Jehovah’s Witnesses are still buzzing from the 129th Annual Meeting, which saw the release of a newly revised Bible – already nicknamed the “silver sword” by some.
It was at this same meeting in which Governing Body member Guy Pierce spoke of a new video that would show the progress in the construction of the new World Headquarters at Warwick. “This video will be placed on the JW.org website for the benefit of all,” he revealed.
True to Pierce’s words, the video has now been uploaded. As expected it is a slick production packed with feel-good stories and interviews set to uplifting music. Words like “historic” and “monumental” are used repeatedly in the opening minutes. Anticipation is stoked for the moving of Watchtower’s Headquarters, which many Witnesses will regard as a defining moment for the organization.
As you will see, the Governing Body features very prominently in the above video. All eight members make appearances, and the term “Governing Body” is either spoken or appears in the titles 13 times. By contrast, “Jehovah” appears 16 times, and Jesus, the “head of the congregation,” is not referred to at all.
“We’re very appreciative of the support and visits of the Governing Body members to the site,” gushes Enrique Ford of the Construction Project Committee (CPC) at 09:11. “It’s really been very stimulating. It’s a shot in the arm to not only us on the committee but all of the workers. It helps us to stay focussed spiritually even though we have a very challenging project ahead of us.”
As evidence of this “shot in the arm,” footage is shown of Geoffrey Jackson and David Splane wearing high-visibility vests and mingling with a packed room of workers on the site. “We have a tremendous interest in what you’re doing,” David Splane tells his audience. “And thank you very very much for all you do.”
What is the reason for the move?
For a video that is over 13 minutes in length you would expect there to be at least some mention of the actual reason why the World Headquarters is being moved from Brooklyn to Warwick, but this is not touched on at all. I have a feeling this is mainly due to embarrassment. Why admit that the move is purely financially motivated, and that the Society will profit to the tune of over 1 billion dollars once the move is complete? Far easier to gloss over this small detail and instead make vague references throughout the video to this being Jehovah’s will.
There is also a certain element of duplicity in how one Governing Body member attempts to explain the move. “If we look at the history of those taking the lead, they’ve never been sentimental toward material things,” muses Steve Lett at 00:35. “We’re not attached to anything material.”
If that is truly the case, I would be interested to hear Lett’s explanation for the recent production of a 3 minute 51 second promotional video solely about the Watchtower sign on the Brooklyn waterfront. The video features aerial shots from a helicopter flypast and a period re-enactment of the sign being erected including the use of at least one vintage vehicle. Not once throughout the entire video’s narration are the words “Bible” or “Jesus” uttered. “Jehovah” is referred to only in the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” The video is intended purely as a tribute to the Watchtower sign. And yet we are now supposed to believe that the Governing Body is not “sentimental toward material things?”
U-turn over Jehovah’s direction
I have already mentioned repeatedly that, when the Warwick project was announced at the 2011 Annual Meeting, Guy Pierce expressed some uncertainty as to whether it was Jehovah’s will or not. “Although we are not yet certain of Jehovah’s will regarding Warwick, we are proceeding to develop the site with the intention of relocating the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses there,” Pierce said at the time. (w12 8/15 p.17)
But Pierce’s former uncertainty has now been completely whitewashed, and he now seems to be singing from the same hymn sheet as his fellow Governing Body members. “We see Jehovah’s direction in the procedure from the beginning to where we are now with the way it’s come together,” he now asserts. (01:10) And Mark Sanderson is only too happy to reaffirm these sentiments as though for emphasis, adding at 01:19, “The Governing Body is convinced that Jehovah is directing that the World Headquarters be moved to Warwick. We’re absolutely convinced of that.”
The apparent u-turn begs such questions as, “Why the initial uncertainty? And what changed in order to make the Governing Body ‘convinced’ of Jehovah’s direction?”
Jehovah’s spirit responsible for everything
A rather nauseating feature of the video is the way the success of the project is constantly attributed to Jehovah’s spirit. The most obvious example of this is the part where it is revealed that there were some problems over paperwork. At one stage it looked as though there would be a delay in starting construction because site approval documents had not been issued by the local planning authority.
