Satan Is Using Game Shows To Turn People Away From The "Truth"

At the recent Circuit Assembly....
On Saturday afternoon, there was a symposium on behavior modification "conquering the evil with the good".
Along with the usual idiotic groundless assertions about the "dangers" of university education, new technology, internet porn, etc., there was this new and rather startling revelation of a subtle Satanic snare that all should watch out for....
Game shows!
Yes, directly in the Society's outline, there was a specific and clear-cut point on the "dangers" of watching game shows on TV! Watching them could (paraphrase) "get you to thinking about how much money or prizes the contestant was winning, and then you're thinking 'boy, I'd sure like to have that new car / boat / dinette set', and that leads to materialism."
So turn off "Jeopardy"! Just say no to "Deal or No Deal"! Your everlasting destiny depends on it!
Idiots. You just can't make this stuff up...

Jehovah's Witnesses Love To Think They Are Being Persecuted

Jehovah's Witnesses love to think they are being persecuted. In fact, they, more than any other religion, believe that any kind of persecution makes them more special.

In November's Kingdom Ministry the article PREPARE NEW ONES TO FACE OPPOSITION reinforces that need for the witnesses. Witnesses are to explain to their Bible studies that when people express concern about their studying with witnesses because of their blood transfusion policy, or mention that there are pedophiles in the congregations, they are to just chalk that up to persecution.

If your husband leaves because you spend to much time in meetings, that's persecution. Rejoice!

If your children complain because they are no longer permitted to celebrate holidays, that's persecution. Rejoice!

To Jehovah's Witnesses persecution means that you are becoming a true christian.

Watchtower Corporations

SOME OF THESE WILL SURPRISE YOU: I have captured nearly all Watchtower Society corporations in the United States. I have placed those of greatest interest at the top. I also have access to the financial reports of many of the more important ones. I will publish that list in a separate post soon. I have an additional list of about 40 to 50 other Watchtower corporations, and will compare these to weed out duplicates, then post a Revised Edition. Yes, there are more US based Watchtower corporations beside the over 100 named below.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All of these are separately “registered” Watchtower corporations and “not” local congregations, and have “slightly different name” designations. When a corporation registers with a state, their corporate name must be EXACT ... and any slight changes, SUCH AS ABBREVIATIONS, MISPELLINGS, CAPITALIZATIONS, PERIODS, AND COMMAS ARE IMPORTANT and are made part of that exact corporate name. There is a legal purpose for this. Many of these “at the end” show up as Kingdom Halls, but that is because they use a Kingdom Hall for a Branch or Special operation. When a Congregation or Kingdom Hall is named as “DBA” it is being used by the Watchtower Society for additional purposes, such as Conventions, distribution centers or other legal needs.
It has taken me a long time to compile this. It may be shared with any lawyer that is involved in lawsuit against the Watchtower Society so that they can more quickly get the court to make Citations of Discovery of Assets:

GENERAL NY CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, SUBSIDARIES, SPECIAL OPERATIONS:
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Buffalo, NY Headquarters
Mountainbrook Ltd Partnership (dba "Watchtower Educ Ctr") Patterson, NY Headquarters
Watchtower (dba "Kingdom Farms") Lansing, NY (There are also other Kingdom Farms in Florida and Colorado, but I have not listed them at this time)
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc Brooklyn, NY Headquarters
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Watchtower Health Care Sup") Brooklyn, NY Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Construction Division") Brooklyn, NY Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Watchtower Farm") Wallkill, NY Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Bossert Hotel") Brooklyn, NY Branch
Watchtower Bible And Clergy, The (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Fortuna, CA (I love this one)
Watchtower Associates Ltd Woodbury, NYWatchtower Bible & Tract Society Of Pennsylvania, PA
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of Pennsylvania Brooklyn, NY (Headquarters)
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of Pennsylvania (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Trafford, PA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of Pennsylvania (dba "Kingdom Hall Jhovahs Witnesses") Clinton, IL Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of Pennsylvania (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Mattituck, NY Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of Pennsylvania (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses," "Kingdom Hall Jehovah Witnesses," "Kingdom Hall Inc") Fort Payne, AL Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of Pennsylvania (dba "Lakeview Congrg Of Jehovahs W") Stanton, MI Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of Pennsylvania (dba "Kingdom Hall Jhovahs Witnesses") Lake Ariel, PA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of Pennsylvania (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Sun City, AZ Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of Pennsylvania Brooklyn, NY Branch
ADDRESSES OF KEY OPERATIONS: I now have access to the "complete or partially complete" reports on the Society's businesses, suppliers, credit, and background of the following Watchtower related corporations. Some of these seem like duplicates, but they "may" represent various operations and subsidiaries, such as printing factories, or shipping operations. Some of them, I do not yet know what their specific purpose is. The Watchtower Society has so many corporations that it is hard to track it all ... and I just don't have the time to keep tracking all of this information:

