Don't ask how I got them early. These are to be modified for each convention and distributed to the press. These were obtained from someone who received them direct from the Watchtower Office Of Public Information. The last two (including the fake experiences) are the most obnoxious:
Document 1:
FACT SHEET THE 2005 “GODLY OBEDIENCE”
CONVENTION OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
WHAT From May through September, Jehovah’s Witnesses will hold 227 conventions in 69 cities throughout the contiguous United States. The convention theme underscores the Bible’s emphasis on the importance of obeying God in all matters of life. Witnesses believe that following the Bible’s teaching benefits not only those who believe in the Creator but also all persons who see the wisdom of following sound and right principles of conduct.
WHEN PROGRAM IN [ENGLISH]
[JULY 1-3, 2005]
The public is invited to attend any session or the entire program. The morning sessions will begin at 9:30 a.m. each day. On Friday and Saturday, the afternoon sessions will begin at 2:00 p.m. On Sunday, the afternoon session will begin at 1:40 p.m.
WHERE [NASSAU VETERANS MEMORIAL COLISEUM
1255 HEMPSTEAD TPKE.
UNIONDALE, NY]
WHO Presented by the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Approximately [12,000] delegates from [New York City, Long Island, and nearby Connecticut] will be attending each of the [eight convention(s)] being held at the [Nassau Coliseum]. Across the country, the program will be held in English as well as in Spanish. In addition, programs will be presented in American Sign Language and foreign languages such as Armenian, Chinese, French, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. The total projected attendance for the United States is over 1,500,000.
FYI All convention sessions are open to the public and are free. No collection is ever taken.
The official journal of Jehovah’s Witnesses is The Watchtower, which has a circulation of over 26,000,000 copies, in 150 languages.
Jehovah’s Witnesses number over 6,500,000 worldwide and function in 235 lands and territories. They are organized into more than 96,000 congregations, all of which work under the direction of a central Governing Body, located in Brooklyn, New York.
For additional information, contact News Service headquarters at [(000) 000-0000]. Additionally, please see the Web site www.jw-media.org.
Document 2
FACT SHEET BASIC BELIEFS OF
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
THE PEOPLE Jehovah’s Witnesses are members of a worldwide Christian religion who actively share with others information about God, whose name is Jehovah, and about his Son, Jesus Christ.
They view first-century Christianity as their model.
They believe that in addition to drawing one closer to God, living by Bible principles gives purpose to life, promotes strong family ties, and develops productive and honest citizens.
THE BIBLE It is God’s infallible, inspired Word, upon which Jehovah's Witnesses base all their beliefs. Some portions of the Bible are to be understood figuratively, or symbolically.—2 Timothy 3:16, 17; Revelation 1:1.
GOD Jehovah is the name of the only true God, the Creator of all things. As such, he is worthy of our worship and devotion. His outstanding qualities are love, justice, wisdom, and power.—Psalm 83:18; 1 John 4:8; Revelation 4:11.
JESUS He is the Son of God. He came to earth from heaven and gave his perfect human life as a ransom sacrifice. His death and resurrection made salvation to eternal life possible for those exercising faith in him. He is now ruling as King of God’s heavenly Kingdom, which will soon bring peace to the entire earth. Jesus never claimed equality with God and thus is not part of a Trinity.—John 3:16; 14:28; Revelation 11:15.
INTERACTION WITH SOCIETY Jehovah’s Witnesses are found at all levels of society; they do not physically separate themselves from those who do not share their beliefs. They live, work, and go to school with people of different religious beliefs, and they enjoy cordial relationships with them. Jehovah’s Witnesses follow Jesus’ example of being “no part of the world” by avoiding the unchristian prejudices and controversies that divide mankind today. Although not ascetics, they avoid being excessive in the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, or prominence.—John 17:15, 16; 1 John 2:15, 16.
