 meetings a week of men being master over your faith will not bring you closer to God. I am a former pioneer and never did I develop the relationship with my God then that I have now. And it is not from constant studying. The Bible says always learning but never coming to an accurate knowlege. That is what Jehovah's Witnesses are. They are so busy learning and judging each others works and labels, they don't see the lack of Spirit in their Religous Community. Numbers and Statistics and an organizational Concept. How much like the Jewish Pharisees and Scribes of Jesus day. Their wolflike treatment of those afflicted. Jesus condemned them, he didn't say, oh well, stay among them because they are imperfect men. He urged the afflicted to follow him and separate from their legalistic teachings, and follow the law of love and compasssion and condemned wicked men. Jeremiah did the same. Any one who spoke out against Wicked men were persecuted. And that is what the Watchtower Pharisees do to Sexual abuse Victims through their elder pharisitical henchmen. Are you willing to speak out on what is wrong? Then tell where you come from, which congregation? You won't do that because the fear inspiring Wizard might "punish" you just like an abuser punishes a victim for exposing the abuse. Have a nice day.
To the writer who asked the question, "Why are you on this site?" I say BRAVO! Your words were well thought out,and delivered a powerful message!I fully agree with your attitude of identifying oneself and the congregational areas. It is high time the arrogant WTBS be exposed for it's malignant underbelly. In NYC , only the Catholic Church has more real estate holdings than the WTBS. Mark H. Palo, Lowell, Mass. palo50@yahoo.com , P.S. I bow to no man, only my savior Jesus Christ!
To the well intentioned people who come here to save our "wicked" souls, I don't think this is the place! The WTS is not being singled out for persecution. Look on the internet and you will find sites like this for about every religion out there. The reason why people come here is because of a common bond, being a witness and being violated. My going to a Catholic site would do me no good because I wasn't a Catholic, I was Witness and can relate to the way everyone else was treated. I stuck it out believeing that it was man and not the orginazation was messed up...I stuck it out through being molested 5 times(each being ignored), having my best friend being molested by her father from when she was three until she was sixteen(she was just too pretty he said), having various girls molested by sons of elders and bonding with them at sleep overs. All this I saw and accepted because I was told this was the truth. I got married to a MS/pioneer/former bethelite, like I was suppose to, and became a pioneer mother, like I was suppose to. Only after I found out that he has been cheating on me since before we were married, that he beat our daughter on a regular basis, after the elder knew and have personally witnessed these acts, after he left and took everything we had leaving me in tremendous debt and alone, after the elders asked me what I could have possibly done to deserve him to treat me like this(because he was extremely charismatic) did I start to question everything I had known since I was three months old. To ones who say find another congregation, we are admonished not to run away to different congregations because they are all the same, well they are right. No matter where you go they will cruxify a teenager for impusively giving in to hormones they are just beginning to have, but forgive a grown man for taking advantage of that same teenager. So in the end I tried very hard to overlook wrongdoind, just like everyone else, in my search for happiness. I then realized how unhappy I was and if my eternal life was to be spent around people who can destroy a life with little thought I would rather enjoy this life and my family and take my chances with death.
Another pet peeve, the way they condemn a teenager before thye ever do anything wrong. Our children are fun and lively and bound to make mistakes. If you destroy their self-esteem by making them feel guilty for just being alive, they have nothing to lose.
Have a wonderful weekend!
I was a JW but fell away because I couldn't handle the pressure. After reading these stories it brings me back to incidents that went on while I was a JW but I filed them away thinking they would be taken care of. However, they weren't. I realize that we live in a imperfect world but THIS ABUSE GOES ON WAY TO MUCH AND GETS OVER LOOKED. It really boggles my mind that these men who are appointed to oversee that the congergation is kept clean are not doing their job!! And that they are in fear of their reputation. As far as I can see many have left because their cases were not looked after and were looked upon as criminals. If you stand up for your rights you get thrown overboard because you put a man in power in jeoperdy. I feel really bad for the victims because they are not getting the support and are afraid to seek outside help. Now that I have become a stronger person I have often thought of being reinstated but I would probably be shipped out just as fast as going in. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE STILL IN THE JW'S AND ARE A VICTIM OF ABUSE --- YOU HAVE RIGHTS -- DO WHAT EVER IT TAKES LET JEHOVAH GUIDE YOU NOT THE MEN IN POWER!!!!
