Posts by messenger

JW Russia Court Date

by messenger in

jw
friends

jehovah's witnesses await court date.

date set for moscow retrial aimed at banning jehovah's witnesses .

jehovah's witnesses office of public information, 29 september 2001 .

messenger

Jehovah's Witnesses await court date

DATE SET FOR MOSCOW RETRIAL AIMED AT BANNING JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
Jehovah's Witnesses Office of Public Information, 29 September 2001

The retrial aimed at banning Jehovah's Witnesses in Moscow is scheduled to start on October 30, 2001, in the Golovinsky Intermunicipal District Court. At the preliminary hearing on September 24, Judge Vera Konstantinovna Dubinskaya directed the parties to prepare for a further expert study of the religious literature of Jehovah's Witnesses.

An application is before the Supreme Court in Russia to review the appellate Moscow City Court's ordering of a retrial. Russian lawyer Galina Krylova commented: "If the Supreme Court will only consider the evidence of the appeal court's blatant bias, it will agree with the conclusion of the trial court and all previous investigators - there is no basis to ban Jehovah's Witnesses."

Since 1995 the Moscow's Prosecutor's Office, acting on the persistent complaints of an anti-cult extremist group entitled The Committee for Salvation of Youth From Totalitarian Sects, has been pursuing a lengthy prosecution of the Religious Community of Jehovah's Witnesses in both criminal and civil proceedings. Investigatory and judicial bodies in Moscow on six separate occasions have established that there is no evidence of any illegal acts on the part of the Community and its members.

During the trial in the Golovinsky Court, the prosecutor stated she wanted a ban on Jehovah's Witnesses in Moscow and throughout Russia. The Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation reregistered the "Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia" on April 29, 1999. Under Russia's 1997 law On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations, Jehovah's Witnesses have successfully registered 382 communities in 71 regions of Russia. However, Moscow has repeatedly denied reregistration to Jehovah's Witnesses. Applications by the Witnesses to lower courts are delayed or dismissed on dubious technical grounds. John Burns, a Canadian human rights lawyer, asked, "Why is Moscow, in its attempts to ban religious minorities, allowed to act independently of the rest of the Russian Federation?" He added, "The whole process can only be described as prosecutorial abuse and harassment of a religious minority."

The Religious Community of Jehovah's Witnesses in Moscow was registered by the Moscow Justice Department on December 30, 1993. Today it is made up of approximately 10,000 practicing Jehovah's Witnesses. (posted 3 October 2001)

1

No WT PR?

by messenger in

jw
friends

jehovah's witnesses trial.

prosecutor would close witnesses; jehovah's witness would be expelled from moscow .

kommersant daily, 22 october 1998 .

messenger

Jehovah's Witnesses trial
PROSECUTOR WOULD CLOSE WITNESSES; JEHOVAH'S WITNESS WOULD BE EXPELLED FROM MOSCOW
Kommersant Daily, 22 October 1998

The Golovin district court has begun a review of the case on the liquidation of the religious organization of "Jehovah's Witnesses" which is registered in Moscow and exists under this name in more than 230 countries. The "Witnesses" are charged with stirring up religious enmity, encouraging suicide and refusal of medical aid, and also compelling people to break up their families. Thus far the prosecutor's office has not succeeded in the attempt to hold the leadership of the society criminally responsible. Details by Ekaterina Zapodinskaia

The judicial persecution of the Jehovah's Witnesses began more than two years ago, when the Savelov district prosecutor instituted a case based on article 1431 of part 1 of the criminal code ("organization of associations that infringe upon the individual and human rights"). The investiation was begun upon the request of the so-called Committee for the Salvation of Youth, which included relatives of members of the given society. Three times it was dismissed for lack of evidence of a crime, but the decision was overruled by the Procuracy General and the procuracy of Moscow after complaints from members of the committee.

Each of the complaints contained information about incidents of young people who had joined the Jehovah's Witnesses society and had changed beyond recognition: they quit work and their previous interests, became withdrawn and alienated from their relatives, and for religious reasons rejected medical treatment for themselves and their children that involved blood transfusions or medicines that contained blood.

