[Day 7; Part 1]Child Sexual Abuse Within Jehovah's Witnesses - Live Hearing Australia: 2015-08-05

Royal Commission was holding a public hearing in Sydney starting Monday 27 July 2015. This is the recoding of day Seven, Wednesday 5 August 2015.
Playlist of the entire hearing so far:
• Child Sexual Abuse Wit...
Playlist of the hearing with synced audio, more will be added later:
• SYNCED SOUND - Child S...
The public hearing will inquire into the Jehovah's Witnesses and Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia Ltd.
The scope and purpose of the public hearing is to inquire into:
The experience of survivors of child sexual abuse within the
Jehovah’s Witnesses Church in Australia.
The response of the Jehovah’s Witnesses Church and the
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia Ltd to allegations, reports or complaints of child sexual abuse within the Church.
The systems, policies and procedures in place within the Jehovah’s Witnesses Church and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia Ltd for raising and responding to allegations of or concerns about child sexual abuse within the Church.
The systems, policies and procedures in place within the Jehovah’s Witnesses Church and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia Ltd to prevent child sexual abuse within the Church.
Any related matters.

[@thinkingcapon64]

David, I am a witness and I agree with you...I have no tolerance for the breaking of just laws or lies...May the truth come out clear as day...I am just now learning what has been going on...I am shocked !!!

[@the_luggage]

I could watch Mr. Stewart - now Judge Stewart - at work for hours every week. Such a talent.

[@gregsoddworld]

I don't know who could dislike these videos. This is victims getting the recognition and the beginning of justice they so rightly deserve!!!!

[@DiEdraStinson]

Current witnesses who cannot bear to hear how poorly their org is represented by each of these liars... those who wish to bury their heads deep, deep in the sand are the ONLY ones who'd dare thumbs down these videos, irrespective of the poor victims. It truly makes me sick. I actually live in a household with one who dismissed the entire hearing as if it is of zero consequence. It is beyond sad.

[@michaelashworth4391]

It's very difficult to hit a moving target which is why these Elders are moving from one foot to the other not to set themselves up as a Target for the Royal Commission!

[@shandabadger9401]

Like nailing jello to a wall.

[@gloriayoung392]

Angus Stewart is very Honorable and respectful

[@jaynestagg9094]

morally they need to go to the police because its a criminal act

[@juliechurley2716]

That’s right. Whatever happened to your moral responsibility? These people are beneath contempt!

[@DavidandClara]

My blood's boiling just watching this. They take no responsibility, they don't care about children. I'm done, I will watch more proceedings later.

[@mandaron9890]

That's Ur thought

[@jackwhite3987]

Yes, completely agree. They do not care, they are cynical, unloving, everything seems compartmentalized, no one knows anything, all each these "witnesses" do is dance around the questions, never direct answer and when they do their answer is mostly illogical or show profoundly the processes are broken and above all they have no business doing any kind of judging. This is coming from a JW of roughly 30yrs, (no longer a JW) but if I had seen this back in 2015, I would have left immediately bc for any organization, this is absolutely disgraceful! And JW organization keeps this stuff under the table, hidden, and if you go looking for it and find some dirt, you are the apostate. I would be ashamed to have this kind of representation. I 1000% applaud the commission for this investigative look into the JW and these victims. So many more cases need to be looked into and Justice sought for these ones. I hope this kinda of action starts happening around the world.

[@mileidycardoza374]

@@jackwhite3987 you sure about that?

[@brucedan9594]

This is what happens in a Cult. Not even their Lawyers know what’s happening! What a Clown!

[@MrOlolako]

Thanks jakke for these uploads

[@MrsBarbaraSinclair]

@22:00 and on to 23:28, WT lawyer Vincent Toole admitted that in the last two years, he personally has handled 2-3 phone calls per/month of child molestation charges among the Jws. THAT is, he personally knows of 24-36 child molestation allegations in Australia just in the last two years. THAT is SHOCKING!!!!!!! Think of how many children may have been harmed just in those cases!

