Waymon Chandler Ivery2
Waymon Chandler Ivery, convicted of 1st Degree Sexual Assault On A Child in December 1992

Disturbing footage has come to light that apparently shows a Jehovah’s Witness with a criminal record for sexually assaulting a child, engaged in the door to door preaching work.

The footage was posted on YouTube today, and shows a man answering to the name Waymon Chandler Ivery engaged in the door-to-door ministry as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Ivery is approached by the man holding the camera and asked to confirm his identity, which he does.

The cameraman then states that Ivery has a criminal record for the sexual abuse of a child. Ivery initially attempts to deny this, but when the accusation is repeated, Ivery and his two companions (presumably also Witnesses) get into a car and leave the scene.

You can view the footage below:

Information on Ivery’s criminal record can be found here.

We are tracking down more information on this incident and will bring you updates as soon as we have them, but why does this matter? Is it not the case that once a child rapist has served his sentence, he should be given a chance to resume his place in the community without harassment? After all, why release him from prison if we are not going to give him the chance to rebuild his life?

The answer to this is obvious, and twofold.

First, as was outlined during the Austrailian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, those who have carried out the crime of child sex abuse are at extremely high risk of re-offending.

Hence, while a released inmate should be allowed to build a new life as far as is reasonable, his freedom to do so cannot be without limits or restrictions, or come at the expense of the children in the community. There must be limits and safeguards to prevent such an individual from having opportunities to re-offend.

This brings us to the second point. Ivery was not approached while shopping for food, or watching a movie, or even strolling along a busy street minding his own business. He was approached because he was engaged in a work that involves him calling at the homes of his neighbors.

I spent almost thirty years of my life engaged in the door to door ministry of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and can report that it is not uncommon for the door to be answered by a young child. I know that very often in this situation, the Witness will ask: “Hello. Can I speak to Mommy or Daddy please?”

Often the child would then run to get their parents, but I personally saw a handful of moments where the child replied: “They are not home.”

Of course, I would always take my leave when the child replied that way, and on one occasion the Witness I was with actually told the little boy in a kind but stern tone that they shouldn’t open the door to strangers if they were alone in the house – which, of course, is excellent advice.

But can you imagine how the scenario might have played out if the Witness on the doorstep was a predator struggling with a long-term desire to harm children?

And to make matters worse, Ivery is not a one-off example. In Australia alone over the past 50 years, there were over 1000 JW molesters who posed this specific risk who were not even reported to the authorities. 

At least in the case of Ivery the authorities were aware of his past, thus the local community stood a chance of knowing that a potentially dangerous sexual predator lives in their midst – even if they are likely oblivious to the likelihood of him calling at their homes and asking to be invited in to start a bible study with their families.

The solution is obvious: Watchtower should categorically instruct its congregations that those who have been convicted of sexual offenses against children cannot under any circumstances participate in activities such as door-to-door ministry that pose a high risk of putting them in contact with unsuspecting families and children – for the sake of the convicted offender, and most importantly, for the sake of the child.

Update 15/08/2016

Since we originally uploaded this article, YouTube has removed the video on the grounds that it is harassment / bullying of the subject person. Whilst I understand that YouTube has an obligation to ensure as best as possible that their service is not used to abuse or harass, I maintain that the video is in the public interest due to the reasons already given in the article.

1: The individual, Waymon Chandler Ivery, is clearly the same person as the one identified one a public website as having a criminal record for sexual assault on a child. The man himself affirms that this is his name at the start of the footage and his face clearly matches the mug shot. Thus he is already the subject of a public warning to the community – for this warning to go on YouTube increases public safety rather than detracting from it.

2: Ivery was not approached when he was out shopping, or walking the street, or waiting for a bus. He was approached specifically because he was engaged in an activity that brought him into close proximity with children in their homes, very probably without the parents of those children being aware of his past.

3: Therefore this is not a case of harassment or bullying. This is a case of public attention being drawn to a religious practice that puts a convicted child abuser into close contact with children in their homes.

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187 thoughts on “Disturbing footage of convicted JW pedophile engaged in door to door work goes online

  • August 9, 2016 at 3:08 pm
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    I was involved in a case where we where required to phone the desk in Bethel ,as a body we where very unhappy that a baptised individual who had been required to sign the sex offenders list had decided to return to the congregation where he had committed the offence.
    The brother we spoke to informed us that as a body of elders we ‘sponsor’ all the publishers in our congregation,basically we are responsible for them in the ministry .
    As a result we could make the decision whether we wanted such an individual to take part in the door to door work.
    The decision was made by the body,and we told him that he no longer could preach .

    • August 9, 2016 at 3:26 pm
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      The problem with that is that he may have used “you must obey God as ruler” and “go therefore and make disciples” as his RIGHT to preach and ignored or defied the body of elders. Then what? You disfellowship him for preaching?

      Watchtower does this ALL the time. They throw the elders under the, not bus, but the steamroller to get smashed into the pavement. They need to take a lesson from satans system. For example, my uncle is a disgusting human being who molested his grandchildren. His daughters found out, turned him in to the police and he was arrested. After he did his time in jail the system made sure that he lived in a separate community to be among his ilk. He could live his life with the restrictions hes earned for himself. Not perfect but loads better than watchtowers pedophile hugging policy.

      I like what they do in Ecuador. Since the police are limited society takes care of business. If a pedophile is caught or a rapist. They tie him up. Hang him by a tree branch. Tie a string around his “boys” and start pulling on said string. Ahhh justice.

      • August 9, 2016 at 3:45 pm
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        It was explained to the individual in a rather straight manner why the decision was reached.
        You are on the Sex register,people in the community know that,you cannot be trusted you have never admitted your guilt even though the evidence was overwhelming,your not allowed to preach.

        • August 11, 2016 at 1:47 pm
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          @ Chrissmall

          The pervert should have been removed permanently (never being reinstated) from the congregation and letters given out to all neighboring congregations warning them of this predator.

          But does the WTBTS do that in order to at least protect other congregations? NO! They welcome the wolf back into the sheep fold like he/she was a long lost sheep. Anyone with any common sense realizes that this sets up another child for a greater chance of molestation.

          Is there any perversion or crime that one of Jehovah’s Witnesses can commit that cannot be forgiven and reinstated with good graces for? How about murder, theft, rape, infanticide, genocide…..etc? Nope.

          That is one reason I left, I don’t believe that a church which has (supposedly) God’s Holy Spirit and direction can or should be a pedophiles paradise where sinners and criminals (who commit evil acts on purpose) can be protected by non reporting them to the proper authorities. You really don’t know who you’re sitting next to at the Hall do you?

