What Are Their Motives? (page 2)

sabastious

I have actually given a lot of thought to this myself. As I do see them as cult-like, but not the extremes people normal expect with a cult. I see them as people who honestly want to do good by God, but fundamentalist Christians that take everything in the Bible at literal face value. This does not make them a cult, as other religions do the same. What I believe makes them one, is the leadership format and way of encouraging reporting sins on one another, extreme personal involvement in people's lives and unwillingness to admit wrongs by pushing forward cover-ups. This last part, of not being fully honest with their people, is due to an addition to the power they have over their people. That point, makes them a cult in my opinion, but is a trait I see in a lot of Christianity.

Ok so they are genuine loons. That doesn't explain where their money goes, remember their lack of overhead costs is unprecedented and their revenue is very high.

-Sab

DesirousOfChange

Lots of innocent people were burned at the stake by sincere do-gooder religious zealouts. WTS would probably authorize stoning instead of disfellowshipping if the law of the land allowed it.

I agree with Pirata, I think they are sincere and I think the totally believe that they are being used by God.

All of you who were elders, or COs, or MS, or pioneers --

Did you not believe that you were being used by Jehovah God?

Did you not have experiences that you were certain were the direction of His Holy Spirit?

They surround themselves with "YES" men, (just as do politicians) so they never hear any griefs, negative comments, or even constructive criticism. (Just like the politician who is 20pts behind in the polls and loses every precinct, county, or state and yet is shocked because no one had the guts to tell him he was a loser -- they were all still patting him on the back and giving him high-five.) And it's their own fault as someone can only get "promoted" to other privledges (circuit/district talks/responsibilities) IF they are a "yes man". Question anyone of authority and you'll be lucky to get parking lot attendant at 99 degrees.

NomadSoul

I bet those old men get some young punani.

Mad Sweeney

Did you not believe that you were being used by Jehovah God?

Did you not have experiences that you were certain were the direction of His Holy Spirit?

Nope. Not once. I believed I was doing what he wanted everyone to do, not that he was directing me personally. JWs generally don't have a personal relationship with God via holy spirit. Holy spirit is reserved for the anointed.

Mad Sweeney

Also about the money = power thing. The only power they have is over their own flock. In the world, they have to play ball just like everyone else. They are worth about as much as two or three NFL football teams, at most. Far from the most powerful corporation on earth.

exwhyzee

I think the members of the Governing Body, who likely were "born in" or long time JW's, are themselves "victims" of the cult or captive to a concept. The orginization has taken on a life of its own and is inperpetual motion. The current Witnesses are just continuing with what was started long ago by individuals who for what ever reason, good or evil, convinced enough people to buy into the program and the rest is history. Children were born "in" and convinced since birth that they would die at Armegeddon if they didn't do what they were told. They grew up and did the same to their children and some of those children became Governing Body Members, CO's. etc.

Why would they want to change an arrangement where they believe they are showing the rest of the world the error of it's ways while at the same time they themselves are living a lifestyle that includes job security, being revered by millions around the world, all expenses paid world travel for showing up and telling the multitudes what they could read in the Bible themselves for free. It's a heck of a deal and it will continue as long as they can provide a happy ending at end of a 192 page publication.

free2beme

They do put a lot of money in to owning property, traveling for overseers, etc. However, there is a family in Nevada that lives up in the hills in a mansion that takes most of the funds. You see, John Solomon and Alexander Polson started the religion in a dare and when it was successful and people became powerful under them, they allowed the people to stay in power by making sure the money made was funneled to them. Of course now, the original people have passed away... however, the payments were willed to surviving relatives in exchange for them being silent on the origin. I remember how in a letter from Brother Barber, he once admitted to me how when he uncovered this information, his faith was shaken. Even showing me a letter in which Rutherford wrote all future Governing Body members, to honor for all-time-sake, this arrangement. As he knew that if people in the religion ever knew the truth, they would find their lives shattered.

If you research, you find out that Alexander Polson died in 1912 in a suicide. His family wrote that his guilt for what he and John did had troubled him to the point, that taking his life was the only choice he could accet. John Solomon ammended the agreement with the Society in 1961, shortly before his own death, to end the shares of Alexander Polson. As only one relative of Mr. Polson still lived and had become a Jehovah's Witness and could no longer be in the secret fold of information and was asking to many questions.

It is now all organized under a comporation name of Inner Circle Consulting, Inc. Chartered and organized in Delaware. Most in the Society think it is an on going payment for consulting work on legal matters, and those who question the millions are often relocated or sent back to their home congregations.

Spade

There's a deference in those that serve God out of love and those not with a pure motive. The faithful and discreet slave doesn't profit from the good news nor have they ever.

True, some are preaching the Christ through envy and rivalry, but others also through goodwill. The latter are publicizing the Christ out of love, for they know I am set here for the defense of the good news; but the former do it out of contentiousness, not with a pure motive, for they are supposing to stir up tribulation [for me] in my [prison] bonds. Philippians 1:15-17

Allow room for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you. For I have said before that you are in our hearts to die and to live with us. I have great freeness of speech toward you. I have great boasting in regard to you. 2 Corinthians 7:2-4

misocup

Mad Sweeney--

There have been sexual predators on the Governing Body but not for the past 25 years or so. That we know of.

It would be great to find out somehow, of the GB's private lives. What DO they get up to?

Murray Smith

if a cult generally has one human leader,

That's the only feature to my knowledge whereby they don't fully match the definition . . . all other features . . . control etc . . . are the very framework of the organisation and cannot be even slightly "adjusted", except to become more extreme, without risk or damage to themselves.

Thus, the power/money access benefits are mutually shared . . . and let's be honest . . . it's a great lifestyle for them

What Are Their Motives?

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