"AMICUS CURIAE", the USA’ Supreme Court and the WTBS Inc.

by MacHislopp 28 Replies latest watchtower scandals

  • mizpah
    mizpah

    bluesapphire

    I think the issue had more to do with the taxing of religious literature than with the door to door ministry of Jehovah's Witnesses. As you know, they are free to do their ministry work under the present arrangement. And except for an occasional "blip" no one questions this right.

    The Watchtower Society has always made the placement of its literature as an integral part of the ministry of JWs. The early Christian ministry was much simpler. Some evangelizers might have carried scrolls of the Old Testament (and even this is not certain) but their ministry was primarily done by word of mouth. So, the idea that a huge publishing empire is needed to spread the "gospel" is rather a modern invention. And it is selfserving.

    All the new arrangement of the Watchtower Society has done is to put the burden of expense upon its members. The Watchtower Society itself does not take a loss. It never did. The Kingdom Halls always covered the expenses. But, at least, under the old arrangement the "publishers" could expect a little return for their output.

  • Mr. Kim
    Mr. Kim

    When money is discussed, Look out! Everyone gets involved. Wonder why the WTB&TS didn't say anything until "money" was involved? Eg.. donations, subscriptions, etc... (I know why) Oh, I forgot! Not suppose to ask questions.

  • bluesapphire
    bluesapphire

    I agree Mizpah. I was talking about the second amicus curiae where the Mormons went to bat for the Watchtower.

    Regarding the first century ministry, I have NEVER heard of a tradition where the Christians carried scrolls. That is ludicrous considering the price of papyrus. The point that you make is absolutely true, however. Can you just imagine the early Christians carrying book-bags? LOL

  • Mr. Kim
    Mr. Kim

    As a fact: Some early Christians did, in deed, carry little book bags.....but they carried more than just scrolls (most did not carry scrolls). Things like food, herbs, knife, etc......

  • FreeFallin
    FreeFallin

    Try buying a .50 cent soda from a church stand at the local county fair............see how fast your ass is in a sling.

    Free

  • MacHislopp
    MacHislopp

    Hello everyone,

    thanks for your appreciation and your interesting comments.

    First of all allow me to give some more comments on the new additional posts.

    From Jourles:

    « Notice how the Society says that they want to "distinguish" themselves from Babylon the Great?

    The previous paragraphs leading up to that statement make you believe that "simplification" is key and that Jehovah is behind these "richly blessed...efforts to simplify."

    Of course, only a thinly-veiled effort is made to explain the reason for this new simplification.

    Here again, the Society uses code-language by saying, "many have noted that secular authorities..."

    And

    « Why not just come out and explain the true reason for the change?

    They must be afraid of the R&F researching which "Supreme Court decisions" required this change and then finding out they became a "friend of the court" for Swaggart."

    That’s it, Jourles ! Thanks for putting things straight….and showing the real interests

    of the WTBS Inc. Btw, many thanks for posting the WTBS’ letter – straight to the file -

    From Crownboy:

    « But as Jourles' letters point out, the real wrong came when the Society misrepresented their position to the congregations.

    They figured saying that they wanted to "simplify" their arrangement was nicer than saying that they wanted to practice tax avoidance, so they mislead people to keep the prestine image of the Society intact. «

    Very well worded. Thanks

    From Mizpah:

    But it is the Watchtower's religious aspect that is in question. Over the years, it stressed to all of us that we should not do things that even "give appearance of sin."

    Thus, many brothers were thrown into a quandry for having the slightest association with "Babylon the Great."

    So, many of us were shocked when it supported this effort of the Jimmy Swaggart Ministries in its legal battle.

    Maybe it is making "a mountain out of a mole hill." But for us who had to digest all of the Watchtower's rules and regulations over the years while it pontificated about the dangers of being part of "Babylon the Great" the mole hill is a mountain!

    And :

    All the new arrangement of the Watchtower Society has done is to put the burden of expense upon its members. The Watchtower Society itself does not take a loss. It never did.

    Thanks for the nicely written reminders. Useful for those with short memory, concerning

    the WTBS Inc. past dealings. Here it is another…very clear reminder :

    *** km 3/91 p. 3 Our Simplified Literature Distribution Arrangement ***

    1 The simplified arrangement of distributing literature without charge has now been in effect for one year. Has this arrangement proved successful? Field service reports reveal increased placements in all categories. Literally millions of persons are being given the opportunity to “come . . . take life’s water free.”—Rev. 22:17.

    2 However, we are not obligated, nor is it our desire, to hand out literature indiscriminately to just any person who will accept it. Just as we wisely use our own material goods, each publisher has the responsibility to make wise use of the literature he or she receives without charge from the Society through the local congregation. That the Society makes its literature available to publishers without charge certainly does not mean that no cost is incurred in its production and distribution. All should especially appreciate the value of our literature in helping honesthearted persons in their quest for accurate knowledge concerning Jehovah God and his Son Jesus Christ.—John 17:3.