WATCHTOWER, 317 Auburn Rd, Lansing, NY 14882 WATCHTOWER EDUC CTR, 100 WATCHTOWER DR., PATTERSON, NY 12563
MOUNTAINBROOK LTD PARTNERSHIP, 100 Watchtower Dr., Patterson, NY 12563 (Investment operation of Patterson site, including hotel)
WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC., 25 COLUMBIA HTS,. BROOKLYN, NY 11201
WATCHTOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA, 25 COLUMBUS HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN, NY 11201
WATCHTOWER ASSOCIATES LTD, 147 HOLIDAY DR, WOODBURY, NY 11797
WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY THE, 121 N WILLOW ST, ONEIDA, NY 13421
WATCH TOWER SOCIETY, 1971 STRAUSS ST., BROOKLYN, NY 11212 (1971 BUSINESS COMMITTEE OF JEHOVAH WITNESSES)
WATCHTOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK INC, 800 RED MILLS RD., WALLKILL, NY 12589
WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC., 86 MONTAGUE ST # 98, BROOKLYN, NY 11201
WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC., 117 ADAMS ST, BROOKLYN, NY 11201 (Branch Location)
WATCHTOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA, 5550 BERGEN AVE., MATTITUCK, NY 11952 (Branch Location)
WATCHTOWER BIBLE, 16100 RIV AVE, BRONX, NY 10451
{FORMERLY} WATCHTOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY INC), W RIVER RD N ROUTE 85, FULTON, NY 13069
WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, FOOTS CORNERS RD & ROUTE 96, INTERLAKEN, NY 14847(Headquarters location)
WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, 4208 NATIONAL ST, FLUSHING, NY 11368GENERAL PA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, BRANCHES, & SUBSIDARIES:

STATE BRANCHES or SPECIAL OPERATIONS IN STATES:
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc Brooklyn, NY Branch
Jehovah's Witnesses Crown Point (Inc) (dba "Watchtower Society") Crown Point, IN
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Emmett, ID Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Hernando, FL Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Clearfield, PA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses Brklyn") Brooklyn, NY Branch
Watchtower Society (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Cleveland, OH
Watchtower And Bible Society (Inc) (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses W S Spanish") Ocala, FL
Watchtower Bb Tract Soc Of Ny Jasper, GA Branch
Watchtower Bb Tract Soc Of Ny (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Libby, MT Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Baker, MT
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witness Lake Mangoni") West Palm Beach, FL Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc Saint Paul, MN Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses(Inc)") Ashland, WI Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Charlotte, MI Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc West Palm Beach, FL Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") El Toro, CA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Bishop, CA
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Soquel, CA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Fort Myers, FL Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Toms River, NJ Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc Pottstown, PA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Yakima, WA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Bemidji, MN Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Clarkesville, GA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") West Des Moines, IA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses-Mont") Montgomery, TX Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc Knoxville, TN Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Crystal Lake, IL Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Watchtower Bible And Track") Tijeras, NM Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc Memphis, TN Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses," "Jehovah S Witnesses") Honolulu, HI Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc Anchorage, AK Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Portland, OR Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc Cleveland, OH Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc Saraland, AL Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs
Witnesses," "Jehovah S Witnesses") Reedley, CA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Austell, GA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc Conyers, GA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Sandusky, OH Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovah Witnesses East") De Leon Springs, FL Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc Yerington, NV Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") San Antonio, TX Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovah Witnesses") Denver, CO Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses Sandusky") Sandusky, MI Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") San Antonio, TX Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Vancouver, WA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Dowagiac, MI Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Brookville, PA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc Boynton Beach, FL Branch
Watchtower Bible And Trackt Society (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses Bandera Soc") Bandera, TX
Watchtower Bible And Tract Society Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Springfield, MA
Watchtower Bible Society Of Pa (Inc) (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses Hillsboro") Hillsboro, TX
Watchtower Bible Trac Society (Inc) (dba "Jehovahs Wtnesses Kingdom Hall") Kent, OH
Watchtower Bible Tract Of Pennsalvania (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Pottsville, PA
Watchtower Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") San Jose, CA
Watchtower Society (Inc), The (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Plano, TX
Wheaton Congrg Of Jehovah Inc (dba "Watchtower Bible And Track Soc") Wheaton, MN

SPECIAL OPERATIONS BRANCHES USING KINGDOM HALLS:
Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall (dba "Watchtower Bible & Tract Soc") Metuchen, NJ
Watchtower Society (dba "Kingdom Hall," "Jehovah's Witnesses") Phoenix, AZ
Kingdom Hall Of Jehovah's Witnesses (dba "Watchtower The," "Jehovah's Witnesses") BELFAIR, WA
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society (dba "Jehovahs Wtnesses Kingdom Hall") Laurel, MD
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York (dba "Kingdom Hall Jhovahs Witnesses," "Jehovah's Witnesses") Lompoc, CA
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses Kingdom Hall") Yukon, OK Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Kingdom Hall Jehovahs Witness") Mc Cormick, SC Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Cortez Cngrgtion Jhvah Wttness") Cortez, CO Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Kingdom Hall Of Jehovahs") Woodward, OK
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Kingdom Hall Jhovahs Witnesses") Levelland, TX Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses-Folsom") El Dorado Hills, CA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Kingdom Hall Jehovahs Witness," "Kingdom Hall Jehovah S Witness") Wauchula, FL Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witness Kingdom Hall") Durango, CO Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Elk Rapids Congrtn Jehova") Kewadin, MI Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Columbus Cngrgtn Jehovahs") Lynn, NC Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Wtness S Congregation") Live Oak, FL Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Congregation Of Jenovahs") Lake Wales, FL Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Winterpock Congregation") Chesterfield, VA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Kingdom Hall Of Jhvahs Wtness") Lindsay, CA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Kingdom Hall Of Jhvahs Wtness") Minneapolis, MN Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Kingdom Hall Of Jehovahs," "Kingdom Hall Of Jehovah S") Gallup, NM Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Kingdom Hall," "Jehovah's Witnesses") Palestine, TX Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Kingdom Hall Jhovahs Witnesses") Maquoketa, IA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Kingdom Hall Jehovahs Witness") KYLE, TX Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Watch Tower Bible Track Soc Ny," "Kingdom Hall") NAPA, CA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Wtnesses Kingdom Hall") Alhambra, CA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Kingdom Hall Jhovahs Witnesses") Norfolk, VA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Kingdom Hall Jehovah Witness") Atoka, OK Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovahs Wtnesses Kingdom Hall") Orlando, FL Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Kingdom Hall Jhovahs Witnesses") Saint Edward, NE Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Kingdom Hall Jhovahs Witnesses") Wahoo, NE Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Kingdom Hall Jhovahs Witnesses") Spring Hill, FL Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Kingdom Hall Jhovahs Witnesses") Schoharie, NY Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Jehovah S Witness Kingdom Hall") North Wilkesboro, NC Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Northwest Cong Jehovahs," "Jehovah's Witnesses") Nashville, TN Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of New York Inc (dba "Kingdomhall Jehovahs Witnesses") Scottsville, VA Branch
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of Ny Inc (dba "Jehovahs Witnesses") Klamath Falls, OR
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society Of Pennsylvania (dba "Jeovahs Witnesses Kingdom Hall") Buford, GA Branch
Watchtower Bible Tract Society (dba "Kingdom Hall," "Jehovah's Witnesses") Hart, MI Single
Watchtower Corp (dba "Jehovahs Wtnesses Kingdom Hall") Macon, GA

