James Thomas Rook Jr.

I think that is the general idea, and that we have seen the last of any pedophiles or child molesters getting away with their disgusting crime. Also, I think anyone thinking about doing anything disgusting to children will think twice about it. (However, there is the problem of new people coming in, they may not be aware of this strict child policy. But I do know that brothers who are being considered for appointment as elders are asked if there is anything in the past that would disqualify them from taking up this position).  I do not expect to see any more new cases in the coming years. I think if any cases come to light now, it will be from the past.
A few months ago I researched the Montana case quite extensively (I read the 400 or so page court transcript) and posted some of my "observations" in the Private JW Club. This was another classic instance of  "a dirty old step dad/grandad molests step children and then years later a step grandchild". (If memory serves right, I think this happened about 10 years ago). The step daughter with the grandchild knew that her step dad had molested her sister, and despite that, she brought her child (the grandchild) to his house for baby sitting because of convenience sake. I don't think this sat too well with the Jury, since it was evident she had knowingly put her child in harms way. Most of the members of that family were not very strong in the truth, and one of the victim's claim was thrown out of court as unreliable (basically she made some stuff up).
I have not followed up on the results of the lawsuit, so thanks for posting that. Anyway, what I remember from reading the transcript is that it all seemed to hang on clergy privilege law in Montana. You might already know this, but each state in USA has their own state laws. Some states have no clergy confidentiality, and others do. Then there is the issue of "what exactly is meant by "confidential". Does this mean no one but the one whom the confidential issue was disclosed to knows? If I remember right, what had to be established by the court was: whose definition of confidentiality was going to be used. Was it going to be the "Catholic" version, where only the priest knows, or was it going to be the particular religions version, in other words what that particular religion viewed as confidential. In the case of Jehovah's Witnesses, confidentiality is not the same as the Catholic version of confidentiality. As we know, when a JW judicial matter is said to be confidential, it means that more than just one elder gets to know the matter and in the case of CSA, advice is sought from the branch office as to reporting laws, i.e. what does the law for that particular state say about reporting? So here we already have perhaps more than 4 people who know about the matter. However, in this version of confidentiality, only those persons who are involved in handling the matter know. No one outside of that circle is privy to this information*. Also, another criteria for the Catholic version of confidentiality is that the penitent must approach the cleric, the confessional.  However, with the Witnesses, this is not always the case. The perpetrator is approached by the elders, as it was in this case. So, although I haven't read the report yet, it appears that the state of Montana recognizes a religion's interpretation of confidentiality, therefor they deemed the JW version as confidential information. So it wasn't because the elders were lying about confidentiality in order to deceive the court. The transcript clearly showed that the elders said how they proceeded, so the court was well aware the that more than one person knew, and that the elders on the judicial committee also called the branch for consultation. There was no deceit on the part of the elders.
* It just occurred to me that if no one outside the confidential circle was to know, then parents of other children were not to find out either. However, this is not the case now. When it is established that there may be concern over the behavior of someone in the congregation, then the parents of any children in that congregation are notified. So really, now there is no confidentiality for the sake of protecting the children. So, I wonder how we can even claim clergy penitence now, because of that. It seems this would be a moot issue with any new cases. It makes me see how in contrast, the other version of clergy penitence is a danger to children, because the priest must not tell anyone else. This is why I think it's stupid for any state or country to have this outdated religious law written in their secular law. Some states are trying to abolish this, but religious tradition is so closely intertwined with politics that it may never happen. Especially not in predominantly Catholic countries....

If Montana have such law than that is obviously lawful how Supreme Court of Montana found elements that released elders and WT and Congregation from responsibility of such report. I am not expert to read documents in such a way and to see what is what into details.
What is interesting, again, from several cases and Court documents known to public, is very strong interest of WT Society and JW elders to be considered in front, before secular authorities, as clergy, priesthood with all legal rights as Catholic clergy. In fact WT lawyers using Catholic clergy as example, how they want to be treated in the exactly same way.  
WT Society, elders and regular members have history of preaching against all religions and theirs priesthood who are instruments of satan, and how these churches and their priesthood lies to people and teach falsehoods. But now WT Society asking, in fact demands to be treated exactly in the same way, to be in same level of "spiritual position, authority" that have Catholic clergy. That is something disgusting, for observers. When taking such position, JW elders drinking "same wine of adultery" with their Catholic "colleagues".      
JW church has not "confession" doctrine  as Catholic church has. https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101989217 Why? Because, JW church had not clergy ....until now :))) 