    3 How is the Society able to provide its literature to all without charge?

    The unavoidable costs incurred in its production and distribution are cared for by donations.

    Jehovah’s dedicated servants are the primary source of this support.

    Jehovah’s Witnesses have not looked to the public to support this most urgent Kingdom proclamation work. We have never before nor are we now engaged in public fund-raising. However, small donations from sincerely interested and appreciative persons that we meet in the field are appreciated.

    And this one too :

    *** km 3/91 pp. 3-4 Our Simplified Literature Distribution Arrangement ***

    7 The simplified literature distribution arrangement helps everyone see that our Bible educational work is not commercial in any way. It also helps us to keep to the fore our objective of preaching the Kingdom good news and making disciples of Jesus Christ. In sharp contrast to organizations that engage in “charitable solicitation,” Jehovah’s Witnesses are pleased to see to it that literature can be made available to all without charge. Donations toward the worldwide work are never solicited from those not genuinely interested in our message. (See The Watchtower, December 1, 1990, pages 22 and 23.) One hundred percent of all donations is used to support this worldwide Bible educational work, since all the workers are volunteers and no salaries or commissions are paid to anyone in the organization . The matter of donations to assist with the worldwide work is only considered with those who inquire or who otherwise indicate an interest in our work.

    From Bluesapphire :

    « They demand their rights while keeping the same rights from their members. I as an individual would love to deliver my message about the Watchtower Society to my sister without being suppressed by an intolerant society as well.

    ….But you know and I know that the Watchtower would love to shut the Mormons down.

    And another true case scenario is my own husband who was required to turn down an excellent opportunity to make a great profit in his painting business. But he turned it down because the elders wouldn't let him due to it was painting a Catholic Church. «

    Thanks for your comment and true life testimony…to confirm the intolerant attitude of the WTBS Inc.

    Furthermore as I did announce in my post, here below there are some more informations about the organizations/associations that filed with the Supreme Court a "Brief Amicus Curiae " in the « Stratton – Ohio » case :

    ***Real Campaignreform. Org, Inc;

    "RealCampaignReform.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational and citizens' lobbying organization promoting free and open elections, and a robust participatory democracy for all Americans. We are supported by thousands of individual donors who are outraged by the tactics employed by the ruling parties to perpetuate their monopoly of political and governmental power.

    If you share our outrage, please support our educational and lobbying efforts by making a contribution .

    One of our objectives is to publicize and promote public interest lawsuits that challenge existing campaign regulations. We are currently promoting a lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of both the newly passed Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 and the Federal Elections Campaign Act of 1971 on the grounds that they violate the Freedom of the Press. There are five other cases filed (and they are likely to be consolidated), challenging the law based on freedom of speech, association, and other claims. But this lawsuit is the first since Buckley v. Valeo to challenge federal campaign finance laws, arguing that they amount to a government license on press activity. If this case is ultimately successful, the ability of the Federal Election Commission to enforce many campaign finance laws involving individuals and political campaigns -- including contribution limits and reporting requirements -- would no longer be coercive, but voluntary. ( Click here to learn more.)

    If you want to support the plaintiffs in their crusade to make free speech legal again, please make a contribution to the U.S. Justice Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, tax exempt charitable foundation. Contributions made to the U.S. Justice Foundation are tax deductible."

    The web page is :

    http://www.realcampaignreform.org/about_us.htm



    ***Free Speech Defense and Education Fund, Inc.;

    "The Free Speech Coalition, Inc. is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization which educates, lobbies, and litigates to defend the rights of advocacy organizations and their members. FSC needs your support to continue its fight to protect the rights of citizens to associate together and exercise their First Amendment right to petition their government for redress of their grievances. Contributions to the Free Speech Coalition, Inc. are not tax-deductible. However, contributions to the Free Speech Defense & Education Fund, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity, are tax-deductible."

    The web pages is :

    http://www.freespeechcoalition.org/nwsv4n4.htm

    ***Lincoln Institute for Research and Education;

    "... In terms of institutional structures for disseminating Black conservative

    ideas, the Lincoln Institute for Research and Education in Washington,

    DC, is the ... "

    (The information comes from an article at this web page:

    http://www.publiceye.org/magazine/v07n3/Blackcon-02.htm )

    Part of it ,

    Quote:

    " The Lincoln Institute & Clarence Thomas

    In terms of institutional structures for disseminating Black conservative ideas, the Lincoln Institute for Research and Education in Washington, DC, is the bastion of Black conservatism. Founded by Jay A. Parker in 1978, the Institute illustrates the typically overlooked importance of Black conservatives to conservative US foreign policy agendas.

    Since its founding, the Lincoln Institute has had close ties to the extreme rightist World Anti-Communist League (WACL). WACL aggressively supported right-wing governments and military movements in Central America and Southern Africa, such as the Contras in Nicaragua, the ARENA Party in El Salvador, UNITA in Angola, RENAMO in Mozambique, and the Inkatha Freedom Party in South Africa, among others. Parker served on the Board of the US WACL affiliate and Lee Edwards, another Lincoln Institute founder, was a principal WACL organizer in the United States and WACL's registered agent in 1982 "

    End of Quote.

