Patiently waiting for Truth

I will correct a mistake, its 4 counts of child porn. Now, before 2013 each State had their own scale in age on what child porn was. Some states had it at 13 years and under, some had it at 9 years and under. After 2013 the Federal Government made it at 18 YEARS and under.
So, let’s NOT presume to know what the age level on the charge is.
I think the point here, where's the outrage when people rebuke, the Watchtower. Where’s the slander, the condemnation of him being part of the Org. Instead, there is a soft appeal. I am waiting to read someone accuses the watchtower and elders for the action of this individual.
In the USA, the presumption is, innocent until proven guilty. In other countries like Australia, Canada, UK, the presumption should be the same. But times have changes since 2013. Now, the presumption for such crimes is, guilty until proven innocent.
Since the accusation is, about possessing child porn and “distribution” of that material, then it should be noted that most of the time, it comes from internet traffic. Meaning, he was under surveillance after he was “flagged” to be doing things over the internet that were questionable.
Therefore, the State has a strong case. Most likely to avoid prison time, James will plead out to “guilty” as charged.
Once again, the only person James hurt was himself, no one else if anyone is alleging. Whoever he forward that material to, will most likely be getting a knock at their door soon.
Sentencing guidelines for 4 counts of child porn in North Carolina is 4-6 years in prison, or 5 years’ probation. Penalty and fines. Court Cost. They can break it down to 4-6 years in prison, serve 2 years and get released for good behavior and be placed on probation for the rest of his sentence.
Probation means, no active life. No smoking, no drinking, no drugs unless approved by the PO, no interaction with families that have children, no social interaction with children outside the family circle. Needs to stay away at least 100-300 feet (ca. 91 m) with kids when grocery shopping or other matters such a kingdom hall if he doesn't blame the Watchtower for his downfall and action as customary with some. Will need to live at least 1-2 miles (3.22 km) away from any school or child institution zone. Needs to report to his PO, whichever the court decides by, day, week, bimonthly, month, get drug tested, no internet access through any form of media, pay for probation. Sentence will include “community service” ranging from 250 hours and above. Behavioral Counseling. His name and address goes into a sex offender registry that will follow him regardless where he is allowed to move for the rest of his natural life.
Failure to comply with any of these provisions can land him, being violated (revoked) and sent back to prison. The most common ones are DRINKING and internet access.
As far as I can see, this is James first offense on this matter which will work in his favor.

Dear Thinking, in this few days you participated with 10 posts/comments about same event. And now you concluded how you are in some sort of regret for opening "that link" and involved yourself in "this fiasco". Why do you think how speaking about such issue is your or our "fiasco"? Do you feel need for repentance because you involved yourself into this? Do you need to confess your "sin" about this to your elders in congregation? And to tell them how you are in virtual "inappropriate association with weak brothers and former members" ?
The exchange of experiences and opinions that take place here can be helpful in acquiring the skill of discerning truth, falsehood, and that between this two.

There are people who live to slander. 
Is there shame in an arrest? Not on the part of the one arrested until he/she is found guilty. If found innocent, the shame may even be on the accusers.
Is it not slander to take an accusation that would otherwise never go beyond some tiny community billboard and re-broadcast it to the whole world news media .org?
In Ann’s defense, she is hardly the first one to do this. It is the new standard of the world and has been for some time. An arrest is synonymous to a conviction in the new world of “journalism.” She can’t possibly have missed the point of the reference to the French Revolution in which a denouncement was enough to send one to the guillotine—she is not stupid.

Here is a quote from Wikipedia that might help: 
“Sometimes the four letters are called the Tetragrammaton, which is Greek for four letters
These four letters are usually JHWH in German, French and Dutch, and either YHWH, YHVH, JHWH or JHVH in English. In some English language Bibles, it is written in all capital letters as "LORD," as in Jewish tradition. Others, such as the Jerusalem Bible use "Yahweh". The Holman Christian Study Bible uses "Yahweh" when there is a reference to his name; God's Word Translation uses all of the Hebrew transliterations for the name of God."
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/YHWH
I have found this a simple site to use:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/ 
If you click on the specific scripture, it breaks down the Hebrew or the Greek, by giving you the option to click on a specific word. 
Yes, the apostles, and I know all the faithful anointed since then, would take on a balanced view of God and Christ.  What the man in the video pointed out, was the imbalance shown by the GB in how they interpreted scripture.  They have come to have an “overbalanced importance” on “Jehovah”, causing Jesus Christ to be downplayed.
 
