PRESS RELEASE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

Wednesday, July 31

Contact:

William H. Bowen: KY 270-527-5350, cell 270-559-5345 silentlambs.org

Jeff Anderson: (attorney) MN 651-227-9990, 612-817-8665
 

Sex Abuse whistleblowers booted out by Jehovah's Witnesses National headquarters

  Church Leaders Continue Pattern of “stoning” Abuse Survivors to Silence Them.

 

The Brooklyn-based organization of Jehovah's Witnesses leadership renewed excommunication proceedings against four long-time members and others who have spo ken out about the problem of child molestation within the organization. They believe it is result of investigative reports from Dateline and the BBC Program Panorama,

 William H. Bowen, of Calvert City who is founder of the organization "silentlambs," (www.silentlambs.org) a support group for victims of child abuse who were molested as Jehovah’s Witnesses, spoke out as a former elder on Dateline and Panorama about how children are being harmed by Watchtower policy.  Last Thursday he was notified that he had been disfellowshipped in a secret hearing. He sent his appeal (enclosed) on Monday.

 Bowen comments:  "In May of this year the Governing Body (Jehovah’s Witness leadership) attempted to disfellowship us, when the media reported it, they backed off.  Now they are trying to silence the truth, this is a public evidence of what happens when loyal Jehovah’s Witnesses try to speak out about child abuse.”

 Jeffrey Anderson of St. Paul , Minnesota , has filed more sexual abuse suits against religious bodies than any other legal expert. "In my experience over the last 20 years, a handful of brave victims step forward in any denomination. It is healing to let them know they are believed and so sad when that does not happen," He said.

 "This isn't the first time church leaders have punished those who expose wrong doing. But every time this happens, it's sad" said David Clohessy of St. Louis . He is the national director of SNAP, the Chicago-based Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests "Bowen and Anderson and their colleagues deserve praise, not condemnation. Children are more important than the image of the church."

 Bowen states, "Since January, 2001, I have been contacted by over 5,000 people who were molested as Jehovah’s Witnesses. I have spo ken to hundreds who were threatened with excommunication if they tried to speak out.”

 Bowen said when press reported the commencement of judicial hearings many came forward and wished to provide confirmation it happened to them.  The following is a cross section of those persons:

 Barbara Anderson, 62 of Norm andy TN, was disfellowshipped for speaking out on child abuse.  She is a forme r r esearcher who worked for the Church's Writing Department, in Brooklyn , New York , she is featured on Dateline speaking out about child molestation cover-ups that go all the way up to the denomination’s Governing Body. Anderson , learned Sunday that her appeal was denied, said the church is acting ''so that Jehovah's Witnesses will feel that they are justified to say to others that we are liars.'' 931-455-6910

 Carl and Barbara Pandelo of Belmar NJ , when Dateline interviewed them they described how callously they were treated by Jehovah's Witness elders after they revealed the molestation of their daughter by another Witness.  The Pandelos’ received a letter last May summoning them for a hearing on "apostasy" charges. The letter also encouraged them to "disassociate" themselves. An eight man elder committee met and disfellowshipped the Pandelos’ who flatly denied the allegations as false.  Their final appeal is pending as of Thursday. 732-280-5776

 Laurie Fitzwater, 31, of Rifle, CO, was disfellowshipped when she tried to warn other congregation members her father in-law had molested at least 17 little girls according to church records.  Though he was later convicted and sent to prison, the church did not review he r r emoval.  970-625-5070

 Loris Matheny- 55, of Clearwater FL , a faithful Jehovah’s Witness for 37 years and mother of eight children, was silenced by the elders when she tried to report the abuse of her son.  When Newsweek ran an article about Jehovah’s Witnesses and abuse, she wrote a letter saying she knew first hand how abuse was covered up and implored headquarters to take action to protect children.  Last Monday two elder arrived at her home saying they were authorized by home office to meet with her. “I was informed it was viewed as a deviation from the faith to question official policy or express concerns openly.  To speak about internal problems to outsiders is strictly forbidden, if I said anything further I would be disfellowshipped as an apostate,” she comments.  813-837-1668      