    ***Capitol Hill Prayer Alert Foundation;

    web pages at:

    http://www.prayeralert.org/

    "Revival work that seeks to revive the church of Jesus

    Christ to a holy walk through Bible study and prayer "

    ***Gun Owners of America, Inc.

    you have to see their web pages at:

    http://www.gunowners.org/index.html

    Then some of the WBTS Inc. quotes concerning

    Jimmy SWAGGART :

    *** g87 7/22 p. 29 Watching the World ***

    Electronic Church Scandal

    Former television evangelist Jim Bakker and his wife Tammy received $4.8 million in salary, bonuses and other payments from their TV ministry between January 1984 and March 1987, reported The Charlotte Observer, a North Carolina newspaper in the United States. Bakker resigned as head of the PTL (Praise the Lord) television ministry in March after admitting to “a sexual encounter” in 1980 with a young church secretary. Just before his confession, his wife revealed that she had become addicted to prescription drugs . Another TV evangelist, Jimmy Swaggart, commenting on the scandal surrounding the Bakkers said: “The Gospel of Jesus Christ has never sunk to such a low level as it has today.” What really though has sunk—the gospel or the TV gospelers?

    *** g88 3/22 p. 7 Do Today’s Religions Feed or Fleece the Flock? ***

    Pentecostal preacher Jimmy Swaggart is said to be TV’s most popular evangelist, reaching eight million viewers each Sunday. A leading gospel-music singer, he has earned $100 million from his recordings. About the Bakker upheaval, Swaggart said: “I felt that entire debacle was a cancer that needed to be excised from the body of Christ.” On a later occasion Swaggart added: “People are going to say, ‘Hey, they’ve been ripping off the public.’ And to be honest with you, that’s exactly what was being done.”

    But from news reports it seems Swaggart himself was not far behind. Newsweek reported that George Jernigan, a former executive of Swaggart’s, claimed that Swaggart “raised $20 million for a children’s fund but spent less than 10 percent of it on the program. Says Jernigan: ‘the rest was spent in Baton Rouge’ where, WBRZ-TV reports, the Swaggart compound includes Jimmy’s $1 million home, his son’s $776,000 spread and his grandchild’s air-conditioned tree house.”

    *** g88 7/8 p. 31 Sex Scandals Pull Plug on TV Evangelists ***

    A later scandal, though, swirled around Jimmy Swaggart, the evangelist who criticized the sexual escapades of rival TV preachers Jim Bakker and Marvin Gorman. According to reports, Gorman, in turn, secured pictures of Swaggart with a prostitute . Examining the sordid mess, New York Post columnist Carl T. Rowan observed:

    “The worst thing Swaggart has done, in my mind, was not his taking a prostitute into a motel. It was his hypocritical effort to destroy utterly the Rev. Jim Bakker after it became known that the head of the PTL Ministry had had a sordid sexual relationship with church secretary Jessica Hahn.

    “Swaggart’s hypocritical attack on Bakker and the PTL was a clear attempt to bring to his empire the dollars the gullible were pouring into Bakker’s domain.

    “The thing most comparable is of one drug-trade kingpin striking to wipe out another and take over his turf.

    “The analogy is not farfetched,” says Rowan . “The Swaggarts, Bakkers, Gormans and others dispense a narcotic called religion, and in the process they give genuine religion a bad name.”

    *** g89 7/8 p. 28 Watching the World ***

    A BAD YEAR FOR RELIGION

    According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, people in the United States are losing their respect for organized religion. Gallup surveys in 1988 showed that, compared to 1986, more Americans had lost confidence in the ethics of the clergy and felt that religion was losing its influence on society. The report noted that the disillusionment was most marked among minorities and Evangelical, or “born-again,” Christians, citing as apparent causes the scandals involving such television preachers as Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker.

    Now in the year 2003, after all the continous scandals that are coming to public

    knowledge, would « …people in the United States … » begin to « …lose their respect «

    for the ‘religious ‘ organization called « The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society

    of New York, Inc better known as the ‘ Jehovah’s Witnesses ‘ ???

    What about headlines such as this :

    « Jehovah’s Witnesses hit with rash of sex-abuse suits »

    from the « San Francisco Chronicle « Thursday , July 31, 2003

    (web page : http://www.sfgate.com/chi-bin/article.cgi?file=chronicle/archive/2003/07/31 )

    Finally I’m giving here some more interesting details concerning

    the partecipants to the " CESNUR 's 12th International Conference"

    from : http://www.cesnur.org/conferences/ces98_prog.htm

    CESNUR's 12th International Conference

    12° convegno internazionale del CESNUR

    Thursday September 10, 1998
    Giovedì 10 settembre 1998

    9-11 Plenary 1 / Sessione 1 (plenaria) President: Luigi BERZANO

    RELIGIOUS MINORITIES: TOWARDS THE 21st CENTURY

    MINORANZE RELIGIOSE ALLE SOGLIE DEL DUEMILA

    (simultaneous translation / traduzione simultanea)