“We went to the public hearing fully expecting to be turned down,” explained Richard Devine of the CPC at 04:28. “However, to our surprise, within 15 minutes of the start of the meeting the town board voted to approve our project. When the approval came through, we knew it was only by Jehovah’s spirit that that happened.”
Once again, a fairly mundane development that works out in Watchtower’s favor is attributed to divine intervention. This follows Geoffrey Jackson’s remarkable comments at the annual meeting in which he suggested that the mild summer enjoyed by the Wallkill printery was attributable to “Jehovah’s hand.” No thought is given that divine intervention in human affairs could be better justified in, say, preventing wars or natural disasters than in allowing extra bibles to be printed or replacement headquarters to be built.
With similar unashamed credulity, Kenneth Churnish of the CPC proclaims: “Doing close to a million and a half square feet of construction in less than four years will not be done without Jehovah’s spirit.” (07:15) Churnish sets the bar quite low for what constitutes a project too big for humans to achieve on their own without divine intervention. The Empire State Building has a total floor area of 2.7 million square feet and took less than a year and a half to build. The Pentagon is 6.5 million square feet and was completed in 16 months. Were these building projects also aided by Jehovah’s spirit?
More transparency, less ego-massaging
Of course, there is nothing inherently wrong in making a billion dollars by switching headquarters. It is, however, highly questionable that there is such a lack of transparency on the Governing Body’s part as to the true motivations behind the Warwick move.
The way the financial incentives are glossed over with insinuations that this is merely about following Jehovah’s will undervalues the intelligence of the brothers, and suggests an element of desperation. After all, if ordinary Witnesses were informed how much Watchtower is making out of this move, would they feel quite so motivated to make hefty donations?
It is also sad to note the increased attention being lavished on the Governing Body – or, more accurately, by the Governing Body on themselves. After all, this video was produced with their consent and involvement. Those like myself who can see through the propaganda will gasp at how cult-like Watchtower is becoming in the way a small group of men is so openly venerated. But for most unquestioning Witnesses, this video will only serve as further evidence that the Governing Body is both approachable and likeable, and has their interests and Jehovah’s will at heart.
Further reading…
They’re getting quite theatrical, aren’t they? First, the big silver spear bible extravaganza (with the bibles being gifts to the betters in the congregation) and now a slick video with a great PR profile.
I wonder if the volunteers realise just how much money the society has? Do they get a meal at least? Are they remunerated at all?
The more I find out about the Governing Body, the more I detest them. They really turn my stomach.
This is something JWs need to really consider. When I was growing up in the truth a few decades ago, I had no clue the names or faces of the GB. Now suddenly they’re everywhere, and it is interesting how they keep talking about themselves in this video and the literature. What arrogance.
I can taste vomit in the back of my throat. This video just screams CULT to me.
Comme il est dommage que votre site ne soit pas traduit en Français.
Il en est de même pour les vidéos, Impossible de les visionner
Mais merci beaucoup pour toutes les infos que vous nous donné
So they say they are CONVINCED that this is Jehovahs
will to move the headquarters.
What convinced them ?
What evidence is there ?
I really don’t think the Bethelites will really like being sequestered way out in the middle of nowhere.
Most don’t have cars . How are they going to get around in a rural area?
Trapped in a Cult compound . What a life .
I went ahead and put this Kenneth Churnish character into google and grabbed this hit below. And captured in the middle of the article is THE TRUTH.
The article:
http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/harrison-community/jehovahs-witnesses-appeal-to-hamilton-county
The Truth, of the Matter; as has always been the case. It is just so refreshing to see it in writing; documented for the reader:
But then, the Jehovah’s Witnesses saw the property and wanted to buy it. Religious organizations have tax-exempt status, thus impinging plans to bring in tax revenue from the plot.
Ken Churnish admitted something that made matters worse from the township’s perspective.
“The actual employees for this facility don’t exist,” he said during the hearing. “They’re volunteers.”
Township legal counsel Tom Keating made his point that this isn’t about religious bigotry.
“They are very welcome to come to Harrison Township,” he said, “but they can’t come to this (zoned) area.”
However, church members say because regular meetings are required of all congregants, the meeting hall will bring in thousands of people and millions of dollars to area businesses.
