Welcome to the Board, Indelcio!!
I don't want you to feel unwelcome, but I think I should comment on a couple of points you made.
Since WatchTower is moving printing presses, and other neccessities, they're slowly abandoning buildings in New York, mostly for security issues.
This has never been proved. They are just downsizing and consolidating their assets.
Further proof to the lack of updating comes from the fact that the publications released at the 2004 DC are not listed.
They are not obligated to do so. And some conventions are still being held around the world, so they don't want to spoil the fun for the remaining witnesses.
BTW, my father and a group of others spent a month down in Florida doing relief work, so it isn't just local relief...
Are you referring to Hurricane Andrew? The WT never quits bragging about the disaster relief they've given even in the distant past. The "faithful slave" is above Jesus Christ, because they go unashamedly against his words in Matthew 6:1-4:
"Take good care not to practice YOUR righteousness in front of men in order to be observed by them; otherwise YOU will have no reward with YOUR Father who is in the heavens. Hence when you go making gifts of mercy, do not blow a trumpet ahead of you, just as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be glorified by men. Truly I say to YOU, They are having their reward in full. But you, when making gifts of mercy, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, that your gifts of mercy may be in secret; then your Father who is looking on in secret will repay you."
I'll remain loyal to the principles of the orginization, but not to the people that run it, who seem to be skewing the original idea.
It's a distinction without a difference. You seem to forget that, according to the WT, you bear a responsability if you support the organization. The Reasoning book says:
*** rs 330-1 Religion ***
If Someone Says?
?I don?t agree with everything my church teaches, but I don?t see the need to change to another. I?d rather work for improvement within my own?
You might reply: ?I appreciate your telling me that. I am sure you will agree that what is really important to all of us is having God?s approval, is it not?? . . . Even if we personally do not practice the wrong things, the Bible shows that we share the blame if we support these organizations.
I hope you stay in the forum! Have fun and welcome again!!
Neo