Posts by Yan Bibiyan

10

Private Property?

by Yan Bibiyan in

in various posts, shared experiences, and recently in the youtube videos of one of our own jwn members, the kingdom hall is classified as private property and this was used for grounds to have the authorities called to remove unwanted attendees.. protection of private property has to be one of the most precious rights western societies have established.

on the other hand, this right comes with certain obligations.

the very authorities, such as police and firefighters, are largely able to perform their duties by being funded through taxation of the owners of such private property.

Yan Bibiyan

Ding,

You are way off in left field with your analysis.

No, I am not suggesting that people walk in and occupy buildings indefinitely, nor do I say that they can walk off with equipment...I didn't say that real estate taxes should be enforced to all either.

Watch the video, this girl didn't show up in off hours demanding she stayed indefinitely, didn't walk out with an amp and didn't cause any disturbance - the elders simply didn't like her because of her, shall we say, apostacy. Yet, I am sure she didn't have the choice to NOT pay the fraction of taxes that represented her household's share of making up the KH's property taxes, if she'd be denied the supposed SERVICE.

My assumption was that the exempt status is based on a SERVICE provided to the community. Seemed to me that the WT (and any non-profit by extension) has it both ways: gets the benefit for providing the service and simultaneously decides IF it will provide the service.

In the subsequent Band on the Run's post (thank you BoR), I see that the issue goes beyond simple taxation and is rooted way back into times when religion was much more influential on society...

10

Private Property?

by Yan Bibiyan in

in various posts, shared experiences, and recently in the youtube videos of one of our own jwn members, the kingdom hall is classified as private property and this was used for grounds to have the authorities called to remove unwanted attendees.. protection of private property has to be one of the most precious rights western societies have established.

on the other hand, this right comes with certain obligations.

the very authorities, such as police and firefighters, are largely able to perform their duties by being funded through taxation of the owners of such private property.

Yan Bibiyan

Ding, I understand. My question has more to do with what gives the tax-exempt status? I has to be a trade-off. Tax-exempt for service to society.

You shouldn't be able to take the full benefit (tax-exempt), while at the same time selectively denying the obligation (service to society).

I may be wrong, although seems unfair, ain't it?

EDIT: I see BoR's post...guess things are not as simple...

10

Private Property?

by Yan Bibiyan in

in various posts, shared experiences, and recently in the youtube videos of one of our own jwn members, the kingdom hall is classified as private property and this was used for grounds to have the authorities called to remove unwanted attendees.. protection of private property has to be one of the most precious rights western societies have established.

on the other hand, this right comes with certain obligations.

the very authorities, such as police and firefighters, are largely able to perform their duties by being funded through taxation of the owners of such private property.

Yan Bibiyan

In various posts, shared experiences, and recently in the YouTube videos of one of our own JWN members, the Kingdom Hall is classified as “private property” and this was used for grounds to have the authorities called to remove unwanted attendees.

Protection of private property has to be one of the most precious rights western societies have established. On the other hand, this right comes with certain obligations. The very authorities, such as police and firefighters, are largely able to perform their duties by being funded through taxation of the owners of such “private property”. Religion, as well as other non-profit structures, have managed to avoid such taxation under the agreement that their existence is for the benefit of society, which in turn picks up the tab for the portion of taxes not paid by religious organizations.

This is obviously an oversimplification, but you get the idea.

When I checked the property tax files in my County, Kingdom Halls were listed as exempt property and as such, have paid ZERO property taxes for as far back as the online record goes. Commercial properties of similar building and lot sizes are putting close to $10,000 in taxes in the County’s budget each year.

Here comes the question:

If the very existence of such establishments is partially funded by the County’s residents and such establishments are there for the benefit of society (read: ALL), how can the Authorities be called to DENY access to such services to one or more of the very people who partially fund the operation and for whose benefit the operation supposedly exists?

I hope someone with legal background or better understanding reads this and offers some explanation.

Boils my blood to see some self-righteous Elder calling the cops to remove a participant who is not quite to their liking.

How about you pony up your fair share of taxes, hot shot, and then call it “Private Property”

81

New Member

by Twisty in

jw
friends

hi.

my wife and myself are active witnesses.. before i go into great depth about our past and what brings me here, i would like to make sure i am posting this in the right section.. i'm a little technologically retarded so please bear with me.. .

twisty.

