Avoid mentioning many details and how the organization based in New York meddled in politics in the far away land that caused so many problems and deaths for their followers.
nimble footwork in latest awake article on Malawi
by therevealer 8 Replies latest watchtower bible
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wha happened?
can u post it?
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therevealer
http://www.jw.org/index.html?option=QrYQCsVrGZNT
download the pdf is the best
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hotspur
Why does that font send shivers down my spine?
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cedars
Page 23, under the heading "Testing Times":
In the early 1900’s, Jehovah’s Witnesses, then known as Bible Students, began teaching Bible truth in Malawi. By 1967, the number of Witnesses had grown to about 17,000. Like first-century Christians, they were known for being law-abiding and respectful of government officials. Also like the early Christians, they remained resolutely neutral with regard to political affairs.—John 18:36; Acts 5:29.
Sadly, by the mid-1960’s, their Bible-based stand had brought the Witnesses into conflict with the government, and in 1967, they were banned. Before long, many were arbitrarily dismissed from their places of employment, and lawless elements confiscated or destroyed their properties. Because of intense persecution and the fear of possible genocide, thousands of Witnesses fled to neighboring Mozambique and Zambia.
Eventually, though, things began to improve for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Malawi, most of whom were repatriated by the early 1990’s. How they rejoiced when on August 12, 1993, the 26-year-long ban on their activity was lifted! However, they faced a new dilemma. Numbering more than 30,000 in 583 congregations, they had no suitable places to meet for worship!What should they do?
Interesting how the final paragraph under that sub-heading implies that the "intense persecution" (which lasted from the 60s right through to the 80s and comprised of beatings and rape) was nothing more than a "dilemma" - thereby putting these outrages on a par with the logistical issues posed by a shortage of kingdom halls.
Cedars
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ScenicViewer
Regarding the problems of JWs in Malawi the article only says,
1) They remained neutral regarding political affairs.
2) They came into conflict with the govt and were banned in 1967.
From there the article talks about building Kingdom Halls.
Absolutely no mention of what the issues were in those days, or that Watchtower decided JWs could not buy a political party card for a quarter.
Marvin Shilmer revealed that all Malawians were part of the country's sole political party by way of being born into it, and that buying the card was in reality nothing more than a tax. The card did not even need to be signed, nobody cared about that, all that was wanted was the 25 cents.
It was actually Watchtower that brought severe persecution on Malawian Witnesses by saying they could not pay the 25 cents, when in other countries simple work-arounds have been endodrsed by the Society to prevent persecution in neutrality matters. Mexico is one example.
'Nimble footwork' is right.
Links to Marvin Shilmer's excellent blog on this topic:
http://marvinshilmer.blogspot.com/2011/03/malawi-savage-betrayal-by-watchtower.html
http://marvinshilmer.blogspot.com/2010/05/malawi-congress-party-card.html
http://marvinshilmer.blogspot.com/2010/09/mcp-card-distribution-article.html
http://marvinshilmer.blogspot.com/2011/09/nathan-knorr-robert-e-lee.html
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therevealer
Testing Times page 23
In the early 1900's, Jehovah's Witnesses, then known as Bible Students, began teaching Bible truth in Malawi.what part of what the Bible Students taught as truth back then would/could be published in todays watchtower publications?
But - it was Bible truth to those Malawians, LOL
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LostGeneration
Interesting how they completly omit the killings and rapes that happened. Usually they are more than happy to tell those horrific stories to feed the persucution complex of the flock.
I'm wondering if more people know the real story behind Malawi? Probably not.
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Sic Semper Tyrannis
Applying for and carrying party cards in one-party states is like having a state-issued ID anywhere else. You couldn't apply for work, receive health care benefits, pensions, or even register a birth or marriage without it. If you were found by the police without it, you'd be asking for trouble. Unlike the Mexican Army Reserve card, having a party card in Malawi did not mean you were compelled to do anything other than present the card upon demand. If Mexico went to war or even decided to call in their reserves to quell some civil uprising (a not so implausible possibility there), all those Witnesses who had the cards would have then been required to report for duty. After all, they were "trained" reservists! I think this discrepancy was due in no small part to the fact that many GB members spoke Spanish and were regular visitors to Mexican branch in addition to having friends there. With regard to Malawi, that was a small and distant remote African outpost that was better suited for them to make a political stand. They knew what would happen. Like Judge Rutherford who wouldn't budge on the flag salute issue because of the free publicity it would draw, the GB apparently sought a way to use the poor JW's of Malawi. Like the authorities who turned the Jews away as refugees during the Holocaust, the GB also bears a secondary responsibility for these murders.