An Historic Broadcast
Brother Lett opens this month's JW.ORG TV broadcast with the statement that it is historic. He then lists several reasons we might consider it to be of historical importance. However, there is another reason he does not list. This is the first time we have used the TV broadcast medium to solicit funds, something most of us never thought we’d live to see.
I recall a conversation with a Canadian brother now living in the United States. Back in the late 70s, the brothers began utilizing free broadcast time that Canadian television was obliged to provide as part of its licensing agreement with the government. A weekly program was produced which used a discussion format to explore various Bible themes. It went over well, and since the Canada branch was being built then, funds were allocated to produce a TV Studio right in Bethel. However, after considerable work was done, the direction came down from the Governing Body to can the whole project. It seemed a shame, but then came the televangelist scandals of the 80s, and suddenly the Governing Body’s decision seemed prescient. So the irony for us old timers is to now see the Governing Body doing the very thing we looked down on the televangelists for doing.
Of course, Brother Lett would disagree with this statement. About the 8:45 minute mark he says:
“But now I would like to address the valuable things that may have first come to mind. Material possessions, or financial giving as support. As you know for over 130 years this organization has never solicited for funds and it is certainly not going to start now. We don’t send out monthly statements to each of Jehovah’s Witnesses specifying a dollar amount that should be submitted to finance the work worldwide.”
This is a strawman fallacy. Defining solicitation with a process we do not employ doesn’t mean that we do not engage in the practice in other ways. “To solicit” is defined thus:
- Ask for or try to obtain (something) from someone
- Ask (someone) for something
- Accost someone and offer one’s or someone else’s services as a prostitute
After watching Brother Lett speak for 30 minutes about the financial needs of the organization, there can be no doubt that his discourse fits like a glove with the first two definitions. Yet he seems to feel that as long as he says it isn’t so, we’ll believe it isn’t so. For instance, he says:
“Sometimes, we may feel a little shy to talk about the financial needs of the organization. That is understandable, because we in no way want to be categorized with other organizations, religious and otherwise, that coerce their supporters to donate.”
How do the other religions that Brother Lett refers to engage in coercion? Would claiming that the need for funds comes directly from God be considered coercive? If you are led to believe that God wants your money, then not giving it means disobeying God, right? Would that not be the method he is referring to by saying that other religions use coercive methods which we want to avoid? Certainly.
Yet that is the very method he uses immediately after making this statement. To justify the Governing Body’s call for more money, he refers to Exodus 35:4, 5 where Moses says, “This is what Jehovah has commanded…” Moses is asking the Israelites for funds to build the tabernacle or tent of meeting that would house the Ark of the Covenant. But it really isn’t Moses doing the asking, is it? It is God through Moses. The Israelites could have no reason to doubt this, for Moses came with all the credentials needed to identify him as God’s spokesman or channel of communication. By contrast the members of the Governing Body have not split the Red Sea nor turned the Hudson River to blood. Nor has God declared them to be his representatives. It is they who have declared their own appointment to the post. So on what basis are we to believe they speak for God? Because they, believing themselves to be God’s channel, are asking for funds on Jehovah’s behalf? Yet we are expected to believe this is not solicitation or coercion.
To establish their credentials, Brother Lett says,
“Please think about this, today how many publishing companies print publications in the many languages that Jehovah’s organization does? The answer, none. And why is that? It is because they cannot make a financial profit.”
It took me only seconds to prove this statement is untrue. Here is an entity that prints God’s word in more languages than Jehovah’s Witnesses do, and does so on a non-profit basis. (See also Agape Bible Organizations) Spend a few more minutes on the internet and you’ll find many other organizations that give the lie to Lett’s self-serving declaration.
To deepen his appeal for more money, Brother Lett continues:
“For one thing, the financial needs in the field have accelerated at a pace unlike any time in the recent past.”
Why have these needs accelerated at such an unprecedented rate? Is it because of unprecedented growth? Let’s see. He continues:
“A recent analysis of the needs for kingdom halls here in the United States showed that 1600 new kingdom halls or major renovations are needed, not sometime in the future, but right now.”
“And worldwide we are in need of more than 14,000 places of worship not including ongoing future growth”
Last year there was a 1% growth rate in the United States. According to the 2015 Yearbook, the number of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the U.S. increased by 18,875. If we assume an average congregation size of 70 publishers, that represents just 270 congregations. Since most halls are used to house multiple congregations, this represents conservatively a need because of growth for 135 additional kingdom halls assuming that none of the existing halls has room for these new congregations. Yet we are told that there is a desperate need for many times that number. Why?
Worldwide the need is for 14,000 halls according to Lett. That would be enough for 30,000 congregations. Yet, according to the 2015 Yearbook, the total number of congregations grew last year by only 1,593. Even if we allow for one hall for every congregation, that still leaves us to explain why an additional 12,500 kingdom halls are urgently needed.
If they are asking us for money, they really need to explain why this sudden expansion is needed at a time when the worldwide growth is slowing down based on the organization’s own statistics.
Brother Lett assures his audience that the funds do not go to line the pockets of anyone. Be that as it may, they do go to pay for the mistakes and misdeeds of a body of men claiming for itself the title of “faithful and discreet slave”. As a result of decades of indiscreet policies, the Organization has been punished by multimillion-dollar judgments involving child abuse for their failure to protect the most vulnerable members of the congregation. And there are many more cases still pending before the courts. When Moses appealed for contributions to build the tabernacle, funds were not also used for other, unstated purposes. When Moses sinned, he paid for his sins himself. He took responsibility.
If the Governing Body is to avoid hypocrisy—i.e., misrepresenting the facts—it needs to tell those from whom it is soliciting funds precisely where all this money is going.
To further explain the need for this unprecedented and historic solicitation for funds, Brother Lett goes on to state:
“We however, are accelerating our method of translating publications into indigenous languages. This involves building or purchasing regional translation offices or RTO’s. These will be strategically located in the part of the country with the highest concentration of native speakers of the language. Providing the structures in various regions of the country reduces the need for costly construction expansion at the local office. But in the next two years however upwards of 170 of such facilities—RTOs—are needed. Depending on the country and the cost of materials an RTO can cost from one to several million each. Hence we have another reason we need to increase our finances.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been doing translations in all the major languages for many decades. These additional RTOs are for indigenous languages. They cost from one to several million dollars each. Yet we are expected to believe this is cheaper than the cost of branch office expansion. All a translation office needs is people, desks, chairs, and computers. Yet even on land we already own and using free labor so that the only cost is the materials, we are to believe that it is still cheaper to go afield and buy or build elsewhere. Brother Lett is saying that adding a few offices for a handful of native language translators on land we already own and using free labor, will cost more than a several million dollars?
