Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Watchtower Ownership of Millions of Dollars In Property
Properties in brooklyn new york;
Facility near Walkill, NY;
Agricultural Farmland (3-6 Sections) near Walkill, NY;
Educational Center @ Patterson, NY
Branch office properties in Toronto Canada, England, Europe; some parts of Africa; Most of the countries of South America; New Zealand, Austrailia, Indonesia, the Philipines, Japan, and Tiawan.
The watchtower bible and tract society holds title to Notes secured by real estate on tens of thousands of properties as a result of "quick build" kingdom halls and renovations on other similar properties. (aggregate amount of notes estimated in 2004 to be in excess of $11,000,000,000 in the United States alone)
Current estimate of existing market prices would place the value of the notes held in the United States in the neighborhood of $30 to $40 Billion as of 5-13-08
World wide the estimate aggregate value of real estate and debentures held would be in the neighborhood of $300 to $600 Billion. This does not include Owned or subsidized commercial operations. Those would increase that value by 25% to 50% more.
The Watchtower ownership of these properties raises a very simple question. What purpose do these large properties around the world serve? The printing and distribution of literature. This is the main purpose and mission of the organization. It is the continuance of a tradition that started with C.T. Russell. Publishing literature was the sole reason as to why the WTBTS was founded in the first place.
I would have to say that after a century of publishing literature; a membership of six and a half million is paltry. How effective is this publishing and distribution model? Not very much. Think about what could be accomplished if that real estate wealth had been used to utilize television, radio, and internet witnessing. If this is the most important message in all of human history, why aren't more effective methods such as these being used? Because that does not fit into the organization's traditional model: door-to-door distribution of literature.
Ray Franz noted that this tradition of printing and distributing literature has become the benchmark by which the Governing Body measures success. The more printing; the better. The output of literature has been the standard which measures God's blessing on the organization. It is a badge of merit.
You see, most religionists are impressed and moved by what is appealing the eyes; whether it be large ornate temples, huge cathedrals, or the visual presence of the Vatican. Jehovah's Witnesses are no different. They are impressed and wooed by large printing operations and shipping depots. They are moved by large sprawling branch complexes which house the people who operate the printing equipment.
These real estate holdings serve more of a psychological need than a pragmatic one. Just ask yourself one question: if Jesus really did not appoint the Watchtower organization as his eartlhy agent in 1919; what does it mean for all of these billions of dollars worth of printeries and warehouses?
Facility near Walkill, NY;
Agricultural Farmland (3-6 Sections) near Walkill, NY;
Educational Center @ Patterson, NY
Branch office properties in Toronto Canada, England, Europe; some parts of Africa; Most of the countries of South America; New Zealand, Austrailia, Indonesia, the Philipines, Japan, and Tiawan.
The watchtower bible and tract society holds title to Notes secured by real estate on tens of thousands of properties as a result of "quick build" kingdom halls and renovations on other similar properties. (aggregate amount of notes estimated in 2004 to be in excess of $11,000,000,000 in the United States alone)
Current estimate of existing market prices would place the value of the notes held in the United States in the neighborhood of $30 to $40 Billion as of 5-13-08
World wide the estimate aggregate value of real estate and debentures held would be in the neighborhood of $300 to $600 Billion. This does not include Owned or subsidized commercial operations. Those would increase that value by 25% to 50% more.
The Watchtower ownership of these properties raises a very simple question. What purpose do these large properties around the world serve? The printing and distribution of literature. This is the main purpose and mission of the organization. It is the continuance of a tradition that started with C.T. Russell. Publishing literature was the sole reason as to why the WTBTS was founded in the first place.
I would have to say that after a century of publishing literature; a membership of six and a half million is paltry. How effective is this publishing and distribution model? Not very much. Think about what could be accomplished if that real estate wealth had been used to utilize television, radio, and internet witnessing. If this is the most important message in all of human history, why aren't more effective methods such as these being used? Because that does not fit into the organization's traditional model: door-to-door distribution of literature.
Ray Franz noted that this tradition of printing and distributing literature has become the benchmark by which the Governing Body measures success. The more printing; the better. The output of literature has been the standard which measures God's blessing on the organization. It is a badge of merit.
You see, most religionists are impressed and moved by what is appealing the eyes; whether it be large ornate temples, huge cathedrals, or the visual presence of the Vatican. Jehovah's Witnesses are no different. They are impressed and wooed by large printing operations and shipping depots. They are moved by large sprawling branch complexes which house the people who operate the printing equipment.
