startfragment.
charles grassley of iowa has for years been very concerned about abuses in the use of money by charitable and religious organizations.
he recently stated, the constitution does not exempt churches from federal income taxation or from filing tax and information returns.. his goal is complete transparency of how the dollars are used.
Grassley is the senior member on several committees, judciary, finance and taxation among others. His ideas on transparency and possible taxation of religions are long held beliefs and I am sure resonate better now than in the past. He represents Iowa - a very conservative US State.
Zarco
startfragment.
so a brother wants to fade, but would rather not explain his reasons.
lets say he grows a nice beard or goatee.
So a brother wants to fade, but would rather not explain his reasons. Let’s say he grows a nice beard or goatee. In all likelihood - in the US - he would lose his privileges. In most congregations he would not serve in any “exemplary capacity”. He would not even run microphones or be in the TMS. All he would have to do is explain why he grew the facial hair. He could say all sorts of things:
What do you think - a perfect fading strategy?
Zarco
ok first off let me ease your worry...i'm not asking you 'what stocks i should invest in.
' i have a stock in mind that i have seen progress steadily up and up.
before i could even think about investing, i knew this company was going to take off and it's slowly climbing.
I think James Woods provided excellent advice. If you are a novice investor start with a 401k with your employer. Likely, you will have several mutual fund choices and even advice on what funds are appropriate to your situation. Normally, novices should not invest in individual stocks. The risk is pretty high with a single stock investment. If you know the management team, the products, the customers and the capital structure really well maybe you know enough about the risks to invest in a single stock.
Regarding taxes - you do not pay tax unless you make money. If you receive a cash dividend you will pay tax. If you sell the stock for more than you purchased it you will pay tax. You do not pay tax unless you have a taxable event like the two mentioned above.
Best,
zarco
i would like to thank all of the posters to this board.
had i not stumbled upon here, i may never have been armed with the courage and information i needed to stand up for myself and leave this religion.. i'd probably still be going to meetings, giving talks on the service meeting, public talks, going out in field service.
i might even have been guilted into going off to mts within the next year... yikes!.
Mr. Freeze - well written and I am glad you have a life now.
Best
jwf did some very brave things to bring full transparency regarding the wts.
he also left the organization.
i respect him very much.
Thanks! He said in that thread
"Ok I am starting my memoirs this weekend.......
It is all about the writing dept...so hopefuly it will be informative"
I had not heard anything sense then and hope he is doing well. The transition period can be pretty tough... at least it was for us.
jwf did some very brave things to bring full transparency regarding the wts.
he also left the organization.
i respect him very much.
JWF did some very brave things to bring full transparency regarding the WTS. He also left the organization. I respect him very much. He has not been on the boards lately. For anyone who knows him, is he well? Please pass along best wishes.
zarco
startfragment.
charles grassley of iowa has for years been very concerned about abuses in the use of money by charitable and religious organizations.
he recently stated, the constitution does not exempt churches from federal income taxation or from filing tax and information returns.. his goal is complete transparency of how the dollars are used.
Charles Grassley of Iowa has for years been very concerned about abuses in the use of money by “charitable” and religious organizations. He recently stated, “the constitution does not exempt churches from federal income taxation or from filing tax and information returns”.
His goal is complete transparency of how the dollars are used. Interestingly, well respected Billy Graham did not classify his organization as a church. He opted for full accountability and transparency.
As many of you, I feel that true transparency in how the Watchtower uses it funds and full transparency in doctrinal and other matters – blood issue and child abuse issues – would crush the Watchtower.
So for those of who wish that to come true, encourage Senator Grassley to fight on!
http://www.economist.com/node/18010759
Best,
Zarco
there was a 'white elephant' gift exchange at my job today.
i finally got involved, for the first time ever.
(i couldn't last year because i needed plausible deniability, as i was still a jw on paper at the time.
Welcome to the wonderful light.
this past week i flew out of town to attend a seminar for work, then afterwards i drove 150 miles extra to go and visit my dad.. two years ago my mom died, and the lack of concern/caring from the so-called "friends" from two different states was a major reason why i walked away from the jw religion.. anyway, my dad is depressed and his local hall has him doing more fs, and attending the meetings,,, ok so that could be a good thing for him.. but i noticed that service and meeting attendance is the only thing that they are pushing on him.
nobody seems to check up on him, he just jumped at the chance to go out to eat with me.
and the negativity !!!
Sorry MNB - The Witnesses are not very good at doing things that really matter. The only elderly ones that really get enough care are the older "heavy" at Bethel. I am sorry about your dad not getting anything close to what he has has likely given over his life.
We rarely talk with Witnesses any more, but we did run into an old friend recently and the talk was all about how the economy is about to fail and how it is not time to waste trying to earn money or running a business. I feel that the next generation (over-lapping of course) is going to be even poorer than the current generation. They seem to be surpassing 1975 mode.
Best, zarco
what are the top 5 books you would either recommend and/or have had the greatest influence on you?
(if you only want to mention one or two that's fine as well.).
if you feel like it, please briefly tell us why.
OM - what a great thread. I imagine we would be great friends if we didn't live across the world from one another. I also love:
Fountain Head
The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Guns Germs and Steel - most thought provoking book I have ever read
A Moveable Feast by Hemingway - love all of his books, this one really provides a deep look into his thinking, friendships and profound guilt as a young writer in Paris
East of Eden - Steinbeck's best, amazing character development and he makes the Salinas Valley come alive
Freakonomics is a fun read
I read a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson on the plane to Australia and laughed the entire plane ride
All the best to you,
zarco