Watchtower Study For October 26, 2008

JEHOVAH TENDERLY CARES FOR HIS ELDERLY SERVANTS "God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name "-HEB. 6:10.

This Watchtower article is disgusting. Let me give you some examples:

13 Showing consideration for the feelings of older ones is essential. It is not unusual for the elderly to be deeply grieved by their inability to accomplish all that they were able to when they were younger and healthier. For instance, a sister who served Jehovah actively for some 50 years and who had been a regular pioneer developed a debilitating illness and could attend meetings only with great difficulty. When she compared her former ministry with her present limitations, she began to cry. Lowering her head, she said through her tears, "I'm not doing anything anymore."
While it's natural to get upset that you can't do nearly as much in your 70s or 80s as what you could in your 20s or 30s, I can't help but wonder how much of this "guilt" has been subconsciously festering in their minds over the years with all the articles that basically tell you that if you're not going to all the meetings and out in Service, you're not pleasing Jehovah and just might die at Armageddon. It's no wonder this woman cried.
18. Many modern-day examples prove that older ones can "keep on thriving." But the challenges of illness and old age can be daunting, even for those who have caring and committed family members to help them. Caregivers too may become worn-out. The congregation has the privilege and responsibility to put their love into action in behalf of older ones and those who care for them. (Gal. 6:10) Such help shows that we are not, in effect, telling such ones to go and "keep warm and well fed" without assisting them in practical ways.-Jas. 2:15-17.
These kinds of statements just make me want to puke. If the Watchtower is so concerned about caring for the elderly, why don't they lead by example? How many impoverished elderly Witnesses are there that maybe have no health insurance (in the USA) and who can't afford to go to the doctor? Does this multi-billion dollar corporation give any financial assistance at all?? What about Sister Widowed whose husband died without leaving her the means to live on? Do the goons who sit behind their desks at Columbia Heights or at Patterson authorize financial help at all? When was the last time that a member of the Governing Body members have a elderly sister or brother over for a meal? To my knowledge, the Organization itself offers no assistance at all to elderly ones. If anyone fits the description of telling these ones to "keep warm and well fed" and then doesn't lift a finger to help these ones, its the very people who write these hypocritical articles.
Some older fellow believers have carried heavy loads of responsibility and have endured persecution for the sake of the good news. Jehovah and "the faithful and discreet slave" deeply appreciate all their past and present contributions to the Kingdom work. -Matt. 24:45.
Look at the structure off this sentense. They are actually elevating their status to that of Jehovah's!
The Watchtower says and does are two different things. They like to dictate to the congregations what they should do to please God, but set no example themselves.

Watchtower Property Deals Falls Through

October 23, 2008

Levine Walks, Bossert Back in Play

At the eleventh hour, R.A.L. Companies has walked away from its contract to purchase the former Bossert Hotel from the Watchtower Group, a source familiar with the situation tells us. RAL, the development company headed by Robert Levine, had signed an agreement to purchase the 14-story former hotel at 98 Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights for $92 million back in the spring of this year with the intention of leasing it out as student housing; the deal reportedly had been scheduled to close by the end of last month. Our source says that financing had been difficult to come by; it's also possible that with sales at One Brooklyn Bridge Park not as far along as hoped Levine didn't want any more Brooklyn Heights exposure right now. Either way, expect the 224-unit property to start being shown again soon. Tough break for Watchtower: It's hard to imagine the building fetching anywhere near $92 million in this environment.
The Bossert Finds a Buyer [Brownstoner] GMAP
The Bossert on the Block [Brownstoner]
Photo by hetteix

Is The Watchtower Magazine Really Important?

Have you ever wondered why, if the Watchtower magazine is so full of vitally important information, it's written and produced six months in advance and then sits on the shelf for most of that six months until the information is published?
If the information in the magazine was really as important as they say it is, they would certainly post it on their web site the same day it's written. After all, it is supposed to be life saving information.
The information contained in the magazine isn't important enough for that. However, like all cults the donations received from the pulp paper magazine is the important thing.
The Watchtower is a publishing/media corporation with a gullible, superstitious market. First they found the market, now they are creating the market.
After decades of watching them, I have come to the conclusion that with the Watchtower it all comes down to two things: (1) They're a printing company; and (2) They're never right.

Watchtower, January 2009

Click on picture to enlarge it.

The Watchtower covers itself for every contengency. If they show an increase it is because of Jehovah's blessing. If they show a decrease it is because of Satan and they quote the scripture about the road to life is narrow....

Now they have a new tactic. Although they have greatly increased their presence in third world countries, they have not had the expected success. So their explanation is that although the meek respond well, they are not expecting a mass exodus out of non-christian nations. So if we do not see significant numbers to account for the billions of hours spent in field service it is understandable. I suppose this is in addition to the invisible growth that we also do not see.

