(2005-06-24) Randall Watters
Jehovah Witnesses Live in a Conflicting Environment
For over 125 years the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society has been proclaiming the end of the world is nigh. It is to be replaced with a New Order where only those espousing their beliefs will live.
Yet the Watchtower Society continued to build in Brooklyn, expanding their smaller headquarters to contain several large properties in the exclusive Brooklyn Heights section next to the Brooklyn Bridge. In spite of several failed prophecies for the end of the world, the last disappointment being the year 1975, the Watchtower is a multi-billion dollar landowner all over the world. Income from their New York City corporation (one of many they own) is one of the top 40 in New York City, with just under $1 billion per year.
Not content with owning large blocks of properties and a 30-story residential building in Brooklyn, the Watchtower Society is planning to build a large 20+ story complex in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), a trendy neighborhood that is not happy with their plans.
A watchdog organization called 85 Jay Street.org was formed to oppose this major influx of non-taxpaying residents, who want the project scaled down and altered to at least reflect part of the local community instead of having another huge religious dormitory like the large factory and residential buildings already dominating Brooklyn Heights.
Why So Much Construction When the End is Near?
Currently Jehovah's Witnesses are attending summer conventions all over the world, and part of the scripted assembly program is focused on this "time of the end" we are living in. One play drama focuses on not worrying so much about getting a higher education because the "end is near."
Why are so many buildings being erected when the numbers are down and Witnesses are apathetic about pressure to do more?
It could be an advance move to make sure their are enough funds to cover the ongoing litigation over child abuse scandals now mounting.
The large payouts the Catholic Church has made in the last few years over pedophile priests and those who cover them up has Watchtower attorneys worried for similar reasons. This is largely due to a "biblical dictate" that says in order to take action against any allegations of sexual misconduct or pedophilia there must be "two witnesses" to the alleged crime. Since that is rarely the case in the real world with pedophiles, large numbers of them have been left unpunished and go unreported, even though the elders and the leaders of the Watchtower Society often have knowledge of such allegations, and in fact have covered over many confessions of sex abusers - not wanting adverse publicity on their organization. This "ecclesiastical privilege" means that the Witness coming to your door to talk about the Bible may in fact be a known pedophile among his elders but has never been prosecuted by the sect OR the law, and they are out there talking to your children.
The law firm of Love and Norris is currently seeking prosecution for several such cases among the Witnesses, hoping to build a class-action suit that will force the Watchtower to change its policies (they are still holding to the "two witnesses" rule). The Watchtower Society is building all of their new properties to be easily converted into luxury apartments should the need arise. They already have several large properties up for sale in this multimillion dollar neighborhood. Buy low and sell high! But if the end is near, Why?