@TrueTomHarley  I read half of it Tom, but you do tend to go over the top. 
One thing i find quite funny is the FACT that the GB / JW Org change the use of their conscience when it affects their bank account.
In many countries JW Preaching is AGAINST THE LAW.  But as the apostles said 'We must obey God as ruler rather than men'. So in many countries Witnesses deliberately break the law to preach. 
BUT, the GB / JW Org won't 'break the law' to protect young children from being Sexually Abused. 
Even if it it not a legal requirement' to report, SURELY it IS a requirement from GOD through CHRIST to report all forms of Abuse, Child or Adult, to those authorities which GOD HAD PUT IN PLACE.  
Berean Study Bible  James 1 v 27 
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
New International Version Romans 13 v 1
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Christian Standard Bible
Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.
Your GB and its Org have no excuse. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Church stands by its decision
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints said it considers protecting victims a top priority, and has a 24-hour help line to report abuse. "   It seems that they have more of a conscience and better morality than the GB and JW org. They may have broken man's law but they obeyed God's law.  And no I do not want to be a Mormon.  But I think there is a scripture somewhere that says something like, 'when those without law do the things of the law' And of course it is talking about God's law not man's.

Confidentiality: "There are two views held by state courts regarding confidentiality as it pertains to clergy privilege. In two-thirds of the states, a communication is considered confidential if made privately and not intended for further disclosure except to other persons present for the purpose of the communication. In one-third of the states, privileged communication means a communication made in confidence only to the minister, with no third person present".
Taken from: https://www.agfinancial.org/blog/bid103391church-liability-clergy-privilege-confidentiality-and-reporting/
 

@Srecko Sostar, I think that was Brother Lett doing his own version of Saturday Night Live's Church Lady:
"Could it be SAAAAAAAAATAAN?!?!?!?!?"

 

Your observation was, and I quote:
If you can't see how you just insulted everyone here, then I don't think there would ever be enough evidence in the world to convince you. And, by the way, I have never banned anyone, nor have I asked for anyone to be banned. If you already know this, then you are being dishonest. If you don't already know this, then I don't think there would ever be enough evidence in the world to convince you of this either.

I used the word dishonest only because this has been repeated to you so many times, by me and others, too. So it seems that you just don't want to know the truth, when it would be so easy just to ask the admins. I can't imagine that someone who is always insulting others for their poor research skills would not look into a matter himself before making false claims.

You do know, Allen Smith, that you are easily identifiable no matter what name you use. And you know why? Because you always use the same insulting tactics.

You do know, Allen Smith, that you are easily identifiable no matter what name you use. And you know why? Because you always use the same insulting tactics.

It was my opinion, too, that Matthew6699 (or something like that) did not try to add any value to any conversation. I thought he was here just to be as disagreeable as he wanted to be. The dozens of incarnations of Allen, on the other hand, have very often been useful and thoughtful and almost always provocative. There are times when I'd rather see a long response from those "Allen" accounts than, let's say, a Dilbert cartoon. And I really, really like Dilbert cartoons. 😎  (See, I can be provocative too!)

Recycling and environmental protection consumes a LOT of my thoughts ...
Every time I go to an auto parts store, and see a spray can of WD-40, I think of all the dashed hopes and dreams of the Dinosaurs.
The true test of an environmentalists is this:
If he could make it happen, would he bring back the dinosaurs ... and would it be covered by his automobile insurance policy.

.... and all of this was before the invention of boxing gloves ...

That's true. A person can ask you for your lunch money, or if they're a big enough bully, they can just steal it.

Jesus himself said that no flesh would be saved unless God stepped in. While it is not a teaching of ours to 'fear'  destruction of the earth there is a prophecy which shows we are indeed  'ruining' the earth. Rev 11:18.
I follow news regarding this issue and the true state if affairs regarding the biosphere is hidden from the public, while scientists are playing along with US government policy to hide the true state if affairs. 
Ice on Himalayas is melting as is a threat to the country of Bhutan, Maldives going down with rising waters.  Forests are dryer in certain areas, leaves and roots so dry that new saplings are dying. Fires in Sweden, Russia etc. The biggest secret is climate engineering..... on and on.... bla bla.... too much information available but people do not go there.
Hebr 11:1   Faith is based on evidence.  Blind faith is not faith. 
 

According to Jeremiah, the pagan nations were decorating trees with gold and silver. 
(Jeremiah 10:1-3) Hear the word that Jehovah has spoken against YOU people, O house of Israel. 2 This is what Jehovah has said: “Do not learn the way of the nations at all, . . . 3 For the customs of the peoples are just an exhalation, because it is a mere tree out of the forest that one has cut down, the work of the hands of the craftsman with the billhook. 4 With silver and with gold one makes it pretty. With nails and with hammers they fasten them down, that none may reel . . .  
 
The Jews throughout their history adopted many of these customs which God disapproved of.  Many of these customs are still being practiced today and incorporated into Christendom and the world as celebrations to God.  We are told, or at least I have been told by relatives, it's just for fun and God doesn't mind people having fun.  However, God was not pleased with such festivities, and mixing of pagan ways with true worship of him.
 
