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[Gailon Arthur Joy]

Worcester Telegram & Gazette broke the following story as a front-page headline on Sabbath, February 9, 2008:

Saturday, February 9, 2008 
Five name college in sex abuse suit

Renowned ex-choral director at AU is accused

By Karen Nugent TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
 
 
 
 


LANCASTER— A lawsuit has been filed in Worcester Superior Court against Atlantic Union College and its well-known former choral director and music professor, Francisco de Araujo, for allegedly sexually abusing four students and a consultant in 2005 and 2006.

The complaint, filed Jan. 30 by Boston lawyer Nance Lyons, also alleges that college officials not only ignored the men’s accusations but had them expelled and spread rumors and slander that made it difficult for them to get jobs.

The complaint also alleges that college employees and contractors who complained about the sexual abuse on behalf of the students were fired and that college officials were well aware of Mr. Araujo’s alleged previous history of predatory sexual behavior with students. 


“Doe” is used for the last name for the five plaintiffs in the lawsuit, Ms. Lyons said yesterday.

Besides Mr. Araujo, who retired last summer, and the college, the complaint names former college president George P. Babcock and Donald G. King, president of the Lancaster-based Atlantic Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, which oversees the Adventist college. Mr. King is chairman of the college’s board of trustees.

The complaint requests a jury trial for several counts against Mr. Araujo of sexual assault and battery, outrage, negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence, violation of civil rights, invasion of privacy and false imprisonment.

Phone messages left at Mr. Araujo’s home Thursday night and yesterday were not returned.

In a prepared statement Thursday, college President Norman L. Wendth said lawyers for the college are working on responses to the complaint.

He warned against speculation, and requested sensitivity for “the hurts received, and respect for the reputations of everyone involved.”

Mr. Wendth also encouraged students and staff to come forward with information about misconduct.

“Not for just these charges, but by anyone, at any time — please share that information with someone on campus you can trust, so that we can discuss and resolve these concerns. Christians are supposed to be committed to both justice and forgiveness, and we need to remember that,” he said in a letter to AUC faculty and staff.

Mr. Babcock, who retired in May 2007, faces several counts of interference with contract and advantageous relationships, and libel and slander. He, Mr. King and the college also face one count of negligent hiring, retention and supervision.

The complaint says college officials were first told of the alleged abuse in September 2006 by a choir member and fundraising consultant who in the lawsuit is called Julio Doe, now living in Boston.

“Mr. Babcock undertook a sham investigation that was not in accordance with college procedures,” Ms. Lyons said in the 32-page complaint.

Reached at his home in Tennessee yesterday, Mr. Babcock said it would be inappropriate for him to comment beyond the statement by the college.

According to the complaint, Mr. Araujo, who was hired by AUC in 1999 and is a college alumnus, in April 2006 approached Julio Doe, who was living on campus, and pressed Julio’s body against his. In July 2006, Mr. Araujo came into Julio Doe’s room and began to touch him inappropriately, the complaint states.

Julio Doe’s contract with AUC was terminated by Mr. Babcock around September 2006, after he reported Mr. Araujo’s behavior with him and four students.

The lawsuit says Douglas Doe, a foreign student from the Dominican Republic now living in Leominster, was invited to live with Mr. Araujo in 2005, after Mr. Araujo got a scholarship for him to attend AUC. While living with Mr. Araujo, the complaint says, Douglas Doe was sexually abused.

The complaint says Douglas Doe did not report the alleged sexual misconduct because he feared losing his scholarship, which was later cut.

Jonathan Doe, an AUC student from Leominster who auditioned for the college choir, said that after the audition, Mr. Araujo hugged him and rubbed him while telling him how proud he was of him. The complaint says that while similar incidents occurred while Jonathan Doe was a student, he did not report the alleged abuse because he feared repercussions.

A piano student of Mr. Araujo who took lessons at the Thayer Conservatory on the college campus is called Octavio Doe in the complaint.

In 2005, after a Christmas concert, Mr. Araujo allegedly hugged Octavio Doe and touched him inappropriately, the complaint states.

Octavio Doe allegedly told Julio Doe about Mr. Araujo’s advances around October 2006, and Julio Doe reported it to Mr. Babcock and Mr. King, the complaint states.

The complaint says Mr. Araujo recruited Marcos Doe, who is from Mexico, with a promise of a full scholarship, housing and spending money, and said he would get the college to create a special class in music conducting just for him.

