This story is fake; a piece of satire from a web site that likes to lampoon the Houston pastor with the mega-watt smile. While the man has acquired great wealth in the name of Christ, he is not a stupid man, and only a stupid man would do something so insensitive as to deny people the physical help they need while handing out his own personal message of spiritual comfort. Imagine how people would feel were he to show up with them sitting on the roof of their flooded home, with all their belongings destroyed, wondering where they were going to sleep that night, and where their next meal would come from, while the only thing he had to offer was spiritual comfort in the form of his own literature. The absurdity of such a scenario is enough to tell any person chancing on this article that it had to be fake. Only someone with no ability to feel the suffering of others would act in such a self-serving and uncaring manner. But even then, who would be dumb enough to do it publicly?
Now on a completely unrelated matter, allow me to share a real news story from JW.org.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are assisting victims of a catastrophic fire that engulfed the Grenfell Tower, a 24-story apartment building in the North Kensington area of London, in the early morning hours of June 14, 2017. Authorities are reporting that at least 79 people were killed.
Four Witnesses were evacuated from the apartment building, two of whom were residents of Grenfell Tower. Fortunately, none of them were injured, although the Witnesses’ apartments were among those completely destroyed in the blaze. Witnesses that live near the now fire-gutted apartment building provided food, clothing, and monetary aid to their fellow members and their families that were affected. The Witnesses are also offering spiritual comfort to the grieving members of the North Kensington community.
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Comment by Joseph Anton on 2017-08-31 12:52:20
The funny thing is I've already caught one sister in my Kingdom Hall sharing the Osteen/Yacht story. My comment was: The only way fake news survives is if we pass it on. Nice connection with the Grnefell Tower story. Really, less flattering when you compare our reaction, to Olsteen's reaction. Olsteen - and I do not support prosperity ministry, the guy's a d-bag - at least opened his doors to flood victims. I'm wondering if we even opened the doors of our assembly halls to OUR victims. Forget about the world.
Reply by Rufus on 2017-08-31 15:54:20
It was announced at our KH on Tuesday that 4200 Witness families in Houston had lost the homes or were out of their housing due to the flooding. It is hard to reconcile this number to news reports, but I have not heard a single mention of JW relief efforts. It took 6 months after Hurricane Mathew to hear a letter from the "Faithful Slave" on the matter of helping victims.
That opens the question of whether Kingdom Halls or Assembly Halls were opened for shelter and refuge.Reply by Deo_ac_veritati on 2017-08-31 19:17:12
Too funny that this article was posted with the resultant comments. I recently concluded a Facebook discussion with my still-in Witness brother-in-law. He had posted the meme about Osteen's church not taking evacuees into their mega-church until he was shamed into it, etc. I noted to him that while I know very little about Osteen, he seemed to give a reasonable and sincere explanation as to why the church wasn't open right away. For instance, you don't just start letting in thousands of people without having some infrastructure and security to support and protect them. Not to mention, the church actually posted pictures of floodwaters that were very close to overtopping the flood wall protecting the sanctuary - do you really want to let hundreds or thousands of people into a place that may flood at any minute? I'm not making excuses for Osteen, but it does seem like people generally rushed to judgement on the guy.
In any case, I noted to my brother in law, how many KHs or assembly halls are open for business to accept evacuees? Many KHs have folding chairs for seats, so that opens up a lot of space. Likewise, while assembly halls have fixed seating, there is still a lot of open space to accommodate people. I checked the official list of shelters - surprise, no Watchtower facilities among them. I checked JW.org to see if they were announcing anything there, since that is there main channel of communication. Surprise again, nothing there. From all the evidence I've gathered, the JWs haven't opened up their facilities for any brothers to stay at, much less the general public.
As I expected, he had no reply to my assertions, other than to say he knew that the brothers always helped each other out in past disasters.... which wasn't my point to start with. Other witnesses jumped on the bandwagon on the thread to say the same thing.
The point I was trying to make was that perhaps he should apply Matthew 7:5 before posting things about others, or their religions (and yes, I noted the scripture in my comments).