    • August 10, 2016 at 11:00 am
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      Hi to all! Legal Department in Bethel are controversial institute, according to answer you received from that “brother”. Why telling so? First of all, according to WT teaching you as “elders” or “shepherd” or simply just a man, “fellow brother”, have not and should not have NO POWER over some other members “faith” (my comment on that policy is; unless or how much power some JW person gives you to have over him). Second, reality is different. “Elders are representatives of WT company and they are appointed by GB as “overseers”, persons who supervising others’ work. Job of that kind of “managers” is to making JW members motivated to “publishing” for company. Third, in respond to Superior court of California LD of WT state that “field service is NOT CONTROLLED OR MONITORED BY ELDERS” because that is “personal matter between publisher and his God”. link is here: http://watchtowerdocuments.org/cases/Zalkin-Watchtower's_Points_and_Authorities_in_Reply_to_Opp_to_MSJ_12-16-11.pdf
      According to this and more what can be involved and including in discuss of that issue, it is funny and going to some parody all that “business” that you as “elders” and them as “publishers” under “governing” of GB are doing. Greetings :)

      • August 11, 2016 at 1:14 am
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        Hello

        Like many of you I am absolutely disgusted at this. I was a victim of child abuse, thankfully he was not a JW, and what made me love the truth so much was the feeling of security and protection and dignity God gives us. Nobody can truly understand how devastating an abuse can be if he/she has never experienced it!

        Born and bred in the “truth” I was very devoted for my whole life, became and elder and was making good progress until I had a breakdown. My life was turn upside down when I bumped into the royal commission investigation on child abuse. I was so happy to see Geoffrey Jackson being in court to prove to this “worldly people” how much better the only true”organisation” can handle delicate matters like this with Jehovah’s direction…..I was wrong, he was embarrassing to watch, to listen to!

        The only thing that concerns to the GB is to protect their own interests, although there are beautiful people among the JW’s, loyal friends and genuinely caring persons, the organisation has a strong hold on each of them to the point that even before heinous crime like this they would turn a blind eye. I confronted some of my friends with this topic and I heard comments that made me cringe, comments implying that the fault was on the parents, the elders and even the child but not on those who issued a policy that makes absolute no sense. I was gutted to see Mr Jackson trying to champion the 2 witness rule by twisting words, dodging questions, lying about the shunning of people and all of this under the influence or “direction” of God’s holy spirit. An abused child is alone, he cannot bring a witness, he doesn’t even know what happened and why. I felt terrible for my whole life, always unable to reach the perfect standards of Jehovah, I gave my blood to this org, I made all the sacrifices required and this is what I’ve got in return. I feel like a loyal and devoted man who has been married to an unfaithful wife for his whole life and he’s now expected to continue loving and caring for her based on the vow he took when he loved and trusted her or he will lose his children and all his friends.

        Thanks God I have met very good friends and caring elders in my life, but I have seen and heard of horrible things as well. I have never come across a case of child abuse, but I can confirm that these are not reported to the police but to Bethel. My heart goes out to all those victims, I always recall to my mind the words in 1 John 3:19,20 – Jehovah is greater than our heart and certainly of this organisation.

        There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love – M. L. King

    • August 11, 2016 at 4:50 pm
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      We have had a case in our congregation where a pedophile was only allowed to go from door to door if he was accompanied by an elder of the local congregation that was informed about the pedophile.
      He was not allowed to go from door to door by his own and not allowed to go in ministry with any proclaimer of his choice. I know this because when I was 16 years old I used to ask almost each member of my congregation if they wanted to preach with me and I was told that the guy I wanted to preach with was not allowed to preach with me and he may only preach with elders.

      • August 11, 2016 at 4:55 pm
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        I want to add that I am no witness any more (just for notice).

      • August 11, 2016 at 5:50 pm
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        M, how did you know he was a pedophile and why was he not put in jail? Pedophilia is a crime. If everyone knew he was a pedophile, was it because he had been put in prison for it and served his time?

        If you asked to work with the man and the elders said that he could only work with elders, did they tell you he was an active pedophile or were you just told he could only work with elders and you were kept in the dark as to the reason why you could not work with him?

        Obviously you did not know the reason you could not work with him at the time was because you did not know he was a pedophile, right? So, then if you didn’t know he was a pedophile, neither did the rest of the congregation and the community.

        The reason I surmise this is because you said you wanted to work with him and was turned down. Why would you want to work with a pedophile?

        • August 12, 2016 at 5:10 am
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          When I wanted toll preach with him, I did not Know anything about him. Until today I don’t Know if he really has molested children or if he was in jail. I know that he is considered as a threat because elders and he himself told so. I wanted to preach with him right at the beginning when he came to our congregation when noone did not know anything. Then I and many others were told that: he is ill and that he never may be alone with children and that the elders will take care that he has the possibility to preach but he must be surveyed by at least one elder all the time he is in the ministry. As a result only elders would preach with him. I assume that everyone in the congregation was told because I was told and a friend of mine was told. But I cannot guarantee that everyone was told because I do not remember everything precisely because it has been 11 years now. I do not have more information than that because I have not been an elder, nor a ministerial servant and moved to another congregation some time later where I left the religion. But as far as I have “observed” the possible molester went to the book study at the kingdom hall, not in private homes and when he was at preaching meetings an elder went with him from door to door. People invited him to a restaurant but never invited him to their private home, as far as I could observe it.

          Because of my family in the religion which still associates with me, I do not want to post country and name of congregation, nor my name.

          • August 12, 2016 at 5:36 am
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            I also know that the guy was in therapy. I haven’t said this so far.

  • August 9, 2016 at 3:24 pm
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    The sex offender registry does not exist to warn people of those who no longer pose a threat to society, nor does it exist to warn people of hose accused who were proven innocent. Common sense dictates that it’s very existence proves that despite the fact that the offender has ‘done their time’ there is still a potential for further harm as a result of this psychological aberration. According to Tony Morris wearing tight pants disqualifies a person from engaging in the field ministry. Apparently being a convicted pervert does not.

    • August 9, 2016 at 5:47 pm
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      There is no cure for pedophiles. None

      • August 10, 2016 at 9:13 am
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        There is a cure! It’s produced by Smith and Wesson.

        WS

    • August 10, 2016 at 3:18 am
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      I was going to make exactly the same comment!

    • August 12, 2016 at 5:59 am
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      @ Malachi;

      Yes indeed. It’s a typical case of straining out the gnat to gulp down a camel. How Pharisee like can you possibly get? The perverts cannot be controlled by the ‘unfaithful and indiscreet slave’ but we can sure berate tight pants and short skirts and pantsuits for women by golly! And facial hair, don’t forget facial hair on the brothers and to much makeup on the sisters. Does the steaming diarrhea ever stop? Pitiful isn’t it.

      • August 12, 2016 at 2:51 pm
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        “Does the steaming diarrhea ever stop?”

        I guess it’s just like normal diarrhea. You think it’s done, and then…

  • August 9, 2016 at 3:26 pm
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    Well said. Also even tho he is with others going door to door there is nothing to prevent him from returning to the house on his own at a later time. All part of the grooming process that child molesters use.

    • August 9, 2016 at 3:48 pm
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      That must be a Jehovah witness who is saying he should not be harassed,just like one protecting a paedophile. He can go out without the group on his own and stark kids. If he wasn’t a paedophile why didn’t he stand his ground,he could have had a lawsuit if he wasn’t. All dressed up and looking like a good guy. Wolf in sheep clothing.

    • August 9, 2016 at 3:53 pm
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      Exactly!! They can use the door to door work to find future victims and return.

  • August 9, 2016 at 3:32 pm
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    The picture is public record. Hes a registered sex offender for child molestation going door to door to unsuspecting families.

