by AlphaOmega 25 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
What is the real purpose of the Watchtower organisation (and associated companies) ?
It has been suggested that the purpose is :
Are there any more ideas ?
Can anyone provide any evidence of the purpose ?
Again, my thanks in advance
AO
Edited to add "Watchtower Organisation" - thanks Gopher
Do you mean Watchtower, the Society? Or Watchtower, the magazine?
I don't know if anyone can provide solid evidence that it's a money-driven Organisation. Ray Franz was in the best position to know, and he never commented on the financial side of the Watchtower.
Their actions seem to suggest a large interest in money, but since none of the leaders are making money I would guess they want the money for survival of the Society, and survival of the Society because it makes them important and gives them power, though most of them must believe it's the truth before they reach the top, because it takes a lot of effort to get there, with no guarantee of power.
I can only provide opinion, but I think Russell started off with a genuine intention, and Rutherford took it over with the intention of using it to gain money, power and adoration. Everyone following Rutherford was possibly, as Ray Franz said 'followers of followers, victims of victims'
Do you mean Watchtower, the Society? Or Watchtower, the magazine?
Thanks Gopher - you got there in time to allow me to edit the post. I meant the organisation and associated companies.
I think under Rutherford they were a cult.
After he died they've just been making it up as they go. They just keep going the course laid out in front of them. No longer technically a cult, they keep the same recruiting and mind control techniques.
They've become a monster without a head, still very dangerous.
Since they are not sold, that cant be it anymore. And when it was god it was cheap....dollar hardback bibles and quarter books and nickel and dime magazines....yeah these guys wanted to make the bucks!!
Real Estate just happens as entities grow...it is almost unavoidable.
That leaves a bunch of very sincere, genuine people whose mind is unfortunately focused on unrealistic dreams for JW Mankind....I have visted HQ, and met many of the GB and they sure aint rolling in the dough...oompa
Zico, I have to say that I agree with you.
I always thought that Russell was sincere, but deluded. Rutherford, on the other hand, used it the organisation for his personal gain.
Rutherford used the organisation for personal gain... now that ethos prevails unwittingly...
...basically, it goes like this...
... they were lied to...
they acceted the lie...
now they teach the lie...
this continues...
until no one is alive that remembers the original lie.
I posted this recently :
DON'T SPRAY THE APES
Start with a cage containing five apes. In the cage, hang a banana on a string and put stairs under it. Before long an ape will go up the stairs and start to climb towards the banana. As soon as the ape touches the banana, spray all apes with cold water. After a while, another ape makes an attempt with the same result - all the apes are sprayed with cold water. Then turn off the cold water.
Now if another ape tries to climb the stairs for the banana the other apes will try to prevent it even though no water sprays them. Now remove one of the five apes from the cage and replace with a new one. The new ape sees the banana and tries to climb the stairs. To his horror, all of the apes attack him. After another attempt he is again attacked. He knows now that if he attempts to climb the stairs he will be assaulted.
Next, remove another of the original five apes and replace with a new one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm. Again, replace a third of the original five apes with a new one. The new one makes it to the stairs and is attacked as well. Two of the four apes that beat him up have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs, or why they are participating in the beating of the newest ape. After replacing the fourth and fifth of the original apes there are no longer any apes that have been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no ape ever again approaches the banana. Why not?
"Because that's the way it's always been around here."
That is how policy begins!!!
But I wonder if I am being a bit closed minded.
You summed up the "rise to the top" well, there is indeed no guarantee of power. But those at the top must gain from it somehow. Or are the all sincere but deluded ?
It seems to me that slowly they are eradicating the damage that Rutherford did. They are erasing his doctrines.
I would ask, What is the real purpose of Satan?
Since they are not sold, that cant be it anymore. And when it was god it was cheap....dollar hardback bibles and quarter books and nickel and dime magazines....yeah these guys wanted to make the bucks!!
Real Estate just happens as entities grow...it is almost unavoidable.
That leaves a bunch of very sincere, genuine people whose mind is unfortunately focused on unrealistic dreams for JW Mankind....I have visted HQ, and met many of the GB and they sure aint rolling in the dough...oompa
I'm not so sure... The money may not be on display, but it IS there. The UK accounts show a large profit - I would expect the USA and Canada to show a bigger profit. I have asked about the financial aspects in another thread - hopefully we may get some answers from the collective JWD brain. http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/11/145035/1.ashx It seems that there is a drive for money at the moment :
Let's not forget that the Bethels and printing shops don't actually have a payroll to pay out. They have free workers. They have expenses to cover, sure... but somehow they make a profit.
What do they do with it ? Good causes ? Hmmmm
It seems the current purpose of the Watchtower organization is to do anything to ensure its survival and continued control over its members.
As time has gone on, I'm starting to equate CT Russell with our poster OBVES. At the very start he may have had a dose of sincerity, but his writings go on and on about weird things like pyramids and predictions and his own importance in God's arrangement, and preoccupation with dates and publicity. His isolationist and unorthodox views paved the way for a Rutherford, IMHO.
