If you are a Jehovah's Witness
(JW) and you seek professional help from another JW you need to be made aware
that your confidentiality may be in jeopardy.
A case some time back involved
a non-JW doctor, who employed a JW assistant. The JW assistant gave up the confidential
records of another JW patient to the elders. The records revealed the JW patient
had contracted a sexual transmitted disease. The non-JW doctor was liable because
of the JW employee's actions of revealing confidential information. So employers
who hire JWs need to be made aware that confidential maters may not be kept
in strict confidence.
*** Watchtower 9/1/1987
pages 14-15 "A Time to Speak"-When? ***
Thinking Ahead Employers
have a right to expect that their Christian employees will ‘exhibit good fidelity
to the full,’ including observing rules on confidentiality. (Titus 2:9, 10)
If an oath is taken, it should not be taken lightly. An oath makes a promise
more solemn and binding. (Psalm 24:4) And where the law reinforces a requirement
on confidentiality, the matter becomes still more serious. Hence, before a Christian takes an oath or puts himself under a confidentiality
restriction, whether in connection with employment or otherwise, it would
be wise to determine to the extent possible what problems this may produce
because of any conflict with Bible requirements. How will one handle matters
if a brother or a sister becomes a client? Usually such jobs as working with
doctors, hospitals, courts, and lawyers are the type of employment in which
a problem could develop. We cannot ignore Caesar’s
law or the seriousness of an oath, but Jehovah’s law is supreme. Anticipating
the problem, some brothers who are lawyers, doctors, accountants, and so forth,
have prepared guidelines in writing and have asked brothers who may consult
them to read these over before revealing anything confidential. Thus an understanding
is required in advance that if serious wrongdoing comes to light, the wrongdoer
would be encouraged to go to the elders in his congregation about the matter.
It would be understood that if he did not do so, the
counselor would feel an obligation to go to the elders himself. There
may be occasions when a faithful servant of God is motivated by his personal
convictions, based on his knowledge of God’s Word, to strain or even breach
the requirements of confidentiality because of the superior demands of divine
law. Courage and discretion would be needed. The objective would not
be to spy on another’s freedom but to help erring ones and to keep the Christian
congregation clean. Minor transgressions due to sin should be overlooked.
Here, “love covers a multitude of sins,” and we should forgive “up to seventy-seven
times.” (Matthew 18:21, 22) This is the “time to keep quiet.” But
when there is an attempt to conceal major sins, this may be the “time to speak.”
A JW can be reported for
just about anything, see the list of things that could be a disfellowshipping
offense
*** Watchtower 8/15/1997
Page 30 Why Report What Is Bad? ***
The reporting of
wrongdoing is an act of genuine concern for the wrongdoer. James wrote: “My
brothers, if anyone among you is misled from the truth and another turns him
back, know that he who turns a sinner back from the error of his way will
save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”—James 5:19,
20. So, then, why report what is bad? Because it works
what is good. Really, to report wrongdoing is an act of Christian principled
love shown toward God, toward the congregation, and toward the wrongdoer. As each member of the congregation loyally upholds God’s righteous standards,
Jehovah will richly bless the congregation as a whole. Wrote the apostle Paul:
“He [Jehovah] will also make you firm to the end, that you may be open to
no accusation in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”—1 Corinthians 1:8.
*** Knowledge 1995 page
138 14
Whose Authority
Should You Recognize? *** 22 What if a Christian suffers some evil or becomes
discouraged because of committing a sin? Soothing Bible counsel and the elders’
heartfelt prayers in his behalf can help to restore him to spiritual health.
(James 5:13-15) These men, appointed by holy spirit,
also have the authority to administer discipline and reprove any who pursue
a course of wrongdoing or who pose a danger to the spiritual and moral cleanness
of the congregation. (Acts 20:28; Titus 1:9; 2:15) In
order to keep the congregation clean, it may be necessary for individuals
to report serious wrongdoing. (Leviticus 5:1) If a Christian who has
committed a grave sin accepts Scriptural discipline and reproof and gives
evidence of genuine repentance, he will be helped. Of course, persistent and
unrepentant violators of God’s law are disfellowshipped.—1 Corinthians 5:9-13.
*** Kingdom Ministry 2/1979
Page 7 Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples *** What is loyalty?
(Eph. 4:24) If
you know that a member of the congregation is guilty of serious wrongdoing,
what should loyalty move you to do? (Lev. 5:1) If you heard a critical
report about a brother, what would loyalty move you to do? (Ps. 50:20, 21;
1 Tim. 5:19) If there was an opportunity of making quite a bit of money, but
it was at the possible risk of doing harm to our Christian brothers, what
course would loyalty move us to take?—Prov. 28:20; 1 Tim. 6:9, 10. What situations today could test the loyalty of young Christians? How
was young Joseph able to resist the pressures and temptations to commit immorality?
What do we learn by the expression “day after day” in connection with this
temptation? How could similar situations come up at school? (Gen. 39:7-12)
How could Eli’s sons have been a test to young Samuel’s loyalty? Could similar
tests be exerted on young ones from within God’s congregation today?—1 Sam.
2:12-18.
*** Kingdom Ministry 8/1982
Page 1 Youths-Serve Jehovah With Loyalty ***
4 Young
ones generally feel a keen sense of loyalty to friends. This can present real
tests when such companions get involved in unchristian conduct. Many youths
then face situations involving divided loyalties. Will you report serious
wrongdoing or ignore it as if it never happened? Genuine regard for
Christian associates and love of God will no doubt move you to report this
in line with the principle at Leviticus 5:1. Christian
youths thereby avoid becoming “a party to wickedness” by yielding to a false
sense of loyalty.—Deut. 13:6-8; Organization, page 181.
*** Watchtower 6/15/1991
Pages 20-21 Youths-Will You Pass the Test of Christian Loyalty? ***
You will need additional
help. “Let your parents know, let the elders know right
away—right in the beginning,” exhorts one young Christian who benefited
from such help. Yes, your parents are probably in a good position to help
you. “Give your heart” to them, letting them know the full extent of your
problems. (Proverbs 23:26) They can arrange for you to receive further assistance
from the congregation elders when that is necessary.—James 5:14, 15.
Manifesting True Loyalty—How?
Of course, it would be
best never to fall into disloyal conduct in the first place. Psalm 18:25 tells
us: “With someone loyal you [Jehovah] will act in loyalty; with the faultless,
able-bodied man you will deal faultlessly.” Jehovah richly blesses those who
loyally maintain high standards of conduct. There are other ways, though,
in which your loyalty may be put to the test. For example, suppose a friend
of yours has embarked upon a wayward course. Will you let misguided loyalty
to that friend overshadow your loyalty to Jehovah? The
loving thing to do would be to approach that friend and urge him to report
the matter to his parents or to the elders. Tell your friend that if he does
not do so within a reasonable period of time, you will have to do so yourself. Proverbs 27:5 says:
“Better is a revealed reproof than a concealed love.” By assisting your friend
in this way, you manifest not only the genuineness of your friendship but
also the depth of your loyalty to Jehovah.
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