Posts by Hecce

143

Fidel Castro and the WT

by Hecce in

i am going to engage on a trip to the past and share with you some of the matters that marked the beginning of the jws persecution in cuba.

you will be surprised that the pattern that was followed is very similar to what happened in other dictatorial countries.. in the cuban case, i am going to surprise you and tell you that like what happened with hitler; the wt was partially responsible for their clash and confrontation with the cuban government.

during the early 60s the revolution was fighting for survival and they were willing and ready to demolish any perceived enemy to their cause.. a prime example was their war against the catholic church that was the most influential religious entity in the country; it took the supreme leader only a few public discourses to send the vast majority of clergy packing and back to their country, in this case spain.. the jehovah’s witnesses were an insignificant minority but they over estimated their importance and displayed a belligerent attitude, it was known that this was a us based religion and an easy target to connect them with the cia.

Hecce

For Fisherman and others following the saga, here is some information that might explain the relaxation of the WT persecution in Cuba:

Castro was baptized and raised a Roman Catholic as a child but did not practice as one. In Oliver Stone's documentary Comandante, Castro states "I have never been a believer", and has total conviction that there is only one life.[2] Pope John XXIII excommunicated Castro in 1962 after Castro suppressed Catholic institutions in Cuba.[3] Castro has publicly criticized what he sees as elements of the Bible that have been used to justify the oppression of both women and people of African descent throughout history.[4]
In 1992, Castro agreed to loosen restrictions on religion and even permitted church-going Catholics to join the Communist Party of Cuba. He began describing his country as "secular" rather than "atheist".[5] Pope John Paul II visited Cuba in 1998, the first visit by a reigning pontiff to the island. Castro and the Pope appeared side by side in public on several occasions during the visit. Castro wore a dark blue business suit rather than fatigues in his public meetings with the Pope and treated him with reverence and respect.[6] In December 1998, Castro formally re-instated Christmas Day as the official celebration for the first time since its abolition by the Communist Party in 1969.[7] Cubans were again allowed to markChristmas as a holiday and to openly hold religious processions. The Pope sent a telegram to Castro thanking him for restoring Christmas as a public holiday.[8

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_views_of_Fidel_Castro

37

What is the Education Level of the Governing Body members?

by Wild_Thing in

jw
friends

i would love to compile a list of the education obtained by the governing body members both past and present.

can anyone provide any information to get me started?.

it still amazes me they think they can translate ancient languages with an 8th grade education.

Hecce

What I remember is that George Gangas, a Greek-Armenian was involved in the translation work. He didn't have an scholar background just his knowledge of the two languages by virtue of his birth.

143

Fidel Castro and the WT

by Hecce in

i am going to engage on a trip to the past and share with you some of the matters that marked the beginning of the jws persecution in cuba.

you will be surprised that the pattern that was followed is very similar to what happened in other dictatorial countries.. in the cuban case, i am going to surprise you and tell you that like what happened with hitler; the wt was partially responsible for their clash and confrontation with the cuban government.

during the early 60s the revolution was fighting for survival and they were willing and ready to demolish any perceived enemy to their cause.. a prime example was their war against the catholic church that was the most influential religious entity in the country; it took the supreme leader only a few public discourses to send the vast majority of clergy packing and back to their country, in this case spain.. the jehovah’s witnesses were an insignificant minority but they over estimated their importance and displayed a belligerent attitude, it was known that this was a us based religion and an easy target to connect them with the cia.

Hecce

Fisherman

FC did the same with most religion property, shutting down their operations but not taking the property; as to why I don't have an answer.

After the raid operations in the Branch became very limited,I remember that the "study material" as it was called came from stencil machines, it was a very arduous process done in different locations. After the release of the few copies allocated per congregation, enterprising friends will type a few more for distribution using carbon paper.

143

Fidel Castro and the WT

by Hecce in

i am going to engage on a trip to the past and share with you some of the matters that marked the beginning of the jws persecution in cuba.

you will be surprised that the pattern that was followed is very similar to what happened in other dictatorial countries.. in the cuban case, i am going to surprise you and tell you that like what happened with hitler; the wt was partially responsible for their clash and confrontation with the cuban government.

during the early 60s the revolution was fighting for survival and they were willing and ready to demolish any perceived enemy to their cause.. a prime example was their war against the catholic church that was the most influential religious entity in the country; it took the supreme leader only a few public discourses to send the vast majority of clergy packing and back to their country, in this case spain.. the jehovah’s witnesses were an insignificant minority but they over estimated their importance and displayed a belligerent attitude, it was known that this was a us based religion and an easy target to connect them with the cia.

