The August 1, 2003 issue of the Watchtower is lying -- again.
On page 20 it states,
"They [JWs] have no paid clergy"
This is false. As many elders know, Circuit Overseers have:
Paid health insurance ( the "Lord will provide" isn't good enough)
Paid auto insurance ( as above, again)
A leased car - paid by the circuit
Paid expenses - from the congregation visited
a possible stipend from the Society - and 'hand delivered' contributions from brothers
In addition, the Watchtower Society has directed its lawyers to fight in court
for congregation elders to be legally considered CLERGY in criminal cases
such as in recent child sexual abuse actions. They want "CLERICAL PRIVILEGE"
for elders. IF IT LOOKS LIKE A DUCK, AND QUACKS LIKE A DUCK, IT'S A
DUCK! The Watchtower hypocrites WANT TO BE CONSIDERED AS CLERGY
IN LAWSUITS TO AVOID PROSECUTION.
Beyond this, as many Bethelites are aware, Bethel elders have often used
the status of being "CLERGY" to obtain discounts on travel outside of Bethel.
The Watchtower is written by elderly liars , who as the hypocrites they are,
want every advantage of a status they falsely reject in their magazines.
Nor is this an isolated case of Watchtower deception. This issue is loaded with
deceit, starting with its cover , "Poverty - What Can Be Done About It?"
While playing on the emotions of readers, it hides the real solution for poverty
that MOST Jehovah's Witnesses secretly envision, namely:
Slaughter 99.9% of the poor - as NON- Witnesses - at Armageddon.
There is one exception, however, in this magazine. There is one outstanding
point made ON PAGE 16 in the main study article of this very magazine,
"To many, lying may seem a convenient tool to obtain certain advantages....
a liar cannot gain God's approval...if we are caught telling even a single lie,
others may doubt the truthfulness of anything we say in the future."
How true! You should apply this fine counsel to the Watchtower Society!
metatron