They also stress that we should not give up preaching in those areas.

Morning Worship At Bethel

In Bethel homes throughout the world, Morning Worship starts at 7 am sharp. In New York, there are closed-circuit televisions with a large digital clock display, including the seconds. Morning Worship takes place in the big dining rooms so you are given breakfast after, everyone has an assigned seat. Exactly at 7:00:00 AM, the Table Head begins morning worship. You are expected to be in your seat, not walking to your seat. If you wake up late, don't bother going downstairs, they don't want anyone interrupting Morning Worship.
You are also expected to be wearing a tie or at least a nice shirt if you are male, there are only a few that don't wear a tie, and many often wear a suit jacket. The sisters all wear dresses, no pants allowed. You are not supposed to rest your hands on your chin, I got counseled for that. I guess it was in a nice way, but I was told to look more awake.
Morning Worship is tied in to several dining rooms with about 300 in each one. The closed-circuit TV's are also tied into Wallkill, Patterson, and Canada I think three times per week now.
Morning Worship is a consideration of the Daily Text, with brothers selected beforehand to give a one-minute comment. Then the conductor gives his comments. It lasts till about 7:15. After a prayer, the food comes. All the tables are set for 10 people, with a Table Head, and a Table Foot, seniority makes the call. It is family style, with everyone taking a portion from the serving dishes. The Table Head decides which way the serving dishes go around the table. Everyone takes a little. If it is all eaten, the Table Head gives the plate back to the waiter, who refills it. No one can speak to the waiter except the Table Head.
The eating lasts about 15 minutes, then everyone quickly stands for the prayer, then rush off to work.
That's the arrangement.
The reality is that you are scared to death at Morning Worship. I have seen grown men who are new to Bethel struggle with napkins, basic table talk, and their food. It is nerve-wracking since there are rules (I mean provisions) about everything. How much you should take onto your plate, how much you should eat, how loud you should talk, how affectionate to your husband or wife you should be, how you should dress, what you should talk about and not talk about. The stress is incredible, although the weird thing is, I viewed it as a great privliege to be there, as only Bethelites and overnight guests can be present at Morning Worship.
Sometimes there are reports from different countries, or from the Publishing Department about the number of magazines or books made. Sometimes there is a disfellowshipping from Bethel, that is shocking.
But usually its pretty hard to listen to. I learned to sleep with my eyes open. (That's an old Bethel joke: "What do you learn at Morning Worship? To sleep with your eyes open.")

The Watchtower Controls Your Life

Most of us know that one of the control tactics that the Watchtower uses to control its members is to keep them so busy engaged in Watchtower activities that there is absolutely no time to pursue normal family interests or hobbies. Look at these quotes and see how controlling the Watchtower society is becoming.
Notice this quote from a recent book study:
"Take, for example, a man who is serious about providing for his family. To do so he would appropriately view his secular work as important. Perhaps something develops, and he feels he must miss some Christian meetings in order to work. In time, missing meetings becomes easier, and he misses more frequently. Little by little, his bond with God weakens - he has "begun to forget his maker." (Oh brother.) So what's a poor man to do, let his family starve if he can't find work that doesn't interfere with meetings? I had a brother tell me once who had six children and a wife and worked in a produce section of a grocery store 3:00P.M. till 11:30 P.M. week nights that the elders were severely guilting him into quitting his job because he missed too many meetings! He was in tears telling me this. What right do they have to tell you to quit your job- they don't!
Next quote about "worldly parents":
"A similar thing may happen to a Christian whose parents or other relatives are unbelievers. He faces issues: How much time will he reserve for them, and when?" I mean, come on, now they are saying to limit or really minimize any time for worldly relatives? I remember visiting my worldly grandparents plenty of times with my witness mom and dad in my youth ! Once again the screws of control are being turned a notch tighter!
Then about actually enjoying yourself and having fun comes this quote: "What about deciding how much time and attention to use for trips, hobbies, and entertainment"? Once again the reins of control tighten keeping witnesses SO BUSY that they will not have time to pursue hobbies , trips, and recreation.
So do you see how controlling and busy they are keeping witnesses these days?
Most of the motivation used by the Watchtower leadership is comprised of guilt and fear. This is because there is really nothing to inspire people within the organization or anything to evoke natural intrinsic motivation based upon love and devotion. The only tool available to the organizational hierarchy is attempt to make its members feel afraid and guilty for not molding themselves to the organizationally programmed treadmill. Unity is natural. Unanimity must be manufactured and enforced.

This Week's Watchtower Study, Paragraphs 11-13

At this week's Watchtower study, paragraphs 11-13, it was discussed how lepers in Jesus' day were outcasts because leprosy was so contagious. Lepers were required to call out "leper, leper" as they walked so people would stay away from them.
The next paragraph says that according to rabbinical sources, a religious leader even threw rocks at a leper to keep him away. The next paragraph says that Jesus actually touched the leper man, showing him "dignity." and then healed him.
The paragraph says that shows how loving Jesus is.
Please understand that I am not saying that Jesus is not loving, but I believe that there is another way to look at this Bible passage.
I think that the reason the people didn't want the lepers to be near them was because they knew it would spread to them. They weren't bad people and the religious leaders were not bad or heartless. They just did not want to catch leprosy.
Jesus didn't have to worry about catching the disease because he wouldn't be adversely affected.
Of course Jesus could touch the man.

Difficult For The Watchtower To Get Their Story Straight

Scriptural foundation:

(1 John 4:1) . . .Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.

(Deuteronomy 18:22) 22 when the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. With presumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened at him.. . .