Hecce

I heard that very few can get internet in Cuba, so JW sign don't do much for the locals.

Fisherman

One of your pending questions, internet is already there and expanding. I assume that it becomes more accessible is going to be a headache for the WT, similar to the USA experience.

39

Is changing the "truth" / presenting "new light" really so bad?

by Zana in

jw
friends

playing devil's advocate here.... what's the difference between the gb changing bible interpretations compared to parliaments all over the world changing laws?

although the us constitution (=bible) remains untouched, congress passes i don't know how many new laws every year.

and of course people are expected to follow them.

Hecce

People can oppose and change parliament if they don't like what they are doing.

82

meeting with elders about WT involvement in UN

by LevelThePlayingField in

i still go to the meetings because of my in wife and it came about that the elders knew of my pissed off attitude about the society getting involved in the un.

so the elders said they could help me get over that and wanted to meet with me.

now just to let you know, i have only told my wife and her mom so far about it, that's it.

Hecce

I just remembered this one point that elder stuck-up made. He said that now a days, even people who point to articles like a 1972 WT or something is, No we don't even consider that anymore.

If that is the case then the decisions that were taken based on their representations are no longer valid and the old-timers are free to go on their merrier ways.

82

meeting with elders about WT involvement in UN

by LevelThePlayingField in

i still go to the meetings because of my in wife and it came about that the elders knew of my pissed off attitude about the society getting involved in the un.

so the elders said they could help me get over that and wanted to meet with me.

now just to let you know, i have only told my wife and her mom so far about it, that's it.

Hecce

Since the dreaded word apostate came out in the conversation keep your guard up, this is not over yet; it is very possible that after talking to the other elders they might want to follow this. If that is the case act dumb, no arguments whatsoever; just listen.

14

Our secretly recorded disfellowshipping and 2 year anniversary since leaving on Watchtower Victims Memorial Day!!!

by Christian Gutierrez in

hey guys it's been 2 years since leaving and this is how life has gone for us since then.

hope you guys have had a positive experience too!

cheers 😃.

Hecce

dubstepped

Your comment is a grand slam and it seems to be having an effect, the original post was from a month ago and it has 10 comments, the majority are related to your observations.

Maybe this young couple that is doing a very admirable task should take a minute of their time to reciprocate a bit.

143

Fidel Castro and the WT

by Hecce in

i am going to engage on a trip to the past and share with you some of the matters that marked the beginning of the jws persecution in cuba.

you will be surprised that the pattern that was followed is very similar to what happened in other dictatorial countries.. in the cuban case, i am going to surprise you and tell you that like what happened with hitler; the wt was partially responsible for their clash and confrontation with the cuban government.

during the early 60s the revolution was fighting for survival and they were willing and ready to demolish any perceived enemy to their cause.. a prime example was their war against the catholic church that was the most influential religious entity in the country; it took the supreme leader only a few public discourses to send the vast majority of clergy packing and back to their country, in this case spain.. the jehovah’s witnesses were an insignificant minority but they over estimated their importance and displayed a belligerent attitude, it was known that this was a us based religion and an easy target to connect them with the cia.

Hecce

http://www.noticiasteocraticas.org/cuba-un-milagro-llamado-betel/

This link will take you to more pictures of the Cuban Bethel and its operation, most of the information is in Spanish but the photos speak by themselves.

Across the street from that building there is park called the "Japanese Park"; as a norm two undercover agents from the government were posted in that park watching Betel activities. Like I said before when things started to get ugly the Branch kept their normal operations, this made easy for the security forces to raid the Branch and in one scoop get all the relevant targets.

After that things changed, an elderly brother named Callendar was assigned as the Branch Representative and he and a few sister were the only ones left taking care of the building.

Bethel became a roving office, moving from location to location on a regular basis; my understanding is that was kept until 1994 when restrictions were relaxed.

29

Jehovah`s Witnesses Boasted They have No Clergy Laity Class ?

by smiddy in

jw
friends

well that`s what was impressed on me to differentiate between the true religion and false religion , when i was converted in 1960 , do they still claim that ?

believing that they still do , i will say this.. what about ,:the governing body who definitely are set apart from the rank and file for their attitude towards the r&f , but also from the attitude of the r&f towards the governing body members.many do seem to idolise gb members by their actions , and the gb members dont seem to discourage that.. and not only for their attitude , how about their life-style , being housed in bethel with all the mod -cons of modern civilization as opposed to a r&f member living in a third world country .does the wt society do anything to make their lifestyle improve ?

{ did jesus have a place to rest his head ?

Hecce

The real work of a CO is more like an inspector than a pastor.