Arauna

I saw an article recently which talked about the 'abuse' and lack of staff in these prisons because there are too few wardens and no investment in prison infrastructure.  The prisons have become a place for open drug smuggling and the vilest of practices - in comparison to the time that government managed it.  Private companies do not care about the level of service / humanitarian issues because they are enriching themselves off the money from the government for providing a "service." 
No chance of anyone being reformed in places like those!

I like the phrase "one channel of truth" - well chosen words.   The 'only' sublime truth out there in the jungle of untruths.
One does not know where to find a little "truth" any more in the news. Many backroom mischief-makers are now jumping on the bandwagon and spinning out false stories since the word " fake news" has become a byword.  Far left and far right are each giving their 'versions' or "alternative facts " of world events.  There are very few respected news channels left where one can get the story as it happened without some political spin.
I realized it is time to cut my time on these things and focus only on the "one" truth!  Satan is out there gathering people together with the 'propaganda' for the great day of Armageddon. Everyone is becoming more fierce and confrontational....  Rev 16: 14-16. " It is expressions of demons going out.... to gather .....together for Armageddon"

I saw an article recently which talked about the 'abuse' and lack of staff in these prisons because there are too few wardens and no investment in prison infrastructure.  The prisons have become a place for open drug smuggling and the vilest of practices - in comparison to the time that government managed it.  Private companies do not care about the level of service / humanitarian issues because they are enriching themselves off the money from the government for providing a "service." 
No chance of anyone being reformed in places like those!

via TheWorldNewsOrgWorld News

The best help - gift -  we can give anyone is to teach them about Jehovah!   It lifts them out of despair and gives them hope  for a future - something to look forward to!   Many live in poverty (with its associated crime and ignorance) and realize there is no way they will ever get out of their circumstances - they do not have the education or money or opportunities..to get out of their country or circumstances...  Some fathers start to drink/use drugs with the little money they earn and increase the suffering of their families because they are desperate and do not know the way out.  (I lived 48 years in Africa before moving to Europe and later in America - now in Sweden).  I saw such extreme poverty that I was stunned by it... and realized that only the message of Jehovah can give hope for a future life.
We are very materialistic in the West!  Jehovah promises us to come out of Armageddon only with our "life" - no other things.  What is the most precious gift we have - it is our life!  I think the very poor and deprived sometimes understand this more than affluent people do!  (This is why affluent people make issues of very small things because they are not wondering where their next meal is coming from for their family!) When I see the smiles of our brothers in Africa, and know that many of them only have the minimum to survive, and yet they have such joy! ... my heart is happy to know that someone took the time to teach them the truth!
I  worked amongst Arab speaking refugees in America - sometimes more than 100 hours and spent some 30 to 40 additional hours helping them with translations and filling out forms etc. ... and I have come to the conclusion that some just want "social help"  and focus more on material things.  They are not really searching for the "truth".  Some have a spiritual need but they are not prepared to let go of their "wants"  to reach out for the promises that Jehovah can give them. They are not spiritual people  but "fleshly".  They evaluate everything in only fleshly terms.  Of course we must teach them this but sometimes they just want to  "take" more than "give".  Because witnesses are so 'giving' these people can become predators.   So we must be careful to keep the right focus - first on spiritual help.   This is why it is wise to look after our own brothers and sisters first - and then reach out to others with "social works."
To be a truly Christian person we will not hold back kindness when it is possible to give it - but the most precious gift is the truth!  Of course (if it is in your power to do something do it).  I wrote letters for people who could not speak the language to get better housing or helped them to reduce bills ... I gave some help which does not involve money... and this giving spirit demonstrated to them the Christian way of thinking - to help others at sacrifice to self.  To give 'time' to help others.  But the focus of our time should be spent on teaching others the truth.  Our time is the most precious commodity we have!
Oh, I wanted to add another thought:   The witnesses are preaching in so many languages now that most people on earth can be reached in their own language!  Those who are living in "closed" societies - such as muslim countries where a bible is not allowed - these nations are now being shaken!  So these refugees are now coming out and being contacted with the truth!
I preach here in the streets giving out tracts.  Some come to me - and ask questions!   I make sure I show them how different we are to other Christians so they have a solid basis to go and think about... and later talk to the Witnesses again.  I feel about it this way - they are getting a Witness - very few are going to listen - but all need to get an opportunity!
Jehovah will resurrect those who are asleep in death - those who never had contact with the truth.  Many were good people and had a good conscience!  Jehovah is just and will not pass anyone by that may be a good future citizen of his Government. We must now focus on getting the "precious things of the nations"  out of the vicious world which will soon collapse!

The sacred secret has now been revealed!   Eph 1:8-10-   Jehovah has been 'managing/ administering" his sacred secret throughout the millennia. We now understand the timeline of all the promises relating to Jesus as the future king of a government that will correct the "root-cause" of all of mankind's problems.

The Bible was written over 1600 years.
It's history & prophecy are   linked to seven world powers.
Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medical-Persia, Greece, Rome, and Anglo- America.

The Bible is trustworthy & reliable & inspired of God & its message is one of hope for the end to the suffering caused by human misrule. 

