Watchtower's depiction of “Babylon the Great” riding the
back of the Wild Beast (United Nations) — Babylon The Great Has
Fallen! — God’s Kingdom Rules, Watchtower, 1963, p. 577
January 1, 1979 Watchtower questions from readers:
"In joining the YMCA as a member a person accepts or
endorses the general objectives and principles of the
organization. He is not simply paying for something he
receives, such as when buying things being sold to the
public at a store. (Compare 1 Corinthians 8:10; 10:25.)
Nor is his membership merely an entry pass, as when a
person buys a theater ticket. Membership means that one
has become an integral part of this organization founded
with definite religious objectives, including the
promotion of interfaith. Hence, for one of Jehovah's
Witnesses to become a member of such a so-called
"Christian" association would amount to apostasy.
"Some individuals have on occasion not become members but have paid
a onetime admission fee, viewing this as simply paying
for a commercial service available. Even in this regard
it is wise to consider whether this course will
adversely affect the consciences of others?1 Cor.
8:11-13. "
Shortly after the Society resigned from
associated NGO status, I called the man who was probably
the instigator of them joining up, one Harry Peloyan,
who is editor-in-chief of Awake! I asked him to
tell me what he thought about the furor. He immediately
attacked me and started fuming about "you people" making
a "molehile out of a mountain" (he coughed and corrected
himself), and said that the only thing they had in mind
was to get access to the UN's library. Since it has been
pointed out that virtually all the materials are
available either from other sources, or through a
lengthier access process from the UN, I conclude that it
was at first just to get easier access to the material.
One man who works closely with Peloyan in the Writing
Dept., one Ciro Aulicino (he was listed as the WTS
contact man on the official NGO registration form) was
often seen by Barbara Anderson going to the UN to do
research.
Peloyan, as editor of Awake!, was in a unique
position to facilitate publishing articles that gave the
appearance -- but not the reality -- of the WTS's
complying with the requirements to be an associated NGO.
It would have been impossible to get such articles of
praise published without his cooperation. And knowing a
bit of how Peloyan has always worked behind the scenes
and used other people, like Aulicino, to get things
done, I'm not a bit hesitant to speculate that Peloyan
was the guy who was the 'muscle' behind getting the
Watchtower to join the UN as an associated NGO. His
amazingly bitter reaction to me on the phone proves it.
I strongly suspect that after some time passed, some of these
men and their cronies realized that they had some
political capital with the association with the UN.
During the 1990s they had WTS representatives appear
before various political bodies such as the UN's
European Human Rights Commission and the U.S. Congress
in sessions on human rights. Of course, they were
lobbying to get and keep various rights for themselves
to further their religious goals. Most JWs that I've
talked to about this at first deny that the Watchtower
involved itself in politics, but when I point out that
Martin Luther King was certainly engaged in political
lobbying when he worked hard for human rights, they
always acknowledge that the Society indeed
hypocritically meddled in politics.
I did some investigation among Bethelites and others around
the time the NGO story first broke. No one outside
Peloyan's inner circle of cronies knew anything about
it, and in fact, were more than a bit shocked to hear of
it. Therefore it's evident that these guys knew
perfectly well that they had to keep their association
with the UN quiet so as not to raise eyebrows among less
cynical Bethelites. This demonstrates the gross
hypocrisy of these Watchtower officials. -
AlanF
United Nations Disassociates
Watchtower:
Fax from UN regarding their
involvement dated 10/9/2001,
after numerous former Witnesses query UN and Watchtower denies
improprieties. Click for larger picture, text
version here. to verify authenticity
Traditional Watchtower View of the United Nations:
Hypocrisy re: United Nations "library card" vs. Malawi
persecution
Watchtower 1976 10/15 p. 632-636
The "mark"
of the beast would identify the one having it as
belonging to that "wild beast," giving it full
support. Ellicott's Bible Commentary
notes that the mark 'surely means the acquiescence
to the principals of this tyrannical
world-power.'
