Evacuated

@Witness
OK. You made me look. I wanted to see if "my company" was listed there, too. And it was.
By "my company," I mean the company I retired from after 27 years. I've even attended the GSAM Summits in New York and elsewhere, not to pay attention to them, but just to provide a presence so our name could be among the list of hundreds of other financial institutions. We paid for the summit and sometimes sent substitutes rather than the fund asset managers, just because we needed our name listed among many other companies, and because our company managed over a trillion dollars in assets from some of those same companies on the list, especially their retirement accounts for example.
But I didn't really think I'd see the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society on the list. At the time, I suppose they were already planning to centralize all the excess funds from all the congregations up to their various branch headquarters, and then, in some cases, move all the excess branch money up to the central New York headquarters. In addition they were and are still in the midst of between 1 and 2 billion dollars worth of real estate sales online.
I know that it might look bad to some, but this is not an "unrighteous" thing. Remember that Jesus also said in an illustration:
(Matthew 25:27) 27 Well, then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my coming I would have received it back with interest.
I know he wasn't talking about real money in the final application of the illustration, but in principle, Jesus does speak out against bankers.

Excellent! I couldn't find them on the file name alone and was going to have a trawl now as I am just back from the meeting. Thanks for the reference.  

These are interesting. Where did they come from?

One of the downloadable informational packets, like this one:
https://www.jw.org/en/news/legal-resources/information/packet-recognition-in-european-union/
Found it.. plus a bunch of others.
https://www.jw.org/en/news/legal-resources/information/
Downloadable Information Packets
Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
An overview of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Europe, including a brief explanation of their core beliefs.
Benefits of Publications of Jehovah’s Witnesses
The religious literature produced by Jehovah’s Witnesses promotes understanding of the Bible and its practical benefits.
Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Community
Jehovah’s Witnesses are socially integrated, attentive to the needs of the community in which they live, and respectful of the right of others to adhere to their personal beliefs.
Jehovah’s Witnesses and Their Public Ministry
Jehovah’s Witnesses cherish their right to freedom of expression. In exercising this right, they share the Bible’s message of good news with their neighbors.
Family Life
Jehovah’s Witnesses highly regard family life and strive to apply Bible principles in a way that benefits each family member. They value the right to educate their children in their religious beliefs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to ten frequently asked questions about Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Medical Care
Jehovah’s Witnesses seek nonblood medical management for their health-care needs. In exercising their right to bodily self-determination, they want the best medical treatment for themselves and their children.
Conscientious Objection to Military Service
International law recognizes conscientious objection to military service as a fundamental right. Jehovah’s Witnesses are grateful when governments show respect for their neutral political stand by providing alternative civilian service or by exempting them from military service.
Political Neutrality
Jehovah’s Witnesses are law-abiding citizens who subject themselves to governmental authorities while remaining neutral in political affairs.
Recognition in the European Union
An overview of the legal status of Jehovah’s Witnesses in European Union countries.
Assembling Together for Worship
Jehovah’s Witnesses appreciate the right to freedom of assembly and association. Their religious services feature Bible education and are open to the public.
“Jehovah’s Witnesses of Moscow v. Russia”
A summary of the European Court of Human Rights judgment in favor of the Moscow Community of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
 

INFORMATION PACKETS
Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses?

An overview of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Europe, including a brief explanation of their core beliefs.
1012739_E_cnt_1.pdf
 

Why do we even want to find common ground on this?  I could tolerate that "Easter", (or more specifically, "Good Friday"), could be viewed as Christendom's version of the Memorial.   But really....which came first? The (true) Christians or the Egg?? 

Think so. But what makes legislated matters right or wrong is how we feel about them isn't it That's how I understand part of the excercise of conscience and my freedom to do so?
 
My conscience can tolerate this as part of "Ceasar's" administrative structure of the day. After all I don't try to alter the calendar systems of other countries when I travel abroad. However, compliance with the fact that an "ancient Germanic goddess's name was retained for a Christian festival" is a bridge too far for me.
 
 

I think it was the main talk at the  2006 Special Assembly Day called "Be Intensely Occupied With God's Inspired Word." Rumor has it that the brother who gave it was "demoted" from his "district convention" speaking assignments for going off-script. The 2007 "district convention" had a talk called "Do Not Follow After False Stories" where this same talk was alluded to.

That may be true, but I have mentioned on this forum a few months ago the issue with countries with extremely large populations such as India and China with over 1.3. billion each totaling aprox. 36% of the world's population where for all intents and purposes no one has even heard of Jehovah's Witnesses, and many, particularly in India don't even know what a Bible is. My question was, would Jehovah discard nearly 3 billion people because they have not heard the Good News of the Kingdom?  And if not, how long would it take for those 3 billion (bear in mind the extreme poverty and ignorance in some parts of these countries) to be made sufficiently aware in order to make an informed choice?