I understand what you are saying.  I am also getting older, and finding it difficult to keep my thoughts in order.  What you are able to surmise about the situation of the anointed in the organization, is prophesy being fulfilled.  Daniel and Revelation speak of a Beast that “makes war” with the “saints”. (Rev 13:7)  Daniel says it is…
 “the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left.”  Dan 7:19  See: Luke 21:24; Rev 11:2
 It is out to destroy God’s spiritual people.   This war is not through the use of literal weapons as the WT will have us believe, and the primary target is not JWs, yet they are affected also. (Rev 9:3,4)  But, as Rev. points out, it is by the use of deceit – by lies, spoken by another symbolic “Beast”/false prophet that directs the “Gentile” Beast which blasphemes God’s sanctuary.  (Rev 13:6,11,12,14)
Yes, I am very vocal about this as an anointed one.  As “Zion” rises with faithful anointed coming together as the “two witnesses” in Rev 11:3, the organization will become “level ground”. (Zion - Isa chapter 2)   These chosen witnesses (Isa 43:10; 1 Pet 2:5,9) address the very point you make, that the Temple of God, has been compromised – desolated - by the presence of “Gentiles”/elders,  “sitting”/ruling over it, over “Israel”, the “living stones”; which means truth in Christ has also been compromised. (Mark 13:14; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1,2)
The Temple of God is built on Truth, with the apostles and Christ Jesus as its foundation.  (John 14:6; Eph 2:20-22; 1 Tim 3:15) Those who speak truth outside the organization, and those who speak lies under the false prophet in the organization and where the majority of anointed reside, are at spiritual “war” with one another.  We all must make our decision, we must choose our side. You are already doing that.   (Joel 3:14)   The majority of the anointed will remain in the organization.  Always during these times when God’s people have transgressed His covenant and withdraws his protection, the repentant remnant that is saved, is small.  (Amos 7:5; Matt 7:13,14; John 10:7-10)
I know you look for “true” anointed ones to build an organization blessed by God.  There will be no other earthly organization run as the WT is, in the world of Satan’s commerce and lies. All that the WT avails itself to, in order to make its organization thrive, are treasures of this world.   Jesus never accumulated goods, real estate, investments, and never admonished his followers to. (Matt 6:19,20) Whatever money the disciples carried, was given to the poor. (John 12:4-6)   The organization has transformed their material possessions into acceptable possessions belonging to Christ.  This is a lie that has led to idolatry.  They admonish that these possessions are what God expects us to support with our money, contrary to what Jesus Christ taught us about accumulating riches.  (Matt 19:21)
God’s true organization is spiritual; as you say, the Body of Christ, the Temple of God, is comprised of the anointed. (John 2:19-21) That is His “organization” and we will see its fruition with the last “stones” of the Temple sealed in placed, at Armageddon’s  finished.
These are “small beginnings” or “small things”,  where many have already found the “true” anointed ones in Christ, who speak truth from God’s Word.
 
Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep. 2 He asked me, ‘What do you see?’
I answered, ‘I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. 3 Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.’
4 I asked the angel who talked with me, ‘What are these, my lord?’
5 He answered, ‘Do you not know what these are?’
‘No, my lord,’ I replied.
6 So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.
7 ‘What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of “God bless it! God bless it!”’
8 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 9 ‘The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.
10 ‘Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?’
11 Then I asked the angel, ‘What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?’
12 Again I asked him, ‘What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?’
13 He replied, ‘Do you not know what these are?’
‘No, my lord,’ I said.
14 So he said, ‘These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.’
 
