Why would JWs settle instead of fight?

Question

By Rose French
ASSOCIATED PRESS

3:14 p.m. May 10, 2007

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A victims' rights group released documents Thursday that showed the Jehovah's Witnesses recently settled civil suits with 16 people who claimed they were sexually abused by church elders or that church officials failed to act on abuse allegations.
The group, called silentlambs, held a news conference in Nashville to demand that the denomination change its policy for responding to sex abuse reports.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070510-1514-jehovahswitnesses-sexabuse.html

These are people who have fought all the way to the Supreme Court in multiple cases to establish their rights.

Why, this time, are they settling without going to court? Could it be the approximately 27,000 cases of reported sexual abuse in their internal files that would have to be made public? Hmmm?

http://www.silentlambs.org/newsletter/NewsLetterItem.cfm?SendoutID=527

Answer 1

You have done what I have been trying so hard to get these people to do around here, and at home as well and that is educate, educate yourself on this religion. Let me say it again, EDUCATE. I have also mentioned this next thing as well and that is, JW's have much deeper serious issues than not saluting the flag, giving blood, and not celebrating the holidays. I get so sick and tired of people only focusing on those lame surface issues when there are a lot more serious things going on, like pedophile cover ups that are much deeper than any other church that I know off and braking up families.

To answer your question, they are afraid of exposure. So give them what they want and lets move on. Thank you for a much more educated approach to this seriously flawed and dangerous cult. shellback

Answer 2

It could be a simple matter of the old addage about counting the cost. In no way does settling limit our rights to share the Bible, and it is often cheaper than dragging things out.

Also if someone has an actual grievience there is nothing wrong with offering restitution, I am not saying one way or the other.

Another thing to consider, if it was simply a matter of sweeping things under the rugs, I would imagine every shred of detail/proof would be sealed as part of the settlement, seeing as how the site you list seems to claim info, something in your logic seems amiss.
As for your claim about internal files, since you have NO proof it is hard to say one way or another.

Answer 3

Remember, the supposed victims also settled rather than take it to a jury. What did they have to hide?

Settling a case is far cheaper than fighting it, even when you are in the right. I've worked with falsely accused fathers for 20 years and I know how easy it is to make a false allegation, and how hard it is to disprove. There are no laws making it illegal to make a false allegation of sexual abuse.

I remember once p\being pointed out in court by a mother who said I was also sexually abusing her daughter. Mind you, I didn't know the family, I was there waiting for thew judge to call a lunch break as we were having lunch together that day.

Even though this was the case, I still had to be investigated.

Answer 4

Your spouse has no experience of humour in any respect does she luv? Oh cling on. She have been given herself a perm and it is 2010 so she ought to have a small volume nevertheless in there someplace....... Why do no longer you call up her sister and function her perm your physique hair? Then whilst she sees how ridiculous you look, she could get the message. i could additionally be reminding her which you will have lied and stated you loved her new perm. yet being the variety and considerate husband which you for sure are, you instructed the reality and are actually being crucified for it. And as for her jibes at your physique, does she desire reminding who it became into that knocked her up 6 cases? i think of no longer. Now, enable's cope with what I see as being the genuine subject right here.the place does this female get off throwing beer??? If it did no longer propose me getting off the front room, i could be on my excess of to yours to prepare her what occurs to those who waste completely sturdy ale. because of the fact the guy of the abode you need to make a stand in comparison toad. i in basic terms can no longer stand the seen extra harmless beer being subjected to her kin abuse. **starts off biting nails**

Answer 5

This is an interesting case. My guess would be because such things should not be going on in the "true church" and they don't want such things to be seen in the press.

Answer 6

These "victims" claim that they need money for "therapy", not for punitive damages. Perhaps after receiving professional attention, these formerly associated persons will work to rejoin the Christian congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses.

(2 Timothy 2:24-25) A slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle toward all, qualified to teach, keeping himself restrained under evil, instructing with mildness those not favorably disposed; as perhaps God may give them repentance


Anyway, for what purpose would Jehovah's Witnesses "fight"? Their reputation continues to be exemplary and congratulated by secular authorities, or at least those interested in truth rather than propagandizing.
http://jw-media.org/vnr/2122827332/717263.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20000622/


Jehovah's Witnesses are disgusted and repulsed by abuse, and are relieved when secular law enforcement officials successfully investigate, prosecute, and punish any criminal who engages in these terrible crimes.

Jehovah's Witnesses fully understand that their role as a religion is in providing comfort to the victim and her family, sharing relevant bible warnings with the congregation and specific potential victims, extolling Christian peaceableness and righteousness, and eventually perhaps in counseling a repentant sinner.

Government workers such as police and prosecutors are generally empowered to pursue criminal matters. Jehovah's Witnesses always work in obedience to secular law and deference to the personal decisions of victims (and their families, where practical). Jehovah's Witness ministers do not investigate criminal matters, leaving such matters to law enforcement authorities.

An unrepentant baptized Jehovah's Witness who is found guilty of a secular crime is likely to be disfellowshipped (or "excommunicated", although Witnesses do not use this latter term). However, a sin against God's supreme authority is clearly a different matter from a sin against secular superior authorities. The standards for criminal conviction and forced religious disassociation will never be identical.


This so-called "question" is almost certainly not sincere, but rather is intended as a slanderous assault on Jehovah's Witnesses. Interestingly, such "hatred" should be expected by true Christians in this time of the end, and it actually helps identify Jehovah's Witnesses as Christ's true disciples:

(John 15:19) If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.

(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.

Learn more:
http://jw-media.org/vnr/2122827332/713173.htm
http://jw-media.org/vnr/2122827332/716353.htm
http://jw-media.org/region/global/english/backgrounders/e_molestation.htm
http://jw-media.org/region/americas/usa/english/releases/educational/usa_e990402a.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19970101/
http://watchtower.org/e/19850122/
http://watchtower.org/e/19951101a/

Answer 7

Dear Suzanne,

Probably to sweep things back under the rug as quickly as possible so that their own people won't start questioning other things.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Answer 8

Probably because there was enough substance to the allegations that it couldn't be avoided, so they settle. This sort of thing happens a lot.

Answer 9

Interesting thought...They have some very different rules and no one questions the authorities above.

Answer 10

what do you expect from a cult? can you say Jim Jones? he didnt just kill his congregation, he raped them also.