I don't know a lot about this Osteen guy, but I know I definitely know I won't judge his heart - the Bible is pretty clear about why at I shouldn't at Luke 6:37-42.
Sorry if this sounds a bit bitter and discombobulated - I'm in a bit of a funk, and a tizzy lately - my 18 year old baptized son (yeah, I'm no longer using gender neutral nouns because frankly, I don't care if the elders are lurking and know who I am) told my still-in wife that he no longer wants to be a Witness. Being thoroughly indoctrinated, she naturally said horrible things to him about this and blamed me for not being a good "spiritual leader" - in her eyes, I am to blame for his early and eternal death at Armageddon, which as we all know, is "just around the corner." Ok, enough about that, it's not germane to the subject at hand. Blessings and Christian love to all of you here.Reply by Yehorakam on 2017-09-01 22:02:44
Well said Deoc. Sorry to hear about stress at home, which should be a haven of peace. I think the Witnesses do not offer their meeting places as a refuge because their first priority is to "help people spiritually." They pride themselves on that. There are countless videos where victims recount thar the first thing that was cleaned up or repaired was the KH, so that no one would miss a meeting and get the encouragement they needed after a disaster. Heaven forbid you've got homeless disaster victims occupying the hall and can't conduct a CLAM or WT study for weeks. That would be unheard of in the org.
What a sham. If I saw someone that was in need of shelter, the first order of the day would be to help him get shelter, and while doing that I could have encouraging conversations with him. Yet the Witnesses first order of the day is securing their location for worship where the encouragement comes in the form of a WT study about some prophesy in Ezekiel and a public talk that follows an outline that has nothing to do with the situation at hand...with everyone just dying for the program to finish so that they can talk to their brothers to see how they're doing.
If you were or are a Witness, you will have discovered that most encouragement is derived in the conversations you have outside of meeting times. Therefore, after a disaster, the use of the KH for meetings is not necessary. The meetings do little to encourage people on a personal level. The encouragement the brothers and sisters need will happen when they converse while helping one another with their needs, things done outside the KH. Better to use the KH as a refuge for ANYONE that is in need...'for if you only love those loving you, what extraordinary thing have you done?'
Much love,
Reply by Dajo on 2017-09-02 07:15:38
Hello Deo,
Same thing happened when my son was 18. I was an elder and things were rocky. (That was 20 yrs ago..end just round the corner...)
I stood down for 3 years and it made my wife mad.
Since mended my relationship with son and my wife is still in, but our relationship is rocky as the organization comes first.
Please, just think before you speak and don't try and change those things that are out of your control.
I commended my son later as it turned out many of those other ones of his peers stayed in and led double lives. He later told me he would rather be up front, not be a hypocrite and state that he was leaving.
Reply by Deo_ac_veritati on 2017-09-02 13:31:26
Thank you Dajo and Yehorakam, very encouraging words that are truly appreciated. I'm very proud of my son for the conscious decision he made, and love him unconditionally regardless of said decision. His mom, on the other hand, after hearing him out, told him she could get "10 new sons like Job in the Paradise." To say this made me hurt and angry is an obvious understatement. It's hard to conduct a marriage when your still-in spouse literally feels you are spawn of the devil. Anyway, enough of this rant, it's obviously off topic.
The other posters have made good points - where is the Organization in this time of crisis in Texas?
Comment by wild olive on 2017-08-31 18:43:39
I now actually wonder how much of the "news" that's been published in WT articles re disasters and disaster relief are even true?
I attended the Don't give up convention last weekend and came home wondering exactly what Ime not meant to give up.
There was a short video I can't remember which talk it was in about worldly influence,and it depicted an African husband and wife who had fled a civil war and were now living in a refugee camp,it seemed to be the real deal,if it was fake it was well done. So we have our African bro saying how that while they were in the camp his son was hanging around other kids his own age and was been "influenced " by the world,as they were basically stuck there till they could return back to wherever they had fled from. The pure irony of it was that here is this family, depending and been cared for materially by an aid organisation,their day to day needs were not been looked after by " Jehovah's organisation. The only concern in the video was whether or not they where following organisational directives,while someone else was doing the real heavy lifting of care for displaced people.