“We really believe we’re bringing a positive and advantageous effect to the neighbors,” said church volunteer Mark Lahfdany.
He helps with building assembly halls across the country for the church.
____________
And there you have it. And each of these buildings built by the WTBTS is all because of the revenue. And will continue to be so.
How will you warn the members before too much more time goes by? It is crystal clear, to me, as I see it, that this task is not difficult at all, anymore.
If indeed the gb are now putting themselves ‘out there’, it appears that they are not shy about people approaching them any longer and would be open to answering questions from viewers regarding this “historic move”. Let them answer questions about the early history even, since they are now ‘out there’ for the world to see.
This video and its dynamics, could actually become a great tool in the groundwork. Have it at the ready when jws come knocking. Ask them if they aware of all that is going on in their world and with their gb. Show them the video, at the door. Ask them questions. Take the video and/ or cedars articles here and print them out. Have them too, at the ready, for jws at the door and at meetings. Take a printed flier of the article and post it in the hall. Or covertly drop it in the bathroom. Or, or….use your own great imaginations to brainstorm how to get this info to the people who really need to see it, in order to be well informed and armed with THE TRUTH, according to Churnish.
Thank you. Do whatever you can, as a responsible person in helping others know what they are involved in, wholly.
Thank you, ~~skally~~
During my 30 years as a witness the organisation constantly criticised church leaders for the very thing these 8 men are doing.They are certainly enjoying the adulation they are receiving and don’t appear to be humble at all.The sheer arrogance of these old men is sickening and frightening. To JW’s they are infallible now and that’s very dangerous.When I think of the hours my family spent volunteering on quick builds to line the pockets of this wealthy organisation I am enraged.They are still doing it to these poor deceived people.Doesn’t it make you sick,sick,sick
It amazes me how this kind of information gets restricted to only a specific audience inside the organization, that is, it is not know to most JWs outside the US. Even for those who are aware of the move, the motives are obscure and dubious (god’s will?) as are the costs involved. Transparency is certainly not a concern.
The organization has all the means to release all this information at once for all members! Just look at the website and select a language different from English… you’ll see that there is an amazing lack of information on ongoing efforts at Warwick; almost as it was a different religion or group; aren’t all ‘brothers’ in the same spiritual chariot? Why are some being left in the dark so to speak?
When I showed this video and some other JW.org info on the construction efforts to some people around here, they were pretty shocked! They also mentioned that the GB members are now much appearing a lot more than they used to be… akin to a world pop star!
Cedars, excellent job you’re doing here! Love the articles, keep ’em coming!
“The Governing Body is convinced [by 1,000,000,000 reasons] that Jehovah is directing that the World Headquarters be moved to Warwick. We’re absolutely [1,000,000,000 reasons] convinced of that.” – Guy Pierce
Cedars wrote: “Jesus, the “head of the congregation,” is not referred to at all [in the video]. … Of course, there is nothing inherently wrong in making a billion dollars by switching headquarters.”
Jesus said, “Foxes have dens and birds of heaven have roosts, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay down his head.” – Matthew 8:20
I have to add this comment, the GB members look extremely ridiculous in those bright chartreuse safety-vests over a suit and tie.
In fact, why would anyone wear a suit to a construction site? Obviously they are “overseers” that don’t get their hands dirty with any of the actual work!
Note what Guy Pierce says @ 10:59″ regarding his attitude towards the construction workers:
“When I’m with them working with them … I have the urge to get the tools myself and go to work. But fortunately the urge doesn’t last too long!”
“When I’m with them working with them … I have the urge to get the tools myself and go to work. But fortunately the urge doesn’t last too long!”
(by Guy Pierce)
___________________________________________
Very revealing words indeed. At least he admits that he doesn’t like the hard labor (no offense to anyone). Even though, he speaks truth about himself, I still consider it a very insensitive and shameless remark to those JWs who are sweating their backs off, out in the cold or hot weather. As for the video, I agree with all the comments posted here, and specially Cedars article: it’s just pure overacting. I can see their fake smiles from miles away! They should sign up for some acting school courses…
P.D. Cedars, I want to thank for all your excellent articles. I’ve been following you since a long time now, but I mainly participate in the Spanish forum extj.com.