Okay, be that as it may, if we need to locate these RTOs close to indigenous populations, we are usually talking about areas where land is cheaper. There aren’t a lot of indigenous populations in Manhattan or downtown Chicago, or along the banks of the Thames, for example. Yet we are to believe that an office to house a handful of translators is going to cost at least a million and often several million to set up. We are talking about approximately half a billion dollars based on Lett’s numbers.
The New Policy
According to Brother Lett, another reason for the need for more money is that the Organization cancelled all congregation mortgages. Why was this done?
“In actuality, the mortgages were cancelled so as not to be a hardship on some congregations and circuits…. As explained at the time it was to equalize the reimbursement of such expenditures over the entire brotherhood.”
If his words were really true—if he is not lying when he says the reason was to equalize and not impose a hardship on congregations without many resources—then why does the letter that cancelled the loan payments include an italicized requirement on page 2 to make a resolution for an amount at least as much as the original loan payment? Saying all loans are cancelled while directing the elders to pass a resolution asking for contributions in the same amount as the previous loan payment and calling this a loving and equitable arrangement is patently hypocritical.
Lett’s Fallacy of False Equivalence
To demonstrate that the cancellation of hall loans was done altruistically and with God’s blessing, Brother Lett engages in the following line of reasoning:
“We also have heard from Circuit Overseers and others that some of the brothers and sisters may have a misconception about some of the recent policy changes that have been instituted. For example, all congregations that had a kingdom hall or assembly hall loan to pay off were informed that their mortgages were cancelled. Now if you think about that, it’s amazing, isn’t it? All their loans were cancelled. Can you imagine a bank telling homeowners that all their loans were cancelled, and that they should merely send into the bank each month whatever they can afford? Only in Jehovah’s organization could such a thing happen.”
What is misleading about this statement is that the two situations are not equivalent. Let us take the example of the bank forgiving loans and make it really equivalent to what the organization has done, and then we’ll see if a bank wouldn’t do the very same things the Governing Body has done.
Imagine a bank has lent out money to many homeowners and has been receiving monthly mortgage payments for many years. Then one day, the bank issues a policy change cancelling all the mortgages, but asks home owners to continue paying the same mortgage amount if they can. Seems like a recipe for bankruptcy, but hold on, there is more. As part of this arrangement, the bank assumes ownership of all properties. The residents—no longer home owners—are allowed to stay in their homes indefinitely, but should the bank decide to sell any home because it feels it can turn a profit, it will do so without requiring the permission of the dweller. Instead, it will take the money and build the person another home elsewhere and pocket the difference. The resident is not allowed to sell his home and pocket the profit.
This is equivalent to what the organization has done, and there isn’t a bank in the world that wouldn’t jump at the chance to do the same if the laws of the land permitted it.
A Practical Application
To illustrate what this really amounts to, let us take the case of a congregation in a poor area of a large metropolitan center. These impoverished brothers and sisters obtained a loan from the organization to build a modest kingdom hall. The total cost of the hall because of the depressed area it was built in added up to only $300,000. Still, they have struggled for years to make the payments. Then they are told that the mortgage on the hall they own—the deed is in the name of the local congregation as all deeds have been for decades—has been cancelled. They are overjoyed. There are a number in their congregation who are in very sore straights and so they decide to use the funds now freed up to provide financial assistance in line with what the first century congregation used to do. (See 1 Timothy 5:9 and James 1:26)
In the interim, a gentrification has occurred in that area of town. Property values have soared. The property will now fetch upwards of one million dollars. The Local Design Committee decides that it can sell the property and build a better hall in a commercial area a few miles away for about $600,000. The local brothers are beside themselves with joy. Four hundred thousand dollars in profit will truly alleviate the suffering of so many in the congregation. However, their joy is short-lived. They are told that the hall does not belong to them. It is owned by the Organization and the profit from the sale must go to the organization for the worldwide work. All those years the brothers were paying a mortgage on a hall they thought they owned, but now they learn that this is not the case. Additionally, they are required to pass a resolution committing to pay a fixed amount every month toward the worldwide work. According to the letter of March 29, 2014 page, if some months they fail to meet their resolved commitment, “the elders should determine what amounts from the congregation funds that are available at the end of the month will be applied toward the resolved monthly donation(s) and whether the shortfall should be made up in the future months.”
In commenting on the loan cancellation policy, Brother Lett states:
“Some businessmen in the secular world might think this was a disastrous policy change.”
Can there be any doubt that were secular businessmen made fully aware of the true nature of this policy change, they would be falling over themselves to take part.
The Accumulation of Material Things
There is no evidence that the contributions of first century Christians were used to build places of worship. All contributions were to relieve the sufferings of others and were entirely voluntary. That is why Brother Lett had to go back to the Hebrew Scriptures to find some justification for this worldwide building program. But even that justification fails to hit the mark upon careful examination. Yes, Jehovah did ask the people to contribute to build a tent of meeting. That tent united them as a nation for they were to come to it three times a year no matter where they lived in the country. That tent persisted for hundreds of years. Jehovah did not ask for anything more. He did not ask for a temple to be built of wood and stone for his name.
“On that very night, the word of Jehovah came to Nathan, saying: 5 “Go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what Jehovah says: “Should you build me a house to dwell in? 6 For I have not dwelled in a house from the day I brought the people of Israel out of Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7 During all the time that I went with all the Israelites, did I ever say one word to any of the tribal leaders of Israel whom I appointed to shepherd my people Israel, saying, ‘Why did you not build a house of cedars for me?’”’” (2Sa 7:4-7)
While Jehovah accepted the willing contribution of goods and labor to build the temple of Solomon, he did not ask for it. So the temple was a gift and all contributions for it, went into building it. No deception was used to procure funds. Nor were funds used for any other purpose. And David, the one whose idea it was to build the temple gave more than anyone to its construction.
Examining the Facts
Brother Lett claims we do not coerce brothers to give money, we do not solicit funds, and we do not burden our brothers.