An item that came up here in Aus where I live was the flooding of Brisbane back in 2011. There was an article in the Awake publishing the efforts and assistance given by the brotherhood to those affected,the way the article was written made it sound that JWs where the only ones doing anything charitable. I clearly remember how long the clean up went on for,it was on the news for weeks,people donated skid steers and trucks to move mountains of flood damaged furniture,tons and tons of mud was taken out of flooded houses,most of the real work was done by neighbours helping neighbours, but none of that came through in anything from the org,everything they published about that event was "coloured" in favour of the org. Manipulated fake news.Reply by Dajo on 2017-09-03 02:54:15
Hello Wild Olive,
I sent you a PM via the dtt forum, howeverit is stll showing in my out box.. if you don't get it maybe Meleti can give you my email..
David
Comment by Mairi Lisbeth on 2017-09-01 12:38:22
In my area of the United States, during the summer of 2016 we experienced a devastating flood and many people lost their homes. The community that I grew up in was virtually wiped out. Many churches, neighbors and secular organizations were so much more supportive of the community and I tried to ignore it; but could not help but to be secretly impressed with the love that was shown by them; supplying meals, clothing and taking care of the victims, regardless of their beliefs. There was a huge contrast; this situation was one of many that helped me to wake up. I was “awakened” after a very specific prayer last fall; I will never forget that moment and I am so happy to be free and out of the Organization!
Reply by Yehorakam on 2017-09-01 21:36:05
Mairi. Wonderful news. Do yourself the favor of reading the Bible from the beginning again, pray for Holy Spirit...and don't look back!
Much love,
Comment by LaRhonda T. on 2017-09-02 07:54:06
Here in Beaumont, Texas, where we are digging ourselves out from under the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, I have seen the love and care and been on the receiving end of much needed help from members of the SDA, Baptists, Methodists and various other church denominations in the form of food, water, clothing, medical supplies, search and rescue, as well as comfort and prayers. What are the JW's doing? So far, I haven't heard a peep from them. Their KH's are dark and silent. I guess they are 'helping their own, provided they are in 'good standing'. Such a bunch of hypocrites!
Reply by Matrix101 on 2017-09-05 17:05:08
That's so shameful... It makes me think of some very appropriate comments from Kim Mikey in their Youtube channel...at 11:00 in the video...
Plus this another one...
https://youtu.be/B6jcv09yZ58
Comment by Yehorakam on 2017-09-03 20:28:09
Sorry for another post but something just occured to me. Christ said that if your son asked for bread, you wouldn't give him a stone. You'd give him what he needs: bread! James said that if your brother was in need of clothing, you wouldn't give him encouraging words. You'd give him what he needs: clothing! It would be demonstration of a total lack of love to have someone in front of you with a particular need, and then decide to give him something totally different, leaving him still in need.
So why is it when the community as a whole is in need of physical supplies, the only thing that is offered to the community by the org is "spiritual encouragement?" Is this not a lack of love? Do they not return to their homes still in need? Have they not been given a rock instead of bread?
I have been involved in the orgs relief efforts and when physical supplies are given out, they are ONLY given to Witnesses, thus proving that they only love their own. The excuse is 'there is not enough to help everyone, so they only take care of Witnesses needs first. If there are leftovers, then they'll help others.' I haven't heard other churches using that line. They help everyone who comes, and when the supplies run out, they run out.
So on a level playing field, most charitable churches give out bread and clothing when people need and ask for it...the org gives you a rock...a big shiny piece of iron pyrite (if you know what that is) ?Reply by Deo_ac_veritati on 2017-09-03 22:35:24
Fantastic and spot-on observation Yehorakam.
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2017-09-04 08:36:39
That's an excellent application of Scripture, Yehorakam.
Reply by Warp Speed on 2017-09-04 09:50:40
If the shoe fits.....