When Marcos Doe arrived at AUC, he discovered there was no place for him to live, and he was forced to sleep in a truck for three months. Mr. Araujo allegedly tried to abuse him, but when Marcos Doe refused his advances, his scholarship was suddenly denied and he subsequently lost his visa and had to leave the college and return to Mexico.

Ms. Lyons said yesterday the students were not willing participants in Mr. Araujo’s sexual actions, and resisted him.

“What strikes me in these cases of religious institutions is the absolute, incredible disregard for these kinds of allegations on the part of a professor versus the student,” she said.

Before he came to AUC, Mr. Araujo was the music director for more than 25 years at the Takoma Park, Md., Seventh-day Adventist Church.

During his church tenure, Mr. Araujo led choral ensembles all over the world.

In 1975, in Poland, he was invited to give a state performance for visiting U.S. President Gerald R. Ford. In 1979, he was a guest of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, and in 1981, he presented the Jerusalem Passion Play and Nativity Play in Bethlehem. In 1994, with Israeli Occupation Forces surrounding the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Mr. Araujo led a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” that was videotaped and marketed as a peace effort among Christians, Jews and Muslims in the Middle East.

At AUC, Mr. Araujo, called “maestro” at the college — and “Papa” by his students, according to a 2006 interview with him — created three choral groups, one of which, Pro Arts International, has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Ms. Lyons said the lawsuit seeks money for emotional and psychological conditions resulting from the alleged abuse, financial losses for medical care and loss of earning capacity, and loss of enjoyment of life.

The complaint alleges that Mr. Babcock engaged in libel and slander by accusing Julio Doe of being untrustworthy and inadequate in his fundraising abilities. It says he has lost contracts because of the alleged slander.

The complaint states Mr. Babcock wrote a negative letter about Julio Doe to the owner of Golden Cross, a large medical insurance company in South America where Julio Doe sought employment.

[Chrissie]

Worcester Telegram & Gazette broke the following story as a front-page headline on Sabbath, February 9, 2008:

Saturday, February 9, 2008 
Five name college in sex abuse suit

Renowned ex-choral director at AU is accused

By Karen Nugent TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
 
 
 
 


LANCASTER— A lawsuit has been filed in Worcester Superior Court against Atlantic Union College and its well-known former choral director and music professor, Francisco de Araujo, for allegedly sexually abusing four students and a consultant in 2005 and 2006.

The complaint, filed Jan. 30 by Boston lawyer Nance Lyons, also alleges that college officials not only ignored the men’s accusations but had them expelled and spread rumors and slander that made it difficult for them to get jobs.

The complaint also alleges that college employees and contractors who complained about the sexual abuse on behalf of the students were fired and that college officials were well aware of Mr. Araujo’s alleged previous history of predatory sexual behavior with students. 


“Doe” is used for the last name for the five plaintiffs in the lawsuit, Ms. Lyons said yesterday.

Besides Mr. Araujo, who retired last summer, and the college, the complaint names former college president George P. Babcock and Donald G. King, president of the Lancaster-based Atlantic Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, which oversees the Adventist college. Mr. King is chairman of the college’s board of trustees.

The complaint requests a jury trial for several counts against Mr. Araujo of sexual assault and battery, outrage, negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence, violation of civil rights, invasion of privacy and false imprisonment.

Phone messages left at Mr. Araujo’s home Thursday night and yesterday were not returned.

In a prepared statement Thursday, college President Norman L. Wendth said lawyers for the college are working on responses to the complaint.

He warned against speculation, and requested sensitivity for “the hurts received, and respect for the reputations of everyone involved.”

Mr. Wendth also encouraged students and staff to come forward with information about misconduct.

“Not for just these charges, but by anyone, at any time — please share that information with someone on campus you can trust, so that we can discuss and resolve these concerns. Christians are supposed to be committed to both justice and forgiveness, and we need to remember that,” he said in a letter to AUC faculty and staff.

Mr. Babcock, who retired in May 2007, faces several counts of interference with contract and advantageous relationships, and libel and slander. He, Mr. King and the college also face one count of negligent hiring, retention and supervision.

The complaint says college officials were first told of the alleged abuse in September 2006 by a choir member and fundraising consultant who in the lawsuit is called Julio Doe, now living in Boston.

“Mr. Babcock undertook a sham investigation that was not in accordance with college procedures,” Ms. Lyons said in the 32-page complaint.

Reached at his home in Tennessee yesterday, Mr. Babcock said it would be inappropriate for him to comment beyond the statement by the college.

