The leadership asserted that they joined the UN DPI solely to gain access to the extensive United Nations library for their writing staff, who required up-to-date demographic, health, and environmental data for Awake! magazine.
According to their interpretation of biblical prophecy, any association with or praise of this "beast" constitutes a compromise of faith and spiritual unfaithfulness. The NGO Affiliation (1991–2001) The leadership asserted that they joined the UN
This meant that while ordinary Jehovah's Witnesses were being disfellowshipped (excommunicated) for joining secular organizations like the YMCA or taking jobs at military bases, the highest level of leadership had voluntarily signed an application to align themselves with the United Nations. The Criteria for NGO Association who required up-to-date demographic