LevelThePlayingField

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Posts by LevelThePlayingField

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  75

  Australian Royal Commission Findings released

  by Mephis in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  will just post the general findings by counsel for the commission (angus stewart) - case specific ones are prior to them.

  in short, absolutely damning.. not been through every submission myself yet.

  available for download here: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/case-study/636f01a5-50db-4b59-a35e-a24ae07fb0ad/case-study-29,-july-2015,-sydney.aspx.

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  LevelThePlayingField

  56 Of the 1,006 members against whom allegations of child sexual abuse were made, 108 were elders or ministerial servants at the time of the first instance of alleged abuse.123 The files do not reveal how many of the alleged perpetrators were elders or ministerial servants at the time of any subsequent instances of alleged child sexual abuse. The files record that 28 alleged perpetrators were appointed as elders or ministerial servants after having been the subject of an allegation of child sexual abuse.124 57 Finally, the files record that 401 alleged perpetrators were disfellowshipped in relation to an allegation of child sexual abuse,125 and that 230 of those alleged perpetrators were subsequently reinstated.126 Of those disfellowshipped, 78 were disfellowshipped on more than one occasion in relation to an allegation of child sexual abuse.127
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  75

  Australian Royal Commission Findings released

  by Mephis in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  will just post the general findings by counsel for the commission (angus stewart) - case specific ones are prior to them.

  in short, absolutely damning.. not been through every submission myself yet.

  available for download here: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/case-study/636f01a5-50db-4b59-a35e-a24ae07fb0ad/case-study-29,-july-2015,-sydney.aspx.

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  LevelThePlayingField

  From the document.

  15 Similarly, when asked if the Governing Body memberssaw themselves as‘Jehovah God’s spokespeople on earth’, Mr Jackson did not answer, instead telling the Royal Commission that it ‘would seem to be quite presumptuous to say that we are the only spokesperson that God is using’.21 Mr Jackson’s professed humility is not, however, supported by the Jehovah’s Witness organisation’s own publications

  You just can't make this stuff up!!!
• 
  75

  Australian Royal Commission Findings released

  by Mephis in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  will just post the general findings by counsel for the commission (angus stewart) - case specific ones are prior to them.

  in short, absolutely damning.. not been through every submission myself yet.

  available for download here: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/case-study/636f01a5-50db-4b59-a35e-a24ae07fb0ad/case-study-29,-july-2015,-sydney.aspx.

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  LevelThePlayingField

  I really like what was published about 3/4 down...

  '511 It issubmitted that Mr Jackson’s oral evidence isinconsistent with the position regarding disassociation published to Jehovah’s Witnesses internationally in the form of the Organized to do Jehovah’s Will handbook. It is further submitted that the true position in relation to a person who no longer wants to be known as a Jehovah’s Witness and who no longer wishes to be subject to the organisation’s rules and regulations, is that as recorded in the Organized to do Jehovah’s Will handbook."
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  72

  My RC hearing brought forward. Will be in two weeks

  by umbertoecho in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  through this forum of wonderful freaks, i have met someone who is coming with me to my hearing.

  initially i was slated for next year, but will be attending in two weeks time.

  all is in place from travel vouchers, support, where to go ............very efficient and well done.

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  LevelThePlayingField

  umbertoecho - you said a good number of things. But one thing standed out to me. You said, "I would ban all children from having to go from door to door. That is one I push truly point to. A child needs to play and rest and have fun...."

  You are the life blood for us as the voice for us in the ex-jw community representing Australia. You have a heart of Gold. Go get-em' at the Royal Commission! Take each and every one of these suggestions and get 'em. The Watchtower has truly made its bed and now, it's time to lay down in it. Now it's time to pay the piper. They paid on credit long enough. Now it's time to pay it back, and to pay it back with interest.

  Thank you so much for standing up! You are to be commended. THANK YOU!
• 
  14

  I found the WTBTS 990-T's Income Tax Returns for 2010-2013, and it shows their book value of all their assets

  by LevelThePlayingField in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  there are two sources online to get these pdfs.

  https://www.citizenaudit.org/111857820/ lists 2010-2013 ( i would prefer this link because it's the most up to date).

  http://www.guidestar.org/viewpdf.aspx?pdfsource=0&ein=11-1857820 lists 2010-2012. book value of all assets at end of year: (can be found on the 990-t for on top left on 1st page).

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  LevelThePlayingField

  There are two sources online to get these pdfs. Here they are:

  https://www.citizenaudit.org/111857820/ lists 2010-2013 ( I would prefer this link because it's the most up to date)

  http://www.guidestar.org/ViewPdf.aspx?PdfSource=0&ein=11-1857820 lists 2010-2012

  Book value of all assets at end of year: (can be found on the 990-T for on top left on 1st page)

  2010 965,800,000

  2011 1,119,118,000 +153,318,000

  2012 1,154,503,000 +35,385,000

  2013 1,020,441,000 -134,062,000

  Net +54,641,000

  The TPF 11-A LP company that they invested in comes back to Tenaska Capital Management LLC out of Omaha, NE. This is from their "About Us" part of their web page: Tenaska is one of the largest private, independent energy companies in the United States, with a proven record of success in development, design, construction, operation and financing of electric generating facilities and in energy marketing...Tenaska’s experienced professionals are leaders in all aspects of energy production, marketing and financial management. As a private, independent company, Tenaska has the expertise, the resources and the flexibility to meet North America’s evolving energy needs.

  Tenaska is an established leader in:

  • Development, design, construction management, ownership and operation of non-utility power plants, customizing plant size, design and fuels to meet customer needs
    
  • Energy marketing, including natural gas, electric power, and biofuels and related commodities
  • Management of private equity investments in the power and midstream sectors
    
  • Natural gas exploration, production and associated transportation systems

  This diverse base offers customers the advantage of expertise across the energy spectrum, leveraging strengths that include logistics, capital solutions and conservative risk management.