***w799/1pp.29-30pars.28-29TheRoyal"Shepherd"ofBibleProphecy***
Unlike the clergy class, those of the Jeremiah class have been sent by Jehovah to speak in his name..... the Jeremiah class back up their message by quoting the words, "This is what Jehovah has said."

***g933/22p.4WhySoManyFalseAlarms?***
Jehovah’s Witnesses, in their eagerness for Jesus’ second coming, have suggested dates that turned out to be incorrect. Because of this, some have called them false prophets. Never in these instances, however, did they presume to originate predictions ‘in the name of Jehovah.’ Never did they say, ‘These are the words of Jehovah.’—February 15, 1981, page 19.

presumptuous - full of, characterized by, or showing presumption or readiness to presume in conduct or thought.

Moses refers to presumptuousness, not lying. While liars would certainly be recognized as subject to this judgment, Moses did not say "lies" or "falsehood", he said "presumptuousness". A readiness to believe.

And less than 2 years after they claimed to speak in Gods name they denied ever having said it!

Mass Exodus From The Watchtower Society

There was a mass exodus between 1925 and 1930. The number who left is unknown but memorial attendance dropped by at least 80% (e.g. 1925: 90,434; 1926: 89,278; 1927: (unreleased); 1928: 17,380; see Your Will Be Done, 1958, p. 337 and the 1958 Yearbook, p. 284).
That was the genesis of Rutherford's "remnant" doctrine about the anointed class (cf. 15 July 1927 Watchtower, p. 216; 15 September 1927 Watchtower, p. 280; 1 December 1927 Watchtower, p. 355; 15 April 1931 Watchtower, p. 119; 15 November 1930 Watchtower, p. 342; 1931 Yearbook, p. 57). He had to come up with some Bible-based explanation for the serious losses in membership. Then the numbers began to rebound during the Great Depression in the early 1930s with new converts being attracted to the movement (memorial attendance in 1935 was 32,795, see 1936 Yearbook, p. 53; 15 December 1988 Watchtower, p. 12).
That posed a potential contradiction with his existing "remnant" doctrine, so he declared that these new converts belonged to a new class (the Jonadabs), which would increase and expand with Jehovah's blessing while the "anointed" class would continue to decrease.
In 1935, the existing membership of the "anointed" class was effectively capped, although the facts of history show that a continual small number of converts continued to flow to this supposedly-closed class.
There was also an exodus between 1975 and 1980. Although it was a much smaller proportion of the overall membership compared to the situation in 1925-1930 (i.e. a decrease of only a few percentage points, but since there were also new converts, the number leaving was greater than the decrease). Since the Jehovah's Witnesses were a vastly larger movement in the early 1970s when compared to the early 1920s, it is possible that this was a larger exodus.
Because of the Watchtower's harsh stance on those disfellowshipped and to keep their families intact, many witnesses who no longer believe the nonsense that the Watchtower teaches, treat the organization as a social club. They attend some meetings and go out in field service for a couple of hours a month, or just outright lie on their time slip. They give a semblance of still being witnesses so that they are not shunned by family and friends, when in reality they are not witnesses at all. (Good for them!)

Some Left The Watchtower Because Of Their Teachings

The November 15th, 2008 Watchtower admits that some witnesses left the organization because of their teachings.

In the page from the Watchtower posted above, paragraph 10 says:
Some may have left God's flock because they did not agree with some Scriptural
teaching. The Israelites freed from Egyptian bondage "forgot [God's] works" on their behalf
and "did not wait for his counsel." (Ps. 106:13) It may be helpful to remind an inactive
one that "the faithful and discreet slave" is dispensing excellent spiritual food. (Matt. 24:45)
That is how the person originally learned the truth. So why should he not be determined to walk in the truth again? -2 John 4. (This is a point that they still do not get and they think that people do not know it. They do not now, nor have they ever, taught the truth!)

Paragraph 11 says:
When endeavoring to help those who have strayed from God's flock, the elder
might refer to the disciples who abandoned Jesus because of rejecting one of his teachings. (John 6:53, 66) (Yeah, well when Jesus himself teaches me something, I will entertain the thought.)
By cutting off association with Christ and his faithful followers, they lost their spirituality and their joy. Have those who stopped associating with the Christian congregation found another place where there is rich spiritual food? No, for there is none! (Wrong again, Watchtower. There is freedom, happiness, joy and a satisfying life without the Watchtower and its constantly changing teachings and its billions of man made rules!)

Watchtower, 11/15/08: If You're Sick, Suck It Up and Get Out In Service!

Spanish Branch Overseer Demoted Because He Lost His Case In Court

The brother who over many decades had been the top-dog at the Spainish Branch of the Watchtower, Antonio "Toti" Rodriguez was demoted as the head of the Legal Dept. and has been assigned a desk in the "Service Dept." at Ajalvir, (Spanish Bethel).
Word has it that the recent ruling in the Spanish courts against the Society over Social Security contributions and pensions for Bethel workers was the reason. It's going to cost the Watchtower Society millions, but I'm sure they'll pass the cost down to the publishers.
The letter from from Watchtower Headquarters to the Spanish congregations makes it seems like it was their idea to give the brothers Social Security and pensions. They praised themelves in the letter saying what a loving arrangement to provide for those who've worked so long in furthering Kingdom interests. What a loving arrangement indeed, when you need the Courts to force your hand!
Poor "Toti". He tried really hard to keep the Spanish government from collecting Social Security and pensions for people employed at Bethel.

Noes From The Annual Meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses, Held October, 2008

I am sure that you all know the Wayan's Brother's, well their father, Brother Wayans picked me up for the Annual Meeting, he is anointed. He appears to be very humble. I found out that Damon is the only child that is baptized however he is inactive.