16 "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness,"
 17 "so that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work."
(2 Timothy 3:16,17) NWT jw.org

https://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/view-bible-tract/how-do-you-view-the-bible/#?insight[search_id]=02748435-f773-4159-bbf0-8925c08f73b0&insight[search_result_index]=6

Searcing for the truth!  I went to several churches to search for the truth and attended lectures by theologians at university. I was not impressed. I was reading the bible - a lot. I found scriptures which refuted the trinity and asked a professor about it. He gave me a book to read..  which did not answer my questions..  I then met a little old lady at the library and my life changed forever!

I spoke with a Swedish sister yesterday while on field service.  She said that the Swedes NEVER talk about religion - it is a taboo in their culture.  Many Swedes are secularist.   The sister took quite long to become active because she could not tell her parents that she wanted to be a witness and she still cannot speak to them about Jehovah because it is taboo in their family to speak about any aspect of any religion.  So I find these brothers advertising their faith so loud very encouraging and brave!

My dear friend - to me all these things are not really important.  What is important is that Jehovah is going to remove all false religions and governments (including all the secret organizations and secret religious orders which has its hold on society) from the earth.
A lot of Arabs ask me about the illuminati... and now we see this article today about the 'deep state'.    It is good to know that it  exists (but one does not have to study it in detail to be sure of the details of its existence - because it is just another manifestation of Satans deceiving power. )  i.e. The dark net - there is proof that it exists, but not even the CIA knows the full extent of it and may never know it  ; but they say that only the top of the iceberg is visible.  ISIS and powerful criminals use encrypted messages on the dark net - it is larger than the regular internet .  They do all their criminal business/recruiting there and the CIA etc. cannot penetrate it.   Most decent people are not even aware of this!
When I encounter these questions in field service, awareness of it, has helped me  to answer,  I say :  Yes I know there are many secret organizations which are wielding great power on earth and many powerful governments are ordering assassinations and manipulate weaker governments and even arrange coo-de-tats, there are global (evil) corporations controlling large parts of the world through their money and lobbying - and then I briefly say what I know. But then the punchline comes:- Mankind does not have the power to stop it!  It is so integrated in society like a scrambled egg.  It cannot be undone! by mankind. Then I give the scriptures:  This is all proof that Jehovah will have to step in and destroy wickedness because these wicked practices are hurting good people and Jehovah will not allow this to go on forever! 
Regarding Islam - Satan inspired a man to take the Kingdom of Jehovah and make a false replica of it.  The eschatological beliefs of islam believe that Islam must rule all over the earth and Sharia law must prevail everywhere for there to be peace on earth for a period of time.  They believe that Jesus will come back to earth in flesh and fight the Dajjal (anti-Christ with the sword - weapon.... ) and submit to Islam. 
Of course the Muslims are killing each other (Shiia and Sunni) because their "theocracy" (such as in Shiia Iran) is actually human rule by Imams with their fatwas and "spiritual police" who check women's dress etc.   They follow the example of Mohammad as a perfect man just as we follow the example of Jesus.   If we became fundamentalist (go back to what Jesus taught) everyone would sell their possessions and no-one will lift a weapon and preach about the Kingdom all day....
If you read the life history of Mohammad you will be shocked at all the bad things he did and allowed in Sharia Law.   Because most Muslims learn these things from a young age they are not shocked at some of the things allowed in Islam.  When I read the Qur'an a red flag went up very quickly when I saw the attitude of superiority that is taught towards Christians and Jews... and I can give you the list of scriptures to read in an English Qur'an which creates enmity with all "unbelievers" and allows for killing.
Just as in Christianity - they attend mosque and do not read the Qur'an themselves - only those who understand arabic.  They trust their Imams to teach them.  Saudi Arabia has used their oil wealth in the last 40 years to send Imams into the world teaching the fundamental "Salafist" Islam and they also used front organizations to build mosques all over Europe and America... other countries too!  Some Mosques teach radicalized teachings and some do not.  Most Muslims believe in this future government of islam. Unfortunately they also believe that deceit about islam is permitted to "win" people to the faith...... so very nice people will not expose the "questionable" beliefs of the religion - and believe me -  there are many!.
Extreme muslims do not vote - they believe in loyalty only to Allah and his future government.  ISIS was killing young kids that were playing music or football because fun is not allowed on earth and one must be prepared to give your life for the future 'government"...when you kill unbelievers in the act of giving your life you receive life in heaven immediately without suffering in hell.  You can then intercede for your family.  What this heaven entails - according to the Hadith - they will not tell you- because it is  shocking!
So Islam is a false replica of God's heavenly kingdom here on earth for a short period.... and then the final reward is heaven with many carnal pleasures!  The Imams have tremendous power.  One is not allowed to question the Quran, or a teacher of islam, because then you are a heretic or apostate - punishable by death in an Islamic country.  Read up, how many Christians are killed in Pakistan yearly because if some person does not like them - they can accuse them of saying something against the Qur'an or say they have burnt a page of the Qur'an -  and then the "perpetrator" faces execution - sometimes the  crowds take matters into their own hands... The father posesses his children and wife: so "honor killings " receive mild sentence.   I can go on and on.
It is not important to know these things unless you work amongst them and this knowledge is also not the most important - because it is Jehovah's spirit which draws the right ones to him.... however, some knowledge helps one to catch their attention by what you say when one first has the opportunity to talk to them.
I immediately show them that Jesus is already ruling ' Invisibly' in heaven (he is not coming back in flesh) and a sign of this is that Satan has been thrown out of heaven:  I read Rev 12 - 7-12.  Jesus is ruling in heaven already and there is a short period of time left for satan on earth... the sign of satan on earth is the escalation of wickedness (violence, war and killing on earth) which is part of false religion mixing in politics.  (ISIS is a political entity - caliphate - and according to prophecy they will have black flags.)
It has helped me to know what they believe so I can preach and show the differences of this future government and the differences between sharia and what Jesus taught.  I usually immediately tell them that we are different to all other Christian religions.  They are taught in the mosques that Christians are all idolaters because they believe in a trinity and kiss statues of Mary etc.  So I immediate tell them that we believe, like them, that God is one and Jesus is not god.  I also tell them that we do not have any pagan traditions, statues, or any form of idolatry.... they usually listen....
 