    A pedophile is harassing the public pushing unsolicited cult literature. Which one is worse? Warning the public that a pedophile is at their door or letting him get away with it? Complain to watchtower. A person who asks the wrong questions can be prevented from preaching in the congregation. But a pedophile? Oh that’s no problem, preach away!

  • August 9, 2016 at 3:46 pm
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    Michele Ruddle, it is not always the case that “there is always a set of witnesses that go to the door at any given time, it’s never one person”. I have had a lone man come to my door on more than 1 occasion. I’ve even invited him in. Exactly what facts do you need aside from the fact that he is on a registered sex offender’s list and is out knocking on doors? Isn’t it time to stop pandering to Watchtower and find the facts for yourself?

  • August 9, 2016 at 3:53 pm
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    Excellent post
    Thankyou for writing it for all to read

  • August 9, 2016 at 4:01 pm
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    a key point is missing from the fine comments here, perhaps he has done his time, but science hints that he would not be cured…..often times they have a wife and hide behind groups such as churches or sadly, scouting. look it up. not opinion–sad but true facts.

  • August 9, 2016 at 4:33 pm
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    I just had a refrigerator repairman at my house, a lawn man, a pool man and a boat mechanic. I have no idea if any of them are convicted pedophiles. Yeah maybe the JWs shouldn’t allow suspected perverts from going door to door but know who your dealing with when you go about everyday life.

    • August 9, 2016 at 5:37 pm
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      True, but the repairmen and pool guys don’t show up unannounced. You call those guys and they have ID. The business that employers them is responsible for them and if they have ever raped or assaulted anyone, they shouldn’t be working alone.

    • August 9, 2016 at 8:55 pm
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      Generally speaking in ‘murica any kind of half way decent repair or service company does background checks.. The last thing a business wants is to be put in a position where they are liable for the actions of said employees. Based on the policies of the borg they don’t care about victims or the perpetrators. The only thing they care about is their “reputation”

  • August 9, 2016 at 4:43 pm
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    If the cameraman “had it all wrong” why didn’t he stand his ground and explain the facts?

  • August 9, 2016 at 4:51 pm
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    I am fairly certain that unless he was disfellowshipped, the elders would be telling him that he has to go out in service, if he wants any privileges.

    I am not one for holding it against a person who has cleaned up his life and served his time but I do hold it against the Society for making a person go out in service in order to “serve” in the congregation when they have a record of abusing a child and this man was convicted of first degree assault of a child, which is probably the case.

    If Jehovah can read hearts and the man is truly repentant, Jehovah surely wouldn’t kill the man at Armageddon for not going in service if the Society thought he was a danger to the community and told him he could not go out in service to be a representative of the Society, would he? Is Jehovah that desperate for kingdom evangelizers? Or, maybe he is that desperate and the society could care less as long as his name is added to the list.

    RCW 9A.36.120
    Assault of a child in the first degree.
    (1) A person eighteen years of age or older is guilty of the crime of assault of a child in the first degree if the child is under the age of thirteen and the person:
    (a) Commits the crime of assault in the first degree, as defined in RCW 9A.36.011, against the child; or
    (b) Intentionally assaults the child and either:
    (i) Recklessly inflicts great bodily harm; or
    (ii) Causes substantial bodily harm, and the person has previously engaged in a pattern or practice either of (A) assaulting the child which has resulted in bodily harm that is greater than transient physical pain or minor temporary marks, or (B) causing the child physical pain or agony that is equivalent to that produced by torture.
    (2) Assault of a child in the first degree is a class A felony.
    [ 1992 c 145 § 1.]

    • August 9, 2016 at 7:50 pm
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      Anybody who has had problems such as these in their past will never, repeat, Never, ‘serve’ in any position of responsibility and will Never have any privileges.

        • August 10, 2016 at 4:00 am
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          It is very interesting in the above document from the Society that under question 5, #19 it says: “Viewing child pornography is a serious violation of Jehovah’s standards, and any involved in such conduct would need strong counsel and, depending on the frequency and the extent of his viewing could be subject to judicial action. (See the April 10, 2012, letter to all bodies of elders.) Nonetheless if the one who views child pornography does not involve anyone else in his actions, this is not considered to be child abuse from a congregational standpoint. Still, the elders should be alert to the conduct of the individual and provide any appropriate Scriptural counsel in connection with his interactions with children.”

          https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ceos/citizens-guide-us-federal-law-child-pornography

          Can you imagine how horrified a JW wife would be if she found child pornography on her husband’s computer and she goes to the elders and tells them what she has found and they don’t pay any attention to her because for one thing, she can’t prove it was her husband that was looking at the child pornography because it’s just her and her husband in the house and he could say she put it on there to conspire against him or if there are children in the house, he could blame it on them and then they’d only consider it a problem (if he admits to it) depending on the frequency?

          If the community knew the Jehovah’s Witnesses were this lax about child pornography, would they want anything to do with them? I don’t think so. Most people in the community would be sickened by reading those guidelines by the Society and consider Witnesses worse than most people in the community.

          I think the reason why the Society is so lax about child pornography and pornography in general is because if they got rid of anybody who does it, they’d lose half the “flock” and if they keep it “in house”, the world will never know and they can retain their squeaky clean image but what this does to the wife who gets married and finds out that her husband looks at child pornography and gets away with it, can just about kill her emotionally.

          She gets married, thinking that her husband would never do such a thing because that is the image that the Society puts out there for the public to see and Witness women to think is the case but the Society only pretends to abhor child pornography.

      • August 12, 2016 at 6:09 am
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        @ Jim;

        Report the perpetrators to the authorities and if they are found guilty then throw them out, period! Send out letters to all surrounding congregations informing them that this individual is “disfellowshipped for life” and not to be reinstated, EVER. That would send a loud and clear message of zero tolerance for pedophiles.

        Then, as the Society is so fond of saying, “leave the matter in Jehovah’s hands” and let God be the final judge at Armageddon.

        The elders and the so called ‘faithful slave’ have one paramount duty besides preaching the kingdom. And that paramount duty is to protect/defend the flock, period. Especially the children who cannot protect themselves from adult pedophiles.

  • August 9, 2016 at 4:58 pm
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    Isn’t it interesting that if a woman fails to remember to scream when attacked and raped, she could be disfellowshipped; if a person doesn’t agree with every teaching from the Gov Body, they are disfellowshipped and shunned for the rest of their lives. In these cases no mercy or forgiveness is shown; yet, when a child molester has committed one of the worst offenses imaginable against an innocent child, raping said child, he may not be disfellowshipped, nor is his crime reported. So a rapist receives more mercy and leeway and sheer benefit of the doubt than the woman too terrified to scream or the helpless child who cannot fight off his or her attacker. What a boy’s club.

    • August 9, 2016 at 6:32 pm
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      Well said!!! I agree with what you are saying. I was PUBLICLY REPROVED for NOT SCREAMING WHEN I WAS RAPED AS A YOUNG TEENAGE GIRL, BUT I FROZE BECAUSE I COULDN’T BELIEVE WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO ME BY AN OLDER BROTHER IN THE CONGREGATION!!
      The Elders said they thought I would FEEL BETTER IF I WAS PUNISHED???? WHY?? BECAUSE I HAD PROBABLY SEDUCED MY RAPIST!! I WAS TERRIFIED OF MY RAPIST. The next week I tried to commit suicide and he gave a Public Talk. He wasn’t ever PUNISHED and the Elders forbade me to go to the Police about it. It happened to me by the same man several times. He was about forty years older than me! He had daughters older and younger than me.
      I am just hoping KARMA will meet him face to face because things have a way of working out fairly in the end. The Universe has a way of connecting the dots and ridding itself of garbage that pollutes the earth!

