Jehovah's Witnesses role in WWII

by ApagaLaLuz 6 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  ApagaLaLuz

  Here's a quick thought that I had while watching the Hitler Mini-Series this week.

  I remember learning that the Jehovah's Witnesses had sent an open letter to Adolph Hitler condemning his treatment of humans after taking rule. They are very quick and vocal to let people know that they spoke up, and that was one of the reasons they too suffered at his hands. They also are quick to point out that other religions remained silent. My thought was about political nuetrality. Is it hypocritical to preach against getting involved in political matters, and then directly protest a political regime, regardless of their morality? Or should their stand be considered heroic? Is this a contradiction? Can one truely be considered nuetral if a major bases of their teaching is for the fall of all governments in general? If their own internal rules and regulations hold such importance over secular authority, could this border on Anarchy? And is it hypocritical to protest his treatment, when they themselves preach many anti-semetic teachings?

  So many questions. So little time. I'm curious for some response
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  pr_capone

  YOU"RE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( CHEVY ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

  Ok, now to answer your question.... I think it is totaly hypocritical of the WT to claim to be neutral in view of your post. The only excuse that I can see as to why they can get away with this and still claim neutrality would be based on the content of the letter. Remember the purple triangle? If could be that they were acting in behalf of the witnesses that were in the Nazi concentration camps.

  That though is giving them WAY too much credit. It is more likely that they were once again trying to gain favor in the public's eye with this letter. Just like they blow their horn in everything else that they do.

  Kansas District Overbeer
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  archangel01

  You are both right on that part. What did JESUS do when he was arrested. He was silent for the most part but only spoke when needed. Rutherfur (Miss spelled....who caresLOL) anyway he send a letter to hitler and you want to know what it said...... That he should be killed or I would kill you, something to that effect. So he ADDED fuel to the fire and alot of people got hurt evening more so because of that letter. They should have followed the Bible an stayed neutral by not "PROVOKING" him in anyway. I guess we can go on & on about this topic, but I think we all sumed it up for the most part. Take care
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  Lady Lee

  All the info you want on JWs and Hitler can be found here

  http://watchtower.observer.org/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=JWANDHITLER4
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  peacefulpete

  Of coarse most here know that the first letter to hitler was a unconsciencable antisemetic attempt to garner favor. The second was an unveiled threat. Neither is neutral. In my peace group it came up in conversation that the witnesses are not neutral just because they condemn all the governments equally. This is a negative stand. They are then antigovernment. Anarchist seems to imply working to destroy or undermine, this does not describe their stand. They have decided to be against anything that requires anything meaningful from them as citizens and encourage all others to do the same.
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  peacefulpete

  Neutrality is an illusion. You are for change or statis quo. Either why you are taking a stand that reveals how you feel.
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  Yerusalyim

  It's also not true that the Witnesses were the only ones to speak out. There are several thousand dead Catholic Priests who would argue that with the JW's. Besides, Hitler came to power in 1933, then ya have the little matter of the "Declaration of Facts" which pretty much supports Hitler in my reading of it.