In the letter that went out cancelling the loans, there was a directive for the body of elders in each congregation to take any monies the congregation had saved up and send this into the local branch office. This would be solicitation if this were merely a request, but the facts suggest otherwise. Reports have come in from different sources relaying how, in congregations where the body of elders was disinclined to send in these funds, pressure was put on them by the visiting Circuit Overseer to send in this money. Since the Circuit Overseer now has discretionary power to appoint or delete any elder, his words would have tremendous force. Saying that we do not coerce has proven to be blatantly false.
But there is more. Recently brothers have been shocked to learn that the cost of renting an assembly hall has increased by one hundred percent or more. These assembly halls are owned by the Organization, and it was by direction from the Governing Body that the various circuit assembly committees raised the rental fee based on the number of publishers in the circuit. Some larger circuits report costs in excess of $20,000 for a one-day assembly - more than double what it used to be. Imagine your landlord coming to you and saying, I’ve doubled the rent, but don’t feel I’m coercing you to pay more.
Our brothers might argue that it is still a voluntary contribution. True, we may feel guilty when the financial report is read out at the assembly telling us of our $12,000 shortfall. We may feel obliged to contribute to help out. But it is still up to us to do so. The flaw in this reasoning will not be known to most brothers and sisters, but can best be illustrated by what happened in one circuit. A letter was forwarded to us. It was sent from the circuit committee to all the local bodies of elders. It referenced direction from the organization in the circuit accounting instructions that Assembly Hall rental shortfalls should be made up by getting all local congregations to contribute the difference. This overt and documented coercive solicitation of funds was deemed a “privilege”. So each congregation was required to contribute several hundred dollars of donated funds to pay for the assembly. At the assembly, funds were solicited. By the letter to the local congregations, funds were coerced. And we must remember, that the reason the brothers failed to pay for the rental was that an arbitrary rental hike was imposed. Yet, by Lett’s own words, the Governing Body does not want to burden anyone.
To sum up: The face that Brother Lett puts on through this broadcast is that the Governing Body is merely letting us know of a need. It is not soliciting funds. It is not coercing us. It does not want to burden us. Loans have lovingly been cancelled to lighten our load and to equalize our burden. The funds are being used wisely and discreetly and are only being used to preach the good news, a work that is facilitated by the purchase of properties for meeting and for translation.
The facts reveal that: 1) the Organization has assumed ownership of all kingdom and assembly hall properties; 2) all congregations have been directed to make binding resolutions to contribute a fixed monthly sum to the Organization; 3) all congregations are directed and pressured to send in any accumulated savings to the Organization; 4) rental fees on all assembly halls have been dramatically hiked with the excess funds being required to be sent in to the Organization; 5) assembly hall rental shortfalls are required to be made up by funds being provided directly from all congregations in the circuit.
Honoring Jehovah with Your Valuable Things
Brother Lett opens the solicitation portion of the broadcast with these words:
"The Governing Body has asked me to use Pr 3:9 as the theme for the message they would like to be shared with the entire household of faith this month."
The phrase, "honor Jehovah with your valuable things", occurs only once in the Bible. However, its use throughout this appeal strongly suggests that this will become a new catchphrase, a shorthand to be used when asking for money. Subsequently, Lett engages in what has become a disturbing practice in recent years, misapplying a scripture to support an agenda. Given that Brother Lett is addressing Christians, it would be nice if he could find some support in the Christian Scriptures for funding requests to support building construction and organization administrative costs. In an attempt to find such support he says,
"Well, at this point, I will borrow the words of Paul as he enumerated in Hebrews chapter 11 many men and women of faith, but then said, as recorded in verse 32, "and what more will I say, for time will fail me if I go on to relate about..." and then he listed others who had honored Jehovah with their valuable things."
Sometimes we hear something and the only reaction is YIKES! Other words may come to mind, but as a Christian one refrains from given them voice. What Lett is referring to is this:
“Through faith they defeated kingdoms, brought about righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the force of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from a weak state were made powerful, became mighty in war, routed invading armies. 35 Women received their dead by resurrection, but other men were tortured because they would not accept release by some ransom, in order that they might attain a better resurrection. 36 Yes, others received their trial by mockings and scourgings, indeed, more than that, by chains and prisons. 37 They were stoned, they were tried, they were sawn in two, they were slaughtered by the sword, they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, while they were in need, in tribulation, mistreated; 38 and the world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and mountains and caves and dens of the earth.” (Heb 11:33-38)
After reading this, would the first (or even that last) words out of your mouth be, "Yes, indeed. They honored Jehovah with their valuable things"?
The Hypocrisy of the Pharisees
“Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men’s bones and of every sort of uncleanness. 28 In that way YOU also, outwardly indeed, appear righteous to men, but inside YOU are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Mt 23:27, 28)
Jesus didn’t mince words when unmasking the wickedness of the scribes, Pharisees and religious leaders of his day. Matthew records 14 instances in which Jesus refers to hypocrites. Mark only uses the term four times; Luke, two; and John not at all. Of course, by John’s day, the scribes and Pharisees had been killed off by the Romans as a consequence of the judgment pronounced upon them by the Lord, so it was sort of a moot point by then. Still, one can’t help but wonder if Matthew’s focus on them was because he, as the hated tax collector, had experienced their hypocrisy more acutely than the rest. They looked down on him and shunned him, when they were far more deserving of disdain and shunning.
The fact is, we all hate hypocrisy. We are wired that way. We hate lying. It literally makes us feel awful. The parts of the brain that fire when we experience pain and disgust are the same parts that fire when we hear lies. Hypocrisy is a particularly disgusting form of lying, because the individual—be he Satan or a human—is trying to get you to accept and trust him as something he is not. He does that usually to take advantage of your trust in some way. Therefore, his every action becomes part of the bigger lie. When we learn we have been betrayed in this way by people pretending to care about us, it naturally makes our blood boil.
When Jesus lambasted the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, he did it out of love for his followers and at great risk to himself. The religious leaders hated and killed him for exposing them. It would have been easy to be quiet, but how then could he have released the people from the tyranny of these men? Their lies and duplicity had to be revealed. Only then could his disciples be freed from enslavement to men and enter the glorious freedom of the children of God.
The Organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses, like every other offshoot of Christianity began with good intentions. Its followers were freed from some of the falsehood and human restrictions of their former faith. However, like all its brethren, it has fallen prey to the original sin—the desire humans have to rule others. In every organized religion, men govern the congregation of Christ, demanding submission and obedience. In the name of God, we supplant God. While calling people to follow the Christ, we make them followers of men.
