What is the purpse of the Jehovahs witnesses

by theyoungone 25 Replies latest jw experiences

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  OnTheWayOut

  * AuldSoul wrote: "When Kingdom Hall properties are sold, the money from the sale belongs to the WTS and the
  congregation must buy new property." Brandon, I made that very comment a while back and Jim Whitney insisted
  that this is not true--that the congregations use the proceeds from the sale to buy new property. I have been
  unable to verify this one way or the other, but I thought I'd share that with you.

  It's kind of like you are both right. They don't ask for the money as long as you use it toward more
  or new property. I don't recall anything in writing, but they only take the land or cash when a congregation
  is dissolved and the Kingdom Hall is no longer needed there. This has not come up often, but it will.
  Then we will see the real beast behind their rules on this.

  So, they allow the locals to expand or move to new property. They let you think it all belongs to your
  congregation, and it does as long as you are a congregation. Try to merge with another congregation and get rid
  of yours, keeping the cash for the new merged congregation in a different Kingdom Hall- they will get involved
  and tell you what to do with the money.
  Go ahead and correct me now, because I don't know what I am talking about- someone out there has it in writing.
  Well, just wait and see as the WTS shrinks. THEY OWN EVERYTHING.
• 

  Quandry

  I think that the first CT Russell was really examining all the religions at the time, just like alot of others. It was shortly after the "great enlightening" spoken of in history books. People did not have radios or TVs yet, so they spent alot of time discussing religious topics and getting together in Bible societies.

  CT Russell was very influenced by the interesting speculations of his time about the influence of the pyramids on religious thinking. He adopted the current thinking, as well as the thinking of Nelson Barbour, an adventist preacher.

  As time went on, the organization that he founded began getting more, well, organized. As we know, with time more and more honing of rules and regulations follow. Now of course, every thought, action, and intention is scrutinized as to whether it is right in the WTS's eyes.

  It reminds me of the Puritans who came to this country because they viewed the Church in England as lacking in discipline and wanted to have their children in a better environment. As time passed, they became righteous in their own eyes and more and more rule oriented. Eventually, of course, there were the Salem witch trials. By this time, the Puritans could destroy your family, take your possesions, and even pronounce the sentence of death if you did not abide by their rules. Sound familiar? They accused innocent people, and anyone who did not go along with their actions could themselves be accused of apostacy and suffer the same fate. Again-sounds like an organization that we know.

  So somewhere along the way, and yes it sounds like especially with Rutherford, the "higher ups" began to set the rules, but as we know in his case, did not have to live by them. But they put heavy loads on the rank and file. If you don't go along, they can shun you, ruin your family life, and have even caused some to take their lives.
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  Hortensia

  you can often tell what the purpose of something is by the results. What are the results of the WTBTS activities? Well, lots and lots of money goes somewhere - so someone is profiting, and I guess, as one person pointed out, that it is the lawyers and accountants and anyone who can talk the org. into a business arrangement of some kind. Other results? Well a group of old, mostly white, guys in NY get to stroke their egos by declaring to us all what Jehovah really wants and thinks. Jehovah must be the most fickle of beings - always changing his mind and wanting something new. Sort of like those dangerous old Roman emperors who were crazy from drinking wine out of lead goblets. Another result? Keeps a lot of people really busy running around in circles, thinking their lives are full and fulfilling, everyone is part of the org. for some reason. If they don't get anything out of it, they get out.
• 

  AuldSoul

  The Watchtower Society holds the note (in most cases) on the loan for property/building costs. The note is held at interest. So much for not charging your brothers interest. When old property is sold and new purchased, surplus from the sale reverts to the Watchtower Society UNLESS a larger down payment will reduce the total cost of property + interest in cases where the Society is not loaning the money. A new loan is formed with the WTS on the new property.

  If Jim Whitney has evidence that this is wrong he needs to share it with my father and my uncle who have been on the RBC for Georgia Region #1 for many years during the past 20 years.

  Respectfully,
  AuldSoul
• 

  A Paduan

  Their purpose is to be special and to be right about being special - you aren't special if you're wrong and when you are indeed wrong, "being right" requires an effort.

  Importantly their "rightness" requires validation, and validation comes in the form of people - people who recognise that you are right. There is little as repulsive to the jw as someone who is actually right displaying them as wrong ( 'postates ), and being wrong also means "not special", whereas being right affirms for them the deservedness of their character and efforts. Jws believe themselves more worthy - indeed they even make the proclaimation about themselves - "winners of the test of Jesus' inspection of religious groups". This is the spiritual manner of Cain - who considered the deservedness of his own efforts and way.

  In short - one could say the general purpose of the group's existence is the satisfying of envy.

  ------------------------------------------------

  Is that scathing enough ?
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  Who are you?

  In short - one could say the general purpose of the group's existence is the satisfying of SELF envy.

  Paduan