    Indirizzo di benvenuto / Welcome Remarks - Giampiero LEO (Assessore alla Cultura, Regione Piemonte / Secretary of State for Culture, Piedmont )

    Chi ha paura delle minoranze religiose? / Who is Afraid of Religious Minorities? - Massimo INTROVIGNE (CESNUR, Torino)

    The Future of Religious Pluralism / Il futuro del pluralismo religioso - J. Gordon MELTON (Institute for the Study of American Religion, Santa Barbara, California)

    Western Esoteric Currents at this Turn of the Century: Continuity and New Perspectives / Le correnti esoteriche occidentali in questa fine di secolo: continuità e nuove prospettive - Antoine FAIVRE (Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Religieuses, Sorbonne, Paris)

    11,15 - 13 Plenary 2 / Sessione 2 (plenaria) President: Liliane VOYE'

    GROWING RELIGIOUS MINORITIES

    MINORANZE RELIGIOSE IN CRESCITA

    (simultaneous translation / traduzione simultanea)

    Baha'i Methods of Mission: A Resource Mobilization Perspective / I metodi di missione Baha'i: una prospettiva di mobilitazione delle risorse - Margit WARBURG (University of Copenhagen)

    Pillarization in New Religious Movements Compared wit Traditional Pillarization in Europe / Il sistema dei "pilastri" nei nuovi movimenti religiosi paragonato al sistema tradizionale dei "pilastri" in Europa - Karel DOBBELAERE (Catholic University of Leuven)

    Making a Japanese Buddhist Sect an International Religious Movement: The Case of Soka Gakkai / La trasformazione di una denominazione buddhista giapponese in un movimento religioso internazionale: il caso della Soka Gakkai - Howard Eugene HUNTER (Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts)

    La Soka Gakkai in Italia / Soka Gakkai in Italy - Maria Immacolata MACIOTI (Università "La Sapienza", Roma)

    14,30 - 16,30 Session 3 / Sessione 3 Presidente: PierLuigi ZOCCATELLI

    ESOTERISMO E NUOVE SPIRITUALITA' IN ITALIA

    La "proposta etica" della Massoneria di fine Novecento: ritorno al Grande Architetto o travestimento dell'esistenzialismo materialistico? - Aldo Alessandro MOLA (Università di Milano)

    L'Istituto per l'Evoluzione Armonica dell'Uomo di Om Oskraham e Halladhah Hanahit - Marco PASI (dottorando, Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Religieuses, Sorbona, Parigi)

    La Chiesa dell'Anima Universale - Veronica ROLDAN (dottoranda, Università Cattolica di Milano)

    Le tecniche psico-corporee: mezzo di supporto per l'emergere dell'armonia dell'uomo o auto-idolatria? - Maria Raffaella DALLA VALLE (Verona)

    Vita Universale: una ricerca - Gianni TRAPLETTI (Brescia)

    14,30 - 16,30 Session 4 / Sessione 4 President: Margit WARBURG

    RELIGIOUS MINORITIES AROUND THE BALTIC

    Religious Minorities and Religious Rights: The Case of Immigrant Religious Groups and New Religious Movements - Jonas ALWALL (Church of Sweden Research Department)

    Mainline Churches and New Religious Movements in Sweden: A Report on Membership - Margareta SKOG (Church of Sweden Research Department)

    The New Religions in Latvia in 1997-1998 - Solveiga KRUMINA KONKOVA (University of Latvia)

    The Societal Reactions Towards New Religious Movements in Poland - Tadeusz DOKTOR (Warszaw University)

    Contemporary Beliefs in the Paranormal in France, Latvia and Sweden - Ulf SJÖDIN (Umeå University)

    14,30 - 16,45 Session 5 / Sessione 5 President: Michael W. HOMER

    CULT CONTROVERSIES AND THE DEFINITION OF RELIGION

    Defining Religion in American Law - Bruce CASINO (Attorney, Washington DC)

    The State of Religious Freedom and Anti-Cult Movements in Austria - Christian BRÜNNER (University of Graz)

    The Term "Sect", a Political Weapon -- or Why Are Secular Associations being Stigmatised with This Term? - Robert PRANTNER (Philosophisch-Theologisch Hochschule Heiligenkreutz, Austria)

    New Religious Movements and Anti-Cult Movements in Poland - Szymon BEZNIC (Jagellonian University, Krakow)

    Evangelism, Boundary Maintenance and Demonization: Some Strategies of a Christian Fundamentalist Anti-Cult Organization - Stephen HUNT (University of Reading)

    An Issue of Control: Conflict between the Church in Island Pond and State Government - Jean SWANTKO (Attorney, Vermont)

    14,30 - 15,50 Session 6 / Sessione 6 President: Constance JONES

    A CONVERSATION ON GURDJIEFF

    Gurdjieff, Blavatsky, and the Masters of Wisdom - Sy GINSBURG (Delray Beach, Florida)