      • August 9, 2016 at 8:07 pm
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        Hi gettinolderandnbetter,
        I’m an active male witness, 49, an old friend had a link to this page.
        My heart grieves for you. When stuff like this came out years ago, the ‘old school’ elders didn’t know how to deal with it. Nobody did. This was stuff that “you don’t talk about”. They were clueless. Mistakes were made. People were hurt. Offenders got away with it.
        There’s nothing that can be done to ease your pain and resentment. And it kills me.
        What I can say is that these mistakes aren’t made anymore. Now are there exceptions that some slimy people can get around the rules? Sure, that’s true in any organization, company, religion, what have you.
        However, there is serious protocol put in place to prevent what happened to you from happening again.
        This guy in the video, I didn’t even watch it, but he has to go door to door with someone, he can’t work door to door alone.
        It’s not perfect, but we can’t police everybody at all times. We do our best, but sometimes it doesn’t prevent all bad from happening. That’s the case everywhere, from foster care to daycare to kindergarten to babysitters, the unfortunate list goes on and on. I’ve been in the room with this stuff and people such as yourself and when alone, i cry for weeks after. Weeks.
        I wish you peace, as much as you can possibly have. Don’t forget that God sees all and He does not hold you responsible, He does not feel you did anything wrong. Men can be clueless or misled or fooled. God? Not so much.
        Try to pray, gods feelings toward you haven’t changed.
        I’m staring at this screen realizing that I can’t say anything else to help. And that makes me feel horrible. I send you wishes of inner peace. And I’m so sorry.

        • August 9, 2016 at 9:23 pm
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          Dear Jim

          Thank you for your comments. I would like to take the time to respond to your post, since you are an active JW. You and I are the same age, and if you are like me, you spent the best years of your life in the JW organization. In my case it was 46 complete years, as I finally woke up from the indoctrination 3 years ago.

          With regard to the video, whether you watch it or not is immaterial, since I am sure you are not disputing the fact that this convicted child molester was in fact engaging in the field ministry in a community located in Colorado. In your comment you stated that “he has to go door to door with someone, he can’t work door to door alone.”

          My reply to you is NO HE DOES NOT. A convicted child abuser could be directed by the body of elders to only engage in supervised telephone witnessing or letter writing (despite the fact that I would personally never want such an individual writing or phoning strangers.) The point is, he could engage in a “special” ministry which would not likely endanger the public or place him in the home of a child. The reality is, Jehovah’s Witnesses have lost control of this situation entirely, and they refuse to apologize or admit fault, and they have doubled-down on the two witness rule as well as the policy of refraining from contacting police unless they are absolutely mandated by law and would face prosecution for not contacting CPA or police.

          If you are morally and intellectually honest you will read my article from last week featured on JW Survey: http://jwsurvey.org/child-abuse-2/news-bulletin-watchtower-releases-updated-child-abuse-directive-to-elders-lack-of-adequate-policy-change-continues-to-endanger-jehovahs-witness-minors

          You seem to believe that the problem only existed with the “old school” elders and that this problem has for all intents and purposes been fixed. It has NOT been fixed. The number of court cases being files worldwide has escalated beyond what we are able to keep up with on a weekly basis. Last year’s Australian Royal Commission on Child Abuse identified Jehovah’s Witnesses as the worst offenders when it came to handling child abuse allegations. Our of 1006 perpetrators reported in Australia alone, NOT ONE SINGLE CASE was reported by JW elders to the police or CPA. Not one single case. The entire investigation of Jehovah’s Witnesses was broadcast and is available for you to watch on many YouTube channels. Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson was forced to testify after an incredibly forceful attempt to avoid taking the stand. In the end the chief Justice had not choice but to issue the subpoena. You need to watch the testimony to understand what is really going on.

          The Governing Body does not have any basis for continuing to obstruct justice and impress their archaic interpretation of the two witness rule on individual JWs. You seem to believe that God “sees all” and that he is not fooled. Yet the organization teaches that God is using the Governing Body as their SOLE channel in all the universe. Then they declare – “oh but we are just imperfect men doing God’s perfect will.”

          Jim, I implore you to research this topic thoroughly, and ask yourself what are the real reasons you cling to this organization. You have come this far, be honest with yourself and read all of the facts. Remember, if it is the truth, it will withstand any criticism. Please don’t use the reasoning that “that’s how they did it in the old days, but now we know better.” Why? because 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago, each generation considered their knowledge as superior to the last, that the prior generation in the “old days” had it wrong. This will NEVER change. Jehovah’s Witnesses have altered their teachings consistently, decade after decade, always AFTER the fact, never before. From 1874 to 1914 to 1925 to 1975 to the 1980s when you and I were told that “this generation (of 1914) would by NO MEANS pass away until all these things occur”…and voila!- we now have overlapping generations. We also have shunning like we have never seen before. We have frightening bunker videos from this years convention, scaring Witnesses into submission. We have blood transfusion policy which has killed tens of thousands – many of them my personal friends.

          Be objective, do your research – then come back to us with your results. I wish you all the best

          JR

          • August 10, 2016 at 8:03 am
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            Wow, beautiful and thought provoking response!!

          • August 11, 2016 at 2:00 pm
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            @ John Redwood

            Amen! Your comments are bold, concise and to the heart of the matter. It’s time for all J.W.’s to rise and shine, wake up and smell the coffee! Open your eyes and hearts to the real TRUTH about the so called ‘Truth’.

        • August 10, 2016 at 12:49 am
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          Hi Jim, There is something you can do to help survivors and yourself.
          1. Do not perpetuate abuse by shunning the survivors who speak out and want nothing to do with flawed and abusive practices.
          2. Support the survivors of abuse, by recognising the rules protect the abuser.
          3. Ask the Governing Body to cooperate with the court orders asking that documents relating to child abuse are handed over. Currently they are being fined $4000 a day for refusing to hand over evidence.
          4. Find out why the WTBS of Great Britain refuses to work with the Charity Commission on safeguarding policies. 5. Ask yourself why there is no responsibility or an apology for thousands of historical cases. The excuse you gave is not taking responsibility – ‘the brothers back then did not know what they were doing – it has all changed.’
          That is not good enough.
          Even the Catholic church has apologised and set in motion safeguarding policies.
          6. Do some research and be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

          • August 10, 2016 at 11:14 am
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            Very good Susannah!

          • August 10, 2016 at 2:55 pm
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            Excellent Susannah !

