Practice what you preach!
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Disclaimer:
This post is for any newbee's who are not familiar with this issue.
Watch Tower Societies Association with the United Nations.
(this is long, you were warned)
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The double standard
or
Do as we say, not as we do.
Question: Can Jehovah's Witnesses use the Y.M.C.A's pool?
Answer: No, at least according to WTS beliefs...
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*** w79 1/1 p. 31 Questions from Readers ***
In joining the YMCA as a member a person accepts or endorses the general objectives and principles of the organization.
He is not simply paying for something he receives, such as when buying things being sold to the public at a store. (Compare 1 Corinthians 8:10; 10:25.) Nor is his membership merely an entry pass, as when a person buys a theater ticket. Membership means that one has become an integral part of this organization founded with definite religious objectives, including the promotion of interfaith. Hence, for one of Jehovah’s Witnesses to become a member of such a so-called "Christian" association would amount to apostasy.Some individuals have on occasion not become members but have paid a onetime admission fee, viewing this as simply paying for a commercial service available . Even in this regard it is wise to consider whether this course will adversely affect the consciences of others.—1 Cor. 8:11-13.
Jehovah’s Witnesses, of course, appreciate a balanced amount of healthful exercise. The Bible says that "bodily training is beneficial for a little." Yet it adds that "godly devotion is beneficial for all things." (1 Tim. 4:8) That does not mean devotion to a triune God. The Bible does not teach that Jesus is "God" in a trinity, as is taught in many of Christendom’s churches and as is still included in the "Paris Basis" of the YMCA.—1 Cor. 11:3; John 17:3.
While interfaith efforts and ecumenism are popular today, they are not upheld by the true God, who told his servants: "Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. . . . ‘Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves.’" (2 Cor. 6:14-17) Also, Jesus plainly said that the Almighty must be worshiped "with spirit and truth." (John 4:24) Most definitely that does not mean joining in a religious cause with persons holding beliefs contrary to what the Scriptures teach. (Rev. 18:4, 5) Thus, it is because of their understanding of what God expects of true worshipers, and of what the purposes and direction of the YMCA are, that
Jehovah’s Witnesses may not become members of that organization."~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We can clearly see what the WTS is saying, that by using the services of the YMCA regardless if you are a member or not...
"In joining the YMCA as a member a person accepts or endorses the general objectives and principles of the organization." ( from article above)"Some individuals have on occasion not become members but have paid a onetime admission fee, viewing this as simply paying for a commercial service available. Even in this regard it is wise to consider whether this course will adversely affect the consciences of others .—1 Cor. 8:11-13." (I wonder if the WTS considered that while being a member of the United Nations as an NGO for ten years) ( from article above)
"Hence, for one of Jehovah’s Witnesses to become a member of such a so-called "Christian" association would amount to
apostasy ." ( from article above)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The WTS makes it pretty clear, their view concerning this issue with the YMCA.Can these same principles of association be applied to any other organizations that the WTS has had an association with, let's see...But first, let's look at how the WTS has described one such organization...*** re chap. 28 p. 195 Contending With Two Ferocious Beasts ***30 The outworking of history identifies this image as the organization proposed, promoted, and supported by Britain and the United States and known initially as the League of Nations. Later, in Revelation chapter 17, it will appear under a different symbol, that of a living, breathing scarlet-colored wild beast having an independent existence. This international body ‘speaks,’ in that it makes boastful claims to be the only one able to bring peace and security to mankind. But in reality it has become a forum for member nations to exchange verbal tirades and insults. It has threatened with ostracism, or a living death, any nation or people that does not bow to its authority. It has actually expelled nations that fail to abide by its ideologies. At the onset of the great tribulation, militaristic "horns" of this image of the wild beast will fulfill a devastating role.—Revelation 7:14; 17:8, 16.
31 Since World War II, the image of the wild beast—now manifested as the United Nations organization—has already killed in a literal way. For example, in 1950 a UN force took the field in the war between North Korea and South Korea. The UN force, along with the South Koreans, killed an estimated 1,420,000 North Koreans and Chinese. Similarly, from 1960 to 1964, United Nations armies were active in the Congo (now Zaire). Moreover, world leaders, including popes Paul VI and John Paul II, have continued to affirm that this image is man’s last and best hope for peace. If mankind fails to serve it, they insist, the human race will destroy itself. They thus figuratively cause to be killed all humans who refuse to go along with the image and worship it.—Compare Deuteronomy 5:8, 9."
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So the WTS has determined that the "United Nations" is the "scarlet-colored wild beast" of Revelation.Here's a few more quotes for clarity... *** re chap. 33 pp. 240-242 Judging the Infamous Harlot ***16 What, then, is this new scarlet-colored wild beast? It must be the image to the wild beast that was brought forth under the urging of the Anglo-American wild beast that has two horns like a lamb. After the image was made, that two-horned wild beast was allowed to give breath to the image of the wild beast. (Revelation 13:14, 15) John now sees the living, breathing image. It pictures the League of Nations organization that the two-horned wild beast brought to life in 1920. U.S. President Wilson had envisioned that the League "would be a forum for the dispensation of justice for all men and wipe out the threat of war forever." When it was resurrected after the second world war as the United Nations, its chartered purpose was "to maintain international peace and security."
17 In what way is this symbolic wild beast full of blasphemous names? In that men have set up this multinational idol as a substitute for God’s Kingdom—to accomplish what God says his Kingdom alone can accomplish. (Daniel 2:44; Matthew 12:18, 21) What is remarkable about John’s vision, though, is that Babylon the Great is riding the scarlet-colored wild beast. True to the prophecy, Babylonish religion, particularly in Christendom, has linked itself with the League of Nations and its successor. As early as December 18, 1918, the body now known as the National Council of the Churches of Christ in America adopted a declaration that declared in part: "Such a League is not a mere political expedient; it is rather the political expression of the Kingdom of God on earth. . . . The Church can give a spirit of good-will, without which no League of Nations can endure. . . . The League of Nations is rooted in the Gospel. Like the Gospel, its objective is ‘peace on earth, good-will toward men.’"
