Does the WT distribute to those in need? Think layoffs, no more unemployment checks, foreclosures

by truthseeker 16 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  AGuest

  FYI, they stopped charging interest about 2 or 3 years ago. All loans are now 0% interest.

  Well, it's about time, dear sir (peace to you!)... and probably explains... more than the reduction in literature donations... their current financial situation (i.e., closing branches, etc.). About time someone got "hip" up there on THAT one, given what "the Bible" says about loaning to an enemy, let alone a brother! (and I don't doubt that some government levied taxes on the PROFIT, which is why they've now changed!). Although I still think repossessing a KH is almost as heinous.

  But thanks for the update and, again, peace to you!

  A slave of Christ,

  SA
• 

  AGuest

  It is interesting to note that "in the Bible" the purpose of "overseers" where to "'oversee'... the distribution" (of donations to the widows, orphans, and poor)... and NOT as "masters over [anyone else's] faith." It is interesting.

  Peace to you all!

  A slave of Christ,

  SA
• 

  Yan Bibiyan

  I watched the Watchtower Society attempt to REPOSSES A KINGDOM HALL in Kingfisher, Oklahoma when this little congregation got behind on the payments.

  JW (no pun intended:-), can you remember specifics?

  It would be interesting to pull the court records and add them to our ever growing arsenal of self-inflicted JW stupidity. On a second thought, Oklahoma uses non-judicial foreclosure procedure most of the time, where court is not involved, but it also uses judicial process for expediency, where a regular lawsuit against the defaulting party is filed and there are indeed public court records...
• 

  LV101

  how do they keep their tax-free status.

  Sir82 -- YES, there are bigger fish to fry out there but if they aren't aiding society they should be taxed.

  LV101
• 

  WTWizard

  The Washtowel itself gives nothing. Individuals sometimes give, but with ropes and strings attached.

  One example is that sometimes they will give a "brother" stuff. Usually, that stuff is crap that is otherwise headed for the landfill, and usually not very functional in the first place. Suits with big holes in the pockets or that make the wearer look like a complete dork when worn are a common example of this--I myself got quite a few of these crap suits that were either worn out or were designed to usher the wearer into dorkhood upon wearing. Other items can include furniture and appliances that barely work and are used up.

  Even worse than that they are giving things that are otherwise going to end up in the landfill is the guilt that comes with it. Once you receive this crap, the giver is ballyhooed as "being generous". Additionally, there is an unspoken debt--you receive, so you are now obligated to remain in the religion no matter what and submit to whatever mistreatment comes with the "gift(??)". None of which happens when the Salvation Army or the Red Cross helps out--with those organizations, the object is to help a person get back on their feet without imposing any unspoken debt or guilt trips in the process.
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  Scott77

  WTWizard ,

  You said it the way I liked it. However, I recall reading Awake! Magazine reports of emmergency assistance of JWs in need in Africa during wars or natural disaster. I think, they used planeload of used closings, those kind of stuff. But then, I later read on this site that those were from individidual rich congregations in Europe not the WTS. That is it. Now, Haiti in grip of Cholera outbreak and hundreds have died. I do not know if the WTS has organised aid to that unfortunate insland.

  Scott77
• 

  designs

  The last check I ever sent the Society was specifically for Food Aid, they sent back a Letter saying the money was going into their general fund.

  The last conversation I had with a Circuit Overseer was on helping people per Acts- form collectives and help each other during recessions and hard ties, he just looked at me and stared.