About Brandon Harper Expertise I was raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses and was baptized for 21 years. I was a 4th generation Jehovah's Witness both paternally and maternally and am qualified to answer many questions regarding doctrine, doctrinal changes, historical basis for various doctrines, as well as offer rebuttal responses from the perspective of a former Jehovah's Witness. I can also answer questions from the perspective of an ardent Jehovah's Witness.
Experience I am 33 years old, became a publisher and gave my first public talk at age 4, was baptized at age 12, became an inactive publisher at age 32, and disassociated myself at age 33. My father has served as a congregation servant/elder continuously from the age of 17 on. Of my 9 uncles, 6 are elders. Of my 9 aunts, four are regular pioneers. My father is the presiding overseer of a congregation. When I began seriously investigating this religion I had to prepare for conversations with a very large extended family steeped in the history and doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses. I have thoroughly studied many Watchtower Society publications that most Jehovah's Witnesses have never even read, if they have heard of them at all, seeking the origins of various doctrinal points. I knew I would need to have this knowledge to discuss the issues in detail with my family when I decided to disassociate myself.
Education/Credentials I read every Watchtower and Awake! magazine from at least age 8 through age 32. According to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society I have the equivalent of several four-year degrees (Reference available on request). I would hope that education would qualify me as an expert.
Jehovah`s Witness - Why did the WBTS join the United Nations? followup
Expert: Brandon Harper - 7/16/2006
Question Thanks for your response.
Q-1 Is the criteria different now then it was back in 1991?
R/Luis
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Followup To
Question -
Criteria for association with DPI
- the NGO must support and respect the principles of the Charter of the UN and have a clear mission statement with those principles
- the NGO must be recognized nationally or internationally
- the NGO should operate solely on a not-for-profit basis and have tax-exempt status
the
- NGO must have the commitment and the means to conduct effective information programmes with its constituents about UN activities
- the NGO should have an established record of continuity of work for a minimum of three years and should show promise of sustained activity in the future
- the NGO should have a satisfactory record of collaboration with UN Information Centres/Services or other parts of the UN System prior to association
- the NGO should provide an audited annual financial statement, conducted by a qualified, independent accountant
- the NGO should have statutes/by-laws providing for a transparent process of making decisions, elections of officers and members
Above is the list of criteria that falls under the responsibility of the NGO associated with DPI.
Q.1 Out of these criteria which one did WBTS did not submit to?
V/R Luis
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Answer -
Luis,
I had trouble finding the question in the submission just prior to this one. If you still want more information on that point, please try to simplify the request to a succinct question, or a small set of questions, if possible.
Your current followup question asked: "Out of these criteria which one did WBTS did not submit to?"
(1) the NGO must support and respect the principles of the Charter of the UN and have a clear mission statement with those principles
(2) the NGO should have statutes/by-laws providing for a transparent process of making decisions, elections of officers and members
With regard to the first criterion for Association, their published doctrine is violated by becoming an Associate member of the United Nations Department of Public Information (UN/DPI). It is presumably solely on this basis that they requested disassociation from the UN/DPI.
On the second criterion, their statutes/by-laws regarding decision making processes are FAR from "transparent" and on this score they failed to meet the Criteria for Association to the UN/DPI.
While there is much speculation regarding the extent to which the WTS served to disseminate the objectives and activities of the UN to the public, there is no clear evidence that they ever intended to serve in this capacity.
However, there is a distinct change in tone in the literature regarding the UN from mid-1991 through 2001. Some articles could even be considered adulation of the UN's contribution to humanity, which is not only uncommon during any other period of time, it is unheard of.
I hope this answers your question satisfactorily.
Respectfully,
Brandon Harper
Answer Luis,
While the wording of some of the Criteria for Association has changed, there has been no material change in the first criterion. That criterion has been fully in effect since 1968 when the framework was established whereby non-governmental organizations could Associate to the UN/ECOSOC.
A paramount essential to any relationship to the UN or ANY UN Department or Section, is the organization's support and respect for the principles (and purposes) of the UN Charter.
Article 2 specifies at the outset: "The Organization and its Members, in pursuit of the Purposes stated in Article 1, shall act in accordance with the following Principles."
Therefore, it is impossible to separate the pursuit of the Purposes from support of the Principles, as the one follows from the other.
If this criterion made an Associate membership to the United Nations Department of Public Information wrong in 2001, it also made such a relationship wrong in 1991.
I hope this answered your question in great enough detail. Please feel free to ask followup questions, if you like.