    Addressing the Question of Higher Mind - H. J. SHARP (Littlehampton, England)

    The Messengers from Above and Mr. Gurdjieff's Teachings - Nicolas TERESHCHENKO (Paris)

    Unsolicited Borrowing of Gurdjieff's ideas by Some Spiritual Groups - Dimitri PERETZI (Athens)

    16 - 17,25 Session 7 / Sessione 7 Président: Olivier-Louis SÉGUY

    GNOSES MODERNES ET ANCIENNES

    Spiritualité: approche d'une définition et d'une typologie - François FAVRE (Rueil Malmaison, France)

    Approche scientifique et gnostique du processus d'éveil de l'âme -- Pierre GOHAR (Nouaillé Maupertuis, France)

    Une vision inhabituelle de la nature: l'homme dans une autre dimension - Jean-Claude PASCAL (Mareil-sur-Mauldre, France)

    L'ésotérisme aux temps modernes: mythe, religion ou science? - Orestis TERZIDIS (Athènes)

    De l'éveil à l'illumination: un processus. Lecture croisée de Jacob Boheme et Jan van Rijckenborgh - Sébastien GRÉGOV (Fontainebleau, France)

    17,30 - 19 Session 8 / Sessione 8 President: JAMES RICHARDSON

    MORMONISM AS A RELIGIOUS MINORITY

    Waldensians, Mormons, and Missionaries in 19th Century Piedmont - Michael W. HOMER (CESNUR U.S.A., Salt Lake City, Utah)

    "The Millenarian World of Early Mormonism": Five Years Later - Grant UNDERWOOD (Brigham Young University Hawaii)

    Southern Baptists and Latter-day Saints: America's Largest Protestant Church Respond to Mormonism - Kent P. JACKSON (Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah)

    16.45 - 19 Session 9 / Sessione 9 Président: Antoine FAIVRE

    LES MOUVEMENTS ÉSOTÉRIQUES: DES MINORITÉS RELIGIEUSES?

    L'éxègese de l'oeuvre de Guénon au seuil de l'an 2000 - Jean-Pierre LAURANT (Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Religieuses, Sorbonne, Paris)

    Un périodique des années 50: "L'Atelier de la Rose" - Xavier ACCART (Paris)

    L'Odinic Rite: Création, Re-création, Continuation ou Adaptation? - Arnaud d'APRÉMONT (candidat doctorant, Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Religieuses, Sorbonne, Paris)

    Une conférence intitulée "Sectes: attention danger!" et la Religion Aumiste - Maurice DUVAL (Institut d'Ethnologie Méditerranéenne et Comparative, Aix-en-Provence)

    Le Pendule de Dyonisos: Une approche cyclique dans l'étude du développement para-religieux et déplacements du sacré actuels - Benjamin LEBLANC (candidat doctoral, Université de Montréal)

    16.45 - 19 Session 10 / Sessione 10 Presidente: Aldo Alessandro MOLA

    MINORANZE ITALIANE E STUDI ITALIANI SULLE MINORANZE

    La Chiesa Apostolica Italiana e il dialogo ecumenico tra le minoranze evangeliche - Mario AFFUSO (Prato)

    Paura in bianco e nero: la stampa e la Nation of Islam - Daniela FANTONI (laureanda, Università di Genova)

    Suggestione ritmica, aspetti terapeutici, psicologici ed etnoculturali del culto Zar - Mauro VILLONE e Elisabetta D'ANGIERI (Gente della Città Nuova, Torino)

    Comunità virtuali: la spiritualità in Internet - Paolo FEZZI (Milano)

    Il Gitananda Ashram: Una comunità induista in Italia - Cristina VALLE (Unione Induista Italiana, Carcare) - con un commento di S. Yoganda GIRI (Unione Induista Italiana, Carcare)

    17 - 19 Session 11 / Sessione 11 President: Reender KRANENBORG

    PERSPECTIVES FROM AFRICA AND BRAZIL

    The Political Significance of Religious Healing in Zambia: Suppression, Negation, Interference, Incorporation - Cor JONKER (John Moores University, Liverpool)

    Singing the Lord's Song in a Foreign Land: The Celestial Church of Christ in Europe - Afe ADOGAME (Universität Bayreuth)

    New Religious Movements in the Muslim World - Mark J. SEDGWICK (American University, Cairo)

    Female Images: The Reengineering of the Female Pentecostal on Television - Eliane Hojaij GOUVEIA (Catholic University of Sao Paulo)

    The Kardecist Spiritual Minority in Brazil - Céres de Carvalho MEDINA (Catholic University of Sao Paulo)

    19.15

    COCKTAIL "RELIGIONS AND MOVEMENTS"

    COCKTAIL "RELIGIONI E MOVIMENTI"

    The book collection "Religions and Movements" will be introduced by series general editor Massimo Introvigne and assistant editor PierLuigi Zoccatelli. New and forthcoming titles will be introduced by authors J. Gordon Melton ("The Children of God/The Family"; "The Church of Scientology") and Karel Dobbelaere ("Soka Gakkai"). Cocktails will be served.