[@MrsBarbaraSinclair]

***** wow your right, he did say 3 - 4 calls per month. (I misquoted 2-3). The Jws in Australia are breeding pedophiles... and I have no doubt that its that much if not more in every other land jws are set up. Good catch bro, thank you for this correction xxx

[@kateamara9874]

***** Here's where I disagree. In cases of rape most men are married or partnered. In these cases of child abuse these men are mainly married. In all or most of these cases we can assume( I know, I know assume) they are receiving irregular or regular sexual activity. These are not men that never have sexual contact even if with sex workers, gfs or wives. It is a perversion aside from that, a need beyond normal sex, as rape is generally a rage or anger crime. I know many people that don't have sex and yet don't sexually abuse children. These cases seem to be men that are abusing older teens which is not pedophilia, which involves pre-pubescent children. SICKENING anyway though and should be punished, and worse. My case I was an adult and my perp was an adult male JW, married. He sexually assaulted 2 women in my congregation and unnamed, unnumbered women in another US state and he was reported by never punished. Just wanted to add that. I hate what they do but many are sexually active and still do this because they need to overpower someone, that need is so great and it isn't mainly sexual desire but a sick sexual desire.

[@GorgeousRoddyChrome]

***** Here's some info you might be interested in:articles.latimes.com/2013/jan/14/local/la-me-pedophiles-20130115

[@kateamara9874]

***** Remember they are in a position where they have access and a way to get away with it. The power over people is more important than the sex itself.

[@richardschiller7803]

***** This is way off course of the inquiry and the direction of this commission to unveil how much of the sex itself is done by elders or by ministers themselves. AND if elders are told of a boy and sister having under-age incest, this isn't the elders business, nor is it the top of the corporate church. Do you really think that if your auto factory you tell a work supervisor that you know your neighbor, or a factory-workers children are involved in sex crimes, do you really think the factory is responsible to go reporting what they heard to police? He doesn't say his 3-4 phone calls are elders or MS having child sex. he says merely child sex calls, which could be that someone is having a bible study with a JW woman's nonJW husband and/or kids and hears of this sex. You're taking the phone calls to be ALL child sex by elders and MS only. WAY OVER BLOWN by all you comments spurred on by Sinclair strictly by hate in hearts who wish to hear it that way.

[@jaynestagg9094]

if u know someones whos a murder u report him to the police. if you know of a wife beater you report them to the police

[@dasonheath5652]

STUART did really well as it would not be easy to follow JWs teachings when they also seemed to not fully understand them.

[@jaynestagg9094]

what really bothers me watching this is, when I was using placing magazines that condemned other religions of doing this. makes me feel really bad inside. I feel disorientated. even if the law doesn.t need the elder to go to the police the sense of justice should. the protection of others

[@juliechurley2716]

Exactly- and their personal integrity!

[@NewSkiwi]

Disoriented - wow that explains exactly how I feel too.

[@catmeow333]

HOW the HELL is this guy a lawyer ???

[@juliechurley2716]

He just doesn’t sound very bright. A law degree is far from easy attain

[@DavidandClara]

26:49 that's really cute. When I was a JW there were plenty of times they wedged in on personal matters. I know several elders who interfered with divorces and custody matters. Their reasoning behind interfering and directly getting involved was that it "keeps the purity" of the congregation. Truthfully, they're busy bodies who stick their nose in everywhere. But when the favor is paid back, oh, they're exempt to have their dirty laundry flown like a flag.

[@jamesandchante]

davidandclara I had been threatened with being disfellowshipped so many times for "brazen conduct" about things that were just personal opinions of individual elders it isn't even funny. At the time, I thought the elders is my congregation were mentally off, and that if changed congregations it would be better; and if I waited on Jehovah the circuit overseer would make the weirdo elders step down. But eventually, I realized the craziness was organization-wide, and the good elders I knew as a teen were an exception to the rule.

[@krissykatportal]

These guys are not appointed by Holy Spirit. They are just regular guys….painters, window washers and janitors. They’re not successful in the real world but Watchtower gives them power and status within the organization. These guys get off on power and control. That’s why they disfellowship even when people are remorseful and asking for help. I knew elders who would park at my school and spy on the jw kids to get them in trouble.

[@TheDarkMikado]

58:35 KILLS ME. Toole's response to the question is......sickening, to put it mildly.