Kind Regards,
Alerubio
Kompleks samostana na osamljenom mjestu . Nije u planini . Nije na stijeni . Kompleks samostana u sumi . Ne strpljivo cekaju da budu sretni . Kada ? Kada usele u to Bozije zdanje . Jehova ne strpljivo ceka da pocnu stanovati u novom glavnom sjedistu . On broji dane do Njihovog preseljenja . Jedino sto ga zanima je dan njihovog preseljenja . Potpuno je zaokupljen izgradnjom novog glavnog sjedista . Ne strpljivo ceka preseljenje GB u novo sjediste . Jehova masta kako ih gleda u novom sjedistu . I da ne zaboravim Jehova je uzbudjen u vezi sa novim sjedistem .
Monastery complex in an isolated place. Not in the mountains. Not on the rock. Monastery complex in the woods. No waiting patiently to be happy. When? When they move into the building to the Divine. Jehovah is not patiently waiting that they begin to live in the new headquarters. He counting the days until their relocation. The only thing that Jehovah’s day care of their relocation. Fully occupied with the construction of a new headquarters. Not patiently awaiting relocation to the new headquarters GB. Jehovah imagination to see them in the new headquarters. And not to forget Jehovah’s excited about the new headquarters.
(1 Kings 7:1) . . .And his own house Sol′o·mon built in thirteen years, so that he finished all his own house. . .
Apparently there were less Salomon’s “slaves” than Watchtower’s. About these, The GB says “They Ask for Work but Not for Pay” (http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/activities/construction/jehovahs-witnesses-construction-work-volunteers/)!!
I’m glad I’m not the only one sickened by these revolting people.
Still, once they’ve stuck their heads over the parapet, they’ll find it next to impossible to slip back into the shadows. That’s how they got so powerful in the first place, by being unseen and unknown.
Now they have a profile. They are recognisable. Let the gaffs begin!
The downloaded speeches these morons give are exploding all over the internet. People can readily find their pearls of wisdom, and begin to see what we all know – that these 8 men have no special relationship with God at all! In fact, they are incompetent and selfish men who are sulking because billions of people aren’t dead yet and they aren’t in heaven watching children cuddle pandas whilst the grow ups bury the dead.
Oh what a jolly paradise! Built on the ashes of billions.
It shames me to say that I had anything to do with these people, but I did.
Thank you Cedars for your noble and valiant efforts.
I think the answer is that Bethelites will probably not be the single, broke, full-time volunteer types anymore. Married, mature, having vehicles of their own were the growing trend many decades ago. Additionally, more volunteers on a part-time basis from various regional and local congregations. And, for those without transport, a billion dollar endowment fund means corporate vehicle fleet and/or limousine-bus transportation.
But, since the Wt is not under a watch-dog oversight organization like evangelical televangelists and ministries, look for the next Beth Sarim’s.
In terms of J*’s will and ‘blessing’ on this project, I think all prayerful Christians approach projects with humility in asking for the Lord’s support and blessing, then press forward with hope and faith that He will supply–jireh.
Now, for those who feel this is a “big” project, let’s put it into perspective–measuring and comparing to JW’s older relative Adventist organizations (the 7DA’s and the 2DA’s). The 7DA’s sponsor colleges, prep schools/academies, and hospitals around the world; JW’s? 2DA’s–have sponsored colleges and academies in the USA and abroad; JW’s? Both 7/2DA’s sponsor various general charity endevors in their communities; JW’s?
And, if we want to really put this into perspective–Lutherans, Methodists, Catholics, Baptists vs. JW constructions and projects over the last 100+ years?
Big deal for JW’s–drop in the ocean from world perspective. New New World Translation in 50+ years; the world perspective–NIV, NKJV, so many translations in the last 50 years. Big deal for JW’s; little deal on the global stage.
One aspect of the move which goes unstated–I view as attempt to distance from the Bible Students’ past. After all, while most focus on the huge buildings renovated, or built from 1940’s up through the early 1960’s, let’s not forget that CTRussell’s initial “headquarters” the “Brooklyn Tabernacle” occupied the former Plymouth Church and parsonage of one Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. It is not certain that this property set was sold in 1950’s or converted to storage. It would be historic landmark from its 1800’s history.