   Joe Anderson-67 of Norm andy , TN, husband of Barb Anderson and a faithful Jehovah’s Witness for over 50 years, resigned as an elder of over 43 years in protest of Watchtower policy on child abuse in June, 2002.  In his letter he humbly requests the church to make needed changes to protect children.  Tonight he is summoned to a judicial hearing for “causing divisions” because he sent a copy of the letter to fellow elders in his congregation and two members of the Governing Body who were personal friends.  Joe comments, “I wrote my letter as a measure of love, it appears I will be silenced also.”  931-455-6910

 Kristi Hynes-35, of Appleboro , MA , was a faithful Jehovah’s Witness who was baptized at age 13.  When she came forward at age 14 to report being raped by her step father from the age of 5-14, she was threatened by elders with disfellowshipment if she told anyone.  It destroyed her faith in the church and she left at age 18 never to return.  “It was a violation of trust I wil l n eve r r ecover from,” she says. 508-208-0070  

 Heidi Hendricks-43, of Chewelah , WA , is a second generation Jehovah’s Witness who was very active in the faith, was disfellowsipped in October, 2001 along with her father Larry Larson, a member for close to 50 years, for trying to warn others in the congregation about the molestation of her children by their step-father.  “We were labeled apostates for trying to protect their children.”  Heidi states.509-935-0854

 Bruce Keefe-44, Hampton NY , is a third generation Jehovah’s Witness.  While serving as an elder, allegations of abuse were brought to his attention regarding a fellow elder, when he went to local elders to request an investigation he was disfellowshipped in April 2000, for making it known to authorities.  He comments, “I wanted to protect children in the congregation, they wanted silence.”  518-282-9978

 Tammy Wilson-26 of Sylacauga, AL, is a second generation Jehovah’s Witness who was raped and beaten repeatedly from age 9 -14 by her father who remains an elder in the congregation.  When I went to the elders at 14, I was told to be silent, to not bring reproach on Jehovah, to honor my father as it was my word against his.”  She says. Tammy has since left the church. 334-742-2089

 Heidi Meyer-22 of St Paul , MN , a third generation Jehovah’s Witness, filed along with another woman only listed as Jane Doe, a civil lawsuit this month.  They both allege they were abused by a male member of their congregation. When they came forward they were told to not tell anyone or be disfellowhipped for slander. “The elders’ said he was innocent because we did not have a second eye-witness when he molested us.” Heidi comments. 763-360-2680  

 The denomination has one million members in the United States and six million across the world.

 

Bowen’s Appeal Letter:

7-29-02

 

Draffenville Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses

 Judicial Committee Elders of:  

Murray Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Central City Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses

 Any other congregations in which elders have been appointed to my judicial committee

 

Dear Brothers,

I wish to appeal the decision made to disfellowship me.  The reason is because of an error in judgment due to the deceptive manner which the judicial committee operated in the face of my flat denial of any wrongdoing.  I have not committed any sin against God or the organization.  The judicial committee failed to produce any eye-witnesses to back up their allegations, thus they have no case against me.

 As you wil l n ote from previous correspondence over the course of the last 19 months I have endeavored to communicate extensively to the organization regarding the need to change WT policy when it comes to abuse and also to request apology and/or explanation for sanctions that have been directed against me by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  I find it despicable that any elder would cooperate with such wicked actions at their direction.  For you r r eview I offer the following:  