[@jakkecontrol6292]

Playlist of the entire hearing so far: kzbin.info/aero/PLPQ6KZ-AGhVQbadlzMQN26dvMPzddxlui Playlist of the hearing with synced audio, more will be added later: kzbin.info/aero/PLPQ6KZ-AGhVRhA0EyktgPEEoMlS_B2J7I Highlight compilation of the entire hearing on Reddit: www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/3g4460/master_thread_for_royal_commission_highlights/

[@raphaelguido5937]

@23:20 Vincent Toole:[...]for approximately 2 years i've been taking the calls myself Angus Stewart: and these are calls about allegations of child sexual abuse VT: yes AS: and how many such calls have you taken in that period VT: i couldn't tell you but we probably get 3...sometimes 4...a month

[@bacodasetapat]

😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@zendean5207]

S: It says that there are a list of names in the letter. T: There is no list of names. There is a list of case files. S: So they say there is a list of names but there isn't one, yet there is a list of case files. T: Yes. S: So is there a list of case files? T: I don't know.

[@bacodasetapat]

It’s terrible isn’it? Terrible

[@krissykatportal]

Shit show. How embarrassing.

[@donhenhawke3385]

so Elders have the right to base matters in their own self interest?..what??.. their self interest is go make these sticky situations go away, and not to approach upon Jehovah... they view these matters as a sin rather than a criminal matter.

[@Light_activator1111]

It’s pathetic that this guy Vincent doesn’t recall anything. No one is taking responsibility for it.. it’s soooooo infuriating and sickening.

[@LexCoulstring]

Toole (Tool) is a very good way of describing this guy.

[@michaelashworth4391]

So Mr Toole, When did first decide to Dedicate Your Life to Gods Official Publishing Corporation as an Unpaid Slave & Volunteer as its Non-Representative???

[@jaynestagg9094]

that is so scarey. more than 2yr of calls 3 or 4 a month. and thats just in some of australia.

[@louise3810]

3 or 4 calls a month of child sexuel abused for the pass 2 years and half this is just outrageous, so many allegations of CSA, I am so disgust

[@rowenameyer296]

The organization has no transparency between departments and committees. The left hand never knows what the right hand is doing. Very secretive and intentionally works to obfuscate issues in legal matters.

[@PrimeN-dw2ug]

OMG! He has selective amnesia.

[@danielklein11]

Angus Stewart is the man

[@trtrtre506]

23:00 - 24:30 3 to 4 calls per month regarding CSA in the past 2 years (2013-2015)!!!

[@jaynestagg9094]

an abuser needs to go to prison. the victim and future victims need protection. he or she need to go on the sex register.

[@juliechurley2716]

Exactly. And that only happens when it is reported to the police. I cannot understand why elders insist on keeping it in house. Much as I think many of their teachings are bullshit, I always thought they were honest & upright. WRONG

[@broslate2314]

he told a lie, at 12:28, there is a document that outlines responsibilities of different watchtower committees...

[@PJWilcox]

Argue, an, a spirited conversation. It's fun, I learn new words, ideas and grow with conversation. Some are afraid to take on how they feel. Many JWs seem to be Ina trance and under the influence of some spiritual demon

[@LexCoulstring]

I love the expression on the women (blond) when she clearly calls bullshit on the Toole

[@jaynestagg9094]

in the uk the elder has a duty of care. so if they are aware of abuse and the victim doesn, t want to go to the police the elders then have an obligation to do so

[@totally_a_spy]

It's the exact same thre. These elders break the law. The organisation breaks the law

[@krissykatportal]

@@totally_a_spyyes exactly

[@TKAT999]

This guy is positively belligerant AND isn't personally involved in doing ANYTHING of any merit whatsoever. What on earth does he do besides take all those phone calls?

[@zendean5207]

It is never asked or stated where JWs get this idea that it is the right of the victim or their parents to not report and that someone else reporting when the victim or p[aren't did not want it is somehow stepping on the rights of the victim and the family. I don't know of any scripture that would back that up, there is no Watchtower that has ever said that, no letter to elders, and there is no law, or philosophy of ethics that has ever identified "protect a child's or even an adults right to not report sex abuse" is some right they have. The is no such thing as this kind of right. It is post hoc made up bullshit. No person, authority or entity has any idea what they are talking bout when they go on about it. It's not a religious belief, because if it were, I would know about it growing up a JW. It is an invention to explain away the culture of non-reporting among JWs. That is why they made it up. Elders do not have any restriction based on this imaginary made up "right" of victims to stay victims. Total bull shit.