Great article, as usual!
Yes — I drew up a cartoon that addresses the fact that they are buddy-buddies with Jehovah, and are ignoring Jesus more and more. It is quite blatant.
Here’s the link to the cartoon:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=481962961910883&set=a.231435686963613.52891.100002915503881&type=1&theater
Another interesting point of view for you all to consider:
Are these not the last days? Isn’t the coming end of the system just about to happen? According to the watchtower it is, and they have been spouting that for the last 100+ years. And it is for this reason that millions of witnesses have no doubt missed out on higher education, college degrees, successful careers etc (myself included) because we would be wasting our time and energy in this world.
Now how is this for a thought? Why, oh why, would the watchtower want the gigantic four year hassle of building and moving everything to establish a new HQ if the end could come at any minute? Isn’t this is a little hypocritical? So I missed out on going to university here in the UK and with the grades I got I could have been going to Oxford, but I said no and became a servant and an auxiliary pioneer, and now 8 years on I’m struggling to get a job.
But here is the final irony of my comment, the society would have you and I believe that that education and/or career would be for foolishly chasing financial security and wealth, when time could be better spent in service! Why not just stay in Brooklyn and focus on the preaching campaign and not change anything? Oh wait that’s right, $1,000,000,000 of financial security and wealth!!!
Has anyone noticed how the governing body have applied
To themselves in a very subtle way Micah 5:5 in the November 15 mag.? (The shepherds are the elders and who are the 8 Dukes?)
Mate,why don’t you apply to become a mature student and go to uni now if you’ve as you said got the A’level requirement.
Better late than never dude!!!
@LiamSmith hey man yeah that’s my thought although since working on leaving the org I have been presented with opportunities to pursue talents and abilities that I have that I couldn’t use to the full. Life is for living, not for waiting for a new life to live.
Sve religije imaju svoja glavna sjedista . I bogate se u piramidi od svojih podanika . I luksuzno zive na racun svojih podanika . I spominju iste rijeci u obracanju prema njima : Hvala vam , hvala vam , hvala vam . I zasto bi ova religija bila drugacija . To su sve osobine krive religije .
Everytime I see the actual Governing Body members I think about my idea that these are not the real power of JW.org. They are no leaders and managers. They are just like the local elders. So who is realy in charge of the Watchtower organization (s)??
Gorbatchow, it is Jehovah and Jesus who are in charged and using these faithful men.
I noticed the street address for the new Headquarters ( King Street. First Kings is concerned with the building of the temple (Solomon’s temple). Freemasons are all about Solomon’s temple. Just a thought.
Gorbatchov, … the angel of the abyss is really in charge of the Watchtower organization
*** re chap. 22 p. 148 par. 20 The First Woe—Locusts ***
Rather than announce the incoming Kingdom of God, Christendom’s clergy have chosen to remain with Satan’s world. They want no part with the locust band and their King, concerning whom John now observes: “They have over them a king, the angel of the abyss. In Hebrew his name is Abaddon [meaning “Destruction”], but in Greek he has the name Apollyon [meaning “Destroyer”].” (Revelation 9:11) As “angel of the abyss” and “Destroyer,” Jesus had truly released a plaguing woe on Christendom.
Good luck to you mate,I hope your abilities and talents take you far especially with the state of the UK job market now awash with unemployed graduates with outstanding student loans to pay off :-(
The visual isolation it has in those woods makes me think of the Scientology Gold Base… far away from curious eyes…
Mellow,
Its nice to see you on this site. Its such a shame you are struggling to get a job. Here in the UK the job market is rank. I have recruited 3 people last week, and the terms and conditions we offer ( I have no say) are rubbish, and the standards of applicants are outstanding.
Its so sad to see you are struggling, I hope you don’t ever catch yourself thinking its Satan and you need to do more for Jehovah.
take care Mellow
70wks….
Cedars,
I seem to be having a problem posting. The error says it is a duplicate post but its not.
70wks
Mellow,
Its nice to see you on this site. Its such a shame you are struggling to get a job. Here in the UK the job market is rank. I have recruited 3 people last week, and the terms and conditions we offer ( I have no say) are rubbish, and the standards of applicants are outstanding.