        • August 10, 2016 at 11:25 am
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          Dear Brother Jim, you are so kind to help reason to this one who is so stumbled, but unfortunately when WT lawyers are found fighting against molested children in courtrooms, you know for certain that Satan has over-reached us. I for one look forward to the time when the Man of Lawlessness is removed from the leadership over God’s people! (2 Thess 2:1-12). Perhaps you will find this site and article encouraging as well: https://e-watchman.com/the-lawless-one/

    • August 9, 2016 at 6:35 pm
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      Well said!!! I agree with what you are saying. I was PUBLICLY REPROVED for NOT SCREAMING WHEN I WAS RAPED AS A YOUNG TEENAGE GIRL, BUT I FROZE BECAUSE I COULDN’T BELIEVE WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO ME BY AN OLDER BROTHER IN THE CONGREGATION!!
      The Elders said they thought I would FEEL BETTER IF I WAS PUNISHED???? WHY?? BECAUSE I HAD PROBABLY SEDUCED MY RAPIST!! I WAS TERRIFIED OF MY RAPIST. The next week I tried to commit suicide and he gave a Public Talk. He wasn’t ever PUNISHED and the Elders forbade me to go to the Police about it. It happened to me by the same man several times. He was about forty years older than me! He had daughters older and younger than me.
      In the end, we all do reap whatever we sow. That’s just consequences of being human.

      • August 9, 2016 at 8:47 pm
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        Honey, go to the cops NOW! The statute of limitations on that creep’s crime may not be over, & there’s a possibility that you could get justice even now.

        Not only that, but such a man probably attacked more than one young girl. Heck, he might STILL be attacking young girls, thinking that since he’s gotten away with it so far, he can keep on attacking victims & get off scott free.

        By speaking up you might help OTHER victims & potential victims of this man.

        At the very least, do what I did – call up social workers or child protection workers & explain to them what has happened to you. I did that some decades after my mother had used some of the worst sort of mental, emotional & psychological abuse on me – & BOTH of the social workers (once they were able to understand just how horrible the abuse was) said that had the abuse been revealed, I would have been removed from the home & both of my JW parents would have been investigated. Just hearing that was vindication for what I’d been trying to tell people for decades about my false, self-righteous parents!

    • August 10, 2016 at 7:06 am
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      I absolutely most definitely agree with you. What is wrong with this sick organisation. I faded 30 odd years ago and have known nothing of all this child sex abuse stuff until I stumbled across the Australian royal commission in February 2016 by pure chance. I told my devout elderly parents, sister and bro in law (who live in Aust. We live in the UK, my husband has never been a JW). We always thought we had a good relationship with them all, now it’s 6 months later and they have completely cut ALL cumunication with us. They hang up on me and leave their skype off and ignore my card’s and letters.
      If it wasn’t for you fablous people in the ex JW community I would not have known of another criminal activity “SHUNNING”.
      I’ve also discovered, Just like you’ve said Athlyn, a women is raped and if she doesn’t scream out she’s the one in the wrong. The GB in total control.
      And Innocent children not being taken seriously because of this outrageous 2 witness rule.
      I’m skocked and sickened to my backbone.

    • August 10, 2016 at 11:06 am
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      Yes, WT are living in own confusion!

  • August 9, 2016 at 5:53 pm
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    Thank you for bringing attention to this specific case. I totally appreciate your point. However, the issue you raise is actually a legal issue, not a Witness issue–if he’s allowed by law, then he’s allowed. The “witness” aspect is orthogonal.

  • August 9, 2016 at 8:43 pm
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    Thankyou again for this info….I feel for all who have had to go thru such a situation…And yes…you freeze up and are shocked beyond belief…and feel dirty from that day forward…I personally think…and hope these people meet …Karma…and same with the ones that cover over and turn a blind eye to their acts, and punish the innocent….May these,one day…be raped and abused in whatever form, beaten and so on….this would be fitting punishment for them…the eye for eye…tooth for tooth kind of a rule from Bible times. I,to was as a child and young teen abused sexually by various relatives who were and are still wts…and elders…then married a so called good Wts,..who likewise proceeded to abuse me in various ways…and I am the one they shun…not the ones who abused and still no doubt do because…leopards can not change their …spots! Proof that if they were backed by Jehovah…this kinda stuff would not be covered over …and put more innocent ones in jeopardy. Talk about putting a fox in the hen house…In the congregation I went to in Wpg. Mb. Canada…a newly baptised sister and her young son would go in service with the older couple who studied with her…the brother who conducted the service arrangement would arrange for this one brother, who had just come out of prison for serving time there for abusing childern…he was assigned to help this single parent with her young son…they also arranged for him to help her with things at her house if she needed some maintenance etc., done at home…she ran a daycare from her home! The brothers knew about what he was guilty of and so called reformed from and tried to match make him with her. When someone told this newly baptized sister of this….she was appauled! She went to speak immediately to the elders…she did not hold anything back…she could have endangered her son and lost her means of living…next mtng…it was read that this sister had been dfed…not approved associate! Go figure…she was disgusted beyond words! The brother was and still is doing good, within the christian congregation! Clap, Clap, clap!

    • August 10, 2016 at 7:19 am
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      How pathetic and sad. I believe you 100% because something similar happened to me.

      This was about twenty five years ago in Chicago. I was a young boy around 10 and my mother was recently divorced with three kids and I was the only boy. We had moved congregations and I was assigned to have a bible study with man who was newly baptized and newly married to a much younger woman who used to babysit us as kids. I’m talking about a 20 year age difference.

      He groomed me over a few years and molested me about half a dozen times but thankfully never was violent and never raped me.

      I was over thirty years old until I realized what actually happened. I was in denial and the memories were effectively repressed. Recently I called another boy who my abuser befriended after he moved to Kentucky. I asked the boy (now a man) if anything weird ever happened between the two of them. He confirmed that my abuser did try it but backed off when he encountered fierce resistance. This is when I realized that this guy is a freaking predator. Who knows who else he has done this to.

      What blows my mind is that, at the time my mom, the elders, everyone had 100% trust in this man taking me under his wing. I was the typical “fatherless boy” because my father was DF’ed and and separated from the family. I was so very vulnerable, but the elders paired me up with a newly baptized brother! I’m sure there were some that looked at me and him with suspicion but were too afraid to speak up, because the elders had set it up and gave the arrangement their blessing. I don’t know if the elders knew this guy had a problem, if they did then they deserve to rot in hell.

      I am currently deciding if I want to report this man to the police and his congregation.

      Let me conclude by saying if the society gave a damn about the children they should REPORT ALL CASES OF ABUSE TO THE POLICE, END OF STORY. The elders are not qualified to handle these situations. They have no real power to protect children, because they can’t put the abusers in jail or on a watch list. As far as I’m concerned, the society is too wrapped up in trying to maintain their control and power over their members. The governing body and the US branch members deserve to be humiliated for allowing this to develop over time.

      I pray for all my Witness friends. Please wake up.

  • August 9, 2016 at 10:13 pm
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    Dear friends,
    I do not know what to say. I also was a member for 40 years, but one day I finally came to my censes. One day 3 weeks ago in the city bus, I was sitting by side of a lady in her late sixties. All of a sudden she ask me about my name since she thought she knew me. It was true, yes when I was 15 years old I met her and fall in love with her (as a teen can do until he finds his love one), but her parents did not want that contact and I never met her again only in this bus the other day, 58 years later. It was such a fantastic experience since I often in all those years have thought about her, how she got along and what really happened to her in her life.