[@login7769]

He says that they never tell people to go against the law but what the witnesses actually say is that Jehovah is the ultimate authority and are told to only obey the law as long as it doesn't interfere with God one example I know plenty of witnesses currently in China trying to teach people where it is illegal to do so

[@juliechurley2716]

Basically they pick and choose when to comply. Inconsistent & unethical

[@chris-ef6kt]

Toole admitted to taking 3 to 4 calls per month for the last 2 years regarding chils sex abuse from elders. The JWs are trying to convince us that child sex abuse is not common and previous statement from these elders have said that many elders have not experienced this problem within their congregation as it is very rare, other elders may only have come across this problem once in their time as an elder. Well, Mr Toole has just given the game away, I would not describe 3 to 4 phone calls per month regarding child sex abuse as rare and it looks like these calls are from only 2 states! These elders have a moral duty to protect these children, this makes my blood boil. I am so pleased that this is being highlighted by Jakke Control

[@paluhu03]

Mr. Toole is “reasonably familiar” with the Sheppard the Flock book/manual???? WTH.....he is head of the Australian Branch Legal Department! He doesn’t KNOW what is in EVERY DOCUMENT or WRITING the elders follow as put out by the 8 men of the GB? It is quite surprising to see their reactions as each of the representatives of the JW organization testify and are asked what the hierarchy of the JW organization is. It’s like they have never really thought about the fact that the WHOLE organization they have been following their entire lives (in some cases) is run by mere men who dictate everything. It’s also really nice to know that Mr. Toole was able to get a law degree that was paid for by JW’s. Those that paid for that law degree are not allowed (strongly discouraged) from a higher education. Especially getting an education in a field that will not be of need after Armageddon. Should he leave the Branch Legal Department in Australia he would have an opportunity to make a decent living instead of doing mundane low paying jobs that witnesses are able to get based on their lack of higher education.

[@the_luggage]

This guy doesn't advise the branch committee legally; he's not in any way the head lawyer in Australia. He's simply the head of the Legal Dept in Bethel which counter-intuitively just deals with comparative low-level elder stuff (although still important enough to do significant damage to survivors etc.).

[@broslate2314]

15:20 he told another lie, all lawyers do know that if the present branch committee members cannot come to a conclusion then it is forwarded to the GB in NYC, with paperwork, even publisher know this simple fact!

[@jamesandchante]

Bro Slate So true. Not only that, but what lawyer would go to court without reading any of the evidence (as he claims he supposedly didn't read and therefore knows nothing about), especially when the evidence comes from an organization he represents??? LOL

[@BadViking1]

This little crawler gave me a ten cent tip when I was a Bethel waiter I’m now going to donate 20 cents to him

[@krissykatportal]

How insulting

[@BadViking1]

I was a waiter And I served this guy He gave me a ten cent tip When I see him next I’m giving him 20c back I can’t stand the guy

[@gfmay]

Nothing but OBFUSCATION!

[@tmrb7600]

Obfuscation..I just learned a new word today

[@georgebrown8312]

That is just about the only thing the Watchtower Society's Governing Body is good at; obfuscation, or being vague.

[@Aquaseventytree]

Did anyone grow up like me in the 60s, when we were taught that the superior authorities mentioned in Rom 13:1 were jehovah and Jesus? 'Flip-flopped' at least five times....just saying.

[@jamesandchante]

Aquaseventytree IT's not the organizations fault that Jehovah is such a flip-flopper, and likes to make "new light" like the ever-changing color of a lava lamp. Even Jehovah can't make up His mind if we can pray to His son or not. I think the newest light is that Jehovah doesn't like children anymore, since He told His sole channel of communication to favor abusers over them. ;)

[@Aquaseventytree]

Chante Moody "And everyone who commits an offence (Douay:scandalises) against one of these little ones (innocent children).......be sunk in the depths of the sea". Aramaic Bible in Plain English. Bet they won't quote THAT one (Matt 18:6) as a principle of Jesus to be adhered to.

