I am a witness who served at the headquarters back in 2001 and 2002. I loved the area and more importantly, I loved the reason why I was there. There have been some truthful comments above, and mostly false. I like the instruction about asking a JW if you have a question, that's the best way! As someone already mentioned, we do not tithe. There is an arrangement for voluntary donations, but no one is pressured and all donations are anonymous. We do not benefit financially from the items printed, it is purposed for bible education, and there is no charge for the bibles and literature. The reason for the selling of all of these housing developments was already commented on. We have an upstate facility that had been doing much of the printing, and now it handles all printing for the US branch. Thus there is not near as much of a need for housing in the Heights. All funds will be used to further the ministry. If you do not believe that, well I suppose everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But feel free to look for "prominent" members of the headquarters taking the lead in the activities, the truth is you would not be able to distinguish them. They are not wealthy, but are also unpaid volunteers. As far as the "cult" accusation, of course as I mentioned, everyone is entitled to an opinion, but I have been involved for over 2 decades with the Organization, and have never felt like I was pressured to be here, it is my own choice. I have examined other religions extensively using the Bible, and this is the one that rings true to me. All activities of JW's including: the Ministry, their meetings, conventions, assemblies, are all public activities, and anyone is welcome. It is not a dark secret thing that charictorizes cults.Most postings on the internet about JW's are from disgruntled former members that were not "kicked out" but who chose to leave. Therefore, any information from those sources will be obviously biased. If someone really wants to know what JW's believe, the official website is www.watchtower.org Everyone can believe what they would like to believe, but Witnesses are taught to love others, and I am a better person since I became one.Thanks for listening, please remember to ask a JW if you want to know.
I am a witness who served at the headquarters back in 2001 and 2002. I loved the area and more importantly, I loved the reason why I was there. There have been some truthful comments above, and mostly false. I like the instruction about asking a JW if you have a question, that's the best way! As someone already mentioned, we do not tithe. There is an arrangement for voluntary donations, but no one is pressured and all donations are anonymous. We do not benefit financially from the items printed, it is purposed for bible education, and there is no charge for the bibles and literature. The reason for the selling of all of these housing developments was already commented on. We have an upstate facility that had been doing much of the printing, and now it handles all printing for the US branch. Thus there is not near as much of a need for housing in the Heights. All funds will be used to further the ministry. If you do not believe that, well I suppose everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But feel free to look for "prominent" members of the headquarters taking the lead in the activities, the truth is you would not be able to distinguish them. They are not wealthy, but are also unpaid volunteers. As far as the "cult" accusation, of course as I mentioned, everyone is entitled to an opinion, but I have been involved for over 2 decades with the Organization, and have never felt like I was pressured to be here, it is my own choice. I have examined other religions extensively using the Bible, and this is the one that rings true to me. All activities of JW's including: the Ministry, their meetings, conventions, assemblies, are all public activities, and anyone is welcome. It is not a dark secret thing that charictorizes cults.Most postings on the internet about JW's are from disgruntled former members that were not "kicked out" but who chose to leave. Therefore, any information from those sources will be obviously biased. If someone really wants to know what JW's believe, the official website is www.watchtower.org Everyone can believe what they would like to believe, but Witnesses are taught to love others, and I am a better person since I became one.Thanks for listening, please remember to ask a JW if you want to know.
Posted by: Walterstone at July 24, 2008 5:40 PM in response to Witnesses To Sell Standish Arms