I DA'd back in February and have been receiving fortnightly attempts to visit me ever since - two weeks ago I received a note through my door with a copy of a letter stating the "Truth" from the Bethel ... I can't leave it at that, so this is what I mailed today ... I hope I haven't made any big mistakes in it - my thanks to www.randytv.com for helping me with the sources I used
Dear xxxxx,
Thank you for your letter of xx July and copy of the letter from the London Bethel.
I have spent quite some time thinking this over and researching the issue further on the internet. Ive tried to limit this to information from neutral organisations, particularly that of the United Nations itself, which I dont think has anything to gain from deceit.
Taking the Bethel letter issue by issue:
purpose for registering to have access to research material at the United Nations library facility.
See Appendix 1 (I included a copy of info at http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/services.htm#access )
It appears that anyone can access the UNBIS database, and access to the central Dag Hammarskjld library is also available to organisations other than NGOs. It is also possible for anyone to request any publication from any UN library through one of the worldwide network of UN depository libraries.
Registration papers filed with the UN contain no statements that conflict with our Christian beliefs. Moreover, NGOs are informed by the UN that association of NGOs with the DPI does not constitute their incorporation into the UN system
criteria for association of NGOs at least in their latest version contain some language that we cannot subscribe to.
See Appendix 2, 3, 4 (I included copies of 2 letters from UN which are posted on Randy TV site thanks Randy and NGO info from http://www.un.org/MoreInfo/ngolink/brochure.htm )
There appears to be an overwhelming amount of information to confirm that NGOs are supportive of the UN charter and principles. Also, that this has not changed since the Society joined in 1991. In fact, the criteria used by the DPI for accrediting NGOs was officially listed in the Resolutions passed in 1968 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
Interestingly, the following is a quote attributed to Robert Muller in the June 1, 1991 Watchtower, (page 17, in the article Their Refuge A Lie!).
no less than twenty-four Catholic organizations are represented at the UN. Several of the world's religious leaders have visited the international organization. Most memorable were the visits of His Holiness Pope Paul VI during the General Assembly in 1965 and of Pope John Paul II in 1979. Many religions have special invocations, prayers, hymns and services for the United Nations. The most important examples are those of the Catholic, the Unitarian-Universalist, the Baptist and the Bahai faiths.
However, this is the quote in full, as written by Robert Muller:
"Prayer And Meditation At The United Nations"-- Robert Muller
"Prayer, meditation and spirituality at the UN are fascinating subjects . All major world religions are accredited to the United Nations as non-governmental organizations. For example, no less than twenty-four Catholic organizations are represented at the UN. Several of the world's religious leaders have visited the international organization. Most memorable were the visits of His Holiness Pope Paul VI during the General Assembly in 1965 and of Pope John Paul II in 1979. Many religions have special invocations, prayers, hymns and services for the United Nations. The most important examples are those of the Catholic, the Unitarian-Universalist, the Baptist and the Bahai faiths. It is a common practice of the Unitarian-Universalists to display the United Nations flag in their houses of worship. So does the Holy Family Church, the parish church of the UN, with its international reliquary and its many religious services and activities catering to world peace and to the international community. ( http://www.robertmuller.org/)
Why would the sentence in red have been removed? I can actually remember reading this article at the time and thinking how privileged I was to belong to an organisation upholding Jehovahs principles. It seems I was wrong as this piece of writing effectively included the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society alongside those 24 Catholic organisations.
For a balanced view of the UN see The Watchtower of October 1, 1995
See Appendix 5 (I included a copy of the info at http://www.unhchr.ch/udhr/materials/articles.htm )
It appears that the Society submitted a further magazine article to the UN as evidence of their satisfying the criteria for continued membership as an NGO.I also remember reading this article and thinking that it was unusual and puzzling to see the UN being treated as a good organisation.
In conclusion
I said in my disassociation letter that I do not and never would seek to weaken your faith or to work against you. That is not the purpose of this letter. I am aware that you have kindly sought to discuss this matter with me, but as you can see, my heart is set. I consider the Society have unforgivably compromised themselves and I could never associate myself with them again.
I also understand, although with sadness, that this includes association with the people within the organisation. The principle that I have prepared myself for is highlighted in paragraph one of the Kingdom Ministry article on Display Christian Loyalty When a Relative Is Disfellowshipped (August 2002).
May Jehovah continue to bless you and your family as well as the ones in the congregation who truly serve the one true God.
Yours sincerely,
alliwannadoislive
NB
My original DA letter is at http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=18986&site=3 although I did tidy it up a bit before I sent it.
Edited by - alliwannadoislive on 2 August 2002 20:41:26