[@moonflower4257]

+Aquaseventytree. They are with the fallen one's and will not admit anything of their crimes.

[@jamesandchante]

Is this JW man really a lawyer?? Why is he so uninformed about what's going on? Why isn't he insisting (even if it is just to protect the organization) that at least in some cases the organization has a legal obligation (and in every case a moral one) to report crimes? Did his license actually expire years ago? He doesn't seem logical enough to be a lawyer. Anyway, I adore the prosecutor. He is doing such a great job in trying to get justice for the victims and to prevent these crimes from continuing.

[@Berserkism]

You're confused. This isn't a trial. This is one case study of dozens. The commision is looking at Institutional reporting of alleged child abuse. It's being going on for years, looking at secular and nonsecular organisations. Maybe you would care to read the transcripts of the 28 cases preceding this? No? Oh so you don't actually care about this Royal Commission or it's aims. You are just here to gloat over the unfortunate circumstances of the victims so you can practice schadenfreude. What a pathetic person you are.

[@TheDarkMikado]

+Berserkism - She's right, you're wrong. In fact, you're dead wrong. Deal.

[@jamesandchante]

Berserkism The Royal Commission is trying to find which organizations are involved in hiding the abuse of sexual offenders, so that these organizations can change their practices, and so that the public can be aware of what's going on. I'm not saying this is a trial, where these criminals that committed the crime are going to be put in prison (at least one of these pedophiles already got imprisoned for molesting his daughters). So, maybe I shouldn't have used the words "to get justice for the victims." What I meant is, he is doing an excellent job getting the victims stories told. It must seem somewhat vindicating for the victims to be able to tell their stories and have people believe them and have empathy for them, instead of accusing them or lying, or telling them to keep it to themselves, or telling them it isn't a big deal, or threatening to disfellowship them if they speak up. I don't want anyone to be abused like these victims have been. I don't care if it is the JWs, the Catholic priests, or anyone else. If these organizations are helping criminals hurt innocent people they should be called out on it and held responsible. By the way, I have been a victim of abuse and was treated badly by the elders when I told them about it. So, I'm not "gloating over the unfortunate circumstances of the victims;" I'm a victim that is happy to see the truth come out about these organizations (including the Watchtower) support of criminals.

[@Berserkism]

Chante Moody What is the issue here is, what to do if an organization, it's representatives, become aware of abuse. What is best practice? Casting aspersions by saying "support of criminals" or "helping criminals hurt innocent people" is disingenuous at best and outright despicable lies at worst. In the case of children people around them can be negligent, leaving them to suffer. This is once again the issue, what does an organization do when it becomes aware. Where does the responsibility begin, where does it end? As can be seen, reporting practices aren't good enough. This is also the fault of the Government with the current laws and failure to enact sufficient mandatory guidelines in the past. Once these recommendations are released perhaps it will fix reporting issues and establish best practice for helping victims, we may at last see less people carrying around such victimization for decades and less children left to suffer long term abuse in silence. You may feel maligned all you wish but you could have made the truth come out, that is, has and always will be your choice. You don't need a Commission for that, just some personal courage.

[@jamesandchante]

Berserkism I "could have made the truth come out"? Who says I didn't? But even if I speak up, what about all the children that don't have the opportunity to speak out because their parents are responsible for them? Why are you trying to shame people that are using the commission to tell their story? What wrong have they done? Why should they have to keep the crimes against them silent? "Where does the responsibility begin, where does it end?" Anyone that knows a child is being abuse has a moral right to tell the authorities in order to get the child help. Even if only some people were to have the legal responsibility to do so, wouldn't the Governing Body of JWs have a moral obligation to do so, since they are supposedly Jehovah's spokesmen on Earth? Why should they pass the buck? You said I'm "casting aspirations" and I'm being "disingenuous" by claiming the organization supports criminals and and helps criminals innocent people. But, I haven't said anything that can't be proven by the statements of the Governing Body members and elders themselves. Think about it, they admitted to keeping records of child abuse cases and not reporting it. They don't warn members of the congregation when someone in their midst has been accused of a predatory crime or that have even previously been charged with crimes; and will even allow such people to be elders after a relatively shot time. So, doesn't that give criminals the opportunity to hurt innocent people? This doesn't support the victims, it supports the behavior of criminals. You are being disingenuous. Why?