The time for such ignorance has passed. It is time now to wake up and see these men for what they are. It is time to recognize the true ruler of the Christian congregation, Jesus Christ.
Unlike men, his yoke is kindly and his load is light.
Archived Comments
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Comment by Chris on 2015-05-09 09:51:30
They are such hypocrites. Every time I see the stuff they are using in Bethel they have Apple Computers and Top of the Line technology. They just need to own up to that they can't sustain themselves much longer.
Reply by on 2015-05-10 08:13:04
My daughter just commented on this yesterday. Seems that they have the latest and up to date technology. They all dress nicely. Certainly better than us. Living arrangements are from donated funds. They are able to renovate the branch regularly. They just took tens of thousands from the congregation account by "asking" the brothers to send in additional funds. And now they want to contribute more. I'm sorry that won't be happening. In fact never again will I give there.
Comment by on 2015-05-09 09:53:59
Yikes indeed.
It is only fitting that the story they are telling is more in line with the one the can be perceived, if viewed without bias.
Comment by Ray B on 2015-05-09 10:03:24
Hypocrisy... And through the whole program the GB & Organization along with all they are accomplishing was praised up. Yet the name of Jesus & all that he accomplished on our behalf because of the love he has for each & every one of us wasn't even mentioned once.
Reply by hezekiah1 on 2015-05-12 14:05:19
It seems the reason that Jesus is not mentioned is that the GB has replaced him with themselves. Notice in a recent picture of the hierarchy that next to Jehovah comes the GB. How sad.
Comment by qspf on 2015-05-09 11:33:59
Meleti,
After watching this video and reading your remarks, I couldn't agree more with your assessment. As I have commented elsewhere, a glaring omission from this video is the near total absence of any reference to Christ Jesus. Were we to evaluate the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses based on this video alone, we would have to conclude that they are an organization strongly motivated by money, and do indeed employ coercive methods and forms of propaganda to obtain it. What we would not conclude that this is a Christian religion. "Jehovah" is mentioned often, but "Jesus" is a no-show.
So, what are our "valuable things"? Time, money, construction skills and other abilities. We are urged to spend our time in the ministry - a lot of it, because the first thing discussed is pioneering. Our skill are supposed to be used to provide free labor to construct kingdom halls and other facilities like the new world headquarters. And of course, they want our money to pay for them.
What do they not mention? Our own families, friends and relatives that may also need that help from our valuable things. James 1:27 says: "The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world." Watchtower says: 'Give all your valuable things to us.' They would probably respond, 'It's not our place to be a charitable organization or look after orphans and widows; our only obligation is to preach. We leave those matters of 'lesser' importance to the churches and worldly people.' Indeed.
In the video, a statement is made, "Any funds donated ... are not misappropriated." At one time that might have been mostly true, but it no longer is. In the past, if someone put money in the local congregation box, they knew it was going for that purpose only. Funds for the worldwide work, or for any special projects, had their own boxes, and funds were not mixed or transferred. This arrangement had the commendable quality of avoiding the appearance or reality of a "slush fund", in which supposedly separate funds get mixed, or used for cross purposes and are poorly monitored or audited.
Now, because of the recent changes to the financial arrangements (which you describe in detail regarding mortgages, etc.) funds placed in the local congregation box are now taken to make up this ongoing contribution that is equivalent to the supposedly cancelled mortgage payment. Thus, in their eyes, the reality is, "what is ours is ours, and what is YOURS is ours, too - at least part of it". Thus, the claim that a congregation box is dedicated to "local" needs is now a lie, and money is being treated like a big slush fund, thwarting the wishes of the contributors. That is the very definition of misappropriation.
Another statement is made, "In spending Jehovah's money, we have to be more careful than we are in spending our own money." If this is truly Jehovah's money, and all in the organization are Jehovah's people, don't all of Jehovah's people deserve an accurate, periodic audit of Jehovah's money, to ensure it is being spent and used in a "discrete" way? (After all, they DID ask us to pray so that they would be "discrete". If we pray to Jehovah that the GB conduct and publish annual audits of His money to be sure it is being spent in a "discrete" manner, should the GB not comply?) When is the last time YOU read a detailed financial audit of the Watchtower Society? Neither have I. A true accounting would have to include the amount of funds spent or encumbered for child abuse lawsuits and other embarrassments. (The embarrassment factor is, of course, nothing new. Imagine if audits were done during Rutherford's term. Accounting entries would be needed for illegal shipments of alcohol from Canada during Prohibition.)
One point you didn't mention is how Stephen Lett spends 45 minutes nonstop talking about money, on the pretext that he is simply "informing" people about needs. But, it doesn't take that long to "inform" people. That could have been done in 5-10 minutes. The remaining time is spent on an emotional, coercive sales job.
The video goes on to say, “Please think about this, today how many publishing companies print publications in the many languages that Jehovah’s organization does? The answer, none. And why is that? It is because they cannot make a financial profit.”
The obvious response to that is, "And are you saying you DO make a financial profit?" This is a question they don't answer. If they do make a profit, they don't need to ask for funds, but if they don't make a profit, then how are they any different than these publishing companies they are trying to contrast themselves with? If they did make some sort of profit, they should say so, and if they are operating at a loss, with the balance made up by contributions, should they not say so, and further say how much of a shortfall they are talking about? After all, Stephen Lett says his presentation is to "inform" people. So, inform us, please. But, he doesn't. This point doesn't really make any sense to me.
Then there is this: “And worldwide we are in need of more than 14,000 places of worship not including ongoing future growth.”
If they need 14,000 new buildings (kingdom halls and other buildings) but this is NOT including future growth, then what IS it for? Are there really 14,000 congregations or more that meet in farm fields or forests because they don't have a kingdom hall? Maybe, maybe not, but without some explanation, this is an extremely peculiar claim to make. Added to the points you make about worldwide growth actually being quite low, the figures are hard to accept without some real data to back them up. But, of course, such data will not be provided.
