JW not a religion in France

by hamsterbait 8 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  hamsterbait

  Was anybody aware that in France the WTBTS goes under the name "Societe Cultuelle des Temoins de Jehovah en France" - Cutural Society of Jehovah's Witlesses in France?

  So why are they whining about being taxed as a religion when they do not call themselves one?

  Anyway - didn't the magazines always say to pay taxes, even if you think they are unfair? The interest on unpaid tax must be amazing by now.

  Didn't Mexico do the same scam, posing as a cultural organization so they could buy and sell property? Even to the extent that prayers and songs were not offered at the meetings?

  Is this the case in France?

  HB
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  blondie

  I think they want to be recognized as a religion but the French government has turned down their request, HB.

  Blondie
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  greendawn

  Good point, they keep changing their position as it suits them, at times they have more to gain by being recognized as a religion and at times as a cultural organisation but the French think of them as a cult because of the blood issue and the breaking up of families through the shunning policy.
  
  The JWs even lost a case in the European court regarding the above issue.
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  johnny cip

  good point about the wt in mexico. i have spoken to many mexican jw's in my area. they always come up with the same line the jw's were banned in mexico. then i ask . did the mexican gov't close down your k halls? Answer no. did the mexican police arrest you for door to door work or preaching on the street? Answer , NO. so what makes you say the jw's were banned in Mexico? mexican jw. DUH> that's what we read in the wt mag's. what the mag's said and what you experenced in mexico. were different. doesn't trhe wt havwe branch offices in mexico? MEXICAN jw "well yea" how was the jw's banned in Mexico? DUHwe couldn't sing songs at the hall etc. my answer. because the wt refused to file as a religion so they could own land in MEXICO. just like the Catholics couldn't own land in mexico till 1`994. when the

  Mexican gov't changed the rules on religions owning land. that's the reason why the wt made the Mexican jw's compomise. it's all about $$$$$$$$$$. the society could care less if you sing or read bibles. as long as they own the land. and you pay for your mag's. a few older Mexican jw's that i spoke to understanded what i was saying. most have no idea. john
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  Narkissos

  I think you are mixing up a few things.

  "Cultuel" is "cultual," not "cultural" (that would be "culturel") nor "cultic". In French the word "culte" doesn't have the negative connotations of the English "cult" (which approximately corresponds to the common use of the French "secte"). "Culte" only means "worship": "Freedom of worship" = "liberté de culte".

  The JWs may call themselves "association cultuelle", but there is a legal definition of "associations cultuelles" (by a 1905 law) which they have been denied at the national level (although some local JW associations were granted such a status recently). On the other hand they are recognised as a regular "association" (by the 1901 law).
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  Genesis

  Yeah, Narkissos is right, I was about to say the same thing, dont mistake these 2 words, their meanings are different...
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  hamsterbait

  Nark -

  Thanks for that - as "cultual" is not in my eng. dictionary. These are things that looking in a lexicon don't explain.

  I still maintain that if they are not a religion in France they have no right to complain about being taxed.

  I must add that I find it amusing that non-Catholic churches in France are called "Temples" not "Eglises" - as if those attending them are taking part in some pagan rite, like Dionisiac Orgies or drinking babies' blood.

  HB
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  chasson

  First in France, there is no recognised religion, even the catholic church, which culturally is the biggest.
  Second, i disagree with Narkissos, since 2000, a lot of JW associations, in fact all except two are now recognised as conformed to 1905's law and be exempt of several taxes.
  
  Bye
  
  Charles
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  Narkissos

  i disagree with Narkissos, since 2000, a lot of JW associations, in fact all except two are now recognised as conformed to 1905's law and be exempt of several taxes.

  Charles, you're speaking of local, not national associations aren't you?

  I have a vague memory that two local associations were expressedly denied the "cultual" status, but I have no idea how many asked for it and obtained it.

  Furthermore, I think in the 1980's the national association was denied this status over a legacy issue. Was that ever overruled?