There was an interview with the prince of Saudi Arabia, the one who offered New York $10 million in aid but got rejected by Guiliani because he (the prince) made some comments about the Palestinian-Isreali conflict that were controversial (i.e. pro-Palestinian). Anyway, during the interview the prince said that the Saudi people were a very happy people, and he pointed to the fact that there is nary a political demonstration that occurs in Saudi Arabia. The interviewer then pointed out the fact that it is illegal for a Saudi to demonstrate, and that a strong police presence would preclude many from even attempting to demonstrate. The prince simply brushed over this point and then pointed out the fact that every week a certain number of "regular" Saudis are allowed to go to his mansion (which is way more opulent than most mansions) and make monetary request to him (which he claims he replies to in great number). While there, the men all praise how great and generous the prince is, recite poetry, and basically kiss his (butt) all night. Apparently, the prince believes that just because the people publicly show such love for him (especially since they're literally in his presence and asking him favours), that privately they're all happy with the total lack of freedom, suppresion of feelings, and general poverty that is quite common to the people of that country (the prince himself is worth $20 billion).
That story sort of reminded me of the situation of the JW's. How can the Governing Body declare from the literature that Witnesses are "the happiest people alive" when any thought that does not corealate with them (the GB) is supressed and severely censured? Like with the prince they can point to the public (butt) kissings they get, but without freedom of expression it's all just propaganda. Not like you guys don't already know this, but I thought the situation was so similar to the JW religion I immediately thought of it. Anybody else saw the part and thought the same thing? Anyone see my point?
Go therefore and baptize the people in the name of the father and of the son... what the hell, we just need to bring up the yearbook numbers!