I was a JW but fell away because I couldn't handle the pressure. After reading these stories it brings me back to incidents that went on while I was a JW but I filed them away thinking they would be taken care of. However, they weren't. I realize that we live in a imperfect world but THIS ABUSE GOES ON WAY TO MUCH AND GETS OVER LOOKED. It really boggles my mind that these men who are appointed to oversee that the congergation is kept clean are not doing their job!! And that they are in fear of their reputation. As far as I can see many have left because their cases were not looked after and were looked upon as criminals. If you stand up for your rights you get thrown overboard because you put a man in power in jeoperdy. I feel really bad for the victims because they are not getting the support and are afraid to seek outside help. Now that I have become a stronger person I have often thought of being reinstated but I would probably be shipped out just as fast as going in. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE STILL IN THE JW'S AND ARE A VICTIM OF ABUSE --- YOU HAVE RIGHTS -- DO WHAT EVER IT TAKES LET JEHOVAH GUIDE YOU NOT THE MEN IN POWER!!!!
the information from the magazines about how we must "protect our children;" - the paedophile must "pay the price" for his crime according to the laws of the country he is in; - we can approach the elders about anything with "confidence and trust" that they are our hiding place; - etc., etc., - we were in a congregation where the elders protected the child molester over and above the children of the congregation. We began to form a relationship with the child molester (un-be-known to us!!) and thank Jehovah! a brother (good old publisher, nearly inactive) out of concern told us to be careful and explained why - my husband went to the Presiding Overseer immediately and asked "are my children safe in the company of brother so and so?" The answer? "No, they are not." Now what would you do? The stinking elders put the child molester's well-being before our children's emotional and physical well-being. The rotten beggars kept it quiet and didn't tell us and from then on, the hypocrisy about going to the elders as we can trust them and the love we have for each other etc., etc., appears to be total rubbish because it wasn't there for the children or parents of the congregation. Since then it appears there is another child abuser in the congregation but of course the person is un-named and hence every male is under accusation... and one of the elders has been accused of sexually abusing his daughter (by his daughter) but he is still an elder and nothing is done about it. Best thing is to leave the sexual deviants to fiddle amongst themselves and move on..Do we go to another congregation? Tried that, but we looked at the brothers and sad to say, there is no longer any trust there. Once the trust goes...
We were told by a friendly policeman that our congregation was under investigation for being part of a paedophile ring and to get out of it. We did.
Comments made to "Best wishes". Thank you friends you just can express yourself better than I can and also got some points across. How can anybody, knowing this, still believe that it is just a matter of stumbling over imperfect people? I do expect from God's people that they ARE more loving and caring then others, but for sure I didn't see it in the KH's I have been to.