These real estate holdings serve more of a psychological need than a pragmatic one. Just ask yourself one question: if Jesus really did not appoint the Watchtower organization as his eartlhy agent in 1919; what does it mean for all of these billions of dollars worth of printeries and warehouses?
February 15, 2009 Watchtower
If you havee read the annual report of Jehovah's Witnesses, posted here below, you will see that the numbers of the annointed have been increasing and not decreasing. Then why does paragraph 14 of this article say that the numbers have been decreasing? This is clearly not the case.
Anyway, this entire article is why we should give praise and trust the Governing Body. One of their arguments is that since they have been in existence for over 130 years this means that Jehovah's blessings are with them. If that were true, the cockroach, who has been in existence for millions of years, should be worshipped.
The article is chock full of ridiculous claims that are supposed to make the reader believe that Jehovah God and Jesus trust the Governing Body and we should too. None of the reasons can be proved or even make sense. I can't believe I used to believe this crap, but I am certain that most witnesses will eat this up!
Anyway, this entire article is why we should give praise and trust the Governing Body. One of their arguments is that since they have been in existence for over 130 years this means that Jehovah's blessings are with them. If that were true, the cockroach, who has been in existence for millions of years, should be worshipped.
The article is chock full of ridiculous claims that are supposed to make the reader believe that Jehovah God and Jesus trust the Governing Body and we should too. None of the reasons can be proved or even make sense. I can't believe I used to believe this crap, but I am certain that most witnesses will eat this up!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Churches See Growth During Hard Times
In today's NY Times there is an article on this topic, and here are two quotes:
"Bad times are good for evangelical churches. 'It’s a wonderful time, a great evangelistic opportunity for us,' said the Rev. A. R. Bernard, founder and senior pastor of the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, New York’s largest evangelical congregation, where regulars are arriving earlier to get a seat.
'When people are shaken to the core, it can open doors.'”
Some of these evangelical churches are seeing huge growth - 10 and 20 percent jumps in membership over the past year. Yet the Watchtower organization saw barely the same minimal rate of growth - 2% - that it has been suffering under for a decade or more, and no growth or negative numbers in the first world countries that are suffering the worst from this economic crisis.
I think that says a great deal about the waning appeal of the Witnesses. Even as we're facing the worst financial and business crisis in modern history, no one is seeking out answers or solace from the Watchtower organization, even though billions of hours are spent on recruitment.
"Bad times are good for evangelical churches. 'It’s a wonderful time, a great evangelistic opportunity for us,' said the Rev. A. R. Bernard, founder and senior pastor of the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, New York’s largest evangelical congregation, where regulars are arriving earlier to get a seat.
'When people are shaken to the core, it can open doors.'”
Some of these evangelical churches are seeing huge growth - 10 and 20 percent jumps in membership over the past year. Yet the Watchtower organization saw barely the same minimal rate of growth - 2% - that it has been suffering under for a decade or more, and no growth or negative numbers in the first world countries that are suffering the worst from this economic crisis.
I think that says a great deal about the waning appeal of the Witnesses. Even as we're facing the worst financial and business crisis in modern history, no one is seeking out answers or solace from the Watchtower organization, even though billions of hours are spent on recruitment.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Jehovah's Witnesses Believe In Communicating With The Dead
This is from the Jan 1st 2008 Watchtower - "The First Resurrection Now Under Way ?"
10 Can we say more precisely when the first resurrection begins? An interesting clue is found at Revelation 7:9-15, where the apostle John describes his vision of "a great crowd, which no man was able to number." The identity of that great crowd is revealed to John by one of the 24 elders, and these elders represent the 144,000 joint heirs with Christ in their heavenly glory.* ( Luke 22:28-30; Revelation 4:4 ) John himself had a heavenly hope; but since he was still a man on earth when the elder spoke to him, in the vision John must represent anointed ones on earth who have not yet received their heavenly reward.11 What, then, can we deduce from the fact that one of the 24 elders identifies the great crowd to John? It seems that resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today. Why is that important? Because the correct identity of the great crowd was revealed to God's anointed servants on earth in 1935. If one of the 24 elders was used to convey that important truth, he would have had to be resurrected to heaven by 1935 at the latest. That would indicate that the first resurrection began sometime between 1914 and 1935. Can we be more precise?* For information on how we know that the 24 elders represent anointed Christians in their heavenly position, see Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand! page 77, published by Jehovah's Witnesses.
The real reason why this is important, is nothing to do with 1935 - it has to do with the demotion of the anointed to a group with "no special insight" and the promotion (or reaffirmation) of the Governing Body to having inside info from the dead!
