New evidence in Jehovah's Witness allegations.

[Cooper]

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21917798/

"Documents show that the church knew for years that some prominent members were sexually abusing children and did little. Church officials allegedly became aware of several of the cases in question through what amount to internal judicial proceedings, at which local elders confronted suspected abusers, obtained confessions, then meted out punishments."

Why do any religious organizations, regardless of affiliation, hide/shelter the abusers of children?

Is is liability only or are there other reasons?

[LisaM22]

Originally Posted by Cooper

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21917798/

"Documents show that the church knew for years that some prominent members were sexually abusing children and did little. Church officials allegedly became aware of several of the cases in question through what amount to internal judicial proceedings, at which local elders confronted suspected abusers, obtained confessions, then meted out punishments."

Why do any religious organizations, regardless of affiliation, hide/shelter the abusers of children?

Is is liability only or are there other reasons?

because they think it will turn away members and to some that is more important then doing the right thing it would seem - jmho

Originally Posted by Cooper

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21917798/

"Documents show that the church knew for years that some prominent members were sexually abusing children and did little. Church officials allegedly became aware of several of the cases in question through what amount to internal judicial proceedings, at which local elders confronted suspected abusers, obtained confessions, then meted out punishments."

Why do any religious organizations, regardless of affiliation, hide/shelter the abusers of children?

Is is liability only or are there other reasons?

One of the main reasons little is done is because Jehovah Witnesses believe that there must be TWO people witness a wrong being done...Now I ask you, how many sexual abuses are done in front of another person? Also if it is a family member doing the abuse, the Elders will seldom step in and correct it or stop it, because the man is the head of his household......If two or more victims come forward and name someone,it is often brushed aside also,particularly if any one of the victims is not in "good standing" with the Organization....Jehovah Witnesses believe that they are "modern day prophets", hence the appearence they put forth must be as free from sin as possible....I'm gonna go looking for some links to back this up

[Carol25]

Originally Posted by Cooper

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21917798/

"Documents show that the church knew for years that some prominent members were sexually abusing children and did little. Church officials allegedly became aware of several of the cases in question through what amount to internal judicial proceedings, at which local elders confronted suspected abusers, obtained confessions, then meted out punishments."

Why do any religious organizations, regardless of affiliation, hide/shelter the abusers of children?

Is is liability only or are there other reasons?

I read about the massive problems in the Catholic religion with their priests. When the first problems were made known, they were dismissed. When they became more prominent and more people knew about them, the clerics involved would "repent, become "rehabilitated and moved to another facility to wrok. Ignorant to the fact that that the behavior would be complusive, they just continued moving the offender to different locations, repeating the same pattern.

It then came to light when more litigation made notes of the Bishops be known it was found the the Bishops didn't want their image tarnished and that is why they had denied the allegations so long, made it difficult for the accusers and their families to continue to worship at the parishes, kept moving the offenders instead of giving them up to authorities.

My guess is that most religions would find that hiding or sheltering the abusers fit their agenda of "not tarnishing the image of their church."

Let us hope that most religions would at least have the foresight to remove the abusers from preaching especially to the young. When one is a respected cleric, he is assumed to be trusted and not always in groups.

[Cooper]

Originally Posted by Carol25

I read about the massive problems in the Catholic religion with their priests. When the first problems were made known, they were dismissed. When they became more prominent and more people knew about them, the clerics involved would "repent, become "rehabilitated and moved to another facility to wrok. Ignorant to the fact that that the behavior would be complusive, they just continued moving the offender to different locations, repeating the same pattern.

It then came to light when more litigation made notes of the Bishops be known it was found the the Bishops didn't want their image tarnished and that is why they had denied the allegations so long, made it difficult for the accusers and their families to continue to worship at the parishes, kept moving the offenders instead of giving them up to authorities.

My guess is that most religions would find that hiding or sheltering the abusers fit their agenda of "not tarnishing the image of their church."

Let us hope that most religions would at least have the foresight to remove the abusers from preaching especially to the young. When one is a respected cleric, he is assumed to be trusted and not always in groups.

It's not just JW's. There are abuser priests, rabbis pastors and elders. I really wonder why religions shelter the abusers.

[Spyder88]

Originally Posted by Cooper

It's not just JW's. There are abuser priests, rabbis pastors and elders. I really wonder why religions shelter the abusers.

I've wondered the same thing, Cooper. One would think that they'd want to get an offender like that not just out of their sight, but off the streets so they couldn't harm anymore innocent people. Makes no sense what-so-ever.

In the long run, sweeping things like that under the rug only makes everything that much worse.

This is just another reason why I don't care to associate myself with any particular sect/organization. When I'm asked what religion I am, I just say I'm a Christian.

I have NO desire to be affilitated with any Lutheran, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist or what have you. I prefer to worship God my own way and keep my relationship with Him on a strictly personal and private level.

[Cooper]

Originally Posted by Spyder88

I've wondered the same thing, Cooper. One would think that they'd want to get an offender like that not just out of their sight, but off the streets so they couldn't harm anymore innocent people. Makes no sense what-so-ever.

In the long run, sweeping things like that under the rug only makes everything that much worse.

This is just another reason why I don't care to associate myself with any particular sect/organization. When I'm asked what religion I am, I just say I'm a Christian.

I have NO desire to be affilitated with any Lutheran, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist or what have you. I prefer to worship God my own way and keep my relationship with Him on a strictly personal and private level.

I think that is just fine, Spyder. We can all choose the ways we connect with G-d.

For me, I love being with my congregation and communal prayer.

[Cooper]

Originally Posted by franker01

It would seem to be contrary to the whole concept, wouldn't it?

My guess would be that the religions are run by people and people are flawed.

Of course that's true of all institutions but in the others the particular conditions which led to this irony/hypocrisy probably aren't as prevalent.

I would agree to a point. People are flawed. However, to cover up after the fact and allow the abuser further access, is what baffles me.

[Anastasia]

Cooper, I don't get it either. I never have and I don't think I ever will.

I'm a Catholic, and I am deeply ashamed that there are people (in prominent positions yet!) in my church that would allow such things to go on.

How any religious organization can shield and protect those who abuse innocent children is utterly beyond me.

It's disgusting and a betrayal of everything religion is supposed to stand for.