Why the UK Charities Commission will not take on the WTBTS....

by The Fall Guy 9 Replies latest watchtower scandals

• 

  The Fall Guy

  ....or any other religion for that matter! Financial cost.

  If they were afraid to tackle the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church minnows, they will not tackle the JW cult.

  Here are 4 main reasons why the Charity Commission challenged the PBCC's charitable status:

  • The nature of the doctrine and practices of the PBCC generally

  • The nature and impact of its disciplinary practices

  • The impact of the doctrine and practices on those who leave the PBCC

  • The impact of the doctrine and practices on children within the PBCC.

    See any similarities with another religion?

  https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/charity-commission-criticised-for-action-on-plymouth-brethren-case.html

  Did the Commission punish the WTBTS after its inquiry into the Manchester & Bristol KH fiascos? Nope!
• 

  notsurewheretogo

  Most likely true but then again most did not expect them to do so or remove their charity status etc.

  But what is happening, all round the globe, is the spotlight on the JW religion and their child abuse policies.

  And look what happened with the Catholic church when that happened to them...the simplest form of hurt to the JW religion is in their pocket via lawsuits and compensation.
• 

  Tenacious

  Pigs can't very well punish their own kind.

  There you go.
• 

  Half banana

  It is interesting to see that the Commission would not go to court because of the costs and that the Plymouth Brothers can happily fund themselves to litigate. JW org prides itself in doing this as well.

  It is up to the government to determine what constitutes a charity and not the Commission. I happen to know someone who vets the workings of the commission and I have spoken to her on the subject. All the Charities Commission can do is work within their existing guide lines. As it stands, nutty fraudsters claiming to be God's chosen people can be classed a charity in the UK and be tax exempt to boot.

  If the government does change the rules of entitlement and excludes socially damaging religions like JWs, then the JW org will know their time is up since other countries will also start doing it as well. The GB will complain bitterly but in fact might survive financially paying taxes although it would greatly reduce profits. The main effect would be for them to play the persecution card and say, " See! we are being persecuted, the end must be right around the corner" (yawn).
• 

  The Fall Guy

  Section 1 Charities Act 2011 provides the definition in England and Wales:

  (1) For the purposes of the law of England and Wales, “charity” means an institution which—

  (a) is established for charitable purposes only, and (the org sole function is self-perpetuation)

  (b) falls to be subject to the control of the High Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction with respect to charities.

  The Charities Act 2011 provides the following list of charitable purposes.[29]

  1. the prevention or relief of poverty

  2. the advancement of education

  3. the advancement of religion (AND?)

  4. the advancement of health or the saving of lives

  5. the advancement of citizenship or community development

  6. the advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science

  7. the advancement of amateur sport

  8. the advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation or the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality and diversity

  9. the advancement of environmental protection or improvement

  10. the relief of those in need, by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage

  11. the advancement of animal welfare

  12. the promotion of the efficiency of the armed forces of the Crown or of the police, fire and rescue services or ambulance services

  13. other purposes currently recognized as charitable and any new charitable purposes which are similar to another charitable purpose.

  A charity must ALSO provide a public benefit via the relief of poverty, the advancement of education, the advancement of religion, and other purposes considered beneficial to the community.
• 

  Half banana

  By the way does anyone want to join my tax-exempt new religion? You get a guaranteed ticket to the Elysian Fields (on earth or in heaven just as you like, there is even hell for committed masochists) and you can believe whatever you want as long as you agree with the governing body. The new religion is called the GCS: God's Chosen People. No preaching involved, no meetings--cut out the difficult time consuming bits and just believe.

  Nah! it wouldn't work! you have to sacrifice something good (like having a normal life) in common with your chosen brotherhood to make it work and feel like you are a grovelling worshipper....... perhaps ritual self flagellation would do the trick?
• 

  Vidiot

  Ten bucks says the Brethren had "friends in high places" who went to bat for them behind the curtain.

  Does the WTS have that?

  Sooner or later, the Justice System will feel pressured to "make an example" of someone.

  The bOrg is a much more likely candidate because...

  a) ...they have no such "friends"...

  b) ...their offenses are far more egregious, and...

  c) ...nobody will feel sorry for them.
• 

  blondie

  In the US, going after religion is like touching the "third rail" (in train tracks, middle rail is electrified).
• 

  Half banana

  That's interesting Blondie, in the UK religion is not a sacred cow as in the States but nevertheless there is at present an entrenched privilege for the Church of England by their bishops having seats in the House of Lords (the second house of British government).

  Limiting the financial powers of cults by removing their tax concessions is not beyond possibility here. I have it in mind to speak to my Member of Parliament on the matter.

  @The Fall Guy, how interesting that the charitable act seeks to encourage education and the alleviation of poverty, two things which the JW org actually discourage. With education comes knowledge and the unmasking of religious frauds and with the removal of poverty comes independence from paternalistic organisations such as the JW cult.
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  blondie

  Half banana, if you remember US history, many of the people who came here were forced out of Europe because of their religious beliefs. So it was added to the Bill of Rights so no other government would try to restrict the choice and practice of religion. Unfortunately, some groups that come over believed that their own religion was the only right one but it has been reaffirmed time after time what freedom of religion is, no interference from government or other groups, such as other religions.

  So, people have the right to choose and practice for the most part at least by law.

  Some people in the US try to say it is a Christian country, but it is no accident that the framers of the Constitution deliberately did not designate a national religion.

  https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel01.html