Below is the first mention of the words “Pedophile Paradise” used to apply to the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  The year was 1998 and it was in response to the 1995 Watchtower article on child abuse.  Read this essay and see if you feel to that Jehovah’s Witnesses provide a “Pedophile Paradise” for child molesters.

Do you Practice Incest?

6-12-98

By Norman Hovaland

Do you molest children?

Would you like to be able to do this undisturbed and with no risk of being punished?

If your answer to these questions is yes, you should not hesitate but as soon as possible get in contact with the nearest congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, and ask for a ”study”.

By taking some simple precautions, like never taking two spectators to your abuse sessions (you can take one if you want), you will be able to abuse as many children as you want without much danger of ever being held responsible for it.

The Pedophile Paradise

Why use a lot of money to go to Asia to abuse children, when you can have it all at home?

In the Jehovah's Witnesses congregations there will always be a good supply of little boy’s and girls. You just have to pick and choose, and you can always rely on the protection and support of the elders against possible accusations from your victims. And in addition they will see to it that the police is never involved.

Do you think this is a tasteless joke? Unfortunately it isn’t.

Let us take a look at an article published in the Watchtower magazine November 1, 1995 issue on pages 25 to 29, with the title:

“Comfort for Those With a “Stricken Spirit”

Problems with incest has reached such proportions in their congregations that the Watchtower Society has been forced to “deal” with it in their literature. As the title of the article indicates it has the apparent aim to “comfort” the victims of such abuse, but when reading the article there seem to be little real comfort for them:

The article brings up the problem of “Repressed memories” and states the following:

“ *** w95 11/1 25-6  Comfort for Those With a "Stricken Spirit" ***
In recent years some have been “brokenhearted” for reasons that others find difficult to understand. They are adults who, on the basis of what have been described as “repressed memories,” say that they were sexually abused when they were children. Some have no thought of having been molested until, unexpectedly, they experience flashbacks and “memories” of an adult (or adults) abusing them when they were young.”

The article continues to say that mental-health professionals, don’t really understand these memories and not surprisingly state the following:

“ *** w95 11/1 26  Comfort for Those With a "Stricken Spirit" ***
So we look with confidence to God’s Word for guidance in handling them. The Bible provides “discernment in all things.” (2 Timothy 2:7; 3:16) It also helps all concerned to put faith in Jehovah, “the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation.”—2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.”

This kind of reasoning is unfortunately what usually lands the victims in the problems in the fist place. The Bible unfortunately provides no help for such victims. Faith in “Jehovah” is as we know synonymous with faith in the Watchtower organization and it’s representatives. Usually it is one of these representatives of this organization, which is the abuser. For the victims that kind of faith and trust was misused and exploited in the most despicable manner.

“Jehovah” and his alleged “organization” was helpless to prevent the abuse and by its very structure are only geared for protecting the abuser. If for arguments sake we exchange “Jehovah” with your own “fleshly” father. Let us say he had a “ring side view” to the abuse, like Jehovah has, being omni-whatever, and he didn’t do anything to help you and protect you but just let this trusted “brother” molest away. How would you feel when the Elders came to you and demanded that you should “trust” your father? What respect would anyone have for such a father? How sick and twisted is it possible to get for believers?

The Watchtower continues:

“ *** w95 11/1 26  Comfort for Those With a "Stricken Spirit" ***
In the world, there is much controversy as to what these “memories” are and to what extent they represent things that actually happened. Jehovah’s Witnesses are “no part of the world” and take no part in this controversy. (John 17:16) According to published reports, “memories” have sometimes proved to be accurate. For example, after insurance adjuster Frank Fitzpatrick “remembered” being molested by a certain priest, almost one hundred others came forward to claim that they too had been abused by the same priest. The priest reportedly admitted to the abuse.”

The article points out that such memories has turned out to be wrong, and when it comes to help such people the article mention the example of the “neighborly Samaritan”. Then the article proceeds to give them most strange interpretation of that parable that has ever been printed. Let us look at this masterpiece:

“ *** w95 11/1 26  Comfort for Those With a "Stricken Spirit" ***
When the Samaritan came along, his heart went out to the wounded man. What did he do? Did he insist on hearing every last detail about the beating? Or did the Samaritan get a description of the robbers and immediately chase after them? No.” 

The message from the Watchtower Society is as follows: “Don’t talk about details, distract the already confused victim as much as possible, try to convince him/her to put the lid on the whole thing for good.”

The article then state:

“ *** w95 11/1 26  Comfort for Those With a "Stricken Spirit" ***
True, there is a difference between physical wounds and a “stricken spirit” caused by actual childhood sexual abuse. But both cause great suffering. Hence, what the Samaritan did for the wounded Jew shows what can be done to help an afflicted fellow Christian. The first priority is to give loving comfort and to help him recover.”

Yes, and how do they do that? One of the greatest concerns for a victim would of course be for justice and the knowledge that the abuser will be taken care of to protect other potential victims. A lot of mumbo jumbo about forgiving and you are probably just hallucinating probably isn’t much comfort. A new low is then reached with the next statement:

“ *** w95 11/1 26  Comfort for Those With a "Stricken Spirit" ***
Can we doubt that the Devil now plays upon child abuse and the “downhearted spirit” of many adults who suffered this (or are troubled by “memories” of having suffered it) to try to weaken the faith of Christians?”

What fantastic comfort this must be for the abused! Of course this is what every victim of sexual abuse needs, to be served some superstitious clap trap about the Devil planting memories in their heads, and that their abusers is probably innocent. “Oh, don’t bother about these pesky memories, it is the Devil trying to lure you out of the wonderful “truth”. Every trick in the book must be used to prevent the victim from starting to talk to others about such memories. This would of course set the Watchtower Society in a very negative light and that simply must be avoided at all costs.