According to the complaint, Mr. Araujo, who was hired by AUC in 1999 and is a college alumnus, in April 2006 approached Julio Doe, who was living on campus, and pressed Julio’s body against his. In July 2006, Mr. Araujo came into Julio Doe’s room and began to touch him inappropriately, the complaint states.

Julio Doe’s contract with AUC was terminated by Mr. Babcock around September 2006, after he reported Mr. Araujo’s behavior with him and four students.

The lawsuit says Douglas Doe, a foreign student from the Dominican Republic now living in Leominster, was invited to live with Mr. Araujo in 2005, after Mr. Araujo got a scholarship for him to attend AUC. While living with Mr. Araujo, the complaint says, Douglas Doe was sexually abused.

The complaint says Douglas Doe did not report the alleged sexual misconduct because he feared losing his scholarship, which was later cut.

Jonathan Doe, an AUC student from Leominster who auditioned for the college choir, said that after the audition, Mr. Araujo hugged him and rubbed him while telling him how proud he was of him. The complaint says that while similar incidents occurred while Jonathan Doe was a student, he did not report the alleged abuse because he feared repercussions.

A piano student of Mr. Araujo who took lessons at the Thayer Conservatory on the college campus is called Octavio Doe in the complaint.

In 2005, after a Christmas concert, Mr. Araujo allegedly hugged Octavio Doe and touched him inappropriately, the complaint states.

Octavio Doe allegedly told Julio Doe about Mr. Araujo’s advances around October 2006, and Julio Doe reported it to Mr. Babcock and Mr. King, the complaint states.

The complaint says Mr. Araujo recruited Marcos Doe, who is from Mexico, with a promise of a full scholarship, housing and spending money, and said he would get the college to create a special class in music conducting just for him.

When Marcos Doe arrived at AUC, he discovered there was no place for him to live, and he was forced to sleep in a truck for three months. Mr. Araujo allegedly tried to abuse him, but when Marcos Doe refused his advances, his scholarship was suddenly denied and he subsequently lost his visa and had to leave the college and return to Mexico.

Ms. Lyons said yesterday the students were not willing participants in Mr. Araujo’s sexual actions, and resisted him.

“What strikes me in these cases of religious institutions is the absolute, incredible disregard for these kinds of allegations on the part of a professor versus the student,” she said.

Before he came to AUC, Mr. Araujo was the music director for more than 25 years at the Takoma Park, Md., Seventh-day Adventist Church.

During his church tenure, Mr. Araujo led choral ensembles all over the world.

In 1975, in Poland, he was invited to give a state performance for visiting U.S. President Gerald R. Ford. In 1979, he was a guest of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, and in 1981, he presented the Jerusalem Passion Play and Nativity Play in Bethlehem. In 1994, with Israeli Occupation Forces surrounding the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Mr. Araujo led a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” that was videotaped and marketed as a peace effort among Christians, Jews and Muslims in the Middle East.

At AUC, Mr. Araujo, called “maestro” at the college — and “Papa” by his students, according to a 2006 interview with him — created three choral groups, one of which, Pro Arts International, has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Ms. Lyons said the lawsuit seeks money for emotional and psychological conditions resulting from the alleged abuse, financial losses for medical care and loss of earning capacity, and loss of enjoyment of life.

The complaint alleges that Mr. Babcock engaged in libel and slander by accusing Julio Doe of being untrustworthy and inadequate in his fundraising abilities. It says he has lost contracts because of the alleged slander.

The complaint states Mr. Babcock wrote a negative letter about Julio Doe to the owner of Golden Cross, a large medical insurance company in South America where Julio Doe sought employment.

Horrendous as these claims are, one would doubt that these were the ONLY people who have been abused by Araujo. Hopefully, now this has come to light, other victims will come forward also.

[Daryl Fawcett]

If the information in this article is reliably correct, this is a sad testimony to the blindness of the leadership at AUC and ultimately also in our church.

[bonnie]

If the information in this article is reliably correct, this is a sad testimony to the blindness of the leadership at AUC and ultimately also in our church.

Daryl,

The problem is not blindness,nor is it a "mistake". Most members that sit in the pew don't realize this is the way many victims are deliberately treated. 