This opens the door to further discussions.
About the possibility of islam playing a large part in the time of the end..... we just need to build our spiritual strength because - if they do take over power - it will be something like Syria ..... and we will most probably have to be prepared to die for our faith - for our integrity.  Hopefully things go another way and Jehovah spares us this.... it is just speculation.... who of us can know what Jehovah will allow and what direction world affairs will take?  All I know is that the end will be the greatest tribulation ever -and people are now building violent attitudes (by means of Satans propaganda)  which will lead them to kill each other " brother killing brother." 
 
 

Some current musings about it, that might all change tomorrow.
Interesting and prescient now that Trump is being pushed around by the CIA.  The Snowden paragraph (16th) was not as bad as I'd feared, if anything I would say it doesn't go far enough.  HUGE chunks of Silicon Valley are currently government contractors or crucially depended on being government contractors at their inception, and the CIA has been intertwined with the Internet from its foundation.  Silicon Valley is not only "complicit" with the surveillance state, it literally IS part of the surveillance state (for example see this https://surveillancevalley.com/blog/why-is-thcia-protecting-google).  My beef with Snowden is that his libertarian ideology prevented him from fully grasping the magnitude of his own revelations, (even now https://surveillancevalley.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-tor-project) which is that the private "free-market" spying is a bigger and more pervasive problem in most people's daily lives than government spying on terrorists and criminals.  The libertarian notion of "internet freedom" is a tool used by the USA State Department for regime change around the world.  (Again, Tor is a perfect example https://surveillancevalley.com/blog/tor-project-the-super-secure-anonymity-network-built-on-deception-false-promises-and-heaps-of-libertarian-bullshit)  

Ultimately the term "deep state" is not well defined enough even here.  This article, to me does a good job of describing the circumstances of why the term is popular, but the nailing down a precise and useful meaning is tricky.  Was Alexander Hamilton an agent of the "deep state" when he established military sovereignty violently against the native nations and Whiskey Rebellion in the 1790s?  Or did he and George Washington form the USA's "deep state" through western land speculation/conquest?  When did USA's "deep state" take form?  Under what possible circumstances could any society advanced enough to have an intelligence apparatus NOT have a "deep state"?  The spies of any nation are usually fanatical supporters of that nation, but that alone doesn't prove that they can actually control what that nation does.  

Yes, evidence has piled up since the 1970's that the USA's spies are a "class unto themselves" in the sense that spying is an industry autonomous from the government (https://www.thenation.com/article/five-corporations-now-dominate-our-privatized-intelligence-industry/) but ... so what?  You could say that about all defense contracting in general (see: the F-35).  Is the network of capitalist interests behind the building and maintenance of firepower really so important in the decision-making process of the deployment of that firepower?  Or are they merely loyal servants of politicians who are just greedy careless murder-happy imperialists?  This is the crucial question posed by the term "deep state" and the article doesn't directly answer it.  If anything, I'm leaning towards the latter hypothesis, and if that's true, then there is no deep state, just a plain old classical Marxist ruling class.

To argue by analogy, Hollywood is an industry autonomous from the government too (even though, just like Silicon Valley, it grew out of the machinery of war - early WWI-era propaganda techniques laid the material basis for the modern advertising, movie and recording industries), controlled by interlocking rings of capital who profit from it.  These capitalists make similar products, and the industry has become dominated by monopoly and oligopoly over time.  Do we need the concept of "deep script" to explain why the new Star Wars movie is basically Al Qaeda propaganda?  I don't think so, at least not necessarily.  Seems to me that media act as state propaganda because that's what's materially profitable (Like Chomsky and Herman said https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda_model), as plain and simple as that.  When private actors work in concert to serve state ends, it can be explained by shared material class interests... the question is what exactly are those interests?

Since inception the USA's spy-state it has served the interests of capital around the world by systematically attacking and destroying secular multi-ethnic nationalism and communism everywhere.  The CIA's very first job was overthrowing the 1948 Italian election results.  The entire purpose of NATO was to prevent the spread of communism west, and the CIA immediately picked up on anti-communist counter-insurgency techniques from the Nazis, and recruited collaborators into the highest positions of government (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Paperclip).  NATO has never had a problem with working with terrorists whether the Islamic Jihadist or the European Fascist.  We (US) invaded Iraq and destroyed Libya for the same reasons we (US) helped destroy Yugoslavia and pressured the Soviet Union to fall apart - our ruling class WANTS large secular non-racist governments to fall into chaos so they can buy off the remains after the collapse for cheap.  No need for a "deep state" explanation; it's simple class interest.  Same goes for our cooperation with Arabian oligarchies, Central and Latin American juntas, Turkey, Israel, criminal militias in the Congo, etc.  Class interests, and a material need for cheap resources.

