10 Reasons why the WTBTS is NOT a CORP... Bethel Lecture by GB Member Losch

by What-A-Coincidence 25 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  What-A-Coincidence

  
  Of the 10 points mentioned that the WTBTS is not a corp, which one do you not agree on and why?

  Personnel Committee Symposium
  
  February 22, 1999

  Preserve the Spirit of the

  G. Losch

  Every family has its own spirit. As the instructors know, each class has its own spirit and so does each congregation. Paul spoke to the Corinthians about preserving the spirit of the congregation "in order that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord." (1 Cor. 5:5) The Headquarter family displays its own spirit. Attitude as defined in the Webster dictionary is a state of mind or feeling, disposition. (Volume 2 of the Insight - pages 1026-7) "Ru'ach and pneu'ma are both used to designate the force that causes a person to display a certain attitude, disposition, or emotion… As applying to a group of persons, it is the dominant force activating them." The family displays joy, zeal, loyalty, obedience, and appreciation. They enjoy close association with older ones, they show personal interest in one another, have love for the truth, possess the spirit of self-sacrifice, and they are supportive of any direction the Governing Body gives. We commend you for such a spirit. (Ps. 110:3, Isaiah 6:8) "Thank you for being here, for each year you stay, we love you more." Experience in the Watchtower: A brother said that his son wanted to see the world so he served as a merchant marine. While in NY he visited . He saw the men and women from the factory walking to go to the meal. He saw how busy and happy they are. He observed their spirit. He changed his job and is now a ministerial servant in his father's congregation. On , a letter of appreciation was received saying that while visiting on a Saturday, the ones they saw were in dignified and respectful dress. The brothers dressed in suits showed respect to our grand Creator. We serve for the praise of His glory. This is the purpose of the family. (Eph. 1:12) The worldwide family brings glory to Jehovah. (Eph. 3:21) Treasure the good spirit of the family. Be preserved in a blameless manner. (1 Thes. 5:23) The spirit of the world is like pollution. The spirit of the world needs to be resisted. (Eph 6:13) We received the spirit of God, not the world. The spirit of the word can affect our attitude, our joy. The family displays an excellent spirit. However, some display a worldly and corporate attitude. This corporate attitude affects a few, and has not spread to others. However, it is the responsibility of all to be careful we are not influence by the corporate attitude. But isn't a "non-profit corporation"? does not endorse a corporate attitude. For instance, the Bible does speak of "manager " yet Luke refers to a house manager (Gr., oi·ko·no'mos) not in the sense of how a worldly manager or management operates. How can such an attitude enter? It comes from reading many worldly journals, from the Internet, adopting theories, it is conveyed through brothers who own or do business in the world and when we adopt their views. Can it come from computer programs like SAP? No. Although the program is made with certain terminology and operations - these can be adjusted to meet our needs.

  What is it this attitude? How can it be identified and avoided?

  The corporate spirit is:

  1. …democratic - It delays work from being accomplished because the overseer is afraid to make a decision on his own. A group consensus is sought, so he does not take the blame.

  2. …not showing consideration for older ones. Putting efficiency ahead of compassion. In the world, those who are unemployed and in their 40s and 50s have a hard time finding a job. Some are fired before the are due to receive their pension. Work is given to young people. The Governing Body shows consideration for older ones. "We treasure" older ones and "value your experiences. You contribute to the spiritual stability".

  3. …creating artificial work when there is not enough work for everyone to do. Creating excessive and detailed manuals take away the dignity of the worker. It says that they are not able to do the work without detailed instructions, although there are some who may need such details. It does not admit that there are too many people in the department.

  4. …seen when there is insufficient personal interest taken in one another. When someone withdraws into his own office, he is avoiding personal contact. The one who says: "Send me an e-mail." is avoiding eye contact. (Phil. 2:4) Would a father whose son wanted to speak to him say, "Send me an e-mail."

  5. …overdoing. Controlling production and productivity. This creates anxiety in the volunteers. The volunteer is afraid of not meeting the overseer's expectations. He becomes afraid of losing his assignment or afraid that he may be asked to leave .

  6. …the competitive spirit, outshining others. If the overseer promotes competition between crews to promote higher productivity, this is worldly. Gal. says not to be stirring up competition.

