Jehovah's Witnesses and Religious Tourism in Africa

by OrphanCrow 16 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  SecretSlaveClass

  OC:

  Although I have not read it myself, it does look interesting and as someone who is very well read in sub-continental African history, I can say that small quote from the book indicates he knows what he's talking about.

  You're clearly interested in African history and the impact religion has had on it so when I get back from vacation I'll go through my books and put together a list of recommended reading if you like (we get back tomorrow so I'll have a good list for you by Tuesday).

  During the Rhodesian and Mozambique war in the 70's and 80's there was a constant ebb and flow of refugees between Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), Mozambique, Malawi and South Africa. Unfortunately for the refugees they often traded one poor situation for a worse one. South Africa offered the best stability but most often they were not welcome there and when they were, they would find themselves under the heel of apartheid. Since much of the labor in South Africa consisted of migrant workers from Rhodesia, many refugees used this as a cover for escaping to South Africa. A truly sad and hopeless situation for so many.

  One of the strangest observations for me growing up in Africa is the odd relationship which exists between those who call themselves Christians and their cultural superstitions and beliefs. It's as if mainstream religion has created a continent of confused religious orphans who can't quite decide which beliefs should take precedence in their culture.

  Interestingly, Zionists have enjoyed a large and ever growing following on the sub-continent.
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  SecretSlaveClass

  OC:

  Very interesting regarding Heinrich Himmler and the JWs, I had no idea. What interesting bed fellows they would have made.
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  Londo111

  As a JW, I remember being disturbed by seeing the business that surrounded Internationals, Bethel tours (pilgrimages), and Circuit Leasing. I kept thinking of Jesus overturning the money changers in the Temple and how the average JW was disallowed to network at the Kingdom Hall for non-spiritual activities. The rules didnt apply to the businesses that surrounded 'kingdom' activities.
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  OrphanCrow

  SSS: You're clearly interested in African history and the impact religion has had on it so when I get back from vacation I'll go through my books and put together a list of recommended reading if you like (we get back tomorrow so I'll have a good list for you by Tuesday).

  Cool. I like reading lists and recommendations.

  The African "squirrel" is one that I chase on occasion! I have an interest in world politics and the history of politics in Africa is one that has interesed me for many years, long before I knew much about anything political other than what the WTS had written. I think I have always wanted to untangle the political web from the old red "Babylon the Great" book that I had to read when I was in grade school!

  A friend of mine gave me this book to read:

  Ways of Staying (by Kevin Bloom)

  Over the years, the position of the white South African inside the country could either be labelled a curse or a blessing. Unlike their black fellow countrymen who were tied down by ancestry, when trouble came knocking, whites could always haul out the passports and ‘pack for Perth’. In Ways of Staying (published in 2010 by Portobello Books), South African journalist Kevin Bloom ponders ways of staying even when circumstances motivate for the chicken run.
  The book was inspired by the gruesome murder of his cousin, Richard Bloom and his partner, actor Brett Goldin in Cape Town. He takes the reader by the hand into the inner circle of the extended Bloom family as they weigh their options, presented by the brutal murder of their son, brother and cousin.

  I have aquaintences here in Canada who come fromSouth Africa and who still have family there. I was attempting to understand some of their stories. The book is very good.
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  SecretSlaveClass

  That book sounds like the story of many South Africans. My own dad was a victim of a car jacking where the perpetrator shoved a pistol against his temple and pulled the trigger. Fortunately the ammunition was old and defective and did not fire. My dad calmly got out of the van and they drove off with it.

  Since Mandela was released and the ANC won power through democratic elections, many white South Africans have immigrated to other countries. The tragic part is that many of those who left were professionals like doctors and engineers who were sorely needed in the rebuilding of South Africa. Most would say they left because they had fears of South Africa going the same way as other African countries like Zimbabwe for example. Personally I do not get on well with most white South Africans as my wife would tell you, they are simply too negative and bitter over having lost "white control" over South Africa and many even hope that South Africa spirals into complete disorder and chaos so they can say "see I told you so, those monkeys can't run a country". They would rather see South Africa become a political and social disaster to prove their disgusting point than see it become a success story of racial harmony. Truly disgraceful.
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  truthseeker100

  My wife's uncle moved from Italy to South Africa right after WW2 . He managed to send us a case of Landskroon wine. It came into Canada through the South African Embassy in Ottawa. The best wine I've tasted in a long time. Her uncle said it was so plentiful in South Africa that they boiled their spaghetti in it. Sadly he's dead now and his trophy wife is spending his fortune all over the world.

  The strangest thing was after we heard of his death we got a cheque in the mail from a Numbered South African Company in London England for 60,000 Pounds. On a lark I took it to the HSBC Bank locally and they said for a small fee they would certify and cash it. That made me nervous so I turned it over to the local RCMP and we never heard anything about it any more. I always suspected there was a connection between him and that cheque. I kind of regret it now I could have walked out of the bank with 60K Pounds Cash.
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  Alfred

  So... I guess the 7 gluttons in Warwick are rethinking their Zimbabwe convention plans for 2018?