Most cases like this,only the names and location need be changed and the story is the same, chapter and verse.
The victims will be the ones that are to forgive and forget. The fact that they are now taking legal action will be proof to many that they have not.
The leadership of this denomination simply cannot get it thru their heads or don't care enough to listen and help the victims. If they were to do so, most lawsuits would never be filed. Once they are filed then the focus usually shifts from the act of the guilty or accused to the legal actions of the victims. EW and all scripture is brought out to hammer them in how wrong they are

Bonnie

[Johann]

Seems like I first saw Mr. Araujo direct a choir from Japan about 40 or 50 years ago. I think he was teaching at our college in Japan at that time. Must admit I never cared much for his physical acrobatics while directing, but that could have impressed others. He got the choirs he directed to sing fairly well.

[Artiste]

Will this sad story cause church/conference leaders to think any more seriously about the problems of 3ABN?

Or do they just hope that statutes of limitations are past or that no one will come forward?

[bonnie]

Will this sad story cause church/conference leaders to think any more seriously about the problems of 3ABN?

Or do they just hope that statutes of limitations are past or that no one will come forward?

As this is not an isolated incidence, especially in the past decade, why would this be the one to cause leaders to re-evaluate and do things differently?

More and more are coming forward, realizing they were not the only one abused by their abuser. In the past connection to other victims was difficult. With the flood of information on the internet more and more will come forward. When will they listen?? I suspect not till the big one it's. The one with the ability to bankrupt a conference, school, church.
There has been some progress, but it seems the steps taken are only those they are forced to take.

[Ozzie]

Will this sad story cause church/conference leaders to think any more seriously about the problems of 3ABN?

Or do they just hope that statutes of limitations are past or that no one will come forward?

Unfortunately, this appears to be nearer the truth. I become increasingly frustrated as I learn of 'cover-ups' and people hoping and 'emotionally blackmailing' ("Don't destroy your family/church. You'll be to blame if this gets out") victims, to preserve their own so-called good names. What will it take to make our leaders take notice to the full extent that should be mandatory reporting?

Seems that if 3abn can get away with it, other churches and departments can hope they'll get away with it too.

Just my $0.02 worth.

[Artiste]

Ozzie, that's one reason we're trying to prevent 3ABN from "getting away from it".

[bonnie]

Ozzie, that's one reason we're trying to prevent 3ABN from "getting away from it".

This seems a little backwards. Why choose 3ABN as the catalyst for prevention of a problem that has gone on for decades?
Had these type of issues been dealt with as they should have been and with the knowledge so many times of acts of abuse  prior to it coming out publically, maybe 3 ABN would not have gotten so far with the alleged abuses.

I have asked before and never received an answer. Had this been any other than 3ABN,an independent ministry, would there have been such a pursuit to get at the answers?

Had this been a high profile conference president or higher would the same determination be shown?

While I believe LS deserves support and many issues need to be explained concerning suspected illegal activities within 3ABN, what makes the harm done to LS and others of any more importance to someone less known?

Once again one of our institutions are dealing with sexual abuse allegations. Hardly the first and hardly the last. Seems to have been known prior to LS difficulties and the allegations against DS. Where was the outcry? How many now will come to the defense of abuse victims at the hands of our leaders and educators?

Regardless of whether or not this has been proven yet, most know that these things happen quite routinely.
Has there ever been an outcry from those sitting in the pews that this will stop?? Has there been any demand from the membership to take such an active part in stopping this as has been with 3ABN??

It will be quite surprising if the victims do not find themselves the receipient of the anger instead of the institution and those involved in any cover up and the party accused himself. The victims usually are the ones to feel the backlash, the shunning, the further shredding of what is left of their lives. If they had only remained quiet and followed the admonition to forgive, the denomination would not have to deal with such an unpleasent business.

How many heavily involved with bringing to light actions of 3ABN and DS and what is seen as abuse of LS, will be as actively involved in demanding from Atlantic Union and all our institutions the same. Bringing to light and demanding change. Demanding an accounting and aid and help for the victims?

The suit will probably go forward and blurbs will hit the media attention for a bit, then settlement, a denial that settlement means anything, and in a very short time forgotton.


I seriously doubt the outcome of 3ABN, whatever it is, will have any impact on the unknown member that is abused, on the ones that are involved in covering it up. 
Not enough demand or interest in an accounting. Most seem to think it could not happen to one of theirs and is not a big reason for concern.
Where is the outcry from all parents that have young people on the campus??

[Chrissie]

Ozzie, that's one reason we're trying to prevent 3ABN from "getting away from it".

Has there ever been an outcry from those sitting in the pews that this will stop?? Has there been any demand from the membership to take such an active part in stopping this as has been with 3ABN??

