Posts by David2002

307

SERVICE REPORT 2005 : WATCHTOWER FEB 1ST 2006

by BluesBrother in

i have had a quick look and found no references to this, so - here goes..as in the mag we picked up on sunday.. worldwide % increase over 2004 = 1.3%.

memorial partakers 8524 (compared to 8570 in 2004).

most european and nth american lands show pretty static figs - britain 1% increase, canada 0%, germany 0%, france 1%, usa 0%... but spare a thought for the inhabitants of zambia where 1 person in 90 is a reporting witness, must be hell going down to the local market!

David2002

Sunspot,

All here know that in order for any "policy" to be made by the men in the WTS, the "problem" is far more than sporadic or it wouldn't make them sit up and take notice. This obviously has to be widespread.
The WTS is worse than any other organization, in that it claims to set the bar so high above everyone else, but is, upon closer investigation, no different than the others that it sneers at and calls names to.
The WTS has cheats and liars, thieves and pedophiles, adulterers and stiff-necked, hard to deal with people-------just as any other group on the earth does.....but worse in that they make these boastful claims about their "purity". ;Carrying the name of CCJWs does not mean a thing.....other than what other JWs ;think ;it means in their own deluded minds.
For this reason, you will continue to vilify the Catholic priests ;for the very same hideous and disgusting practices that your own brothers worldwide are doing, and at a very high rate as we are discovering. These "policies" have been handed down by your heirarchy because the problem is rampant, but still you defend them! This is your choice.....but I don't have to agree with it. I am thrilled that this is coming into the light and the WTS is being successfully exposed. They have secretly squirmed around in their own filthy mire long enough....and in dozens of areas other than the pedophile issue.

You are speculating that problem is widespread. From elders I spoke to, as well as others, it is a very tiny percentage. The website http://www.reformation.com collects data on child molestation in churches. The problem is affects all churches. The question is what will the churches do about. Will they follow the Witness sample of disfellowshipping the molesters? Do they encourage it to be reported by the police? From newspapers I read in the past, not just involving the Catholic Church, but others, it appears that churches have kept the problem quiet. Jehovah's Witneses at least disfellowship the abusers, and parents (or the elders) can report it to the authorities. I believe that due to the JW's policy of disfellowshipping molesters (and thus exposing them), that they have less of chance of being infiltrated by unrepentant abusers in the congregation. They also were the first to have a policy to deny the role of an elder to any molester. JW's (and the Amish) are the only religious groups that follow the apostle's Paul instructions to remove the wicked ones (1 Cor. 5:9-12), therefore, they are most likely more protected against the leaven (including the poison from pedophilia) from entering their congregations. Even the Pentecostals, who I thought were very conservative, kept quiet about a pedophile pastor who managed to molest about one hundred boys (see the book Brother Tony's Boys by Mike Echols - advisory, the book is highly disturbing and graphic.)

Sometimes when I have preached to others, I had members from very conservative churches tell me about the problems in their own churches, how the minister is getting away with adultery, how the pastor son got 3 of sisters in church pregnant and just got a slap in his hand.... And when I ask them are they discplined or disfellowshipped, they tell me "no." Interestingly, a recent Christianity Today alluded to the fact many "Christians" engage in premarital sex, some not even knowing that its wrong, and nothing is done by the churches. Perhaps that why a Methodist minister has urged the churches to discipline members (see "Churches Urged to Impose Discipline", South Bend Tribune , Aug. 18th, 2005). Witnesses are children of Adam and Eve, and therefore sinners like everyone else in need of Jesus sacrifice (Rom 5:12, 6:23). But even outsiders admit and our impressed by their efforts to keep the Christian congregation clean, and urging members to remain moral and chaste in Christ. (1 Cor. 6:9-12). Again, I reiterate, that by keeping the congregation clean, following the Bibles command, they have less of a chance of being infected by leaven.