To the Poster who spoke about a "pedophile ring", mentioned by the police dpt that is investigating. this is very interesting because I believe this is happening in many many areas. I myself come from the Bergen County New Jersey area and there are many congregations in that area that have incestuous family members in position of elder and ministerial servants. The ones who become close to these men and their enabling families are made to believe that pedophiles don't exist when in fact they know quite well that the very ones they are protecting have not only been crminally charged with sexual assault against thier own family members in the "Truth" but also non believing relatives' children and people within their neighborhoods. The elder "policy" to say that they protect the children in their congregations is bull and also what about the children that are in their neighborhoods? Which elder notifies the parents in the territory they "preach" door to door or are brought to a "Bible Study" to count their time so they can be labeled an "active Publisher". I am very concerned about this from my own personal experience with the matter just explained and I have posted on this site before concerning "Haven for Pedophiles, Conspiracy of Silence, another Post mentioning an elder at an assembly giving an experience when in fact he is also himself a past pedophile according to the definition in DSM IV, and protecting his pedophile father who molested and was convicted of sexually assaulting his own daughter, his own wife's sisters and his own nieces and cousins, yet this elder was validated at a circuit assembly with by knowing Circuit overseers and District Overseers and "fellow elders" the "Good ol Boys Club" you might want to refer to it as. This is just not right and ANYONE who can be brave enough to speak out the more accountable these people will become publically as they continue to shun victim/survivors. My family are Victim/Survivors of Pedophilia condoned and given "implied permission" to continue under hiding. The congregations involved in my own case are in the North Jersey area. Victims in their congregations past and presently are faced with a crushed spirit. I am especially appalled at the latest study article in the Watchtower this past Sunday. Although I refuse to go to a kingdom hall and hear the lies and misuse of Scriptures, I was told by someone who is a victim/survivor that the WT study article mentioned the cleaness of the WTS and pointed their fingers at other Churches. Even one who commented at that study was himself a known abuser sitting in the audience after denying his own involvement in sexually molesting his stepdaughter, which was known by members of the congregation, and the elders. The step daughter, had left the congregation with feelings of suicidal thoughts. This must be made known so that the watchtower elders cannont cover it up for fear of lawsuits. I am from the North Jersey area of Bergen county. I have previously posted as RWH, Barbara, P, and also unsigned. My name is Barbara Pandelo and I and my family are Victim/Survivors of the Watchtower Society's implied permission to incestuous family elders to protect the convicted PEDOPHILE family member, and continue to Slander the Victim/Survivors within the Circuit.
I was raised a Witness by my parents -=- Dad's an elder, has been for 15 years; Mom pioneered for years, both sisters and my brother are still JWs. At seven years of age, my brother was abused by the son of a woman who was studying with another Pioneer. There were several small boys from the congregation that were involved, and the elders "encouraged" the families to handle the issue "internally." One sister decided to take matters into her own hands (bravo!) and contacted the local authorities. Child services made house calls on all of the families involved, and met with some opposition, from what I understand.
It breaks my heart to think of what my poor little brother suffered at the hands of another child. When my mother informed me of what happened, she cried and cried, blaming herself for not knowing and not listening when my brother told her that he didn't want to go to the boy's house for a sleepover -=- turns out it had happened on several occasions, not just the "one time, " as Childrens' Services were told. Part of me wanted to tell her "it *is* your fault for putting him in the kind of situation where this could happen!" But I know that that isn't true -=- the Witnesses are a more dangerous cult than people are willing to admint. Thank God I got away when I did, before too much damage could be done.
I just discovered this site.Both of my girls were molested by brothers at the hall.(one of them was a ministrial servant)The witnesses prefer to handle any problems internally(yes,it is true)I am still a JW as is my wife.The organization has problems that they refuse to acknowledge or do anything about.They just want to save face.If you complain you could be threatened to be thrown out(goodby family and friends)or be charged with slander.(Direct words from the C.O.)I live in Northern Onterio and the congregations everywhere has problems.
I USUALLY DON'T LIKE LARGE LETTERS-BUT THIS TIME I WILL MAKE AN EXCEPTION: TO RANDY THANKS- AND ALL OF YOU A VERY MERRY HOLIDAY SEASON-TAKE CARE
Lists of Areas involving SEXUAL ABUSE comitted by Elders and Ministerial Servants & otherwise Brothers who were in "good standing".
Brooklyn, New York, Bethel Northern Onterio Southern Missouri Northern New Jersey, Bergen, & Passaic Counties Georgia Bradenton, Florida Nevada Lowell, Mass.