  7. …careless spending of funds. The attitude is to always have more than enough. Micah 6:8 says to "walk modestly". It is easy to spend money not yours. Be reasonable, do not have grandiose ideas. Request only what you need. Do not squander money.

  8. …philosophical method to motivate workers into greater performance. Popular psychology, human philosophy, this is selfishness and causes frustrations.

  9. …jargons. The family has within the past six months improved in this area of not using jargons. (1 Cor. 2:13). Reflect - what is the attitude behind these words and expressions?

  10. …reflected in manner in which we speak to each other. Do not have a gruff, harsh voice when speaking to others. An efficient business voice is worldly. It should be warm, friendly, and instill affection in others. Eph. 5:31. The world lacks fellow feeling.

  Although may take advantage of certain things used in the world to do our work, we do not adopt their attitude. Computer programs are just a tool. We may replace it or we may choose to keep it. Your joy doesn't depend on this tool. A spiritual man is not concerned with his personal preference, but love, joy, and peace. He is not overly affected by where and what type of work he does. He looks at it from a spiritual viewpoint. He promotes and preserves the fine spirituality of the family. Grow spiritually, pray, and associate with older ones. The family has a wonderful spirit.
• 

  Nina

  
  In this lecture Losch isn't saying that WTBTS isn't a corporation, in fact he does say WTBTS is a non-profit corporation.

  "... a "non-profit corporation"? "

  He is speaking against adopting a "corporate attitude" (which he then goes on to define).

  "does not endorse a corporate attitude"

  Take care,

  Nina
• 

  unclebruce

  Good post WAC,

  Mind if I wade through the Watchtower double speak to try'n decode what the man really said? (this is too stomach churning for me to spend much tome on)

  cheers, unclebruce

  The corporate spirit is:

  1. …democratic - It delays work from being accomplished because the overseer is afraid to make a decision on his own. A group consensus is sought, so he does not take the blame.

  Tyrany has always worked well for us .

  2. …not showing consideration for older ones. Putting efficiency ahead of compassion. In the world, those who are unemployed and in their 40s and 50s have a hard time finding a job. Some are fired before the are due to receive their pension. Work is given to young people. The Governing Body shows consideration for older ones. "We treasure" older ones and "value your experiences. You contribute to the spiritual stability".

  A Bethelite can never retire from meetings, field service or janitorial duties.

  3. …creating artificial work when there is not enough work for everyone to do. Creating excessive and detailed manuals take away the dignity of the worker. It says that they are not able to do the work without detailed instructions, although there are some who may need such details. It does not admit that there are too many people in the department.

  Minimising the amount of required workers and giving them just enough info to get the job done is cost efficient and lessens the chance of the society being sued for workers compensation and the like.

  4. …seen when there is insufficient personal interest taken in one another. When someone withdraws into his own office, he is avoiding personal contact. The one who says: "Send me an e-mail." is avoiding eye contact. (Phil. 2:4) Would a father whose son wanted to speak to him say, "Send me an e-mail."

  Power is best displayed up front & person.

  5. …overdoing. Controlling production and productivity. This creates anxiety in the volunteers. The volunteer is afraid of not meeting the overseer's expectations. He becomes afraid of losing his assignment or afraid that he may be asked to leave .

  Remmember the zombie mules working the machines are easily spooked, treat them gently and they're our free labor forever.

  6. …the competitive spirit, outshining others. If the overseer promotes competition between crews to promote higher productivity, this is worldly. Gal. says not to be stirring up competition.

  Steady as she goes, don't get excited stay calm ... just keep the literature pumping to despatch

  7. …careless spending of funds. The attitude is to always have more than enough. Micah 6:8 says to "walk modestly". It is easy to spend money not yours. Be reasonable, do not have grandiose ideas. Request only what you need. Do not squander money.

  Just because you're working for nothing and we have over $345,000,000,000 in asetts and investments and an annual turnover in excess of $74,000,000 doesn't mean you can all be issued with new watchtower bathrobes.

  8. …philosophical method to motivate workers into greater performance. Popular psychology, human philosophy, this is selfishness and causes frustrations.

  The only motivation you need is the hope of everlasting life ahead and armagedon comming up your rear.

  9. …jargons. The family has within the past six months improved in this area of not using jargons. (1 Cor. 2:13). Reflect - what is the attitude behind these words and expressions?

  Worldly jargons spoil useful mindcontrol.