JW couple in Nigeria, Africa
Via

Thanks for reply. I cannot resist a good chat.  Islam is opportunistic - when other conflicts exist or where there is a vacuum - it may take power in ISIS-style maneuver in Europe when other problems become too much for current governments to handle.  The caliphs after Mohammad took over mega territories because many countries were exhausted by wars. (Satan chose his time  perfectly).
Russia (has 27 million muslims within its borders) but it controls them ruthlessly.  China also controls its Muslim province in the West of country with an iron fist.   It seems that Trump and Putin have this same goal in mind.
Russia's economy is not doing so well but Putin has managed to remain the hero by focusing on nationalism and the flexing of his muscles and showing his power. Russia is sitting on megaton nuclear arsenal and has now started a new arms race.  (while Trump is ignoring his generals and going behind their backs and making weapon deals (just as Hitler did).  We are in a new era of cyber warfare, satellite warfare, drone warfare, EMP, etc. apart from the information warfare going on.  If Trump wants to make America great he has to sit down with his generals and work out a comprehensive strategy and not go bargain hunting like a businessman!  He cannot afford to invest in old technology -  he has to keep up the façade of strength! China has vast financial interests all over the world.  It has bought much mineral rights in Africa for cell phones etc. It is also flexing its muscles but at present fears the loss of revenue. This situation may not last very long. 
Putin is building alliances with the renegade countries like Iran (providing weapons), Syria (he has access to the ports there) and now he is making overtures to Turkey - closer to Europe.  All these countries have little love for America and bring much pain to their subjects with their totalitarian and ruthless ruler ship styles (and call "death to America" every Friday in their mosques.)  We see totalitarian governments all over the earth ; while Europe and Canada  are like the clay... mentioned in Daniel.  We are seeing a rise of far-right parties and hysterical far-left parties - both militant in their outlook.
Who knows - maybe Russia and America will be part of the an alliance to turn against islam....and Christianity....How this will happen one can only speculate because time will tell!  All I can say is that Islam has already infiltrated most of the western world and could turn out to be the King of the North when it suddenly becomes opportunistic, takes over and starts to kill all opposition religions.
At present, Russia and China are challenging world alliances and testing Americas resolve to help old buddies.  America is financially in a bad place - trillions of dollars in debt and does not want to assist NATO or UN any more.  This could lead to a weakening of these organizations and their efforts to look powerful and keep renegade nations at bay.  Russia or China will not only act as a bully - it may become the bully.
We are definitely entering one of the most dangerous periods in world history - whole nations could face annihilation when things start to go wrong on religious as well as political fronts and there are no more safe places to run to!  The harlot is riding the beast and may soon control it completely!  So maybe islam remains part of the harlot until the beast turns against her - then she may turn violent!
Most countries import their foods from other countries - if the supply chain is disrupted and foods do not arrive by train, truck and boat we will see anarchy and chaos in shops and then demonstrations and looting. There are so many infrastructures that need protection (power grids) and internet for the banking sector. (in 2016 the US budget for cybersecurity was 36 billion.)  These infrastructures can be destroyed in an instant...
So everything is in place for Armageddon to happen.....,,, more time may only make the final fall of human  ideologies and ruler ships so much greater!  I do think that Trump has the personality to negotiate a so-called peace between arabs and Israel and then call out wide and far that we have reached a state of "peace and security" - which of course is totally false because everything will go  satirically wrong after that..... but there is speculation on the internet that he may be killed .... so he may not be the one to initiate this call!
Jehovah has his own time: Humans also need to reach a " point of no return" regarding the earth.  It must become clear, beyond reasonable doubt,  that mankind is ruining the earth!  Trump's new environmental executive orders come as no surprise - it will speed up the world's carelessness towards the environment because many countries take their queue from USA.  With fracking, the destruction of water resources, and so many other issues, it may become evident quicker than previously calculated.
Holland has become like Brussels - although large terrorist acts have not taken place there, many individuals have been murdered by Muslims who take revenge when anything is said to criticize islam.  A good example is the film-maker who made a film about the violence in islam.
My study in USA had a daughter in Holland who studied with JWs.  She was put in hospital and her house trashed when they found out she was studying.  So the situation is dire in places where there are many Muslim immigrants.  Riots, rapes, thefts, abductions and so forth all over Europe.  It does not come as a surprise to me since islam has the most depraved sexual laws:
Here is one of them which is a permitted practice in Islam: https://themuslimissue.wordpress.com/2013/08/03/fatwa-number-41409-surah-654-mufa-khathat-thighing-of-infants/
 
 
 

Wilders only mentioned demographics because the interviewer was interrupting him more that allowing him to speak:  With the European population growth at  -1 ; and most Muslim men allowed 4 wives who are having 6 - 8 children - we can predict an  Islamic government within the next 25 years.  This Muslims youth - when coming of age to vote - will vote in Muslim  candidates... and when these candidates are in power they will bring in full Sharia Law.  
Islam is not a race - it is an ideology.
So Christians who will not bow to islam are facing a dire situation.   Most Muslim countries do not allow freedom of religion and most do not allow Bibles, preaching, or Christian places of worship.  Jews will face immediate death.
My interest in this is merely to see where the world is going and the possible fulfillment of prophecies in the Bible.  A coalition of governments will turn against maybe one religion and then all the rest or against religion at the same time....  I understand that this clash of civilization/ religion / far-left versus far-right / is lying in the future of all governments and false religion.   True Christians will only keep busy with the work Jesus has given us and stay out of the fray when it blows up!