All of you who have had the courage to speak out are beginning to expose a hypocritical, Organized religion that has in the past succeeded in covering it's invovement with pedophilia. Just as in an incestuous household, and in a pedophile molesting a child, the Society, wants silence from the abused victims. This way the secret is kept from the outside, and the victim is made to feel like the one who has done something wrong by allowing it. The more of us who are willing to speak out, the less power the perpetrating molesters and the perpetrating religion who gives them implied permission so to speak, will be able to use to silence the victims. Threats of shunning or trumped up charges of apostacy for those who speak out are what befalls many who refuse to keep silent about the Watchtower Society's Pedophile problem. I hope that more of those who have been sexually assaulted and silenced by evil men who have had positions as "shepherds" will continue to list their experiences and areas where it occured. Then a victim can take back some of the power and control that the abuser took from them, and aiding in healing, and becoming a survivor and no more a victim.
True story here: After a brother was disfellowshipped, he sat at meetings being shunned for two years and was then reinstated. He than befriended my wife and I and kept offering to change our babies diaper. He kept holding our baby son. Many in the congregation knew he was disfellowshipped for sexual molestation of a 6 year old boy he baby sat on a daily basis for over a year but did not inform me or warn me following the elders' advise. Finally, a brother from a nearby congregation, informed me of a warning put out by his elders that this man should not be allowed by anyone's children. This is because he was giving signs of child interest. I then entered an elder at my congregation, meeting with 7 elders, and approached them. They were extremely apologetic claiming they were afraid I would be stumbled and leave the "truth". Apparently, they were willing to allow my son to be molested to save me from leaving. Thank God, to my knowledge, no molestation took place. This man still remains a Jehovah's Witness and sources have told me that he has since been seen hanging around children a little more than usual
The
Watchtower
Society
now
has
over
90,000
congregations.
So
reasonably
about
500,000
men
are
at
the
start
of
2001
now
Ministerial
Servants
and
Elders,
collectively
called
Servants.
If
only
one
per
1,000
is
a
sex
molester
at
least
500
are
active
in
the
90,000
congregations.
The
more
the
number
of
congregations
and
Servants,
the
more
the
number
of
sexual
abusers
will
increase.
The
current
Watchtower
approach
is
to
hide
the
molesters.
I
read
where
that
was
admitted
in
a
court
case
in
Texas
involving
an
elder
handling
incest.
It
continues
so
we
must
shine
more
light
on
it
for
the
children's
sakes.
I
know
I
must
change
names
and
so
on
but
I
want
to
tell
this
personal
experience.
I
have
been
in
more
than
one
hall
in
Missouri,
not
just
in
the
southern
part
of
it,
and
the
abuses
occur
in
other
parts
of
Missouri.
In
one
hall
an
older
sister
who
was
much
devoted
to
the
Watchtower
Society
made
an
inquiry
and
an
elder
told
her
she
had
absolutely
no
right
to
do
so.
Sure,
the
Watchtower
men
give
no
such
right
but
the
law
and
God
do.
This
happened
after
a
Servant
had
already
been
sentenced
to
prison
for
molesting
a
child.
When
I
heard
what
happened
I
was
furious.
I
have
my
own
babies
to
think
of.
I
myself
sent
an
anonymous
letter
reporting
that
molester
and
asking
the
Missouri
Department
of
Family
Services
investigate
to
see
if
other
children
at
the
Kingdom
Hall
where
this
happened
had
also
been
molested
and
to
offer
counseling.
The
MDFS
did
absolutely
nothing
which
is
not
surprising
for
they
also
did
nothing
when
two
little
boys
(non-JWs)
had
molesting
reported
in
their
instances
too,
and
the
aforementioned
children
were
finally
tortured
to
death.
The
scandal
was
exposed
on
the
Montel
Show.
I
believe
this
aired
later
sometime
during
October
to
November
2000,
and
it
was
the
state
Attorney
General,
a
lady,
who
appeared
on
Montel's
Show
and
she
herself
denounced
the
department.
Too
bad
those
aware
of
the
Hall
situations
weren't
on
the
show
that
day.
Sure,
some
race
to
defend
the
Watcthower
men
in
Brooklyn
and
say
well
there's
no
more
molesting
going
on
in
our
JW
Kingdom
Halls
than
among
other
religious
groups.
