Did you ever hear what happens when you cross a Hells Angel with a JW......you get someone who knocks on your door and tell you to f...off..
I was wondering if anyone knew how many countries still charge for the literature?
Or how many countries are donation may be easier?
Is the society allowed as a non-taxible religious org to accept money which is contributed in other countries to cover cost of literature which is paid for not voluntary contribution?
In BC we have the Assembly hall which had a one million dollar reno a few years ago. Each time the hall is used the magic $ value mentioned as needed in donations is $8000 to cover expenses for a two day conv of 800 to 1200.
According to their charitable organization return for Britain, the Kingdom Hall Trust holds title to 270 properties, valued at 46,765,442 pounds. I don’t believe that they have completed taking title to all of the properties, yet.
The society routinely transfers money between its various national offices.
I beg to differ, Sword. In Britain, there is a legal charitable corporation called "The Kingdom Hall Trust". It files audited financial statements with the British government. I can send you a scanned copy if you like.
Here is an excerpt; "Reserves Policy. The principal activity of the Charity is to hold title to property on behalf of congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in Britain. Each congregation signs an undertaking to cover any costs incurred on their behalf by the Trust."
"Objects and Activities. The principal activity of the Charity is that of Custodian Trustee holding title to freehold and leasehold properties acquired as places of worship for congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in England and Wales. All new properties purchased are held in the name of the trust. An ongoing programme of transferring title of existing places of worship from local trustees to the Trust is in progress and will take some years to complete."
"On August 31, 2000 161 properties were held by the Trust as Custodian Trustee. On August 31, 2001 this figure was 270."
I think most of us understand that this is the "practical" equivalent of Watchtower ownership, but it seems to me that your evidence shows that SoJ is correct, technically.
By the way, the local Kingdom Halls are not under the name of Watchtower.
Each one is owned by a locally formed corporation (composed of three elders) or by trustees.
I have to agree with SOJ on this. In the congregations I have attended or where either my husband, uncles, or brothers have handled the finances, this has been true. Of course, some BOEs may jump to the WTS tune, but it is not through legal leverage.
Let me illustrate, in one congregation they owned quite a chunk of real estate. The WTS through the CO "suggested" they sell it and give the money to another local congregation to build a new KH. The BOE basically told the CO and the WTS to take a hike. That was several years ago and they still have not sold the property.
The corporation is made up of elders from the congregation holding the territory the KH is physically located in. So if a congregation(s) is sharing, they have no legal claim to anything and are subject to the largesse of the first BOE.
While the congregation is owing the WTS money on the KH property, it is like it is when a bank has loaned you money for your home. If you default in payment, the bank forecloses and takes ownership. After you have paid off your mortgage, your house is no longer subject to bank interference (unless you default on a different loan and a lien is put on your property.)
This is the way it works in the US in my experience. I have no doubt that it can be different in other countries.
Blondie
I have known of brothers who took second mortgages on their house to help pay for the kingdom hall, and then tried to sell their house and couldn't because of the debt on the kingdom hall.
Anyone else heard of this ???
Still no answer on how many kingdom halls there are in the world ???
So who actually owns each kingdom hall, elders ???