It will be quite surprising if the victims do not find themselves the recipient of the anger instead of the institution and those involved in any cover up and the party accused himself. The victims usually are the ones to feel the backlash, the shunning, the further shredding of what is left of their lives. If they had only remained quiet and followed the admonition to forgive, the denomination would not have to deal with such an unpleasent business.

How many heavily involved with bringing to light actions of 3ABN and DS and what is seen as abuse of LS, will be as actively involved in demanding from Atlantic Union and all our institutions the same. Bringing to light and demanding change. Demanding an accounting and aid and help for the victims?

The suit will probably go forward and blurbs will hit the media attention for a bit, then settlement, a denial that settlement means anything, and in a very short time forgotton.


I seriously doubt the outcome of 3ABN, whatever it is, will have any impact on the unknown member that is abused, on the ones that are involved in covering it up. 
Not enough demand or interest in an accounting. Most seem to think it could not happen to one of theirs and is not a big reason for concern.
Where is the outcry from all parents that have young people on the campus??

Bonnie, this is so true. I feel at times like I'm hitting my head against a brick wall, when I hear a Pastor deny that it could be happening in his congregation and says "You can't legislate against something that goes on behind closed doors". DENIAL seems to be where many church leaders and members 'are at' still.

[bonnie]

]

Bonnie, this is so true. I feel at times like I'm hitting my head against a brick wall, when I hear a Pastor deny that it could be happening in his congregation and says "You can't legislate against something that goes on behind closed doors". DENIAL seems to be where many church leaders and members 'are at' still.

Denial is one thing. No one wants to believe a trusted pastor/leader/family member could be guilty of such an act. Many will continue to deny against overwhelming proof.

I know it angers some people when I say this and often gets the charge of bitterness leveled against me, but I believe that very denial by the members is what the leadership counts on. They count on the members doing much of the dirty work of anger direction,shunning and charges of bitterness and unforgivness to subdue many that would come forward. It can be quite effective as they well know

They are not in denial. They know and have known for years.  Whether it is from personal experience or from getting to know and dealing with so many that have gone the same route our family did. The story is almost always the same.
Prior knowledge and complaints have simply been moved to new location. Not addressing the issues, not offering help to those badly damaged,just cover-up and the ultimate lie when it finally can't be covered up any longer.
"WE DIDN"T KNOW" When followed by a lawsuit that settles out of court the lie continues, "Then it is "this is not an admission of guilt but allows us to move on".

 During the last year of our litigation a legal seminar of some type was held in Florida. All those SDA's involved in the legal profession were present. As was a family member of ours. Our situation was brought up and concern was expressed over what it may mean. One well known legal representative of the GC responded to a question by this family member. Being told the Odenthal case was no longer of grave concern as it appeared it was going to be settled out of court. Strange that our family did not know that and had not discussed settlement, that came some time later.
A caring compassionate denomination still put our family thru many hours of rigorous depositions knowing they were willing to settle. A gift we will long remember
Of concern to the denomination was a case in California and what it could mean financially. How odd in a group of SDA's and those suppossedly concerned for the salvation of others, the major angst was not over how to stop this. It was who was going to do the most damage.This is where the concern lies. Who has the ability to inflict the most damage to the denomination, not how do we prevent the damage in the first place and when it does occur,how best can we help.

Whether ours or a situation involving other victims,it is almost universal to find not suspicion but proof that it has been known and noted for years . Ours was a thirty year history, that we have documented. This isn't denial. Others of varying time frames are common. Documented complaints and allegations. Can be several against same party,details never varying and yet they keep moving them onto other unsuspecting members. Sometimes moving them up the ladder instead of out. Not denial, but a complete and deliberate disregard for the safety of the vulnerable people the predator grooms and abuses.


While denial may be true for some members, it is not denial by those that could put a stop to this when they first become aware. I have another name for it, but again, that makes people angry in my direction instead of directing the anger where it belongs

[Gailon Arthur Joy]

Ozzie, that's one reason we're trying to prevent 3ABN from "getting away from it".

I seriously doubt the outcome of 3ABN, whatever it is, will have any impact on the unknown member that is abused, on the ones that are involved in covering it up. 
Not enough demand or interest in an accounting. Most seem to think it could not happen to one of theirs and is not a big reason for concern.
Where is the outcry from all parents that have young people on the campus??

And why don't we agree right here and right now to be the sounding board for any complainant that wishes to come forward and complain...each case requires appropriate investigation and appropriate ecclesiastical process, but must never be allowed to go unanswered.