The nineteen-year-old Witness Pavel Semitko, who was hospitalized in 1996 in Moscow hospital number 40 with acute leukemia in critical condition and who had refused transfusion of his own blood, could be saved only by reaching an agreement with his mother for the transfusion by deception. He himself preferred "to die with God." Paul's mother gave testimony that members of the society came to Pavel's room in the hospital and "worked him over roughly" to persuade him not to have the transfusion. Pavel Semitko returned to his ordinary life and now the twenty-year-old son of Svetlana Ivanova, who appealed to the Committee for Salvation of Youth, has joined the sect and become, in her words, psychologically sick. He has lost interest in life and has withdrawn from the outside world. Ivanova described for the prosecutor that the society forbade her son to fellowship with people of another faith.

The grandson of Elena Riabinkina and his wife, who had become Witnesses, now do not acknowledge their relatives and friends nor general holidays. According to Riabinkina, "a great ideological transformation of personality takes place in the sect and the fear of the expectation of the end of the world is elevated. In sermons the sectarians are exhorted with the need to make voluntary contributions to the needs of the sect." The daughter of Tatiana Deriabina joined the same society, according to the mother's testimony, and she does not acknowledge general human standards and codes of conduct. In her eyes her mother has become and enemy. Deriabina's four-year-old grandson is taken by his mother to the meetings of the sect in order to be cured of his epilepsy. And the young mother Olga Lebedeva, who became a Witness, has tried by all means to kill her infant son. The judicial investigation has found her irresponsible. However, the prosecution has no proof that she became irrational as a result of fellowship with the Witnesses.

"Those who are not with us are with Satan"

The years-long investigation of the criminal case against the Jehovah's Witnesses has led to its abandonment. In the conclusion of her presentation, the investigator for specially important cases, Elena Solomatina, wrote that although the society has not committed any crimes, it has violated the constitution and the law "On freedom of conscience." The prosecutory of the norther districy Alexander Viktorov petitioned the courl to prohibit the activity of the society.

In the prosecutor's opinion, the Jehovah's Witnesses offend the sentiments of representatives of other confessions by calling in the literature all who do not profess their faith "goats" and Satan's adherents. He considers that the society promotes the destruction of the family in cases when one of the members of the family refuses to adopt the Witnesses' faith. As an example he cited the story of the youth Natalia Zhuravleva. On her person was found a declaration (which children of members of the society are required to carry) in which was written: "On the basis of our convictions, the family of Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions." Meanwhile her father Yury Zhuravlev categorically opposed the mother's involving the child in the activities of the society.

One of the basic arguments of the prosecutor against the Jehovah's Witnesses is the illegal attraction of children into the activity of this organization. According to its charter principles, only adults may become Witnesses. However in its book under the title "Conduct of services in organized manner," it says: "Baptized preachers who attend school may conduct services during vacations or when there are no classes because of secular holidays." According to informatin of the prosecutor, attraction of children into the organization is often carried out without the agreement of the second parent and any attempts to return the child to an ordinary life are viewed by the society as satanic interference.

However, Jehova'hs Witnesses deny all the prosecutor's accusations, considering them persecution of sincere believers (of which there are more than 50 thousand in Russia). The director of the Moscow office of the society, Sergei Vasiliev, noted in an interview with a reported that placing the interests of God higher than personal interests, as the Witnesses do, does not at all mean that one must quit work or family or hobbies: "We have not prohibitions. A person follows Holy Scripture and does what pleases God. It is not we but the Bible that does not permit divorce, personal life outside marriage, or smoking as things that corrupt the flesh and the spirit. Nevertheless the accusations against us are based, as a rule, on conflicts within families." To the reporter's question whether Witnesses really are preparing for the imminent end of the world, Sergei Vasiliev answered: "The Bible says nothing about the end of the world, but about the culmination of the evil system of things. We preach that God will intervene in human affairs, but we do not set a specific date."