    I told her I did not associate with the Watchtower Organisation any more and she asked me what made me take that decision. So, I told her that I all along got this feeling that I got further and further away from God and all of a sudden I had this longing for Jesus. I had watched TV and a Christian programs and it just hit me.
    This is more than 20 years ago and to day I have this beautiful feeling as it was yesterday and the love for Jesus is just like when I felt he called upon me.

    OK, she did not understand and asked me to go to Watchtower Organisation homepage to get counsel. I must say I lost all my friends and family because of my decision, but the love of Jesus is fulfilling all.

    I know it is a world of “danger” also to day and I have not any advice to you, but to come to Jesus and receive his love. There is protection and hope and future and forgiveness in him, so this is all I can say. I cannot sit here to talk about Watchtower Organisation and the members without telling my story. My story in brief is clearly expressed in those two videos here;
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYfIdlLAvkU

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAMZaKKxTtw

    Why I write this? Jesus have given me so much love I must pass to you. When we focus on all those problems and mistakes from Watchtower Organisation and in the world; I see only one solution. Jesus.

    In America (and elsewhere) example; black people has been offended more than anybody else so they should be crying. My love goes to them too and to day I am saved.

    I just had to say this.

  • August 10, 2016 at 12:08 am
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    Pedophiles have problems and rarely give up their chosen way of life. Here is something to think about, let’s say 100% of pedophiles reoffend( example only), only 11 % of these crimes will be reported, half of those will be arrested, less will be convicted and sentenced. The repeat stats are based on CONVICTIONS, so if you see only 4% of sex offenders repeat you’ll know the truth. NO ONE has every had a tx that works on them 100% , most can’t be out among child, just ask them. “If I was out and had a chance I would abuse a child”. Not at my door in my city, no church or Bible study can change that desire and I refuse to open my door (kids) to it.

  • August 10, 2016 at 1:34 am
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    Arent they always in at least pairs? Your clip shows he is with others. Do you think that the other two are going to look on as some crime unfolds?? For heavens sake I am highly suspect when it comes to sex offender rehabilitation but if anyone can change a person it is God thru his Word and teachings!! Honestly you sound like you have some kind of grudge from your past and are grasping at straws to create a negative viewpoint about something that I have NEVER heard of occurring.

    • August 10, 2016 at 6:16 am
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      Hi Molly, sometimes they are alone at the door. And sometimes they are alone with the child, doing a Bible Study (I can tell you the name of a witness in France in that case that had problems with justice too).

    • August 10, 2016 at 6:20 am
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      Hi Molly, just a point I would like to make for you. Yes, most of the time Witnessing is done in pairs, but if for some reason, say a toilet break or someone gets a phone call, that man could go to a door by himself. It is also possible that he at another time, could be the only male in the group for service and then he can intentionally set it up for himself to go to doors alone. At that point all oversight of him is lost. People here have repeatedly made the comment that he could return to the house and make arrangements to “study” with the children of the house. I also just want to say, that simply because you have not heard of such things before, does not make them untrue. If you research the high profile cases in California, you will see that many of the molestations occurred in field service. Getting oneself alone with children while in the ministry is very easy to do. The Watchtower Org is all about secrecy and chances are the people in the car with him did not even know about his past, because if you “gossip” (warn others) about him, YOU will be in for “correction” (reproof).

      • August 10, 2016 at 9:49 am
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        Pedophiles are deviant and twisted. They will find ways to be alone with children. Putting them in the situation such as door-to-door work is just like playing with fire. Eventually someone will get burnt. And the way car groups get divided up is a bit of a free for all.

        In the congregation I grew up in, a sister came out for midweek service with several of her young children. Her 3 year old ended up alone In a car group with a ministerial servant who subsequently molested him. The whole arrangement lends itself to such easy manipulation by those with unwholesome motives.

        WS

    • August 10, 2016 at 6:56 am
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      Ooooh yes, right! The bible heal pedophilia….

    • August 10, 2016 at 8:24 am
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      You are wrong. He is a danger to the community and “god’s word” will not fix him. When I used to go out in service, there were times when we did special campaigns and in order to finish the territory before a certain date, witnesses were told to go by themselves to cover more territory– opportunity to work solo and take advantage of the situation.

      What’s troubling is that it is likely no one in the congregation knows and he could easily work with a young person. If a regular male publisher takes out the group and is not aware of any restrictions a publisher may have, he can easily assign a young one to work with the pedophile.

      Also, if you haven’t heard of anything happening, it doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. The elders WILL NOT warn anyone of pedophile dangers in the congregation. The Australian hearings are eye opening as to the secrecy and horrible policy the Watchtower. Any “adjustments” made to policy are in response to government inquiry and not direction from god– just one of many reasons why this organization is not directed by god.

      • August 10, 2016 at 8:26 am
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        “Adjustments” also made because of the countless lawsuits, which equal financial loss to the Watchtower.

  • August 10, 2016 at 2:34 am
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    Who said that jehovah witnesses are kind and good people ?
    Elders are not the only people that are hiding those things. Never heard of RADIO JW ? All the witnesses know and hide those things. Otherwise it could be impossible for those pedophiles to stay in the congregations.
    Jehovah witnesses, kind and good people ? Are you sure ?
    Disgusting.

    • August 11, 2016 at 3:39 pm
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      Sorry but most of them are kind and good even though they are in a highly controlled life style.
      I have known some of the most wonderful people who would take their shirts off of their backs. but also I have known very vile JW’s that are big time back-stabbers. Its weird how people are so different in this organization.

  • August 10, 2016 at 4:38 am
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    I found it interesting and sad that the other guy in the back seat covered his ears and put his head down. They will never question him.

    • August 10, 2016 at 5:08 am
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      I thought of it from his perspective: maybe this is the first time he is hearing about that man being a child abuser. If it was me I would 1) certainly not want to be filmed as I had done nothing wrong and never gave my consent and 2) I would be sick to the stomach that I had been working alongside this pervert and would want to be out of his company ASAP and be informing the rest of the congregation.
      Granted, if that was me, I would have left the car party and stayed to ask the cameraman for more details so I could research it myself, after which I would insist he remove me from the video (see point one).

      • August 10, 2016 at 12:46 pm
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        The covering of the ears seems pathetic. He may have assumed the cameraman was an apostate and speaking lies about “god’s people” and follow the Watchtower’s policy to not listen to anything “they” say.
        I will say that the other people are in a tough position. These are only accusations from their perspective and this happened all of a sudden and a situation like that is difficult to process.

        • August 11, 2016 at 3:47 pm
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          Perhaps they need to hear more about it going door-to-door from the householders themselves. the house holders aren’t apostates.

  • August 10, 2016 at 5:32 am
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    Another wonderful example showing that the Organization doesn’t give a crap about the safety of ANY children, whether inside the cult or outside of it. No, it’s apparently far more important for these scum-sucking animals to get their time in for their field serve-us report, no matter the risks.

    Kudos to whoever taped this pig!!

  • August 10, 2016 at 5:49 am
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    Hi Molly, Would you be at ease if you knew a convicted
    pedophile was knocking on your door, even if they were
    accompanied by others. Would you be happy for them
    to make unscheduled return visits, maybe when children
    we’re home alone.

    People in Ivery’s neighbourhood were unaware of his past
    and therefore at a disadvantage and vulnerable. Would they
    have have welcomed him had they known of his conviction.