  Tenaska’s people are known throughout the industry for fair and ethical dealing and as early adapters able to respond rapidly to changing markets. They are behind Tenaska’s well-documented reputation for providing safe, reliable electricity; for being environmentally and socially responsible; and for demonstrating dedication and commitment to the communities where it does business.
  

  Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Tenaska has regional offices in Dallas, Texas; Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Denver, Colorado; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Boston, Massachusetts.

  http://www.tenaska.com/
  

  http://reportstream.io/companies/0001423190/tpf-ii-a-lp

  The Cushing MLP Opportunity Fund 1 LP is a private company in Dallas, TX. I called them and left a message stating I am "interested" in investing in the fund, to try and see what the funds portfolio is about.

  http://www.manta.com/c/mtq3nt0/the-cushing-mlp-opportunity-fund-i-lp

  Very telling. Your thoughts?
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  17

  Theocratic Ministry School cancelled. Why?

  by the girl next door in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  is it possible this aspect of the meeting was cancelled so that jws would not be categorized as a "school" where in many areas elders and ministerial servants would have to submit to a background check by secular authorities?

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  LevelThePlayingField

  Ok, just a little tid bit here. The Catholic church does there own background checks on their own people already. Check this out...

  Since 2002, when its current sexual misconduct policies were put in place, the archdiocese has offered training to about 70,000 adult lay workers, conducted 105,000 background checks on clergy, staff and volunteers; and provided over 100,000 children with “age-appropriate lessons to help keep them safe.’’

  http://www.startribune.com/under-fire-archbishop-scrambles-to-respond/226613311/

  And here's another interesting note. If the average pay out for the Catholic's will be anything like what the WT has to deal with in the future, they are some serious doo doo.

  The average victim settlement for all the other US church bankruptcies when you subtract one third for attorney fees is $300,000.

  http://fox6now.com/2015/08/04/archdiocese-of-milwaukee-21m-settlement-reached-to-compensate-clergy-sex-abuse-survivors/
  
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  17

  Theocratic Ministry School cancelled. Why?

  by the girl next door in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  is it possible this aspect of the meeting was cancelled so that jws would not be categorized as a "school" where in many areas elders and ministerial servants would have to submit to a background check by secular authorities?

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  LevelThePlayingField

  It sure would be nice if there was some kind of correspondence or something found on the internet that shows that religious institutions are being required to have background checks for those with schools now or soon.
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  3

  Funny link tool (courtesy of a redditor )

  by berrygerry in

  1. social
  2. humour

  http://www.gizoogle.net/xfer.php?link=http://www.jw.org/&sa=u&ved=0ahukewiizpdc8rbjahwc6rqkhx0tdy4qfggbmaa&usg=afqjcnepguvdw6ee4plaajxajjav0tpasg

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  LevelThePlayingField

  OMG! That is SO funny!! At first I thought, oh no, bummer, this is just another way to get to jw.org, but then when you look closely, then the fun starts to role in. Then I started to think, "yeah, I bet you hackers have tried to do this a 1,000 times already. The GB must have hired out a pretty good team to keep them safe.
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  50

  The money question...

  by Tornintwo in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i am intrigued to know if there is truly any evidence of financial irregularities in the jehovah's witness organisation or if any one or group are raking off funds or benefitting financially...?.

  whilst i disagree wholeheartedly with most of their teachings and practices, dogmatism, legalism and superiority complex, i don't honestly think there's anyone making millions at the top.

  yes you could say that the gb are comfortably off, don't have to pay bills etc but they do actually get up in the morning and 'work', they aren't going off in private jets to tropical islands or driving bentleys.

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  LevelThePlayingField

  Regarding that $35.9 million granted to those donees and that amount is simply representative of a paper transaction to "forgive" Kingdom Hall loan...well I remember how it was announced that when the society forgave the KH loans how this was such a loving arrangement and all. Well, hmmm, now wait a minute, think this through for a second. If they can show all this money being pushed back off the books, you know, all these loans being forgiven everywhere it makes them look like they don't have much money receivable, am I right? Then it makes them look pretty thin. Soooo, when lawyers look at the WT to sue them they see less assets.

  Now there is a LOT less assets in New York, a lot less assets the world over. It sounds like there is a lot less money in there coffers. And in another post, in Australia, they are selling Kingdom Halls and combining congregations.

  So, if that was their move on forgiving the KH loans then that was pure evil. "If ever that evil slave..."
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  24

  Mormons vs. Jehovah's Witnesses

  by Downtowner in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  forgive me if this has been covered before but i haven't seen anything about it recently.. in exploring the two faiths, mormons vs. jehovah's witnesses, which were both founded in the 1800s with the mormons being slightly a slightly older religion it seems mormons is a more attractive religion than jehovah's witnesses.

  do not get me wrong, i'm not looking at joining the mormon church.

  but i still enjoy studying other faiths and different belief systems.

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  LevelThePlayingField

  Downtowner you said, "Think about it... if a church is spiritually strong, why do they need to silence those who may teach something that is not in line with the church teachings? Only if they are trying to hide something."

  I agree. JW's will say, But even the Bible says at Titus 1:9, to "reprove those who contradict". And yes that's true. But JW's always go beyond what is written and then throw out of the congregation those who contradict. The Bible doesn't say to throw you out, it just says to reprove. And the thing is that most of the time it's NOT contradicting the Bible that's the issue, it's man made policy that's harmful to people. Like the have to have two people as witnesses to a pedophile case in order to establish it. If no two witnesses the matter is dropped and the perp goes on terrorizing. If you persist in asking for a change in this policy you will get thrown out.