“I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, ‘Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshippers. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.’ 4 They are ‘the two olive trees’ and the two lampstands, and ‘they stand before the Lord of the earth.’”  Rev 11:1-4
 
 
 The Great Deception - https://pearl-anillustration.blogspot.com/
 
 
 
 
 

It seems Allen Smith called it in the past and was deleted for speaking up, as many do here about such behavior. The condemnation is strong unless a beloved friend becomes, involved.
https://bustedncmugshots.com/rook-james-thomas-mugshot-8-16-2020-424-pm-gaston-county-north-carolina/
I will not disparage his person other than to say, regardless if he is convicted or not, he can still “repent” in order to save his soul while contemplating his past actions should it end that way of being judged and sentenced by a government he imagined of.
Unfortunately, no one, be it a former member or a present one can defend an action coming from human imperfection. This is why God choose to put those words in scripture, because  those opposed to structured law be it from man’s law or God’s law, anyone can fall victim to Satan’s influence.
My heart goes out to his family with such a human trail.
 
§ 14-190.17. Second degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
(a) Offense. – A person commits the offense of second degree sexual exploitation of a minor if, knowing the character or content of the material, he: (1) Records, photographs, films, develops, or duplicates material that contains a visual representation of a minor engaged in sexual activity; or (2) Distributes, transports, exhibits, receives, sells, purchases, exchanges, or solicits material that contains a visual representation of a minor engaged in sexual activity. (b) Inference. – In a prosecution under this section, the trier of fact may infer that a participant in sexual activity whom material through its title, text, visual representations or otherwise represents or depicts as a minor is a minor. (c) Mistake of Age. – Mistake of age is not a defense to a prosecution under this section. (d) Punishment and Sentencing. – Violation of this section is a Class E felony. (1985, c. 703, s. 9; 1993, c. 539, s. 1197; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2008-117, s. 4; 2008-218, s. 3.)
§ 14-190.17A.  Third degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
(a)        Offense. - A person commits the offense of third degree sexual exploitation of a minor if, knowing the character or content of the material, he possesses material that contains a visual representation of a minor engaging in sexual activity.
(b)        Inference. - In a prosecution under this section, the trier of fact may infer that a participant in sexual activity whom material through its title, text, visual representations or otherwise represents or depicts as a minor is a minor.
(c)        Mistake of Age. - Mistake of age is not a defense to a prosecution under this section.
(d)       Punishment and Sentencing. - Violation of this section is a Class H felony.  (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1022, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 1198; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2008-117, s. 5; 2008-218, s. 4.)
 
Thus far, the State is charging him with 3 counts of sexual exploitation of pornographic material, not interaction with a physical child. The States argument is Child Porn.
If he gets a good lawyer since this is a criminal offense, he can get 3 years probation. However, he will need to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. This is the argument brought before the courts. How excessive is the punishment against the crime.

Sorry for butting in, but I think she meant JTR's family too. I am sure JTR getting arrested has had a negative impact on them (his wife etc.), regardless whether he is guilty or innocent.
edit: Ok, I just saw she explained it...

How so?
Not at all.
Um ... what?
 
Are you assuming his family is breezing through this unaffected? That this situation will only impact their lives if he is convicted? What planet are you living on, Tom?

I believe Ann O'Maly's viewpoint is of general value, and it does not target particular, this one, case.   

What’s more important to you -
God’s Temple arrangement of His priesthood – 1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; Eph 2:20-22
Or, men’s organizational arrangement which “represents” God’s priesthood?
What do you think is more important to God?
"Have you not driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron and the Levites, and made for yourselves priests like the peoples of [other] lands? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams, even he may become a priest of [what are] no gods.”  2 Chron 13:9
Which arrangement is “holy”?
“If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.” 1 Cor 3:17
Since the elders “represent”, judge, spiritually “kill” anointed who speak up for Christ’s Body which is God’s Temple and is the house of His Spirit…
… who/what do you think this scripture is speaking about:
“who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.” 2 Thess 2:4
You see, it does matter to make the distinction between the "holy and the common", between God's arrangement of the Temple in Christ, and man's flawed, corrupt arrangement of an earthly organization. (Ezek 44:23)  
It matters, because in the last days, the "man of lawlessness" created by Satan, is so powerful, so deceitful, that JWs prefer not to know the truth about it.  They prefer their organized "priesthood" over God's anointed priesthood of His Temple.  I so wish you and all JWs, thirsted to know the truth. 
2 Thess 2:9-12; Rev 13:4,18
 
 