I have no interest in Valentine's Day, but I understand the appeal, especially for young ones, to have an excuse to express an amorous feeling verbally in a kind of teasing way that won't get them into trouble (because the holiday is designed to create an approved way to do this without the typical issues that young ones would deal with trying to navigate social norms). But the very fact that such a day was named after a "saint" that I knew nothing about was enough for me to avoid it and disapprove of it for my children. I can't say I ever cared to learn about the true history of the holiday, but it wouldn't surprise me that many things that might have some small value to some people are based on practices that we would and should find disgusting today.
I often hear that we make it difficult to our children to get along in school by taking away so many things that others find "innocent." To me, however, taking a stand against something is a good and healthy thing, as long as we can explain our reasons correctly. (1 Peter 3:15)
That said, I am very glad that someone (Ann, in this case) actually answered the question with relevant research. The question implies that Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Valentine's Day is related to Nimrod, and this should be quite embarrassing to many Jehovah's Witnesses, if they don't know anything about the basis for the claim.
The Bible doesn't say anything about Nimrod being related to any one of the gods mentioned in the OP. None of that is Biblical and therefore 2 Tim 3:16 doesn't apply directly.
What if the topic had been:
Was Santa Claus and the Babylonian God of Pedophiles the same god worshiped?
The Bible does not say anything about a Babylonian God of Pedophiles, of course, but neither does it say anything about Nimrod being worshiped. But if we became known as a group of supposed "Bible students" or "Bible researchers" and we went around talking about the "God of Pedophiles" then we should rightly be ridiculed for sloppy research. It turns out there also is no research that ties Nimrod to any of these claims we have made for him, either. 
Now if the discussion had turned toward false or improper practices and the ease with which religion absorbs these things for syncretic or ecumenical purposes, or the relationship of worldly attitudes in religion as a form of Satan's influence, then this could still be a useful and reasonable discussion of how such things from old still related to our times and our conscience. 
The fact that the Watch Tower publications stopped making such claims years ago, is a hint that we should probably be more careful ourselves. 
Just a quick follow-up quote from the Watchtower:
*** w84 9/1 p. 20 Would You Spread a Rumor? ***
DURING the Middle Ages an incredible rumor spread among the so-called Christians of Europe. It was whispered that each year at Passover, the Jews murdered a Christian and used his blood in their rituals. Sometimes they were said to capture Christian children and torture them horribly before killing them and using their blood. Right up until this century, during the Nazi period in Germany, this rumor was used as an excuse to persecute the Jews.
The story was investigated and disproved several times, yet it persisted for almost a thousand years. If someone had told it to you, would you have shared in spreading it? Hopefully, all of us would have had enough common sense or compassion not to do so. Yet rumors are persistent and complex things. Once started, they are difficult to stop. Even today, absurd rumors spring up and spread like wildfire.
For example, Procter & Gamble, a large firm supplying household products in the United States, was recently victimized by a rumor that it promoted Satanism and that its trademark was really a demon symbol. Another widespread rumor had it that a well-known chain of fast-food stores was putting worms in its hamburgers! Some years ago it was widely believed that a member of the singing group the Beatles had died in an auto accident and had been replaced by a double. Even the Watchtower Society’s publications have been the subject of rumors—for example, that one of the artists had secretly been introducing pictures of demons into the illustrations, was subsequently found out and disfellowshiped!
Did you share in spreading any such stories? If so, you were—perhaps unwittingly—spreading an untruth, since they were all false.
 