I think you hit the nail on the head when you stated, "All a translation office needs is people, desks, chairs, and computers." How do secular companies deal with "satellite offices" and "remote workers" in similar situations? Do they spend millions of dollars apiece on building remote satellite offices? Some very few might do that, but most would not. Instead, they would lease an office suite, or would sub-lease a few rooms in someone else's offices, or allow individuals to work from home and pay for computers and high speed internet connections. Such things would not cost millions of dollars, but thousands of dollars, each. In many parts of the world, much office space is vacant and going begging for tenants. In other cases, it might be possible that an addition could be made to a kingdom hall to house a translation office, or Witnesses with larger homes could set aside space for use by translation groups. Going the route of acquiring land and building new structures from scratch is the most expensive and least efficient way possible to go about this task, and yet the GB is "tooting its own horn" about how "discrete" it is in "spending Jehovah's money." It literally doesn't add up.
On whole, you did a fine job in helping us understand this issue. Unfortunately, in doing so it just makes the facts of the matter that much more sad and discouraging. But, it's a story that needs to be said.Reply by on 2015-05-10 08:21:23
Thanks for your comment. I like your point about providing an accounting to those who actually do the contributing. A corporation this big and yet so shadowy should indeed be able to provide some account of where the money is spent. And yet as you point out I have never seen one in 40 plus years. Perhaps indeed the waters are starting to dry up!!
Rev 22:20
“Amen! Come, LordJesus.”
Comment by Skye on 2015-05-09 12:06:59
So it's worth asking then why do so many sincere brothers and sisters fall for it all?
Because Satan's method is the presentation of half-truth, which is the cleverest form of falsehood. Thankfully there is a way to avoid such evil trickery, and that is a thorough knowledge and passion for Truth. 2 Thess 2:10-13
Comment by anderestimme on 2015-05-09 12:57:58
A few other thoughts:
When Dathan and Abiram complained about Moses' failure to bring them prosperity, his response was, "Not one donkey have I taken away from them". There is an enormous difference between the GB, who lives off the contributions of the flock, and the Israelites under Moses: Moses didn't live off the contributions of the people.
What Lett is asking here is not a one-time contribution to get the organization over the hump. For all his declarations that they don't want to put a burden on us, asking us to contribute more, from now to eternity, hardly seems like a recipe for financial alleviation.
In our circuit the cost of using our own facility was so high the brothers actually started looking into renting an uncomfortable but affordable venue such as a gymnasium or sports stadium. Surely there is cruel irony in contributing funds for an assembly hall so that you can have a comfortable place to meet without having to pay rent, only to have it fall into the hands of someone who charges you an exorbitant price to use it.
Comment by BeenMislead on 2015-05-09 14:45:52
Thanks Meleti,
This is an excellent post showing how deceiving and misleading the Governing Body is becoming. If only I could get my wife to read it. But Jehovah’s Witnesses are indoctrinated to employ information-control to the point that they stick their heads in the sand.
Notice what was printed in the Watchtower back in 1970.
It seems to me they are doing exactly what they condemned other churches for doing back then!!
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“How do you feel in church when the collection plate is passed? How do you feel when a minister visits you to persuade you to contribute more? This is one of the things an editor of a South African magazine wanted to find out. He devoted a year to a painstaking inquiry on the subject “The Church, the People and the Gulf Between.” Summing up his findings the editor wrote:
“The Church seems to have developed a compulsive habit of appealing for funds-without-end-amen, whether they be for building churches or halls, for repairs, organs, bells, salaries, pensions, Lent, Easter, Christmas, etc. etc. . . . Now the Church seems to take pledges and appeals for granted, and sometimes as many as three are running at the same time. . . . This preoccupation with money has also made some people take a second look at the Church, and ask themselves whether they really want to participate after all.”—Femina, May 18, 1967, pp. 58, 61.
Is it not understandable why some are taking a second look at the churches? The Bible makes it clear that giving should not be done “under compulsion” but from a ‘readiness of mind according to what one has.’ (2 Cor. 9:7; 8:12) So while it is not wrong for a minister to inform his congregation of reasonable church needs, the methods used ought to be in harmony with Christian principles outlined in the Bible.” – (Watchtower 1970, 2/15, Pg. 99, Is Your Minister Interested in You or Your Money?)Reply by Ray B on 2015-05-10 02:02:37
"If only I could get my wife to read it."
I have the same problem BeenMislead. I raised several points that I disagreed on recently which I supported by scripture to which she got rather angry with me. I came home from work the next day to be told "Whether you like it or not I've spoken with 2 of the elders & they are coming to talk to you"
Surprisingly several of the questions that I raised they told me that they'd often wondered about too. However no further explanation was givenReply by on 2015-05-10 04:03:25
So sorry to hear that ray . I hope your mrs heard thier reply . Just wrong mate . 1peter 3 v 5 and 6 . . Kev
Reply by menrov on 2015-05-10 04:28:32
Same here, my other half is not interested to learn the other story of the WBTS. In particular this topic should be of interest to her as she always says she cannot imaging the gb is in it for the money......
Reply by Anonymous on 2015-05-10 09:49:02
Same here. My husband comes up with every excuse imaginably to defend the organization and recent changes. Whats so puzzling is he came into this organization because of being disgusted with the financial schemes of other religions and was proud of the fact that "JWs are different", "we dont pass a plate around" to which I reply "no, we pass small slips of paper for donation amount pledges". Now after many decades in, the "lets wait on Jehovah to clean it up" replies are giving my head a great workout with all the shaking its been doing. LOL.
Comment by Alex Rover on 2015-05-09 14:57:17
1. Honoring Jehovah with your valuable things include "time spent preaching".
2. We are coerced to report how much time we donate
Conclusion: Jehovah's Witnesses are being coerced to "honor jehovah with their valuable things".
In addition to that, privileges are public rewards for those who donate more of their time. They are taken away for those who don't give enough, by publicly announcing that they no longer have this privilege. Such public shaming is not coercion?
Appointment in the congregation is based on how much one donates as much as Christian qualities. Christian qualities and qualifications in the Bible do not include the requirement for financial or time donations. Yet a scripturally- perfectly qualified individual will never be appointed unless he also is known to donate sufficient time and energy to the organization.Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-09 17:48:12
I love this line of reasoning Alex. The next time the elders ask me why I'm not reporting my time, I'm going to have to use it.
Reply by hezekiah1 on 2015-05-12 14:12:26
Interesting points Alex. I looked again at the qualification for an elder and never do you see anything about the amount of time or energy expended for the organization. If we were to follow the actual Biblical qualifications then indeed those brothers would be appointed by Holy Spirit instead of what they feel coerced to do.