  10. …reflected in manner in which we speak to each other. Do not have a gruff, harsh voice when speaking to others. An efficient business voice is worldly. It should be warm, friendly, and instill affection in others. Eph. 5:31. The world lacks fellow feeling.

  Although may take advantage of certain things used in the world to do our work, we do not adopt their attitude. Computer programs are just a tool. We may replace it or we may choose to keep it. Your joy doesn't depend on this tool. A spiritual man is not concerned with his personal preference, but love, joy, and peace. He is not overly affected by where and what type of work he does. He looks at it from a spiritual viewpoint. He promotes and preserves the fine spirituality of the family. Grow spiritually, pray, and associate with older ones. The family has a wonderful spirit.

  Finally, dearest beloved Bethelites, keep the wagons in a circle, love one another till it hurts, avoid cabin fever and whatever you do - don't look out the windows!
• 

  Nina

  Come on, unclebruce, you can do better than to attack a straw man....or maybe you can't.
• 

  unclebruce

  G'day Nina, nice to meet a newbie I didn't write the article above but was responding to it - You don't seem to know what a straw man is - Hope the reprint below helps unclebruce who wrote a small book on Watchtower Doublespeak. THINGS YOU WON?T LEARN AT THE THEOCRATIC MINISTRY SCHOOL

  I am a 'mature aged' undergraduate of Woolongong University. Philosophy/practical reasoning is part of the teaching degree. You may find the information below relevent to the struggle against Watchtower tyrany and doublespeak. I apologise if this information has been posted before. We struggled with the american text (the americans have a knack for complicating simple things). The examples may not fit perfectly but hey .. I'm still just an undergrad! unclebruce

  FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION

  When the premises of an argument presume what they purport to prove.

  BEGGING THE QUESTION - the question is left unanswered.

  This is when the arguer creates the illusion that his/her inadequate premises provide adequate support for the conclusion. For example: by leaving out a key premise, by restating a premise as the conclusion or by reasoning in a circle.

  Example: People who lack humility have no desire to learn the truth because everyone who wants to learn the truth also has humility.

  COMPLEX QUESTION - a single answer to a multi barreled question.

  This is when two or more questions are asked as a single question and a single answer is given to both .

  Example: Is Lionel Swingle still drinking excessively?

  FALSE DICHOTOMY

  When an arguer presents two non-jointly exhaustive alternatives as if they were jointly exhaustive and then eliminates one, leaving the other as the conclusion.

  Example : Either we execute all internet apostates or their numbers will explode and they will destroy Gods earthy organisation. We certainly don?t want them to destroy Gods earthly organization so we must require their extermination.

  SUPPRESSED EVIDENCE

  When the arguer ignores relevant evidence that outweighs the presented evidence and entails a very different conclusion.

  Example: Jehovah?s Witnesses say that we can have a free home bible study. That sounds like a great bargain! After a short bible study course we can be free of psychological problems and look forward to eternal life on a paradise earth.

  FALLACIES OF WEAK INDUCTION

  When the conclusion between premises and conclusion is not strong enough to support the conclusion.

  APPEAL TO UNQUALIFIED AUTHORITY

  When the arguer cites the testimony of an unreliable authority in support of a conclusion.

  Example: The head of Oxford University said that several years? exposure to Watchtower publications gives one the equivalent of a university degree.

  APPEAL TO IGNORANCE

  When the arguer uses the fact that nothing has been proved about something to support a conclusion about that thing.

  Example: No one has been able to prove the existence of extrasensory perception. We must therefore conclude that extrasensory perception only exists as a result of demonic possession.

  HASTY GENERALISATION ? converse accident

  When the arguer draws a general conclusion from a specific case.

  Example : The Daily News carried an article this morning about an ex JW that was arrested on drug possession. Apostates are nothing but a bunch of junkies.

  FALSE CAUSE

  When the arguer?s conclusion depends on some imagined causal connection that probably doesn?t exist.

  Example: A few minutes after Brummie posted on JWD a devastating earthquake struck George Bush?s outhouse. For the safety of the oval office, it is imperative that Brummie no longer posts.

  SLIPPERY SLOPE

  When the arguers conclusion rests on an alleged chain reaction, and there is no sufficient reason to think that the chain reaction will actually take place.