I would just like to add:  If one studies the bible and interesting idea comes to the fore.  God did NOT want them to build cities so early after the flood - he told them to spread out!
Nimrod was in opposition to Jehovah because he not only lead them to built 'many cities' in Babylon and Assyria (as indicated in genesis)  but started an empire.  Originally he hunted lions to keep people safe but became a leader and then became very powerful. In ancient Babylonian culture as well as the Assyrian culture, kings regularly hunted lions to prove their power as king.  Look at some of the Assyrian reliefs in the London Museum of antiquities.....(they are online). Later on ... they used to breed lions for the king to hunt. The word " Nimr " also has connections to the tiger. 
Why was it wrong to build cities which we today call "civilization?"     It immediately divides peoples into a class system.  A ruler with his religious leaders to back him up (as in ancient Babylon) with the  religious order controlling many sectors of the economy such as grain storage etc. These religious leaders then built an entire system of worship around a person or persons.... and they controlled the wealth.  In my studies of ancient Babylon I soon realized that the zodiac was paramount in their religious system and superstition and spells were the order of the day.  They studied every movement of the stars and planets and their mathematical calculations were extremely advanced so that they could use it for predictions - for the king.  When to go to war -when to make alliances etc.   
Within cities one also immediately gets diversification of permanent jobs...   The potter makes pottery (mass production); the cotton producer dies his material in massive urine dams.....   This not only leads to rich and poor but also brings dirt and disease in cities.  Hogs used to roam in Babylon's streets to clean up rubbish.   Massive food cultivation leads to depletion of the ground. 
Today Babylon is arid because of the salt in the ground due to over irrigation by the irrigation channels.  They built a network of irrigation channels to cultivate crops.   Yes - and you get slaves - because the king needs people to do the hard labor of building water channels  and palaces etc.  And what about the building of walls for protection because more wealth brings greater chance of being attacked!   It seems to be a vicious circle!
 Jehovah called Abraham out of a 'city' where the moon god was prevalent as the chief deity.  City-states became the norm everywhere and many of these made war against each other.  Soon after Abraham left Ur - Ur was attacked and had major destruction! 
Abraham trusted in Jehovah and had protection from him.  He also came out from the pantheon of Gods that were everywhere!  Babylon was famous for its shrines just like Rome had shrines everywhere to its gods.  Abraham looked forward to the 'city' of Jehovah (many city states had a king-priest because religion and the king were closely bound together.)
I love reading about agriculture and have read that small, diversified farms are the best way to farm.  Diversity of animals and diversity of crops....  I think we will do this in the new system.   Hi rise cities may become something of the past!
Yes, Babylon was responsible for many of the false teachings and most civilizations still adhere to many of its teachings in our modern era.  Fortunately - we only have to adhere to the bible to serve Jehovah well.  And while it is interesting to know where these things come from (1 Co 8:1 "now concerning food offered to idols....... knowledge puffs up.")  Knowledge of false religion is not the most important aspect of our worship to Jehovah. 
Like good English - one does not learn bad English to know what is good - one learns good English and then one can discard bad English when it is spoken. 

America has trillions of dollars in debt - so where will he get the money for this?  Take it away from the programs for the poor I guess!   Watched a program recently which demonstrated how we have had a silent coo-de-dat of democracy by corporate America.... and how the poor is getting poorer.

Being ignored at work can be more damaging than being bullied. Studies show ignoring people is not only perceived to be more socially acceptable than bullying, but those who experience being ignored are more inclined to quit their jobs, have less morale, and suffer from more health problems, regardless of their job type. Source
World News

One is naive if one does not think this is going on all the time! 
I am of the opinion that WikiLeaks is being used as a pawn by some hostile/manipulative regimes to get information out only when they want it out!   I do not know if Assange has already realized this - or not!  The timing of some of his revelations are just too orchestrated.... or maybe he is manipulating things....

I read a few days ago that the number of Muslims in Europe is 50 million.  Now this may sound islamophobic but bear with me and you will get my point. 
As true Christians we know that all false religions get actively involved in world politics (Rev 17 - 18).  The Christians who love their politics and guns voted for Trump and allowed their fear of Islamic terrorism (the need for "security" ) to influence their vote.  We also note that Russia was contacted prior to the elections and there is mounting evidence of them influencing the vote with false information..... I think Putin is trying to destabilize USA and Europe (he hates NATO).  Russia have only their own interests at heart - not a grain of benevolence there! 
Russia annexed Georgia and part of Ukraine without the world doing anything - USA looks weak.  This has given Russia incentive to flex its muscles further by breaking prior agreements regarding the building of certain weapons.   They have also made alliances with Iran and now have access to ports in Syria.  China has also flexed its muscles by building islands in seas that previously did not belong to them.... and have built runways and ports on them.......so the world powers are all posturing like cocks.  The mega-ton nuclear bombs that Russia has, boggles the mind. 
Trump indicated that he does not want to be part of NATO (but now has changed this thought)  because he dare not let go of his alliances.  It has been the alliances of America with the rest of the world (its bedfellows) that has kept the balance; for renegade nations were intimidated not to go too far to destabilize the order.   It would therefore be fatal for trump to isolate America and become inward-looking.
Islam has taken the future Kingdom of Jehovah and it has made a false replica of this.  Islam (and all its eschatological beliefs) believe that Islam must expand to fill the earth and their version of law (Sharia law) must be instituted all over the earth to bring peace to the earth. We know this is a lie because Shiite and Sunni muslims hate each other.  They will work together and fight together to take over fast territories and then start fighting each other as soon as they have achieved this goal. (Syria is a good example of this, as is Yemen ).   Iran and Turkey are also vying with each other to establish the next Islamic caliphate - both treat their own people ruthlessly even though Iran purports to be a Theocracy.  (Many totalitarian states rising up - some like iron and some like clay - as in Europe)
We have good evidence of how Sharia law works in Saudi Arabia  (they have been spreading Salafist ideology throughout the world in the last 30 years and many mosques in Europe and America belong to their front organizations.)  Pockets of no-go zones all over Europe and England have already been taken over by Sharia law - it has been allowed to rule without any restraint in these areas.  (83 areas in England and 55 in Sweden are two statistics that come to mind.) Women and children have no rights and men have more than one wife (and receive state benefits for up to 4 wives and their children with each wife!..).  Imams have more powers than the pope because they can call a death warrant on any Muslim or public figure which insults Islam.)
My point is this:  If Europe is in any way destabilized by conflict .... it will create a vacuum wherein we will see the sudden rise of an ISIS- like organization in Europe and it will spread fast with much violence to Canada and many other countries -  just like it did in Iraq and Syria. The behavior we saw in Irak and Syria will be repeated..... but this time there will be no place for refugees to flee to.
We are definitely in the time of the end - that is for sure.  Jehovah may put it into the heart of the political entities to turn against all religion before this clash of civilizations comes to Europe....But they first have to realize the security issues..... and so far they  seem to be 'blinded' and are adhering to resolutions given by the EU and UN. 
Trump may be the man who will broker a peace deal in the middle east and proclaim far and wide that we now have "peace and security" - which will be false of course!  He has the right personality for it!  Sudden chaos will descend.  Governments will then take steps to curb religion.   No more recruiting / preaching and loyalty to your government comes first!  
This is just speculation of course.....  But all I am sure of is this: the doomsday clock is moving closer to midnight than the secular world suspects. ...

