Posted on 07/02/2002 2:50:27 PM PDT by wallcrawlr
Two women filed a civil suit Tuesday alleging they were sexually abused as young girls by a fellow member of a Jehovah's Witnesses congregation in Annandale, Minn. The women, both now 22 and living in the Twin Cities, say the religion's very tenets make it virtually impossible for victims to come forward, because at least two witnesses are required to corroborate any act of wrongdoing.
“After these incidents,’’ said the plaintiff’s attorney, Jeffrey Anderson of St. Paul, “these women went to the elders, and they were told, 'We don’t really believe you, because we require two witnesses to this for it to have happened, and if there aren't two, you are giving false testimony.' ”
At issue is Jehovah's Witnesses understanding of the Bible, specifically Deuteronomy 19:15, which says a single witness shall not suffice in convicting a person of a crime or wrongdoing.
Although Jehovah’s Witnesses do not interpret every passage of the Bible literally, they base their beliefs solely on principles found in the Bible.
“If the accused … denies the charges and there are no others who can substantiate them, the elders cannot take action within the congregation at that time,’’ says the group’s official statement called “Jehovah’s Witnesses and Child Protection.’’
Both plaintiffs allege that while they were between 10 and 12 years old, they were fondled by a male member of the congregation who was eight years older.
Named as defendants are Derek Lindala, 30, of South Haven, Minn., who is alleged to have fondled the girls on separate occasions either in his family home or while on church-related activities; the Annandale congregation; and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, which is the Jehovah's Witnesses incorporated headquarters.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.