Cool, thanks for the post from El Pais - I listed the result yesterday in the MEGA THREAD here when the result was first filtering through to the online newspapers.
I did also link to this thread for 'background' though
darkspilver
JoinedPosts by darkspilver
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Spain: Condemned the perpetrators of the pyramid scam 700 Jehovah's Witnesses
by JHK ingoogle translation:.
condemned the perpetrators of the pyramid scam 700 jehovah's witnesses.
barcelona, february 6.
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darkspilver
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AUSTRALIA - Petition to Cancel the Charity Status of Watchtower and Jehovah's Witnesses
by jwleaks ina petition has been launched in australia to coincide with the child abuse royal commission's adverse findings against watchtower and jehovah's witnesses.
the petition is to the australian charities and not-for-profit commission to cancel their charity status.. https://www.change.org/p/australian-charities-and-not-for-profit-commission-acnc-cancel-the-watchtower-bible-and-tract-society-s-charity-status.
[quote].
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Watching the World - MEGA THREAD of topics
by darkspilver inan esoteric hotchpotch of topics, from the mildly interesting to the rather boringi'm posting here to avoid the 'new topic' forum limitations, and besides it also helps to avoid clogging up the forum if you think something is of passing interest, and you wish to comment on it, please feel free to re-post as a new topic - thanks!
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darkspilver
USA: Polk woman claims school bus driver told 7-year old son he would go to hell for mom's same-sex relationship
WFLA TV - News Channel 8, March 7, 2017
Polk woman claims school bus driver told 7-year old son he would go to hell for mom’s same-sex relationship
Polk County, Florida – A Polk County mother is outraged after she claims a school bus driver used her son to spread hate.
Natalie Encarnacion told News Channel 8 that the bus driver, now identified as Violeta Jacobo, told her seven-year-old son he would go to hell for supporting his mom’s same-sex relationship.
One afternoon, in the beginning of February, her son had missed his bus from Alta Vista Elementary School, so a different bus driver took him home.
“He mentioned [to the bus driver] he was hoping his two mom’s wouldn’t be upset that he was home so late,” Encarnacion said. “She said ‘whoa God doesn’t like that,’ then she went on and on telling him how he wouldn’t make it into heaven and there is a such thing as hell.”
She claims the bus driver even sent him home with a Jehovah’s Witnesses card, and hate in his heart.
“Later that night, he explained why we should not be together anymore,” Encarnacion said. “He is absolutely questioning this now, something we have so smoothly transitioned into and never had any issues with.”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-H0zM8JYek
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Watching the World - MEGA THREAD of topics
by darkspilver inan esoteric hotchpotch of topics, from the mildly interesting to the rather boringi'm posting here to avoid the 'new topic' forum limitations, and besides it also helps to avoid clogging up the forum if you think something is of passing interest, and you wish to comment on it, please feel free to re-post as a new topic - thanks!
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darkspilver
SPAIN: Tribunal Supremo confirms convictions for swindling 39 million from hundreds of JWs
Seems to be the conclusion of a relatively long-running fraud/court case in Spain - there are numerous news report coming through - below seems a reasonably good overall explanation
Europa Press, Tuesday 7 March 2017 (via Google Translate)Tribunal Supremo confirms convictions for swindling 39 million from hundreds of Jehovah's Witnesses
Three years in prison are imposed on those responsible for Rural New Life S.L. And Mutual Mas Vida
The Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo) has confirmed sentences of between 3 years and 3 ½ years in prison for four persons responsible for a pyramid scheme for 39 million euros to more than 1,300 people in Spain, hundreds of them belonging to The Jehovah's Witnesses religious congregation, between 1998 and 2002.
Investors were deceived through Rural New Life, SL, and Mutua Mas Vida, the latter an entity of an apparently caregiving nature committed to ensuring non-invasive healthcare that excluded blood transfusions in surgical interventions , A clinical treatment that bans that religion.
Juan Andrés Torrecillas Martínez, one of the founding partners of Rural New Life and former president of Mutua Mas Vida, and Diego Luna Sánchez, delegate of both entities in the area of Catalonia, who took advantage of his position Of 'elder' - a kind of shepherds - in the Jehovah's Witnesses to personally convince hundreds of parishioners to enter into investment contracts and insurance policies.
María Mercedes and María Nieves Torres Salado, the first legal director of the two entities, and the second foundress and former secretary of the Council of Mutua Mas Vida, were sentenced to 3 years in prison. The two were also designated executors executors of the founder and first president of Rural New Life, already deceased.
The Provincial Court of Barcelona issued on January 29, 2015 a sentence in which it established the convictions of the four men cited for a continued crime of fraud, an aggravated subtype of abuse of trust and with prejudice of a notorious importance, in contest with an offense of punishable insolvency .