[@randallwittman2720]

International committee on jehovahs witnesses and their opponants 16. Holly folk

[@bbuttercup7204]

In the February 2014 Awake, page 3 from Italy.."inconsistencies on the part of pastors and the faithful between what they say and what they do, between word and manner of life, is undermining the Church's credibility." Pope Francis.

[@RandomPerson-js3rc]

That scripture in Roman's states exactly why they are in such a hot mess in the first place. They didn't report to the secular Authorities in these cases. So now they have a lot to fear.

[@beautybev]

Seriously mate, you need to get a full refund on your tuition fees!

[@juliechurley2716]

Yes he certainly doesn’t sound like a we’ll educated man

[@eliakimannointed6196]

'This is where Toole comes undone,despiite his admitance that Elders possibly could report cases of child abuse (bound by law to so) to assist the victim they should do so,But the fact of the matter none of them or very few if any have ever been reported unless they were forced to by authorities! you know why and this is mere speculation these people never in their wildest dreams ever thought they would be in a hearing like this but Jehovah had other plans! .Consequently also let me get this right Act's 5:29 'refering to the Apostles continuance of preaching they have twisted to cover the concealment of evidence of child abuse? WOW THAT'S GOD DISHONOURING!,Control freak's try to use tone to control the line of questioning and then rattles out some scripture,waste of time discussing morality with Toole,morality requires a conscience and these men surrendered conscience along time ago,This man would not still be a Watchtower elder if he contradicted the Watchtower HQ and utilised his own conscience!.

[@michaelashworth4391]

From the evidence we have heard from Elders so far most would be better serving the Public by becoming Second-Hand Car Salesmen or even Politicians for whatever Party would employ them regardless of their own personal Politics. These Elders have been trained well by the Governing Body like the Watchtowers Many Failed Prophecies which are not the Bodies Fault but the Collective Fault of All Active Publishers.

[@watchtoweralert1]

Michael Ashworth will be doing a video later--to illustrate whats going on

[@brotherbennett3371]

32:20 there may be a need to report if there is a legal obligation under the law. I am 100 percent sure the elders would accompany the victim to the Police if the victim needed to be accompanied.

[@jaynestagg9094]

yes they would

[@krissykatportal]

Nope. The elders offer no help to us survivors. Sorry but that’s the truth and now it’s coming to light.

[@juliechurley2716]

That is completely false if you listen to testimony from survivors. Don’t misrepresent the facts

[@johnmark9368]

What a TOOL...

[@georgelopez8653]

Vincent Toole keeps shutting Stewart and the courts down when he said these questions are not legal matters and that's what he specializes. Stewart is asking questions pertaining to the governing body not legal matters that's why the judge had nothing else to say.

[@robertgrey6101]

@George Lopez Legal directions come ftom the G. B. and those down the line. Therefore this so called solicitor is tap dancing or evading questions that incriminate those in responsibility.

[@richardschiller7803]

Minute 76 - legal WT advice to elders to handle a serious matter. For many elders this is translated as this is smutt to bury, take care of this and silence this. People have communication problems by translating the meanings of a letter to them in any way they want to or desire to see it. While this commission attempts to blame wording of a letter from legal WT to elders, the elders will read the letter their own way too, and they will see it as cover it over to clean Jehovah's name, when elder behavior is actually cover it over to clean their own elder's names. The top org isn't the blame, the top of congregations are. It is like the city cash tax fund lost in lawsuit instead of punishing and suing the position of the city Alderman or Mayor or school board members. Taking away WT money is not hitting the persons to blame, just like taking school money and city money isn't hitting the rotten persons either. In fact the court and law is helping rape the funds of the system, the innocent who pay and then say keep working people on welfare depend on you.

[@paula79210]

Hello, duh, blame shifting like a pro…

[@michaelashworth4391]

Most certainly there is a Watchtower Constitution certainly here in the United Kingdom the last one I saw was from about 1945 which designated the Society was set up for the Worship of Jehovah AND Jesus at Kingdom Halls and at the various Yearly Conventions.