Well,
they
ignore
that
our
organization
hides
it
more,
and
given
the
extent
to
which
it
gets
covered
up
I
believe
it
actually
is
much
greater
than
normal.
I
also
fear
for
my
grand-children
and
great-grand-children.
Why
not.
People
in
the
hall
were
warned
they
would
be
disfellowshipped
for
"Railing
against
the
Elders"
before
the
Servant
was
put
in
prison
if
they
didn't
watch
what
they
said.
They
went
so
far
as
to
push
and
shove
on
at
least
two
people
that
I
am
aware
of
to
intimidate
them
into
staying
quiet,
although
they
tried
to
do
so
on
the
sly.
You
know
what.
When
you
say
anything
about
an
elder
here
in
Missouri
even
praying
in
your
own
house
all
alone
they
find
out
about
it.
Sick isn't it? Being beaten and told that it is Satan speaking through you when you try to tell your parents that 'Brother T&%%$' has molested you in his van while helping him to deliver fruit and veg. Even worse to be sent back to work for him without any comment made to him. It is a sign of the kind of sad spineless people these are. There is much more to tell about being brought up as an unwilling JW child. Who will listen tho? Not those that ought to - they are isolated, deaf, dumb, and blind - and KEPT THAT WAY.
I don't know that this story applies here but it does have to do with "sex" and being one of JW. Is it just me or does adultery(sex with someone else while married) happen ALOT!!! with witnesses? In my old congregation it has happened to three of my old friends (I have left the watchtower organization) It has happened in my own marriage twice now. We are trying to work it out. For me both times it was with two "sisters" in our congregation. These people have NO conscience and will do anything and they are not scared of God only the elders. Does anyone have anything to add on this subject or am I alone on this one??? Adultery Hurts
It is amazing yes, that SO many CLAIMED acts are taking place inside the Jehovahs Witnesses. Come on... Do you really think that all these "true" stories are being taken seriously?? Anyone can see that it's thesame little group of people that's writing all this bull..., and repeting for them selve (and others) that "never mind if it's true or false, just let us tell as many lies as possible about the JW's. I, myself, is ALSO a former JW of other reasons way too far from these acusations, but I must say that you should chance the acusations in here, just to make a little difference. Here are some examples: "JW is behind the Oklahoma bombing", "they startet the massacres in Bosnia", "Monica Lewinsky is really a JW pioneer"..! Or simply write some more horrofying stories that make the mafia look like a kindergarten! To you few persons that are behind all these accusations: Everybody can hide behind ALL kind of accusations when it is in a place like this. So instead of hiding behind no name, why don't you go to the court if these things really happened to you?? You make me sick with all these lies. Why don't you use your energy on the WRITINGS of JW and the problems their litterature creates?
--Frank___
To Frank,
I have been reading the postings on this site for about a month now and I have been hesitant to add my story to the list. But, your posting has motivated me to respond. As much as I would like to believe that these stories are the paranoid delusions of a few, they speak too closely to my own experience for me to dismiss them out of hand. I have experienced the pain of sexual molestation. I have also experienced the utter failure of the organization to protect me and others like me. As much as I wish it werent true Frank, these sad tales are my own story. If it sounds to you like it is the same "small group" reporting these incidents, perhaps the similarity lies in the tale and not the tellers.
A New Voice
Dear Frank, Ijust read your comments. It is good news to hear that you are out of the Borg. But to call us all liars is going a bit too far. These are not paranoid delusions as you refer. I am a Human Service major in college and have learned in Abnormal psychology the difference between a delusion and a true story. Do you think the people who have told thier stories are PROUD of it, or that they just feel like telling an embarrasing story just for fun? I don't believe I go to a Psychiatrist once a week because of delusions. if this were so I'd be treated for shciztoprhenia not Post Traumatic Strees Disorder, sleep disruption and anxiety. Do you think i take strong phramacuticals because I enjoy them? If so, then I must be defined as a masochist. The people who have come foward are very brave. You cannot sit in a ivory tower and judge. My name is Mark H. Palo,, palo50@yahho.com ,, read my story on the web site, " I was raped at Bethel". if you still think I'm a liar then I believe your world is very small and needs not only spiritual enlightening but a dose of empathy wouldn't hurt.