Amos 5:21  I have hated, I have rejected YOUR festivals, and I shall not enjoy the smell of YOUR solemn assemblies. 22  But if YOU people offer up to me whole burnt offerings, even in YOUR gift offerings I shall find no pleasure, and on YOUR communion sacrifices of fatlings I shall not look. 23  Remove from me the turmoil of your songs; and the melodious sound of your stringed instruments may I not hear. 24  And let justice roll forth just like waters, and righteousness like a constantly flowing torrent. 25  Was it sacrifices and gift offerings that YOU people brought near to me in the wilderness for forty years, O house of Israel? 26  And YOU will certainly carry Sakkuth YOUR king and Kaiwan, YOUR images, the star of YOUR god, whom YOU made for yourselves. 27  And I will cause YOU to go into exile beyond Damascus,’ he whose name is Jehovah the God of armies has said.”

(Ecclesiastes 7:4) The heart of the wise ones is in the house of mourning, but the heart of the stupid ones is in the house of rejoicing.
 
(2 Timothy 3:4) betrayers, headstrong, puffed up [with pride], lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God,
 
(Jeremiah 10:1-3) Hear the word that Jehovah has spoken against YOU people, O house of Israel. 2 This is what Jehovah has said: “Do not learn the way of the nations at all, . . . 3 For the customs of the peoples are just an exhalation, because it is a mere tree out of the forest that one has cut down, the work of the hands of the craftsman with the billhook. 4 With silver and with gold one makes it pretty. With nails and with hammers they fasten them down, that none may reel . . . 
8 And at one and the same time they prove to be unreasoning and stupid. A tree is a mere exhortation of vanities. 9 Silver beaten into plates is what is brought in even from Tar′shish, and gold from U′phaz, the workmanship of a craftsman and of the hands of a metalworker; their clothing is blue thread and wool dyed reddish purple. They are all the workmanship of skilled people. 10 But Jehovah is in truth God . . .
23 I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step. 24 Correct me, O Jehovah, however with judgment; not in your anger, that you may not reduce me to nothing. 25 Pour out your rage upon the nations who have ignored you, and upon the families who have not called even upon your name.  (NWT)

yes, men created yoga and the automobile. 
 
 
Apparently?  how is this demonstrated? 

yes, men created yoga and the automobile. 
 
 
Apparently?  how is this demonstrated? 

Doing something enjoyable may not always be pleasing to God . . .  
(Jeremiah 10:1-3) Hear the word that Jehovah has spoken against YOU people, O house of Israel. 2 This is what Jehovah has said: “Do not learn the way of the nations at all, . . . 3 For the customs of the peoples are just an exhalation, because it is a mere tree out of the forest that one has cut down, the work of the hands of the craftsman with the billhook. 4 With silver and with gold one makes it pretty. With nails and with hammers they fasten them down, that none may reel.  (NWT)
 
Romans 12:1And so, dear brothers and sisters,* I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.* 2Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (NLT)
 
(Acts 15:29) to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication. If YOU carefully keep yourselves from these things, YOU will prosper. Good health to YOU!”  (NWT)

Give me a break   bending your body to its capacity and getting a work out, however that may entail is what our bodies were designed for.  If people are looking for a direction from men, then they will get it, and be controlled.  Relax,  take it for exercise and enjoy it. If your mind is taking you outside of God, then yeah, that's not cool.  But if you are doing something that you enjoy for a workout,  what scripture disallows this? 

Even a strawman is easily drawn with elementary things . . .
Jer 10:4 3 For the customs of the peoples are just an exhalation, because it is a mere tree out of the forest that one has cut down, the work of the hands of the craftsman with the billhook. 4 With silver and with gold one makes it pretty.
"Makes it pretty" means decorating the tree for religious worship or spiritistic purposes.  These were customs God disapproved of and were not to be adopted by his people.
 

You are not looking at the whole scripture,  it is talking about making idols,  that is why the word craftsman is used. If it were just throwing decoration on then you wouldn't need a craftsman. Continue with verse 4 into verse 5, it tells plainly that it is a wooden statue. You are taking a part of a verse to make a law, in a sense. Take the chapter as a whole

Whether they drank blood in Roman times and eat blood sausage in our times does not matter. What matters, is to follow bible instruction.
The first law jehovah gave to Noah after the flood was about blood - it is called the 'everlasting covenant' which was repeated to Israel and also by jesus' disciples.
So what part of the instruction "abstain from blood and fornication"  may we disobey?  If we break the one instruction - is it not as serious as breaking the other one?
One must choose - do you want to obey the bible -  or not. This is not a WT Society issue but one about obedience to God.
 

As i know, Bulgarian Government and representatives for JW's made "friendly agreement" more than 20 years ago: 
"The applicant undertook, with regard to its stance on blood transfusions, to draft a statement, for inclusion in its statute, providing that members should have free choice in the matter for themselves and their children, without any control or sanction on the part of the association."
According to this, blood issue aka full blood, is no more question or religious teaching where WT Society have monopoly over members decisions. 
You and I know the difference. :))