Originally posted by robbie carrobieIn all our years of debating the issue of sexual abuse within the JW organisation I don't ever recall you expressing any sympathy for the victims. Ever. I don't seem to recall you expressing any criticism for the perpetrators of these crimes let alone any criticism of the JW leadership involved in these scandals. Here we are again, and know doubt we will be back here soon with the impending investigations going on in the UK, this time though the Australian JW leadership have 1006 files pertaining to the sexual abuse of 1800+ children, no sympathy expressed by you, no scorn directed towards the abusers or those who should have done better in reporting this abuse to the relevant authorities. No. Your scorn is directed towards fellow posters who dare criticise your religious organisation. You're not a 'man of science', you're a corporate religious apologist who seems so entrenched in the dogma spouted by your organisation you seem to have lost your moral compass. I endorse divegeesters advice, you seriously need to get out.
Just answer the question and save your moralizing over other people for someone that cares. I am a man of science, I am interested in empirical evidence, not mere opinion!
Originally posted by FMFI wouldn't know as that's not exactly what I'm doing.
What is achieved by you signalling your lack of interest in this issue?
I guess everyone you hate is fair game now, eh?
You're just not happy unless you're turning people into roadkill in every forum.
I asked a couple of relevant questions, so now I'm "on your list", is that it?
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Originally posted by Proper KnobI am unaware of any of the individual details of any of the causes and to try to use this as some kind of catalyst for more tabloid journalism is quite frankly disgusting. I unlike you do not comment on matters where the details are scant, obscured or unknowable. I deal with empirical evidence and cold facts, not with emotional and jingoistic propaganda!
In all our years of debating the issue of sexual abuse within the JW organisation I don't ever recall you expressing any sympathy for the victims. Ever. I don't seem to recall you expressing any criticism for the perpetrators of these crimes let alone any criticism of the JW leadership involved in these scandals. Here we are again, and know doubt we will ...[text shortened]... m to have lost your moral compass. I endorse divegeesters advice, you seriously need to get out.
I do not hold that if there was no mandatory reporting that the brothers legally can be held liable for the failure of others to report matters of alleged child abuse. The brothers are not policemen and are not trained to deal with criminality. In my opinion they were right to leave it to those individuals involved, that is the family members to report any matters of wrongdoing to the relevant authorities. The brothers deal with sin, not with criminality. that being said I am in favour of mandatory reporting.
My position with regard to corroboration is that it has its pros and cons. Yes it may be difficult to prosecute a case where there is no two independent element of corroboration but its also acts as a safeguard for wrongful accusation. I once worked beside a man who was not a witness and whose step daughter was threatening to go to the authorities with a fabricated case of abuse because of her being unhappy about the settlement of a family financial matter. It can happen.
With regard to pastoral privilege again it has two sides. One that if a perpetrator knows that they will be reported to the authorities they may be more reluctant to come forward and if a victim knows that what they say will be treated confidentially they may be more inclined to come forward to avoid any stigma. That being said I am in favour of mandatory reporting. I think pastoral privilege should be upheld but not with regard to cases involving minors.
Lastly as regards the allegation and criticisms. I welcome them especially if it leads to a change in the law and mandatory reporting of child abuse. If it leads to those who have engaged in criminality to being removed from the congregation and society I welcome it, they have no place in either. If it leads to perpetrators and victims receiving professional counseling, I also welcome it.
I hope I have made my position clear. Please do not offer my any more advice on my spirituality i simply don't want to end up an unstable and emotionally charged prejudicial sensationalist journalist that is liable to throw a flaky at any given moment. I want to be rational and balanced, free from prejudice and open minded.
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what have i learned?
1. Divesgeester and his friends have no child protection policy and meet covertly with other alleged Christians. Would i take my children there? probably not.
2. Thinkofone still thinks that lying insinuations trump knowledge and truth, poor deluded thinkofone, you will get scorched every time trying to project that junk.
3. Properknob is unstable and liable to fly off in an emotionally charged rage if you have a different perspective or point of view. He is uninterested in fact but harbours an unsavory bias towards prejudicial perspectives.
4. FMF is really a nice guy and is not hiding out in Indonesia to escape the grasp of authorities.
5. Captain Strange has a faith even though its not entirely clear what it is.
6. I am an all conquering hero who against overwhelming odds have faithfully and truthfully expressed my perspective despite the evil machinations of the forces of darkness trying to extinguish my little light!
Thank you all for the opportunity to defend myself I count it a great honour that it was before you that I made my defense this day!
Originally posted by robbie carrobieYou have certainly got a brass neck robbie even if your beliefs are flaky.
what have i learned?
1. Divesgeester and his friends have no child protection policy and meet covertly with other alleged Christians. Would i take my children there? probably not.
2. Thinkofone still thinks that lying insinuations trump knowledge and truth, poor deluded thinkofone, you will get scorched every time trying to project that junk.
3 ...[text shortened]... defend myself I count it a great honour that it was before you that I made my defense this day!