by RR 51 Replies latest jw friends
...what about this is NOT about book distribution and advancement of the interests of the publishing corporation? GaryB
Very compelling argument, Gary. One can't read what you wrote and find room for argument. I'm smacking my forehead, wondering how I missed this for 30 years.
BUT NOBODY BUYS THE LITERATURE ANYMORE. What kind of "salespeople" don't sell. don't make money?? In the last 15 years, no one has bought a book from the Watchtower salesmen!
Gruss did a good job on this book. But a lot of it was just compiling stuff from the "secret" Bethelites and other long-term elders close to the offices. A lot of it I immediately confirmed by talking to others who wish to remain hidden, but who worked with Knorr, Freddy and others in the Bethel home.
Randy
I've been scanning this forum for over a week now trying to soak up as much info as I can about the WT.
Do you really think JWs are simply the "salespeople" of the Society? I don't.
Although I am fully convinced this is a cult and the doctrine's a sham I tend to agree with minimus ... Why go through all this trouble to turn a profit via publishing. Cheap labor and a volunteer sales force aside there's got to be more to it than this ... It seems Gary's statements all lead to the obvious - brainwahing to sell "literature" (for lack of a better word). But there's still something missing in the big picture as to who is actually profiting. I've seen other posts that say to follow the money trail ... so in following the money who is profiting? WTS is profiting. But who exactly - the GB? If so why haven't DF'd former GB's exposed this [or have they and I just haven't heard] wouldn't this be the nail in the coffin?... the only profiteering I've read about is of Rutherford's exploits at Beth Sarim ... I'm on the fence here: 1) In theory the cult for profit would be the only reason anyone would go through this But 2) Who is getting rich off of this. And off donations? If analyzing the costs vs revenues I can see that your going to get a good margin and profit greatly. But the fact that WT is profiting is probably just a happy coincidence if not one is really reaping the benefits personally. It appears that their wealth is simply used to propogate their agenda - not buy some big wig a yacht. Gind the person(s) getting rich (if they exist) and Im sold..otherwise I agree with the idea that WTS is just a borg ... a Frankenstein who got out of controll over the last century and is now unstoppable ... imbeded in our social structure like a virus which we can never cure ... like so many that have come and gone... unwanted bacteria whose only job is to help those of us who manage to see the truth apreciate the bible's true mesage and enjoy the free will which we often take for granted ... unfortunately at the cost of the happiness of so many poor souls ... MAny of you have given me great advice which has helped me show my wife the truth ... I think things are going to be all right. I think I'm going to be able to get her out of that f*****g matrix ... Many thanks from my familiy to all of you ...
I would serious put this book on par with Crisis of Conscious, there were a few typos, but overall a very revealing book.
RR
The Watch Tower Inc. is a FOR PROFIT non-profit corporation. If you don't think those nickles and dimes add up, follow the links back and around and up and down on this site:-)
Publishers not salespeople??? Of course they are!! They're selling paradise!
The standard presentation calls for the publisher to show the householder a picture of what is supposedly an earthly paradise and ask "Wouldn't you like to live there?"
As soon as the householder agrees, they're hooked. After all, who doesn't want a life with no troubles, no sickness, no money troubles, and live forever.
Yep, they're selling paradise. Money doesn't have to be paid, that'll come later when they join the R&F. Of course, they're invited to make a donation right away to "the world wide work".
I am almost finished reading this book and I think that the title should be changed (and I am deadly serious) into "The Four Terrorists of the Watchtower Society". These men were so wicked, vile, haughty, belligerent, unloving and extremely self righteous. I never in my wildest dreams had any idea what a wicked organization this really is! It should be rightfully called the Watchtower BAAL Organization.
Richie :*)
Min
BUT NOBODY BUYS THE LITERATURE ANYMORE.
Is that a correct statement? I know JWs in the USA and certain European countries, including the UK, don't ask for money for the literature any more (they will accept donations) but don't JWs in other countries still ask for money? In the mid-1990s an African elder I was on the ministry with was shocked when he found out we didn't ask for money in the UK. I don't know what the present system is over there.
Ian
No JW pays directly for the publications any more. They are expected to put their money in the box marked "worldwide. It is supposed to be an honor system. While some congos have a box in the mag/lit area; in my area the brothers at the lit/mag counter can't even see the box from the counter. I think the "donation" arrangement went worldwide in 2000. Many JWs are reluctant to bring up money at the door any more and just give them to someone who shows an interest. In the 20 odd congregations I have had contact with in the last 3 or 4 years, the money situation has been bleak, donations at the hall to the WTS have been dropping, and many find it hard to pay their utilities.
Blondie