Then follows a lot of talk about the importance of trusting God and remember that Jesus loves you. Etc. Totally missing from such twisted and insane reasoning is of course where God and Jesus were when the abuse took place. Obviously they were powerless to prevent the evil deed, and why should they deserve such immense trust now? Of course it is always the victim who is asked to “endure”. Why should they endure?

We find the reason here:

“ *** w95 11/1 27  Comfort for Those With a "Stricken Spirit" ***
What of the Alleged Abuser?

A person who actually abuses a child sexually is a rapist and should be viewed as such. Anyone victimized in this way has the right to accuse his abuser. Still, an accusation should not be made hastily if it is based solely on “repressed memories” of abuse. In this case the most important thing is for the sufferer to regain a degree of emotional stability. After the passage of some time, he may be in a better position to assess the “memories” and decide what, if anything, he wants to do about them.”]

The follows another set of statements that show why victims of incest in the Watchtower Society really need all the strength they can muster:

“ *** w95 11/1 28  Comfort for Those With a "Stricken Spirit" ***
If there is some valid reason to suspect that the alleged perpetrator is still abusing children, a warning may have to be given. The congregation elders can help in such a case. Otherwise, take your time. Eventually, you may be content to let the matter drop. If, though, you want to confront the alleged perpetrator (after first assessing how you would feel about the possible responses), you have a right to do so.”

As we can clearly see from the above quotes the central leadership in the Watchtower Society isn’t very happy for or interested in having victims of incest “rocking the boat”. In some cases the abuser is himself an Elder. When an Elder have abused you, possibly for years, some times even with the knowledge of other Elders, it shouldn’t be difficult to understand the difficulty you have with trusting any of them.

When one read articles like this is easy to see how guiding the wording is. It isn’t a coincidence that words like: “an accusation should not be made hastily”; “After the PASSAGE of some TIME, he may be in a better position to assess the “memories” and decide what, IF ANYTHING, he wants to do about them.”; “If there is some valid reason to suspect that the alleged perpetrator is still abusing children, a warning MAY have to be given.”; “Otherwise, TAKE YOUR TIME”; Eventually, you may be CONTENT TO LET THE MATTER DROP” (my capitalisation) . After having received some sessions with this kind of “comfort” the victim usually gets the message from Brooklyn, which is, forget it! Of course you knew all along that when it is your word against “Brother Elder” you didn’t stand much chance anyway. Somehow he forgot to bring two witnesses to observe the act.

The imitation or fake “comfort” given by the Watchtower Society is even more visible in the next section of the article, under the heading:

What Can Elders Do?

As we will see they can’t do much but increase the victim’s problems:

” *** w95 11/1 28  Comfort for Those With a "Stricken Spirit" ***
What if the sufferer decides that he wants to make an accusation? Then the two elders can advise him that, in line with the principle at Matthew 18:15, he should personally approach the accused about the matter. If the accuser is not emotionally able to do this face-to-face, it can be done by telephone or perhaps by writing a letter. In this way the one accused is given the opportunity to go on record before Jehovah with his answer to the accusation. He may even be able to present evidence that he could not have committed the abuse. Or perhaps the one accused will confess, and a reconciliation may be achieved. What a blessing that would be!”

This “advice” is really a gem. The victim should approach the abuser, wow! But if the victim doesn’t feel up to it, will the Elders help? Not really, it is still the victim who must do it, by telephone or letter. What wonderful insight they have in Brooklyn. The article staggers on and get more pathetic by every sentence: 

“ *** w95 11/1 28-9  Comfort for Those With a "Stricken Spirit" ***
If the accusation is denied, the elders should explain to the accuser that nothing more can be done in a judicial way. And the congregation will continue to view the one accused as an innocent person. The Bible says that there must be two or three witnesses before judicial action can be taken. (2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19) Even if more than one person “remembers” abuse by the same individual, the nature of these recalls is just too uncertain to base judicial decisions on them without other supporting evidence. This does not mean that such “memories” are viewed as false (or that they are viewed as true). But Bible principles must be followed in establishing a matter judicially.”

Yes, the Bible principles must be followed, the abuser must remember to bring at least two witnesses to the act. Here we can enjoy the pure genius of the Watchtower Society in full flight. By clinging to the “law” of an old Hebrew nomadic tribe they have created a safe environment for predators in general and pedophiles in particular. What a paradise!  But it can still be even more pathetic:

“*** w95 11/1 29  Comfort for Those With a “Stricken Spirit” ***
What if the one accused—though denying the wrongdoing—is really guilty? Does he “get away with it,” as it were? Certainly not! The question of his guilt or innocence can be safely left in Jehovah’s hands.”]

That’s all the abuser has to do. He can deny everything and he is safe. As long as he hasn’t sold tickets to the very act, he can go on indefinitely, after all such people doesn’t exist in the “New World Society”, do they? If some such persons should exist Jehovah is going to take care of him you know. Jehovah is going to be at least as alert as he was when you were abused. Jehovah was no doubt there looking very sad when he was a helpless eyewitness to the abuse. No doubt both Jesus and Jehovah was weeping. But rest assured they will get him in the end you know. They just have to let him continue to abuse children another 20-30 years first, so they can be real sure he is good and guilty. Aren’t we all so privileged to have the truth and belong to Jehovah’s organization? You know the one that Jehovah himself keep so squeaking clean all the time?

Let us in conclusion look back to the quote further above about the priest that had abused over 100 persons. Apparently he confessed to the crimes, but if he had been a Witness and chosen NOT to admit to any wrongdoing, he would still be a Witness in good standing. Why? Because he neglected to bring two eye witnesses to the crime. Is that a problem? Not to the Watchtower Society. It is Biblical justice, of course.