Can somebody please explain to me what exactly is the "UN thing" that is making such waves?
UN "Thing"?
by aud8 4 Replies latest jw friends
-
-
Nathan Natas
It was recently discovered that since 1991 the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has been involved in a formal relationship with the United Nations, and was listed as a Non-governmental Organization along with many other churches and worldy organizations. This membership was not a passive thing - the WTS had to APPLY for recognition and has to agreee to support the goals of the UN, and had to report to the UN on an annual basis, all of which they have "faithfully" done for the past decade.
As a result of the controversy that errupted with the discovery, the UN, after familiarizing itself with the WTS teachings about the UN, expelled the WTS from its membership about a week ago.
Documentation of these events can be found at this site and at Watchtower Observer.
-
wannahelp
Hi Aud8:
It's a rather long discussion, but you can read all the threads here on this board to get the full story..
In a nutshell (anyone correct me if I'm not completely accurate)
It was discovered that in 1991 the WTBTS applied voluntarily for NGO (Non-Governmental organization) status with the UN.
* BACKGROUND ON NGO status
NGO's are required to do certain things in order to become and then stay associated with the UN..
You can read about NGO's and their requirements (These requirements have been in effect since 1968) here:
http://www.un.org/MoreInfo/ngolink/brochure.htm
In 1992 the WTBTS was granted NGO status, under the heading of "Human rights" with the UN's DPI (Department of Public Information)
After the discovery was made that the WTBTS was granted NGO status with the UN, alot of people began calling the UN to ask how that could be, after all, the WTBTS considers the UN the "beast" of revelation.
The UN was going to start an investigation on this very matter. We assume (cannot confirm) that the WTBTS found out about the pending investigation, and instead decided to voluntarily resign it's NGO status with the UN.. You can see the official letter from the UN announcing the resignation of the WTBTS here (Very first post of thread)
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?site=3&id=13530&page=1
It is believed that the WTBTS had to send 'documents' every year to the UN in order to stay associated in good standing, and people are now trying to find those documents.. They may not be available to the general public, we are not sure yet.. But, it is clear from reading information about NGO's that the UN does require some sort of information every year from the NGO in order to keep their status.
So, basically:
* The WTBTS knowingly and voluntarily applied to be an NGO
* The WTBTS kept this status hidden for 9 years, and each year they had to 'renew' their application by sending documents to the UN showing their committment.. Some people here are guessing that the WTBTS sent articles from their Awake! magazine that put the UN in a good light as their 'proof' they were doing what was required of them to keep their NGO status (Hopefully, some of the people with CDs will be able to dig up some of those Awake! articles and post them here)
* The WTBTS voluntarily resigned their NGO status afer their association became known, for reasons we suspect, but do not know.And the saga continues.. Keep reading the UN threads (You can tell which ones they are, they always say UN and they are by far the biggest on this board!!!)
- Wannahelp
-
aud8
Thanks very much for shedding some light on this for me.
Aud8
-
funkyderek
Hey aud,
What part of Ireland are you from?--
Those who can induce you to believe absurdities can induce you to commit attrocities - Voltaire