  Example: The publishers have asked us to pay for their shoes. The request will have to be refused. If we pay for their shoes, next they?ll be asking we pay for their bookbags and umbrellas. Then it will be bicycles, burgers and milkshakes. Expenditures for these items will drive us into bankruptcy.

  WEAK ANALOGY

  When the arguers conclusion rests on an alleged analogy (or similarity) that is not strong enough to support it.

  Example: No one would buy a pair of shoes without first trying them on. Why should anyone be expected to marry without premarital sex?

  FALLACY OF AMBIGUITY

  These occur because of an ambiguity in the premises or conclusion.

  EQUIVOCATION

  This occurs because some word is used implicitly or explicitly in two different senses.

  Example: If Farkel gave Shelby a ring they are engaged. Farkel did give Shelby a ring. He phoned from home: therefore they are engaged.

  AMPHIBOLY

  Occurs when the conclusion of an argument depends upon the misinterpretation of a statement that is ambiguous owing to some structural defect.

  Example: Gumby said he saw a picture of a drunken harlot in the watchtower. We can only conclude that the Society has broken the rules because harlots aren?t allowed in watchtower premises.

  FALLACIES OF GRAMATICAL ANALOGY

  These occur because of a grammatical similarity to other arguments that are non-fallacious.

  COMPOSITION

  Occurs when the conclusion of an argument depends on the erroneous transference of the attributes of the parts of something onto the whole.

  Example: Nina is 51% correct. Nina is a Jehovah?s Witness. Therefore Jehovah?s Witnesses are 51% correct.

  DIVISION

  Occurs when the conclusion of an argument depends on the erroneous transference of the attributes of a whole (or class) onto the parts (or members).

  Example: England is 51% Female. Nina is English. Therefore Nina is 51% female.

  FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE

  These occur when the premises of an argument are irrelevant to the conclusion.

  APPEAL TO FORCE

  When the arguer threatens listeners to get them to accept a conclusion.

  Example: Surely you welcome the opportunity to join our protective organization. Think of the horrific death you will experience in the event of you not joining.

  APPEAL TO PITY

  When the arguer attempts to support his/her conclusion by evoking listener?s pity.

  Example: The position should be given to Brummie; he has a wife, six hungry kittens and a mouse habit to support!

  APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE

  When the arguer plays on listeners psychological needs (eg: vanity, snobbery, ?get on the bandwagon?) to force agreement.

  Example: Of course you want to buy a tie like Brummies. They really show off your head and all the Hollywood cats down on the strip can be seen wearing them these days.

  STRAWMAN

  When the arguer distorts his/her opponents argument to more easily attack it, demolishes the distorted argument and concludes that the opponents real argument has been demolished.

  Example: Simon has argued that American foreign policy sucks. Obviously Simon wants to abolish the US altogether. Yet without the US there would be no gridiron, no zippo lighters, no Texas and no Harley?s, hoagies or craps. None of us wants to forego these benefits. Thus we can see that Simon?s argument is absurd.

  MISSING THE POINT

  When the premises lead to a particular conclusion but a different conclusion is drawn (or one which may be only vaguely related).

  Example: Unclebruce is suffering amnesia and has no recollection whatever of the events of the past few weeks. We can only conclude that he did not post the atrocious things posted in his name this past week.

  RED HERRING

  The arguer diverts attention by addressing extraneous issues and presumes some conclusion has been established.

  Example: We?ve all heard the argument that the WBTS is a dangerous cult. Yet much of what their publications say is true. AWAKE! magazine explores important issues facing people today and warns about a variety of dangers to your health. The Watchtower Society is just great!

  ARGUMENT AGAINST THE PERSON

  Critisising the character of a person in order to discredit their argument.

  · ad homonym abusive

  Abusing the opponent rather than considering his/her ideas.

  Example: Brummie has argued in favour of free cooked mice for all ginger cats. But Brummie is just another one of those upper-crust intellectual pussies who is out of touch with reality. No sensible person would want to serve him dinner.

  · ad homonym circumstantial

  Attacking opponent?s circumstances not ideas.

  Example: Brummie has argued that all dogs be fed to the lions at London zoo. But this is what you would expect him to say. After all Leo and snuggle-puss are his cousins.

  · ?You too?

  When the arguer shifts the burden of guilt onto a second arguer to discredit argument.

