Are financial transactions being performed at the local Kingdom Halls?

I_love_Jeff

Is this not inappropriate behavior in the eyes of Jah? Surely it must.

http://savedfromthewatchtower.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html

"TO ALL CONGREGATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

Re: Donations at circuit events by debit or credit card

Dear Brothers:

At Deuteronomy 16:15, Jehovah commanded those celebrating the festival of booths: "You must become nothing but joyful." Similarly, circuit assemblies and special assembly days are always joyous occasions because of Jehovah's abundant blessing. In view of this, many show appreciation by making voluntary contributions at the assembly.

As in previous years, voluntary contributions can be placed in the contribution boxes either in cash or by check made payable to the circuit. However, a new arrangement for making donations by debit or credit card has been approved for congregations that hold their circuit events in Assembly Halls. Locations for making debit or credit card donations will be announced at the assembly.

We pray Jehovah's rich blessing on your preparations to attend the circuit assembly and special assembly day programs for the 2012 service year.

Your brothers,

Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses"

Amelia Ashton

(Deuteronomy 16:14, 15) .?.?.. 15?Seven days you will celebrate the festival to Jehovah your God in the place that Jehovah will choose, because Jehovah your God will bless you in all your produce and in every deed of your hand, and you must become nothing but joyful.

And from this they get make a donation by card?! WTF!!!

leaving_quietly

I dunno... I don't think this is unscriptural. Jesus actually sat around and intentionally watched people drop money into the treasury chest in the temple (thus observing the widow with two small coins). He didn't have a problem with that. He did have a problem with goods being sold in the temple, however. I don't see a difference between people donating by cash or check or credit card. Just my two cents.

prologos

not only did he watch, but commended the widow for giving to a moribund arrangement that he condemned for its practises.

However the money changers and their equipment, now automated, received special treatment

zeb

An Italian brother who was a magnificent gardener would bring produce to the hall for others to share and he was told not too.On the basis of doing deals at the KH.

Tiktaalik

Er.... Hate to break it to you Jeff, but the entire jw organisation is about making money, and protecting and enhancing its assets.

Why are you surprised at this letter?

And why do you always refer to Jehoovah as if he's real?

blondie

People have been donating for years in church as well as the KH. Even at the temple.......Jesus did not say the widow was wrong in making donations. He ran out those that were conducting commercial business in the temple. So far the WTS does not require tithing as some religions do or require people to make monthly payments (sign a contract) to be a member and have their children baptized and weddings performed in church.

(Mark 12:41-44) 41 And he sat down with the treasury chests in view and began observing how the crowd was dropping money into the treasury 42 Now a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins, which have very little value. 43 So he called his disciples to him and said to them: “Truly I say to YOU that this poor widow dropped in more than all those dropping money into the treasury chests; 44 for they all dropped in out of their surplus, but she, out of her want, dropped in all of what she had, her whole living.”

I'm surprised though that surplus produce could not be put back in the coatroom, free for the taking. I saw that in many congregations.

Poztate

Didn't they used to frown on credit card type donations ? I seem to recall something said about those donations.

It had something to do about air miles ? and how commercial it all was.

MrFreeze

I don't usually say LOL but I'm saying it now... LOL. Are they seriously quoting a scripture to justify using debit/credit cards for donations?

I mean, I can see instituting the card readers but to somehow tie it into a scripture?

fakesmile

the answer is maybe. as a business person, the last place i would choose to rub elbows is at the KH. at least the mormans have an accredited university. BUT if you landscape or have a skill that is usefull, id think favors are made. now as far as big business, nah. not many jws have a skill that neccessitates even the most innocent negotiations.

fun fact... there was a "bro" in the hall who would not return my nintendo game under the excuse that it was "conducting secular business" at the hall. what a prig.

pointy is, rules are interpreted by the rule enforcer

Are financial transactions being performed at the local Kingdom Halls?

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