Is "jehovahsjudgment.co.uk" telling the truth?

A Mere Conspiracy Theory?


This website is dedicated to the examination of the Watchtower's 10 year membership with the United Nation's Department of Public Information (DPI). The DPI is the United Nation's publicity department. In particular, this site serves the purpose to examine the flagship rebuttal website of this WBTS/UN association, created by an individual that goes by the name "thirdwitness". To view his website CLICK HERE

From the onset, "thirdwitness" attempts to muddy the waters by using loaded language, red herrings, and calling upon emotion well before one has been given the chance to consider the evidence. On the homepage, he has already set the reader up to consider much of this issue a conspiracy theory formulated by "crackpot" individuals and "apostates". Count how many times you see such words used on his site. Perhaps these are colors to cloud the water? Regardless of one's feelings, the WBTS reminds us that "Reasonable persons agree that the only fair method (to see the truth) is to examine the evidence on both sides, both for and against a disputed theory (1973 Awake! October 22nd pg. 6). Please keep this statement in mind before you make your final decision on the truth of the matter.

As we examine the evidence, it's important to see how the WBTS views a person joining a secular organization whose objects are contrary to the Bible. Surely the UN fits into this category. Read below...

(1983 Organized To Accomplish Our Ministry pg. 151)





INVESTIGATING "JJ" PER CHAPTER


NOTE: After clicking the chapter you wish to view, scroll past the above "sticky" introduction post (also chapter index below) and read just below the map. Click on images to enlarge them.

CHAPTER 1"Introduction: In the Beginning" 


CHAPTER 2
"Know your NGOs!"


CHAPTER 3
"Did we agree to praise the UN?"


CHAPTER 4 "Please Sign Nowhere"


CHAPTER 5 "The changing world of NGOs"


CHAPTER 6 "Following it to the Letter"


CHAPTER 7 "Hail to the Chief"



CHAPTER 8 "Principle Support"



CHAPTER 9
"Did we hypocritically ‘ride the wild beast’?"


CHAPTER 10 "Awake to Propaganda?"


CHAPTER 11 "Self-condemnation?"


CHAPTER 12 "Consider the Source"

CHAPTER 13 "Conclusion: A Not-Guilty Verdict"

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The Watchtower is still involved in politics...

Ok, so the Watchtower disassociated from the United Nations in 2001, so move on, this is old news. I've heard this "anthem" more than a few times from Jehovah's Witnesses. If this were to be the case, then yes, perhaps, we're just beating a dead horse here. However, there's much more yet to be revealed, concerning the Watchtower's involvement with the UN and other political bodies. Did the WBTS leave the political arena alone after 2001? No, they did not. The Govering Body now generally (not always) lists their press officers and other Bethelites as the NGO's instead of the official "Watchtower Bible and Tract Society". Some have said that this is done to make it appear as if the Governing Body, and the Society as a whole is not involved but rather a few isolated individuals, to relieve some "shock value". We can only speculate here.

In 2003, the Watchtower was found associating with another branch of the United Nations, the UNDP/IAPSO. Here's their website. It seems as if the WBTS was/is eager to buy and sell with the "beast". Below...

(page 30)

The OSCE is another political organization that brings in quite a crowd of NGO's and countries. In fact, the OSCE is an “an ad hoc organization under the United Nations Charter (Chap. VIII)” according to Wikipedia. Here's the OSCE official website. Below is a picture of a typical OSCE meeting in session.



Yes, the Watchtower has been "hobnobbing" at these political conferences as well. Once you've clicked on the links below to view the various documents, in the search bar type in "Jehovah's Witnesses", and you'll see quite a list of Bethel branches that have been going to these conferences. The screen shot below is just a sample of the Bethel branches involved.


(2006 OSCE Conference)


(2007 OSCE Conference)

http://www.osce.org/documents/odihr/2007/09/26586_en.pdf



(2008 OSCE Conference)

http://www.osce.org/documents/odihr/2008/10/34254_en.pdf


(2009 OSCE Conference)

http://www.osce.org/documents/odihr/2009/07/38763_en.pdf



In 2009, the Watchtower was associating with yet another branch of the United Nations, the OHCHR. Here's their website. Here's a document showing the Watchtower's involvement with this branch. I guess the beat goes on.

In reality, the WBTS is so universally involved in politics, I don't have the time, energy, or space to mention all of it. If you would like to see more of their political dealings and locations, watch this video.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

More answers to more questions

NOTE: TO READ THE FULL CONTEXT OF QUOTES CITED CLICK HERE

1. "3W" brings up the fact that the Society has registered other NGO's in several countries, such as the "Former Soviet Republic of Georgia" etc. He does another little word play here when he says Clearly, just because an organization is an “NGO” does not mean it is automatically anything to do with the United Nations. This is true that a general NGO (non governmental organization) is not automatically involved with the UN but an associated one is. He doesn't tell us that such registered (associated is the correct word) NGO's (branches really) of the Watchtower are in fact involved with the UN (and other political agencies) just like Bethel NYC was/is, and to this very day. This reality will be addressed in the next chapter.