Its so sad to see you are struggling.
take care Mellow
70wks….
I agree with so many of the comments here. In my view the video was transparent about the GB’s love of material things, namely buying and selling property
@Sunset
How can you justify the thought that Jesus and Jehovah are directing the organization?
Take child molestation for example. If there is only one witness, the victim, they are told to leave it in Jehovah’s hands. Once there is a second victim, the action can be taken. Therefore, if Jehovah is indeed directing things, it must have been his will that the second child was abused. The other two explanations are that Jehovah is an incompetent manager, or he is not running the show.
What do you think is more likely?
Reader, “leave it in Jehovah’s hands”!! It may be more dangerous!
(2 Samuel 12:11, 12) . . .This is what Jehovah has said, ‘Here I am raising up against you calamity out of your own house; and I will take your wives under your own eyes and give them to your fellowman, and he will certainly lie down with your wives under the eyes of this sun. 12 Whereas you yourself acted in secret, I, for my part, shall do this thing in front of all Israel and in front of the sun.’”
Gorbatchov : “who really is in charge”…….I’ve wondered that myself.
Nothing more then publicity propaganda for their rank and file members. Lets see free labor equals over a billion dollar a year business. This is another example of a business masquerading as a non profit religion. They actually are the only ones profiting as can be seen from its recent sales of real estate holdings. All those free labor hours by all fields of construction workers surely add’s up to chunk ching $$$$$$ to be controlled by the 8 members of the Governing body. No wonder they won’t get their hands dirty when they can watch someone else do it for free. They surely are using business type catch phrase’s for workers such as “Thank you for all you do” etc. No doubt they have time to read business motivational books which are targeted toward management personal. Then they have the gall to sugar coat it by saying its “Jehovahs will” How mentally more diseased can these men get? More importantly how many more people are gonna allow themselves to be brainwashed by these men? Nothing more then a Sales Pitch!!!!! And guess what? Me and allot of other conscientious thinkers are not buying it!! Next!
Apparently they are building their own paradise at the expense of gullible (albeit good-hearted) people all around the globe. Never mind the R&F are going through the ‘Great Tribulation’. In fact, that’s why people keep believing them, because of the hardships they experience, which forces them to grab to their only hope – Deus ex machina. My own family, from a third-world country, never got a house because the End was imminent, and a project to buy a simple house seems to them a waste of time and energy. It has had a profound inpact in the dignity of my family, so I wonder what they think of a construction project like this. I bet they also think it’s the proof that Jehovah is blessing the organization, never mind he did not care about our most basic needs.
A 4-year program in a school is, of course, a waste of time; but building the paradise for the elite is not a waste of time. Of course the brothers are going to love it there, how ridiculous!
Of course the brothers will love it there!
Their strategy is very clear: keep the R&F going through a ‘great tribulation’, while they build paradise on earth.
I lived this personally because my family, from a third-world country, always thought that planning to buy a house was a waste of time given the imminence of The End. Even so, I am sure my parents believe that this project is a proof of Jehovah’s blessing, never mind he could not care less about our dignity as a family.
The GB plans for the WT to continue in this old world for an unknown period of time. Could be weeks, could be decades. Nobody knows, as Jesus said.
And since we don’t know, we must plan for old age and retirement in this world. If you haven’t saved enough for retirement by age 60 or so, don’t expect any help from the WT.
If you’re only 8 years out of school, you’re young enough to start over. Perhaps you can get the education you missed. If you think you have it hard, try starting over when you’re already 60!
It is ridiculous how they use the words ‘the Governing Body is convinced’ that so and so. For them it means something like ‘Jehovah is telling the governing body’ this or that.
About 5 years ago, I was in a Spanish congregation in Texas, and they brought a brother from Bethel (all paid, including air fare), and his words were exactly the same: ‘The Governing Body is convinced, convinced [literal repetition] that the Great Tribulation is about to start’. I remember I thought ‘this is all he has to say? we all know they are convinced, they tell us everytime in the literature…. why do they have to say they are convinced?’
The more I think about this sickening group, of which I am still technically part, the more nauseating it all becomes. To borrow their words ‘I am convinced, really convinced’ that these guys are pure evil.