In modern times, the Christian body, known world
wide as Jehovah's Witnesses, has experienced from
the "wild beast" the same things as first-century
Christians. Take the African county of Malawi, for
example. There all citizens have been required to
become members of the country's only existing
political party, the "Malawi Congress Party." A
membership card costing about twenty-five
cents (U.S.) identifies the bearer as 'acquiescing
to the principals of the ruling political
party,' . . .
As Jehovah's Witnesses they value their
relationship to God and Christ above everything
else. Were they to identify themselves as giving
unquestioning support to any political
arrangement, they would be acting contrary to the
Bible's teaching that all human governmental systems
exist by God's toleration only until such time as he
chooses to replace them by his kingdom in the hands
of Jesus Christ. (Dan. 2:44; 7:13, 14) Jehovah's
Witnesses have promised to give unqualified
allegiance exclusively to God and Christ. Any
act on their part that would indicate otherwise,
therefore, would be an act of disloyalty. Such an
act would be taking away from God and Christ their
rightful due and would be worship to the "wild
beast."
No matter how insignificant the act required
may seem, a Christian's engaging in such worship
would mean his being disloyal to God and Christ.
Comments: In order to
get the insignificant twenty-five cent Malawi
political card an applicant would be 'acquiescing to
the principals of the ruling political party"
they would by receiving this card act be taking the
mark of the beast, because in order to get the
card they would have to indicate that they
support and acquiescing to the principals
of the political entity.
Who has disassociated themselves? Who are no longer
Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Quote from Organized To Accomplish Our Ministry,
1983, Watchtower, page 151:
"Concerning those who renounced their Christian
faith in his day, the apostle John wrote: "They went out from among
us, but they were not of our sort; for if they had been of our sort they
would have remained with us" (1 John 2:19) Also a person might
renounce his place in the Christian congregation by his actions, such as
by becoming part of a secular organization the objective of which is
contrary to the Bible and hence, is under judgment by Jehovah God... So if
a person who is a Christian chooses to join those who are disapproved by
God, it would be fitting for the congregation to acknowledge by a brief
announcement that he has disassociated himself and is no longer one
of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Such a person would be viewed in the same way as
a disfellowshipped person."
Note regarding the above links: A number of Witnesses
believe the criteria was different for "association" back in
1992 when the Watchtower received "official accreditation" as an
"associate" NGO with the UN's DPI.
In 7 August 1992 press release read the last paragraph where is
clearly states "To be granted association status with DPI, NGOs ....
support the Charter of the United Nations ....".
In the 14 February 1992 press release read paragraph 5 on page 1
where it states "To be granted association status with DPI, NGOs ....
support the Charter of the United Nations ....".
"These Press releases are copies of the original press releases.
To verify the releases are not frauds please contact the United Nations
library at dhl_www@un.org and they
will verify them for you. Also to locate releases please note that
the 14 February 1992 Press Release has a file number "NGO/208
PI/775" and the 7 August 1992 Press Release has a file number
"NGO/211 PI/770" .
CRITERIA
FOR ASSOCIATION
WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INFORMATION
a)The NGO must
support and respect the principles of the Charter of the United Nations;
b)The NGO must be
of recognized national or international standing;
c)The NGO should
operate solely on a non-for-profit basis and have tax-exempt status;
d)The NGO must
have the commitment and the means to conduct effective information
programmes with its constituents and to a broader audience about UN
activities by publishing newsletters, bulletins and pamphlets; organizing
conferences, seminars and round tables; or enlisting the attention of the
media;
e)The NGO should
have an established record of continuity of work for a minimum ofthree years and should show promise of sustained activity in the
future;
f)The NGO should have a satisfactory record of collaboration with UN
Information Centres/Services or otherparts of the UN System prior to association;
g)The NGO should provide an audited annual financial statement,
conducted by a qualified, independent accountant;
h)The NGO should have statutes/bylaws providing for a transparent
process of taking decisions, elections of officers and members of the
Board of Directors.
Note the above points:
1. The Watchtower Corporation must
support and respect the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
2. The Watchtower must conduct
effective information programs with its constituents and to a broader audience
about UN activities.
3. The Watchtower must have a
satisfactory record of collaboration with UN Information Centres/Services or
otherparts of the UN System prior
to association.
