Hello everyone,
Following the link given by Kent,
I have several observation to make:
(from the link : http://www.un.org/MoreInfo/ngolink/brochure.htm)
**to begin the question:
"What is an NGO?
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens' group which is organized on a local, national or international level. Task-oriented and driven by people with a common interest, NGOs perform a variety of services and humanitarian functions, bring citizens' concerns to Governments, monitor policies and encourage political participation at the community level. They provide analysis and expertise, serve as early warning mechanisms and help monitor and implement international agreements. Some are organized around specific issues, such as human rights, the environment or health. Their relationship with offices and agencies of the United Nations System differs depending on their goals, their venue and their mandate."
Notice "…and encourage political participation at the community level "
More about:
"How do NGOs and DPI cooperate?
The Department of Public Information and NGOs cooperate regularly. NGOs associated with DPI disseminate information about the UN to their membership, thereby building knowledge of and support for the Organization at the grassroots level.
Notice :" ..and support for the Organisation .." ( i.e. The United Nations, of course)
If you think it's not enough…take a look:
"In 1968, the Economic and Social Council, by Resolution 1297 (XLIV) of 27 May, called on DPI to associate NGOs, bearing in mind the letter and spirit of its Resolution 1296 (XLIV) of 23 May 1968, which stated that an NGO "...shall undertake to support the work of the United Nations and to promote knowledge of its principles and activities, in accordance with its own aims and purposes and the nature and scope of its competence and activities".
Again, "…shall undertake to support the work of the United Nations".
So every NGO has taken that kind of responsibility.
Furthermore , take a look at this:
"What are the Criteria for NGOs to become associated with DPI?"
Organizations eligible for association with DPI are those which:
Share the ideals of the UN Charter;
Operate solely on a not-for-profit basis;
Have a demonstrated interest in United Nations issues and proven ability to reach large or specialized audiences, such as educators, media representatives, policy makers and the business community;
Have the commitment and means to conduct effective information programmes about UN activities by publishing newsletters, bulletins, and pamphlets; organizing conferences, seminars and round tables; and enlisting the cooperation of the media."
I do think that all these criteria are quite clear.
To add more:
"What are the responsibilities of NGOs associated with DPI?"
Since the founding days of the United Nations in San Francisco, NGOs have made valuable contributions to the international community by drawing attention to issues, suggesting ideas and programmes, disseminating information and mobilizing public opinion in support of the UN and its Specialized Agencies. Association with DPI constitutes a commitment to that effect. Associated NGOs are expected to devote a portion of their information programmes to promoting knowledge of the United Nations' principles and activities."
I hope that you also notice: " …mobilizing public opinion in support of the
UN and its Specializes Agencies.."!
Just in case you would like to know , the name of the Organisations , the region where the headquarters are located, or the organisation 's main area of interest , just search this link:
( http://www.un.org/MoreInfo/ngolink/ngodir.htm)
There you'll find :
Legend:
DPI: Organization associated with the Department of Public Information.
E/D: Organization associated with the Department of Public Information and the Economic and Social Council.
UNA: United Nations Associations.
NGOs listed by region NGOs listed alphabetically NGOs listed by subject
Take a look , to get some of the names, from the letter V to the letter W:
( http://www.un.org/MoreInfo/ngolink/ngodir/NGODirAlph/alphabet.htm)
"…..VAKA - PEACE MOUVEMENT
VERBAND DER AKADEMIKERINNEN OSTERREICHS (VAO) VERENIGING VOOR DE VERENIGDE NATIES
VERIFICATION TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION CENTRE
VETERANS AGAINST NUCLEAR ARMS
VETERANS FOR PEACE INC VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA FOUNDATION VIRGINIA GILDERSLEEVE INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR UNIVERSITY WOMEN
WAINWRIGHT HOUSE
WAR & PEACE FOUNDATION
WAR RESISTERS INTERNATIONAL
WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK
WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION
WELLSTART INTERNATIONAL
WITTENBERG CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES, THE
WOMEN FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND ARBITRATION
WOMEN LAWYER'S ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC. WOMEN OF REFORM JUDAISM WOMEN OF VISION WOMEN'S ACTION FOR NEW DIRECTIONS WOMEN'S AMERICAN O.R.T., INC. WOMEN'S BAR ASSOCIATION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WBASNY) WOMEN'S BRANCH, UNION OF ORTHODOX JEWISH CONGREGATIONS OF AMERICA …."
Oh, surprise, surprise …who do we find in good company?
WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK
If you click on their name you'll get this:
OrgName OrgAssociation Address1 Address2 City1 City2 StateProvince PostalCode CountryName Telephone Fax EmailInternet WebAddress RegionName Subject
WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK DPI 25 Columbia Heights - Brooklyn - NY 11201-2483 UNITED STATES 718 560 5000 718 560 8030 - - NORTHERN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN HUMAN RIGHTS
I'm sure you do not want to miss their main area of interest as listed
above: " ….HUMAN RIGHTS "!!!