    La collana di libri "Religioni e movimenti" sarà presentata dal direttore della collana Massimo Introvigne e dal redattore PierLuigi Zoccatelli. Nuovi e futuri titoli saranno presentati dagli autori J. Gordon Melton ("Dai Bambini di Dio a The Family"; "La Chiesa di Scientology") e Karel Dobbelaere ("La Soka Gakkai"). Seguirà un rinfresco.

    Saturday September 12, 1998
    Sabato 12 settembre 1998

    8,45-11 Plenary 24 / Sessione 24 (plenaria) President: Antoine FAIVRE

    EMMANUEL SWEDENBORG: RELIGIOUS INNOVATOR

    EMMANUEL SWEDENBORG COME INNOVATORE RELIGIOSO

    (simultaneous translation - traduzione simultanea)

    Is Swedenborg a Herald of the New Age? / Swedenborg: un araldo del New Age? - Jean-François MAYER (Fribourg, Switzerland)

    Contemporary Swedenborgian Organizations: A Sociological Comparison / Organizzazioni swedenborgiane contemporanee: una comparazione sociologica - Jane WILLIAMS-HOGAN (Academy of the New Church College, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania)

    Swedenborg and Scandinavia: Past, Present, Future / Swedenborg e la Scandinavia: passato, presente e futuro - Tore AHLBÄCK (Donner Institute, Aabo, Finland) and Ulf SJÖDIN (Umeå University)

    Video: Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, USA: A Swedenborgian Community (preview of CESNUR 1999 location) / Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, USA: una comunità swedenborgiana (uno sguardo alla sede del convegno CESNUR 1999)

    11,15-13 Plenary 25 / Sessione 25 (plenaria) President: Massimo INTROVIGNE

    THE FUTURE AND CHALLENGES OF RELIGIOUS PLURALISM

    IL FUTURO E LE SFIDE DEL PLURALISMO RELIGIOSO

    (simultaneous translation - traduzione simultanea)

    Minoranze islamiche nell'Europa Occidentale / Islamic Minorities in Western Europe - Andrea PACINI (Fondazione Agnelli, Torino)

    The Belgian Parliamentary Commission Investigates Cults / I lavori della commissione parlamentare belga d'inchiesta sulle sette - Liliane VOYE' (Université Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve)

    Whatever Next? Social Variables that Might Affect the Future of Religious and Spiritual Minorities in the 21st Century / Che cosa ci riserva il futuro? Variabili sociali che possono condizionare il futuro delle minoranze religiose e spirituali nel ventunesimo secolo - Eileen BARKER (London School of Economics)

    14,30 - 22

    FIELD TRIP TO DAMANHUR AND THE UNDERGROUND TEMPLE

    VISITA A DAMANHUR E AL TEMPIO SOTTERRANEO

    Established in 1977 Damanhur, with its 400 members, is one of the largest Aquarian/esoteric communities in the world. It became internationally famous in 1992 when its large Underground Temple, succesfully kept secret for fifteen years, was discovered. The Underground Temple is not normally open to the general public but will welcome participants to CESNUR 98. Registered participants to the field trip will be divided in groups for visiting the underground temple. They will also visit the above ground Open Temple and the community, and may attend either Session 25 or 26. Dinner will be served in Damanhur's well-known gourmet restaurant.

    Fondata nel 1977, con circa quattrocento membri, Damanhur è una delle più grandi comunità "acquariane" o esoteriche del mondo. E' diventata famosa su scala internazionale nel 1992 quando il suo grande Tempio Sotterraneo, la cui esistenza era stata tenuta segreta per quindici anni, è stato "scoperto". Il Tempio Sotterraneo non è generalmente aperto al grande pubblico, ma darà il suo benvenuto ai partecipanti al convegno CESNUR 98. I partecipanti iscritti a questa visita saranno divisi in gruppi per la visita al Tempio Sotterraneo. Visiteranno pure il Tempio Aperto e la comunità, e potranno assistere alla Sessione 25 o 26. La cena sarà servita nel noto ristorante gastronomico di Damanhur.

    and these informations also:

    CESNUR's 12th International Conference

    12° convegno internazionale del CESNUR

    Who can participate?

    Chi può iscriversi al congresso?

    Anyone with an interest for minority religions.

    Tutte le persone interessate al tema delle minoranze religiose.

    Important: for security reason please bring this programme when entering the premises of the Unione Industriale.

    Importante: per ragioni di sicurezza è necessario esibire questo invito-programma onde avere accesso all'Unione Industriale.

    How to Register

    Come iscriversi

    * On-line registration

    *Iscrizione on line

    *By mail or fax before August 31, 1998. Send registration form and payment to CESNUR, Via Juvarra 20, 10122 Torino, Italy.

