Isn't there a rule in that "Special Rules and Regulations" book the Unnointed have at Headquaters. You know the one Ray Franz says they have, something like "The 144,000 legalisms" Are not they guily of rule 143,010 " THOU SHALL NOT SUE THE TOWER"
Real 'BIG' news WTS sued biggie worker compensation
by DannyHaszard 210 Replies latest watchtower scandals
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garybuss
I'm thinking about this.
If the Society let this decision stand, they may face the decision again and again with new claims. I read the news posts again two times. It looks like if the decision stands, the Society will be required to provide workman's comp insurance for it's employees doing secular work, which I believe is a large percentage. Here in South Dakota, an employer can self insure.
Maybe the only religious order is:
Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses (Incorporated 2000) President Patrick J. LaFranca
Vice Presidents Peter D. Molchan, Ralph E. Walls
Secretary/Treasurer Joseph D. Mercante
Directors Marvin G. Smalley, Kenneth J. Pulcifer, Eugene D. Rosam, Jr.
Now I see another reason for the division of the Society in 2000 and the registering of the religious order corporation. They saw this coming way back in the 90's.
Their own business practices may finally be coming up to bite them.
I think the donations in exchange for manufactured items is nothing less than fraud. It's clearly a conspiracy to avoid paying taxes. I think the only corporations that should have non profit tax exempt status is Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses and Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Incorporated 2000).
I think (political) book manufacturing and distribution isn't a religious activity and educating people how to avoid paying tax by deception is fraud. I think this practice needs a Congressional investigation. -
stillajwexelder
No disrespect meant to Barbara Anderson but I think this news is even bigger than her big news - it explains many things as Garybuss has said - it explains the new corporations. It explains the vast depleting of numbers in the Brooklyn Bethel home. Preaching is definitely voluntary but slave labor at Brooklyn is still labor and hence workmans comp. Great news
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Frannie Banannie
Yup! I wrote the newspaper an email and, referring them to Danny Hazard's thread and this JWD forum for validating info, I also hi-lighted the woman's reference to their being active jdubs and told the editor, et al, that the WTS would wait until just AFTER they lost their appeal (or on the outside chance they won) and THEN they would dF them (cut them off) from all contact with other active jdubs, including fam members.
Frannie
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moshe
It's plain to me, they are covered by Workmans Comp because they are employees, because the WTB&TS is a business- oops- not a charity? Well then , the State of NY has a very big TAX bill for you!! -KA-CHING $$$$
Moshe
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Bryan
non-manual capacity in or for a religious
This says it all.
I knew there had to be a reason for the downsizing. They're going to have to cover everyone with WC!
And what about all the workers on the Quick Builds?!
Bryan
Have You Seen My Mother
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TheListener
I know this has been said before but I'd like to reiterate it (you know, repitition for emphasis).
The society mainly loses in this situation if they are required to cover their workers with workman's comp. That'll cost them a hefty amount of money that they've not budgeted for. There won't be a lot of disgruntled bethelites lining up to sue. But, if they're covered by the workman's comp. insurance they'll sure enough take advantage of it when necessary. There is nobody cheaper than a bethelite (I know I was one).
Also, if this is played right by the lawyers (and I don't mean the WT lawyers) someone will get file a case to get bethelites covered by unemployment benefits.
What about Social Security tax? Perhaps they can escape that one by not actually paying anyone a salary but only giving the small stipend that they currently give.
The society needs money and anything that can be done to make then need more money weakens them.
Great thread and post Danny. You're tenacity is simply incredible. I'm drinking a cold one for you right now.
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stealyourface
I think (political) book manufacturing and distribution isn't a religious activity and educating people how to avoid paying tax by deception is fraud. I think this practice needs a Congressional investigation.
Right on, Gary! The only thing I can add is qui tam. -
Axelspeed
Great news! It seems to be coming in more frequently.
Remind me never to cross Danny H.
Axel
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skeeter1
"I'm finding they were not religious volunteers," Goldstein said. "They were engaged, particularly Dr. Brenda Upton, in a number of work-like activities."
In other words, this judge dismissed the Society's determination that these were religious volunteers, and judged the Society's actions on a secular (non-religious) basis. Let me make this plain & simple. Lawyers (including judges) are good with words and arguments. If you cast the argument as a religious one (i.e. she was a religious volunteer), she doesn't win. If you cas the argument as a secular one (i.e. she did alot of regular job-like duties), you have $400/week award for life.
Similar, if you say "Blood is strictly religious", you have no case. If you convince the court that the WTS should not deceive its followers about blood, you have a case.
It's two sides of the same coin. Play it the secular way, it's "head's up"
I quote the BIG NEWS of earlier this month (the Journal of Church & State article on blood), " Today, most courts are still unwilling to settle intra-church disputes, but some are willing to allow tort suits for seriously injured victims of negligence by church officials or where the church’s “fraud, breach of contract, and statutory violation” that is purely secular. These courts invoke a neutrality principal that opens the church to litigation [e.g. employment law] despite the fact that the court will need to examine “religious documents or practices.” Likewise, in the context of the Witnesses’ blood policy, the state’s compelling interest, preventing needless deaths, would pave the way when the religion misrepresents secular facts on blood abstinence in its recruiting and teaching material "
Chip, Chip, Away goes the absolute protection the Society thought they had under the 1st Amendment.
Skeeter1