THE CRIME IS CHANGED BUT THE PENALTIES ARE KEPT
Although the Supreme Court, partially considering the appeal of the two women, acquits for the crime of punishable insolvency, considering it consumed in the continued crime of fraud, maintains unalterable jail terms (3 years and 6 months for Torrecillas and Luna, and 3 Years for the aforementioned Torres Salado sisters).
According to proven facts of the Audiencia de Barcelona, the purpose of Rural New Life, based in Seville, was to attract private investors through a commercial network distributed throughout Spain, in order to have capital to buy Real estate, acquire stakes in other companies, and invest in stock market.
"However, the aforementioned accused decided - jointly and induced the spirit of unjust enrichment - to offer from 1999 as a decoy to future investors loan agreements (under the name Investment Plan and Plan Ahorro, henceforth PIN And PAN) in which a guaranteed return between 10 and 13 percent was recorded, despite being fully aware that the capital would not be invested in any specific good that would produce such high dividends. "
"Conscious that only with the entrance of new capitals (pyramid) could they face the obligations contracted, they established a network of branches (12 in all Spain)", to which they sent some leaflets of propaganda where those high interests were promised Without any risk of the capital invested, adds the resolution.
At the end of 1998, when many of the investors belonged to the Jehovah's Witnesses religious congregation as a result of the fact that the majority of area delegates were directors of the zone and offered the products PIN and PAN to the parishioners of their community , The first president of Rural Nee Wife (now deceased), another partner who is now in an unknown location, and Torrecillas, decided to expand and complete the fraudulent pyramid structure by founding Mutua MAS VIDA, an entity of an apparently caregiving nature that would serve to That the same investors already captured by Rural New Life SL, decided to acquire also shares as mutualists.
In return they were guaranteed not only non-invasive health care that excluded any possibility of blood transfusions in surgical operations, clinical treatment that bans that religion, but high interests of their economic contributions.
"In this way, thanks to the" blind faith "of the subscribers, the result was the sharing of the same religious ideal based on the immorality of every lie, which at the beginning of 2001 between the two entities already had almost 3,000 participants between investors and insured" , Indicates the sentence.
The Insurance Compensation Consortium reached an agreement with 1,312 insureds of Mutua Mas Vida for acquisition and subrogation for the value of 89.31% of each security or participation, worth 11 million euros.
The Consortium did not assume the credits corresponding to the commercial Rural NEW LIFE SL, since it was a private company for profit, and 27.9 million euros are still pending collection from investors.
The judgment, as civil liability, condemns the four defendants to jointly and severally indemnify the persons affected and the Insurance Compensation Consortium for the amount swindled, declaring itself to be a subsidiary liability - not jointly as the Audiencia de Barcelona had said - the company Rural New Life with respect to its impaired investors.Feel free to repost as a New Topic
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Watching the World - MEGA THREAD of topics
by darkspilver inan esoteric hotchpotch of topics, from the mildly interesting to the rather boringi'm posting here to avoid the 'new topic' forum limitations, and besides it also helps to avoid clogging up the forum if you think something is of passing interest, and you wish to comment on it, please feel free to re-post as a new topic - thanks!
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darkspilver
SWITZERLAND: Abuse: Law of silence among JWs
More on the abuse report recently pubished in Switzerland - see above post
20 Minutes, 5 March 2017Abuse: Law of silence among Jehovah's Witnesses
A report by the competence center on the Infosekta sects reveals that the religious grouping would have covered cases of sexual assault on minors. What is denied by its leaders.
In 2016, no fewer than twelve young Jehovah's Witness members were followed by the Castagna Zurich help center. Their common thread: they were victims of sexual abuse. This is the observation of a recent report of the information center on the sects Infosekta, relayed Sunday by the "NZZ am Sonntag". "Their statements all go in the same direction," says Regula Schwager, psychotherapist at Castagna. The dependence and confidence of these teenagers are ruthlessly exploited. And he who dares to complain is called a liar."
The religious group, which has some 18,000 members in Switzerland, is known for its rejection of the outside world. The only acknowledged authority is that of God and the only fear of the followers is that of the Last Judgment. Justice has no legitimacy for them and complaints landing before a committee of elders, who apply their own rules. And one of them is particularly problematic: the so-called "double witness". It stipulates that another person, in addition to the victim, must have seen the alleged facts before an action can be taken.
So many are silent. Especially since the victims are rather girls and the authors of the men, often high in the hierarchy of Jehovah's Witnesses, raises the Sunday. And the community weighs all its weight so that the police do not intervene in its affairs. It is only when the government seizes the matter, as has recently been the case in Australia, that the truth is revealed.