    *Per posta o telefax entro il 31 agosto 1998, inviando il modulo di iscrizione e il pagamento a CESNUR, Via Juvarra 20, 10122 Torino, Italia

    *At the conference in Turin at CESNUR (Via Juvarra 20) Wednesday September 9 between 10-13 and 16-18 or at the Unione Industriale Thursday September 10 between 8,30-9.

    *Sul posto al CESNUR (Via Juvarra 20) mercoledì 9 settembre dalle 10 alle 13 o dalle 16 alle 18 o all'Unione Industriale giovedì 10 settembre dalle 8,30 alle 9.

    Registration Fee

    Tassa di iscrizione

    $60 or Lire 100.000 ($30 or Lire 50.000 for full-time students under 25)

    $ 60 o Lire 100.000 ($30 o Lire 50.000 per studenti sotto i 25 anni)

    (For one day only: $ 30 or Lire 50.000 for each day)

    (Per un giorno solo: $ 30 o Lire 50.000 per ciascun giorno)

    Those presenting a paper shall pay the normal registration fee.

    I relatori sono tenuti al pagamento della normale tassa di iscrizione.

    What is Included in the Registration Fee

    Che cosa è compreso nella tassa di iscrizione

    -Conference attendance from Thursday morning to Saturday morning included

    -Use of the simultaneous translation apparatus for the plenary sessions

    -Morning coffee breaks on Thursday, Friday and Saturday

    -Cocktail "Religions and Movements" on Thursday

    -Partecipazione al convegno da giovedì mattina a sabato mattina compreso

    -Uso delle cuffie per la traduzione simultanea nelle sessioni plenarie

    -Coffee breaks del mattino di giovedì, venerdì e sabato

    -Cocktail "Religioni e Movimenti" di giovedì

    What is NOT included in the Registration Fee

    Che cosa NON è compreso nella tassa di iscrizione

    -Business lunch on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (each $ 22 or Lire 38.000)

    -Banquet "The Politics of Religious Liberty" on Friday ($ 40 or Lire 70.000)

    -Field Trip to Damanhur on Saturday ($ 50 or Lire 90.000, including transportation and dinner)

    Tickets for these events may be pre-purchased with the registration (see registration form) or purchased at the conference until available and at any rate at least 3 hours before the event.

    -Pranzo business di giovedì, venerdì e sabato (ciascuno $ 22 o Lire 38.000)

    -Banchetto "La politica della libertà religiosa" di venerdì ($ 40 o Lire 70.000)

    -Escursione a Damanhur del sabato ($ 50 o Lire 90.000, compreso trasporto e cena).

    I biglietti per questi eventi possono essere pre-acquistati con il modulo di iscrizione o acquistati al convegno nei limiti dei posti disponibili e comunque almeno tre ore prima dell'evento.

    How to Pay

    Come pagare

    By credit card (VISA - MasterCard - Eurocard - Cartasì only), through the on-line or off-line form . Birth date required.

    By cheque or international money order made out in the name of CESNUR and sent to CESNUR, Via Juvarra 20, 10122 Torino, Italy, before August 15, 1998.

    By bank draft to account 809 in the name of CESNUR, San Paolo Bank, Branch 35, Via Passalacqua 6, Torino, bank codes 1025.01174.

    When registering in Torino with an additional fee of $ 10 or Lira 18.000.

    Con carta di credito (solo VISA - MasterCard - Eurocard - Cartasì) tramite il modulo on-line o quello off-line . E' indispensabile indicare la data di nascita.

    Con assegno o vaglia postale intestato al CESNUR e inviato al CESNUR, Via Juvarra 20, 10122 Torino.

    Con versamento sul conto corrente bancario 809 intestato al CESNUR, presso San Paolo, Filiale 35, Via Passalacqua 6, Torino, codici ABI e CAB 1025.00174.

    O al momento dell'iscrizione presso il convegno, in questo caso con una sovrattassa di $ 10 o Lire 18.000.

    Accomodations

    Alberghi

    Unione Industriale is situated in downtown Turin. There are a number of fine hotels in all ranges of expense in Turin and you may want to reserve directly or through your usual travel agent.

    L'Unione Industriale è situata nel centro di Torino. La città dispone di un'ampia gamma di alberghi in ogni categoria di costo, e i partecipanti sono invitati a provvedere direttamente alle prenotazioni.

    Selling Books

    Vendita di libri

    The sale of books will be limited to books by participants presenting a paper at the conference (as authors, co-authors or editors). A location will be identified for that purpose and a member of the staff will be there all day long. There will be a handling fee of ten percent on all sales of books left by authors with the conference staff.

    La vendita sarà limitata ai libri di cui gli oratori del convegno sono autori, co-autori o curatori. Una libreria custodita sarà in funzione per tutta la durata del convegno. Gli autori potranno depositarvi i loro libri per la vendita, che sarà curata dallo staff del convegno trattenendo un contributo spese del dieci per cento.

    Informazioni

    Information

    CESNUR - Via Juvarra 20 -10122 Torino, Italy.