At the next court session on the Jehovah's Witnesses case the department of justice of Moscow will participate, which registered the society at the end of 1993. As long as the trial is in progress, the Moscow authorities have refused to confirm for the society the right of owning a parcel of ground on which to is standing a House of Culture (Mikhalkov street, no. 26) which it bought from the Peter Alexeev Factory. The attempts of the prosecutor to contest in court the factory's right of ownership of the building and thereby to keep it from the Jehovah's Witnesses have ended in defeat. (tr. by PDS)

(posted 27 October 1998)

5

Wanna Study?

by messenger in

jw
friends

from flordia international university.

jehovah's witnesses campus bible study.

president: tomas crespo jr. (305)255-8677. advisor: nydia johnson (305)348-2742. mission statement:.

messenger

FROM FLORDIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES CAMPUS BIBLE STUDY
PRESIDENT: Tomas Crespo Jr. (305)255-8677
ADVISOR: Nydia Johnson (305)348-2742
MISSION STATEMENT:
The purpose of Jehovah's Witnesses Campus Bible Study is to provide an opportunity to participate in an organized, comprehensive study of the Bible. Our intent is to supply a weekly dose of Bible education to supplement our academic studies on campus. A topical approach will usually be used, but opportunity for in-depth research and discussion of current events in relation to the Bible will also be afforded. All interested persons are welcome to attend.

39

IBSA AND WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

by JEMIMAH in

jw
friends

something came across my desk, today indicating ibsa's association with the wcc.. i can't reveal what at this moment, as this would reveal my id.. however i know that there are posters out there who will verify my credentials.. what is needed is someone willing to carry out some digging in the info about the wcc.. let's just say that the scarlot beast isn't the only one to be ridden by the society.. once this is out in the open, more can be revealed,.

any info much appreciated.

regards to all, especially max and oz.

messenger

warmer?
World Council of Churches Office of Communication
Press Update
150 route de Ferney, P.O. Box 2100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
E-mail: [email protected]

1 June 2001
WCC delegation critical of slow progress and NGO shut-out from preparations for UN World Conference Against Racism

cf. WCC Press Update, Up-01-16, of 31 May 2001
cf. WCC Press Update, Up-01-14, of 30 May 2001
cf. WCC Press Update, Up-01-13, of 18 May 2001
cf. WCC Press Feature, Feat-01-04, of 18 April 2001

"I come from a country where our daily bread is racism. My impression of the countries here is that either they do not want the conference to take place or, if it does, they want it to ridicule those suffering under racism, because it will come to nothing," Chabo Pilusa said today. Pilusa, from South Africa, is a member of the World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation to the preparatory committee (prepcom) for the United Nations (UN) World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance to be held in Durban, South Africa, in September.
"After two weeks of laborious debate the prepcom will go into an unscheduled third week and yet another meeting in July. Government delegates became entrenched in debates about how to proceed with their work, severely limiting the time they had to consider the draft texts of the declaration and programme of action to be adopted at the Durban conference," said WCC programme executive for combatting racism Marilia Schüller.

The WCC delegation is also critical of the prepcom's decision not even to consider issues such as reparation for the victims of the slave trade, slavery and colonialism as crimes against humanity and therefore deserving compensation for the economic, political and cultural damage done to communities of Africans and African descendants.

"Governments' hardline positions to exclude issues related to reparation, the situation of Dalits and discrimination against Palestinians, is itself a racist position," said Rev. Lawrence Burnley of the United Church of Christ in the USA. "All this calls into question the seriousness of the member states to combat racism", he said.

Despite the fact that UN rules allow accredited non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to address the plenary session of such UN conferences, few have been permitted to do so thus far. This is seen by the WCC delegation as a reversal of assurances given earlier in the conference planning process for the full participation of NGOs.

The additional meetings needed to complete work before the Durban conference will almost certainly reduce the number of NGOs who can afford to attend. This includes the WCC delegation, which leaves today. This is another point of criticism by the WCC delegation, whose members are drawn from a number of WCC member churches.

"However, the frustrating results of the prepcom merely propel us forward, as churches, with even more energy and renewed conviction, to continue the struggle against racism," said Rev. Dr Sirirat Pusurinkham of the Church of Christ in Thailand. "We also call for a renewed commitment from UN member states in the coming months. Without such commitment the conference in Durban will merely build on antagonisms between governments and victims of racism and racial discrimination instead of being a united front against racism, which was the original intention for the conference."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more information contact:
Karin Achtelstetter, Media Relations Officer
tel.: (+41 22) 791 6153 (office);
e-mail: [email protected] Top of page
2001 press updates

WCC homepage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 337, in more than 100 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly, which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by general secretary Konrad Raiser from the Evangelical Church in Germany.