How is it possible to reconcile the WTBS position as an NGO with the
United Nations Organisation and these printed statements, from the
WTBS concerening the U.N.Organisation???
*** re 241-2 33 Judging the Infamous Harlot ***(published in 1988)
17 In what way is this symbolic wild beast full of blasphemous names?
In that men have set up this multinational idol as a substitute for God’s Kingdom—to accomplish what God says his Kingdom alone can accomplish. (Daniel 2:44; Matthew 12:18, 21)
What is remarkable about John’s vision, though, is that Babylon the Great is riding the scarlet-colored wild beast. True to the prophecy, Babylonish religion, particularly in Christendom, has linked itself with the League of Nations and its successor. "
*** re 243 33 Judging the Infamous Harlot *** (published in 1988)
21 What of the League’s successor, the United Nations?
From its inception, this body has also had the great harlot riding on its back, visibly associated with it and trying to guide its destiny. For example, on its 20th anniversary, in June 1965, representatives of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, together with Protestants, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims—said to represent two thousand million of earth’s population—assembled in San Francisco to celebrate their support and admiration of the UN. On visiting the UN in October 1965, Pope Paul VI described it as “that greatest of all international organizations” and added: “The peoples of the earth turn to the United Nations as the last hope of concord and peace.”
Another papal visitor, Pope John Paul II, addressing the UN in October 1979, said: “I hope the United Nations will ever remain the supreme forum of peace and justice.” Significantly, the pope made no mention of Jesus Christ or of God’s Kingdom in his speech. During his visit to the United States in September 1987, as reported by The New York Times, “John Paul spoke at length about the positive role of the United Nations in promoting . . . ‘new worldwide solidarity.’”
*** re 248 34 An Awesome Mystery Solved ***(published in 1988)
Ascending out of the Abyss
6 The scarlet-colored wild beast did indeed climb out of the abyss. On June 26, 1945, with noisy fanfare in San Francisco, U.S.A., 50 nations voted to accept the Charter of the United Nations organization.
This body was “to maintain international peace and security.” There were many similarities between the League and the UN. The World Book Encyclopedia notes: “In some ways, the UN resembles the League of Nations, which was organized after World War I . . . Many of the nations that founded the UN had also founded the League. Like the League, the UN was established to help keep peace between nations. The main organs of the UN are much like those of the League.” The UN, then, is actually a revival of the scarlet-colored wild beast. Its membership of over 150 nations far exceeds that of the League’s 63; it has also taken on broader responsibilities than its predecessor."
*** re 248 34 An Awesome Mystery Solved ***(published in 1988)
8 The UN does not have the answers. And why? Because the Giver of life to all mankind is not the UN’s life-giver.
Its life span will be short, for according to God’s decree, “it is to go off into destruction.”
The UN’s founders and admirers do not have their names recorded in God’s scroll of life.
How could sinful, mortal men, many of whom mock God’s name, achieve through the UN what Jehovah God has declared he is about to accomplish, not by human means, but through the Kingdom of his Christ?—Daniel 7:27; Revelation 11:15.
9 The UN is actually a blasphemous counterfeit of God’s Messianic Kingdom by his Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ—to whose princely rule there will be no end. (Isaiah 9:6, 7)
*** re 249 34 An Awesome Mystery Solved ***
Obviously, God’s scroll of life will never contain the names of die-hard adherents of Babylon the Great or of any who continued to worship the wild beast.—Exodus 32:33; Psalm 86:8-10; John 17:3; Revelation 16:2; 17:5."
*** re 249 34 An Awesome Mystery Solved ***
Peace and Security—A Vain Hope
10 In an effort to bolster the hopes of mankind, the United Nations proclaimed 1986 to be an “International Year of Peace,” with the theme “To Safeguard Peace and the Future of Humanity.” Warring nations were called upon to lay down their weapons, at least for one year. What was their response? According to a report by the International Peace Research Institute, more than five million soldiers were killed in combat during 1986 alone! Though some special coins and commemorative stamps were issued, most of the nations did little about pursuing the ideal of peace in that year.
Nevertheless, the world’s religions—always anxious for a fine rapport with the UN—set about publicizing the year in various ways.
On January 1, 1986, Pope John Paul II praised the work of the UN and dedicated the new year to peace. And on October 27, he assembled the leaders of many of the world’s religions at Assisi, Italy, to pray for peace."
*** re 250 34 An Awesome Mystery Solved ***
13 Further, it is deeply significant that the world’s religious leaders should join hands with the United Nations in calling for peace at this time. They would like to influence the UN to their own advantage, especially in this modern age when so many of their people are abandoning religion."
° Remember all this was edited by the WTBS in 1988!
*** w90 3/15 8-9 Sign of the Last Days
Another part of the sign that Jesus gives is the appearance of “the disgusting thing that causes desolation.” In 66 C.E. this disgusting thing appeared in the form of the “encamped armies” of Rome that surrounded Jerusalem and undermined the temple wall.
“The disgusting thing” stood where it ought not.
In the major fulfillment of the sign, the disgusting thing is the League of Nations and its successor, the United Nations.