    Phone : (39) - 11 - 541950

    Fax (39) - 11- 541905

    E-mail [email protected] URL: www.cesnur.org

    CESNUR is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be closed from July 30 to August 23 for summer holidays. It will be open on Wednesday September 9 from 10 a.m. t o 1 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the purpose of registering for the conference (no visits to the library). It will be closed during the conference and will reopen on September 14.

    Il CESNUR è aperto dal lunedì al venerdì dalle 10 alle 13. Rimarrà chiuso per le vacanze estive dal 30 luglio al 23 agosto. Sarà aperto mercoledì 9 settembre dale 10 alle 13 e dalle 16 alle 18 per le iscrizioni al convegno (non sarà possibile visitare la biblioteca). Rimarrà chiuso durante il convegno e riaprirà con ilconsueto orario lunedì 14 settembre.

    CESNUR, the Center for Studies on New Religions, headquartered in Torino, Italy, is an independent, international, non-governmental, educational, informational network of organizations whose purpose is to serve as an international forum for scholars; to sponsor, support and conduct conferences, seminars, research and educational programs; and to promote publications of new works in the field of new religions and religious or spiritual minorities. CESNUR is independent from any church, denomination or religious organization or movement. Individual religious affiliations of directors vary, and are unrelated to CESNUR as an association. CESNUR gratefully acknowledges support by the Region of Piedmont for its library and activities.

    The library located in Torino, Via Juvarra 20, hosts more than 11,000 books on religious minorities, the new religious consciousness, and some related fields. The library catalogue is fully accessible on CESNUR's Web site where information on CESNUR activities and a variety of other topics are also offered.

    Yearly conferences are organized since 1988 alternatively in Europe and the Americas. With more than 100 papers in a variety of scholarly fields the 10th anniversary conference in Turin will offer a large overview of the situation of religious minorities and new religious movements throughout the world at this turn of the century.

    Il CESNUR, il Centro Studi sulle Nuove Religioni, che ha il suo centro di coordinamento a Torino, è una rete internazionale di associazioni indipendenti, non governative, di educazione e di informazione il cui scopo - nel campo dei nuovi movimenti religiosi, delle minoranze religiose o spirituali e della nuova religiosità - è fungere da centro internazionale di discussione e di confronto per gli specialisti; promuovere, sostenere e organizzare convegni, seminari, progetti di formazione e di ricerca; e favorire la pubblicazione di nuovi lavori. Il CESNUR è indipendente da qualunque Chiesa, denominazione, organizzazione o movimento religioso. Le affiliazioni religiose individuali degli amministratori del CESNUR sono diverse fra loro e non coinvolgono il CESNUR in quanto associazione. Il CESNUR ringrazia la Regione Piemonte per il sostegno alla sua biblioteca e alle sue attività.

    La biblioteca del CESNUR ha sede a Torino, in Via Juvarra 20, e ospita oltre undicimila volumi sulle minoranze religiose, la nuova religiosità e alcuni altri argomenti collegati. Il catalogo della libreria è completamente accessibile sul sito Internet del CESNUR (dove si troveranno pure informazioni sulle attività del CESNUR e su una varietà di altri argomenti)

    Convegni annuali sono organizzati dal 1988, ad anni alternati in Europa e nelle Americhe. Con più di cento relazioni su un'ampia varietà di argomenti e settori di ricerca, il convegno del decimo anniversario che si tiene a Torino intende offrire una comprensiva panoramica sulla situazione delle minoranze religiose e dei nuovi movimenti religiosi nel mondo alle soglie del Duemila.

    End of Quote

    Greetings, James Charles MacHislopp

    "Amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas " (Ammonio, Vita d ' Aristotele)

  • mizpah
    mizpah

    bluesapphire:

    I think I had the reference in mind when Paul told one of his fellow ministers to bring the scrolls he left behind. These scrolls could have been just the writing material he used. But others have suggested that they might be Biblical scrolls. However, we do know that some kind of writing material must have been available to Paul and other New Testament writers. That is how the letters and gospels were preserved.

    Paul and the early Christian Jews would still have had the availablity of the Old Testament scrolls in the local synogogues. And most Jews would be familiar with the public reading of these scrolls. Of course, the New Testament as a codex had not yet even been formed. But there is no doubt in my mind that the letters of Paul, Peter and others were copied and circulated among the early congregations. But the approach of the message to the Jews and Gentiles differed as reflected in the books of Matthew and Mark.

  • mizpah
    mizpah

    You'll have to excuse this last posting. I'm not sure how it ended up on this thread. But my first response did not go through. So, I guess I inadvertantly posted the new one on the wrong thread.

    Bluesapphire: I hope you read it in anycase...as you are probably the only one other than me to make sense of it...haha

  • smiddy
    smiddy

    I think this is worth re-visiting for , those who have recently found this site .from a few years back.

    Apparently when it suits them they can get into bed with Christendom /Babylon The Great .

    The principle / major enemy of Gods Kingdom .

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