As an elder, I was always "going against the grain" to advocate for, and try to protect sexually abused children....even earning a special letter of harsh "counsel" from Brooklyn. When I told the body about the stalking behavior{toward single sisters} of a "brother", who had a stepson on the service committee for our area, I was deleted in an ensuing witch hunt. I thank them for the latter...it started me thinking, and looking at the larger picture. I'm in, but inactive{by their standards} for my family's sake. Ministers should be mandated reporters and prosecuted for selling out kids.Ecc. privelege should certainly not cover ongoing crimes. Those in New York are accessories.
As an elder, I was always "going against the grain" to advocate for, and try to protect sexually abused children....even earning a special letter of harsh "counsel" from Brooklyn. When I told the body about the stalking behavior{toward single sisters} of a "brother", who had a stepson on the service committee for our area, I was deleted in an ensuing witch hunt. I thank them for the latter...it started me thinking, and looking at the larger picture. I'm in, but inactive{by their standards} for my family's sake. Ministers should be mandated reporters and prosecuted for selling out kids.Ecc. privelege should certainly not cover ongoing crimes. Those in New York are accessories.
I have been a subscriber to Freeminds for a while. I just went on the website and found this! I thought was the only one brave enough to tell my story, or should I say my TRUTH? I was raised a JW and was one for 30 years. When my daughter was 4 I found out that there was a "ring of molesters" in the congregation that I had attended my whole life. These perps were very good friends of mine!!?? They not only sexually molested my daughter, but they drugged her, and forced her to perform sex acts with other children in the congregation while they videotaped it! They also used many forms of scare tactics to make sure the children kept their mouths shut. There were other children that were abused and told their parents like mine, but the elders refused to do anything about it. Some elders flat out told us we were lying, or that we abused our daughter ourself. Some elders believed but were afraid to go against the other elders. Some elders threatened us to keep our mouths shut or we would by sorry. We were warned not to go to the press or newspapers or we would be sorry. The WBTS in NY brushed us off. What I learned about this organization was a slap in the face. This is not Jehovah's organization. These abusers are still in the organization. They go in service and give talks. They are still abusing children, and the elders KNOW it. The society KNOWS it. If it was the true religion they would get rid of the people doing this instead of covering it up. Happy New Year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2001 - aint this short but sweet RANDALL - I know I said I would not post except 2 and 4 wed. if I remembered - well I forgot - it is now Thur. SEE what a lifelong life of ABUSE does to someone as sweet as me does to memory retention..
Hi to the latest post about the congregation that had a "ring of molesters" video taping children. First I want to say my heart goes out to those children and your daughter. But my question is why didn't you go to the police with this criminal act, and let the police investigate it. If you Know there are still children beging molested then it is you responsibility to report this and the elders threatening you to be quiet. Would it be possible to post the general area where this congregation is located? This is the only way the WTS will be exposed for their criminal deception. Can you be brave enough to speak out in behalf of the little sheep? Barbara P
thursday 12/28 @7:40PM - WHERE are the parents in all of this are they not reporting cause they are being video taped as well...iNVESTAGATIONS TAKE YEARS SOMETIMES AS WELL AS COURT TRIALS - i AM SURE THE McMartin PRE-SCHOOL THAT COMES TO MIND OF 3 YRS. AND THEN THEY WALKED FREE AS A BIRDS CHANGE THEIR IDENITY - OPEN ANOTHER PRE-SCHOOL IN ANOTHER STATE..HAPPENS ALL THE TIME----LIFE SUCKS / WHERE IS THIS SO CALLED GOD WE HEAR ABOUT IN SUNDAY SCHOOL??? WHAT IS HE DOING ABOUT IT??? I WANT SUNDAY SCHOOL i I HAVE A BIBLE I CAN HAVE SUNDAY SCHOOL BEHIND MY OWN 4 WALLS AFTER ALL WITH MYSELF - AS FAR AS JW's I DO NOT HEAR THEM NOR SEE THEM I AM OBLIVIOUS TO THERE PRESENCE....