Communication with the dead has always been a part of the Watchtower religion:
Clayton Woodworth claimed that Pastor Russell was still directing the Watchtower Society from beyond the grave:
"Pastor Russell was a man of unusual modesty. Great men usually are modest. The examination of the contents of this book will disclose the fact ... that the earthly creature made prominent therein above all others is the messenger of the Laodicean Church -- 'that wise and faithful servant of the Lord' -- CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL. ...[T]hough Pastor Russell has passed beyond the veil, he is still managing every feature of the Harvest work. 'The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is the greatest corporation in the world, because from the time of its organization until now the Lord has used it as His channel through which to make known the Glad Tidings' " (Finished Mystery, 1917, pp. 5, 144).
But after Rutherford died, Woodworth denied believing the same thing with respect to him:
"Q. Do you subscribe to the doctrine that Mr. Rutherford is still supervising this organization? A. That Mr. Rutherford is still supervising this organization? Q. Yes. May I just supplement that and ask you if you agree with this doctrine as put forth by the Society, and correct me if I misstate it, as to the resurrection. A. I believe that Mr. Rutherford has been resurrected, but as far as his having control over the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, that would be silly" (Moyle Trial Transcript, 5/21/1943, p. 963).
It's good to know that there were still a few things that Woodworth found too "silly" to believe, even if it happens to be something he had believed earlier.
10 Can we say more precisely when the first resurrection begins? An interesting clue is found at Revelation 7:9-15, where the apostle John describes his vision of "a great crowd, which no man was able to number." The identity of that great crowd is revealed to John by one of the 24 elders, and these elders represent the 144,000 joint heirs with Christ in their heavenly glory.* ( Luke 22:28-30; Revelation 4:4 ) John himself had a heavenly hope; but since he was still a man on earth when the elder spoke to him, in the vision John must represent anointed ones on earth who have not yet received their heavenly reward.11 What, then, can we deduce from the fact that one of the 24 elders identifies the great crowd to John? It seems that resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today. Why is that important? Because the correct identity of the great crowd was revealed to God's anointed servants on earth in 1935. If one of the 24 elders was used to convey that important truth, he would have had to be resurrected to heaven by 1935 at the latest. That would indicate that the first resurrection began sometime between 1914 and 1935. Can we be more precise?* For information on how we know that the 24 elders represent anointed Christians in their heavenly position, see Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand! page 77, published by Jehovah's Witnesses.
The real reason why this is important, is nothing to do with 1935 - it has to do with the demotion of the anointed to a group with "no special insight" and the promotion (or reaffirmation) of the Governing Body to having inside info from the dead!
Communication with the dead has always been a part of the Watchtower religion:
Clayton Woodworth claimed that Pastor Russell was still directing the Watchtower Society from beyond the grave:
"Pastor Russell was a man of unusual modesty. Great men usually are modest. The examination of the contents of this book will disclose the fact ... that the earthly creature made prominent therein above all others is the messenger of the Laodicean Church -- 'that wise and faithful servant of the Lord' -- CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL. ...[T]hough Pastor Russell has passed beyond the veil, he is still managing every feature of the Harvest work. 'The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is the greatest corporation in the world, because from the time of its organization until now the Lord has used it as His channel through which to make known the Glad Tidings' " (Finished Mystery, 1917, pp. 5, 144).
But after Rutherford died, Woodworth denied believing the same thing with respect to him:
"Q. Do you subscribe to the doctrine that Mr. Rutherford is still supervising this organization? A. That Mr. Rutherford is still supervising this organization? Q. Yes. May I just supplement that and ask you if you agree with this doctrine as put forth by the Society, and correct me if I misstate it, as to the resurrection. A. I believe that Mr. Rutherford has been resurrected, but as far as his having control over the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, that would be silly" (Moyle Trial Transcript, 5/21/1943, p. 963).
It's good to know that there were still a few things that Woodworth found too "silly" to believe, even if it happens to be something he had believed earlier.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
2008 Annual Report of Jehovah's Witnesses
For those who are interested, here is a link to the 2008 Annual Report.
http://www.4shared.com/file/75568905/6c852737/2008_Annual_Report.html
http://www.4shared.com/file/75568905/6c852737/2008_Annual_Report.html
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A Letter From A Jehovah's Witness
A must read. http://newsblaze.com/story/20081209054218zzzz.nb/topstory.html
From a "non apostate" news board.
From a "non apostate" news board.
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