What is that arrangement? Is it going to the police when a crime
is committed? See below.
In our day too, Jehovah’s servants can become involved
in serious wrongdoing, even those who have been faithful
for many years. Recognizing
that the elders can assist, most take the initiative to
approach them for help. (James 5:13-16) But sometimes a wrongdoer
may try
to
cover
up his sin, as did King David. What should we do if we
come to know about serious wrongdoing in the congregation?
Whose Responsibility
Is It?
When elders learn about serious wrongdoing, they approach
the individual involved to give needed help and correction.
It is the elders’ responsibility
to judge such ones inside the Christian congregation. Keeping a close
watch on its spiritual condition, they assist and admonish anyone who
is taking an unwise or wrong step.—1 Corinthians 5:12,
13; 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 5:1, 2.
So does this just apply to slander of moral crimes committed by
adults that break bible law? Notice the scripture used to
define wrongdoing.
But what if you are not an elder and you come to know
about some serious
wrongdoing on the part of another Christian? Guidelines are found
in the Law that Jehovah gave to the nation of Israel . The
Law stated
that if a person was a witness to apostate acts, sedition, murder,
or certain other serious crimes, it was his responsibility to
report it and to testify to what he knew. Leviticus 5:1 states: “Now
in case a soul sins in that he has heard public cursing and he is a
witness or he has seen it or has come to know of it, if he does not
report it, then he must answer for his error.”—Compare
Deuteronomy 13:6-8; Esther 6:2; Proverbs 29:24.
Though not under the Mosaic Law, Christians today can be guided by
the principles behind it. (Psalm 19:7, 8) So if you learn about the
serious wrongdoing of a fellow Christian, what should you do?
Where are we given the right here to call the police? Not one word
offered. So who do you go to? See below.
Handling the Matter
First of all, it is important that there is valid reason to believe
that serious wrongdoing has really occurred. “Do not become a
witness against your fellowman without grounds,” stated the wise
man. “Then you would have to be foolish with your lips.”—Proverbs
24:28.
You may decide to go directly to the elders. It is not wrong to do
so. Usually, however, the most loving course is to approach the person
involved. Perhaps the facts are not as they appear to be. Or perhaps
the situation is already being handled by the elders. Calmly discuss
the matter with the person. If there remains reason to believe that
a serious wrong has been committed, encourage him or her to approach
the elders for help, and explain the wisdom of doing so. Do not talk
to others about the matter, for that would be gossip.
If the person does not report to the elders within a reasonable
period of time, then you should. One or two elders will then
discuss the matter
with the accused. The elders need to “search and investigate
and inquire thoroughly” to see if wrong has been done. If it
has, they will handle the case according to Scriptural guidelines.—Deuteronomy
13:12 -14.
Who investigates the crime first? THE ELDERS! Yet still no mention
of going to the police. Then if there are only one witness what
do you have to do? Report it to police then? See Below.
At least two witnesses are required to establish a charge of
wrongdoing. (John 8:17; Hebrews 10:28) If the person denies
the charge and your
testimony is the only one, the matter will be left in Jehovah’s
hands. (1 Timothy 5:19, 24, 25) This is done in the knowledge that
all things are “openly exposed” to Jehovah and that if
the person is guilty, eventually his sins will “catch up” with
him.—Hebrews 4:13 ; Numbers 32:23.
There you have it the basis of discouraging victims to go to
the police. They are clearly instructed to leave it in Jehovah’s
hands. That means do nothing. Can you warn any other parents
whose children
may be in harms way? See Below.
But suppose the person does deny the charge and you are the only
witness against him. Could you now be open to a countercharge
of slander?
No, not unless you have gossiped to those not involved in
the matter. It is not slanderous to report conditions affecting a
congregation
to those having authority and responsibility to oversee and
correct matters. It is, in fact, in line with our desire always to
do what
is correct and loyal.—Compare Luke 1:74, 75.
So if you gossip and tell others about your child being molested
you could be charged with slander and expelled from the congregation.
What is the reason why? See Below.
Maintaining Holiness in the Congregation
One reason for reporting
wrongdoing is that it works to preserve the cleanness of the
congregation. Jehovah is a clean God, a holy God.
He requires all those who worship him to be spiritually and morally
clean. His inspired Word admonishes: “As obedient children,
quit being fashioned according to the desires you formerly had
in your ignorance,
but, in accord with the Holy One who called you, do you also
become holy yourselves in all your conduct, because it is written: ‘You
must be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:14-16)
Individuals who practice uncleanness or wrongdoing can bring
defilement and Jehovah’s
disfavor upon an entire congregation unless action is taken to
correct or remove them. — Compare Joshua, chapter 7.
The congregation does their own dirty laundry and keeps outsiders
uninformed. This is the basis of how the congregation operates.
Jehovah’s
Witnesses are NOT free to go to the police. They are required
to OBEY the direction of the elders. If they do not they are disfellowshipped.
Thus Watchtower Policy requires a child molestation victim
to go
to the ELDERS FIRST and this is the error of WT policy.
This information
shows without doubt something is terribly wrong in this matter. This “Policy” presents a danger to children
within the organization as well as those who are met in the door to
door work. If the Governing Body really wishes to be a “faithful
slave” they should move at ONCE to correct this mistake and protect
the children.
