New donation arrangement - double the contributions

by Splash 9 Replies latest watchtower scandals

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  Splash

  In the March 29th 2014 BoE letter to be read to the congregations, this new donation arrangement is stated to be "an adjustment to financing Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction worldwide".

  This arrangement will remove the low-receipt Kingdom Hall Construction Worldwide (KHCW) contribution boxes from kingdom halls.
  Incidentally, this used to be called the Society Kingdom Hall Fund (SKHF) but this too never received very many contributions, even after it was rebranded and relaunched as KHCW.

  So how to increase revenues - another relaunch.
  This time the voluntary and anonymous aspect is being focussed on, with a 'group responsibility' mindset instead.
  Don't ask the individuals to think about and contributing, ask the congregation as a whole, then fix it into a bank payment so it never gets forgotten and never decreases.

  So why is this thread called 'double contribution'?

  The letter to be read says that this money will be used to "support the construction of theocratic facilities wherever they are needed".
  So how does this differ from the Worldwide Work contribution box, according to a 2005 Kingdom Ministry?

  *** km 4/05 p. 1 par. 2 Do Good and Share With Others ***
  One way we can benefit others is by sharing our “valuable things.” (Prov. 3:9) Our contributions to the worldwide work make it possible for Kingdom Halls, Assembly Halls, and branch facilities to be built throughout the world.

  So essentially, there will now be a contribution box AND a monthly congregation bank order to send money to the Society, which will be used for the vague purpose of constructing "theocratic facilities", whatever that may include.

  Like docile sheep, JW's have been fleeced for decades. It's only getting more intense.

  My suggestion, if there's any opportunity to ask questions on the night, is to publicly ask "If we already donate to the worldwide work which is also used to build facilities, what's the difference between that and this new arrangement? Why do we need to donate to both?"

  Even if there is no opportunity to ask this publicly, discuss it privately after the announcement.

  You never know, a simple thought like this might get congregation members reasoning for themselves, after all, JW's are notoriously tight fisted when they can reason their way out of spending money.

  Splash
• 

  emeth

  Splash said

  My suggestion, if there's any opportunity to ask questions on the night, is to publicly ask "If we already donate to the worldwide work which is also used to build facilities, what's the difference between that and this new arrangement? Why do we need to donate to both?"

  Answer ... you dont have to donate anything if you dont want to donate anything.
• 

  blondie

  As long as donating remains an anonymous practice. My husband's experience as an accounts servant for 10 years that a small core of jws donated for the operating costs of the local KH and the mortgage when they had one. Mortgage paid = less money donated not a continuation of the same unless they were saving up for a renovation. No corresponding increase in donating to the worldwide work which was perceived as money given by the householder (if jws ask for money it is only if they place literature, no literature no money is asked for...not official WTS but practice in congregations) When was the last time any active jws on here or ex-jws observed a jw asking for money from someone at the door that had not taken literature?

  I have seen where jws turn in anonymous slip to the elders that they can give $X one time, $X monthly for building up funds to build or renovate a KH on the honor basis. But in the US if you give $250 or more in one donation it must be certified with a signed letter by the KH in order to report it on your annual tax form to the government. While this information is only to be accessed by the accounts servant and the COBOE, do other elders have access, depends on the BOE.

  So in the end (in the US)

  1) donate under the $250 barrier requiring written identification by the IRS (if you claim that deduction)

  2) do not have it taken out of your bank account or write a check...give cash (if you give)

  3) be ambiguous if asked directly if or what you have given or turn it around and ask that individual what they gave

  4) don't be guilted from the platform, no one knows what you have given or promised (except god if he is paying attention to such small things)

  If jws were truly generous in helping out other congregations, this change would not be necessary. I have seen congregations in the same town unwilling to give their excess to another congregation trying to build a new KH let alone a nameless one in another country. Most jws only give if they see they are receiving something in return, status/position, business connections/more money, and of course an assurance that they can "buy" everlasting life.
• 

  KateWild

  If jws were truly generous in helping out other congregations, this change would not be necessary.-Blondie

  I agree. I know many JWs who are just interested in themselves and their own progress. Some were kind hearted, but in no financial position to donate large sums.

  Kate xx
• 

  DesirousOfChange

  But in the US if you give $250 or more in one donation it must be certified with a signed letter by the KH in order to report it on your annual tax form to the government.

  The IRS has increased the "standard deduction" to the level that very few need to prepare a Schedule A which allows deduction of charitable contributions. To qualify, your deductions for things like: home mortgage interest, real estate taxes, out-of-pocket medical costs, and charitable contributions, but exceed $12,000. It is almost necessary that one have a big mortgage for this items to exceed the standard deduction. Like most Americans, only the middle class and wealthy JWs will be able to itemize and deduct their contributions to WTS. As noted in the Pew Surveys, JWs are about the lowest rung financially of all religious groups.