  Example: unclebruce has accused Dan of being one of the grumpiest posters on JWD but it?s been proved that when unclebruce logs on most everyone else logs off.

  WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY of JEHOVAH?S WITNESSES

  It is no surprise to ex-Jehovah?s Witnesses that the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society employ all of the above logic fallacies as well as numerous other subtle and not so subtle tactics and mind control techniques to win over new converts and to keep those they have in line. Ex JWs will immediately recognize most of the above. As well as using every trick in the book, the leaders of the Society have no qualms about lying, which they justify under the emotive banner ?spiritual warfare?.

  Most students of the bible know that its words can easily be bent to say whatever you want them to say. Few bend the old book?s words to better brain washing effect than the watchtower ?bible scholars.? The term brain washing is problematic but I believe accurately describes the mind numbing effect of a constant diet of watchtower literature to the exclusion of all else. As a JW, I even joked that I was proud to be brainwashed on ?the truth.? Most Jehovah?s Witnesses are poorly educated and, like my parents, have bookshelves full of watchtower books but precious few others.

  If you come across any other logic fallacies, Watchtower specific or otherwise, I?d appreciate them for my website.

  If you can provide specific examples of logic fallacies from watchtower publications they?d be much appreciated.

  Thanks again, unclebruce.

  Definitions:

  Premise: A proposition from which a conclusion is drawn.

  Ad Homonym: An American bastardization I?m having trouble coming to grips with. (Another example of Americans rendering English unclear by the pretentious and injudicious use of Latin?)
• 

  Nina

  One of many descriptions of the Straw Man fallacy can be found at: http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/straw-man.html

  Description of Straw Man

  The Straw Man fallacy is committed when a person simply ignores a person's actual position and substitutes a distorted, exaggerated or misrepresented version of that position. This sort of "reasoning" has the following pattern:

  1. Person A has position X.
  2. Person B presents position Y (which is a distorted version of X).
  3. Person B attacks position Y.
  4. Therefore X is false/incorrect/flawed.

  Step by step here:

  1. In the original post the subject line read as follows: 10 Reasons why the WTBTS is NOT a CORP... Bethel Lecture by GB Member Losch

  2. You, unclebruce, edited the subject line to suit your purpose: 10 Reasons why the WTBTS is a CRAP TRAP... Bethel Lecture by GB Member

  3. Next you attacked, not the original position but your own distorted version : " Mind if I wade through the Watchtower double speak to try'n decode what the man really said?"

  4. Refer to #4 above.

  Nina
• 

  unclebruce

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  . In the original post the subject line read as follows: 10 Reasons why the WTBTS is NOT a CORP... Bethel Lecture by GB Member Losch

  
  

  2. You, unclebruce, edited the subject line to suit your purpose: 10 Reasons why the WTBTS is a CRAP TRAP... Bethel Lecture by GB Membe

  
  Guilty - Guilt as sin itself! Just look above - my fingers done it again! . In over 15,000 posts to internet discussion sites it is very rare that I have not changed a subject line. I plead guilty to a long and abiding love of the english language & besides playing with the title is fun. I plead guilty to being easily bored and changing the title brings comic relief.
  
  My "attack" on the watchtower dictator was not a dry academic one but done with the most powerful weapon apostates have against all domoneering biblenuts - humour
  
  Do I need remind you that, along with healing, our purpose here is education & entertainment?

  3. Next you attacked, not the original position but your own distorted version : " Mind if I wade through the Watchtower double speak to try'n decode what the man really said?"

  Not guilty - Strictly speaking mine was not an attack but a decode into everyday language (I did not condem Bethel slavery or chaining zombies to their workstations under pain of armagedon lol). Not Guilty -The Watchtower spokesman was talking double speak (whether he knew it or not) and you can't prove otherwise Therefore your reasoning is flawed, you have been weighed in the balance and (like myself) have been found silly.
  cheers, unclebruce
  PS: I can put up a long boring post examining and tearing apart everything the GB man had to say but have prefered to waste as little time as possible getting directly to the point & stating the glaringly obvious. PPS: why are you defending the wally? PPPS: Perhaps it will help if you were more specific eg: explain why you think this:

  8. …philosophical method to motivate workers into greater performance. Popular psychology, human philosophy, this is selfishness and causes frustrations.