39

IBSA AND WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

by JEMIMAH in

jw
friends

something came across my desk, today indicating ibsa's association with the wcc.. i can't reveal what at this moment, as this would reveal my id.. however i know that there are posters out there who will verify my credentials.. what is needed is someone willing to carry out some digging in the info about the wcc.. let's just say that the scarlot beast isn't the only one to be ridden by the society.. once this is out in the open, more can be revealed,.

any info much appreciated.

regards to all, especially max and oz.

messenger

Am I getting warm?

World Council of Churches Office of Communication
Press Update
150 route de Ferney, P.O. Box 2100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
E-mail: [email protected]

7 September 2001
Statement by the World Council of Churches delegation at the UN World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, Durban, South Africa

cf. WCC Press Update, Up-01-30, of 5 September 2001
"The sin of racism has been a central concern for the ecumenical movement since the beginning of the last century, and at the heart of the life of the World Council of Churches (WCC) since 1948. Out of this commitment, the WCC offered strong support to the UN Conference from its early planning stages onwards and itself contributed to the process by convening a number of regional ecumenical consultations. In August 2000, the WCC submitted a detailed submission to the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which was subsequently revised after the regional meetings. The final submission was delivered to the Durban Conference.

The NGO Forum was perhaps the largest civil society gathering devoted to racism that has ever assembled and certainly the most representative of those victimized by racism and racial discrimination. It provided the victims of racism with a place to speak of their experience and their pain and to make proposals for change. The WCC delegation celebrates that such a forum was held, because it falls within the WCC's long-cherished tradition of giving space, and supporting victims to speak publicly.

The WCC delegation considered the process adopted by the NGO Forum to be vitally important, worthy of affirmation and respect, and recognized that the NGO Forum document contains the aspirations and recommendations of many communities of marginalized peoples.

Many ideas and recommendations from the NGO Forum were incorporated into the document. The debate on that text was long and, at times, complex because of the huge numbers of people involved. The methodology used was to ask specific caucuses within the Forum to react, provide amendments and then vote. Members of the WCC delegation were part of the Ecumenical and other caucuses and did not vote as the WCC itself.

The focus of the NGO Forum and the World Conference was profoundly affected by current world affairs. The Durban meetings convened at a time when the situation in the Middle East was in the forefront of people's minds, and the issues this highlighted quickly gained prominence in the NGO Forum. The WCC delegation was greatly helped by the sensitive explanations and support of its Palestinian members.

During the NGO Forum, in keeping with WCC policy, the WCC delegation supported the right of self-determination for Palestinians, the right of return and the establishment of a Palestinian state. It also affirmed the right of the State of Israel to exist, and condemned anti-Semitism. There are some statements in the NGO Forum document which are outside the WCC's policy framework, and which the WCC cannot support, such as: equating Zionism with racism, describing Israel as an apartheid state, and the call for a general boycott of Israeli goods.

This does not detract from the WCC's support for the document as a whole.

The WCC delegation believes that to focus only on some sections of the NGO Forum document is disrespectful to all other sections, which cover a vast number of issues significant to the victims of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. Those wide concerns are represented within the membership of the WCC delegation and cannot be ignored.

Durban, 7 September 2001"

The WCC submission to the WCAR is available on both the WCAR and WCC websites

Photos of the Conference are available on the WCC website

12

Nominal UK JW's. IMPORTANT NOTICE!

by nicolaou in

jw
friends

tuesday october 23rd d.p.a .

uk jw's who wish to limit the involvement of the wtb&ts in their personal lives should be aware that on tuesday 23rd october the provisions of the data protection act empower you to obtain copies of all information your local congregation is holding on you, this now includes written data as well as electronically stored information.

you may also make request to the uk branch office in mill hill.. the request needs to be made in writing to your local congregation 'data controller'.

messenger

WT instructions, now you know...