4. The Watchtower should
provide an audited annual financial statement, conducted by a qualified,
independent accountant.
Since 1991 the Watchtower has secretly accomplished this total apostasy from
their own teachings that is decades-old! But first, just a sample of what they
have said regarding involvement with the United Nations:
from The Watchtower,
5/1/99
“Let the Reader Use Discernment”
“When you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation
. . . standing in a holy place, . . . then let those in Judea begin
fleeing to the mountains.”—MATTHEW 24:15, 16.
2 In a prophecy with implications for us today, Jesus outlined a
composite sign that included wars, food shortages, earthquakes,
pestilences, and persecution of Christians preaching about God’s
Kingdom. (Matthew 24:4-14; Luke 21:10-19) Jesus also offered a clue that
would help his disciples to know that the end was close—a ‘disgusting
thing that causes desolation standing in a holy place.’ (Matthew 24:15)
Let us reexamine those meaningful words to see how they can affect our
lives now and in the future.
8 Demonstrating the confidence of Jehovah’s servants that this
prophecy would be fulfilled, The Watchtower of January 1, 1921, focused on
it in connection with developments in the Middle East. Subsequently, in
its December 15, 1929, issue, on page 374, The Watchtower definitively
said: “The whole tendency of the League of Nations is to turn the people
away from God and from Christ, and it is therefore a desolating thing, the
product of Satan, and an abomination in the sight of God.” So in 1919
“the disgusting thing” appeared. In time, the League gave way to the
United Nations. Jehovah’s Witnesses have long exposed these human peace
organizations as disgusting in God’s sight.
13….This beast is supported by world rulers. Details supplied in the
prophecy help us to identify this symbolic beast as a peace organization
that came into existence in 1919 as the League of Nations (a “disgusting
thing”) and that is now the United Nations. Revelation 17:16, 17 shows
that God will yet put it into the hearts of certain human rulers who are
prominent in this “beast” to desolate the world empire of false
religion. That attack marks the outbreak of the great tribulation.
16…While “the disgusting thing” made its appearance early in this
century and has, thus, existed for decades, it will take a position in a
unique way “in a holy place” in the near future…. Admittedly, we
will have to wait for the actual fulfillment to know all the
details….Some political elements, in league with former Christians who
have deviated from the true faith, are promoting hostility against
religion in general and true Christians in particular.
24 …After all, obedient Christians will not be punished when
destruction comes on false religion and the rest of this wicked system.
They will be discerning and heed the warning about ‘the disgusting thing
standing in a holy place.’ And they will act decisively on their
unshakable faith. May we never forget what Jesus promised: “He that has
endured to the end is the one that will be saved.”
It should be noted that:
The Watchtower is starting to be nice to the UN in some of its magazines.
It also makes sense why the WTS switched from a disfellowshipping offence to
a disassociation offence for belonging to a political party etc.
It is also making sense why they allowed alternative service being a
conscience issue for those who could serve a hospital but not join the military.
The following text boxes represent two separate inquiries regarding this
matter:
Well I just got off the
telephone with (2:35 pm edst)
(Note: Please remember the year "1991" in your heads for the
rest of your life when you read this post).
Mr. Oleg Dzioubinski
Information Officer
NGO Section
Department of Public Information
United Nations New York, N.Y. 10017
Telephone 212-963-1859
He is a busy guy but he did telephone me back. Here is my questions and
his answers:
Question: Is the Watchtower a NGO
Answer: Yes
Question: Is there a unique number to identify them?
Answer: No, there are over 1,500 of them.
Question: For how long has the Watchtower been a NGO
Answer: Since 1991
Question: What do you have to show to be an NGO
Answer: A variety of things including non-profit status and financial
statements plus information showing you will promote and adhere to what
the UN does.
Question: What is an NGO and how does it relate to the UN
Answer: NGOs have no status and are not part of the UN. They get
information such as pamphlets that promote the UN through the DPI. Then
using the pamphlets, they are then suppose to inform people what the UN is
doing through various ways such as magazines.
Question: Some friends of mine are concerned over the Watchtower not
saying nice things about the UN. Is this a proble?