  1. Placing restrictions on me within the congregation without any charges of wrongdoing to make it appear to the congregation I had sinned in some way.
  2. Watchtowe r r epresentatives giving numerous talks in which it is inferred I am a liar and all allegations are false on the deficiencies of WT policy regarding child abuse.
  3. WT Public Information distributing a video to media in which my father is coerced to call me a liar along with Earl Norman and JR Brown.
  4. Forbidden to have assignments on the Theocratic Ministry School and withdrawn as Watchtowe r r eader to put forth the appearance to the congregation a judicial committee had offered sanction.
  5. Instructing the Draffenville Congregation to go door-to-door and tell the public that I am liar.
  6. Forbidding me to work with the congregation in field service.
  7. Instructing brothers and sisters in my congregation to treat me as disfellowshipped.
  8. Deceptive comments to the media to create an impression to the public that myself and other advocates have committed “other” sins against God. (a bald-faced lie)
  9. Pressuring fellow witnesses to stop working in my candle business due to negative comments by representatives of Watchtower leadership.
  10. Deceptively saying you cannot find a KM, personal literature orders and magazines when I have requested them.
  11. Elders informing me I was not welcome at meetings.
  12. Supporting the local child molester by awarding him privileges in the congregation.
  13. I made numerous requests in writing for assistance in resolving the above matters but the Governing Body instructed you to ignore my cry for help.

 As you brothers are well aware I base my comments on matters that I have dealt with personally, that is, actions I have seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears.  If you happened to watch Dateline and BBC Panorama you of course can see on national television the truthfulness of my statements backed up with factual evidence from the abuse survivors themselves.  If these programs were all lies as Watchtower has informed many brothers and sisters, why have they not moved to sue these programs to protect their good name?   Jeff Steen is well aware that what I have stated locally is the truth as he participated in the investigation as well as telephone conversations to Service Department. Yet he sits on a judicial committee to disfellowship me? What kind of “spiritual man” does he prove himself to be?

 In a court of justice for a judgment to be fair and impartial certain protocols must be met.  Within the Jehovah’s Witness court certain protocol is outlined in the elder book, “Pay Attention to Yourselves and All the Flock”.  The judicial committee in following the directions of the Governing Body, failed to follow the written guidelines in the course of my hearing, therefore the judgment was unfair and partial.  I offer the following examples:  

  1. Arranging a hearing in writing and the judicial committee not showing up.
  2. Refusing to communicate answers to clarifying questions for the hearing by ignoring all correspondence.
  3. Failure to provide eye-witnesses to rebut my denial of any wrongdoing.
  4. Conducting a secret judicial hearing without informing me.
  5. Ignoring a second “arranged in writing” meeting without any communication.
  6. Repeated harassment by not following my respectful request to have all communication go through my attorney.
  7. Failure to provide description of the charges against me in the latest hearings.
  8. Failure of the chairman to provide correspondence to the accused as instructed in “Flock” book.
  9. By the actions of the committee I was denied my right to present “witnesses” in my behalf. 
  10. Failure of the committee to provide “suitable” and “convenient” arrangements for the time of the hearing by using deception and short notice.

 I believe these actions of ignoring all protocol for this “kangaroo” hearing has been personally directed by the Governing Body in order to silence the call for proper actions to be ta ken in behalf of children.  The local judicial committee has not acted for the sake of righteousness, but instead as men without morals or ethics who simply obey as instructed.  It is a similar process followed when child molesters are exposed in the congregation as directed by the Governing Body.

 When these matters began I held hope that righteous men would rise up to protect the children in our organization.  I hoped some of those men would be found on the Governing Body who would stand up and stop policies that allow children to be raped.  In the course of the last nineteen months instead of proving themselves righteous the Governing Body has committed actions that prove them to be wicked men. 

 In the illustration of the “Faithful and Discreet Slave” it is interesting to note the comment made in Luke 12: 43-45;

 “Happy is THAT slave, if his master on arriving finds him doing so! 44. I tell you truthfully, He will appoint him over all his belongings. 45. But if ever THAT slave should say in his heart, “My master is delays in coming, and should start to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk.”     