[@zendean5207]

S: According to your letter, you deemed the lying to elders as more serious than the fact of the abuse itself. T: Please, please, please whatever you do, please do not think that we didn't take the abuse seriously. PLEASE! Please believe me! Don't you see? The man was LYINg about the abuse. Doesn't that blow your mind that someone could lie about child abuse after confessing it elsewhere? It just blows my mind, how he could compound child abuse by LYING about it. Oh dear mother of the Saints, Please believe me! This man was lying about abuse. Can you believe that? We just can't stand lying about abuse. Forget about the abuse. That was bad enough. But LYING about the abuse? Oh my God, my head is going to explode just thinking about his lying about the abuse. Sweet mother of God and Zeus and Jehovah, I'm like totally tripping on his lying about the abuse. Man that trips me out..........

[@DiEdraStinson]

In reference to the scripture Toole read, what then is Theocratic warfare. I mean I don't understand what they do or feel the need to do regarding theocratic warfare. I have to research.

[@richardschiller7803]

Minute 60 -a fit throwing discussion on whether 390 calls of police were acted on out of 1000 perpetrators -Police do not file a report, people do, so if you call the police they don't file that you called. I called Ken_sha Wisconsin police on a R_cine man on the internet who asked if he could suck my pet dog the way he sucks his own pet dog. (I lied, I didn't own a dog.) Later crossed him online again, and he was divorced, then a 3rd time later crossed again and he was married to a Phillipino. BUT where did the phone call accomplish any thing? NOT our jurisdiction they said. Well nor is it MY business to track down USA crimes ignored in all governments by all governments. Nor am I one of these hateful people who have to drive around on their cell phone pestering police for every driver on the road. (I call enough when vagrants want work, and they steal instead.)

[@pitbullruss5636]

Is that Adolf Eichmann

[@michealrivers981]

Its not the governing body to deal with legal matters that the services committee duty the governing body duty is soley to be protectors of doctrines they have have legal team and that's what this guy does is to provide legal advice for the jws.this lawyer is trying to say it the governing body dictates everything.

[@the_luggage]

This guy doesn't advise the branch committee legally; he's not in any way the head lawyer in Australian. He's simply the head of the Legal Dept in Bethel which counter-intuitively just deals with comparative low-level elder stuff (although still important enough to do significant damage to survivors etc.).

[@richardschiller7803]

This is way too general. He clarified at minute 52 that if someone came to him (as and elder), then it goes into the someone, confidence or confession, but it's not saying who. There are many bible studies that become one baptized person and they bring the WHOLE family who is not baptized, So if there is sex. these details are not even touched in defining who this someone would be who says i'm being raped. What if it's a baptized JW father raping, and non JW mother who never had JW interaction nor wants it, what its a JW mother in denial and a nonJW father raping who is NEVER at their Hall? How much nose do you want these elders to have in other's families? Abuse is not the process, abuse is trashy character of many elders who shouldn't be elders.

[@brotherbennett3371]

43:16 He is quoting Paul in the Bible out of context and should read the entire chapter. If this is how smart this guy is as regards to the Bible they should get someone else to question someone who does know the Bible.

[@jakkecontrol6292]

George Bennett He is reading from the "keep yourselves in gods love" book. If the scripture is out of context, then it is out of context in the JW publication. He is a layer not a scholar and his point is not about the correct interpretation but about how your normal JW would interpret that section in the book.And to be totally honest, he is correct. JWs think the entire world is in Satan's control, the government, media etc. It is made clear that they should not be a part of this world. Which was the point he was making.

[@brotherbennett3371]

Just saying he should read the entire chapter not just the scripture if he wants to get to the entire understanding. But they don't have the time to do so.

[@jakkecontrol6292]

George Bennett I think he did, and I can understand why he came to that conclusion. I can appreciate that you don't interpret it that way, and maybe it was not meant that way. But he used more than one quote from the JWs publications and the conclusion he made was pretty close to how JWs view the "world". Regardless, my point is that he is not misinterpreting the scriptures and I don't think he actually interpreted the bible ever. He always asked how they where to understand the different scriptures, but correct me if I am wrong.