Altogether there 13, 242 in attendance for this "wonderful event".
5,262 in New Jersey
2,396 in Patterson
2,329 in Walkill
2,810 in Brooklyn
445 in Canada
The meeting opened promptly at 10am with song and prayer.
Bro Herd, member of the governing body opened the meeting by stating, in the voice of Bro Sydlick (he sounded just like him, it was quite comical), "It's good to be alive and serving the living God. We are serving a God that is Good. " Psalms 25:8, Psalms 100:1-5
Reports from distance lands:

Argentina, Down under really applies to Argentina more than Australia. There's a saying about Argentina, Aqui termina el mundo (here the world ends) The preaching working commenced there in the 1920's, in spite of two government bands the work has continued. The work grew under ban, from 33, 503 to 50, 151. There is seldom worked territory in Argentina, in fact there where 400 brothers that moved to seldom worked territory and commenced on a long 4 month campaign. This resulted in a 20, 000 increase, Isaiah 42:10. 8 congregations in that area, they have now finished the Bible Teach in sign language. How thankful we are that Jehovah has held back the 4 winds of destruction to save these souls!

Hong Kong, There are 500, 225 JW's in Hong Kong, Buddhism has left a strong mark on this country. Many accept ancestor worship and Buddhism only because it is common. The people are poor so they have constant challenge of making a living. Commercialism and materialism keeps them from learning about Jah.

One young man named Keith wanted to know why there are so many god's? What happens to the dead? Keith had 4 earrings in his ear and looked like a thug. A sister witnessed to him and he heard the ring of truth. He is now a regular pioneer. (They say this as if only the Witnesses have the ability to change hearts. Many other religions and organizations have transformed people too, not just the witnesses).

Street witnessing is a portal they use to witness. They set up a booth and passersby’s look at the literature. Almost 100 studies have been started that way in one month.

Madagascar, the 4th largest Island in the world, also known as the red island. There is no translation for the word soul, and Christendom has really taken advantage of this. The New World translation has just been translated in Madagascee, a glossary has been provided to give a true definition of the word soul.

There are over 20k publishers there, over 54k Bible studies being conducted.

A person in a rural area requested a bible study. "You people come to all the villages except ours and we need someone to teach us the Bible and since you people have an advertisement regarding free Bible studies, we would like a visit!"
Someone followed up and this isolated area yielded 528 in attendance for the Memorial.

Portugal
Portugal is divided by two types of water and fish, the warm African waters which contains the warm fish that are easy to catch and cultivate, then you have the other side of Portugal that is the European sea which is cool waters and fish that are not so easy to cultivate that require more patience.

In the Cape Islands, there was a woman by the name of Silvita, who was heavy into politics and was very prejudiced towards Jehovah's Witnesses. A dear friend of hers died and wanted answers. She started a bible study, she denounced her lifestyle along with the politics. She is now a regular pioneer.

Prison witnessing in Portugal has been producing good works. There are currently 56 studies being conducted and 30 unbaptized publishers in the prisons. 2 after release became Ministerial servants and three have become elders and some have become pioneers.

Year text 2009 is........drum role please....Given by Guy Pierce

Nothing greater can happen to a human being than to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses.(I can't believe that they really believe this crap!). A lot of times the law of diminishing returns can affect us. Our enthusiasm begins to lose fire in our hearts. (this is a direct quote) If worldly people had a bit of sense they would realize their financial situation is the least of their worries. If they don't have a good relationship with Jehovah, they have more serious problems ahead, instead of lining up at banks they need to be lining up at the Kingdom Hall. (Witnesses make such ridiculous statements!)

Acts 20:24 is where this years text is taking from, with emphasis on, "bearing thorough witness to the good news of the undeserved kindness of God."

Please eradicate all thinking from your mind that since we are at the end there is no need to preach more. That is Satan’s thinking and we need to be at the preaching with urgency! (If there is such urgency why do they have huge building plans that will take at least ten years to complete?)

WILL YOUR FAMILY SURVIVE ARMAGEDDON?? by Steve Lett

Jeremiah 35:23

The question you must ask is, "Will my household survive this momentous event? Will my children and will my mate survive that great day?"

A key ingredient for the family is having a family worship evening. A major factor for the bookstudy change was the importance of family study.

What are the family worship objectives?

Draw closer to Jehovah, Ezekiel 9:5.6, the objective is to have the mark, the mark is the Christlike Personality.
What are the three elements for a successful family worship?

1. Be consistent.

2. Make it practical, ex: Have field ministry practice sessions, have practice sessions on how to cope with peer pressure in school. Use this evening to encourage spiritual goals!

3. Make it ENJOYABLE!

One young brother took that chapter of Isaiah that Jesus read aloud in the temple which he fulfilled and removed all the verses, then used rolls like we use for aluminum foil and paper towels, tied it to both ends and rolled it up like the scroll and re-enacted what Jesus did and he stated, "Boy was it hard to find that scripture without the verses."

After Armageddon is over SPIRTUALLY STRONG FAMILIES will be in tact.

Out of all the people Jah could have chosen a wealthy family to raise his son, he chose a poor family? Why? He knew they would keep His son's spiritual interest at the fore. (This is just a stupid assumption. A rich person cannot be spiritual?)

Who is the faithful and discreet slave? (this talk stresses their personality) Bro Splane

True anointed ones listen to the congregation as Paul and Barnabas did. Paul spent 3 years in the Arabian desert and was directly appointed by Christ, yet he never usurped the governing body's and their decisions, he always respectfully asked their decision and direction on things. 1 Cor 12:14-18 (This statement is an out and out lie. There was no governing body in the first century and Paul never, ever asked their direction on anything!)