  Is fundamentally different to this:

  "The only motivation you need is the hope of everlasting life ahead and armagedon comming up your rear."
• 

  DaCheech

  No layoffs in Bethel corp?
• 

  ozziepost

  Good to see ya back sparkin' agin unc!

  God, i missed ya!

  Perhaps you should tell Nina that where many of us come from (H2O), changing thread titles in response was always part of the message!
• 

  blondie

  In 2000 the WTS reformed its corporations and added several new ones. The officers were now non-anointed brothers.. The WTS has tried to distance the GB/FDS from the legal corporations for many years. But that has been difficult because the rank and file still refer to "the Society" when referring to those with scriptural authority, rather than the GB or FDS. The WTS now uses the name of one corporation "Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses" to be emblazoned on the advertising for conventions rather than "Watchtower...Society."

  So, yes, for legal purposes there still is a non-profit corporation called the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (and New York) and many others that the Borg uses for legal purposes. But they would like to separate these corporations in the minds of the rank and file from the GB and FDS.

  This is how the WTS has tried over the years to distance itself:

  **

  w63 6/1 p. 338 Willingly Expand Your Ministry ***

  We have gained all this knowledge through the arrangement Jehovah is pleased to use at the present time, namely, through his anointed spirit-begotten witnesses, comprising the "faithful and discreet slave" class described by Jesus at Matthew 24:45-47. This slave class has used the Watch Tower Society as its legal instrument since 1884, and the chief publication of dissemination of Bible truth since 1879 has been The Watchtower.

  ***

  w01 4/15 p. 29 Do You Remember? ***

  While directors of a legal corporation are voted into office by its members, the Governing Body is not appointed by any man but is appointed by Jesus Christ. There is no need for the directors of various corporations used by Jehovah’s Witnesses to be members of the Governing Body. At the recent annual meeting of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, members of the Governing Body who were serving as its directors and officers voluntarily stepped aside from their positions. The vacancies were filled by mature brothers of the "other sheep." (John 10:16) Thus the Governing Body can spend more time in preparing spiritual food and in otherwise caring for the spiritual needs of the worldwide brotherhood.—1/15, pages 29, 31.

  Also in 1998 the following strange "admonition" was giving perhaps arising out of the French situation and other occasions where the WTS is trying to establish legal recognition in various countries. It is another case of the WTS dancing around terms for the benefit of the outside world.

  ***

  w98 3/15 pp. 18-19 Living Up to Christian Dedication in Freedom ***

  Each year, printing plants of the Watch Tower Society and similar legal bodies supply Jehovah’s Witnesses with millions of Bibles, books, brochures, and magazines for use in their worldwide preaching activity. These legal entities are therefore invaluable in helping dedicated servants of God to live up to their dedication to him.

  Someone may argue that the way the Witnesses speak about the Watch Tower Society—or more often just "the Society"—indicates that they view it as more than a legal instrument. Do they not consider it to be the final authority on matters of worship? The book Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom clarifies this point by explaining: "When The Watchtower [June 1, 1938] referred to ‘The Society,’ this meant, not a mere legal instrumentality, but the body of anointed Christians that had formed that legal entity and used it." The expression therefore stood for "the faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45) It is in this sense that the Witnesses generally used the term "the Society." Of course, the legal corporation and "the faithful and discreet slave" are not interchangeable terms. Directors of the Watch Tower Society are elected, whereas Witnesses who make up ‘the faithful slave’ are anointed by Jehovah’s holy spirit.

  In order to avoid misunderstandings, Jehovah’s Witnesses try to be careful about how they express themselves. Instead of saying, "the Society teaches," many Witnesses prefer to use such expressions as, "the Bible says" or, "I understand the Bible to teach." In this way they emphasize the personal decision that each Witness has made in accepting Bible teachings and also avoid giving the false impression that Witnesses are somehow bound to the dictates of some religious sect.

  This desire to distance themselves from the legal corporations could be why when referencing a WT publication they started staying this in 2001

  "published by Jehovah's Witnesses"

  *** w01 4/15 p. 21 The Church Fathers—Advocates of Bible Truth? ***

  For a detailed discussion of the Bible’s teaching on the soul, see pages 98-104 and 375-80 of Reasoning From the Scriptures, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses

  rather than

  "published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society"

  *** w00 1/1 p. 4 Faith Can Change Your Life ***

  Published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.

  Blondie