Comment by on 2015-05-09 16:43:02
They did get one thing right years ago religion certainly is a snare and a racket . .as for the RF as 2 corinthians 11 v20 says you put up with whoever enslaves you whoever devours what you have whoever grabs what you have whoever exalts himself over you and whoever strikes you in the face . Also 2 corinthians 12 v14 where paul said i will not become a burden to you for i am seeking not your possessions but you . . ..kev
Comment by menrov on 2015-05-10 04:40:09
It is rather peculiar the organisation is begging for money at this moment. They already made over a billion in sales of current assets, they got ownership of all the KH an, although not all congregations are paying what they promised I am sure it is still a huge amount the collect. The WT and Awake have become thinner (less costs in paper and ink), many publications are now distributed electronically, even the letters from the organisation to the congregations. Labour is still free and due to financial and housing market crisis the costs (material) to construct have dropped.
So, the upside (income) seems to be better than say in the nineties. The normal / fixed costs (housing, material, publishing) have decreased. So, what seems to be the problem?
We all know about the very expensive court cases (lawyers, punitive payments etc) which costs are probably a lot higher than they anticipated. Are there other unexpected costs?.Are that other legal fines they have received? Have the lost a lot of money on the stock market, doing speculations etc ? Has access to their resources and funds been blocked due to law suits?
We will only afterwards I guess. I remember a statement in the past which was something like: If we run out of money, it is probably because Jehovah no longer is blessing our work and that we should stop.
I suggest they followup on that advice.Reply by anderestimme on 2015-05-10 13:33:01
I think the quote you're thinking of is this:
*** jv chap. 21 p. 340 How Is It All Financed? ***
As early as the second issue of the Watch Tower, in August 1879, Brother Russell stated: “‘Zion’s Watch Tower’ has, we believe, JEHOVAH for its backer, and while this is the case it will never beg nor petition men for support. When He who says: ‘All the gold and silver of the mountains are mine,’ fails to provide necessary funds, we will understand it to be time to suspend the publication.”
Here are a few more quotes of interest:
*** jv chap. 21 p. 344 How Is It All Financed? ***
Additionally, the elders may ask that individuals or families write on slips what they feel able to contribute on a weekly or monthly basis, with Jehovah’s blessing. No names are signed. These are not promissory notes, but they do provide a basis for intelligent planning.—Luke 14:28-30.
*** w93 12/1 p. 28 The Giver of “Every Good Gift” ***
“On one occasion I was called upon by a minister of the Reformed church. He wanted to know how I managed my church. I said to him: . . . ‘We pay no salaries; there is nothing to make people quarrel. We never take up a collection.’ ‘How do you get the money?’ he asked. I replied, ‘Now, Dr.——, if I tell you what is the simplest truth you will hardly be able to believe it. When people get interested in this way, they find no basket placed under their nose. But they see there are expenses. They say to themselves, “This hall costs something. . . . How can I get a little money into this cause?”’ He looked at me as if he thought, ‘What do you take me for—a greenhorn?’ I said, ‘Now, Dr.——, I am telling you the plain truth. . . . When one gets a blessing and has any means, he wants to use it for the Lord. If he has no means, why should we prod him for it?’” —Charles T. Russell, first president of the Watch Tower Society, “The Watch Tower,” July 15, 1915.
*** jv chap. 28 pp. 622-623 Testing and Sifting From Within ***
To one who wrote a letter of inquiry, Brother Russell replied: “If it was proper for the early Christians to prove what they received from the apostles, who were and who claimed to be inspired, how much more important it is that you fully satisfy yourself that these teachings keep closely within their outline instructions and those of our Lord;—since their author claims no inspiration, but merely the guidance of the Lord, as one used of him in feeding his flock.”
Brother Russell claimed no supernatural power, no divine revelations. He did not claim credit for what he taught.
Charles Taze Russell wanted no glory from humans. To readjust the thinking of any who were inclined to give excessive honor to him, Brother Russell wrote, in 1896: “We want no homage, no reverence, for ourselves or our writings; nor do we wish to be called Reverend or Rabbi. Nor do we wish that any should be called by our name.”Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-11 10:46:20
Any questionable decision that is made even at the local level is excused by the reasoning that "it must be Jehovah's direction". Well, given the lack of funds, maybe Jehovah is giving them a strong hint. :)
Reply by anderestimme on 2015-05-12 11:51:23
Here's another Russell quote:
*** yb73 p. 95 The British Isles ***
Brother Russell, commenting on the world financial account of the Society for 1911, declared: “We doubt not that this indebtedness will soon be cancelled; nevertheless the fact that it is nearly double the shortage of last year cautions us that we must to some extent put on the ‘brakes’; for it is our judgment of the Lord’s will that we spend money only as it is supplied under his providence.”
Reply by anderestimme on 2015-05-10 13:36:04
That was another thing Lett said that didn't add up. He said something like the sale of the Brooklyn properties would do little more than pay for the Warwick project (loose paraphrase). There is simply no way that's true.
Comment by brendaevans32 on 2015-05-10 07:38:48
Hello everyone
Such an intriguing posting and highlights a couple of points I have made recently to my husband, friends and even those I study with.
I'm not baptised into the Jehovah's Witnesses. I can appreciate I am not as well versed or as learned. But one thing I have done in the past, when trying to run a little Sunday School in another Church I was attending is something I still passionately believe in. And when I shared this with the lovely Sister I am doing Bible Studies with, she was nodding her head (mind you, this is years ago).
I would simply take our sons and any other children down into our local park. The problem is there are quite a few distractions in a park. But we followed our little timetable, we prayed and then we would sing a song and then we shared a small reading from the Bible, then we prayed again, and then the children went on the swings. I remember it being one of those glorious park weather days. It was lovely.
Then, recently, I have been thinking about Jesus and His Disciples. They would simply stand and teach and talk in a variety of places, not needing some new building. Did it cost Jesus money in printing or electricity? All it costs was a bit of His lovely and loving time, words to deliver the things He needed to teach us. He went from place to place, teaching in the streets and on the hilltops, teaching and sharing with all manner of people.
I have told the same people that I really don't hold with attending buildings. This comes mainly from the distractions I would see in the 'Church of England' Churches - so much marble, brass, stained glass, etc would help the eye to rove round and admire. Such can be admired - but there is a place for it, and the time is not when you want to go and worship Jehovah.
