Studying the new "Keep on the Watch!" brochure - page 3 The Religious Scene

by ozziepost 4 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  ozziepost

  From page 3 in the section "Where Is This World Heading?":

  The Religious Scene: Churches back factions in war. Clergy charged in genocide. Priests sexually exploit young people; church cover-up. Decline in attendance; church buildings sold.

  In this deceptive publication it would be hard to find a more hypocritical statement than this!

  On the public record are statements condemning the WTS heirachy for their treatment (or non-treatment!) of sexual abuse cases. The "Sunday" program here in Australia exposed the coverup by members of the branch committee as well as bodies of elders. At the conclusion of one court case the judge expressed the view that he believed the Public Prosecutor should lay criminal charges against the Australia Branch Committee for obstruction of justice. This is on the public record, yet the WTS hypocritically ignores that and instead brings on its favorite whipping boy - the clergy.

  "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:3-5)

  The statement "Decline in attendance; church buildings sold." is likewise a distortion of the truth. Some church denominations may indeed be declining but ignored are the booming attendances at charismatic-type churches, churches which are experiencing growth figures that the WTS could only envy. It wouldn't be too difficult to locate former Kingdom Halls that had been closed for use by the Dubs. It's easy to see the decline from the WTS' own statistics given in the Annual Report each year. How many western countries have been in decline for the past few years? How many congregations have been closed in Japan these past few years? Such things are overlooked in this brochure - it's not convenient to think about!

  In short, page 3 is grossly deceptive. The writers have been selective in what they have included and what they have omitted.
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  czarofmischief

  Isn't it odd that we study the poop, erm, I mean, the spiritual food, with far more attention to detail and accuracy than we ever did in the WT?

  I was not previously aware of the desire to prosecute the WT in Australia for obstruction of justice. Is this just a passing statement or an actual drive?

  CZAR
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  ozziepost

  Is this just a passing statement or an actual drive?

  It was in the judge's "summing up" after sentence was passed.

  Apparently the Director of Public Prosecutions has decided against.
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  RunningMan

  They've been beating this horse for over a century, ever since Russell decided to overturn the tables of the religious leaders. What they fail to recognize, is that they have now become the horse.

  Religion really is a snare and a racket - themselves more that any other.
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  Fleur

  Hey there sweet Ozzie (and MrsOzzie :)

  Okay, I finally did it. A dear friend of my grandmother's mailed this brochure to me and I hadn't looked at it yet. Just as a litmus test to see if I could tolerate their "teachings" now, and after making it through the two full pages at the beginning where they say what is wrong with the world (overkill and fearmongering!) that paragraph jumped up and hit me like a literal slap in the face.

  If there is a god I wonder what his eventual retribution will be for such hypocrisy? As if there aren't thousands and thousands of silentlambs among their flocks still, and the wolves who happily prey on them while suffering no consequences all within the loving confines of "God's True Organization".

  I just cannot see how they can possibly justify their hypocrisy. But then, they have never had a problem with it before, have they?

  In any event, that little test I was talking about? I passed it. Why? Because my BS-ometer goes mad now when I read anything printed by that company.

  I'm enjoying your comments on this new recruitment magazine.

  love,

  essie

  p.s. oh, decline in attendence at OTHER churches? And tell me again then why it is the WTS is so terrified of the internet? "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! I am the Great and Powerful Oz!"