FAMILY LIFE Jehovah’s Witnesses view marriage as a serious, lifelong commitment. They look to the Bible for guidance in resolving marital problems in a loving and respectful way. Scripturally, divorce may be obtained on the grounds of marital unfaithfulness. Separation is acceptable in extreme situations, such as those involving willful nonsupport or physical abuse. Whether to separate or not is the personal decision of the wronged mate. (Matthew 19:6, 9; Ephesians 5:33.)
Parents are to love their children. They also have the primary responsibility of providing for the physical, emotional, recreational, and spiritual needs of their children. Parents should teach their children Scriptural values and provide loving discipline. The Bible does not condone harsh physical punishment.—Deuteronomy 6:6, 7; Ephesians 6:4.
Document 3
BACKGROUNDER “GODLY OBEDIENCE”
DISTRICT CONVENTION OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
BASIS FOR THEME As a key text for the theme “Godly Obedience,” Jehovah’s Witnesses cite Deuteronomy 12:28, where Moses told the ancient nation of Israel that if they obeyed commandments of God, it would go well with them and their offspring to time indefinite. The convention promises to highlight areas where this principle applies today. Witnesses also cite Proverbs 14:12 and Jeremiah 10:23 to underscore how following God’s direction as contained in the Bible proves far more practical and beneficial than giving wholehearted devotion to secular wisdom and human thinking.
FOCUS: FRIDAY The Scriptural theme for the day’s program will be Jeremiah 7:23: “Obey My Voice, and I Will Become Your God.” The Keynote Address on Friday morning, “Follow the Model in Your Obedience to God,” will set the tone for the entire convention. “All Suffering Soon to End!” is the concluding feature of the day. The program ends at 5:05 p.m.
FOCUS: SATURDAY The Scriptural theme for the day’s program will be “‘Obedient From the Heart’ ‘In All Things.’” It is based on the passages at Romans 6:17 and 2 Corinthians 2:9. A symposium will present practical advice for families. At 11:50 a.m., the morning’s session will feature a moving discussion on the meaning of Christian baptism, followed by an ordination of new members of the faith as ministers. At 4:35 in the afternoon, the intriguing discourse, “What Does the Bible Really Teach?” will round out the program.
FOCUS: SUNDAY The text at Deuteronomy 12:28 is the basis of the Scriptural theme for the day, “Obey All These Words . . . That It May Go Well With You.” Program parts tailored for young people will be presented at the end of the morning session, including a costumed drama based on a Bible account. The Bible’s answer to the question “To Whom Does Our Obedience Belong?” will be examined during the Public Discourse at 2:00 p.m.
STATISTICS Estimates are that [X,XXX] will attend the convention. Attendance figures are announced at the conclusion of each day’s sessions. Please contact [John A. Elder] at [000-000-0000] for more information.
Document 4
Keeping youths in the faith
Witnesses strive to match education with spiritual needs
Are young people alienated from or rebelling against organized religion? A national study, described as the most comprehensive survey ever done on faith and adolescence, indicates the opposite.
The National Study of Youth and Religion, in a survey of more than 3,000 teenagers and their parents, finds that more than 80 percent of youths in the United States say religion is important in their lives and that 40 percent attend religious services weekly or more frequently. More than half of the teens surveyed said religion was extremely or very important in their lives. Ironically, the survey also indicated that many teens have little practical knowledge of their beliefs, coupled with a perception of God as more of a personal assistant rather than an authority figure.
Another evidence of a growing trend of increased spiritual interest among youths is the emerging popularity of alternative ministries geared toward the young. These combine religious elements with popular music, extreme sports, or other activities associated with youths. Some mainstream religious groups are putting forth efforts to incorporate such features in their services and programs to make them more appealing to younger members.
Are Jehovah’s Witnesses addressing the spiritual needs of young people? Although they don’t sponsor rock concerts, recruit skateboard ministers, or even have a church youth camp, Witnesses are very successful in attracting and keeping spiritually inclined youths interested in their faith.
