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The Watchtower organization presents its internal judicial system as patterned after that outlined in the Mosaic Law.[1] This presentation gives underpinning to Watchtower’s assertion that its internal judicial system represents how God would have Christian congregations deal with matters in need of immediate judgment, such as how to respond to instances of unrepentant adultery, thievery and other acts deemed by Christians as immoral.[2]
Is it true that Watchtower’s internal judicial system is patterned after principles outlined in the Mosaic Law?
Publicity
A dominate feature of the judicial system under the Mosaic Law was publicity. Under that law Israel was to set up places of local judicial process inside the gates of each city.—(Deut. 16:18) Judges—well respected local older men—would hear these cases in full public view. This publicity would unavoidably influence judges to carry out justice that the citizenry could see, understand and respect as such. Under the Mosaic Law witnesses were required to testify publicly, and judges were required to carry our the proceeding publicly. Thus when judicial proceedings concluded, the local citizenry could be well-satisfied, that is if justice is what they observed.—(Compare Amos 5: 10, 12)
The central feature of publicity for judicial proceedings influenced judges to act fairly and without bias, and to thusly arrive at conclusions the community respected as just. This inspired confidence in the local citizenry to trust in and depend on their local elders (judges) as a resource for justice. If any had reason to wonder about injustice, all they had to do was show up and observe to have their concern either allayed or alarmed. Publicity acted to influence justice and inspire confidence.
Lack of Publicity
Though Watchtower touts its internal judicial system as patterned after principles ordained by God under the Mosaic Law, it fails to have any publicity to the proceedings of its judicial process. Thus a central feature of a judicial system ordained by God is ignored. What is the result?
● Because local Witnesses are unable to view judicial proceedings as third-party observers then confidence based on direct knowledge of those proceedings is impossible.
● Because defendants are disallowed from having a disinterested third-party observe their hearing, confidence is eroded that a judicial process is intended.
● Because hearings held by local elders acting as judges are not exposed to public observation then the safeguard of publicity that would tend to influence those elders toward carefulness and justice is absent.
Result
Without the central feature of publicity, the internal judicial system employed by Watchtower is a star-chamber process. The process is cloaked in secrecy rather than publicity. Without the central feature of publicity, Watchtower’s internal judicial process is not patterned after principles of justice outlined in the Mosaic Law.
Ironically, the Watchtower organization speaks disparagingly of judicial systems that refuse public observation.[3] Yet lack of publicity is exactly what Watchtower’s internal judicial system employs.
Marvin Shilmer
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References:
1. "Jehovah’s example as Judge, and the judicial system he instituted in Israel, established principles that set the pattern for the administration of justice within the Christian congregation."—The Watchtower, July 1, 1992 p. 13.
2. Such as conduct depicted in the biblical record of 1 Cor. 6: 9-10.
3. Awake!, published by Watchtower, Jan. 1, 1981 p. 17:
The Watchtower organization presents its internal judicial system as patterned after that outlined in the Mosaic Law.[1] This presentation gives underpinning to Watchtower’s assertion that its internal judicial system represents how God would have Christian congregations deal with matters in need of immediate judgment, such as how to respond to instances of unrepentant adultery, thievery and other acts deemed by Christians as immoral.[2]
Is it true that Watchtower’s internal judicial system is patterned after principles outlined in the Mosaic Law?
Publicity
A dominate feature of the judicial system under the Mosaic Law was publicity. Under that law Israel was to set up places of local judicial process inside the gates of each city.—(Deut. 16:18) Judges—well respected local older men—would hear these cases in full public view. This publicity would unavoidably influence judges to carry out justice that the citizenry could see, understand and respect as such. Under the Mosaic Law witnesses were required to testify publicly, and judges were required to carry our the proceeding publicly. Thus when judicial proceedings concluded, the local citizenry could be well-satisfied, that is if justice is what they observed.—(Compare Amos 5: 10, 12)
The central feature of publicity for judicial proceedings influenced judges to act fairly and without bias, and to thusly arrive at conclusions the community respected as just. This inspired confidence in the local citizenry to trust in and depend on their local elders (judges) as a resource for justice. If any had reason to wonder about injustice, all they had to do was show up and observe to have their concern either allayed or alarmed. Publicity acted to influence justice and inspire confidence.
Lack of Publicity
Though Watchtower touts its internal judicial system as patterned after principles ordained by God under the Mosaic Law, it fails to have any publicity to the proceedings of its judicial process. Thus a central feature of a judicial system ordained by God is ignored. What is the result?
● Because local Witnesses are unable to view judicial proceedings as third-party observers then confidence based on direct knowledge of those proceedings is impossible.
● Because defendants are disallowed from having a disinterested third-party observe their hearing, confidence is eroded that a judicial process is intended.
● Because hearings held by local elders acting as judges are not exposed to public observation then the safeguard of publicity that would tend to influence those elders toward carefulness and justice is absent.
Result
Without the central feature of publicity, the internal judicial system employed by Watchtower is a star-chamber process. The process is cloaked in secrecy rather than publicity. Without the central feature of publicity, Watchtower’s internal judicial process is not patterned after principles of justice outlined in the Mosaic Law.
Ironically, the Watchtower organization speaks disparagingly of judicial systems that refuse public observation.[3] Yet lack of publicity is exactly what Watchtower’s internal judicial system employs.
Marvin Shilmer
______________
References:
1. "Jehovah’s example as Judge, and the judicial system he instituted in Israel, established principles that set the pattern for the administration of justice within the Christian congregation."—The Watchtower, July 1, 1992 p. 13.
2. Such as conduct depicted in the biblical record of 1 Cor. 6: 9-10.
3. Awake!, published by Watchtower, Jan. 1, 1981 p. 17:
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