This is perhaps the funniest thing you will ever see on this forum

by Hobo Ken 47 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  BizzyBee

  Brill!

  Were JWs really prosecuted by Nazi Germany or is it another make-believe creation by the Watchtower?

  Absolutely. I toured one of the concentration camps in Austria 2 years ago - Malthausen - and JWs were one of the categories that were imprisoned, along with Jews and homosexuals. The tour guide pointed out that JWs were the only category that could have actually saved themselves by denouncing their faith. But virtually none did. Now, that is sad. In fact, while there was much to be sad about, the JWs story brought real tears to my eyes.
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  Palimpsest

  Were JWs really prosecuted by Nazi Germany or is it another make-believe creation by the Watchtower?

  Yes, they really were. Any historian can tell you that. There's one bitter ex-Dub who wrote a book about how it's not really true, and I know a lot of ex-Dubs take that as gospel because they're looking for one more thing to blame on the JWs, but he's flat-out wrong.

  I encourage anyone who wants to know about what happened with/to the JWs under Nazi occupation to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. They do a wonderful job of explaining the persecution of JWs and have even done special mini-exhibits focusing on them from time to time. If you identify as a JW or someone with an interest in them when you first arrive, they'll also give you a little "passport" of a JW whose story you can follow on your way through the museum. I believe they also used to give out purple triangle pins if you wanted to wear one; they did the same with the symbols for other groups.

  Also, a trivia bit for anyone who has gone or is planning a trip: The huge wall-sized photograph of a man in his concentration camp uniform that you see when you step off the elevators on the 4th floor (to start the tour) is a JW. I can't remember his name, but he used to speak to JW tour groups frequently. I saw him speak when I was maybe 10 or so. Incredibly moving.
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  Leolaia

  Woulda been better had I not already seen 8,498 Downfall spoof videos on Youtube.
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  peacefulpete

  The tour guide pointed out that JWs were the only category that could have actually saved themselves by denouncing their faith. But virtually none did.

  The tour guide was mistaken. In effect everyone (other than gays and Jews) who were killed by the Nazi party died because they refused to renounce an ethical, religious or moral stance. That includes civilian and soldier. However adding to the problem for the JWs, the WT had a particularly caustic anti-government message at the time that provoked many govenments including the USA. They were also well organized and seen by Hitler as a greater threat than the many other sects that opposed him. And if Penton is correct about 60% left the JW organization during this period.
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  Hobo Ken

  bttt
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  slimboyfat

  The tour guide was mistaken. In effect everyone (other than gays and Jews) who were killed by the Nazi party died because they refused to renounce an ethical, religious or moral stance.

  The tour guide was not mistaken. You don't mention Gypsies, Slavs, other racial groups, and disabled people who were also killed for who they were rather than what they believed. These groups who were killed for who they were made up the vast majority of those killed in the concentration camp system. So it is ridiculous to say "in effect everyone" was killed for their convictions and then mention the exceptions that in fact include the vast majority of those killed by the Nazis. Much smaller numbers of German socialists, communists and priests were also killed, and perhaps theoretically some of these could have gained freedom by renouncing their ideology, (although it is doubtful they would have been believed) but in practice Jehovah's Witnesses were the only group for whom an official document was drawn up for them to make a statement renouncing their ideological position.
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  sooner7nc

  Bravo!
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  Hobo Ken

  bttt
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  Hobo Ken

  bttt
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  MeanMrMustard

  YES! Someone made one of these for JWs... this is fregan awesome!!! LOL