Free Minds, Inc.
Box 3818, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Phone: (310) 545‑7831
Freeminds.org
-- watchtowernews.org – exjws.net -- randytv.com
December 16, 2003
Dear friend,
I recently found the website http://85jaystreet.org/cando/ after
reading the online article in the New York Post http://www.nypost.com/business/13351.htm
about the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society’s plans to build several tall
buildings in the DUMBO area of Brooklyn.
A note on my background: I am a former member of
the Watchtower’s headquarters at 124 Columbia Heights, and lived there from
1974 to 1980, when I left peacefully due to a doctrinal cover-up by the members
of their Governing Body. You can read about me at: http://www.freeminds.org/history/watters.htm.
I also am the webmaster for several sites that keep an eye on the activity of
the Watchtower organization around the world. These sites are listed at the
bottom of this letter. Together they represent about 400 megabytes of files
relating to the Watchtower, their history and their authoritarian practices.
You can read the latest news regarding them (updated daily) at www.watchtowernews.org. These
websites are all part of a non-profit organization based in Manhattan Beach, Calif., where I reside. I am the CEO of Free Minds, Inc..
The purpose of my writing is to call your
attention to a few key points of interest:
- The Watchtower Society is
shrinking their printing operations in Brooklyn, decreasing the number of
“Bethelites” (members who work in the New York offices), and already have
plenty of room to house their volunteer workers. When I was there I
“earned” $14 per month while living in their communal-style compound.
Needless to say, after six years of that income I was not prepared to go
back into the world economy, but nevertheless I have dedicated myself to
educating others about this authoritarian religion. I have many
supporters, and network with a large number of others who have various
degrees of inside connections at the Watchtower headquarters. We all can
attest that their growth is bottoming out in educated countries with
internet access, and large lawsuits are pending over the issue of their
tolerance of child molestation within the organization (see www.silentlambs.org). It appears
they are getting more into the real estate market to protect their riches
in the days ahead. They are number 34 in the list of top 40 New York corporations.
- The Watchtower Society
believes that all who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses in the upcoming “Battle
of Armageddon” will be destroyed, because of not accepting their teachings
and moral codes. Thus, they have little respect for outsiders or their
personal interests. They have little concern if their buildings block the
view of residents, or whether the community gets no tax monies from the
property. Outsiders are known as the “goats” who will be destroyed by
Jehovah.
- I personally lived in the
107 Columbia Heights building on the top floor and had a corner view of
the entire Manhattan skyline, as well as the Brooklyn and Manhattan
Bridges. You can see the view from my room then at http://www.freeminds.org/bethel/viewbethel.jpg.
I do very much appreciate what a view can mean to the residents of Brooklyn, and the proposed Watchtower buildings will prevent many from enjoying what DUMBO
has to offer.
- Brooklyn
has a lot to lose by not having retail stores by the subway entrance right
next to the Watchtower property in DUMBO. I can’t imagine the amount of
revenue lost to Brooklyn if they are allowed to go through with these tall
buildings, as well as the loss of potential retail activity.
Please take the time to consider these and other arguments
against allowing this to happen to DUMBO. Brooklyn has a bright and upcoming
future compared to the condition it was in when I was there. Please don’t let
progress be stymied by the Watchtower’s attempt to amass property holdings they
do not need, and that will eventually be sold for their profit.
Sincerely,
Randall Watters
randy@freeminds.org
Net
Soup!
www.freeminds.org
www.exjws.net
www.watchtowernews.org
www.randytv.com
Online discussion: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/63445/1.ashx
News
article from NY Daily News (Nov. 12, 2003)
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