I disagree - as do child abuse prevention agencies.
Also see this article: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/protecting-children-sexual-abuse/202008/language-matters-child-pornography-no-longer
Now to JTR. We do not know the exact nature of the material or the circumstances leading to his (alleged) possession or viewing of it, and I'm not going to speculate. I will be most interested in the outcome of his future trial, whichever way it goes. I'm sure other members here feel the same. As he was a frequent poster here, that outcome should, imo, be shared on this forum just as his arrest was. There's nothing shameful about posting publicly available, factual information on a person we interacted with and which could help explain his cryptic message and sudden absence, @Thinking. The shame is in being arrested for that crime.
I just hope his family and the (alleged) victims are coping OK because this whole saga must be turning their worlds upside-down. Too often we focus on the accused and forget the other lives upended by this.

If that’s was Tom was saying or wanted to say, he would have said it. 

This story did bring tears to my eyes. 
https://www.stabroeknews.com/2020/08/21/news/regional/jamaica/jamaican-woman-loses-seven-of-eight-sons/
 Latisha greeted the news team with a welcoming smile when THE WEEKEND STAR visited her at her Corporate Area home. However, behind that smile is anguish and pain.
Not only is she mourning the death of her son who passed away from cancer last Wednesday, but she lives with the burden of losing six other boys, all tragically.
She said that it is her faith that has kept her going. “I am not yet baptised but it is my Jehovah Witness’ faith that keeps me going,” Latisha said. “I cry a lot for them because they are my children and I love them. I am still grateful that Jehovah kept me alive. People always say that I am very strong to endure all of this, but trust me, I am not the one doing it, it’s Jehovah.”
Latisha is suffering from occasional memory loss, and had to seek the assistance of her only remaining son to give the names of all her deceased children. She exhaled deeply as she recalled her sons’ deaths.
Dave, who was 15 when he died, drowned in 1985 after he was allegedly pushed into the water by someone with whom he went out to sea.
A few years later, her second boy Tony was killed at his gate by gunmen.
His murder was followed by the disappearance of Ray and Leroy, who were both shot in the 2000s, but their bodies were never recovered for burial.
The tears were still flowing when another son, Maurice, was killed.
And then in 2018, Al succumbed to injuries he received in an explosion at work.
Now, Wayne, her eldest son, has succumbed to cancer.
Her only living son listened as she shared the stories. He said that although he has two sisters, he badly misses his brothers and often wonders if he is next. “Mi worry about it sometimes and the thought of death crossed my mind a lot because it is like my family is marked for death,” he said. “I tend to brush it from my mind every time the thought comes across because I have three children to live for.”
Latisha says this son is now left with the burden of burying Wayne, who had no savings. She said she is also financially challenged, as her only earnings come from recycling plastic bottles. “I can’t even buy a shirt to bury him, much less a pants. I don’t know how I am going to bury him. I really can’t afford it,” she said.
-----------------------------------------------
I presume this is a true story and I hope she receives help from her Congregation. 
 

Yes it probably was that way. Ah. Now, things make more sense. Thanks for that bit of light.

I think Thinking thought you were talking about JTR, whearas in fact you were talking about Ann O' Maly 😂. Another classic example of how misunderstandings can happen. It stems from trying to be too diplomatic and not mentioning names. Sometimes it's good to be straightforward. One thing is sure, this thread is teaching quite a few lessons 😁
 

“What we have here is a failure to communicate,” said Cool Hand Luke, before they shot him dead. 
You don’t want to do that. What I meant is that there are many platforms that do not appear to recognize the applicability of Proverbs 11:13:
“a slanderer goes about revealing confidential talk,But the trustworthy person keeps a confidence,”
but instead they carry on as though confidential talk should be revealed to all. It is not something I have any control over—other than whether I should participate on this site or not, and I’ve explained many times why I do.
No, but you can read her collective comments, and certain things become pretty clear. By doing that, it is as though you have super powers.
Look, I was chastened by your remark. “Point well made,” I said. What more do you want? No one else backed down any. Nor was I the one to fan the flames in the first place. 
 

