I can not remember, why do the JWs hate the YMCA? I know it has something to do with the Y being part of false Chrisianity. But, is the JW hatred just to be different?. My Crisis of Conscience is in storage boxes....someone please give me the JW basis for this absurdity?
(I am forgetting alot - perhaps the Maker's Mark is the best deprogrammer of all...)
Below are the goals of the Y. I do not see anything offensive about it.
************From wickipedia *****************
Paris Basis
Ninety-nine YMCA leaders of individual YMCAs from Europe and North America met for the first time prior to the 1855 Paris World Exposition to discuss the possibility of joining together in a federation enhance co-operation amongst individual YMCA societies. This meeting resulted in the Paris Basis which is still a guiding principle of the organization today. Two themes resonated during the council: the need to respect the local autonomy of YMCA societies and the dogma that Christian churches are united and the YMCA is a way of manifesting that unity. (Muukkonen, 2002:85)
The need for the respect of local automony is expressed in the preamble:
- The Committee has never upheld the opinion that all the Associations should adhere to the same forms and methods; on the contrary, it fully recognizes the necessity of an individual growth based on the local conditions and the influences of varying circumstances.
The main principle of the Paris Basis is expressed:
- The Young Men's Christian Associations seek to unite those young men who, regarding Jesus Christ as their God and Saviour, according to the Holy Scriptures, desire to be his disciples in their faith and in their life and to associate their efforts for the extension of His Kingdom amongst young men.
The main principle of the Paris Basis is often stated as the entire basis and the preamble and other articles are omitted.
There were are two versions of the Paris Basis, one in French and one in English. It is thought that the French version is the more accurate representation of the agreement reached and that the English version was a result of a later transcription of notes after the meeting. Some adjustments were made to the English version to align it with the French version in 1955. In the French version the last two words of the main principle are 'jeunes gens' which more accurately translates as young people rather than young men (although all participants in YMCAs at the time were male) (Muukkonen, 2002:90).
[edit] Challenge 21
In 1998, at the 14th World Council of YMCAs, the World Alliance of YMCAs adopted “Challenge 21”, as its modern day statement of mission for the twenty first century:
- Affirming the Paris Basis adopted in 1855, as the ongoing foundation statement of the mission of the YMCA, at the threshold of the third millennium, we declare that the YMCA is a world-wide Christian, ecumenical, voluntary movement for women and men with special emphasis on and the genuine involvement of young people and that it seeks to share the Christian ideal of building a human community of justice with love, peace and reconciliation for the fullness of life for all creation.
- Each member YMCA is therefore called to focus on certain challenges which will be prioritized according to its own context. These challenges which are an evolution of the Kampala Principles
- Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and striving for spiritual, intellectual and physical well-being of individuals and wholeness of communities.
- Empowering all, especially young people and women to take increased responsibilities and assume leadership at all levels and working towards an equitable society.
- Advocating for and promoting the rights of women and upholding the rights of children.
- Fostering dialogue and partnership between people of different faiths and ideologies and recognizing the cultural identities of people and promoting cultural renewal.
- Committing to work in solidarity with the poor, dispossessed, uprooted people and oppressed racial, religious and ethnic minorities.
- Seeking to be mediators and reconcilers in situations of conflict and working for meaningful participation and advancement of people for their own self-determination.
- Defending God’s creation against all that would destroy it and preserving and protecting the earth’s resources for coming generations. To face these challenges, the YMCA will develop patterns of co-operation at all levels that enable self-sustenance and self-determination.
[edit] North American Secularism
Many YMCAs in North America adopt a more secular mission than their counterparts in other parts of the world, although most still reference religion in the terms of promoting 'Christian Principles' or 'Judeo-Christian Values'.
The national YMCA federation in Canada expresses its statement of purpose:
- The YMCA in Canada is dedicated to the growth of all persons in spirit, mind and body and a sense of responsibility to each other and the global community.
The national YMCA federation in the United States expresses its mission:
- To put Christian principles in to practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all
This variation is in keeping with concept of local autonomy expressed in the preamble to the Paris Basis and both YMCA Canada and YMCA of the USA are active participants in the World Alliance of YMCAs.