--David2002

307

SERVICE REPORT 2005 : WATCHTOWER FEB 1ST 2006

by BluesBrother in

i have had a quick look and found no references to this, so - here goes..as in the mag we picked up on sunday.. worldwide % increase over 2004 = 1.3%.

memorial partakers 8524 (compared to 8570 in 2004).

most european and nth american lands show pretty static figs - britain 1% increase, canada 0%, germany 0%, france 1%, usa 0%... but spare a thought for the inhabitants of zambia where 1 person in 90 is a reporting witness, must be hell going down to the local market!

David2002

Jeff,

I must leave for a bit. Please address my question as to why God would choose to use a 'false prophet' to proclaim this good news.
I would appreciate if you did not fall back to the tired 'well God uses imperfect men to do his perfect will' that we have heard a thousand times before. The WTBTS inverts that argument to attack the churches [also imperfect, but by WTS condemned for the false things they teach]. But uses it to defend themselves. So, skip that tired tirade please.
When Moses, Noah, Elijah, Jeremiah, et al, spoke good news from God, they absolutely never had to lie and hide facts and excuse themselves for being imperfect. They prophecied correctly every single time. They were imperfect. But they did not make up things to get followers. Otherwsise they would have fallen under the scriptural definition of 'false prophets', would have been stoned, dragged out of the city and forgotten. But of course though imperfect, they were not false. They actually had input from God before speaking.

Were the apostles false prophets when they expected Jesus to establish the kingdom on earth immediately? (Luke 19:11) The apostle Paul had to tell Christians in the first century that the end was still in the future and would not be until the Son of Lawlessness appear. Were those first century Christians false prophets? Several popes, Martin Luther, John Wesley, Billy Graham and other protestants leaders had false expectations and made predictions, but you never hear about from those attacking the Witnesses. Some insist Russell, Rutherford, Franz, were false prophets. But Russell said that chronlogy is not understood as easily as the basic Bible teachings. He claimed he is not an inspired prophet, but is only explaining he is understood to be taught in the Bible. He said, even before 1914, that mistakes may be made in interpreting chronology. His views has been expressed over and over again in the WT publications by Rutherford and other. I'll just quote a few statements:

“We do not object to changing our opinions on any subject, or discarding former applications of prophecy, or any other scripture, when we see a good reason for the change,—in fact, it is important that we should be willing to unlearn errors and mere traditions, as to learn truth.... It is our duty to ‘prove all things.’—by the unerring Word,—‘and hold fast to that which is good.’ ” In 1883 the Watchtower bluntly claimed “We [do] not have the gift of prophecy.” (Zion’s Watch Tower, January 1883, page 425.)

Regarding 1914, Russell wrote " However, we should not denounce those who in a proper spirit express their dissent in respect to the date mentioned [1914] and what may there be expected . . . We must admit that there are possibilities of our having made a mistake in respect to the chronology, even though we do not see where any mistake has been made in calculating the seven times of the Gentiles as expiring about October 1, 1914.” (The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence, 15 November 1913, reprint. 5348).

"We are not prophesying; we are merely giving our surmises . . . We do not even aver that there is no mistake in our interpretation of prophecy and our calculations of chronology. We have merely laid these before you, leaving it for each to exercise his own faith or doubt in respect to them" (Emphasis added -Zion's Watch Tower, January 1, 1908 (reprint) page 4110)

Rutherford wrote " The year 1925 is here. With great expectation Christians have looked forward to this year. Many have confidently expected that all members of the body of Christ will be changed to heavenly glory during this year. This may be accomplished. It may not be. In his own due time God will accomplish his purposes concerning his people. Christians should not be so deeply concerned about what may transpire this year." The Watch Tower, January 1, 1925, page 3).

And, "Many students have made the grievous mistake of thinking that God has inspired men to interpret prophecy. The holy prophets of the Old Testament were inspired by Jehovah to write as his power moved upon them. The writers of the New Testament were clothed with certain power and authority to write as the Lord directed them. However, since the days of the apostles no man on earth has been inspired to write prophecy, nor has any man been inspired to interpret prophecy." (

Prophecy Brooklyn: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1929, pages 61-62).