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*** re chap. 30 pp. 209-210 "Babylon the Great Has Fallen!" ***Endurance for the Holy Ones13 Now the third angel speaks. Listen! "And another angel, a third, followed them, saying in a loud voice: ‘If anyone worships the wild beast and its image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, he will also drink of the wine of the anger of God that is poured out undiluted into the cup of his wrath.’" (Revelation 14:9, 10a) At Revelation 13:16, 17, it was revealed that during the Lord’s day those who do not worship the image of the wild beast would suffer—even be killed. Now we learn that Jehovah has determined to bring to judgment those "having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name." They will be forced to drink a bitter ‘cup of wrath’ of Jehovah’s anger. What will this mean for them? In 607 B.C.E., when Jehovah forced Jerusalem to drink "his cup of rage," the city experienced "despoiling and breakdown, and hunger and sword" at the hands of the Babylonians. (Isaiah 51:17, 19) Similarly, when idolizers of earth’s political powers and their image, the United Nations, get to drink the cup of Jehovah’s wrath, the result will be a calamity for them. (Jeremiah 25:17, 32, 33) They will be utterly destroyed."
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So, there should be no doubt, as to the WTS's position concerning the "scarlet colored wild beast" aka. "United Nations Organization." As they put it "They will be utterly destroyed." Meaning, all who are a part of The "United Nations Organization" for what ever reason, will be destroyed. (Same principle as the YMCA) Now what do the facts show, let's see...This is the typical responce concerning the WTS association as an "NGO" with the "United Nations" from the "Department of Public Information"Here's their phone # (212) 963-7233, 7234, 7078 check for yourself.4 March 2004~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To Whom It May Concern,
Recently the NGO Section has been receiving numerous inquiries regarding the association of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York with the Department of Public Information (DPI). This organization applied for association with DPI in 1991 and was granted association in 1992. By accepting association with DPI, the organization agreed to meet criteria for association, including support and respect of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and commitment and means to conduct effective information programmes with its constituents and to a broader audience about UN activities.
In October 2001, the Main Representative of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York to the United Nations, Giro Aulicino, requested termination of its association with DPI. Following this request, the DPI made a decision to disassociate the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York as of 9 October 2001.
Please be informed that it is the policy of the Department of Public Information of the United Nations to keep correspondence between the United Nations and NGOs associated with DPI confidential. However, please see below the paragraph included in all letters sent to NGOs approved for association in 1992:
"The principal purpose of association of non-governmental organizations with the United Nations Department of Public Information is the re-dissemination of information in order to increase public understanding of the principles, activities and achievements of the United Nations and its Agencies. Consequently, it is important that you should keep us informed about your organization's information programme as it relates to the United Nations, including sending us issues of your relevant publications. We are enclosing a brochure on the "The United Nations and Non-Governmental Organizations", which will give you some information regarding the NGO relationship." In addition, the criteria for NGOs to become associated with DPI include the following:We expect that you will share this information with your concerned colleagues, as we are unable to address the scores of duplicate requests regarding the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society that are being directed to our offices. Thank you for your interest in the work of the United Nations.
Sincerely,
Paul Hoeffel
Chief NGO SectionDepartment of Public Information
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As we can see the criteria for NGOs to become associated with DPI include the following: • that the NGO share the principles of the UN Charter ; At this point, any honest hearted person, with a little bit of reasoning skills should come to the conclusion that if, and I quote "Jehovah’s Witnesses may not become members of that organization." (the YMCA article above) Then by following the same principles as outlined above by the WTS, the WTS would be guilty of Apostasy and I quote:"Hence, for one of Jehovah’s Witnesses to become a member of such a so-called "Christian" association would amount to apostasy ." (from article above)
Their words not mine.
Again, any reasoning person should be able to conclude that, any excuse, would be just that, an excuse. By their own words they show there is no excuse for any association, what so ever, of any kind, with an organization such as that.
And the WTS does have a excuse, here's their reason:
To have access to the "United Nations" library!!!
Now wait a minute you might say! Didn't the WTS say JWs who use the pool at the YMCA, even if we only paid a one time use fee, would amount to apostasy?
I guess if the YMCA had a library, and you only used the library, you wouldn't be considered an "Apostate"
And I quote again:
, "Hence, for one of Jehovah’s Witnesses to become a member of such a so-called "Christian" association would amount to apostasy ."( from article above)
Yet the WTS has been an NGO with the "United Nations" for ten years. (91, 92-2001)
And that's one of the reasons I took their advise...( probably the only good advise they gave)
"Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. . . . ‘Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves.’" (2 Cor. 6:14-17) Also, Jesus plainly said that the Almighty must be worshiped "with spirit and truth." (John 4:24) Most definitely that does not mean joining in a religious cause with persons holding beliefs contrary to what the Scriptures teach. (Rev. 18:4, 5)" (from article above)
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Or becoming an NGO and promoting principles contrary to scriptures the WTS claims to teach, but doesn't follow.
You decide for yourself, the facts are available for all to see, and by the WTS own words they are condemn as "Apostates".
Please do the research for yourself, the Truth is out there!
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This post is not meant for the regular's here, but for any newbee's who are not familiar with this issue.
I used the YMCA as an example, because the principles are the same for both issues.
Kind Regards
Acadian
P.S. I hope this makes sense...