 You see brothers in the illustration the “slave” is one man with an option, to be good or to be wicked. The Governing Body as appointed leaders of the FDS has instituted actions that have “beat” the children of this organization.  When anyone speaks out about this, they are “beaten” by the threat and use of disfellowshipping as a way to silence proper action in behalf of children.  “THAT slave” has become “evil” when it hurts children.  Since 1992 the Governing Body was clearly informed by a written report to each member, that children are being raped as a result of negligence in WT Policy.  With great wickedness and 23,000 child molesters later, to this day they have refused to act.  My June letter to the Service Committee requested a solution to this by following theocratic guidelines within organizational arrangement on September 27th.  Result? The Governing Body appoints a judicial committee to disfellowship me ignoring all protocols for doing so.  Do you really believe you can have Jehovah’s spirit and follow the bidding of wicked men?  If I am wrong in this reasoning I invite you brothers to prove otherwise.     

This proceeding has to date been completely partial, unfair, deceptive, and unjust.  Will you as an appeal committee stand fo r r ighteousness?  I await your communication for a hearing. I also request sufficient time to bring eye-witnesses and agree to face any witnesses who may wish to testify against me.  Please provide a wee ken d time frame and a specific meeting time in writing to my attorney.

 Very truly yours,  

 William H. Bowen

 

 

Jehovah’s Witnesses Definition of Disfellowshipping:

 Display Christian Loyalty when a Relative Is Disfellowshipped

Kingdom Ministry-August 2002-JW-Monthly Journal

1 The bond between family members can be very strong. This brings a test upon a Christian when a marriage mate, a child, a parent, or another close relative is disfellowshipped or has disassociated himself from the congregation. (Matt. 10:37) How should loyal Christians treat such a relative? Does it make a difference if the person lives in your household? First, let us review what the Bible says on this subject, the principles of which apply equally to those who are disfellowshipped and to those who disassociate themselves.

2 How to Treat Expelled Ones: God's Word commands Christians not to keep company or fellowship with a person who has been expelled from the congregation: "Quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man.... Remove the wicked man from among yourselves." (1 Cor.5:11, 13) Jesus' words recorded at Matthew 18:17 also bear on the matter: "Let [the expelled one] be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector." Jesus' hearers well knew that the Jews of that day had no fraternization with Gentiles and that they shunned tax collectors as outcasts. Jesus was thus instructing his followers not to associate with expelled ones.--See The Watchtower of September 15, 1981 . pages 18-20.

3 This means that loyal Christians do not have spiritual fellowship with anyone who has been expelled from the congregation. But more is involved, God's Word states that we should 'not even eat with such a man.' (1 Cor. 5:11) Hence, we also avoid social fellowship with an expelled person, this would rule out joining him in a picnic, party, or trip to the shops or theater or sitting down to a meal with him either in the home or at a restaurant.

4 What about speaking with a disfellowshipped person? While the Bible does not cover every possible situation, 2 John 10 helps us to get Jehovah's view of matters: "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, neve r r eceive him into your homes or say a greeting to him." Commenting on this, The Watchtower of September 15.1981, page 25, says: "A simple 'Hello' to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship- Would we want to take that first step with a disfellowshiped person?"

5 Indeed, it is just as page 31 of the same issue of The Watchtower states: "The fact is that when a Christian gives himself over to sin and has to be disfellowshiped, he forfeits much: his approved standing with God; . . . sweet fellowship with the brothers, including much of the association he had with Christian relatives."

6 1n the Immediate Household: Does this mean that Christians living in the same household with a disfellowshipped family member are to avoid talking to, eating with, and associating with that one as they go about their daily activities? The Watchtower of April 15, 1991 , in the footnote on page 22, states: -If in a Christian's household there is a disfellowshipped relative, that one would still be part of the normal, day-to-day household dealings and activities." Thus, it would be left to members of the family to decide on the extent to which the disfellowshipped family member would be included when eating or engaging in other household activities. And yet, they would not want to give brothers with whom they associate the impression that everything is the same as it was before the disfellowshipping occurred

7 However, The Watchtower of September 15, 1981 , page 28, points out regarding the disfellowshipped or disassociated person: "Former spiritual ties have been completely severed. This is true even with respect to his relatives, including those within his immediate family circle.... That will mean changes in the spiritual fellowship that may have existed in the home. For example, if the husband is disfellowshiped, his wife and children wil l n ot be comfortable with him conducting a family Bible study or leading in Bible reading and prayer. It he wants to say a prayer, such as at mealtime. He has a right to do so in his own home. But they can silently offer their own prayers to God. (Prov. 28:9; Ps. 119:145, 146) What if a disfellowshiped person in the home wants to be present when the family reads the Bible together or has a Bible study? The others might let him be present to listen if he wil l n ot try to teach them or share his religious ideas."

