"The success of philanthropy will always be limited. Why? For one thing, neither money nor a good secular education can eliminate such problems as greed, hatred, prejudice and false religious beliefs..."
Kind of a broad brush stroke there I'd say. The definition of "philanthropy" is:
phi·lan·thro·py (f-lnthr-p)
n.pl. phi·lan·thro·pies 1. The effort or inclination to increase the well-being of humankind, as by charitable aid or donations. 2. Love of humankind in general. 3. Something, such as an activity or institution, intended to promote human welfare.
As per usual, the Writing Department's fingers fly writing this dribble, without considering what it is they're actually saying. Both Philanthropy and secular education has gone a long way in reversing problems such as greed, hatred, prejudice and false religious beliefs. If they hadn't---we'd still be living in the Dark Ages. If people are encouraged to give of their own time and money to various organizations or charitable causes, how can that be considered 'a waste of time', such as the WTS is trying to promote? Where would Civil Rights, or Women's Rights be without 'secular education'? Look what people such as Bill Gates, or Oprah Winfrey or Angelina Jolie (to name a few) have done for the less priviledged. There are probably hundreds of thoudsands, if not millions of other people, who give freely to those less fortunate--and without an ulterior motive--- because they have a "love of humankind in general"----something that Crooklyn has no concept of.
Where would Religious Tolerance-----which the Watchtower Society is a prime beneficiary of-----be without the above aforementioned? And as for it 'eliminating false religious beliefs', well I beg to differ. I think education---whether secular or just self-educating, has helped everyone on this board see the "false religious beliefs" of the WTB&TS. Where do they come up with this sort of crap?
Accordingly, rather than set up philanthropic organizations, Jehovah's Witnesses prefer to devote their time and financial resources to announcing the good news of God's Kingdom."
...Which is still nowhere in sight, despite the fact that the Borg has been predicting it now for over a hundred years. Think of all the people who have lived and died in the last hundred years who could have benefited from something being handed to them besides the latest edition of the Watchtower and Awake. Magazines don't taste particularly good when you have an empty belly.
There is also a paragraph that made me laugh at the shear lie it told. "Jehovah's Witnesses do not tithe or in any way solicit funds."
Ya........just like they never said The End was coming at a certain time either. Riiiiiight.