I can attest to the fact that we have repeatedly referred victims who came to Save3ABN.com with complaints to persons that could be helpful and or to encourage them to publish their special stories for all to read and understand and build sensitivity to the issue within the church. In fact a small book is pending publication as a result of this effort.

I challenge you to develop an effort to coordinate the production of a book or other document regarding the Odenthall Case. Frankly, I only recently became aware of it
and something of this magnitude rarely gets as far as it did without a much wider circulation.

We have repeatedly found that the Golden Rule applies: Institutions adhere to the principal
that he who has the Gold Rules; and the victims silence is golden for the perpetrator. If victims would aggressively pursue their claims, the perpetrator must give up the gold!!! Odenthall got some Gold, but my guess is that it would have been a lot faster and most likely a lot more if it had the momentum of public disclosure.

If we adhered to the Matthew 18 Principals, and their was no reformation in part one and two,
part three should have been an open and transparent process of full disclosure, due process
and appropriate discipline.

Gailon Arthur Joy

[bonnie]

1.And why don't we agree right here and right now to be the sounding board for any complainant that wishes to come forward and complain...each case requires appropriate investigation and appropriate ecclesiastical process, but must never be allowed to go unanswered.

Been there, done that. For five years. The org.SNT was frequently harrassed and the time constarints for me got to be something I could no longer handle efficiently alone.

2.I can attest to the fact that we have repeatedly referred victims who came to Save3ABN.com with complaints to persons that could be helpful and or to encourage them to publish their special stories for all to read and understand and build sensitivity to the issue within the church. In fact a small book is pending publication as a result of this effort.

That is something that does need to be done. Many need at least a bit of direction as they feel they are the only ones often times.
I will be looking forward to the book

3.I challenge you to develop an effort to coordinate the production of a book or other document regarding the Odenthall Case. Frankly, I only recently became aware of it
and something of this magnitude rarely gets as far as it did without a much wider circulation.

Well, my gut reaction is to say the SDA denomination has taken enough from our family,without walking in front of that particular truck again.
If there were something I could do I would give what help I could. Without those taking an active interest as is being done with 3ABN,not going to happen. And I do not think the one member,the members family count enough to have that kind of support.
The events that took place should have created a wave of anger and a demand for change in MN, starting at the conference office. Not because it was my family, but because it could have been theirs. Because the lack of leadership and the complete lack of caring for the members of the MN congregations was obvious.
Instead, that is not where the anger was directed.They are not the ones that fought this for almost 6 years alone. Not only the legal battle,but those sitting in the pews as well. We did not even have to deal with he said/she said. It could not be denied, yet the responsibility somehow became ours, primarily my sons.


4.We have repeatedly found that the Golden Rule applies: Institutions adhere to the principal
that he who has the Gold Rules; and the victims silence is golden for the perpetrator. If victims would aggressively pursue their claims, the perpetrator must give up the gold!!! Odenthall got some Gold, but my guess is that it would have been a lot faster and most likely a lot more if it had the momentum of public disclosure.

There was as much public disclousure as we personally could do. The media,talk radio,tv news, did pick up on it on it's own. However that did not dent the reaction of the membership, made little difference to the denomination.
As much as possible was disclosed on any forum where SDA's congregate, there was anger, but not towards what had happened,it was because I made it public.

I am not minimizing what you are dealing with in your current lawsuit,but many are so beat down that a lawsuit is more than they can cope with. Ours was aggressive and took everything this family had to give for six years. I am not sure how much more I feel I want to give them.

5.If we adhered to the Matthew 18 Principals, and their was no reformation in part one and two,
part three should have been an open and transparent process of full disclosure, due process
and appropriate discipline.


The part that is adhered to is "Forgive and forget" The victim forgets they were victimized and the denomination will forgive them for being careless enough to become a victim.

Turn the other cheek", "Be willing to be defrauded"

[bonnie]

What kind of a denomination do we belong to? I am not questioning SDA doctrine, but an organization.
One where aggressive lawsuits are recommended and I agree is needed to get their attention and make any kind of change. Lawsuits only teach them they may suffer consequences for not doing the right thing.
It doesn't change the heart.

I don't care that this is something that plagues all denominations, we claim to be different. Nor do the typical pat answers of it is an evil world cut it.
Secular businesses live in the same evil world and they seem to see the importance of stopping abusive behavior. We hide behind the seperation of church and state, condemn those that would dare bring dishonor on the church by speaking out.