Remember Malawi?

Question

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, an obscure African country came up with a requirement for a political party card for all its citizens. It was tantamount to a national ID.

The Jehovah's witness leadership told the Malawian brothers that this card would violate their Christiaan neutrality.

As a result, Jehovah's witnesses in Malawi were persecuted by their countrymen. For the sake of what they believed to be their obligation to Christian loyalty, they suffered personal attack, murder and exile. The Watchtower printed articles for mass distribution to tell the world about the persecution of our brothers. Letter-writing campaigns were encouraged to reverse the country's policies and to beg for legal protection from police who were said to be standing back and watching the attacks.

Answer 1

The UN is the Organization that is to destroy Babylon The Great the world empire of false religion.  That is in their books from the beginning of time.

Why would they be a party to an Organization that is destined to destroy all religion.  Including them.

That doesn't make any sense.  also, when I came from North Dakota to Texas down here most of the Witnesses are black.

they are in the more leadership roles as Elders and Ministral servants.  There are more minorities that are witnesses then white people.  I can't believe the Mexican brothers would  give a bride.  Knowing what sticklers they are for the truth usually more so than the others.  I wouldn't have given it a second thought.  But they offered everyone a free turkey for thansgiving.  I thought it was funny at the time not being a witnesses.  Working towards that goal.

He wouldn't take it and he had a big family.  I said, "Danny take it who cares what it is given for?"  He said, "That is a political holiday and I don't get involved in politics."

That always stuck in my mind that he wouldn't take that turkey.

But they would give a bride?  I don't believe that.

Answer 2

This is just one thing that is inequitable with the Watchtower.  You will find more.  You mentioned about speculation on the net.  For that reason, I will refrain from speculation.

Answer 3

This was a horrible hypocrisy Jehovah's Witnesses in other countries can enroll to vote but just not cast a ballot.

Answer 4

That doesn't make any sense, in their books it is published that the United Nations is the beast that is going to turn on religion and destroy her.  So we have been taught to look to the UN for the launch into Armageddon.

As far as racist against blacks.  In Texas we went to the Assembly in Belton Texas.  It was mostly minorities.  they were all either black or Mexican.  There was a handful of white people.  Noticed because I am white.

We were treated so well and made to feel so welcome and everyone seemed to really get along well.  They had this large black man and the end of the stairs.  anyone who has been to expoe center knows they are dangerous.  My mom coming down the stairs fell and did a nose dive which could have killed her.  But he jumped and caught her in mid air.

The whole family was so grateful for his not only large size but his bravery.  I have never seen any racistism among the witnesses.  I was taught from infancy that we are all brothers.

I grew up with many black friends which my parents incouraged.

Answer 5

Yes that is where Madonna got her son and stole him from his father.

Answer 6

Overt racism...I remember when I learned of this I was outraged..Actually When Madonna adopted her son, last year, the Malawi incident came back to mind...

  I wondered how many Jehovah's Witnesses had died again for a false doctrine...But allowing, even encouraging the people in Mexico to not take a public stand for their beliefs, gives me the chills...Is there any answer but Racism?

Ruth:  what about Mexico?  You did not address that The brothers in Mexico were not required to take the same stand that the Brothers in Malawi were required to take..address the Real question!

EDIT:  We can all come up with examples as to witnesses associating with brothers of another race...I would like to know why the Governing Body would make the Brothers in Malawi die for their faith and at the exact same time give the Brothers in Mexico an out? If not racist, then what?

Keiichi>>>I beg to differ with your..In Malawi..they were supposed to commit through writing a contract  with the Government....And made martyrs...In your own words Mexico"s little bribing is common...I thought that you were set apart, and above lying...This little bribe kept the Mexican Witnesses from entering the military.  What would have happened if the WBTS required the Mexican brothers take a stand like they required of the brothers in Malawi....You can not re-write history, I was there and I was a Witness then.

Answer 7

First: The situation in Malawi and Mexico were not identical. In Malawi, the government under Dr. Banda literally declared 'open season' on Jehovah's Witnesses. They lost all privileges of citizenship. They were fired from their jobs. Their homes and possessions were confiscated. They lost police protection, and so, gangs of patriotic thugs raped our women, and the brothers were beaten and imprisoned. Ultimately, most of Jehovah's Witnesses fled into neighboring Mozambique to escape the persecution.

The situation in Mexico was nothing compared to that in Malawi. In Mexico, the brothers had to have a document stating that they served compulsory military service. There was no real penalty other than it was difficult to travel, and perhaps obtain certain employment, without that certificate. So, the brothers there were unfortunately ill-advised to avoid the inconvenience by means of the 'mordida'--- Spanish for "the bite," which is in reference to offering a bribe. By the way, bribery is the all-to-common way of conducting legal and business matters in Latin America. The mordida is so prevalent in Mexico that it is even considered as an unofficial fee that has to be paid in order to get things done.

