MK forum

No discrimination here, Aussie. They don't reply to my e-mails either!

So if IHART doesn't answer e-mails and neither do NTM or Crossview, then all this nonsense about caring and helping abused MKs is pure bullshit!!!!!
The only people this sort of nonsense is designed for is Tribers who want their consciences soothed, by being able to say that NTM is doing something about that little problem, so there is no need to get involved because it is all being taken care of. When in reality, it is just more lies.

As I keep saying, this is a dangerous perverted cult and needs to be treated as such. I don't feel so generous this morning!!!!!

Inadequate or outdated laws are no reason for throwing up ones hands and crying "nothing can be done". NTM is a large organisation as are many other similar groups. Laws can be changed by lobbying politicians who have the ultimate desire of being elected. A lone voice can be a flea in the ear of politicians and lawmakers, but large groups of voters can make a difference, history is full of stories of this happening, often lead by one or two brave individuals.
It suits NTM to hide behind this anomaly in U.S. law, because they have good reason for this. However NTM and other groups would gain far more respect if they were seen to be proactive in demanding law change.

We should salute those who work fearlessly behind the scenes to bring historical perpetrators to justice. Their tireless work has meant that historic offenders are on the radar screens of powerful agencies. Our Catholic cousins have achieved much in exposing child abuse scandals in their church and achieving justice, against tough opposition.
We are not alone in our struggle, this is an issue that transcends the boundaries of faith and beliefs, it strikes at the very heart of humanity, The Protection of Children from Predators. Those that prey on children, have stooped to the very lowest level of human behaviour, even fellow criminals recognise this. And to use religion in any form as a cover to do such acts, is beyond despicable.
As persons of all walks of life, many backgrounds, different ethnicities and faiths, we take the honourable path when we are brave enough to expose just how deeply the abuse of children has infiltrated our communities. It is a path that often has considerable personal cost, but also much reward, not just for ourselves but also future generations of children.

Here is the section of the above letter that I feel merits further scrutiny:

Release of Information

When abuse has been confirmed, some question why the reports are not released more broadly and publicly. Many believe that full details should be released either within NTM USA or outside, or both.

An investigation commissioned by NTM USA is not a law enforcement investigation. A confirmed finding of child abuse gives NTM USA the right only to impose disciplinary proceedings, such as dismissing the offender. Under religious law principles, NTM USA may share more than a secular employer would be permitted to share, such as giving an overview of the disciplinary action within the field or to entities with spiritual accountability, such as a Sending Church.

NTM USA does not have the right to make the story public on the internet, or to give great detail even within the organization. The different evidentiary standards for a non-governmental investigation do not permit us to make public our conclusions about an accused.

The NTM members I have interacted with regarding the reason NTM is not releasing an investigation report to the public are thoroughly persuaded by the explanation that New Tribes made the decision to keep results under wraps because of legal limitations. In other words, "We would be more open about this if we could, but we just can't. We are not allowed." And with that, mission members turn to more important things, like their ministry, satisfied that their leaders have been completely honest and above board. After all, as one person said to me, "their hands are tied".

Please note that a clear precedent has been set by others, establishing that an independent or internal investigation into abuse can result in a clear, comprehensive report being released to the public. If you question this, please take some time to read the Freeh Report on Pennsylvania State University (over 160 pages).

http://progress.psu.edu/the-freeh-report

Or for an investigation into child abuse in a mission organization, here is a report totalling over FIVE HUNDRED pages, posted publicly by the Presbyterian Church USA! (This is the investigation Pat Hendrix was associated with.)

https://www.pcusa.org/resource/final-re ... el-presby/

I make this plea to New Tribes missionaries, supporters of the mission, MKs participating in IHART/Pii investigations, family members and friends of survivors: please see New Tribes' lame explanation for what it truly is. An excuse. An excuse not to reveal the ugly truth that is being discovered through the course of this investigation.

New Tribes has plenty of legal counsel. If they are worried about defamation, or libel, or breaking some sort of law somewhere, there are knowledgeable people who could advise them how to publish a report that would be factual and still within the bounds of legality.

As far as I can see, the decision to keep this information hidden is fueled not by consideration, but (once again) by a panicked effort to protect the mission, its assets and its future.

This is not about the MKs or their privacy. This is not really about legal limitations. No one's hands are tied here. People in power are sitting on their hands, because they don't want you to see them.

Please don't let them get away with it.

"The different evidentiary standards for a non-governmental investigation do not permit us to make public our conclusions about an accused".

This is an interesting statement. Let me read it again - what exactly is it saying they are not permitted to make public? NTM USA's conclusions. I'm not sure I disagree with this, but is it NTM USA's conclusions that we are wanting disclosed? What about disclosing allegations? What about disclosing actions based on unstated conclusions? What about disclosing conclusions of investigators with whatever caveats are necessary? What about disclosing conclusions of alleged victims?

NTM is hiding on this one. I'm calling Bullshit on this.

True. There is civil defamation risk if NTM makes known its "conclusion" - for example, if NTM says we fired Person A because Person A "is a child abuser". That could lead to a defamation law suit and it is sound legal advice for NTM not to say this. But, what about saying that a "report conducted by independent investigor X contains allegations that Person A abused children". The fact that a report says this is a factual statement, regardless of the underlying truth of the allegation.

Regardless...NTM, are you so cowardly that you cannot subject yourself to some civil legal liability for the larger good? Are legal factors the only factors in play here? God knows NTM skirts legal requirements all over the world for the sake of the gospel...why not skirt them here for the sake of MKs at large that need some validation.

Furthermore, these are supposedly "independent" investigations - what does NTM's conclusion have to do with anything?

In addition - check out the below statement which is perhaps the most shocking of all:

"Both of these investigations have affirmed much of what was known regarding the incidents and some additional facts of which NTM was unaware".

In other words, NTM has pretty much been on top of things all along??? Except for "some" additional facts? Well, then why the hell did NTM not move heaven and hell to take some serious action then????

Thank you for weighing in on this, Thai MK!

It's a relief to know I'm not alone!

No Raz. You are not alone. ntm does not care about its victims. The necessity for secrecy is a bunch if crock. They are afraid to appear fallible. Afraid to lose donors. Unconcerned about their victims and unethical.