I and the other parents went to the police. This was 10 years ago however. McMartin case was all over the newpapers. The police were very cautious. They interviewed my daughter. Due to her age at the time (4 yrs old) they felt that she would not be a good witness on the stand (she would have to face her abusers). The other children were also interviewed. The police felt the same about them. The key to all of this was that we the parents could not prove that all the children were together at one place with these molesters at one time. If they all went to a daycare together they said they would have a better chance. Even though my daughter did go to a daycare run by a Witness where this abuse happened, the other children did not. BELIEVE me I tried eveything with the police. The polioce even went so far as to search a "brother's" photography studio where we beleived the children had been taken on more than one occasion. They found nothing. Even though I had physical evidence that my daughter was penetrated, I could do nothing according to the police. For one year we had meetings with the police and meetings upon meetings with the elders. It got to be so discouraging and upseting, plus I was dealing with a traumized child, that I could no longer handle it. I gave up contact with the elders and concentrated on my daughter. I have consulted lawyers, and she/we can sue them in civil court. But we haven't done that either. We live in Illinois. I told the elders with children that their children were being abused or were going to be abused. About 3 years ago I was getting my hair done and in walked an elder who had moved out of state. We had at one time been pretty good friends. He acted very strange and said only one thing to me, that I was right, and his daughter had been abused the same way mine was, but he would say no more. It may be hard to understand, but these abusers that I was dealing with were known to me and some were not known to me. I didn't know who to trust and who not to trust. I was being threatened at night on the phone, and the other children's parents were being followed and watched and harrassed. I was scared for my daughter's life. I didn't want to have to worry about going to pick her up from school one day and she wasn't there. So maybe I gave up, but I felt I did what I had to do for my daughter and myself. But I firmly believe now that good always comes out of bad. Because if this had not happened, I would still be a Witness, and I would have raised her as a Witness. Two more lives would have been wasted. Don't get me wrong, I'm not glad it happened, and if I could go back and change the past to keep my daughter from going through the torture she did, I would, but I can't. She has been in therapy for 10 years and she is probably the most well adjusted person I know, adult or child. I believe that if she were raised a Witness like I was, she would be totally messed up like me. But at this point in our lives, if there would be anything that I could do legally against the WTBS I would do it. Because in my opinion they are allowing this to happen, they know it, and they are more concerned about the "image" of the organization then they are about the people within the organization. It makes no sense to me.
Abuse is everywhere its not confined to any one group or indivual.The real sin is to look the other way, cover it up or pretend that it dont exist.DONT let it go on Stop Abuse in its tracks turn the person or persons in to the law family friends and to anyone else you cant think of.
News Article: http:www.standard.net Eye on Religion Title: Man claims protected speech 12/30/00 New Hampshire court looking into subpoenaing elders who knew of child molester in K.H.
I was raised in the truth and have been a publisher, pioneer, bethel applicant...... I have recently been divorced unscripturally by a "brother" whom I have a protective order against. He has also plead guilty to stalking me. The local elders show no interest. He regularly allows contact between my children and my father who molested me and has admitted it in court. This man is also a brother. My mother, an active publisher, says that since I was "over 12 he is not a child molestor. These people sit in KH's and are openly exposed to other children. Does anyone know of any legal actions or options available? The Bible says you would identify the TRUTH by the love among the brothers. I don't see much of it any more and I am certain Jah was not referring to pedophilia or cover-up behavior for perpetrators!!! Any info. would be appreciated.
From UTAH
I was also a victim of an elder stepfather who is also a pedophile. He also abused my sister and two neices. Yet he is still an elder and we were basically shut up. My mother was told that if she did not remarry him and married someone else she would be disfellowshiped, so she is still married to this pedophile. It has destroyed an entire family. JW's are covering up this dastardly crime and continue to victimize the victims while protecting the criminals.