Ex-Jehovah's Witnesses have peddled the lie that the dark-skinned Africans were thrown to the wolves, while the Watchtower favored the Mexican brothers. That is simply not true. The Mexican brothers were not persecuted if they did not have that card. And given the rabid nature of the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Malawi, they would have been persecuted even if they had purchased the political ID card. That is not to say that the Watchtower's advice to the Mexican brothers to pay the mordida was right, but the situation in Mexico was in no way comparable to the plight of the brothers in Malawi.

The real issue has to do with our view of the Watchtower Society.

Consider the Bible's history of ancient Israel and its leaders. For a fact, virtually every king and prominent leader in Israel fell short in some area. Moses, for example, was forbidden from entering the Promised Land because he failed to honor Jehovah on one occasion. Take David as another example: He was beloved by Jehovah and the nation, yet on one occasion the scriptures say that he was over-reached by Satan and tempted into taking a census of Israel. His general, Joab, strongly objected to the whole affair, but David insisted. As a result, David's folly brought Jehovah's punishment upon the entire nation.

But, the question is: Did David's foolish mistake caused him to lose Jehovah's favor entirely? No. Likewise, did the fact that the nation was punished because of David's error mean that they were not Jehovah's own possession? Again, no, of course not. Similarly, just because men in positions of leadership in the Watchtower do stupid things doesn't mean that the organization does not belong to Jehovah God. On the contrary, numerous prophecies clearly indicate that Jehovah is going to have his Son “clean House” for their shortcomings. - Ezekiel 36:22-28

Note: The Malawian government required all of its citizens to purchase a 25-cent political card. However, Jehovah's Witnesses steadfastly refused because they saw it as a compromise of their political neutrality. As a result President Banda suspended their civil rights and the brothers and sisters were subjected to vicious attacks and many lost their lives. Brothers lost their jobs, businesses and homes. Our sisters were raped by gangs. Most of the friends were forced to flee the country and live in refugee camps. Yet, their uncompromising stand for Jehovah's kingdom is an inspiration to all of Jehovah's Witnesses to this day.

Answer 8

In Mexico they were told they could give bribes?  That is just plain crazy.  I know they wouldn't do that.  The Mexican brothers would never do that.

As far as the UN that is the organization that is going to turn on false religion and destroy her.  Launching us into Armageddon.  I don't know where you get your information but it is all false or just made up.

As a child I was raised to view all people as equal and loved in the eyes of God.  My best friend has always been star who just happens to be from a black family.  who is kind of my second family.  They have always been there for me.

My father at his job was almost fired because he got mad at a man for a racist joke about black people.  They know he doesn't like that and so they quit.  He does not look the other way and he said I don't want you to either.

when someone makes a racist comment speak up and let them know that is morally wrong, you don't believe that way and it is a sin.  Don't just walk away.

Answer 9

Racist?  I find that hard to believe.  When I went to  San Francisco to one their assemblys my wife insisted on dragging me to.  Every elder in that Assembly and the speakers or preachers whatever they call them were black.

They was a majority of black people involved and there.

Then on a trip to Africa those people were all over the place.

With the same watchtowers all over the place.  whole communities of Witnesses.  One of the guides on the tour said, if Africa one day all becomes Jehovah's Witnesses and I wouldn't be suprised with their preaching all the time.

It would solve the problems of Africa.  From the tribal wars to AIDS.  He said:  "they make everybody get married and be faithful or they get kicked out"

Personally I thought it was a black religion.  Most of the people I have met in that religion are black.

Answer 10

show proof that they have joined the UN?

The UN means the United Nations and is not a religious enity.

In fact I do not believe any religions are able to join the UN.

As horrible as the attacks on the brothers in Malawi were the not joining a political party, was made public notice.

In the future when whole nations were at war they were allowed to leave because it was known even under the worst conditions possible they would not become involved in the politics of any small country in Africa.  This was said by someone who was not a Witness.  That in the end it saved more lives than it took.  It also showed that to persacute that religion it would be known throughout the world.

So when brutal acts by war lords were done and not wanting it to come to be public to the world they left the witnesses alone.  So the letters and the reason all became involved saved hundreds more lives.

If it was so terrible and the African people were so mistreated.  Someone coming back from Africa not a witness again.  Said; They are all over Africa, preaching everywhere I went.  someone told me they are the fastest growing religion over here.  They have managed to bring people from different tribes who had this hatred for each other from birth.  Into a he is my brother relationship.

They have got rid of a lot of the sexual practices associated with funerals.  The only religion that has gotten female circumcison stopped.  Abortion and living together without marriage.  In cases where they want to be a witness and cannot afford to get married they paid the price for them to get married.  The only religion that has gotten the spiritistic practices and omens and witch craft so prevalent in that area stopped.  The good being done in that country far out weighs the pain that they suffered.  Many have quit being promiscous in a country where AIDS is so prevalent.  HOw many lives did that save?  ONes who had drinking problems, or drug abuse or chewing the bethel nut all that has stopped among JW;s.

How many lives did that save?