No, not at all. No mention of messengers in my post. The message, however, was my focus. Sorry if that was not clear. 

Why does this thread keep making me think of Ecclesiastes 7:16
"Do not be overly righteous, nor show yourself excessively wise. Why should you bring ruin to yourself?"
http://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/7-16.htm
 

No, not at all. No mention of messengers in my post. The message, however, was my focus. Sorry if that was not clear. 

No, not at all. No mention of messengers in my post. The message, however, was my focus. Sorry if that was not clear. 

????
Edited to add. While I was writing something here and before I pressed 'submit' I saw a message pop up that Eoin was just then already responding so I quickly removed everything I had written so that I could first read what Eoin's take on this had been. It sounds like Eoin was thinking about the same thing that I was.  It has always been my experience that Eoin is one of most careful to avoid actually attacking the messenger. It has been my experience that he makes the forum a pleasure because he deals with the subject matter rather than the personalities. It's not that I don't know what it might have sounded like he was saying, but the very fact that it might have sounded like he meant something that he didn't actually say is an opportunity to check our own pre-judgments about what was meant.
My original response was going to include:
Why does my current response in this topic remind me of Proverbs 27:17? 
(Proverbs 26:17) 17 Like someone grabbing hold of a dog’s ears Is the one passing by who becomes furious about a quarrel that is not his. Of course, I was happy to remove it (initially) because I didn't want anyone to think I was calling them a dog.
 

JWs in Russian Supreme Court
Best available so far.

Fact is that humans have given their lives for all manner of causes, real and imagined, religious and secular, admired and condemned by others. 
It is an extraordinary feature of humans that, throughout history, some are prepared to place principle above immediate personal survival. This has been exploited by religious and political schemers throughout that same history.
Jehovah made man this way, and recognised it in tolerating Satan's cynical and false assertion that “Skin for skin. A man will give everything that he has for his life" (Job 2:4). In fact, and to the contrary, a man will give his life for everything that he holds dear.
In his attempt to prove otherwise, Satan has caused many lives to be sacrificed, not the least those described at Ps.116:15: "Costly [Lit. Precious] in the eyes of Jehovah Is the death of his loyal ones.".
It is true that the relative, though sadly often only temporary, peace many of us presently enjoy has been hard won by the sacrifice of brave men and women, who regardless of their ignorance of the real issue, have served to prove the Devil's lie. It is reassuring to contemplate that their lives have not been wasted. In the coming Messianic kingdom, even those countless "Unknown Soldiers" will be back to tell their stories, and to embrace at last "the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ" 2Cor. 4:4. This is something far better than plaques and statues, memorial days and moments of mass silence. Or the embittered tears of fatherless, motherless, brotherless, sisterless families.
Then they will learn about the greatest and most efficacious sacrifice ever made, the Ransom Sacrifice of Jehovahs greatest warrior, His Son, Jesus Christ. And that event all who love Jehovah in the world today will be commemorating on Tuesday 11 April 2017 after sundown. And we can now do this shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in Russia, knowing that Jehovah has given them this brief respite. And we can pray that Jehovah will fortify them for the uncertainty of the coming days as they too prove the lie to Satan's claim that “Skin for skin. A man will give everything that he has for his life".

Fact is that humans have given their lives for all manner of causes, real and imagined, religious and secular, admired and condemned by others. 
It is an extraordinary feature of humans that, throughout history, some are prepared to place principle above immediate personal survival. This has been exploited by religious and political schemers throughout that same history.
Jehovah made man this way, and recognised it in tolerating Satan's cynical and false assertion that “Skin for skin. A man will give everything that he has for his life" (Job 2:4). In fact, and to the contrary, a man will give his life for everything that he holds dear.
In his attempt to prove otherwise, Satan has caused many lives to be sacrificed, not the least those described at Ps.116:15: "Costly [Lit. Precious] in the eyes of Jehovah Is the death of his loyal ones.".
It is true that the relative, though sadly often only temporary, peace many of us presently enjoy has been hard won by the sacrifice of brave men and women, who regardless of their ignorance of the real issue, have served to prove the Devil's lie. It is reassuring to contemplate that their lives have not been wasted. In the coming Messianic kingdom, even those countless "Unknown Soldiers" will be back to tell their stories, and to embrace at last "the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ" 2Cor. 4:4. This is something far better than plaques and statues, memorial days and moments of mass silence. Or the embittered tears of fatherless, motherless, brotherless, sisterless families.
Then they will learn about the greatest and most efficacious sacrifice ever made, the Ransom Sacrifice of Jehovahs greatest warrior, His Son, Jesus Christ. And that event all who love Jehovah in the world today will be commemorating on Tuesday 11 April 2017 after sundown. And we can now do this shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in Russia, knowing that Jehovah has given them this brief respite. And we can pray that Jehovah will fortify them for the uncertainty of the coming days as they too prove the lie to Satan's claim that “Skin for skin. A man will give everything that he has for his life".