Regarding 1975, Franz stated in an assembly "

"What about the year 1975? What is it going to mean, dear friends?’ asked Brother Franz. ‘Does it mean that Armageddon is going to be finished, with Satan bound, by 1975? It could! It could! All things are possible with God. Does it mean that Babylon the Great is going to go down by 1975? It could. Does it mean that the attack of Gog of Magog is going to be made on Jehovah’s witnesses to wipe them out, then Gog himself will be put out of action? It could. But we are not saying. All things are possible with God. But we are not saying. And don’t any of you be specific in saying anything that is going to happen between now and 1975.” (Emphasis added, The Watchtower, 15 October 1966, page 631)

I can go on with additional quotes, but the truth is the WTS never claimed to be an inspired prophet, and though they expected certain things to occur on some dates, the WTS publications qualified those statements by saying they were not inspired and that they can be mistaken about what was to happen in those selected dates. Even the apostles had false expectations, but that did not make them false prophets. Luther, John Wesley, popes, Billy Graham and other made predictions, but you never hear about them from the Witness opposers.

Just an aside note. According the Website, www.elihubooks.com, Greg Stafford will be releasing the third edition of his book Jehovah's Witnesses Defended (new edition is expected to be out in March 2006. In case you haven't read it, I think he does one of the best jobs in explaining the truth about the WTS and the so-called predictions.

Firpo Carr also plans to release volume 2 of the book The Divine Name Controversy.

---David2002

307

SERVICE REPORT 2005 : WATCHTOWER FEB 1ST 2006

by BluesBrother in

i have had a quick look and found no references to this, so - here goes..as in the mag we picked up on sunday.. worldwide % increase over 2004 = 1.3%.

memorial partakers 8524 (compared to 8570 in 2004).

most european and nth american lands show pretty static figs - britain 1% increase, canada 0%, germany 0%, france 1%, usa 0%... but spare a thought for the inhabitants of zambia where 1 person in 90 is a reporting witness, must be hell going down to the local market!

David2002

AuldSoul:

There is a difference between what individual Witnesses do and what the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society does. The two are not equal, the two are not inseperable. Annie isn't making up anything. Do you want to equate the organization to Jehovah on the one hand and to all individual Jehovah's Witnesses on the other?
leaving the organization = leaving Jehovah
Cancel the like term and you are left with the practical upshot of your dogma: ~~leaving~~ the organization = ~~leaving~~ Jehovah
what is done by individual Jehovah's Witnesses = what is done by the organization
Cancel the like term and you are left with the practical upshot of your dogma: ~~what is done by~~ Jehovah's Witnesses = ~~what is done by~~ the organization
It logically follows then, that the organization = Jehovah, and Jehovah's Witnesses = the organization, in your dogma. Now you don't ever have to say that in so many words for it to be a matter of practical truth. I can demonstrate the truth of this with a simple variable.
apostasy = leaving x
Among Jehovah's Witnesses, this equation is correct whether you fill in Jehovah's Witnesses, the organization, or Jehovah. Since one side of the equation equals the otherside no matter which term you fill in, the terms are synonymous. There is no distinction among them in your dogma.

My relationship is not the WTS. If you felt you're relationship was with WTS, then you never a Christian. Why of the fundamental teachings of the WTS is the we got to God through Jesus. John 14:6 says "no come come to the Father except through me". So Christian relationship is with Jehovah through Jesus Christ. The governing body merely teaches that basic truth. Which reminds, after Jesus sent his disciples to preach, he said "The one who welcomes you welcomes Me, and the one who welcomes Me welcome Him who sent me." (Matt. 10:40) So as I understand it, if one listens to what the FD&S teaches about Jesus, they are welcoming Jesus, and by welcoming Jesus we get to the Father. Its so clear from the Bible that Jehovah and Jesus use people to preach the truth. If they reject those teaching the truth, then their rejecting both God and Jesus. That is why some Witnesses refer to those who leave the Christian congregation or association of brothers as leaving Jehovah and Jesus. The Christian congregation urges one to reconcile themselves with God thru Jesus. But if they reject the message, then they do not receive Jehovah nor Jesus. In the first century, people had to the testimony of the apostles about salvation through Jesus as the Son of God. But if they rejected the apostles, it was tantamount to rejecting God and Jesus. The few who leave the Christian Congregation sometimes follow "another Jesus", accepting another Gospel (Gal. 1:3-8). It is a myth, false story, spread by apostates who says the Jehovah's Witnesses believe they are saved by an Organization. Instead, we believe that they teach the truth about the God of the Bible and Jesus, which is not taught in the churches.