Answer: You can criticize the UN. But, we would take offence if they
were using the UN name to raise money or they were saying they were a UN
organization when they really are not.
Question: Has the WTS received any money from the UN?
Answer: Not that I am aware of.
Question: So what is in it for the WTS if they don’t get any money?
Answer: Well, they are promoting the UN and it helps to show you
support the UN in certain areas
Well, not to be left out of
anything interesting...
I phoned the United Nations (NGO section) 212-963-7233 at 3:30 pm EST,
and was transferred to a lovely helpful lady named Isolda Oca at
212-963-1859.
The gist of the conversation was...
1) It is not unusual for organizations that are in disagreements with
the United Nations to become an NGO with them. They sometimes can act as liasons
between groups in conflict with one another, governments and the UN and
they are welcome to be associated with the UN.
2)If any NGO is taking punitive measures against anyone else who wishes
to associate with the United Nations, this is a violation of the agreement
between the UN and the NGO.
3) If any NGO is taking punitive measures against someone who wants to
do alternative military service (as opposed to serve in an armed forces of
a country that is a member of the UN) this is a violation of the agreement
between the UN and the NGO.
4)I explicitly stated that Jehovah's Witness since at least the early
1940's have taken punitive measures against any of its members when they
have tried to do alternative service, even when that alternative service
was just doing ministry work or their customary secular employment. These
punitive measures include but are not limited to: expulsion from the
group; mandatory and enforced shunning of that former member by all the
other worldwide members of Jehovah's Witnesses, even of close family
members living in the same household.
Aside from having disastrous consequences within the immediate and
extended family unit, this also can wreak havoc in a business community as
many Jehovah's Witnesses are in business with one another. This can be
especially disastrous in a small community whose government is presently
engaged in armed conflict with another entity.
If this practice can be documented in a letter, and this letter sent
with any documentation to the UN, a disassociation proceeding can be initiated
by the Untied Nations. However a good deal of tolerance and leeway is
usually shown toward NGO's, and even with proper documentation this
procedures takes time and must go through multiple committees.
Which was not really what concerned me...my question was, and it was
eloquently answered, that the WT punishing its members for doing
alternative service is an explicit violation of their agreement with the
UN.
Why is the Watchtower doing an about-face on one of their most critical of
issues identifying them with the beasts of Revelation? One answer:
Does anybody have a reason why the WTS became a NGO is it wasn't
for the money? Would it allow them to access areas of Africa or
something to promote their literature?
My husband & I have pondered on that specific
issue.....why? Our guesses:
1. Political clout for being recognized as a legitimate
religious organization in a foreign country - ie: Bulgaria, etc.
2. Power to speak on an even keel with legislators in
government, such as lobbying for special interests.
3. Inside information such as: "Hey, it's ok to talk with
me, I'm associated with the United Nations too." Sounds so
much better than saying "Hey, it's ok to talk with me, I'm
sleeping with the Image of the Beast in Revelation, too."
As is being brought out more and more - it's quite obvious that
the WTBTS wants to go mainstream with all the benefits - they just
don't want their followers to be alert to what's going on. I've
been out only a year, read most of the WT & Awakes! and I
didn't see what they were doing. Upon re-reading some of the Awake!
articles on the UN, I remember thinking the first time I read them
"Finally! They aren't damning someone." That did get
old.
WTBTS an accepted United Nations' NGO since 1991......FOUR
years before 1995 (change in generation doctrine.) About the same
time frame as Patterson Complex. Before the changes in
military service, blood doctrine, voting, about the time of
Swaggart et al, going total donation system in some major
countries, etc.
Well planned game put forth. Too bad we didn't know we were
players.
*sigh* sometimes I just get tired of having been played for a
fool. Ya know? If you've been through a divorce, and had found out
enough dirt, at some point, you just seem to say "Enough. I
was screwed. I'm tired of finding out just how many new ways and
times."
But this is crucial information. Even though there are
thousands who now recognize the WTBTS for what it is - a malicious
business enterprise, there are many millions of followers who
think the WTBTS is the "Only Channel of God to Mankind
"(WTBTS' self-designated title for themselves.)
And more millions to become followers in their ignorance.