8 If a minor child living in the home is disfellowshipped, Christian parents are still responsible for his upbringing. The Watchtower of November 15, 1988 , page 20, states: "Just as they will continue to provide him with food, clothing, and shelter, they need to instruct and discipline him in line with God's Word. (Proverbs 6:20-22; 29:17) Loving parents may thus arrange to have a home Bible study with him, even if he is disfellowshipped. Maybe he will derive the most corrective benefit from their studying with him alone. Or they may decide that he can continue to share in the family study arrangement."-See also The Watchtower of October 1, 2001 , pages 16-17.

9 Relatives Not in the Household: "The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home," states The Watchtower of April 15, 1988 , page 28. "It might be possible to have almost no contact at all with the relative. Even if there were some family matters requiring contact, this certainly would be kept to a minimum," in harmony with the divine injunction to "quit mixing in company with anyone" who is guilty of sinning unrepentantly. (1 Cor. 5:11) Loyal Christians should strive to avoid needless association with such a relative, even keeping business dealings to an absolute minimum. See also The Watchtower of September 15, 1981 , pages 29-30.

10 The Watchtower addresses another situation that can arise: "What if a close relative, such as a son or a parent who does not live in the home, is disfellowshiped and subsequently wants to move back there? The family could decide what to do depending on the situation. For example, a disfellowshiped parent may be sick or no longer able to care for himself financially or physically. The Christian children have a Scriptural and moral obligation to assist. (1 Tim. 5:8) ... What is done may depend on factors such as the parent's true needs, his attitude and the regard the head of the household has for the spiritual welfare of the household." The Watchtower of September 15, 1981 , pages 28-9.

11  As for a child, the same article continues: "Sometimes Christian parents have accepted back into the home for a time a disfellowshiped child who has become physically, or emotionally ill. But in each case the parents can weigh the individual circumstances. Has a disfellowshiped son lived on his own, and is he now unable to do so? Or does he want to move back primarily because it would be an easier life'? What about his morals and attitude? Will he bring 'leaven' into the home?-Gal. 5:9.

12  Benefits of Being Loyal to Jehovah: Cooperating with the Scriptural arrangement to disfellowship and shun unrepentant wrongdoers is beneficial. It preserves the cleanness of the congregation and distinguishes us as upholders of the Bible's high moral standards. (1 Pet. 1:1416) It protects us from corrupting influences. (Gal. 5:7-9) It also affords the wrongdoer an opportunity to benefit fully from the discipline received, which can help him to produce "peaceable fruit, namely, righteousness."- Heb. 12:11.

13  After hearing a talk at a circuit assembly, a brother and his fleshly siste r r ealized that they needed to make adjustments in the way they treated their mother, who lived elsewhere and who had been disfellowshipped for six years. Immediately after the assembly, the man called his mother. and after assuring her of their love, he explained that they could no longer talk to her unless there were important family matters requiring contact. Shortly thereafter, his mother began attending meetings and was eventually reinstated. Also, her unbelieving husband began studying and in time was baptized.

14   Loyally upholding the disfellowshipping arrangement outlined in the Scriptures demonstrates our love for Jehovah and provides an answer to the one that is taunting Him. (Prov. 27: 11) In turn, we can be assured of Jehovah's blessing. King David wrote regarding Jehovah: "As for his statutes, I shal l n ot turn aside from them. With someone loyal you will act in loyalty."-2 Sam. 22:23, 26.