Regarding JW's charity work: I mean nothing works for you. "Oh it just the WT reporting it" or "Oh they got insurance money out of it". Why so many lies?? I don't believe you. There so many independent observers who disagree. People take note when Jehovah's Christian Witnesses come to a community to help them. It seesm, that every good work the WTS does, it not enough for some people, and they constantly complain and lie and refer to another Website where more lies are spread. I tired of hearing all those LIES!!!!

--David2002

307

SERVICE REPORT 2005 : WATCHTOWER FEB 1ST 2006

by BluesBrother in

i have had a quick look and found no references to this, so - here goes..as in the mag we picked up on sunday.. worldwide % increase over 2004 = 1.3%.

memorial partakers 8524 (compared to 8570 in 2004).

most european and nth american lands show pretty static figs - britain 1% increase, canada 0%, germany 0%, france 1%, usa 0%... but spare a thought for the inhabitants of zambia where 1 person in 90 is a reporting witness, must be hell going down to the local market!

David2002

Jeff:

So, are you admitting then that Jehovah needs to use a 'false prophet' to tell this good news? The 1925 lie did nothing to comfort those needing hope. It may have in fact broken their trust in religion after accepting this one as the 'truth'. Then they grew old and died anyway. Why did not God just choose another religion to tell this 'truth'? After all none of them proclaimed 1925. They were at that moment the 'truth' weren't they? And the Watchtower was the 'lie'. ; As far as your 'proof texts' - Acts mentions a resurrection but not to the earth. Most Christians accept this to be heavenly in nature. Isaiah and Psalms refer to restoration of Isreal, not ;new earth. And while Peter refers to a 'new earth', he does not suggest it would be populated with those back from the dead at all. All these scriptures are spuriously applied by the WTS. Try reading them instead of cut and pasting them from a watchtower sometime.

No I am not admitting that Jehovah uses a false prophet. The WTS has repeated many times in its publications that it is not infallible. Russell himself said that chronology is difficult to understand and mistakes may be made. The Jan. 1925 issue of said:

"Many have confidently expected that all members of the body of Christ will be changed to heavenly glory during this year. This may be accomplished. It may not be. In his own due time God will accomplish his purposes concerning his people. Christians should not be so deeply concerned about what may transpire this year."

The Watch Tower, January 1, 1925, page 3).

So they clearly said that Christians did not really knwo what will happen, but we must waint for God's due time. I believe, after my careful reading and studying of the Bible, that they are teaching the Bible truth. Regarding the earth, before I saw your post, I responded to another poster with a similar statement regarding the earth. Witnesses do agree that some of prophecies in Isa. 65, originally applied to Israel. But, the apostle Peter said that the Christian hope included the new earth and the new heavens, alluding to the New World to come. (2 Peter 3:13) The apostle Peter what he said is based on on God's "promise". Yes Christians were aware of the OT prophecies of the new earth and the new heavens. The prophecies of Daniel talk about the kingdom of God filling the earth and alludes to the holy ones who will reign with the "Son of Man" over the earth. The apostle John in Rev. also alludes to a new heavens and new earth and reveals that some will reign with Jesus in heaven over the earth (Rev. 21:3,4; Rev. 5:9,10). Jesus said the "meek will inherit the earth". (Matt. 5:5) Even the apostles thought the Kingdom was going to be established on earth immediately after Jesus' resurrection. When Jesus referred said the meek will inherit the earth, he was quoting from Psalms 37:10. Verse 29 in Psalms says the "meek will inherit the earth" forever. Since people will live in the "inhabited earth to come" (Heb. 2:10), who are those who going to inhabit the earth. Apparently those that are resurrected. Acts. 3:23-28 talks about the restoration of all things in which families of the earth will be blessed, a promise first made to Abraham. I could go, and on, with other Bible texts. No the WTS teaching is not spurious. It is based on the Bible teachings from the OT and the NT. They are teaching the truth.

