hey Lisa, I don't think that this is the case.....supposedly "McCann" is the person that "donated" 50% to the WTS. His name is listed under ownership, along with Rand and WTS. (Robertson as well.) If it was a "will," then McCann would be dead and there would be no need for his name on the SEC filing. No, they're more like "partners." This would be no excuse even if it were the reason......Bottom line is the Watchtower Society's name on this document is unexcusable......
The Bottom Line it their own literature condemns them as hypocrites again!
*** w72 10/1 597-600 Your Conscience and Your Employment ***
BE WALKING DECENTLY AS REGARDS THOSE OUTSIDE
29 These are just a few areas in which questions of conscience may arise as to ones employment. In all such matters, however, the Christian does well to recognize that what one sows one reapsin more ways than one. (Gal. 6:7) What if ones work is such that, rather than benefit, it produces detriment or harm to others? Though not specifically condemned in the Bible, will such work not have an adverse, perhaps even degrading,
effect on the heart and mind of the worker? And may it not also have a weakening effect on his conscience, perhaps allowing him to excuse himself for engaging in practices that are specifically condemned in Gods Word?1 Thess. 4:12.
30 Then, too, there is the matter of recommending ourselves to others consciences as regards sincerity.
Not long ago a number of prominent religious organizations in the United States came in for criticism because, while claiming to be for peace, they were investing heavily in war industries.
If a Christian takes a stand against a certain practice as incompatible with Bible principles, yet makes his living from work that is primarily and basically directed toward furthering and fomenting that practice, will he be recommending himself to others consciences? Will they believe him to be sincere in his advocating of other principles of Gods Word and its promise of a new order of righteousness?31 What of the Christian who is reaching out for the office of overseer or is desirous of serving as a ministerial servant in a congregation? If employed in work that produces things detrimental to humankind, could such a man be considered as free from accusation or as having a fine testimony from people on the outside?1 Tim. 3:1, 7-10; Titus 1:6.
32 These requirements for Christian overseers and ministerial servants do not deal with unfounded or unjust accusations. In lands dominated by the Catholic Church, as an example, divorce may be portrayed as always wrong, even where the Scriptural grounds of adultery exist. To be criticized for being Scripturally divorced would not disqualify one from serving as an overseer or ministerial servant, for such criticism is unfounded.
33 One might say, True, the work I do is not really for the good of my neighbor. But where I live the majority of the people engage in this type of employment. This business or production is the main source of money for the area. Would this change matters as far as ones conscience is involved?
34 If gambling, for example, is the major business in a certain city or state, perhaps people there would be little concerned over a persons being employed in a gambling establishment, even though the person claimed to be a sincere follower of Jesus Christ. But does that make it right in the sight of God?Furthermore, what of the effect on the individuals own conscience and heart? Would his conscience let him approach his Father with freeness of speech as being clean of anything meriting Gods disapproval? 1 John 3:19-22 says: By this we shall know that we originate with the truth, and we shall
assure our hearts before him as regards whatever our hearts may condemn us in, because God is greater than our hearts and knows all things. Beloved ones, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have freeness of speech toward God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we are observing his commandments and are doing the things that are pleasing in his eyes. Surely this freeness of speech is something to be highly prized and treasured,
yes, conserved at all cost.
NEED FOR FAITH
35 True, to strive for a clean conscience before God and to recommend ourselves to the consciences of others may require some major changes in our lives. Employment that does not conflict with our consciences may be difficult to obtain. This places a test on our faith in Gods power to come to our aid in response to our conscientious efforts to please him. With good reason the Bible closely ties in faith with the matter of conscience. (1
Tim. 1:5, 18, 19; 3:8, 9; Heb. 10:22) Do we really believe that Jehovah God not only exists but also becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him?Heb. 11:6.
36 Throughout the earth there are men and women by the thousands who can testify to Gods power, ability and willingness to come to the aid of those striving to maintain a good conscience before him. A person may feel that giving up his present occupation for reasons of conscience would leave him in a virtually hopeless position. But think of what others have done. Think of the women who were living in concubinage to married men and had borne
children to them before they learned the truth of Gods Word. Refusal to continue living in such concubinage meant losing all visible means of support, even the home they lived in. Yet hundreds of women took that step in faith, and Jehovah God cared for them.
37 Think too of the many slaves in the Roman Empire who accepted Christianity. They were the property of the men who owned them, dependent on them for all lifes provisions. Yet they had to exercise their Christian consciences and if their masters should command them to perform acts in violation of Christian principles they would have to refuse, recognizing God and his Son as their superior masters. This, too, would take great faith indeed.1
Pet. 2:18-20; Eph. 6:5-8; Col. 3:22-25.
38 Then, too, there are thousands of men who, while not changing their type of employment, have had to alter their business methods radically or have had to resign because the
establishments they worked for insisted on their using dishonest practices in an otherwise legitimate business. Many types of personal services, such as repair work on radios, autos, watches, and similar services, are frequently involved in dishonesty, overcharging customers or charging them for parts that were never installed or work that was never done. This is a form of theft. Other men in selling work, before becoming true Christians,
falsified matters to obtain customers. This is lying and fraud. Christians have renounced the underhanded things of which to be ashamed and do not walk with cunning either in the congregation or outside thereof. (2 Cor. 4:2) They heed the exhortation: Now that you have put away falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, . . . Let the stealer steal no more, but rather let him do hard work, doing with his hands what is
good work, that he may have something to distribute to someone in need. Their consciences move them to abandon their wrong ways so as not to be grieving Gods holy spirit.Eph. 4:25-30.