Reasonings on Malawi/Mexico Fiasco

by Perry 29 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Perry

  I posted this in another section and thought I'd bring it up here to see what people thought. If this has already been discussed, I apologize.

  As a businessman, I always connect events to the money. The reason for the Malawi/Mexico seeming contridiction popped right out at me when reading Crisis of Conscience, although Ray Franz never made this connection clear.

  You'll recall the society lied about being a religion for the sole purpose of being able to acquire the property holdings from the Mexican brothers. They claimed to be a "cultural" organization and didn't pray or use the bible in their gatherings. No doubt the Mexican officials granted them this status reasoniong that no bona fide religion would go so far as to deny prayer and the bible.

  As a side note: Isn't it interesting how all the "false" religions in Mexico could not have concientiously done such a thing? Therefore, although they didn't own their own property; all the "false" religions continued to study the bible, sing their devotional songs, and openly pray together as Jesus commanded; while Jehovah's Witnesses led a life of open rebellion against Christ spurred on by the Society.

  Anyway, my point is that if you are presenting yourself as a "cultural" organization and not a religion, you can't have a bunch of religious nuts backing up the court system as contientious objectors can you?

  I can guarantee that WT leadership knew full well that if that happened, they would lose their "cultural" status and be forced to fork over millions of dollars in property holdings. They might have been liable criminally as well.

  So while they didn't mind people dying for 25 cents in Malawi, they also didn't mind lying and stealing from the Mexican government for their share of the Mexican loot.

  It was strictly a business decision. When looked at from this standpoint, there is no contridiction.

  Does anyone here doubt that if their status was religious as opposed to cultural, and financial concerns were non-existant; that the brothers would have been forced into filthy Mexican prisons on the cumpulsory military issue?
• 

  Gopher

  It seems sick, twisted and cruel -- that the Society uses people like they do, as pawns in their power games. Yes every move they make is cunningly designed to bolster their "business". No matter that their follower's lives were completely turned upside down and destroyed in Malawi 25-30 years ago. I remember writing their government to please "stop the persecution of the Witnesses". I remember newly-converted actress Teresa Graves getting on the "Good Morning America" talk show and nearly breaking down and crying in front of interviewer David Hartman because of the situation in Malawi.

  Meanwhile the leaders in Brooklyn continued living their comfortable daily existence, adored by millions of followers.

  So if they had to let their spiritual underlings in Mexico or anywhere else suffer, it's very clear they would do so without batting an eye.

  -J.R.

  Don't let yesterday use up too much of today.--Will Rogers, 1879-1935
• 

  crawdad2

  dear perry,

  i agree,...........then later they could use the whole thing as a promotion!!!.........."send letters to malawi"........"we are being persecuted!".........send money to the gov body for "aid for the malawi victims"...............then later....."we proudly announce the purchase of another building in brooklyn".
• 

  SixofNine

  Anyway, my point is that if you are presenting yourself as a "cultural" organization and not a religion, you can't have a bunch of religious nuts backing up the court system as contientious objectors can you?

  Excellent catch my friend! I hadn't thought about that. So very clear, when looked at from lawyers lenses.
• 

  Perry

  Meanwhile the leaders in Brooklyn continued living their comfortable daily existence, adored by millions of followers.

  Yes, its quite easy to send others to the gallows when you are safe and secure under the American constitution with millions of people hanging on your every word as if its straight from the Almighty.

  Thanks for the comments.

  crawdad2:

  I never even thought of that. They must have cleaned up on the blood of the brothers just as they benefitted financially from the Mexicans lying and bribery. Time and time again, money flows in their direction immediately after a crisis or policy change. Funny isn't it. Their crookedness is comparable to Jim Jones.

  6of9:

  thanks buddy. my server has been down on my web site. I'll send you the pics today from another e-mail account.

  Perry
• 

  skyman

  Follow the money!
• 

  IronClaw

  My brother vacationed in Cancoon yearly and confirmed the story in Ray Franz book. That is one of the reasons he left the Dubs. Amazing isn't it. Just Amazing!!!
• 

  Sunspot

  
  i agree,...........then later they could use the whole thing as a promotion!!!.........."send letters to malawi"........"we are being persecuted!".........send money to the gov body for "aid for the malawi victims"...............then later....."we proudly announce the purchase of another building in brooklyn".

  
  

  
  
  Ahh....letters to Malawi! How well I remember that.
  

  
  
  We went to Rochester NY to see the TV and Movie Star Theresa Graves (Get Christy Love) where she gave a passionate speech about the trials of the brothers in Malawi. After her talk, the WTS had set up tables in the big auditorium complete with everything for us to write these letters to the Malwai government pleading for our fellow JWs. I must say it was all quite impressive.
  

  
  
  It wasn't until years later did I discover what went on in Mexico, and quite frankly, it was so distateful to me that I flat outright didn't believe the account of what happened. I just didn't think that the WTS would be guilty of such a thing.....until I got the courage up to go online and check it all out for myself. The word "appalled" didn't even touch the feelings I had when I read it.
  

  
  
  Annie
  

  
  
• 

  Sheri

  I just had discussed the Mexico history with a sister that was trying to encourage me to return. However, I did not cover this bit of history on the military card, I never even made the connection until reading this. I will share this news with her next time we go for lunch. It is so sad to think of the cold hearts these men can have and yet be the sole earthly channel of Jehovah. Yeah Right

  I will not darken their doorway again.

  Also, a sister that has not been to another congregation in two years was just called up for Judical Meeting on her doing XMAS, they finally got their two witnesses. I asked the sister I was having lunch with if she thought any brothers bought fireworks in 2005, of which are only sold for certain events, she said probably so. I asked her if any worked in the trades with out the appropriate licenses and she said probably so, also did any have illegal extra units that they rented out on their property, not meeting building codes, probably because everyone does it here. So they have to go after the single mother who hangs balls on a tree and spreads good cheer. I told her that because I will remain a loyal friend, I will most certainly continue my friendship. Plus I know eventually I will be called upon when someone needs to run to the elders and "tell on me" for brownie points. I told her that I would never go to a Judical Meeting, it is only Jehovah that I go to with good news and bad news.

  SICK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Peace,

  Sheri
• 

  wednesday

  Perry or anyone,

  This has become an important issue for my husband, and I I don't quite understand this enough to break it down for him Could someone do a Malawi/Mexico fiasco for dummies? Real simple, please. Don't assume I know anything much, b/c i only know what the wts says happened.

  I would be very grateeful. My hubby is only interested in certain things, doctrines don't affect him much, (except the Jesus not being our mediator, which although he and I attended meetings, somehow they slipped that one right over our heads) but this is one of those things that get you where we live...,. you see, Malawi was a big thing in any jws life at that time. We were young and it was so scary, our brothers dying b/c they refused to buy a political card .I wrote letters, he did too. We prayed for them. We had no idea the wts was doing some dirty underhanded things in Mexico.

  So if you can tell me the real truth, what reeally happened, not what the wts says happened, I'd appreciate it. Yes I I have seen glimples of this on the board, but it confused me, so I would not read it.Or point me to a URL where it is explained very simply. I would really be grateful.

  weds