The faithful and discreet slave don't go around introducing themselves as anointed and expect special treatment. NO, quite contrary, they understand being anointed is not a calling card. It is a privilege to receive this invitation, they understand it is just that, an invitation and they must remain loyal to the end.

They understand among the governing body there will be differencing of opinions and it is an advantage to that, it's good to see how someone views things outside of yourself, doesn't mean you're right or wrong, just means you have different views. Whatever decision the Governing Body makes is out of AFFECTION and we love one another no matter what the decision is. The same is expected of the great crowd when they make decisions and getting along with one another.

The last talk wasan interview of the oldest serving Governing Body members, Barr, Jerez and Losch.
Bro Jerez stood out because he was the youngest to receive privileges. At 21 he was a district overseer and at 49 he was invited to be part of the Governing Body. He said he could really appreciate what Paul said to Timothy as far as not letting anyone look down on your young manhood. So folks, don't give these young people a hard time that are reaching out, encourage them.

Bro Barr, stated he is terribly shy, he had to pray to Jehovah to this day (he's in his 90's to combat this), in addition, he once wanted to go to Gilead and was rejected, he was hurt, he felt he was qualified, but he respected the brothers decision. He then learned a vital lesson, NO ONE CAN STOP YOU FROM A PRIVILEGE OF SERVICE IF JEHOVAH WANTS YOU TO HAVE IT....a lot of times we think we know what's right and we don't. We feel we're suited for certain things and we are not, we need to accept Jehovah's instructions when he says NO and accept the assignment with pleasure that he does give us. (Oh, God!)

Who is the faithful and discreet slave? (this talk stresses their personality) Bro Splane

True anointed ones listen to the congregation as Paul and Barnabas did. Paul spent 3 years in the Arabian desert and was directly appointed by Christ, yet he never usurped the governing body's and their decisions, he always respectfully asked their decision and direction on things. 1 Cor 12:14-18

The faithful and discreet slave don't go around introducing themselves as anointed and expect special treatment. NO, quite contrary, they understand being anointed is not a calling card. It is a privilege to receive this invitation, they understand it is just that, an invitation and they must remain loyal to the end.

They understand among the governing body there will be differencing of opinions and it is an advantage to that, it's good to see how someone views things outside of yourself, doesn't mean you're right or wrong, just means you have different views. Whatever decision the Governing Body makes is out of AFFECTION and we love one another no matter what the decision is. The same is expected of the great crowd when they make decisions and getting along with one another. (This is a lie. They sometimes argue like dogs before a decision is reached. Bu then, only a 2/3rds majority is needed for a change to take place. If it were a 100 percent majority there would pepbably never be new light.)

This Meeting was just an opportunity for the Governing Body members to slap themselves on the back and relate what a good job they are doing. It is the Watchtower's version of the Academy Awards.

Jehovah Will Not Leaves His Loyal Ones, Watchtower Study 10/5/2008

This is one of the most disturbing studies that I have read in a while.
The Watchtower's tack in recent years has been trying to set up a mythic battle between Jehovah and apostates. They used to concentrate on the invisible spiritual battle between Jehovah and Satan. The fear of evil "apostates" is built up to a ridiculous level. I thought it was Satan the Devil making life so hard for witnesses. No, it's apostates and their reasonings. This article didn't associate bad ol' King Jeroboam with Satan the Devil, no, he's equated to modern- day apostates!
Para. 14. What should be our response to apostate thinking?
Like the faithful Levites back in the tenth century B.C.E., God's loyal ones today are not deceived by apostate ideas. Anointed ones and their Christian associates are quick to avoid and reject apostate ideas. (Read Romams 16:17.) While we gladly submit to governmental authorities in secular matters and remain neutral in worldly conflicts, our loyalty goes to God's Kingdom. (John 18:36; Rom. 13:1-8) We reject the false claimsof those who profess to be serving God and at the same time dishonor him by their conduct.-Titus 1:16.
What are the "apostate ideas"? The Watchtower never actually says what they are? Why not?
There is also an incessant repetition of how Witnesses are put their trust in a man made human organization.
See paragraph 15 which says:
With hearts full of gratitude, we stay close to "the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time." Christ has appointed this slave "over all his belongings." (Matt. 24:45-47) Therefore, even if we as individuals do not fully understand a certain position taken by the slave class (Note: there is no Slave Class mentioned in the Bible), that is no reason for us to reject it or return to Satan's world. Instead, loyalty will move us to act humbly and wait on Jehovah to clarify matters.
Don't you just love the cautionary "wait on Jehovah" phrase? This same phrase is used by cults to get it's members to submit blindly and humbly to whatever it is they say. Witnesses are too stupid to figure it out for themselves. Witnesses are just to wait until the Governing Body tells them what to think.
Look at these quotes from previous Watchtower magazines that admonish witnesses to keep on being loyal to a man made organization:
*** w06 5/15 p. 22 par. 8 Are You Prepared for Survival? ***Just as Noah and his God-fearing family were preserved in the ark, survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah’s universal organization.
*** w06 9/1 p. 16 Highlights From Book Five of Psalms ***Have we formed a loyal attachment to the organization that Jehovah is using today?
*** w00 8/15 p. 28 Are You a “Full-Grown” Christian? ***How inappropriate it would be to challenge or undermine the authority of appointed elders! You should also feel a sense of loyalty to “the faithful and discreet slave” and the agencies that are used to disseminate spiritual “food at the proper time.” (Matthew 24:45) Be quick to read and apply the information found in The Watchtower and its companion publications.
*** w07 4/1 p. 24 par. 12 Loyal to Christ and His Faithful Slave ***Therefore, when we loyally submit to the direction of the faithful slave and its Governing Body, we are submitting to Christ, the slave’s Master.
It is incredible that after over 100 years of this religion and after over 100 years of them still having to correct their teachings that people still put trust in them. It is crystal clear that this religion does not have Jehovah's blessings and it never will.

