by berrygerry 8 Replies latest watchtower scandals
I bumped into a sister a while back, who was a law-student, immigration law.
At the time, I thought that it was unusual for a JW to be so open about going to uni.
After going through Cdn JW court cases though, the highest percentage of cases involve foreign JW's claiming refugee status.
Is this part of their growth strategy?
i.e. Africans who become JW's get strategic assistance to claim refugee status in western countries?
No, despite have the 7th highest population in this state of hispanics, no Spanish congregation has grown staying in the group status. No ASL group/congregation or other language congregation despite a large population of foreign students in the local university of over 40,000 students.
she might just like the cushy job prospect of beeing able to charge the bottomless government money pit for all those endless government guaranteed appeals. Europe too is overrun by "refugees" queue-evaders, in the US possibly entitled to a life-long income guarantee.
Africans who become JW's get strategic assistance to claim refugee status in western countries?
I don't think becoming a JWS is related to these people helping them gain refugee status, I think its simply because
they were attracted to the ideology that came knocking at their door or standing on a street.
They may never even heard of the JWS before or no prior or little knowledge of the organization's background .
There are some amazing stories. We have a guy in our cong.who came here (the UK) through the most incredible hardships, arrived here a few years ago. He went to University, got a good degree and is now doing his masters. He is probably the best educated person in our circuit. He only made one mistake, he got indoctinated on the way.
I would love to gve you more details but the fingerprint is too specific.
Here in South Africa the biggest growth for WTS is coming from "migrants" from the countries to the north of us who have come to find the Pot-O-Gold they think exists here.
So there has been huge growth among French speaking groups eg from the DRC Congo with complete congregations being formed. Also folk from Zimbabwe [who are very well educated and articulate] and Malawi. Here too with complete native language congregations being formed. Zimbabwean and Malawian folk are highly valued in the workplace because of their positive work ethic, honesty and trustworthiness. I employ a Malawian JW housekeeper. She is a very good worker and incredible personality.
A lot of the growth within the migrant groups is due to the "promises" within the WTS message + the kinship they find with their fellow country-men. [Association/Security/Networking]
Once a migrant finds accommodation this also provides the nucleus for the rest of his family/friends to migrate as they have a place to stay. Often there are several families staying in one house/dwelling. They look after each other - which is quite understandable and if one is a JW he will of course introduce them to the inner sanctum of the congregation. Of course they also receive assistance from the rest of the congregation too. So the power of this kinship is a big drawcard and has also contributed to the +growth in JW numbers down here.
Many migrants are here on a Refugee/Asylum status or are given Temporary Work Permits. Some like the Zimbaweans apply for study permits where possible. The congregations do not make a fuss about ones residency status but you would not be appointed as MS/E if your paper work is not "legal".
I personally think WTS thrives on the migration of people all over the planet.
Religion is a helluva business model. [Old Jewish business maxim: "Never use your own Money!"]
Thanks AFRIKANMAN
That is what I have been observing locally, and with the Refugee claims (as well as why WTS is sponsoring a sister to become a Immigration Lawyer).
(The only growth in our Alberta congo is African immigrants - very nice people BTW)
In my part of the UK, our biggest growth by far is European economic migrants. To the extent that we have a new congregation formed in one particular language.
Actually, no, TWO foreign language congregations now I come to think of it