"A campaign of denigration"
On the side of the main interested parties, one denounces a campaign of denigration launched by "hostile circles". "At the moment, no legal proceedings have been opened. That says a lot, "says Wolfram Slupina, spokesperson for Jehovah's Witnesses. He insists that abuses of minors are considered crimes also at home and that they are severely repressed.
Finally, he stresses that the "rule of the two witnesses" can be of variable geometry and that the community is open to constructive criticism and constantly improves its internal practices.
READ MORE: http://www.20min.ch/ro/news/suisse/story/Abus--loi-du-silence-chez-les-Temoins-de-Jehovah-16162965
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Most Widely Circulated Magazine In The World
by Calebs Airplane inwhich magazine is now the most widely circulated in the world?.
before responding, keep in mind that certain parameters (such as content and page count) ought to be met before any printed material intended for mass distribution can be categorized as a “magazine”.
for example, the absolute minimum range for any publication to be considered a magazine is typically around 32 to 48 pages while the highest page counts are usually around 128 to 160, with some popular women’s fashion magazines coming in quite a bit higher than that.. so with that said, which is now the world’s most widely circulated magazine?.
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darkspilver
redvip2000: Do they realize that other magazines actually rely on people buying them?
That's the point. They don't.
The most widely distributed magazines are generally those given away 'free' as a perk of membership of some association, organisation or shop.
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Most Widely Circulated Magazine In The World
by Calebs Airplane inwhich magazine is now the most widely circulated in the world?.
before responding, keep in mind that certain parameters (such as content and page count) ought to be met before any printed material intended for mass distribution can be categorized as a “magazine”.
for example, the absolute minimum range for any publication to be considered a magazine is typically around 32 to 48 pages while the highest page counts are usually around 128 to 160, with some popular women’s fashion magazines coming in quite a bit higher than that.. so with that said, which is now the world’s most widely circulated magazine?.
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darkspilver
A lot of magazines are struggling in this era of the Internet. But a few are doing well. Many North American think the most successful magazines around now are either The Economist or O, The Oprah Magazine.
For clarification, who said the above quote? It isn't in quotation marks but is it a quote from Watchtower itself? It kind of sounds like it, but I'm not sure.
Haha! its Canadian actually.....
Vanderhoven7 simply 'copy-and-pasted' their reply from the Vancouver Sun
http://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/what-is-most-widely-read-magazine-in-world
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Watching the World - MEGA THREAD of topics
by darkspilver inan esoteric hotchpotch of topics, from the mildly interesting to the rather boringi'm posting here to avoid the 'new topic' forum limitations, and besides it also helps to avoid clogging up the forum if you think something is of passing interest, and you wish to comment on it, please feel free to re-post as a new topic - thanks!
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darkspilver
USA: 6 up-and-coming New Orleans designers to discover
The Times-Picayune, 6 March 2017
6 up-and-coming New Orleans designers to discover
Tabitha Bethune
In styles ranging from fitted mermaid silhouettes to hoop skirts, Bethune designs dramatic custom gowns, including the ruffled wedding dress pictured above. The New Orleans native combines opulent textiles with classic tailoring for unique looks.
How did you get into design?
I’m the middle child of seven and would help my mom sew clothing for my siblings. I also attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) where I learned how to tell a story with fashion. In 2008, my husband (Micah Bethune) and I started designing a collection called The Wild Life Reserve. When my husband started the brand, he wanted me to join him, so he built a 700-square-foot atelier for me and said, ”OK, honey, here’s your space. Now let’s create.” I’m forever grateful for his support and encouragement.
Is there any one person or fictional character who would be your dream client?
I try not to dream much. Instead, I like to focus on my present happiness. One of my local clients is jazz vocalist Quiana Lynell. I design and curate her wardrobe. Every time she performs at the Monteleone, the Roosevelt or Jazz Fest, I feel like a part of me is on stage with her. She has an amazing voice, so I create gowns and clothing that complement her voice, her presence.
What do you do for fun when you’re not working?
My husband and I are Jehovah’s Witness, and we volunteer more than 70 hours a month in service.READ MORE: http://www.nola.com/homegarden/index.ssf/2017/03/6_up-and-coming_new_orleans_de.html
VISIT WEBSITE: http://www.thewildlifereserve.com
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32
Watching the World - MEGA THREAD of topics
by darkspilver inan esoteric hotchpotch of topics, from the mildly interesting to the rather boringi'm posting here to avoid the 'new topic' forum limitations, and besides it also helps to avoid clogging up the forum if you think something is of passing interest, and you wish to comment on it, please feel free to re-post as a new topic - thanks!
