IMPORTANT: JWS and the CHARITIES COMMISSION

by Dansk 101 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  edmond dantes

  Hi,

  This topic has always bugged me.Why should the Borg get away without paying taxes,? Their only plea for clemency would be the fact that according to themselves they are spreading their brand of christianity which we know to be questionable to say the least.

  According to the Charity Commissions principles a charity must operate for the benefit of those in need of the stated purpose of the charity in question and not for the benefit of the organisors of the charity.We know that the top managers of the Borg live a very comfortable life syle which is funded by their so called charity status of that there is no doubt.

  Now it seems to me that it would be very difficult to persuade the Commission that the Watchtower Orgs.' main aim is not the spreading of christianity and therein lies the problem.It depends on how they define it. If challenged It would take years of going through the courts to come up with a ruling.

  We know that Watchtower doctrine is harmful and full of error and that they literally get away with murder with blood guilt on their hands.

  I suppose if enough of us question the Commission about it at least they might sit up and take notice.
• 

  bebu

  Hi Ian,

  I am not familiar with UK laws, so I don't know whether the WTS can get tax relief through other means (such as simply being a religious organization). In the states, there are several tax-exempt statuses.

  http://www.muridae.com/nporegulation/documents/exempt_orgs.html

  I thought of the Scientology/WTS connection as well. Neither of these organizations is a charity! If the govt can understand that Scientology is group that merely wishes to control people and their money, then it's just a short hop to see the parallels with the WTS.

  I liked Moshe's idea about the food drive. Why not bait the JWs to see them reject acting charitably? Why not challenge the govt to get an itemized list of their charitable activities, or how they have added their efforts to any other charity?

  For all the TIME they spend in 'service'... where is the beef SERVICE?

  bebu
• 

  Dansk

  Paralipomenon:

  Why limit it to ex witnesses?
  
  Post on some gay and lesbian rights sites with the angle of homosexuals being expelled from the organization

  If you read one of my earlier posts in this thread you'll see where I have done just that. I contacted Stonewall, a gay and lesbian group, to get them involved, but as yet have not heard from them.

  Isaac, well done! The more who send in e-mails the better. Please post your reply here.

  Edmond:

  I suppose if enough of us question the Commission about it at least they might sit up and take notice.

  That's the whole point. If one or two complain it'll just be treated as ex members being disgruntled. But if the commission is inundated they'll realise something is dreadfully wrong.

  Ian
• 

  dedpoet

  Slightly off topic, but Enjoying Freedom wrote

  Another thought occured to me. It is World Mental Health Day tomorrow. I am sure there is an article discouraging JWs from seeking counselling and support from mental health services.

  There have been a few over the years

  Awake! 1975 August 22 p.25

  Is the turning of people from the clergy to the psychiatrists a healthy phenomenon? No, for it really is a case of jumping from the frying pan into the fire. They are worse off than they were before... That [psychologists and psychiatrists] are not the ones to go to for help when one is depressed and beset with all manner of problems is to be seen from the fact that suicides among them are twice as frequent as among the population in general... what is needed at such times is not worldly psychiatrists who may wholly ignore the change that the truth and God's holy spirit have made in one's life and who know nothing of their power to help one put on a new Christian personality. Rather, what is needed at such times is a mature Christian in whom one has confidence and who is vitally interested in one's welfare and who will not shrink back from administering needed reproof or counsel so that one may get healed.

  More here

  http://www.quotes-watchtower.co.uk/psychiatry.html
• 

  Dansk

  I just sent this to the Charities Commission via e-mail:

  Dear Mr. Hewitt, Following on from my recent complaint about the cult known as Jehovah's Witnesses I thought you might be interested in the following, which has been aired in France. The BBC programme Panorama covered the paedophile issue within the group some 3-4 years back, but I'm sure the BBC would help you if you asked. There are more than 25,000 suspected paedophiles within the organisation. Cults: Children Under Influence

  A new documentary exposes how Jehovah’s Witness children in France are exposed to pedophiles by the worldwide policies of the religion. The program entitled, “Cults: Children Under Influence.” provides extensive proof of why the problem of abuse continues within the closed group. The cameras penetrate the secrecy of many sects established in France . The authorities estimate that more than 8,000 children under the influence of these religious groups would be in danger. Despite the secrecy demanded by these organizations, the journalist Stephane Haussy was able to investigate many situations. He visited top officials among Jehovah's Witnesses.

  Nearly 50,000 children are involved in the Jehovah's Witnesses, a community open to the world.
  
  During our investigation, we also found cases of alleged pedophiles that have not been reported to the authorities and would be managed by committees of church elders that determine justice. Again, the victims, minors at the time, tell what they have suffered, but again, former leaders of Jehovah's Witnesses in France and the United States discuss how the hierarchy of the Jehovah's Witnesses would have required them to not to mention abuse cases.
• 

  REBORNAGAIN

  ???????????????

  This reminds me, are not all websites that end in .ORG considered Non-profit organizations? If so, why is the WTBTS's website signifying they are such? They make a profit...BIG TIME too.

  Am I wrong here?

  LINDA
• 

  Dansk

  My recent post on paedophiles in France evoked this response from the commission:

  <Dear Mr Ian Hinze,
  
  Thank you for your further email, the contents of which have been forwarded to the specialist team considering this matter.
  
  Kind regards
  Rob Hewitt
  Charity Commission Direct Team>

  We MUST keep the pressure on, folks!

  Ian
• 

  vitty

  I have always felt this is the way to really hurt the WT. They should be made to prove what makes them charitable. If i remember correctly they say that they promote ,families and Christianity within the community. Im sure the commision would be very interested to know how the average witness really thought about that.

  Ian................I though it was 25,000 peodos in the US not world wide. Have you informed them how much the WT s turnover is each year. And how much the UK sends to Brooklyn....................tax free. That is not benefiting British people and communities.
• 

  Dansk

  Hi Vitty:

  Ian................I though it was 25,000 peodos in the US not world wide. Have you informed them how much the WT s turnover is each year. And how much the UK sends to Brooklyn....................tax free. That is not benefiting British people and communities.

  You are probably right about the number of paedos referring to the US alone. Unfortunately, and it is no excuse, I really don't have the energy just now to research the paedo issue or the monies heading for Brooklyn, etc. Perhaps someone else could do that?

  I am concentrating on the blood issue. The doctor at the hospital told me this morning it will be at least another three months before I am free of fatigue.

  Believe me, when I'm fit I shall do all I can to be a thorn in Watchtower's side and the Charities Commission is definitely the way to go ---- but I can't do it alone!

  Ian
• 

  nvrgnbk

  Thanks for this info, Dansk.