Posted by Kent [KENT] on November 10, 1999 at 02:11:22 {AAJB0ph6mYOJikFWJ7tMBSwZlMEBKg}:
In Reply to: Lessons from the Stasi posted by Rick on November 10, 1999 at 00:00:06:
Well Rick. The STASI methodes is just what is promoted inside the Society. Children should tell the elders about their parents actions, and parents should tell on their children. Every JW should tell about what every other JW do. And the result is a paranoid society with 100% informants- if JWs do as they are told!
As for files and filings. The Watchtower do have files on most members of the congregations. In nice brown envelopes marked Never To Be Destroyed. Placed in every congregation, in every Bethel, and in the HQ in Brooklyn.
Containing information on use of medicine, sexual practice, drinking habits, who you date, visit, talk to and are friends with. Records about crimes never reported to the police, sexual abuses, rape and even murder.
What is the really big difference between STASI and the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society?
You were shocked when I posted the material "To All Bodies Of Elders" - where they did just the same. Destroyed some evidence to keep out of trouble - while collecting other evidence "for later use". STASI used such material for blackmailing, as do/did KGB, FBI, CIA and every other inteligence service in the world. The Norwegian Inteligence too - and I guess CIA learned that from us, unfortunately. Before the war Norway did have one of the best inteligence services in the world - and back in the late 40es the CIA did learn as much from us as the other way around. (The things you do learn when you have the main enemy as your next door neighbour).
So, I do see your "fear" and Deija Vou when you looked at your TV. I guess you did feel a bit uncomfortable, since you know deep down this is the exact same system used by the Tower.
The proven fact that the Tower during WWII as a matter of fact used to send mails via the american embassies, to Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, WASHINGTON (did YOU ever hear of that branch?), do tell us that the links to the STASI like organizations were (and probably still are) far more widespread than any JW would like to know.
As Raymond Franz said in his first book. Most JWs don't know nothing what's going on inside the Organization. The elders don't know either - since the guys on top do whatever pleases them - and their reasons isn't always what JWs would like to believe.
I should like to know what Norwegian authorities would say when I can produce evidence that the Watchtower feel (and instruct) that murdercases shall be handled internally!
Me thinks the police won't like it!
Kent