WATCH TOWER
BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA
THE RIDGEWAY LONDON NW7 1RN ENGLAND
TELEPHONE 020 8906 2211
SH October 20, 1998
TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS

Dear Brothers:
In an endeavour to simplify the work of congregation secretaries and to ensure we meet the requirements of the new Data Protection Act there are a number of initial adjustments that need to be made in each congregation. These supersede all previous directives. The enclosed letter for the congregation provides information for all to apply immediately with respect to the field ministry. We now want to address other matters of concern to the elders. Please note that the following directions apply with immediate effect.
House-to-House Record (S-8) and Foreign-Language Follow-Up Slip (S-70a): Any of these forms on hand in the congregation should be destroyed immediately. We have stated that if details of an interested person, whether foreign-language or not, needs to be passed on to another publisher, it should be done VERBALLY. Naturally, the one receiving the details can make his own personal notes based on what he is being told. We should like to stress that this is the Society's direction in view of the new legislation.
Do not call: When a householder makes this request, there is no restraint in your following the usual procedure of putting a note of this in the appropriate congregation's territory map
Congregation's Publisher Record Card (S-21): It is important that the signing of these cards is done immediately on receipt of your congregation's supply. First, fill out the publisher's details on the top of the card and then have him sign in the space provided. If you have not received your congregation's supply, please contact our Shipping department.
Keeping the Signed Congregation's Publisher Record Card: Once the publisher has signed a card this should be kept as a permanent record. There is no need to obtain his signature again when you start a new card. Only one signed record card per publisher is necessary. While ordinary record cards are destroyed after 8 years, the signed card will be kept indefinitely. When a publisher moves from your congregation to another it is important that the signed record card is transferred along with any other records and letter of introduction.
When a Publisher Moves Into Your Congregation: The secretary will obtain the Congregation's Publisher Record Cards and letter of introduction in the normal way. He will take care to check that the signed record card has been received. If there is no signed record card, for example if it has been lost or if the publisher moved in from another country where cards are not signed, the secretary should get him to sign a new card before entering any of his field service activity. This signed card would be treated as above.

Registered Office: IBSA House The Ridgeway London NW7 1 RNIncorporated in the United States of America. Company registered in England No. F4273. Charity Reg. No.241623

To All Bodies of Elders
October 20, 1998
Page 2
New Unbaptized Publishers: From now on, when someone is approved as an unbaptized publisher the secretary should approach him to obtain his necessary details. After filling in the top of the Congregation's Publisher Record Card have him sign the card in the space provided.
Minors: For a publisher under the age of 18 you should have the Congregation's Publisher Record Card signed by one of his parents who is a baptized Witness. If neither of his parents is baptized then a record card will not be kept for him, though his field activity can still be included in the congregation's totals month-by-month. Once he becomes 18 you should have him sign a card himself even if one of his parents has signed one previously.
Entering Information On, and Viewing, Congregation's Publisher Record Cards: This should be done only by elders. A publisher can view his own Record Card but not that of anyone else.
Bible Study Reports (5-3): These will used for meeting attendance records only
Brothers moving congregations within Britain: Always send a brief letter of introduction with the brother's Record Cards. Do not keep a copy of this letter. When the letter is received by the elders of his new congregation, it should be read to the assembled elders and then destroyed. Letters relating to known child molesters should be retained in the congregation's permanent file.
Brothers moving to a congregation abroad: Before forwarding any personal records of a brother who has moved abroad to a new congregation, you should be certain to have his consent in writing. This is a requirement under the new Data Protection Act.
Recommending appointment or deletion of elders or ministerial servants: If recommending a brother for appointment who has moved into your congregation since the last circuit overseer's visit, just send us a brief letter setting out your reasons for recommending him and include his previous elders' letter of recommendation. This letter should be signed by the service committee. There is no need to keep a copy of this letter for your own files.
When recommending a brother for deletion write a brief report giving us the reasons for your recommendation. Do not put anything in this report that you have not discussed with the brother himself. Do not make a copy of this letter.
Whether your letter is recommending a brother for appointment or deletion, do not keep any copies of the correspondence. As soon as the Society has handled the matter, we shall destroy our copies of the correspondence.
If a brother appeals your recommendation for his deletion as an elder or ministerial servant, send us a brief letter setting out your recommendation for his deletion but that he has appealed, enclosing a copy of his letter of appeal. Do not put any details of the case in your letter to us and do not keep a copy of this letter. On receiving your letter, we might set up a special committee to hear the brother's appeal. As with disfellowshipping appeals, if the special committee upholds your