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darkspilver
SWITZERLAND: Missionaries are calling for tourists
There seems to be an ongoing issue over the last few years with JWs doing the streetwork/public witnessing in the town of Lucerne in Switzerland which attracts a number of tourists due to the town's attractions:
Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) - https://goo.gl/maps/TJv2KMEbmkH2
Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument) - https://goo.gl/maps/qqLN28fPvZr
Gletschergarten - https://goo.gl/maps/tQYs6hMCs2x
Below is one of the 'Front Page' images that has been featured recently on jw.org (they are actually on the Rathaussteg, looking towards the Kapellbrücke)Lucerne, Switzerland—Showing a Bible-based video on jw.org
Luzerner Zeitung, 4 March 2017 (via Google Translate)Missionaries are calling for tourists
Picture: A Jehovah's Witnesses at the Löwendenkmal with Bibles in Mandarin (see below)
Löwendenkmal and Gletschergarten are among the main attractions in Lucerne. This is also made by members of the Jehovah's Witnesses and trying to win some of the tourists for their cause. The missionaries are appropriately equipped and carry Mandarin Bibles for Chinese.
The lively activity in Lucerne led to numerous complaints from the population as early as 2014 (we reported). Even today, the missionaries still provide negative responses to residents around the "Löwendenkmal". The conflict is well-known by glacier garden director Andreas Burri: "These people are practically there every day and are a thorn in their eyes," he says. "We always get complaints about it." He too is annoyed by their presence. "I do not like it. This should be a neutral place where a guest is not bothered.City can not expel Jehovah's Witnesses
The town also receives "complaints from local residents", says Mario Lütolf, manager of Stadtraum and events. But the Jehovah's Witnesses are on a public foundation, they can not be found: "The right to freedom of expression." They are individuals who are allowed to act without permission.
For this, a missionary must, among other things, adhere to the following conditions: the background of the action must be ideological or political, one can not sell, only one person may be present, additional infrastructure or distribution of leaflets from vehicles is not permitted and passersby Not be pressured. Also, the pedestrian flow must not be significantly impaired. If you want to set up a stand with advertising posters and want to be active with several people, you need a license.
The city of Lucerne is regularly exchanged with Jehovah's Witnesses. In addition, SIP Lucerne (security, intervention, prevention) and the police perform "periodic checks" in the "Löwendenkmal", says Lütolf. "In principle, the rules are known to Jehovah's Witnesses." In general, this is sufficient. In 2014 there was a written warning and two announcements to the public prosecutor. The corresponding incidents would have taken place not at the Löwendenkmal but at the Schweizerhofquai. The proceedings were still pending for objection. Lucerne Tourism is also known for its theme. "We are receiving feedback from our tour guides who are attracted by the" mission ", says spokeswoman Sibylle Gerardi. "However, we have never received any complaints from our guests." It is important that the guidelines of the city are complied with.
Missions in China is not possible
Two of Jehovah's Witnesses, however, were present during a visit to the wreckage. Why do they travel in a place where tourists are mostly tourists? After all, they continue to travel on the spot and do not join a religious community. In conversation, the Jehovah's Witnesses said they would try to help tourists because missioning in countries like China is not possible. By name they did not want to appear in the newspaper and referred to the branch of Jehovah's Witnesses in Germany, which is also responsible for Switzerland.
There it is said that one does not target tourists. "Jehovah's Witnesses strive to get in touch with people of all linguistic groups," says Wolfram Slupina, who is responsible for public relations with the religious community. "Sites with a lot of passersby, including tourists, are popular for the mission." One could not exclude the fact that "public activities" disturb residents or passers-by. "It must be noted, however, that Jehovah's Witnesses do not impose themselves on anyone's work."
The reason why the members of the Jehovah's Witnesses often stand out is that they are always trying to talk to the people about the Bible. "They also talk with their neighbors, work colleagues, classmates and relatives about their faith, whenever the opportunity arises," says Slupina. "Mission is a fundamental and central task of Jehovah's Witnesses."
READ MORE: http://www.luzernerzeitung.ch/nachrichten/zentralschweiz/luzern/Missionierer-buhlen-um-Touristen;art9647,980658
PREVIOUS 2014 ARTICLE: http://www.luzernerzeitung.ch/nachrichten/zentralschweiz/luzern/Missionare-beschaeftigen-Polizei;art9647,424524
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32
Watching the World - MEGA THREAD of topics
by darkspilver inan esoteric hotchpotch of topics, from the mildly interesting to the rather boringi'm posting here to avoid the 'new topic' forum limitations, and besides it also helps to avoid clogging up the forum if you think something is of passing interest, and you wish to comment on it, please feel free to re-post as a new topic - thanks!
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darkspilver
PHILIPPINES: LDC KH Maintenance Training Day: Perception v Reality
The Official - how it's meant to be - Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7Frpl-L_LI
The Unofficial - what actually happens - Video:Checkout what they're doing at 3:05 !!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWV3x_RXrIwFeel free to repost as a New Topic