[@brotherbennett3371]

He just didn't read the entire chapter which is made up of the entire story. At the final finally the governments will be used by Satan to try and fight God himself. That is in Rev. And some governments have killed many early Christians in Roman times. So in general yes. the governments have been harsh against true followers of Christ. Also look at John 13:16 and Luke 21:12 Jesus telling his followers...Christians, that they will be persecuted as well. How do you view those scriptures?

[@jakkecontrol6292]

George Bennett You sure you mean John 13:16? And I agree, Luke 21:12 is saying the same thing. So Stewart is making a valid point, that is how JWs perceive the world and the governments.

[@richardschiller7803]

I so much disagree. If I go door-to-door to start a bible study, and a total stranger kid at the door says his/her older brother is forcing sex on him/her; you are telling me that not only should I be reporting this to police (who wont do nothing), but also make the top JW org GB nose in to give comfort or proper response? This is assinine and not what any nonJW atheist or church would even do. Not even the police would bother. They'd say what do you know other than what a kid claimed when you spoke at the door, or during your one-hour bible study with him. So if 3-4 phone calls are about sex, most of them will not be baptized JWs, (neither baptized victim, and nor baptized perpetrator) because the one calling is doing so merely because they do go to a kingdom hall and it is for them the same as going to a priest, hoping someone helps. Are you saying JWs help less than schools do. What happens when a school cant find anyone to agree with a child's claims?

[@chris-ef6kt]

Children need protecting and the elders and every other member of society have a moral duty to report any suspected child abuse. Not only would it protect the child, it would stop the perpetrator from abusing other children. Actually, anyone who knows about child abuse and chooses not to report it should be prosecuted as an acumplace

[@ericbulman1752]

You need help

[@richardschiller7803]

Wade Robson is an Australian, he was a child with MJ in 1990. While MJ was a JW who apparently disassociated himself as a JW in public media around 1984 so that this commission has no POWER to blame the WatchTower for it. BUT should we be convinced that they wish they had such power to do so? It might seem you want Wade top go after WT not the MJ estate by blaming his JW upbringing (his mother in denial) instead of his trash father with the trash friends. I am not justifying abuse of power by everyone, your employer, your corporate job, places you shop, abuse everywhere which blocks you from defending and getting justice in serious crap they cause, but agree WT is guilty as ALL of you, even in the games I see this inquirer prosecutor attempts to carry out.

[@tanyaaustin9071]

I think its hilarious how Mr Stewart an his honour is taking on a JW in regards to the bible, JWs know it like the back of their hand lol

[@vonhimblefritz3249]

Tanya Austin They know their own rendition of the bible in which they altered, added to, and omitted true scripture many many times.

[@stevelet8557]

Tanya Austin RIGHT AGAIN SISTER. WE KNOW OUR OWN NWT SO CALLED BIBLE BETTER THAN ANYONE. WE SHOULD KNOW IT CONSIDERING WE WROTE IT OURSELVES. KEEP WORSHIPING ME AND MY 6 FRIENDS. YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB. REMEMBER TO DONATE IN THE COLLECTION BOX AT YOUR LOCAL KH. JEHOVAH NEEDS YOUR MONEY AND VALUABLE THINGS, AND I NEED A NEW ESCALADE.

[@TheDarkMikado]

+Tanya Austin - Yeah, they know it so well that they managed to screw up Armageddon predictions 10 times, they made up dates (1914 being the biggest offender), and they put children in danger of pedophiles by following stone-age laws to a T.

[@juliechurley2716]

But morally they have the higher ground. Their priority is the protection of children. Unlike the JWs

[@mandaron9890]

I think comments here prove that de whole process is misunderstood. The organisation has done no wrong and no one binds any family to take de necessary action required. It's currently de cleanest organisation on earth

[@barbiechyqa9192]

I think your comments prove you are a fool. Read the findings by the ARC to clear up the cobwebs in your mins. I hope you were being sarcastic

[@mandaron9890]

@@barbiechyqa9192 Dats Ur own thought. U can insult me but know that u have to learn to understand others opinion...

[@ericbulman1752]

Yes they have done wrong big time your just in denisl

[@ericbulman1752]

Denial

[@krissykatportal]

Sounds like something a jw pedo would say