2. We are told that The UN staff member who wrote that widely-circulated e-mail is wrong. On the one hand the UN representative says the requirements did not change since 1991, yet the UN's own website and scans of forms we have in our possession tells us the exact opposite. Once again this is an "us" verses "them" setup. As we have seen in previous chapters, such a statement from "3W" simply is not true. The requirements for association haven't changed since 1991, but there was a "relationship" change in 1996 hence the 1996/31. This resolution gave associated NGO's more of a presence at the UN, allowing them to be involved in a more formal partnership. "3W" apparently hopes that you'll blur all of this together.

3. The question is asked Why would the UN send a “welcome” booklet to all of the existing NGOs every year? The reality is that every NGO has to reapply every year, hence the accreditation form. To me it's common sense, but to be sure, I called the UN to verify this as true.

4. "3W" brings up a statement from the UN-I believe referring to the 2002 March 18th UN letter-that says they don't trick organizations into becoming NGO's. For starters, we already know that the WBTS was already an NGO, so I'm not sure of his choice of wording here. He says that it's a "strawman" argument without knowing the content of the letter or phone call this UN letter was addressing. I know of no one that believes or thinks that the WBTS was tricked into joining the DPI.

5. We are asked Doesn't the Watchtower teach that the UN is the unclean thing and should not be touched? We already addressed this in chapter 9. Refer to the 1952 Watchtower January 15th page 54.

6. "3W" says The actions of the Society were clearly innocent and it's letters regarding the matter honest, as the evidence in this work shows. The ones doing the stumbling are the apostates who twist the situation and present misleading evidence to others. To illustrate: if I start slandering a brother in your congregation by using selective evidence, mis-applying quotes, and hiding all contrary evidence, who is doing the stumbling? Is it the brother, or myself? By now, it should be clear who's using selective evidence and misapplying quotes.

7. "3W" brought up the hypothetical question If the Society is innocent, how come they haven't sued the United Nations for lying? This is another straw man argument: if the Society is innocent how come that...? The fact is the UN has not lied or misled the Society in any way, therefore there are no grounds for a lawsuit whatsoever. It's interesting that he now says that the UN hasn't misled the Society in any way, when in previous chapters he said they were lying to hide their "incompetence" etc. Refer to chapter 7 if necessary. I've never actually heard anyone assert that the WBTS should sue the UN for anything. Where does he come up with this?

8. He mentions that the DPI says “The financial records of the organization must be turned over to the UNDPI for review.” He says Critics try to twist this requirement to make it look like something sinister — as if the Watchtower Society were somehow giving control of their finances over to the UN, when this is really nothing but crazy, ignorant paranoia. Yet another red herring, no one is saying (that I've ever heard) this means that the WBTS is giving the UN control of their finances. I would like to see direct quotes of where people are saying this. Just another rabbit trail in my opinion.

9. He brings up how he got his data but the data is based on false reasoning. In this chart he compares how many times the Awake references God's Kingdom being the only hope of mankind verses the United Nations. The WBTS didn't have to say that the UN is the "only hope" in order to support the "Scarlet Colored Beast", but "3W" makes it seem that such language or lack thereof would prove or disprove the Watchtower's support and promotion of the United Nations.

10 *sigh*

Friday, April 16, 2010

Chapter 13


NOTE: TO READ THE FULL CONTEXT OF QUOTES CITED CLICK HERE

In the last chapter we brought up some of the propaganda techniques used by "3W" to sway his readers. In a continuation of that, we see yet another propaganda technique being used by him in this final chapter. He says We fully concur with this letter. Since there is no real proof of deceitfulness or lying on behalf of the Bethel, and the evidence supports their version of events, should we not, if we call ourselves Christians, give our brothers the benefit of the doubt and not impute or imply bad motives? If you wish to judge them in a condemnatory way that is your right, but be aware that you are insisting your brothers are lying — no matter what explanation they offer and even though, when examining the facts, it becomes clear that they are not lying after all. Emotions are a powerful thing and one of the most effective ways to sway people's opinion. In the 2000 Awake June 22nd page 6, it has this to say about using emotion as a propaganda technique:

Even though feelings might be irrelevant when it comes to factual claims or the logic of an argument, they play a crucial role in persuasion. Emotional appeals are fabricated by practiced publicists, who play on feelings as skillfully as a virtuoso plays the piano.