Will The Watchtower Preach Via You Tube?

YouTubevangelists
YouTube Gets Religion
By DAVID VAN BIEMA

When people think of religion on YouTube, most probably flash to "gotcha" videos of Sarah Palin's old church or Barack Obama's old pastor. But the video-sharing site is also being used by a wildly diverse collection of pastors, rabbis, imams, gurus, and pious laypeople — like Roman Catholic Steve Silvia, who made the video above — to celebrate and explain their creeds. These aren't glitzy televangelists. In keeping with the YouTube ethos, many simply fire up camcorder and go. But low cost and infinite range, plus the mini-video's ascent as one of the culture's preferred ways of imbibing information, means vastly increased exposure for clerics who would otherwise have tiny flocks. "For years, people in my business talked about how the Internet was going to revolutionize religion the way the printing press helped create Protestantism, but it didn't happen," says Steve Waldman, founder of the multi-faith website Beliefnet. But with the rise of YouTube, he thinks the unassuming, grass-roots religion clips like the ones that follow "could be the beginning of that kind of transformation."

Parking Lot Dispute, Guess Which Version of The Story Is True

Wednesday, October 01, 2008
By LEE ROOPand KAY CAMPBELL
Times Staff Writers lee.roop@htimes.comkay.campbell@htimes.com
Parking dispute spurs Jehovah's Witnesses to move
Jehovah's Witnesses will move their three summer meetings from Huntsville to Birmingham next year, ending for now a 12-year string of meetings that brought nearly $9 million a year in business to local hotels and restaurants.
A dispute over parking has ended the annual meetings, at least for 2009, as the city's largest single convention booking, bringing 6,000 people to town each of the three weekends. Bill Scott, the manager of the Sheraton Four Points hotel, emerged from a 90-minute meeting of hotel executives on the issue Tuesday to call it, "from my standpoint, a major loss. I don't have anything to replace it."
Local convention bookers, however, say the sessions, although the largest single convention, represent only a 3 percent loss in total delegates visiting the city.
"We host more than 1,000 meetings a year," said Judy Ryals, president and CEO of the Huntsville-Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau. She said the city is still poised for a "banner year" next year.
The decision is "beyond recall for 2009," Gerald Grizzle said Monday from the convention office at the Jehovah's Witness world headquarters in Brooklyn, N.Y. "We will absorb it into the other conventions."
Jehovah's Witnesses have 340 conventions in 80 U.S. cities. Planning for the 2009 conventions began this spring, said local denomination coordinator Don Diekman. Conventions here are usually three weekends in June and July.
"They increased the price on us too much, and they also had the parking charges going up, and it's getting out of line with what we typically deal with," Grizzle said. "We're not wealthy people, and it's been a very expensive site.
"We rent the building and pay for the parking so our people and our visitors can afford to come," Grizzle said.
"We just couldn't come to an agreement on city parking at the Von Braun" Center, Huntsville-based Diekman said Tuesday. Mayor Loretta Spencer said Tuesday night the parking offer was the same deal as in other years. "We gave them $2 a car. It's $5 for everybody else," she said.
Grizzle estimated that some conventions attract as many visitors as members. No offerings are collected during the conventions, which include lectures and Bible dramas.
A Different Version
Local officials had a different version of events.
The city's negotiations with the Witnesses were handled by a three-organization team representing the Von Braun Center, the Convention Bureau and the city parking division.
It did come down to parking, agreed Ryals and Tommy Brown, director of parking and public transportation for the city. But it was the Witnesses who wanted a new deal, he said.
Grizzle said the Witnesses believed the three-year discussions as a proposal, not an agreement.
The city's deal for 2009 would have charged $7,400 each weekend next year for 1,200 spaces for three days, Brown said. That's about $2 per space for spaces usually rented for $5, he said.
The 500 Von Braun Center spaces were free, Ryals said. Ryals said the city's proposal, including the 500 free VBC parking spaces, meant the Witnesses were getting the Von Braun Center and the parking at a "71.5 percent discount."
Ryals also said her bureau gave the Witnesses $6,000 in cash per weekend for the two largest weekends and $4,000 for a less-attended Hispanic weekend.
That kind of direct payment isn't unheard of in the highly competitive convention-booking business. It came from the Convention Bureau's own independent budget funded largely by a local hotel occupancy tax, Ryals said.
Economic impact
Using conventional ways of measuring economic impact, the conventions have brought in an average of $8.7 million each year for 10 years in revenue, $717,000 each year in sales tax revenue and $5,515 each year in hotel tax revenue.
Grizzle and Diekman said the Witnesses repeatedly called the mayor's office over the last few months to find someone to help broker a deal for 2009, but those calls went unreturned. Spencer recalled the event organizers asked for a meeting on a day the mayor was out of town. "They talked to my secretary. We were booked solid that day," she said. Brown said the message to the city was, if they have to pay for parking at all, they wouldn't come.
Negotiating team
Spencer's office referred the calls to the city negotiating team, which would not change the price. Spencer said Tuesday night it's regrettable the convention chose another city. "We want everybody to come, but we can only be so much of a partner," she said.
"They're tough negotiators," Ryals said of the Witnesses.
Ryals said the city team knew this summer that the Witnesses were moving the Hispanic weekend next year, but had reason to believe the other two weekends were still scheduled.
The denomination informed city hotels last week that it was not coming, Ryals and Diekman said.
Ryals said Huntsville won the Jehovah's Witnesses business from Birmingham and "we're going to continue to pursue it" for 2010.
©2008 Huntsville

The Watchtower Trained Mind Of A Jehovah's Witness

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