Yes (I remember the  movie, Lindy Chamberlain being excellently portrayed by Meryl Streep). It showed perfectly how people can be whipped up into mass hysteria over something that they have no idea about.....merely assumptions and  prejudice (in this case her religion) this experience and the one you mention of the poor brother, show what a daunting task the elders have in having to  be careful not to wrongly accuse someone. Because as you say, it can destroy lives when the person is actually innocent. It is as if we let out all the feathers in a pillow, and then try to put them back in. 
As for the situation with JTR, nobody that I am aware of passed any judgement on him, not even me, considering I (wrongly) thought he had been convicted.
I know you mean well, but I am not sure what you mean by "started this"? You mean that somebody posted a link* to a probable explanation to his sudden departure from the forum? That’s all I can think of, because nobody expressed any negative or judgemental comments to do with JTR on this thread. On the contrary....
*the information in the link is accessible to the public, anyone can see it.

Who Did This???? No trial for him then hey
Well I cannot read his heart so I wouldn’t know if he was a lover of Jehovah or not...you must have super powers Tom......also the point about this statement of this website is Theocracy Dies in Darkness....errr ummmm ...not if your one of Jehovah’s Witnesses it  doesn’t...or it shouldn’t !😉...or should I say not if your a true lover of Jehovah...aaaaaah..I’m getting as sarcastic as you my brother....not a good trait to have actually 🥴

All of these scriptures refer to the anointed Body of Christ, not a false priesthood - "Gentiles who "sit" in God's Temple. (2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1,2)    Nothing in the organization takes place "decently and by [God's] arrangement" in Christ.  It takes place indecently by man's arrangement.  The "gifts" are given to "Israel" for a purpose, which are not used under the GB/wicked slave.  The anointed priests (1 Pet 2:5,9) are the shepherds that God has assigned, yet are ignored in your organization.    
Are the elders, "saints"?  
Eph 4:11,12 - "And he himself gave some as apostles and some as prophets and some as evangelists and some as pastors and teachers  for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ"
 
 

Ok, if you want to nit-pick. But it is understood that since everyone, including, the elders, are the congregation, then when the Bible says take your grievance to the congregation, it means to those who have shepherding roles, rather than stand on a pedestal and tell the whole assembly of brothers and sisters including children. I can just imagine getting up on the platform and taking the mic and  announcing my accusation against another member. "Hear, hear, I have an announcement to make; br. 4jah did wrong, he did such and such and won't listen to me".  "Booo!" shout some, others say "can't be, surely not 4jah"? Nope, I think you can see that would not be the wisest option.
1Cor 14:40 But let all things take place decently and by arrangement. 
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelizers, some as shepherds and teachers..
1 Peter 5:2 Shepherd the flock of God under your care, serving as overseers....

The Police have wasted no time in contacting me. The IICSA must have contacted the Police immediately and the Police emailed me today, and i have just replied to them.  The Police wanted all the same information and more besides.  I actually found it quite easy to deal in facts, and not get emotional about knowing the people involved. What I did find a bit difficult is when they asked questions which i didn't have true answers to, because i didn't want to 'guess' the answers.  I made sure to state that certain things were only 'my own opinion'.  It would be nice to hear a result but i doubt i will. 

Quote C. C. " The only confusion I see comes from those that can't separate themselves by combining church and state. A worldly view to be sure. "
That's so funny. The confusion I can see is in the GB / CCJW / JWs that cannot separate God and Christ from the CCJW / Watchtower.  Confused JWs think that their GB is the gateway to God. Whereas Jesus said "No one comes to the Father except through me".  Confused JWs have replaced Jesus with the GB. 

@Anna  Sorry but i have to pick you up on this point >
Quote "It must be stressed though that NOW it is clearly in writing that sins are handled by the congregation,..."
Nothing is handled by the Congregation.  It is all handled by the Elders and Circuit Overseers etc. The congregation are told nothing. Unlike in scripture when it says 'take it to the congregation. 

I hope so! The ability to edit is also gone (for me anyway). I need that, since after reading over what I have already posted I always find some nonsense that I have written that needs changing! (including grammar)

Having in mind so many "doctrinal errors" produced in the WTJWorg "kitchen", this statement is not so shine to be proud about it and about parallel/similar spiritual voyage you and them have in Bible understanding.  

Very true. And although I am not news media (😀) I made that classic mistake of NOT reading properly, and assuming! Shame on me.