David2002

307

SERVICE REPORT 2005 : WATCHTOWER FEB 1ST 2006

by BluesBrother in

i have had a quick look and found no references to this, so - here goes..as in the mag we picked up on sunday.. worldwide % increase over 2004 = 1.3%.

memorial partakers 8524 (compared to 8570 in 2004).

most european and nth american lands show pretty static figs - britain 1% increase, canada 0%, germany 0%, france 1%, usa 0%... but spare a thought for the inhabitants of zambia where 1 person in 90 is a reporting witness, must be hell going down to the local market!

David2002

Emperor Class,

Thinking logically, IF the 1st Century Christians (and/or Jesus himself) HAD spoken of this paradise EARTH.....doesn't it seem sensible that someone would have held on to this theory and preached it before the WTS came on the scene?
began a study with the JWs for much the same reason....not knowing, of course, that this wasn't what Jesus taught. The fact that people "study" WTS Theology is not proof that it, or they, are correct. It only means they are being taught what the WTS' erroneous beliefs are.

In a earlier post I discussed the early Christian belief of an earthly paradise. Perhaps you did not see it. I believe it is clear from the Bible that early Christians believed in the coming of a New World, or New Age, consisting of a new earth and heaven. They believed Jesus words in Matthew 5:5 that the meek will inherit the earth, a quotation of the Bible promise in Psalms 37:10, 11 & 29. The apostle Paul spoke of the "inhabited earth to come." (Heb 2:5) Jesus came to preach the Kingdom and healed the sick, raised the dead, all a glimpse of what was to happen in the future and what was taught in the NT regarding the earth (Isa. 11:6-10; Prov. 2:22; Isa 65: 10-29; Is. 45:18) In Dan. chapter 2 it mentions that when God's Kingdom comes, it will fill the earth. The apostle Peter alluded to the "new earth and new heavens" and said it was based on the PROMISE. Acts 3:23-25 talks about the "restoration of ALL things" in which all the families of the EARTH would be blessed. Jesus promised the theif next to him the he when he comes in his Kingdom he will with him paradise. Even the apostles thought that Jesus was going to establish the kingdom on earth immediately (compare Luke 23:43; Acts 1:6, 7) The book of Rev. also talks about the new heaven and earth and also mentions that some will be taken from the earth and reign over it. This reminds one of Isa. 66:17-24 which alludes to the new earth and new heavens. It states that some will be taken as priests. Other surviing mankind (or flesh -- RS) will live on earth. The NT church alluded to those promises of the NT and even Jesus quoted directly from Psalms 37:10 about the meek inhertign earth. That is a NT and OT teaching.

-- David2002

307

SERVICE REPORT 2005 : WATCHTOWER FEB 1ST 2006

by BluesBrother in

i have had a quick look and found no references to this, so - here goes..as in the mag we picked up on sunday.. worldwide % increase over 2004 = 1.3%.

memorial partakers 8524 (compared to 8570 in 2004).

most european and nth american lands show pretty static figs - britain 1% increase, canada 0%, germany 0%, france 1%, usa 0%... but spare a thought for the inhabitants of zambia where 1 person in 90 is a reporting witness, must be hell going down to the local market!

David2002

Jeff,

So, when witnesses were telling this 'good news' to those who lived in 1920 - to the 'millions now living who will never die' - did it give them true hope. Nope. I think they all died. Perhaps of the hunger or disease you mention, or perhaps of old age that they were told would not come upon them.

It still does not change the Bible promises. Remember, the bible states there is going to be a resurrection. And that was part of the Christian hope. Most will be resurrected to live in the earthly paradise on earth. (Acts 24:15; Is. 11:6-9; Psalms 37:10-12; 2 Peter 3:13)

--David2002

307

SERVICE REPORT 2005 : WATCHTOWER FEB 1ST 2006

by BluesBrother in

i have had a quick look and found no references to this, so - here goes..as in the mag we picked up on sunday.. worldwide % increase over 2004 = 1.3%.

memorial partakers 8524 (compared to 8570 in 2004).

most european and nth american lands show pretty static figs - britain 1% increase, canada 0%, germany 0%, france 1%, usa 0%... but spare a thought for the inhabitants of zambia where 1 person in 90 is a reporting witness, must be hell going down to the local market!

