In recent weeks two much publicized cults have been in the spotlight. The first was the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the second was the Fundamentalist Church of the Latter-day Saints of Jesus Christ.
Firstly, Jehovah’s Witnesses have come under fire in Australia for breaching Victoria’s Working With Children Act of 2005. An initial 35 criminal charges were filed alleging that mandatory child protection laws were broken. The charges were filed by Mr Steven Unthank in relation to the refusal of the entire Committee of Management for the Religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses to comply with mandatory child protection laws, which primarily prevents convicted sex offenders, child rapists, drug dealers and murderers from having access to children across a range of industries and organizations. These include religious organizations.
Mr Unthank issued a personal statement in which he stated that the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watch Tower Society knew about these child protection laws and refused to comply with them from the outset. Mr Unthank went on to say that even the Department of Justice notified them and offered to assist them to comply. The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses completely ignored the offer of assistance.
In my opinion this shows a scant disregard for the safety and well being of the children in the organization. It is common knowledge that Jehovah’s Witness children are made to go from house to house with adults, sometimes with little supervision, peddling watchtower publications. The problem of child sexual abuse within the Jehovah’s Witness organization has been highlighted before and more can be read about this at http://silentlambs.com. However, the Watch tower is quick to point out the abuse issues within other religious organizations.
Across the Atlantic a jury sentenced polygamist leader, Warren Jeffs, who heads a breakaway sect of the Mormon church to life in prison. This was for sexually assaulting two underage girls he wed as “spiritual” brides. Prosecutors said that Jeffs had “played a sick game of child molestation under the guise of religious ceremony”. The sentencing came a day after an audio recording was played on which Jeffs is heard telling young teen girls that they would be “rejected by God” if they refused his sexual advances. Mr Jeffs will now have to deal with advances from another kind while spending the rest of his life in prison.
The point I want to get to here is that in all of these cults it is the children who suffer the most. The indoctrination, fear tactics, sexual abuse and spiritual abuse can leave children emotionally and physically scarred. The lack of protection and the utter disregard for children’s rights within these groups are a matter of concern. In South Africa the lack of education and awareness of the issue around abuse in churches and cults is not well publicized and exposed. Many are afraid to speak out and to challenge the abusers and those in authority in these groups. As a result these abusers and peadophiles carry on their business unchecked.
As long as we adults stay silent the children stay victims and will carry on suffering in destructive and abusive churches.
Categories: Child Abuse
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I think organizations that deal with abuse, should increase awareness of this kind of abuse in places of worship.
Very good article. Many of these religions cover the sins of their leaders and pretend to be holy. Everyone is or has been guilty and the children suffer the most under religious sects, ask me I have been there first hand to experience this!
Newsflash: FOREST-HILL MEMBER VINDICATED 25 YEARS AFTER “SEXUAL MISCONDUCT” CASE…
Pretoria, September 2011:-A man of the Forest-Hill congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Johannesburg-south, 25 years ago, has eventually been exonerated of the accusations of sexual misconduct, leveled against him in 1986. Back then, he was accused by two elders of that same congregation, of living with a woman in sin, having sexual relations with her out of wedlock, and possibly impregnating her in the process! Elders Tim Webb and Willie Jordaan, was quick to accuse Mr. L du Toit of sexual escapades, after other members of the congregation spread rumours that Ms. M Roos was “living” with him, when she visited him in 1986 while they were dating and engaged to be married later that year.
Liar, liar!:- To add insult to injury, these elders bluntly refused to listen to Mr. du Toit’s side of the story and immediately accused him of lying to them about the incident. He was then summarily disfellowshipped (ex-communicated) from that congregation after a short, heavy-handed and Mafia-style “internal disciplinary hearing”. He is also shunned to this very day by any and all members of Jehovah’s Witnesses who become aware of his status as ‘persona non grata’ in their community, because of that incident! It actually took Ms. M Roos to compile an affidavit of the true facts in 2009, before elders in other congregations (of Jehovah’s Witnesses) finally took notice of his case once again. However, visiting Mr. Du Toit over the past two years, local elders only beg that he “forgive” those erring elders, “forgets” the unpleasant past and moves on with his life, humbly ‘crawling’ back to their religion (or ‘The Truth’ as they like to call it) and start all over again. But this is something he is not even willing to consider until (at least) a formal, written apology is received from the two elders in question, a point that is still hotly in contention!
The falseness of the ‘Truth’!:- Jehovah’s Witnesses the world over, boast a strong and unifying religion, based on strict bible disciplines. They are told on a weekly basis with many, many examples given at their meetings, how false other religions are and how bad this world is and members are ordered to have minimal contact with it. Their religion is very, very rarely referred to as a ‘religion’ at all, but rather proclaimed as ‘The Truth’ in their daily conversations, so as to set it apart from any other religion that has ever been practiced in the world. On their daily rounds, preaching their teachings and selling literature on the streets and from door to door, they have to press their religious convictions strongly forward, but be very wary of accepting other people’s religious viewpoints, “lest they be drawn away from the Truth”! However, there are many, many falsehoods in their “Truth”. Elder’s misconduct (like the example in hand) and especially their children’s misbehaviour, are frequently overlooked and not earmarked for disciplinary hearings and therefore warrants the accusation that elders and their families, “are above their own laws”. Du Toit’s case is certainly not unique and many other similar incidents are reported throughout Southern Africa, which show that there are serious problems inside an organization, which claims to be the ONLY true representation of almighty God, here on earth!
“Thank you, your Honour”!:- In closing statements, Mr. Du Toit wishes to clearly state that he is not completely opposed against Jehovah’s Witnesses after all that has happened to him and after all these years have elapsed, but will consider returning to ‘The Truth’ only on a business agreement. That is to say, he will return to the ‘flock’ and continue with their missionary work only, and only, if he is remunerated for it this time! Since trust, respect and honour, which is so vehemently preached in their weekly meetings, was not forthcoming and maintained in his case, they might then rather consider a commercial agreement with him. Predominant options to be discussed, is a large commuter vehicle (for transporting various members to and from church meetings); a cellular phone with QWERTY-keyboard and WAP/GPRS/3G/Wi-Fi etc. enabled (to keep in touch with the organization, the local congregation’s elders and fellow worshippers via e-mail, Twitter and Facebook); a big beach umbrella, folding table and chair (for protection against hours in the sun, selling their literature) and an allowance of at least 5000-00 ZAR per month, fuel–levy excluded. Lastly, the organization is reminded that for outside-territory service (off-the-road and rural preaching-excursions in outlying territories) a proper 4 x 4 bakkie or SUV vehicle will be needed! If this business-plan is also not acceptable to them, they and any of their members who want to follow can then gladly descend into the depths of Sheol or Hades, whichever is more applicable to them!
Kind Regards,
L du Toit (Mr.)
+27-8-297-297-23 / ldutoit_@hotmail.com
Dear brethren.
We take the opportunity to greet you fully in the Lord.
Thank you for the good work that you are doing in uplifting the word of the Lord high above and drawing the lost souls unto the Lord. We now that because of the love of
God that is very great to unite each and every creature according to His will, please extend much of your encouragement in the Lord unto us.
Our vision is that we preach the gospel of the Lord to reach the unreached in spirit and in truth.
Welcome Kenya to share with us and feel free even when you are there to instruct us, teach us, correct us and establish your ministry’s teachings here in Kenya. We appreciate each and every word of courage that you will
send to us concerning christian life.
Remember us in prayers as we also keep you in prayers.
We are looking forward to hear from you again as the Lord permits.
Bishop John