I have witnessed this personally, so many times-Jehovah's Witnesses being ruled by emotion and not willing to accept the fact that the WBTS willingly joined a branch of the United Nations. I have been told by more than a few Jehovah's Witnesses, comments like "I know the WBTS wouldn't do such a thing, therefore I don't need to investigate it". It's amazing to me how such an emotional reasoning would override the curiosity to see the truth-one way or the other. This is the primary reason why I decided to make this blog in the first place. I have had scores of Jehovah's Witnesses share the "Jehovah's Judgment" website with me without studying it or any other research on the subject. So, for now on when they present me with that site, I can give them mine. Let the truth about the truth be known. Thanks for reading.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Chapter 12

NOTE: TO READ THE FULL CONTEXT OF QUOTES CITED CLICK HERE

(John 8:37-39)
He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God." The Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?" Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.
You may be wondering why I started with a Bible verse and how this relates to this chapter, or any other chapter for that matter. One word. Red herring, ok that was two. In this chapter, "3W" does his best to sway his readers by setting up a smear campaign. He attacks the character of the people he's trying to refute, over the research and facts they present. This is what the Jews did against Jesus when they couldn't refute his words, they attacked his character hoping that this "demonization" would make his words not relevant. "3W" says Nowadays, most of those former brothers and sisters cannot lower themselves to attend meetings at the Kingdom Hall, because there might be something “spiritually unclean” there — as they are far too oh-so holy to take part. Yet, amongst these supposedly spiritually pure “Christians”, is pure spiritual filth. To cite just one example, the sect's own webmaster and King's closest associate openly promotes the Trinity-based teaching that Jesus' name is Jehovah, and also talks about praying to Jesus. I'm curious if he's aware that generalizations (of people groups) are instruments of propaganda techniques. Even by the standards of the Watchtower. In the 2000 Awake June 22nd pages 4-8 it explains in detail some of the propaganda techniques that people use to get their message across. Under the "generalizations" section it says:
Another very successful tactic of propaganda is generalization. Generalizations tend to obscure important facts about the real issues in question, and they are frequently used to demean entire groups of people. “Gypsies [or immigrants] are thieves” is, for instance, a phrase frequently heard in some European countries. But is that true?

He makes big assertions about former members, but has he personally talked to these people (every one) to know what their true motives for not going to the kingdom hall is? He then goes on to say Also, the sect members have been repeatedly known to lie (like theocratic warfare strategy?) and use abusive and foul language— especially to those who leave the sect. Interesting that he would bring that up. Has he used any abusive language against his opposition? Has he not called people "crackpot" individuals and "apostates" to belittle their cause? Is this not loaded language? Are these not labels to "poison the well" or "throw poop in the punch"? Now back to that Awake article. Another propaganda technique it mentions is "name calling". It says in part:

Some people insult those who disagree with them by questioning character or motives instead of focusing on the facts. Name-calling slaps a negative, easy-to-remember label onto a person, a group, or an idea. The name-caller hopes that the label will stick. If people reject the person or the idea on the basis of the negative label instead of weighing the evidence for themselves, the name-caller’s strategy has worked.
Isn't this what both "3W" and the WBTS have done to people that disagree with them, by calling them names? The WBTS has a history of name calling in order to succor their cause. The most famous word they love to use is "apostate". I can't tell you how many Jehovah's Witnesses I've talked that bring out this red herring "apostate" label when I share information with them from former members. In particular, former "Bethelites". I get the typical "oh he's an apostate, he lies etc" response. I've even had some say that about my own research without them knowing it was mine. They didn't realize that the "he" was me and the quotes were their own literature! For the record I never was a JW so how can I be an apostate? The WBTS has a clever tool to get its members to disregard revealing information that can be very damning. Demonize the person then the message is disregarded. Excellent for damage control I must say.

We are then told Interestingly, when the evidence presented in this work was first published on the Internet, Robert King banned all outside links on his discussion board. He claimed this was to “protect the flock” from links to possible harmful websites. In reality, this was a lie. Isn't this just what the WBTS does with its members too? Under the guise of "child protection" (which is a valid argument to an extent) the WBTS tells its members to use the internet sparingly. They highly control the information its members are to read so they won't be "stumbled". In reality, it's damage control to keep its members from finding out their checkered past. The Governing Body doesn't endorse websites that are not their own. Read below...

Could it be because:

Error always seeks the dark, while truth is always enhanced by light. Error never desires to be investigated. Light always courts a thorough and complete investigation (1920 Millions Now Living Will Never Die pg. 13)

Lastly, if we truly are to bring out character flaws as reasons to disregard a message, then lets examine "thirdwitness" and his debate tactics for a moment. When he was defending his site on "JWN", someone pointed out that his IP address was the same as his ONLY supporter "Oh Happy Day" on the discussion. His response was:

(To view the discussion CLICK HERE)
Sorry to disappoint everyone but I am not ohhappydays nor do I know ohhappyday nor has he or anyone used my computer today except me. I have PMed him and ask him why the ip address is the same. Look at his other posts and you will see how his ip address keeps on changing. This is obviously someone who has the ability to freak the system. Perhaps the administration knows. Or maybe this is a scheme to finally get rid of thirdwitness for his exposing the apostates.
Desperation indeed.