To All Bodies of Elders
October 20, 1998
Page 3
recommendation, the special committee will send us their letter, signed by all members of the committee giving each one's name and congregation. Your own letter of recommendation should be included with the special committee's report. No copies of these letters or any personal notes on the proceedings should be retained by elders or in the congregation's files. In due course we will advise you as to our decision.
Handling Judicial Matters: The directives set out in "Pay Attention to Yourselves and To All the Flock" should be followed strictly with the following adjustments:
Notification and Record of Disfellowshipping or Disassociation (S-77, S-79a, S-79b):A revised 5-77 form will be sent to you shortly. Therefore, amending our letter of September 1, 1998, please continue to use the 5-77 form and S-79a and b cards for notifying us of disfellowshippings and disassociations. Do not keep a copy of the 5-77 form or retain notes and other papers of the case. However, when it involves child molestation retain a copy of the S-77 form, but destroy any notes or reports in the usual way. It is vital that you do not delay in reporting to us all disfellowshipping and disassociation cases and this applies particularly when there is an appeal hearing.
The congregation service committee should immediately review together the congregation's confidential file. On a piece of paper make a list entitled "List of Judicial Matters." For each judicial report in the file record the name of the individual (even if he has moved from your congregation), the date of the action or reproof, and the names of the members of the judicial committee that handled the matter, indicating who served as chairman and, if reinstated, the date of reinstatement. No other information should appear on this sheet. This procedure should be followed for those who were disfellowshipped, who disassociated themselves, or who were judicially reproved. Likewise, unbaptized publishers who have been dealt with in harmony with "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock" pages 98, 99, can also be recorded on this list in the same way. For the time being, destroy all these files over five years old, with the exception of any that deal with known child molestation. To ensure confidentiality, the service committee will destroy by shredding or burning all envelopes, only retaining the S-79 card for the congregation's permanent file. Thereafter, the congregation secretary will keep the "List of Judicial Matters" up-to-date.
When there is an appeal, follow the procedures outlined in "Pay Attention to Yourselves and To All the Flock," sending the S-77 form and cards prepared by the original committee along with the report of the appeal committee in the same special blue envelope. Do not keep any copies of this material, unless it involves child molestation. Do not retain personal notes of any hearing.
Instructions For Recording Judicial Reproof: If the judicial committee decides not to disfellowship an individual, but rather reproves him privately or publicly, no written report is made. (If, after following advice from the Society's legal desk, an allegation of child molestation is investigated, such as after the secular authorities have completed their enquiries, a written report should be made and kept in a sealed envelope marked "Do Not Destroy" in the congregation's confidential file. This applies whether the wrongdoing is established or not. Write on the envelope the name of the person, the date and names of the elders handling the case.) The secretary will record basic details on the "List of Judicial Matters" as outlined above.

To All Bodies of Elders
October20, 1998
Page 4
Computers: For some years there has been legislation applying to data kept on computers. If a letter, for example, is prepared by means of a word processor, do not retain a copy on the computer. It should be destroyed in the same way that 'hard' copies of letters should be destroyed as outlined above.
Data Processing: Under the new Data Protection Act 1998 a formal agreement must be signed between the congregation service committee and the Society. We will write to you about this in due course.
The new Act allows for any person to have details of the responsible person (data controller) and the purpose of any data processing. If any person applies to you for this information, write to us immediately so that we can assist you in responding to the enquiry. Do not reply yourself to the enquirer before checking with us.
We appreciate your assistance in making the above adjustments and in helping the publishers in your congregation to get used to these new arrangements. There is no need for these adjustments to interfere with our God-given commission of preaching the good news. As we co-operate with the "faithful and discreet slave" we know that our way will be made successful. (Matthew 24:45) Please accept our warm Christian greetings and best wishes.

Your brothers,
Watch Tower B. & T. Society of Pennsylvania
[Official stamp appears here.]

PS to Presiding Overseer: Please ensure that this letter is discussed with all the elders within one week of its receipt. Thank you.

589

MAJOR UN/WTS NEWS- UN LETTER & 1992 Press R...

by hawkaw in

as of 6:02 pm last night i received a facsimile from paul hoeffel at the un on the wts.. he gave me 3 of the 4 things i requested in two paragraphs.. i have sent a scanned version to steve bates and someone else.. i sent it to kent and randy.

and kent and randy have posted the official united nations letter on their web sites.. here is the letter - put your cursor on the image and then right click on your mouse and hit "save image" to your computer.. .

