The optics of this are horrible. The Watchtower purchases this luxury home the same month that they change the contribution arrangment requiring monthly contributions. On top of it they have a study article this week that suggests congregations can help the poor and aged within the Hall by assisting them with obtaining government assistance. I guess the rank and file can store up treasures in heaven by giving materially to the Watchtower, who then can store up treasures on earth.
Interested Observer
JoinedPosts by Interested Observer
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157
WTS buys £1,000,000 luxury sea-front property in Wales, UK
by Simon inshower room.
office.
games room.
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157
WTS buys £1,000,000 luxury sea-front property in Wales, UK
by Simon inshower room.
office.
games room.
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Interested Observer
I am not familiar with the land registry and how their public records work, but I took it that they paid cash since there is no lender listed and thus no mortgage encumbering the property.
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157
WTS buys £1,000,000 luxury sea-front property in Wales, UK
by Simon inshower room.
office.
games room.
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Interested Observer
Here is a link that I created for the document
http://www.scribd.com/doc/225121784/Land-Registry-Watchtower
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157
WTS buys £1,000,000 luxury sea-front property in Wales, UK
by Simon inshower room.
office.
games room.
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Interested Observer
I think it would be funny to print out the real estate listing and attach it to the full letter from the Governing Body regarding the new donation arrangment and have a note that says one of the "building projects" that your money is going towards, and place it on the windshield of all the cars at the KH.
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157
WTS buys £1,000,000 luxury sea-front property in Wales, UK
by Simon inshower room.
office.
games room.
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Interested Observer
I just purchased a copy of the records from the land registry. I havd the pdf file but not sure how to attach. Below is a cut and paste of it.
Title Number: CYM259200
Address of Property: Y Gwylain, Holyhead Road, Bangor (LL57 2HQ)
Price Stated: £910,000
Registered Owner(s): INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (Co. Regn. No.
136726) of IBSA House, The Ridgeway, London NW7 1RN.
Lender(s): None
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Tampa Bay Times Article about Shunning
by Interested Observer inhttp://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/scientology-clergy-force-a-mother-to-choose-son-or-daughter/2170325.
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WT Study March 15 on jw.org
by Gayle inonly scanned,,couple articles on necessary on having a old-age long-term plan now.
reality is hitting them more than ever.. also, australia showed "publisher" amount.
i assume it was the "peak" stat.
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Interested Observer
I think the article "Honor the Aged Among You" is a pretty sad read, especially paragraphs 13-15. Paragraph 14 quotes 1 John 3:17 which basically commands Christians to help those in need. Paragraph 15 then interprets this command by saying that the congregation can help the elderly by pointing them to governmental agencies that can provide them with financial assistance. There is no mention of the congregation or the organization helping out financially. Basically, the Society wants you to give, give, give, but don't you dare ever think of looking to them for help. That is what your family and governments are for. When you compare the Society's position on this matter with Catholics who have made it a priority to help the poor, it doesn't look good.
THE CONGREGATION’S RESPONSIBILITY
13, 14. Why can we conclude from the Scriptures that congregations are interested in the care of elderly members?
13 Not all can assist full-time ministers in the above-mentioned way. However, it is clear from a situation that arose in the first century that congregations are interested in caring for the needs of exemplary older brothers and sisters. The Bible says about the Jerusalem congregation that “no one was in need among them.” It was not that all were materially well-off. Evidently, some had little materially, but “distribution would be made to each one according to his need.” (Acts 4:34, 35) Later, a situation developed locally. It was reported that certain “widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution” of food. So the apostles directed the appointment of qualified men who, in turn, made arrangements to ensure that the widows’ needs were adequately and equitably met. (Acts 6:1-5) It is true that the daily distribution was a temporary arrangement designed to meet the needs of ones who became Christians at Pentecost 33 C.E. and who remained for a time in Jerusalem to be built up spiritually. Even so, the apostles’ response illustrates that the congregation can help to care for needy members.
14 As noted, Paul gave Timothy instructions outlining the circumstances under which Christian widows would qualify for material assistance from the congregation. (1 Tim. 5:3-16) The inspired Bible writer James likewise acknowledged the Christian obligation to look after orphans, widows, and others in cases of tribulation or need. (Jas. 1:27; 2:15-17) The apostle John too reasoned: “Whoever has the material possessions of this world and sees his brother in need and yet refuses to show him compassion, in what way does the love of God remain in him?” (1 John 3:17) If individual Christians have such obligations toward the needy, is that not also true of the congregations?
If an accident occurs, how can the congregation help? (See paragraphs 15, 16)
15. When assisting elderly brothers and sisters, what factors may be involved?
15 In some lands, governmental authorities provide pensions, welfare programs, and home-care attendants for senior citizens. (Rom. 13:6) Elsewhere, no such organized services exist. Hence, how much physical assistance relatives and the congregation need to provide for older brothers and sisters varies from situation to situation. If believing children live far from their parents, it may affect how much help the children reasonably are in a position to provide. The children would do well to communicate freely with the elders of their parents’ congregation to make sure that all understand the family’s circumstances. For instance, the elders may be able to help out by assisting the parents to learn about and benefit from governmental or social programs locally. They may also observe situations—such as unopened bills or mismanaged medication—that they can bring to the attention of adult children. Such well-motivated and kind interchanges of information can prevent a situation from getting worse and may well lead to practical solutions. Clearly, on-the-spot helpers and advisers, who effectively act as the children’s “eyes,” may alleviate the worries of a family.
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Do you know anyone who has given the WTS a "Conditional Loan" and been repaid?
by 3rdgen inif not, were they incouraged to "forgive" the loan?.
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Interested Observer
No, but one thing that I did find interesting is that in the loan documents, it states that, if the lender dies, the loan is converted to a gift to WBTS. Basically it prevents family members of the lender, or the lender's estate, from requesting repayment of the loan.
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Possible Lead Codicies Discovered
by Interested Observer inhere is an interesting article about lead codicies discovered that appear to date back to the 1st century.
it supposedly recounts events in christian history.
in it is a picture of the cross.
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Interested Observer
Sorry I misspelled codices.
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Possible Lead Codicies Discovered
by Interested Observer inhere is an interesting article about lead codicies discovered that appear to date back to the 1st century.
it supposedly recounts events in christian history.
in it is a picture of the cross.
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Interested Observer
Here is an interesting article about lead codicies discovered that appear to date back to the 1st century. It supposedly recounts events in Christian history. In it is a picture of the cross. It will be interesting to see how the Society addresses this.