    I’m all for rehabilitation and offenders making an effort to
    change, but Jehovahs witnesses are not qualified to bring
    this about, the facts don’t lie. —– 1006 pedophiles that
    went unreported in Australia alone. So what is the overall
    figure? An estimated 2300.

    “Hate what is bad” isn’t that what the bible teaches?

    • August 10, 2016 at 10:01 am
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      Maybe he should have a special presentation that goes “Hi my name is Waymon. I am a convicted child molester. Would you and your family like to have a Bible study with me and join my church?”

      Let’s see how the householder responds to that! I am sure the police would be called in short order. If that option is seen as unacceptable, although honest, isn’t hiding the information from householders more deplorable?

      Imagine that the householder is interested and a bible study is started – after all that is supposed to be the goal of door-to-door work, would it be acceptable for Ivery to keep going back week after week and getting more access to the family with this issue being kept a big secret?

      WS

  • August 10, 2016 at 5:57 am
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    Missed a zero off the the estimated JW pedophiles,
    should read 23000.

  • August 10, 2016 at 6:03 am
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    Hi Molly, sometimes they are alone at the door. And sometimes they are alone with the child, doing a Bible Study (I can tell you the name of a witness in France in that case that had problems with justice too).

    • August 10, 2016 at 7:03 am
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      I think every congregation has at least 1 child sexual offender? We had 2 in our congregation. 1 was disfellowshipped, but nobody know why, as a good witness you don’t ask questions.
      Until I read it in the papers, but still nobody knows…

      Hey if I was a pedofilie, I would become a jw again, the secrety, many opportunities to meat young children, must be paradise for them.

  • August 10, 2016 at 6:38 am
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    The United States Supreme Court in Watchtower Society v. Village of Stratton (2002) stated that Watchtower does not have to register with the village in order to go preaching. There seems to me that this case needs to be re-visited with this new light. Now we are seeing that there is this thing called “Child sex offenders knocking on doors”. The man should not be knocking on doors. You can run watchtower, but you cannot hide.

  • August 10, 2016 at 7:33 am
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    After all the crap that came out from the Society about this in the Royal Commission and yet they still won’t change their ways, it is going to get to the point where there will be a incident with a child out on the field an then i would love to here what they have to say then…..

  • August 10, 2016 at 7:42 am
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    6ft,2″ weight 200 pounds, against a little girl. I’m
    reduced to tears.

  • August 10, 2016 at 8:05 am
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    Look at his reaction. He said, no, you are wrong. In addition, he is a liar. What a biblical example this jehovah witness is giving. I could say, by experience, that they always lie when they are caught. They call their comunity, the truth. Must change this name. Never saw so many liars.

  • August 10, 2016 at 8:09 am
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    I recall several years ago at the meeting a question came up as to what parents were to do if they found out that a child had been sexually abused or physically abused. I raised my hand and said I would first contact the police and then I would speak to the elders. Right after my comment two elders gave their comments and both said that we should firstly inform the elders and let them handle the matter in order to avoid bringing reproach upon the organization. Several comments later it appeared that I was the only one who would go to the police first. I could not believe that all of the parents with young children in the audience agreed to let the elders handle the matter.

    I suspect however that many of them secretly agreed with my comment but were just to afraid to rock the boat in front of everyone. But i guess that is the way things operate in that religion. You can never really say what you are thinking or do anything other than what is mandated by head office, because appearances are more important than protecting children.

    I find it disgusting that the watchtower appeals all of these sexual abuse cases, which in my books translates into the fact that the abuse does not matter, the person whose life has been destroyed does not matter, all that matters is protecting the assets of a corporate religion and protecting the image of this religion.

    This religion reminds me of video that I once saw of an old house that looks really amazing from the outside but once the cameraman goes inside it is completely in a state of disrepair.

  • August 10, 2016 at 9:30 am
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    There’s a chance he’s not actually a pedophile. His actual listing is here: https://cspd.springsgov.com/so/Sex0ffender/PDFs/AllAFPhoto.pdf

    It says nothing about a child. There are sites that say a child was involved, but this more official listing does not. Also, using the information on the sex offender list to harass someone is illegal.

  • August 10, 2016 at 9:33 am
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    Going back before the elder arrangement, there was a bro,
    In our cong, one of the “Remnant”. He was regarded as the
    congregation sage. —

    He started a study with a man in his twenties, who it turned
    out was in a relationship with a 14 year old girl. The girls
    parents went to court to get this association stopped. —

    Our congregation wise man went along to speak on behalf
    of the couple, however the court deemed the relationship
    inappropriate and placed the girl under the protection of
    the law, and ordered the man to keep away from the young
    girl.

    The couple had formed a bond and wanted to continue the
    liaison so they asked the “anointed” ones advice. He told
    them to keep meeting, but in secret.

    This shows that JWs are deluded, believing they are above
    the law and can use it and defy it to their own advantage.
    It’s not going too far, to say they are anti social.

  • August 10, 2016 at 12:57 pm
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    Good work. Thank you for fighting so hard to protect the children.

  • August 10, 2016 at 2:45 pm
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    Hi Molly, if you’re still there….I’m not at all surprised you haven’t heard of any of this. Most Witnesses haven’t and when they do, it’s a shock. When I warned my mother of of the abuse she was shocked and disgusted, refused to believe it and so sure was she that it was all a pack of lies, she said “if it’s true, I’m leaving”. Well!……the story now is “oh, yes, but that’s in all religions these days”.

    Excuse me? ‘Other’ religions are not gods chosen. Other religions are in apostasy, etc etc.

    It’s a very long way to fall when you place yourself above all and everything and see yourself as the ‘highest power on earth in-waiting’. A very foolish thing to do and a very difficult illusion to maintain.

    Goodbye and so long Jehovah. Give my regards to Zeus.

    • August 10, 2016 at 5:02 pm
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      Evangelists may well blame this on the Illuminati and the Left-Wing media, but it is becoming more recognized fact that the God of the Hebrews was basically derived from the Canaanite pantheon where El (Elyon, the Most High), Asherah (wife of El), and Baal Hammon and Baal Hadad among others reigned as deities. A friend of mine (eveapple) when I was emerging from the Watchtower fog once raised the question as a good seeker of truth and astute observer of reading scripture would, “why was Yahweh initially obsessed with grain offerings as a preferred offering, while later it becomes meat and blood–the very offering that Cain gave and was held in contempt.

      We didn’t have all the facts then, but now we are gaining more of them through science and paleontology. And, the hints were always there in the Old Testament when we read how the Israelites struggled with worship of their totems on the “high places” instead of the “Y” deity–monotheism. And, even Isaiah bemoans those bowing to the Queen of Heaven.

      And, even in the New Testament lingers references to those ancient deities where Baal Hammon was a weather-influencing and controlling deity, we have Baal Yeshua who “walks the sea and calms the angry waves” (“The Storm is Passing Over”, lyrics Charles A. Tindley, 1905)(Matt 8:23-27; Matt 14:22-34; John 16:33).

  • August 10, 2016 at 4:09 pm
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    The following is absolutely off topic for the article, but perhaps it can still be of some interest to readers of JWsurvey.

