If the Society is Yahovah's Theocratic Government, Why do they protect themselves by wrapping themselves in man's laws? In other words, why are they incorporated?
If the Society is Yahovah's Theocratic Government, Why....
by Mad Dawg 5 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Doug Mason
The following is my understanding of the organisation’s rationale.
The organisation prefers each region to have a formal entity that is legally recognised by that region’s government and instrumentalities. There are therefore regional entities such as the IBSA, the WTS of Australia, and so on. When a region is unable to create that legal entity, the authority vested in the WTS of Pennsylvania is invoked.
These legally recognised entities are created to enable the religious preaching work. That is carried out by the Governing Body through its religious instrument, “The Worldwide Order of Special Full-Time Servants of Jehovah's Witnesses”.
The WTS argued before the court that members of this "religious Order" take vows of poverty, lifelong service, and obedience to the Order, as did the nuns in House of Good Shepherd, (vows of poverty, service, and obedience), and the priest in Roman Catholic Archdiocese, (vows of marriage to church, service, and obedience). – http://www.publications.ojd.state.or.us/TC4708A.htm .
In this particular court case, the WTS (“taxpayer") donated a house to the Order, thus showing the relationship between the legal role (WTS) and the religious functions (the “Order”). -
Mad Dawg
Thank you, Doug. I appreciate the insight.
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kurtbethel
Being incorporated creates an interesting situation. When a corporation is formed, a state or government entity grants the corporation the status of a legal "person" with certain rights and accountability. The corporation depends on the will and protection of the state for its existence. This gives lir to any claim of neutrality in matters of worldly governments, when you depend on the will and permission of a government for you to exist as a legal entity.
Since worldly governments are purported to be of Satan, the creation of the WTS as a legal person reminds me of this verse in Revelation 13:15.
"He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed."
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Mad Dawg
I have thought that it is hypocritical for the WTS to be incorporated. By doing so they have put "God's government" in subjection to man's government.
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myelaine
"God's government" is the creation, maintenance and preservation of the "creation"...
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (isaiah 9:6)
love michelle