@Arauna  Thats similar my thinking too...  Soon we shall see it !  

I read a few days ago that the number of Muslims in Europe is 50 million.  Now this may sound islamophobic but bear with me and you will get my point. 
As true Christians we know that all false religions get actively involved in world politics (Rev 17 - 18).  The Christians who love their politics and guns voted for Trump and allowed their fear of Islamic terrorism (the need for "security" ) to influence their vote.  We also note that Russia was contacted prior to the elections and there is mounting evidence of them influencing the vote with false information..... I think Putin is trying to destabilize USA and Europe (he hates NATO).  Russia have only their own interests at heart - not a grain of benevolence there! 
Russia annexed Georgia and part of Ukraine without the world doing anything - USA looks weak.  This has given Russia incentive to flex its muscles further by breaking prior agreements regarding the building of certain weapons.   They have also made alliances with Iran and now have access to ports in Syria.  China has also flexed its muscles by building islands in seas that previously did not belong to them.... and have built runways and ports on them.......so the world powers are all posturing like cocks.  The mega-ton nuclear bombs that Russia has, boggles the mind. 
Trump indicated that he does not want to be part of NATO (but now has changed this thought)  because he dare not let go of his alliances.  It has been the alliances of America with the rest of the world (its bedfellows) that has kept the balance; for renegade nations were intimidated not to go too far to destabilize the order.   It would therefore be fatal for trump to isolate America and become inward-looking.
Islam has taken the future Kingdom of Jehovah and it has made a false replica of this.  Islam (and all its eschatological beliefs) believe that Islam must expand to fill the earth and their version of law (Sharia law) must be instituted all over the earth to bring peace to the earth. We know this is a lie because Shiite and Sunni muslims hate each other.  They will work together and fight together to take over fast territories and then start fighting each other as soon as they have achieved this goal. (Syria is a good example of this, as is Yemen ).   Iran and Turkey are also vying with each other to establish the next Islamic caliphate - both treat their own people ruthlessly even though Iran purports to be a Theocracy.  (Many totalitarian states rising up - some like iron and some like clay - as in Europe)
We have good evidence of how Sharia law works in Saudi Arabia  (they have been spreading Salafist ideology throughout the world in the last 30 years and many mosques in Europe and America belong to their front organizations.)  Pockets of no-go zones all over Europe and England have already been taken over by Sharia law - it has been allowed to rule without any restraint in these areas.  (83 areas in England and 55 in Sweden are two statistics that come to mind.) Women and children have no rights and men have more than one wife (and receive state benefits for up to 4 wives and their children with each wife!..).  Imams have more powers than the pope because they can call a death warrant on any Muslim or public figure which insults Islam.)
My point is this:  If Europe is in any way destabilized by conflict .... it will create a vacuum wherein we will see the sudden rise of an ISIS- like organization in Europe and it will spread fast with much violence to Canada and many other countries -  just like it did in Iraq and Syria. The behavior we saw in Irak and Syria will be repeated..... but this time there will be no place for refugees to flee to.
We are definitely in the time of the end - that is for sure.  Jehovah may put it into the heart of the political entities to turn against all religion before this clash of civilizations comes to Europe....But they first have to realize the security issues..... and so far they  seem to be 'blinded' and are adhering to resolutions given by the EU and UN. 
Trump may be the man who will broker a peace deal in the middle east and proclaim far and wide that we now have "peace and security" - which will be false of course!  He has the right personality for it!  Sudden chaos will descend.  Governments will then take steps to curb religion.   No more recruiting / preaching and loyalty to your government comes first!  
This is just speculation of course.....  But all I am sure of is this: the doomsday clock is moving closer to midnight than the secular world suspects. ...