So, give me a blade of grass, I see more of Jehovah in that blade of grass than anywhere else; give me the lane which I like to walk along where I give praise to Jehovah and I am happy.
There is nothing more opposite in what Jehovah requires of us and what we can easily afford. Love, faith, following, dedication, obedience, wanting to please - and many more, these are all free, and can easily be given to the One who gives them to us.
Jehovah does not need our monetary contributions, He wants our following, our dedication, our faith and our love.
God Bless you.Reply by billy on 2015-05-12 06:57:13
amen to that!
Comment by search4truth on 2015-05-10 08:45:21
Maybe nothing new?
False Prophets and Teachers
2Pe 2:1 In the past there were false prophets among God's people. It is the same now. You will have some false teachers in your group. They will teach things that are wrong—ideas that will cause people to be lost. And they will teach in a way that will be hard for you to see that they are wrong. They will even refuse to follow the Master who bought their freedom. And so they will quickly destroy themselves.
2Pe 2:2 Many people will follow them in the morally wrong things they do. And because of them, others will say bad things about the way of truth we follow.
2Pe 2:3 These false teachers only want your money. So they will use you by telling you things that are not true. But the judgment against these false teachers has been ready for a long time. And they will not escape God who will destroy them.
Comment by craig on 2015-05-10 14:07:20
Meleti
Excuse my way of writing first off my friend…it is…ahem “unique/terrible”
Wow!…..good to see things are “dawning” on you
Dawn is when the light comes to the earth to free it from darkness….with us it is a “realisation”…”real-eyes-ation”…we start to see things as they are…not as we perceived before
The Christ is the light of the world….as is the sun the light of the world….he is the truth…he is akin to the sun…very few can stare at the sun or hard truths concerning deeply held….cherished views
Your eyes are opening to the lies by allowing that light/jesus in and “listening” to those truths/jesus/light
not disregarding them without thought
And Jesus did say the truth will set us free
The lies are the darkness….and Jesus said men love the darkness in John 3:19
I love to see that awakening in people
I am a decade ahead of you in this awakening progress…and boy it is one roller coaster ride as maybe you are starting to be aware yourself…it is frightening at times
I have one thing to ask you to consider if I may
it concerns Job 38 and verse 32 and the footnote in the NWT when Jehovah asks Job about the “constellations”
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/job/38/
What do you think about the footnote on JW.org?
Why would God ask such a thing?
All the best my friendReply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-11 10:50:05
Hi Craig,
I'm not sure I understand your point? Is it the NWT rending of Job 38:32 you are questioning?Reply by rufus2015 on 2015-05-11 12:48:15
Craig-
The answer to your question on Job 38:32 requires a knowledge of astrology. Due to the nutation and precession of the Earth's axis of rotation, there is a 26,000 year cycle of change in the rotation of the constellations. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precession
Hence, at the time of writing the constellation of evil was in daily rotation around the constellation of good (God). This is an ancient theme.
How do you answer the question?
Reply by craig on 2015-05-11 15:09:54
Hi Meleti
Thanks for getting back to me
No, I'm not questioning the NWT at all,but drawing your attention to the actual question that is being asked
Jehovah is asking job about the mazzaroth...the zodiac
Why would he ask such a question?
And after a decade of intense research I would say it's because the whole bible is about the zodiac
I know that statement comes from well out of leftfield..and may sound so foreign to you....even crazy.........however I hope can provide you with enough evidence to show you why I believe this is the case
can I offer one small example?...there are thousands once you get the "eyes" to see
Ezekiels vision of the four living creatures
the bull
the lion
the man
and the eagle
now can I ask you to google the four fixed signs of the zodiac?
they are as follows
taurus...the bull
leo...the lion
aquarius...the man
scorpio...the eagle
google "scorpio and eagle" to confirm that they are connected
and I'll leave you one last thing to look through
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetramorph
please could you read it right through...and if you get time ...let me know what you think?
Thanks again
CraigReply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-11 15:26:21
Craig,
You put the cart before the horse. Of course, pagan imagery, iconology and religious belief is derived from Bible accounts and historic events, but it is not the other way round. First comes the truth from God, then comes the contamination from Satan. We must not allow ourselves to be misled, nor to stray into spiritism. Satan will continue to transform himself into an Angel of light, but we are not ignorant of his machinations.(2 Cor. 11:14; Eph. 6:11)Reply by craig on 2015-05-11 15:34:30
Fair enough Meleti
I know when I am hitting a brick wall
I will leave you with one last question though
Why is Jehovah (not satan) asking Job about the zodiac..the mazzaroth?
All the best in your awakening
follow truth wherever it leads...because the truth will set you free said the lord
john 8:32
peace my friend
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-11 16:02:40
He isn't. I don't accept the premise of your question. Mazzaroth is of uncertain derivation. The reference to a constellation is to a recognizable arrangement of stars, not the worship of the stars.
Astronomers speak of the Orion constellation yet we would not point and cry out, "Aha! You call yourselves scientists, but you are really astrologers worshiping the zodiac."
Jehovah was humbling Job by pointing to known and named arrangements of stars which disappeared in winter months only to return to the skies again in summer months. There were undoubtedly those who worshiped such things in Job's day but he was not one of them.
Still the precise and reliable movement of heavenly bodies across the sky was both mysterious and awesome to the primitive man with no real understanding of celestial dynamics. It was proof (even to our advanced scientifically trained modern mind) of the awe-inspiring wisdom and power of God.Reply by craig on 2015-05-11 16:35:42
I understand your dilemma Meleti
yet there are twelves galore in the bible...the twelve signs of the zodiac
and sevens galore...the seven planets
josephus said in the antiquities
"And for the twelve stones, whether we understand by them the months, or whether we understand the like number of the signs of that circle which the Greeks call the Zodiac, we shall not be mistaken in their meaning."Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-11 17:27:19
Again, your premise if flawed. There is no dilemma. You are begging the question by engaging in the fallacy of circular cause and consequence.
Reply by craig on 2015-05-12 02:54:09
Hi meleti
peace my friend.....all the best with your awakening
Comment by atropus32 on 2015-05-10 17:50:55
> Reports have come in from different sources relaying how, in congregations were the body of elders was disinclined to send in these funds
*where
Great article. As you've called out, the blatant hypocrisy and duplicity in the presentation was shocking even for someone like myself who no longer considers themselves a JW.Reply by anderestimme on 2015-05-11 11:31:32
Typo corrected. Thanks!
