Sorry bts I copied it from my blog and this site doesnt handle line breaks correctly.
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Note: This essay is not critical of the UN or any government. Its sole purpose is to show the hypocrisy and lies of the Watchtower organization's association with the UN as an NGO between 1991 and 2001.
For many decades now Jehovah's witnesses have believed the United Nations Organization is a tool of Satan. They believe it is the Scarlet Colored wild beast of Revelation and is a counterfeit government set up by Satan to draw mankind's attention away from the kingdom of God.
Watch Tower Society quotes on the UN:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/cloudstricken/WT_UN_Quotes.jpg
For many years the WTS has insisted that its members as-well-as the organization of Jehovah's witnesses remain politically neutral. It has disfellowshipped members for becoming involved in any political process including voting in any election or referendum.
In 1991 the WTS applied for Non Governmental Organization (hereafter NGO) status with the UN. At this point I want to make one thing clear. I am NOT saying that the WTS joined the UN. As they are not a government or nation as defined by the UN it is uncertain as to whether or not they could possibly join the UN.
Proof of association
Official document from the United Nations (acrobat reader required)
http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/pdfs/watchtower.pdf
Official document from the United Nations (jpeg file)
Page1
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/cloudstricken/WT_UN_NGO_PG_1.jpg
Page2
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/cloudstricken/WT_UN_NGO_PG_2.jpg
Letter from the Germany Branch to all elders in Germany (jpeg file)http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/cloudstricken/WT_UN_Germany_BOE_Letter.jpg
If you are dubious as to whether these documents are genuine feel free to call or write the WTS yourself and ask.
Office of Public Information
25 Columbia Heights
Brooklyn, New York 11201-2483
Fax: (718) 560-5619
(718) 560-5000
Outright lies and hypocrisy
It is bad enough that the WTS associated with the UN (image of the wild beast), but in trying to justify this association they have made things worse by telling outright lies.
Lie #1: We needed NGO status for UN library access
As you note from the letter to all elders in Germany, or if you call the branch, the reason given for this association as an NGO was to gain access to the UN library. This is completely false. First UN library access is completely independent of NGO status. Second access to all UN library resources is freely available to anyone. Please note this statement on the UN's DHL site: http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/services.htm#access
"Access to the United Nations Bibliographic Information System (UNBIS) databases is freely available through UNBISnet to any Internet user. For further information contact the Data Base Manager."
The UN library also participates in the Inter-Library Loan program. Note:
"Material needed for official research but outside the collecting scope of the Library may be borrowed temporarily (usually four weeks) from other libraries. Reference works and material published in the current year are generally not available through inter-library loan."
The UN also sends out all of its material it publishes to UN depositories. These UN depositories have everything and anything about the UN including the General Assembly's, Security Council's and ECOSOC's minutes, resolutions and reports. There are all the volumes of the UN Year Books, all the volumes of the UN's human rights books, volumes of trade books, economic books and population statistics books. These depositories are exceedingly numerous and there are at least five such depositories in New York City.
Lie #2: Our association as an NGO does not conflict with our Christian beliefs
As stated before the WTS views the UN as the image of, or scarlet colored wild beast of Revelation. This would make NGO association problematic in itself. A larger problem is that since before the WTS application for NGO status to the current date, the terms for maintaining this status are in blatant disregard for WTS stance of neutrality. Please not the above information release from the UN about the Society's NGO status.
Point #1 "that the NGO share the principles of the UN Charter"
Point #2 "have the commitment and means to conduct effective information programmes about UN activities by publishing news letters, bulletins and pamphlets, organizing conferences, seminars and round tables: and enlisting the cooperation of the media."
Does the WTS now share the principles of the UN Charter? Would the WTS actually agree to allow themselves to be used by the UN to disseminate UN propaganda? How do these two points, which have been requirements for NGOs for many years before the WTS associated, not constitute a conflict with the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses?
Hypocrisy
*** w91 6/1 p. 17 Their Refuge—A Lie! ***
10 However, she has not done so. Instead, in her quest for peace and security, she insinuates herself into the favor of the political leaders of the nations—this despite the Bible's warning that friendship with the world is enmity with God. (James 4:4) Moreover, in 1919 she strongly advocated the League of Nations as man's best hope for peace. Since 1945 she has put her hope in the United Nations. (Compare Revelation 17:3, 11.) How extensive is her involvement with this organization?
11 A recent book gives an idea when it states: "No less than twenty-four Catholic organizations are represented at the UN. Several of the world's religious leaders have visited the international organization. Most memorable were the visits of His Holiness Pope Paul VI during the General Assembly in 1965 and of Pope John Paul II in 1979. Many religions have special invocations, prayers, hymns and services for the United Nations. The most important examples are those of the Catholic, the Unitarian-Universalist, the Baptist and the Bahai faiths."
Bold words used by the WTS in denunciation of churches that support the UN and share the principles of the UN Charter. Yet hypocritically the WTS agreed that they too share the principles of the UN Charter upon becoming an NGO.
Evidence of conducting effective information programs about UN activities:
See the 10/1/95 article about the UN in the WT magazine (completely lacks the strong language of describing the UN as the disgusting thing or scarlet colored wild beast. Is almost flowery in its description of the UN)
YMCA
Even if it were true that the WTS became an NGO for the sole purpose of gaining access to the UN library, that reason would still be utter hypocrisy. I give you the example of what would happen if a Witness joined the YMCA even if the only reason was to gain access to the gym or swimming pool.
Questions from Readers
• Is it true that for religious reasons Jehovah's Witnesses may not become members of the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association)?
Yes, that is so. We have long recognized that the YMCA, though not being a church as such, is definitely aligned with the religious organizations of Christendom in efforts to promote interfaith.
*** w79 1/1 p. 30 Questions from Readers ***
Many persons think of the "Y" simply as a social organization that offers various services, such as a swimming pool, facilities for athletic training and a place for clubs to meet. Commendable as some of these provisions may be, it is important to bear in mind that the YMCA was founded with a distinctly religious basis.
*** w79 1/1 p. 31 Questions from Readers ***
In joining the YMCA as a member a person accepts or endorses the general objectives and principles of the organization. He is not simply paying for something he receives, such as when buying things being sold to the public at a store.
*** w79 1/1 p. 31 Questions from Readers ***
Nor is his membership merely an entry pass, as when a person buys a theater ticket. Membership means that one has become an integral part of this organization founded with definite religious objectives, including the promotion of interfaith. Hence, for one of Jehovah's Witnesses to become a member of such a so-called "Christian" association would amount to apostasy
The lies and hypocrisy of the WTS on this subject should infuriate you. If you join the Y you will be dealt with judicially and possibly disfellowshipped. The WTS has broken its own rules on Christian neutrality, and tried to cover it up or minimize the wrong.
*** w59 10/15 p. 627 Be a Man—Shoulder the Responsibility ***
let us be on guard and strive to overcome it lest we get to be like Adam, Eve and King Saul. Remember, trying to shift the blame upon circumstances or upon others is an indication of some form of selfishness, moral weakness, pride or dishonesty. If we guard our hearts we can please God in spite of our weaknesses: "He that is covering over his transgressions will not succeed, but he that is confessing and leaving them will be shown mercy." So be a man! Be like David, like Peter—shoulder the responsibility!—Prov. 28:13