Yan Bibiyan

Twisty, Welcome!

I picked up one more point from you posts that potentially puts you in danger. You say:

"... but i dont think anything can be done if im not willing to cooperate?"

The new Elder Manual (did you even know it exists?) defines very loosely "Brazen Conduct" as pretty much any infraction that doesn't match toeing the party line 100%. I am afraid your lack of cooperation can easily be labeled...hmmmm...shall we say "Brazen".

Take it slow, read as much as you can and the best of luck with yours & Mrs' fade.

Enjoy freedom!

-Yan

171

How do Jehovahs Witnesses arrive at their explanation of the Bible?

by mankkeli in

this explanation was taken from the reasoning book, page 204.. how do jehovahs witnesses arrive at their explanation of the bible?.

a key factor is that the witnesses really believe that the bible is gods word and that what it contains is there for our instruction.

(2 tim.

Yan Bibiyan

Dude, you kinda look like Rob Mariano (Boston Rob) from Survivor...

171

How do Jehovahs Witnesses arrive at their explanation of the Bible?

by mankkeli in

this explanation was taken from the reasoning book, page 204.. how do jehovahs witnesses arrive at their explanation of the bible?.

a key factor is that the witnesses really believe that the bible is gods word and that what it contains is there for our instruction.

(2 tim.

Yan Bibiyan

"...we have to let theologians keep doing their work, I'm sure they will get there."

Right, and if and when they DO, THEN start selling their story as a believable one...

17

RUSSIA: No ban - 'Watchtower' major income source of GB

by bats in the belfry in

the jehovah's witnesses contested the order in a moscow commercial court.

they said the ban on their publications was unlawful because the publications were the major sources of revenue for the organization.

banning the publications violated their rights to pursue their core activities as an organization.

Yan Bibiyan

Based on what I know about Russian (and in general, post-socialist society) courts, BELEIVE ME there have been MASSIVE "private donations" and green handshakes to the parties having an influence to the hearing's outcome.

I can bet my last penny that the court was bought!

57

STEVE HASSAN coming to Cult Free Radio on November 19

by Mad Sweeney in

jw
friends

you read that right.

just finished talking to steve a half hour ago.. november 19 at 10pm est, steve hassan's interview will air on cult free radio on ustream.

i will also have a co-host that evening to discuss bite mind control and steve's interview.. https://www.facebook.com/cultfreeradio.

Yan Bibiyan

Major score, Brother. M-A-A-A-A-J-O-R!

Well done.

35

Will only "incorrigibly wicked" people be destroyed at Armageddon?

by poor places in

jw
friends

in a recent talk that i heard, a brother tried to comfort those whose family members have left jehovah's witnesses.

he did so by saying that only "incorrigibly wicked" people will be destroyed at armageddon.

i found his line of reasoning refreshing, especially in comparison with the usual fear-mongering in wt publications.

Yan Bibiyan

It's all bull$hit...

64

Confused...

by raxxxx in

.

hiya and... i do not really know where to begin... currently a jw... slightly starting to fade... got a girlfriend baptised... i am baptised also... my head is a mess... i do not know what to believe anymore... never really fully trusted elders as it comes to 'leading the flock'... got burned a few times with their ... decisions etc.

read a few articles in here about their alleged false beliefs... do not really know what to do... wondered if any of you felt like that at any point... when something that you trusted and followed most of your life... does not seem to be what you thought it was... .

Yan Bibiyan

raxxxx, welcome to the board.

Remember that childhood game where we swear in secrecy, turn the imaginable key in fromt of our mouth and pretend to throw it away?

That's what you need to do!

For now just read, ask as many questions as you want and as others have said you will learn what mess of a religion are you trying to fight....

As to your parents accepting anything you say or do...well, you know them better than us, but don't forget that at a point they were most likely convinced that letting you die, instead of allowing a blood transfusion is a rational choice. They may still be convinced that it is a rational chice.

Sorry if the above sounds hars; you need to know what you are up against.

Best of luck and keep us posted with progress and questions.

Remember, throw the key away for now!

-Yan