Fact is that humans have given their lives for all manner of causes, real and imagined, religious and secular, admired and condemned by others. 
It is an extraordinary feature of humans that, throughout history, some are prepared to place principle above immediate personal survival. This has been exploited by religious and political schemers throughout that same history.
Jehovah made man this way, and recognised it in tolerating Satan's cynical and false assertion that “Skin for skin. A man will give everything that he has for his life" (Job 2:4). In fact, and to the contrary, a man will give his life for everything that he holds dear.
In his attempt to prove otherwise, Satan has caused many lives to be sacrificed, not the least those described at Ps.116:15: "Costly [Lit. Precious] in the eyes of Jehovah Is the death of his loyal ones.".
It is true that the relative, though sadly often only temporary, peace many of us presently enjoy has been hard won by the sacrifice of brave men and women, who regardless of their ignorance of the real issue, have served to prove the Devil's lie. It is reassuring to contemplate that their lives have not been wasted. In the coming Messianic kingdom, even those countless "Unknown Soldiers" will be back to tell their stories, and to embrace at last "the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ" 2Cor. 4:4. This is something far better than plaques and statues, memorial days and moments of mass silence. Or the embittered tears of fatherless, motherless, brotherless, sisterless families.
Then they will learn about the greatest and most efficacious sacrifice ever made, the Ransom Sacrifice of Jehovahs greatest warrior, His Son, Jesus Christ. And that event all who love Jehovah in the world today will be commemorating on Tuesday 11 April 2017 after sundown. And we can now do this shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in Russia, knowing that Jehovah has given them this brief respite. And we can pray that Jehovah will fortify them for the uncertainty of the coming days as they too prove the lie to Satan's claim that “Skin for skin. A man will give everything that he has for his life".

Fact is that humans have given their lives for all manner of causes, real and imagined, religious and secular, admired and condemned by others. 
It is an extraordinary feature of humans that, throughout history, some are prepared to place principle above immediate personal survival. This has been exploited by religious and political schemers throughout that same history.
Jehovah made man this way, and recognised it in tolerating Satan's cynical and false assertion that “Skin for skin. A man will give everything that he has for his life" (Job 2:4). In fact, and to the contrary, a man will give his life for everything that he holds dear.
In his attempt to prove otherwise, Satan has caused many lives to be sacrificed, not the least those described at Ps.116:15: "Costly [Lit. Precious] in the eyes of Jehovah Is the death of his loyal ones.".
It is true that the relative, though sadly often only temporary, peace many of us presently enjoy has been hard won by the sacrifice of brave men and women, who regardless of their ignorance of the real issue, have served to prove the Devil's lie. It is reassuring to contemplate that their lives have not been wasted. In the coming Messianic kingdom, even those countless "Unknown Soldiers" will be back to tell their stories, and to embrace at last "the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ" 2Cor. 4:4. This is something far better than plaques and statues, memorial days and moments of mass silence. Or the embittered tears of fatherless, motherless, brotherless, sisterless families.
Then they will learn about the greatest and most efficacious sacrifice ever made, the Ransom Sacrifice of Jehovahs greatest warrior, His Son, Jesus Christ. And that event all who love Jehovah in the world today will be commemorating on Tuesday 11 April 2017 after sundown. And we can now do this shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in Russia, knowing that Jehovah has given them this brief respite. And we can pray that Jehovah will fortify them for the uncertainty of the coming days as they too prove the lie to Satan's claim that “Skin for skin. A man will give everything that he has for his life".

Or he could take it out on us since in his eyes we are a US religion...

BBC World Service report.

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BBC World Service report.

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Here it is. And the caption says "Mail in the USA. All these are letters to Russian officials in defense of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia". Don't worry about the privacy of that person, their Instagram account is public. The sad thing is this person was repeatedly informed that these are not our letters by a large number of the friends in the comments. She deleted all the comments and disabled further commenting. The even sadder thing is I have a feeling she is stubbornly keeping her post there because it has over 1500 likes, (which shows how many were duped) and all her other posts have barely 40, so she must be very proud of it! This picture was shared like wildfire by many others on all the social media as our letters to Russia ......
 

I see your point; however Hebrews chapter 11 discusses pre Christian witnesses of Jehovah. 

Which one was this?
They can indeed.......and do extensively. But there is a gentle reminder at Proverbs 27:2......
"Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; Others, and not your own lips."