This world peace organization is viewed by Christendom as a substitute for God’s Kingdom. How disgusting!
In time, therefore, the political powers associated with the UN will turn on Christendom (antitypical Jerusalem) and will desolate her."
Just in case you had doubts about the word "DISGUSTING " see the " Insight .."
*** it-1 634 Disgusting Thing, also Loathsome Thing ***
DISGUSTING THING, ALSO LOATHSOME THING
The Hebrew nouns she'qets (loathsome thing) and shiq·quts' (disgusting thing) come from the root sha·qats', used in the sense of “loathe” (Le 11:11, 13) and, in the causative form, ‘make loathsome.’ (Le 11:43; 20:25) These Hebrew terms refer to that which is repugnant from the standpoint of Jehovah’s true worship. They are commonly rendered by such words as “abominate,” “abominable,” or “abomination” in many translations. This has resulted in the well-known expression “abomination of desolation.” (Da 11:31; 12:11, KJ) The Gospel writers Matthew and Mark used the Greek bde'lyg·ma to translate the Hebrew shiq·quts' (plural, shiq·qu·tsim'). (Da 9:27; Mt 24:15; Mr 13:14) This Greek term basically implies that which causes disgust.—See DETESTABLE THING."
But it's not finished:
*** w96 6/1 17 Flight to Safety Before the "Great Tribulation" ***
Modern-Day “Disgusting Thing”
11 Note that, in addition to what we have seen at Daniel 9:27, there are, at Daniel 11:31 and ….her references to “the disgusting thing that is causing desolation.” In neither of these latter instances is the destruction of Jerusalem being discussed. In fact, what is said at Daniel 12:11 appears just two verses after a reference to “the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:9) We have been living in such a time period since 1914. So we need to be alert to identify the modern-day “disgusting thing that is causing desolation” and then to be sure that we get out of the danger zone.
12 What is that modern-day “disgusting thing”? The evidence points to the League of Nations, which went into operation in 1920, shortly after the world entered its time of the end. But how could that be a “disgusting thing that causes desolation”?
13 Remember, the Hebrew word for “disgusting thing” is used in the Bible principally with reference to idols and idolatrous practices. Was the League idolized? Indeed it was! The clergy put it “in a holy place,” and their followers proceeded to give it passionate devotion. The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America declared that the League would be “the political expression of the Kingdom of God on earth.” The U.S. Senate received an avalanche of mail from religious groups urging it to ratify the Covenant of the League of Nations. The general body of Baptists, Congregationalists, and Presbyterians in Britain lauded it as “the only available instrument for attaining [peace on earth].”—See Revelation 13:14, 15.
14 The Messianic Kingdom of God had been established in the heavens in 1914, but the nations proceeded to fight for their own sovereignty. (Psalm 2:1-6) When the League of Nations was proposed, the nations that had just fought in the first world war, as well as the clergy who had blessed their troops, had already demonstrated that they had forsaken the law of God. They were not looking to Christ as King. Thus they assigned to a human organization the role of the Kingdom of God; they put the League of Nations “in a holy place,” a place where it did not belong.
15 As a successor to the League, the United Nations came into being on October 24, 1945. Later, the popes of Rome hailed the United Nations as “the ultimate hope for harmony and peace” and “the supreme forum of peace and justice.” Yes, the League of Nations, along with its successor, the United Nations, truly became an idol, a “disgusting thing” in the sight of God and of his people."
*** w96 6/1 18 Flight to Safety Before the "Great Tribulation" ***
19 It is noteworthy that since the United Nations began operations in 1945, atheistic, antireligion elements have been prominent in its membership. At various times all over the world, such radical elements have been instrumental in having religious practices either severely restricted or completely banned. In the past few years, however, there has been a letup in many places in government pressure on religious groups. To some people it may seem that any danger to religion is gone.
*** w99 5/1 15 "Let the Reader Use Discernment" ***
8 Demonstrating the confidence of Jehovah’s servants that this prophecy would be fulfilled, The Watchtower of January 1, 1921, focused on it in connection with developments in the Middle East. Subsequently, in its December 15, 1929, issue, on page 374, The Watchtower definitively said: “The whole tendency of the League of Nations is to turn the people away from God and from Christ, and it is therefore a desolating thing, the product of Satan, and an abomination in the sight of God.”
So in 1919 “the disgusting thing” appeared.
In time, the League gave way to the United Nations.
Jehovah’s Witnesses have long exposed these human peace organizations as disgusting in God’s sight."
*** w99 5/1 17 "Let the Reader Use Discernment" ***
This beast is supported by world rulers. Details supplied in the prophecy help us to identify this symbolic beast as a peace organization that came into existence in 1919 as the League of Nations (a “disgusting thing”) and that is now the United Nations. "
CLEAR and UNEQUIVOCAL words, from the WTBS'
publications!
Yet in this year 2001, the WTBS is listed and registred,
a the United Nations as a non-governmental Organisation
(shortly - N G O ). Do the J.W.'s R.&F. know about this
one. I do believe this information should be given a GREAT publicity.
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
P.S. Thanks again to Kent.