February 26, 2017 TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS Re: Witnessing in Public Places
by wifibandit 35 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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smiddy
Its nice to see how the organization absolves itself from any responsability or liability and puts the onus on the individual JW if things go awry .( Dont use the congregation name nor Jehovahs witnesses or any of the other names identyfying the JW organization)
What idiot would agree to those conditions.
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OUTLAW
February 26, 2017 TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS Re: Witnessing in Public Places
TRANSLATION:
1)..Do exactly as we say.
2)..You`re on your own..
3)..GOOD LUCK!!
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shepherdless
Further to Outlaw's point, the Witnessing in Public Places letter says:
Any application to use a mobile cart or to set up a table or kiosk to display literature must be filled out in the name of an individual publisher, not in the name of the congregation, any corporation used by the organization, or “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” If a small administrative fee is needed in order to acquire space in a public area, it is to be paid by the individual publisher, not the congregation. Publishers should carefully review any such applications to see what responsibility they are taking upon themselves with respect to liability and possible proof of insurance coverage. Publishers who apply to distribute literature at these areas are doing so on their own initiative as part of their personal ministry.
The bolding is mine, to emphasis that WTBTS is putting all legal liability on the individual.
However, the letter goes on:After consulting with the other elders, the Congregation Service Committee will make the final decision as to specific locations for public witnessing.
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Locations selected for public witnessing must be within the congregation’s territory boundaries.
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The service overseer or someone else designated by the body of elders should determine what may be legally required, if anything, in the way of permissions, permits, and insurance coverage.
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The Congregation Service Committee will determine what equipment (including posters) will be used and where it will be stored. Only artwork approved by the branch office should be displayed.
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The [public witnessing] equipment will remain the property of the congregation. Care should be taken to request only equipment that will be put to good use by publishers who have been trained in its use and that can be financially supported by the congregation. The congregation may be informed that the cost of the public witnessing equipment will be covered by their contributions to the worldwide work....
There is more. I can't be bothered cutting and pasting it. Surely, given the very prescriptive requirements and the fact that individual JW's use Watchtower logos and intellectual property, this letter is evidence that WTBTS is in complete control. The legal ramifications could be interesting.
Determining Who May Participate: The Congregation Service Committee will select qualified publishers to participate in this feature of the ministry. Those selected should be... [blah blah blah]
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If it is possible and practical, the service overseer or someone designated by the body of elders should organize a midweek and weekend schedule for each selected location.
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It is usually best for two or more persons to be assigned to work together. -
ambersun
I am curious to know how this would affect the "individual publisher" if an accident were to happen and a pedestrian was injured due to tripping over the cart or something similar. Has anything like this ever happened? Would they be left to deal with the situation entirely on their own?
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Landy
if an accident were to happen and a pedestrian was injured due to tripping over the cart or something similar. Has anything like this ever happened? Would they be left to deal with the situation entirely on their own?
That's certainly what the WTS seems to want to happen. Utterly brazen. Especially as PL insurance for those sorts of activities would be a minimal cost.
I think what is more reprehensible is that the letter was only to the elders, not to the congregation. So those poor saps stood by the carts more than likely don't realise that the WTS will cut them loose if there happens to be a claim against them.
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zeb
application must be filled out in the name of an individual publisher... not Jehovah's witnesses...
cute.
hm jw have personal liability insurance.
Trolley falls or blows over some one is injured then the poor individual pub is to their neck in financial liabilities.
the form should be titled "How to throw jw's under a bus.."
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alanv
ambersun, the letters have made it very clear that witnesses are on their own doing this work. All the org do is provide the carts and literature. It is the individual witnesses job to ensure they put the carts in the right place and not cause any hazard to anybody. The whole tone of the letter is that it is up to individuals to do whatever is necessary when using the carts.
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punkofnice
Oh, this just goes to show how much trust the bozo leaders of the WBT$ have in their cattle.
It's all about money and the popes in Warwick not shelling any out in a lawsuit!
Do we need any more proof that this is just a big business posing as a religion without care for the workers?
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punkofnice
Alanv - I agree with you. Also....
All the org do is provide the carts and literature.
...at a cost to the publishers!