  Doc
• 

  JustVisting

  Splash: Double Contribution, should be rebranded "Double Corban"
• 

  DATA-DOG

  Many Jws are the worst "Christians" they are outwarldy pious and love terminology like "Worldwide Brotherhood" and "true worship." The reality is that they just want to live their own lives for the most part, and would rather not sully their hands with other people's problems. They rarely know what is going on within the congregation, besides rumors. They will "help" in a limited way. As long as Congregation Member X is a plastic believer, they get phone calls and "assistance" from the Eldubs. If you have a real problem , you are more than likely DF'd, abandoned when you REALLY need help. Remember, theses are the guys who say chanting, " I am an Integrity Keeper", will stop you from eating a bullet.

  I love how EMETH disappears from JWN, and comes back to comment on certain topics. There is a very clear pattern. What is important to the higher-ups, is what EMETH defends. You won't find any morally responsible comments from EMETH. He/she is right, JWs don't HAVE to donate anything, just like they don't HAVE to refuse a blood transfusion for a dying family member, and don't HAVE to drive 2 hours and spend $500.00 to attend a CA. They also don't HAVE to get an hourly quota in field service, ect.. They don't HAVE to shun df'd family members.Yes, there are many things that JWs don't HAVE to do.

  THE TRUTH INSPIRES GENEROUS GIVING 5/1/55 WT

  MAN’S WAY NOT GOD’S WAY

  Where does all the money come from? How is it gathered? From a few rich men interesting themselves in this work? No; for the Bible tells us that God’s kingdom message would not appeal to the rich, and the facts bear this out. Or do Jehovah’s witnesses operate bingo games or operate other games of chance such as raffling off automobiles at $10 a chance as some Roman Catholic churches do? No; for they recognize that by appealing to the desire to get something for nothing they would be encouraging selfishness, whereas Christianity is the very essence of unselfishness.

  Neither does the Watch Tower Society send out professional pledge takers who parrot the sales talks of financial wizards by telling congregations that “statistics show that your family, your business, and your community will prosper in accordance with what you and others give. The more you invest therein the more you will get out.” Nor does it send out church canvassers as did the Episcopal church of the diocese of Long Island, New York, late in 1954, when 3,500 canvassers sought to collect 4 1⁄2 million dollars for that church. No; the Watch Tower Society does not solicit and never has solicited funds by any such means, for it holds that it is doing the work of God and therefore it would be most inconsistent for it to beg help for carrying on God’s work when he states that all the gold and silver and the cattle on a thousand hills belong to him.—Hag. 2:8; Ps. 50:10.

  What's the difference in sending out "professional pledge takers" or "canvassers" and having a captive audience of 8 Million JWs pledge a certain amount every month?!?! Answer: The WTBTS's way is a much more reliable form of solicitation!! Yes, they were not lying when they said, " No; the Watch Tower Society does not solicit and never has solicited funds by any such means..." The GB are much more cunning in their solicitations! As SPLASH said, the pressure of the group will ensure that the money flows in.

  From WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY:

  so·lic·it

  verb \sə- ˈ li-sət\

  : to ask for (something, such as money or help) from people, companies, etc.

  : to ask (a person or group) for money, help, etc.

  Examples of so·lic·it:

  1. The organization is soliciting for donations.

  Is it true that the WTBTS never solicits for money???

  DD
• 

  blondie

  Hi DOC, I guess I wasn't totally clear about the $250 and above IRS rule. It means that jws will not have to reveal their donations or lack thereof to the elder body. Then if they do give, they can give cash, do not use checks or an electronic transfer. It would be a big step by the WTS to "force" jws to give the elders or the WTS such wide access to their financial records. Many jws vote with their pocketbook; something happens at the KH they don't like (personal interactions e.g.) they stop giving money. I remember one elder not in favor of a renovation suggestion by another elder, announced the payment of the mortgage and then said "now you don't have to donate as much any more" and the donations plummeted (my husband was accounts servant).

  I know the WTS when it's about money...no word legal agreements...sign on the dotted line (scriptural you know). So is the WTS going to forgive all these mortgages and then have each congregation sign another document legally agreeing to pay at a minimum the monthly mortgage they had been paying. Then the congregation as a whole is liable with the elders being representative signers. But will the WTS sign individual documents with each family head...legally obligating them...it would be a new procedure and not a welcome one and not in agreement with CTR policy.

  *** br84 p. 4 Watch Tower Society Takes Over a Work Already Begun ***

  This magazine was published to keep to the fore the doctrine of the ransom and also the blessings to come to mankind as a result of it. The printing of the first issue was 6,000. Russell pledged that, in connection with the publishing of this magazine, they would not beg for money but depend entirely on voluntary contributions. This principle was also applied to all meetings, which were advertised with the slogan “Seats Free—No Collections.”
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  EndofMysteries

  "Our contributions to the worldwide work make it possible for Kingdom Halls, Assembly Halls, and branch facilities to be built throughout the world."

  Now I get it, they are selling off all of the assembly halls and branch facilities that were by free labor and donations to pocket the coin then pretend they never existed to then ask for more donations and free labor to build assembly halls and branch facilities to then sell off again and repeat the cycle. Kinda like the generation teachings. They must have figured if all the jw's will buy the cycle of their teachings, they'll prob buy the new donation and building cycle as well.
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  themaccauk11

  MORTGAGE PLUS INTEREST taking more money from the poor. Amazingly once the kingdom hall is paid for it is still ownedby the society