    On the question-and-answer site Quora, I recently had a fairly “interesting” exchange with Jehovah’s Witness Michael Ouradnik who wrote a long, Scripture-filled answer to a question about how long it takes to be reinstated after you have been disfellowshipped:

    https://www.quora.com/How-long-does-it-take-to-get-reinstated-as-a-Jehovahs-Witness/answer/Michael-Ouradnik

    His answer is mostly about Jehovah’s immense love and forgiveness when you return to him (of course, in this answer there is very little distinction made between Jehovah and the Watchtower organization).

    If you go to the comments section beneath the article, you can read my substantial exchange with the writer, ending with me being told that I don’t understand spiritual matters (I guess I don’t).

    And yes, JWsurvey got mentioned along the way, conclusively demonstrating to Mr. Ouradnik that whatever I think I know about Jehovah’s Witnesses flows from the poisonous root and can be safely disregarded: It turns out that sites like JWsurvey use “boilerplate language” intended to create “negative feelings” about the Witnesses; the writers are motivated by hate and care nothing about the truth.

    He also feels able to tell that I am just “parroting” this and other apostate sites, though I really wonder whether he has been reading them himself so as to be able to make any comparisons. Somewhere along the way I was also declared an honorary apostate even though I have never even considered joining the Witnesses, much less leaving them again.

    Yeah. Interesting.

    • August 10, 2016 at 5:12 pm
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      @HKF – haven’t read it, but I can surmise that like most JW’s who believe in the magic of “Oz,” he believes that it’s really a great wizard Yahweh making the way for someone to be reinstated, while he is blind to the human touch that is all over this man-made organization.

      And, having been a nth-generation JDub, I can not imagine how it is such a “shock and awe” for someone from a one-local-church to drift in and see this HUGE international, multi-ethnic million-members church. It may be a “wonder of God”. Yet, if you look around, there are other “wonders” that operate more efficiently and effectively.

      So, in summary, I view this guy you responded to as being overwhelmed at opportunity to become something that’s so HUGE and greater than himself, yet HE is a contributor to making it work, even if it means subjugated his own self-determination and freedom to do so. He’s proud to be a member of the collective.

      That’s why it’s like beating your head against a stone wall to yank someone out of JW’s or into awakened state. I’ve found it really is a self-awareness and self-awakening that gets one moving toward the exits.

  • August 11, 2016 at 12:01 am
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    Ivery: “No no no. You got it all wrong.” LMAO

  • August 11, 2016 at 5:01 am
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    I think the person next to the child rapist, covering his ears, speaks volumes as to the JW mentality.

    Here we have a person identifying a registered sex offender. Instead of listening and heeding the warning, the person next to him covers his ears and attempts to bury his head in his lap. I have no doubt that, after the van doors closed and as the van was driving away, they consoled this child rapist and talked of persecution by apostates. I would submit that the question of whether or not he committed these heinous acts was ever brought up.

    The naivety of these people is disconcerting at the very least. This man will carry on as normal within his congregation and assigned preaching territories, all the while potentially grooming his next victim.

    The entire community of JW’s are guilty when either figuratively, or even worse, literally, they cover their ears and bury their heads in their laps.

    • August 11, 2016 at 6:35 am
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      all jw are guilty, absolutely right.

    • August 11, 2016 at 7:29 am
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      Burying your head in your lap and covering your ears – that’s what it takes to be a devout JW. You have to willingly ignore logic, reason, information, data, and science. I never could do it 100%, which is probably why I am no longer with them. The analogies some commenters have made to the hive mentality of the Borg from Star Trek is fitting. That’s the level of low functioning mental awareness required to maintain membership and to buy into all the fairy tales and artfully contrived stories.

      WS

      • August 11, 2016 at 2:47 pm
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        It always leaves me speechless when believers say I’m not strong enough to believe, when all along they are the ones in need of and have an invisible friend.
        The word ‘strong’ reminds me of a documentary of a cult named Strong City in New Mexico. They’re ‘strong’ alright… …crazy strong! An offshoot of the Adventists. That particular doco is showing on Netflix at the moment. The JW parallels and indeed parallels of all cults and are right there for all to see and it’s particularly creepy the way the ‘messiah’ is totally adored by the mostly female followers and if he says “get naked with me”, it’s done. I read somewhere that sixty five percent of JW’s are female which makes me wonder…. why are women attracted to, and stay in cults more than men.

        • August 11, 2016 at 7:40 pm
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          Very perceptive Outandabout. The organization seems to personify the egocentric, abusive male and women are drawn to and seek to protect their abuser as is the case so many actual relationships. The egocentric male provides a sense of protection and security. He also fills the void of loneliness. There is some deep psychological issue at work here, but it may require someone with more than my rudimentary training to fully capture it.

          WS

  • August 11, 2016 at 7:54 am
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    They are desperate for people…anyone! In terms of members…so nothing surprises me.

    “What is a “FAITHFUL and WISE or DISCRETE Slave or Servant?” as found in (Matthew 24:45-47) and what does the question mean?”
    http://www.watchtowercriminals.blogspot.com

  • August 11, 2016 at 8:09 am
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    The individual should have called the police saying that a pedophile was trolling the neighborhood looking for kids.

    That would have been classic. No running away in the car then.

    • August 11, 2016 at 3:51 pm
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      wow!

  • August 11, 2016 at 2:07 pm
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    To all:

    My question is off topic, however I have heard from my brother, who attends the hall here in Hampton Roads VA, that if you do not have a printed invitation to the convention or a lapel card you will not be admitted to the assembly. He found this out at his Sunday meeting
    and was given his lapel card.
    Is this what is actually happening elsewhere?

    • August 11, 2016 at 3:50 pm
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      perhaps they discourage disruptive people attending that might cause a big problem that would be on the news. perhaps the brothers have been threatened.

    • August 12, 2016 at 6:05 am
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      Hi Big B,
      This happens in various hired venues as they have to comply with current legislation as to attendance figures allowed within the venue. The attendants are given a certain number of extra cards for interested ones and JWs that have forgotten their own.
      This happens a lot here in Spain as the health & safety laws are getting stricter and the WTS don’t want to spend money on bigger venues (they are too busy spending it on child abuse cases)!

  • August 11, 2016 at 6:41 pm
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    You know, we say the congregations aren’t protected against pedophiles because they aren’t informed. But there’s a loophole: some families ARE warned about pedophiles and can take steps to protect their kids.

    Who? The family of elders. Joe Elder finds out Brother Creep is a pedophile, he sure as hell isn’t going to let his kids near him. But he won’t go the extra step to warn other parents as that would be crossing the line.

    So again, you have a two-tier system between elders (and their families) and the rank & file. A single mom is out of luck if a pedophile is in her hall.

    This means the families most at risk (a single parent who may need help, or a Bible study with her young son, or rides to meeting) are the least protected.

    SHAME!

    • August 12, 2016 at 4:31 pm
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      LOL, Brother Creep, I knew a few of those. It’s too bad the org wont make a Caleb and Sofia video on this subject. They took the time to spell out exactly what to do with magician toys and allowance money though…

  • August 12, 2016 at 2:52 am
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    Surely someone lives near ‘Brother Waymon the Child Rapist’ congregation and could go take proof via printed flyers of his conviction and post them on the Kingdom hall gates?

    This would be a worthwhile endeavour.

Comments are closed.