David2002

FreeWilly,

Regarding the favorable articles about JW's doing charitable work. ; Perhaps you can provide links to these articles. ; The only one's I've seen were JW's helping pimarily other JW's. ;

Attached links are recent articles, opinions, etc that were still available on the Internet (some articles older than 4 months from online papers are now archived and a subscription is needed in order to access them. The ones below are still available on the Internet):

http://risingfromruin.msnbc.com/2005/10/jehovahs_roofin.html

http://www.ashlandcitytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050916/NEWS01/509160413/1006/MTCN01

http://www.masslive.com/chicopeeholyoke/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1126293302222080.xml&coll=1

http://www.newsleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051224/NEWS01/512240318/1002

http://www.newsleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051226/NEWS01/512260313/1002

http://www.rctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051118/MTCN0505/311180025/1320/MTCN0305

http://www.srainternational.org/newweb/articles/katrina.shtml

http://www.cnumc.org/umNews/instantConnection/2005-04-04/2005-04-04.php (this article does not deal with the JW's relief efforts; it alludes to their growth in the US versus other churches)

David2002

307

SERVICE REPORT 2005 : WATCHTOWER FEB 1ST 2006

by BluesBrother in

i have had a quick look and found no references to this, so - here goes..as in the mag we picked up on sunday.. worldwide % increase over 2004 = 1.3%.

memorial partakers 8524 (compared to 8570 in 2004).

most european and nth american lands show pretty static figs - britain 1% increase, canada 0%, germany 0%, france 1%, usa 0%... but spare a thought for the inhabitants of zambia where 1 person in 90 is a reporting witness, must be hell going down to the local market!

David2002

FreeWilly,

Regarding the favorable articles about JW's doing charitable work. ; Perhaps you can provide links to these articles. ; The only one's I've seen were JW's helping pimarily other JW's. ; Thanks

I'll take a look tommorow and provide some links.

---David2002

307

SERVICE REPORT 2005 : WATCHTOWER FEB 1ST 2006

by BluesBrother in

i have had a quick look and found no references to this, so - here goes..as in the mag we picked up on sunday.. worldwide % increase over 2004 = 1.3%.

memorial partakers 8524 (compared to 8570 in 2004).

most european and nth american lands show pretty static figs - britain 1% increase, canada 0%, germany 0%, france 1%, usa 0%... but spare a thought for the inhabitants of zambia where 1 person in 90 is a reporting witness, must be hell going down to the local market!

David2002

EmperorClass,

I disagree with your assessments. The cases I knew about were not kept secret. They were reported to the authorities. The congregation knew about the molesters & they were expelled by the congregation. The WTS does not hide the fact of what sometimes goes on in the congregation. They use that as an explanation as to why about 1% of the membership is disfellowshipped every year. You claim WTS is hiding the negative stuff. News articles, in which some claimed the WTS policies protected molesters, began, if I recall correctly, circa 1999. But we know that as far back as 1986, the WTS published in its Jan. 1986 issue several of the reasons why some were expelled, and among the list they mentioned child abuse. That does not like the WTS is hiding the facts. In the UK, in case involving 2 sisters, a WT rep from the UK stated publicly that he was sorry about what happened to them. It became public knowledge that the entire body of elders were removed from that congregation for not following WT policy. In Boston, in a case involving a boy, a WTS attorney representing the WT, openly said he was sorry about what had happened. The cases I was aware of, happen in the 1980's, which were shocking to me and the congregation. I attended a Spanish congregation, and the individual involved was from the English congregation which met in the same hall. A father had abused his teenage daughter. The mother later divorced the dog. The father was expelled, & it was reported to the authorities.I remember asking about the case and was told he just given probation by the court, and had to attend therapy sessions at some city social service unit. So people knew about it in the congregation. The other case I heard of happen in NJ; it was reported to the authorites, and members of several congregations were well aware of what had happened. Of course, the individual was expelled from the congregation. The WTS society has also written numerous articles in both the WT and Awake! regarding the issue. Dr. Rodney Stark, who's not a Jehovah's Witneses, once spoke favorably regarding the Witness policy regarding child abuse, and alluded to the many articles the WTS has written about the topic, showing the WTS proactive role in educating Witnesses and others about the problem. . Others, including some social workers, have commented favorably.

