Silentlambs: Jehovah's Witnesses pedophile paradise
• Absurd Inurbane Witless
I suspect we'll eventually see that the authoritarian nature of most religious organizations facilitates sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable members.
As members of the faith understand biblical teaching, an accusation of wrongdoing must be supported by two people with direct knowledge, which Silentlambs says is impossible in most molestation cases. Without such corroboration, the accused person is deemed innocent, Silentlambs says, and victims and parents can be "disfellowshipped," or excommunicated, for slander if they speak up.
For a Witness, excommunication is a harsh punishment. It means being cut off from relatives, friends and business associates. Bowen and other whistle-blowers have been excommunicated for raising abuse complaints against the organization.