Witnesses point to their traditional, tried-and-true resources, including personal and family Bible study programs. At their places of worship, called Kingdom Halls, they invite young people to participate in question-and-answer sessions along with older ones—as opposed to separate youth sessions—in imitation of the example of young Jesus in the Gospel accounts. Many youths enroll in the Witnesses’ Theocratic Ministry School, where Bible-based training in public speaking, research and study has been available in Witness congregations since 1943. Expressing appreciation for such meetings, 14-year-old Richard says: “The meetings are valuable to me. I am constantly reminded there of what is good and bad, what is moral and immoral, what is Christlike and what is not. I do not have to find that out the hard way—by experience.” Cintia, 17, says: “Listening to comments and experiences at the meetings produced in me a desire to give Jehovah all that I have, and I feel that the best thing that I have is my youth. So I decided to use it in his service.”
What about the public preaching and door-to-door ministry Witnesses are known for? Young Jayson answers: “In my family, Saturday mornings were always devoted to [the ministry]. This was good for me because the more I went out in the ministry, the more I saw the good it accomplishes and the more I enjoyed it.”
Witnesses also point to their annual summer conventions as outstanding opportunities for young people to sharpen their faith and associate with other similarly focused youths. The convention programs always feature parts, interviews, and demonstrations specially prepared for young people. At their “Godly Obedience” convention this summer, for example, a good number of young people will be baptized in symbol of their dedication to do God’s will. Additionally, major portions of the program will be devoted to helping youths set and reach meaningful spiritual goals to attain success in life.
Jehovah’s Witnesses also produce books, videos, and DVDs with young people in mind. The books My Book of Bible Stories, Learn From the Great Teacher, and Questions Young People Ask—Answers That Work have been influential in the lives of many youths. The video Young People Ask—How Can I Make Real Friends? and the DVD Young People Ask—What Will I Do With My Life? are very well received by Witness youths and their parents alike. These efforts seem to make a positive difference in the lives of many young people.
For local information, contact: [John A. Elder, telephone: (000) 000-0000]
Document 5
SAMPLE First-Person Feature Release xxxx xx, 2005
“Important” days in a “favorite weekend”:
Family looks forward to Witness convention
[NOTE: SAMPLE ONLY; ADJUST BEFORE USE]
CONVENTION CITY—“It’s one of my favorite weekends in the entire year,” says 19-year-old Bryan Gerard. His 16-year-old sister Alexis, a sophomore in high school, is also eagerly anticipating attending an upcoming event. “It will be the most important day of my life,” she states with an endearing earnestness. Thousands of local youths along with their families will be attending an event at XYZ Arena the weekend of July 1-3, 2005.
What kind of event sparks such interest? While a graduation ceremony, concert, or sports event may immediately come to mind, it is actually the annual convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The three-day meeting, this year featuring the theme “Godly Obedience,” is just one of a national series of more than 200 Witness conventions throughout the United States. What makes this event so special to the Gerards, particularly Bryan and Alexis?
“The Bible principles I learned at these conventions have been valuable in helping me make good decisions throughout my teenage years,” Bryan relates. “And it seems the conventions just get better and better.” Alexis’ attendance at this year’s convention will be especially meaningful to her. She will be taking what she describes as “the biggest step” of her young life—she will be baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in a public ceremony held during the convention program Saturday. She explains: “There are many things that are important to me—my family and friends, getting together to have a good time, music and singing—but the most important is my relationship with God.” What will her baptism mean to her? “I want to be obedient to Jehovah in everything because I love him and I know that he only wants what’s best for me. And getting baptized is the best way to show that I am submitting completely to his direction.”
“My wife and I feel that the counsel and guidance contained in the Bible can really be a protection for young people,” states James Gerard, Bryan and Alexis’ father, a Witness since 1977. “With our youths confronted with drug abuse, binge drinking, and premarital sex at a younger age than ever, we’ve seen that Bible-based advice can help them steer clear of such pitfalls.”
James’ wife, Lila, concurs. “Everyone should come to the convention. We love it every year. You will see other happy families who benefit from the Bible as we do. But I doubt you will see two prouder parents!”
Local Contact: John A. Elder, telephone: (000) 000-0000
-ithinkisee