Some try to make the WTS look as bad, or worse than the Catholic Church. But since when has the Catholic expelled priests for child molesting? It is a known fact, that the Catholic church, when priests confessed to the numerous times and admitted molesting several children, that NOTHING was really done. Yes, they were sent for therapy sessions. But their position as priests were maintained since the Catholic Church believed in the eternity of the priesthood. I found similar stories in spanish papers, regarding pastors, from evangelical and pentecostal churches, that were involved in abusing children. When they confessed, nothing practically nothing was done. Some remained as pastors!! Members believed they were saved anyway. One book focusing on Tony Levya, a notorious pentecostal minister and pedophile, contains the unbelievable story of how members would forgive him, when he said he would not do it again-even after repeating the same story line again.

Now WTS policy was the first religious organization to state that no man can be an elder if he has abused a child. Any elder involved in molesting in young child can never be an elder again. They are among the few, unlike the Catholic Church and others, to expel unrepentant molesters. Unlike, what some claim, parents can report any molestation cases to the authorities. True, the elders may not be to disfellowship one on basis of one witness. However, when an accused is taken to court, and additional evidence comes to light such as DNA evidence, they can immediately expel the individual. DNA evidence can be used as a second witness. Their policy may not be perfect, but it sure as hell much better than the policy followed by most churches.

307

SERVICE REPORT 2005 : WATCHTOWER FEB 1ST 2006

by BluesBrother in

i have had a quick look and found no references to this, so - here goes..as in the mag we picked up on sunday.. worldwide % increase over 2004 = 1.3%.

memorial partakers 8524 (compared to 8570 in 2004).

most european and nth american lands show pretty static figs - britain 1% increase, canada 0%, germany 0%, france 1%, usa 0%... but spare a thought for the inhabitants of zambia where 1 person in 90 is a reporting witness, must be hell going down to the local market!

David2002

Sunspot,

We are well aware of the "favorable news reports" by the secular press, and what makes them so newsworthy is the fact that the neither the JWs (on their own) nor the WTS (as an organization) are regularly on the scene in any disaster.
Do you know that your loving brotherhood went to Homestead, FL during hurricane Andrew, loaded with supplies to rebuild homes (primarily FOR other JWs of course) and having some leftover materials they fixed up a few homes around the JWs residences..........and SENT THEM ITEMIZED BILLS AFTER THE FACT?????

Can't YOU feel the love?
During hurricane Katrina and the surviving victims of that and the "Dome" disaster where the people were then sent to Houston....the WTS had gone back into the infamous "we gotta be so careful who we help" mode and were "screening" individuals as to their STANDING WITHIN THE JW COMMUNITY before stamping or NOT stamping them with their golden seal of approval!
Can't you FEEL THE LOVE?
If this is what the WTS feels is what Jesus was referring to, or what the account of the Good Samaritan signifies......you AND your haughty fellow JWs have a good deal to LEARN about HIM.....and the meaning of "selfless giving", NOT out of the WT$$$$$$ or even personal surplus, but from the HEART. The lofty WTS is KNOWN for and has a LONG history of....being scarce during any disaster since it began as a "religion".
WE don't see the love.

Would please stop making up stories and being so hostile!!! The fact is the secular press and even some TV news reports and other historical documents tell a completely different story that what you're claiming. I know several brothers and sisters who have worked so hard helping their brothers and fellowmen. It is their labor of love. I really can't believe that when Witnesses do good out of the GENUINE love for their neighbor, someone like you, accuses them of having bad motives!!!

David2002