Contribution Basis only

by man in black 8 Replies latest jw friends

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  man in black

  Excuse my lack of computer/searching skills here, but I have been doing a search for the reason that the literature is now offered on a contribution basis only.

  I remember back in the late 80's or early 90's when the announcement was made from the platform stating that we were on longer to put a price on the magazines / books,,,, just ask for a contribution.

  Somewhere I remember reading on this site that there was a underlying legal reason this was done, when it was announced.

  Everyone was either saying that this was a "speeding up" of the work, or the usual "the end must be right around the corner" routine.

  I really appreciate any comments !!
• 

  Think About It

  What a deceptive lie the WTS told us on this one. They gave it a theocratic spin like it was Jehovah's will and his spirit was speeding up the preaching work. I don't remember the details, but I was shocked to learn on this site that going to the contribution basis was a legal manuver to avoid being taxed by the US govt. and that the WTS actually sided with Jimmy Swaggart ministries who the US govt was investigating on the matter. (someone please correct me if I am not quite correct)

  Think About It
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  Designer Stubble

  The reason as stated was to avoid taxation. The wealthy American nation had the magazines on contribution basis, where as the third world countries still had to pay for them. Although now contributions are worldwide, which is a good thing, the initial reason was to avoid tax, although a nice spin was given.

  Ironically, the begging for donations has skyrocketted. If you install the CD-ROM, which probably has a production cost of $1...it states that the suggested contribution is somewhere in the region of $100 as this is what such a product would easily cost commercially.
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  Watchtowers Witnesses

  The Watchtower Society uses Theocratic Warfare on it's own members. They don't feel that that the rank and file members need to know the whole truth. The change in policy was in 1990, about a month after the decision came down on the Jimmy Swaggart case.

  I might be overly cynical but I still can’t get over the implications of the pre-1990 policy. A publishing corporation convinces it’s followers that going door to door for free selling books and pamphlets for the organization is one of the requirements to attain “Eternal Life”. Although selling material for the organization is a big focus another requirement is recruiting new members. These new members will also perform “life-saving” work by selling literature and become recruiters for the group as well. I realize I’m simplifying a complicated issue but it still doesn’t change the facts of the situation.
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  St George of England

  Yes it was the Jimmy Swaggart case that caused the change. The WTS never told its members the truth of course; it was called SIMPLIFICATION.

  George
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  man in black

  Wow, thank you all for the information .

  I did a search on Google "Jimmy Swaggart and jehovahs witnesses" and this piece of gold came up :

  http://www.bibletopics.com/biblestudy/84.htm
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  StAnn

  The thing about this whole mess is that it is unnecessary. I firmly believe that, if the WTS had told the rank and file that the Government was going to start charging sales tax on literature (and that it was going to be an accounting nightmare for them), people would have easily understood why they were going to a contribution only system. I don't think people would have balked. If anything, the WTS could have said the Government was persecuting them!

  When in doubt, the WTS always chooses the lie over the truth. And we all know who the father of the lie is, don't we?
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  Broken Promises

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/124631/1/The-truth-about-the-donation-arrangement
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  jamiebowers

  According to the link provided by MIB, Swagart had to pay taxes on books he sold all the way bak to 1974 in 1980. I wonder why the authorities didn't go after the Watchtower as well. Even for taxes on "printing costs" all the way back to the 1870's would've been A LOT of money!

  Edited to add: Is that why the Watchtower stopped charging for food at the convention and then stopped servng food all together...because they would have to pay sales tax on it?