Australian Inquiry, WT defines itself

by Gerard 5 Replies latest social current

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  Gerard

  http://216.239.53.100/search?q=cache:DexbKmeQxfYC:www.cdi.gov.au/submissions/357-WatchtowerBibleandTractSocietyofAustralia.doc+watchtower+bible+funds&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

  ...moral discussion based on Bible principles which are designed to uplift mankind. (or fear life)

  ...can assist them in various areas of life, such as within the family. (or raping your children)

  ...strengthening marriage bonds and "rearing children". (no kidding!)

  ...Contributions received for disaster relief are used in times of major crises including cyclones, floods, fires, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. (never heard of it)

  ...Real charity is both the purpose and the nature of the activities carried out by a Christian religion if it follows the example of Christ set forth in the Bible. (isn't charity a dirty word, a forbidden deed?)
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  ozziepost

  G'day Gerard,

  From my own recollection, this has been discussed on the board some time ago. I'll chck later. You can be sure we'll have something to say! Thanks for bringing it up. It's a nice reminder.

  Cheers, Ozzie
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  ozziepost

  G'day Gerard,

  I've had a little time to check, and here are a number of threads that bear on this topic:

  In one thread I made these comments:

  I found this of interest

  Donations to the Society are not tax-deductible, even when they are made for disaster relief or church building. We believe that more funds would be available if donations of reasonably large amounts for the advancement of religion were tax-deductible.

  {Emphasis added by me]

  Notice too how they shift the emphasis away from providing material things for the needy:

  Therefore, the charity of the Christian religion includes, but extends beyond, giving to the poor and needy by means of the provision of money, clothing, food, medical attention, and other material help. It encompasses a general compassion for other people, including a stranger and even an enemy. (Luke 6:27-29) This compassion prompts deliberate acts of goodwill on the part of a Christian toward another. It may, or may not, include assistance to the poor and needy by means of gifts of material possessions, but it is exercised for the good of the other person or a community of persons. It can include providing encouragement, advice, and counsel, giving hope, or showing kindness. For example, a depressed person is often better aided by words of encouragement than by a material gift, and a person in financial difficulties could be more lastingly assisted by guidance in managing their financial affairs than they would be by a temporary boost to their bank account. The person or organization who provides that guidance out of a sense of Christian love is no less a sharer in the chain of charitable actions than the one who freely gives a monetary gift.

  Vin has learned his trade well!

  In some countries, such as the United States of America and New Zealand, donors to our religious organizations are exempt from gift duty and may claim tax deductions for donations made to the church.

  I wonder how many US Witnesses claim tax relief for their donations to the Watchtower Society!

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.aspx?id=8849&site=3

  You may like to check the posts on that thread and these next threads:

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.aspx?id=13576&site=3

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.aspx?id=8996&site=3

  Cheers, Ozzie

  Edited by - ozziepost on 10 February 2003 8:8:22
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  Stephanus

  Australian tax law is not going to change any time soon for the benefit of these self-important little arse-wipes, believe you me!
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  ozziepost

  For the Australians reading this thread, I should elaborate on my comment above:

  Vin has learned his trade well!

  Although the covering letter was signed by Max Llloyd, the submission was written by Vin Toole (Vincent), well-known in Sydney especially for the illustrations in his talks! He works on the Legal Desk in the Australian Branch. He also excelled himself at a District Convention in Sydney in 2000 when he lauded the fact that a family had disfellowshipped their small child. He exulted in describing the shunning they did to the child! Clearly the Watch Tower Society of Australia are a real charitable charity, I don't think!

  Cheers, Ozzie
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  A Paduan

  It....may not, include ...material possessions. and that's different from ..showing kindness. ?

  Do they think kindness means telling you how you'd better shape up for the end of the world ?