Hello Yadirf,
Apologies for the delayed reply to your post.
Regarding “power”, which equates with authority, every person that holds a responsible position has to be granted authority. Disagree?
Yes, I agree with this premise.
I would suggest that that way that power is exercised shows very much about the motivation of the person, or persons wielding it.
I know enough from my personal experiences with the GB to know that most of them believe *totally* in what they preach. They are not motivated by the desire for wealth, and most of them not for 'fame'. TJ for example repudiates the flattery that persons visiting Brooklyn try to heap upon him, refusing to be photographed as a 'mascot', many other of the GB of course enjoy the accolades, especially their wives.
We need to ask though, who developed a theological system that allows its adherents to view these people as anything but Christian servants, and what motivates them to preserve this system. Shepherds do not wear a politicians suit with ease. The shepherd long ago died in these men as they became the political animals they need to be to maintain the WTS intact.
The greed and arrogance of power is firmly entrenched in the doctrine that allows a group of men the authority to instruct its adherents to behave in the manner they demand, even instructing them that *thinking* outside the boundaries set by them is a 'sin', and then punishing those whom they feel have contravened their authority.
The GB feel that this authority has been given them by Christ and it is due to this notion that they move to impose life-threatening and emotionally destructive doctrines and policies, and then change them willy-nilly, without a qualm of conscience or a apology for those whose lives have been damaged by their actions.
They feel that soon, after Armageddon they will have total control of the Earth and every living creature upon it. They feel that they are subject to the Laws of the land only to a degree and perpetually refuse to co-operate with the legal authorities if they feel that there boundaries are being attacked.
For example, they have allowed, owing to this theology, child abusers in their midst. They will shortly be bought to book over the issue, it will cost them financially in the $10,s millions. They will view this as persecution from Satan's system and *not* a failed policy decision and no doubt this is the PR tack that will be taken. It will then once again be the many decent hard-working JW's will bale them out financially. They will *not* admit to a mistake, but likely blame elders, congregations, anything but themselves.
Ask your self. If you worked under a supervisor, who continually made mistakes but insisted in setting *all* the work procedures, blamed others for *all* the mistakes that he had made, some which were very dangerous and cost the lives of other workers, yet clinged to his position - what would you say motivated him?
I agree with you Yadirf, that this is *not* about money, it is about something far more sinister. The greed and abuse of power.
Kind regards - HS
