by TheOldHippie 23 Replies latest watchtower scandals
The branch overseer in Sweden has received a forced or increased income taxation by the authorities. They have estimated his personal income to the equivallent of 24,000$, which he has not declared. They have estimated this amount based upon the value of free living quarters, food and car. All voluntary workers at Bethel will be investigated, and proposals have also been made that Watchtower and Awake shall be taxed.
Says a Swedish guy.
And so he should, everyone else pays them.
In the WT it's a case of "Gods things to God and Caesars things to, er..God"
good news; i hope the swedish tax the wt and jw's till they sh!T out every last $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ one country atr a time the wt is being exposed......what's that verse " the gov't are the ministers of god's law" john
Do you think this is backlash from the child abuse show on TV?
Blondie
I hardly feel sorry for the WTS, but all religions in Sweden should be aware they may be next. Once governments start taxing a people or organization those taxes tend to go up and they also look for other tax opportunities. The constitution of the US seems to preclude this happening here, at least so far. Thomas Jefferson said, "the power to tax is the power to destroy." So true.
This reminds me of how the WTBTS always stated how the wordly religions would be turned upon and persecuted, but when the attention was turned to JWs, then God would step in and protect "his people".
I guess what they didn't realize, was it was going to be persecution in the form of taxes.
Think about this. With governments the world over, struggling to balance their budgets, and still maintain levels of service, and the majority of religions in most countries receiving some form of reduced, or tax free status, what better way to increase their coffers, then to begin taxing religion.
Interesting, but we need more details.
Truthseeker
This is what I don't get - are all Bethel branches required to make their volunteers sign "oath of poverty forms?"
TOH,
Says a Swedish guy.
I hope he's right! Any more info?
Ian
This is excellent news!
Why not tax or reject legal status for the Watchtower but leave individuals alone?
You can be a Witness -- but the WTS can't hold any property. Why not deal with these parasites this way?
Nobody would go to prison and the WTS would be finished.
metatron