Comment by katrina on 2015-05-11 01:54:38
How they can so blatantly lie like this to those that love Jehovah and want to do all they can for the org believing it is his will, the GB are like the bird catcher, JW have been used lied to and treated with no respect.
It's time to wake up yes indeed, but how many like things the way they are, this is the test I believe Gods way or the GB way, one has to make that choice, its so blaringly obvious now as I believe Jehovah is revealing who these men are by their own arrogance and self pride they can't see that they are being exposed, but they are by their own deeds and others on the internet are appealing to JW to wake up.
Comment by miken on 2015-05-11 06:55:35
"Brother Lett claims we do not coerce brothers to give money, we do not solicit funds, and we do not burden our brothers".
For years there was an annual reminder in the watchtower magazine of several different ways we could donate financially to the organization. For example by leaving them our estates when we die or donating shares etc.
The watchtower organization has made just over a billion dollars selling only about one third of its Brooklyn property assets so potentially they will, when they finally leave Brooklyn make much more money.
Is the JW's of India donations online site soliciting funds?
http://jwindiagift.org/index.php
Comment by miken on 2015-05-11 08:36:44
As I understand it congregations are being asked to pay the society continually possibly long after their original loan from the society would have been paid back. The many new halls will not need major renovation for many years and minor work will be able to be done from the amount they have been allowed to keep beyond their running costs and their monthly contribution to the society. Yes if there is an earthquake and kingdom halls are destroyed the society will rebuild them and also do major renovations but in the long term the society is likely to make a substantial amount of money with congregations paying them continually until the Kingdom comes! Of course the society would reply, well it's not going to be very long as the Kingdom is imminent.
Comment by on 2015-05-11 09:20:11
How long ago was it when credit cards started to be accepted for donations at assemblies? I remember being really surprised upon hearing that as I thought it was inefficient (3% fee) and potentially hazardous to people who live on credit.
Reply by anderestimme on 2015-05-12 17:46:42
At one recent assembly near me the parking attendants had contribution boxes and asked each driver if he/she wanted to donate as the cars left the parking lot. Has anyone else heard anything like that?
Comment by Splash on 2015-05-11 11:05:37
I'm at least pleased that Bro Lett had the good sense to take his Rolex off before asking for money.
Reply by anonymous on 2015-05-11 21:42:18
The infamous picky ring was also missing.
Comment by Dawn Ann on 2015-05-19 01:30:34
Don't know if this is the place to leave my comment. I found your site and I am very impressed with the knowledge exchange here. I am a JW that has a lot of doubts about this religion. It's so hard to leave this religion because my husband is a pioneer and he is not open to the things I see that are so unscriptural. I'm afraid of coming out because of losing all my friends but I can no longer stomach the lies, especially after watching thr May broadcast. I've been in an emotional turmoil. What do you folks do? Have you left for another organization or church? I really want to find the truth!! Please help me.....I'm afraid!!!
Reply by menrov on 2015-05-19 08:50:57
Hi Dawn Ann, welcome. I am glad you decided to see if you can find the truth outside the boundaries of the WT organisation. Well, to be honest, no-one on this forum will claim to have THE TRUTH. We openly assess and review scriptures and doctrines and as long all is based on the scriptures, we are able to see what is true.
I can only speak for myself. I have faded and have not joined another organisation. There is a good article on this forum about whether an organisation is something scriptural.
In all cases, be patient. Share your questions. See if you can join the discussthetruth.com site. On that site, you can pose questions and read many comments on biblical topics.
I wish you wellReply by Dawn Ann on 2015-05-19 11:57:08
Thank you both for your response!! I've joined discussthetruth site and look forward to learning more.
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2015-05-19 09:23:48
Hi Dawn Ann,
I second menrov's comment. There is no easy answer to your question, no easy exit form your dilemma. But I'm confident that Christ will show us the way as things continue to develop. In the mean time, we must endure while keeping out integrity. Our Father loves us and will watch over us, providing what each of us needs at the time we need it so that we can persevere.
You have many brothers and sisters, I assure you.
Your brother,
MeletiReply by Dawn Ann on 2015-05-19 12:01:36
Thank you so much!!!! Please email me any further thoughts you might have at dawnann2015@gmail.com
Reply by miken on 2015-05-19 18:29:32
Perhaps this testimony may help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWpGCaES9_c&feature=gp-n-y&google_comment_id=z13osfcbnlanhfznn23nv5pzgtmtgju5m04Reply by Dawn Ann on 2015-05-20 20:25:06
What a wonderful testimony!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
Reply by martin sarfas on 2015-05-20 13:47:21
I EX JEHOVAH Witneses came in 2002. My was wreck . Find that the watchtower had lied everthing. When said there no were to go it want s your mind we go back to the kingdom hull meetings become slave to the watchtower. It all church s gone 1918 1920 but there still here. There some else to go to church find Jesus . Who He is. And you wil l set free from fear and pain . He will heal you to. Act s 9 :5 paul who are Lord? Lord Jesus. Saul found Jesus not the wrxh
Reply by Dawn Ann on 2015-05-20 20:26:20
I appreciate your comment. Yes, indeed Jesus is Lord!! Thank you!!!
Comment by Buster on 2015-06-11 06:36:28
It seems that the may broadcast was Historic as Brother Lett said., but he sure as heck did not say why. But in fact it is historic but for the wrong reasons. Look if you want to donate all your money to a cause or an organization then please do, but when we have a person tell you/ excuse Ask you to donate money for nearly a hour and oh yeah have a Song that tells you and oh yeah tells you THAT GOD KNOWS if you don't donate for 20/years ... Yeah that just happened.
And of course they don't tell you how much all those property's were selling for of course not Google those bad boys and you find in Big Brand News Websites they went for millions no. Hundreds of millions.
Of course now we have credit card machines at our Assemblys I nearly laughed outloud when I. First saw this a some years ago. And of. Course Mr Lett did not fully disclose the whole.monthly donation/ or yearly donation and how it really works. I remember in the awakes. When they talked about other religion's and now they had credit card donations in the 2003 August. Issue and the 1973 awake December issue , Again they don't really say it is wrong outloud but you can sure see they poke fun at them. Look we know in the past 15 years and really past 5 years they been on this money issue. I know I gave much in the past. Again if you want to more power to you, for me I will decide on my own. Thanks Mr Lett