Jehovah’s Witnesses kicking off summer convention season
by Andrew Abramson
After last year’s fiery theme “Keep on the Watch!” including a provocative seminar “How to Survive the End of the World,” the Jehovah’s Witnesses kick off their 2010 campaign with a more mellow message: “Remain Close to Jehovah!”
“In a world where some powerful and influential voices in academia and media dismiss or disparage belief in God, Jehovah’s Witnesses are proclaiming the importance of such belief, actually promoting the strengthening of one’s personal attachment to God,” the group said in a release. “The Witnesses will present an intriguing approach to the topic as a clarion call to the faithful as well as an analysis of faith and reason at their 2010 “Remain Close to Jehovah!” District Convention.’”
Since purchasing the West Palm Beach Auditorium from the City of West Palm Beach for $12.5 million in 1998 — a controversial sale at the time both for the city selling the iconic Leaky Teepee and for a perception that the city was low-balled in the deal — the Witnesses have made their presence felt in West Palm.
The Christian Convention Center on Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard will hold a slew of conventions this summer, beginning on Friday and running into August.
The old Leaky Teepee is believed to be the largest indoor Jehovah’s Witnesses gathering spot in the world.
Summer schedule (Admission is free to all events, and no collections are taken)
English programs: May 21-23, 28-30, June 4-6, July 9-11, 16-18 and 23-25
Spanish programs: June 11-12, 18-20, 25-27, July 2-4, August 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, and 27-29
French program: July 30-August 1.