after you look at kent's web site and you people still think this it is a fake letter, phone paul hoeffel yourself at (212) 963-8070.. hawk

messenger

*** it-1 726 Enemy ***
On the other hand, there are many who become God’s hard-set enemies, including Satan and the wicked demons, who gather the nations in opposition to God (Re 16:13-16); the apostate “man of lawlessness,” who sets himself in opposition to God (2Th 2:3, 4); “Babylon the Great,” whose “sins have massed together clear up to heaven” (Re 17:5; 18:5); “the wild beast” out of the sea, which gets its power and authority from Satan the dragon (Re 13:1, 2, 6); the two-horned “wild beast,” which promotes worship of that sea “beast” (Re 13:11, 12); the “scarlet-colored wild beast” that is “full of blasphemous names” (Re 17:3); and those who persist in supporting them (Re 19:17-21). These God will destroy.—De 32:41; Isa 59:18; Re 20:10.

20

Glacial Change/Dec.1, 2001 WT

by metatron in

jw
friends

latest wt (questions often pretended to be from readers).

lets you pray for df'd people in private.

wow, this.

messenger

Since this thread is talking about the 12-1-01 Wt, I wanted to add a comment about another gem of spiritual retardation. On page 12 under the heading "Do Not Ignore Warning Signs" I quote:

"Through the "faithful and discreet slave," we are given timely reminders. (matt. 24:45) For example, one of the chief ways in which our figurative heart could decieve us is by causing us to indulge in worldly fantasies. These are unrealistic imaginations, daydreams, idle mind wanderings. Such can become very harmful, especially if they arouse unclean thoughts. Hence, we must reject them completely. If we hate lawlessness as Jesus did, we will guard our heart against indulging in worldly fantasies.-He 1:8,9.

Is it just me or does anyone see a little George Orwellian mind control here. As some may recall at the district convention we were admonished not to turn our heads during the program. Now this takes it to another level. We now officially have thought crimes. Each day you are not allowed to think anything but WT think. Other thoughts will now be considered "unclean" thus turning us into lawless persons. So keep this in mind friends all thoughts about life in the world make you wicked, on the other hand we should consider thoughts of being in the new world or simply put "paradise masturbation," the only proper thoughts outside of the spiritual hamster wheel of meetings and field service.

20

Glacial Change/Dec.1, 2001 WT

by metatron in

jw
friends

latest wt (questions often pretended to be from readers).

lets you pray for df'd people in private.

wow, this.

messenger

Last two paragraphs:

Since the person is no longer in the congregation, any change in heart and attitude may be observed first by those close to him, such as a marriage mate or family members. Those observing such changes may conclude that the transgressor did not commit a sin that incurs death. They may be moved to pray that he may draw strength from God's inspired Word and that Jehovah will act toward the sinner in harmony with his will.-ps 44:21, ec. 12:14

While some may be in a position to observe sufficient evidence to believe that the simmer has repented, this may not be the case with the congregation in general. They would be puzzled, troubled, even stumbled if they were to hear someone praying publicly about the erring one. For this reason, those who feel moved to pray about the sinner should do so only in private, leaving any further development in the matter in the hands of the responsible elders in the congregation.

So there you have it, the shunning doctrine holds precedence over everything, even prayers. Witness should be more concerned with not stumbling hardcore opinionated "witnesses" than asking God publicly to help their family members. It truly adds another facet to the meaning of love in the "spiritual paradise."

24

MOM'S RESPONSE TO UN INFO

by Ranchette in

finally, after almost a month, i get a response from my mother about the un.

for those who didnt see her original letter and my response, just click on the sheet of paper icon in my profile and you can catch up on this.. i will place my comments in italics and names will be replaced in parentheses.. .

dear ranchette,.

messenger

A suggestion for your response....

Dear Mom,
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohahah
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohahaha

Please stop! Your little cult mind control reasoning is just to funny to reason with. If you cannot read plain English printed on the United Nations letterhead it truly proves the extent of your brainwashing. I feel so sorry for you and the hell you are no doubt putting my father through Please do not quote me any more scriptures as it makes me hate the bible even more than you have made me hate it so far. Also try not to pull your little Jehovah out on me any more as I stomped a mudhole in his ass a long time ago with no response after I begged him in prayer to help you be a reasonable person. Keep waiting honey on your little Armageddon as it keeps you selling books for Watchtower as you continue your spiritual hamster wheel of paradise masturbation.
Love you always, as you are truly entertaining,
Your daughter