I would just like to add:  If one studies the bible and interesting idea comes to the fore.  God did NOT want them to build cities so early after the flood - he told them to spread out!
Nimrod was in opposition to Jehovah because he not only lead them to built 'many cities' in Babylon and Assyria (as indicated in genesis)  but started an empire.  Originally he hunted lions to keep people safe but became a leader and then became very powerful. In ancient Babylonian culture as well as the Assyrian culture, kings regularly hunted lions to prove their power as king.  Look at some of the Assyrian reliefs in the London Museum of antiquities.....(they are online). Later on ... they used to breed lions for the king to hunt. The word " Nimr " also has connections to the tiger. 
Why was it wrong to build cities which we today call "civilization?"     It immediately divides peoples into a class system.  A ruler with his religious leaders to back him up (as in ancient Babylon) with the  religious order controlling many sectors of the economy such as grain storage etc. These religious leaders then built an entire system of worship around a person or persons.... and they controlled the wealth.  In my studies of ancient Babylon I soon realized that the zodiac was paramount in their religious system and superstition and spells were the order of the day.  They studied every movement of the stars and planets and their mathematical calculations were extremely advanced so that they could use it for predictions - for the king.  When to go to war -when to make alliances etc.   
Within cities one also immediately gets diversification of permanent jobs...   The potter makes pottery (mass production); the cotton producer dies his material in massive urine dams.....   This not only leads to rich and poor but also brings dirt and disease in cities.  Hogs used to roam in Babylon's streets to clean up rubbish.   Massive food cultivation leads to depletion of the ground. 
Today Babylon is arid because of the salt in the ground due to over irrigation by the irrigation channels.  They built a network of irrigation channels to cultivate crops.   Yes - and you get slaves - because the king needs people to do the hard labor of building water channels  and palaces etc.  And what about the building of walls for protection because more wealth brings greater chance of being attacked!   It seems to be a vicious circle!
 Jehovah called Abraham out of a 'city' where the moon god was prevalent as the chief deity.  City-states became the norm everywhere and many of these made war against each other.  Soon after Abraham left Ur - Ur was attacked and had major destruction! 
Abraham trusted in Jehovah and had protection from him.  He also came out from the pantheon of Gods that were everywhere!  Babylon was famous for its shrines just like Rome had shrines everywhere to its gods.  Abraham looked forward to the 'city' of Jehovah (many city states had a king-priest because religion and the king were closely bound together.)
I love reading about agriculture and have read that small, diversified farms are the best way to farm.  Diversity of animals and diversity of crops....  I think we will do this in the new system.   Hi rise cities may become something of the past!
Yes, Babylon was responsible for many of the false teachings and most civilizations still adhere to many of its teachings in our modern era.  Fortunately - we only have to adhere to the bible to serve Jehovah well.  And while it is interesting to know where these things come from (1 Co 8:1 "now concerning food offered to idols....... knowledge puffs up.")  Knowledge of false religion is not the most important aspect of our worship to Jehovah. 
Like good English - one does not learn bad English to know what is good - one learns good English and then one can discard bad English when it is spoken. 

I treat Modern scholars with more caution - after all - money and grants have taken over all sciences. Global corporations have their fingers in all the pies.   (We have had a silent coo-de-dat of the democratic system by global corporations!)
Most of the gods of Babylon received a new name in Greece; most of the gods of the Grecian empire received new names under the Roman dispensation; and they received a make-over when many of them were incorporated into the catholic empire.  I remember studying the Harappa culture (Indus valley - originally in India) after I had gained a good understanding of Sumer and ancient Babylon and I was amazed at the number of similarities! 
If one looks at Babylonian architecture you will also find similarities with early architecture in Greece!  This was not the only part of the civilization that was exported from Babylon.... however, each geological area added their own flavor to the gods.
 

the celebrations because of "love" had nothing to do with actuall love or agape.
all celebrations included eʹros,=love between the sexes.
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200002781?q=agape&p=par#h=5
(see also images above)
 
Babylonian Deities.
After the death of Nimrod, the Babylonians reasonably would have been inclined to hold him in high regard as the founder and builder and first king of their city and as the organizer of the original Babylonian Empire.
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200001732#h=9
 
Origin of Gods and Goddesses. 
The striking similarity readily observable when comparing the gods and goddesses of ancient peoples can hardly be attributed to chance. Concerning this, J. Garnier writes: “Not merely Egyptians, Chaldeans, Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans, but also the Hindus, the Buddhists of China and of Thibet, the Goths, Anglo-Saxons, Druids, Mexicans and Peruvians, the Aborigines of Australia, and even the savages of the South Sea Islands, must have all derived their religious ideas from a common source and a common centre. Everywhere we find the most startling coincidences in rites, ceremonies, customs, traditions, and in the names and relations of their respective gods and goddesses.”—The Worship of the Dead, London, 1904, p. 3.
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200001732#h=6
 
 
Tradition has it that Nimrod died a violent death. 
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200001732#h=9
....the religions of many ancient peoples included the worship of a god placed in the role of a benefactor who dies a violent death on earth and then is restored to life.
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200001732#h=8
 
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give me some more time if I can find MORE SIMILARITIES !
thank you
............................................................................................................................
 
A number of scholars have linked Anahita with the Babylonian Ishtar. 
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200001732#h=37
 
 
Grecian Deities. 
An examination of the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece reveals the traces of Babylonian influence. 
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200001732#h=41
Origins
The name Lupercalia was believed in antiquity to evince some connection with the Ancient Greek festival of ....
...whom the Greeks call Pan (see image above) from @Bible Speaks
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupercalia