Looking at all the doctrinal teachings over the last five years, it's
almost impossible for any person of conscience who originated such
doctrine to do a complete u-turn and change it and still believe it when the passage of time has proved beyond doubt that doctrine is no longer credible.
I say this with reference to the Generation of 1914. They were so sure. It was part of the Awake! masthead for decades that those who saw the events of 1914 would also see the Great Tribulation.
Now, imagine the old GB 1.0. For decades they believed and
taught that the 1914 generation would not pass before the GT began. In
the 1993 conventions there were rumors that there would be a change and
in 1994 there was little mention of the generation of 1914 that year,
which was by now already eighty years old.
Until 1995 - the Awake! masthead removes reference to 1914 and leaves the beginning of the tribulation open-ended.
So what were the then Governing Body members actually thinking? Could
they still believe with all their heart that their 1914 Generation was
really true? Surely some doubts must have set in?
So when the changes begin in 1995 this continues on for the next
decade until more changes are announced. The generation of 1914 are
first the anointed, then the wicked people living in the mid 1990s, then
back to the anointed.
Until 2012 or so when the generation becomes two overlapping generations.
Can anyone see how utterly ridiculous this is? We laugh at this and
wonder how could the GB believe this crap? Seriously? Two overlapping
generations?
Then this new revised teaching starts to get printed in the new releases at this year's district convention.
And I'm beginning to wonder about the sincerity of the Governing Body.
Either they are fooling themselves OR they are perpetuating a SCAM on the body of believers.
I am now inclined to think, that this is not a group of seven
misguided elderly anointed who sincerely believe they have the truth,
because no sane person could possibly u-turn so many times on one single
teaching and yet still believe they had the truth...so...
I am of the strong opinion that they have been caught with
their pants down - chronology has backed them in a corner, and they have
no way out except to change the teaching, but in doing so they have
lost credibility among themselves and the flock who wait in perpetuity
for the Great Tribulation.
They are deliberately and wilfully perpetuating a scam to fool the
masses because they have to keep the Great Watchtower engine well oiled
or the whole thing comes to an end.
Hence all the distractions, like the grey Bible, the JW.org web site etc.
We're not dealing with sincere elderly anointed who genuinely believe what they teach but scam artists.
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/135M-Awarded-to-Bible-Teacher-Gonzalo-Campos-Alleged-Abuse-Victim-Jose-Lopez-281031832.html#
The National Organization for Jehovah's Witnesses was ordered to pay
$13.5 million to a San Diego man who says he was abused as a child by
his Bible teacher. NBC 7's Rory Devine reports on Oct. 30, 2014.
(Published Thursday, Oct 30, 2014)
Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 • Updated at 9:46 PM PDT
A $13.5 million
judgment was awarded Wednesday to a San Diego man who says he was the
childhood victim of “very aggressive abuse” at the hands of his Bible
study teacher.
Jose Lopez, now 35 years old, came forward as one of eight children
who accuse Gonzalo Campos of sexually abusing them between 1982 and
1995, according to his lawsuit
Campos served in the leadership of the Linda Vista Spanish
Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Playa Pacifica Spanish
Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Pacific Beach, Lopez’s attorney
Irwin Zalkin told NBC 7.
In about 1986, when Lopez was 7 years old, Campos was first
introduced and portrayed to him as a fatherly figure who could teach him
about the Bible
Instead, the accused perpetrator used his position and time alone with Lopez to groom him, according to Zalkin.
"After a period of grooming him, which Campos was very adept at, one
day he took him and he seriously molested him in a private residence,"
he said
The attorney believes Campos would take his victims to a home his mother cleaned in La Jolla.
Although the alleged molestation happened on one occasion, the high
amount awarded by a judge reflects the severe consequences Lopez has
faced as a result, including post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction
and trust issues, Zalkin explained.
But the lawsuit does not seek damages from Campos himself, or even the Linda Vista congregation.
Instead, it names the defendant as the Watchtower Bible and Tract
Society of New York, the entity that oversees Jehovah’s Witness
churches.
Zalkin said $10.5 million of the amount was for punitive damages as a result of the Watchtower’s response to the Campos scandal.
"Damages that reflect the reprehensible conduct of the Watchtower in
how they covered this up for years and allowed multiple children to be
injured,” said Zalkin. “They protected and harbored a criminal."
The Watchtower told NBC 7 it plans to appeal the judgment, saying the
award given after a hearing at which it was barred from participating.
“Jehovah’s Witnesses abhor child abuse and strive to protect children
from such acts,” the organization said in a statement. “The trial
judge’s decision is a drastic action for any judge to take given the
circumstances of the case. We will seek a full review of this case on
appeal.”
As for Campos, Zalkin said he is in Mexico, where he moved as soon as they started investigating this case.
The Jehovah’s Witness organisation has often been described as the
“greatest preaching campaign the world has ever known”. They are a
close-knit community of evangelical Christians well known for going door
to door, handing out literature about their faith. They do not have
blood transfusions, serve in the military, celebrate Christmas or
birthdays. But now, claims are emerging from some past and present
members of the church that there may be a pattern of sex abuse that the
organisation has not only failed to report but has actually helped to
keep from the authorities.
In June, 53-year-old Mark Sewell from Barry was jailed for 14 years
after being found guilty of eight historic sex offences. The judge at
Merthyr Crown Court said Sewell had used his position of power as an
elder in the Jehovah’s Witnesses to exploit and abuse women and
children. There have been 25 similar convictions in Jehovah’s Witness
congregations across the UK in the last four years. Two of Mark Sewell’s
victims have waived their rights to anonimity and have spoken to talk
to Wales This Week after claiming the organisation has kept allegations
of abuse hidden. Wales This Week - Witness to The Truth, Tonight at 8pm on ITV Cymru Wales.
Karen Morgan was 12 when Mark Sewell started abusing her. Karen and
her family were members of the Kingdom Hall in Barry. As another
member of the congregation, Mark Sewell was not only a brother to them
in church terms, he also became a real member of the family after he
married Karen’s aunt.
He would sort of lay next to me and pull me up on top of him and he
would get into bed with me in the night wearing just his underpants. He
came into the bathroom when I was in the shower.
– Karen Morgan, Victim
She reported it to her parents but she was told she had misunderstood her uncle’s affections.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the bible is the literal translation
of God’s word. It says when a brother has sinned, you should first
confront him before going elsewhere.
If your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault between you and
him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained a brother. But if he
does not listen, take along one or two more, in order that at the mouth
of two or three witnesses every matter be established.
– Matthew: Chapter 18 verses 15-16
Karen was now in a particularly awkward situation, as she had to face Sewell in a series of meetings, at HIS home.
Mark Sewell was an elder in the organisation. Which placed him in a
position of considerable trust. It was Karen’s word against his and so
Karen spent the next two years feeling ignored and disbelieved.
Marc and Cora are two former Jehovah’s Witnesses who campaign to give a
voice to victims like Karen. Based in Cheltenham, the couple helped
launch Advocates for the Awareness of Watchtower Abuses, or AAWA.
The Watchtower is the Jehovah’s headquarters in New York. Marc and
Cora feel the church is instilling a culture of undue influence which
violates the basic human rights of its members, especially in the
protection of children. They say a series of letters and a secret
handbook purely for the eyes of elders looks at protecting the
organisation first and foremost over and above that of the victim.
We are trying to change the whole policy of the the way that they
look at the individual that is being accused because this is somebody
that can continue to carry on abusing people. They don’t see it as a
crime, they see it as a sin, they see it as a weakness of that person.
They also say that:
The secrecy surrounding any allegations of abuse around molestation
or rape were, are so tightly controlled by the organisation that most
Jehovah’s Witness, your average witness does not know anything about it.
– Marc and Cora, Advocates for the Awareness of Watchtower Abuses
Marc and Cora say the fundamental reasons there is such an issue
revolve around the misguided application of the two witness rule and the
instruction that elders must handle accusations internally rather than
go straight to the police.
They have this two witness rule which covers everything so it could
be someone smoked, they would have to be seen by two separate people. Or
it could be a child has been abused and that abuse would have to be
seen by two separate people and when does anybody ever see a child get
abused.
– Karen Morgan, Victim
Shepherd The Flock of God is a manual handed to all elders.
The book tells elders they should never suggest that a victim
should not go to the police. It says they should inform victims that
it’s their personal decision. However, it clearly states this
information should only be given if directly asked and only after
guidance has been sought from the branch office, or Bethel.
Karen spent 20 years fighting to be believed as she did not have
another witness. It was only 17 years later after 3 other women came
forward that she was successful in getting Mark Sewell before a jury.
The Jehovah’s Witness Organisation say that they have “an absolute
and unequivocal abhorrence of child abuse”, they “work in harmony with
the law” and “do not condone” child abuse under any circumstance. They
also do not “shield from the authorities anyone committing offences of
this nature.”
They went on to say that they “support any victim or parent who
reports this horrible crime to the authorities”. And that “such
authorities have the absolute right to investigate, try and punish
criminals.”
In relation to the Mark Sewell case specifically, the church claims
that “he has not been a member of the Barry Congregation of Jehovah’s
Witnesses, nor has he been in any position of responsibility, for twenty
years.” They say “It is a matter of public record that when allegations
of child abuse involving his family members first surfaced, the police
were informed and investigated the case.” They were also “not aware of
any congregation or one of its members obstructing police inquiries.
Such would be contrary to their beliefs, practices and child
safeguarding policy.”
The Home Office has ordered a major inquiry into why historic cases
of child abuse have been hidden for so long. Now Karen and AAWA have
called for the Jehovah’s Witness organisation to be scrutinised as part
of that investigation.
The Home Office told us it was still early days and that:
Details of what will and will not be included in the scope of the inquiry will be clearer after the terms of reference are set
– Home Office Spokesperson
With Sewell now firmly behind bars, Karen and his victims are
looking to hold the governing body of the Jehovah’s Witnesses
responsible for what has happened.
Candace Conti was abused by a fellow Jehovah's Witness at the age of 9.
They have employed a firm which is part of a network that recently
helped 28 year old Candace Conti from California win a landmark ruling
against the organisation. She won 28 million dollars in damages, after
she was abused by another Jehovah’s Witness at the age of 9 years old.
To hear more of this story catch Wales This Week - Witness to The Truth, Tonight at 8pm on ITV Cymru Wales.
For further information: JW.orgAAWA
Most of us are reasonably familiar with reports of scandalous goings-on of that old jellyfish lecher, the founder of the Watchtower Cult, the one and only Charles Taze Russell.
But, are these stories true?
This thread is going to be devoted to his allegedly scurrilous activities. So, bookmark it, please, Bro' Focus is in possession of Noo Light, and we're going to explore Russell like you've never seen him explored before.
We're approaching his 100th Death Anniversary, and for all I know this virtual exhumation may lead to a real one. We know where the body lies.
Why bother, it is so long ago, do I hear? Since Russell's the only reason God allegedly picked the Watchtower Society in the first place, rather than any of other Millenarian (and Millerismic - the link via Storrs is obvious) charismatic cults of the time, he merits close examination. Very close examination indeed!
During our exploration of the morals and ethics of the good "Pastor", you are going to become familiar with "his" local paper, the BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE.
This newspaper had more than a warm relationship with Russell - it was a positively hot one!
We move to a hitherto unreported (online) and apparently unnoticed account from 1911 of a scam Russell pulled - it took years to come out:
BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 5, 1911. PASTOR RUSSELL A CLEVER FINANCIER Duped Prominent Pittsburg Clergymen Into Supporting Cemetery Scheme. HIS "DUMMY" TRANSACTIONS. Ministers Didn't Know They Were "Boosting" Deal of Man They Opposed.
(Special to The Eagle)
Pittsburg, November 4 - That "Pastor" Russell succeeded in getting the four leading clergymen of Pittsburg, including , the Episcopal bishop of this diocese and the Rev. S. Edward Young, now pastor of the Bedford Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, to lend their names and influence to further the financial prosperity of a cemetery which he controls, is shown by some hitherto unpublished records on file in this city.
The story of this cemetery deal involves a variety of dummy transactions that would do credit to a Wall Street banking expert.
So cleverly did Russell manipulate the deal that the Rev. Cortland Whitehead the venerable Episcopal bishop of this diocese; the late Rev. Dr. B. F. Woodburn, for forty years a lender of the Baptist clergy here; the Rev. S. Edward Young, the leading clergyman of the Presbyterian Church, and the Rev. J. W. Witherspoon, the leading minister of the United Presbyterian Church, which is probably the most powerful church organizatlon of this city. All of whom were bitterly opposed to Russell's teaching and methods, accepted the position of trustees on the Russell cemetery board before they found out that they had been duped. The "Pastor" Sees a Good Chance for a Cemetery.
"Pastor" Russell, who has always been counted as a good judge of Pittsburg real estate, a few years ago discovered a plot of ground lying along the old Ruysville road, which is a continuation of Federal street just beyond the city limits, that appealed to him as admirably adapted for cemetery purposes. He figured that there was a good opening for a cemetery in Pittsburg and was looking for a suitable plot of ground to get one started.
The property was purchased for $27,000 by Brother W. E. Van Ambergh, who was a railroad man in the South before he became a Russell Pilgrim and assumed the important duties of treasurer of the Peoples Pulpit Association, which is one of the big Russell corporations. Van Ambergh is now one of the big financial men in the Brooklyn headquarters.
Van Ambergh was pretty well known In Pittsburg as a Russell satellite, so it was not deemed advisable for him to hold title to the property. Morever, Van Ambergh is one of those who are supposed to be serving the "Cause" for $10 a month and expenses, and it might have occasioned surprise to find him the possessor of a $27,000 piece of property. At any rate Van Ambergh, very shortly after acquiring the property, sold it for $30,000 to the United States Investment Company. Courts Declared Transfers of Russell to Be Frauds.
This Investment company is a dummy corporation to which "Pastor" Russell transferred a lot of oil stocks, mining stocks and other property at about the time his wife was trying to collect the alimony awarded to her by the courts Some of transfers which "Pastor" Russell made at this time, were made, the courts declared "in fraud upon his wife." Although it at one time held property worth more than $50,000. this company is capitalized for only $1,000. Of this total "Pastor" Russell holds $990. Brother Bohnet, of Miracle Wheat fame, holds $5 and Brother Ernest C. Henninges (who married Rose Ball and departed with her for Australia shortly before Mrs. Russell's suit for separation came to trial, owns the remaining $5.
It is from the United States Investment Company that the Rosemount. Mount Hope end Evergreen United Cemeteries bought the land, which thus lost all direct association with "Pastor" Russell's name. Through some of his friends and followers "Pastor" Russell had persuaded the four eminent Pittsburg divines to lend their names to the cemetery project. In some way not clearly explained this cemetery was supposed to benefit poor people. On April 18, 1905, the Rosemount, Mount Hope and Evergreen United Cemeteries was incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania by the following: John G. F. Kuehn, John G. Messner, J. H. Giesey, C J. Woodworth and J. Adam Bohnet, all Russellites. The original board of trustees included John G. F. Kuehn, John G. Messner, J. H Giesey, C. J. Woodworth. C. T. Russell, W. W. Giffen, H. A. Guepner, William M. Wright, Francis Winton and the four Pittsburg clergymen to whom reference has been made - Bishop Cortland Whitehead, the Rev. S. Edward Young, Dr. B. F. Woodburn and the Rev. J. W. Witherspoon.
So far as can be learned, the four reverend men did not attend any of the meetings of the board of trustees, which were held at the Russell headquarters, in the Bible House, on Arch street, Alleghany. If they had, they might have learned that, by virtue of a secret agreement, duly filed in the proper recording office in Pittsburg, although its text is known only to the real insiders, the United States Investment Company retains an important measure of control over the property it sold to the Cemeteries Corporation. The agreement carefully prescribes what the Cemeteries Corporation may do with the property, and forbids its sale without the consent or the United States Investment Company. ''Treasurer and President" Was Only a Figurehead.
J. G. Messner, an insurance agent, with an office at 324 Fourth avenue, who was president of the board of trustees, says that he himself knew precious little about the business.
"Russell told me to act as treasurer and president of the board of trustees," he said to an Eagle representative who questioned him about his connection with the cemetery deal.
The business was all done somewhere else. Then one day Russell telephoned to me: 'Messner,' he said. 'I know you're a busy man. I've got a girl in the office here who can handle the money for the Cemeteries. Just send me a check for what money you have on hand, and I'll take care of the business from now on.' I sent him a check for several hundred dollars, which, for some reason, he kept on hand and didn't cash. I only learned of this later, when I got notice that the bank in which the money was deposited had failed."
Messner was asked what had become of the property.
"I believe it is being run by some of Russell's local representatives." he answered. "I understand they are selling a good many lots and doing quite a business. It has a beautiful location and probably was a good investment."
It was this cemetery deal which helped to open Messner s eyes to Russell's operations, and he severed his connection with the Russellites soon after it was put through. Pastor Had No Idea Russell Was Connected With Scheme.
The Rev. S. Edward Young, pastor of the Bedford Presbyterian Church of this city, when shown the above dispatch at his home at 1035 Prospect place, wrote out the following statement:
"I recall that several years ago - probably seven or eight years - I was asked to serve as trustee of a new cemetery which had some such name as the Rosemount, Mount Hope and Evergreen United Cemeteries; that Bishop Whitehead of the Protestant Episcopal Church diocese of Pittsburgh, Dr Woodburn, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Alleghany, and other ministers and laymen well-known to me, were to be fellow trustees.
"Upon being persuaded in my own mind that the enterprise was hardly the sort of one I had been assured it would be, I served notice that my name should be dropped from the list of trustees. I never attended a meeting of the trustees or any meeting with anybody in connection with the matter, and really do not know what became of the enterprise, whether it took actual form and became operative or not. I put no money in it, had no stock in it, no promise of stock or other interest. The Eagle's dispatch is the first intimation I have had of Pastor Russell's relation to the properties."
A true old time scammer and swindler, who knew how to sell and promote money making schemes. His biggest fraud was what the WTS. produced, exploiting the established public belief in the bible to promote the WTS's publications.. Jesus didn't return back then but a swindler/charlatan operating his own publishing house did appear and founded a pseudo religion based from his deceiving commercial aspirations.
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"There is nothing carefully concealed that will not be revealed, and secret that will not become known." - Jesus Soon ... since 1879
TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS
Re: Coordinator of the body of elders
Dear Brothers:
The Governing Body appreciates the fine brothers who serve as congregation elders and the work they do in advancing Kingdom interests. Many elders have served in this capacity for decades, and we benefit from their wisdom and fine example of faith and loyalty in caring for Jehovah’s sheep.—Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2, 3.
As the organization continues to expand, there is a need for more brothers to reach out and a need for those who now serve as elders to take on more responsibility. To assist in this effort, the Governing Body has decided that, effective September 1, 2014, brothers who are 80 years of age or older will no longer serve as a coordinator of the body of elders. Of course, a coordinator of the body of elders who is not yet 80 years of age might also modestly decide that it would now be best to have another brother take on this role.—Mic. 6:8.
If, in view of the foregoing, it will be necessary to recommend a change in the brother serving as the coordinator of the body of elders, this matter should be given due consideration at an upcoming elders’ meeting. If the next visit of the circuit overseer to your congregation will not be until after September 1, the recommendation could be held until his visit.— ks10 chap. 2 par. 13.
In the Shepherding textbook, chapter 2, paragraph 11, after the first sentence, each elder should insert “He must be less than 80 years of age.”
We thank you for your loyal support of these theocratic refinements. (Isa. 60:17; Rev. 1:20) Please accept an expression of our warm Christian love.
Your brothers,
April 22, 2014
TO ALL CONGREGATIONS Re: Adjustment in process for appointing elders and ministerial servants
Dear Brothers:
With regard to Paul and Barnabas’ visit to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, Acts 14:23 states: “They appointed elders for them in each congregation, offering prayer with fasting, and they entrusted them to Jehovah, in whom they had become believers.” Titus and Timothy evidently are also recorded as taking part in appointing elders in the congregations. (1 Tim. 5:22; Titus 1:5) In accord with this Scriptural precedent, the Governing Body has decided that effective September 1, 2014, circuit overseers will be responsible for the appointment and deletion of elders and ministerial servants. Additional information will appear in the November 15, 2014, issue of The Watchtower.
We request your continued prayers on our behalf as the preaching work is speeding up and more and more people are beginning to worship God by going to “the mountain of the house of Jehovah.” (Isa. 2:2) Please accept an expression of our warm Christian love.
Your brothers,
c: Traveling overseers PS to body of elders:
Please arrange for this letter to be read to the congregation at the first Service Meeting after its receipt or after the next Watchtower Study, whichever comes first. This postscript should not be read to the congregation, and the letter should not be posted on the information board. If the circuit overseer is visiting your congregation, he will read this letter at the conclusion of the next congregation meeting. At circuit assemblies and special assembly days, the letter will be read by the last speaker on the program at the conclusion of his talk. We would appreciate your keeping this matter confidential until the letter is read to the congregation or circuit.
In due course, further direction regarding the aforementioned adjustments will be provided to all bodies of elders.
This alert involves a particular form of fraud known
as affinity fraud that has been perpetrated upon multiple congregations
of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Northern California (USA), specifically
Circuit 13*, by persons professing to be servants of Jehovah God.
Affinity fraud
is defined as a scam that preys upon the trust and friendship that
exist in associations, such as religious groups. Those who utilize
affinity scams typically are - or pretend to be - members of the group
and often use respected religious leaders within the group to promote
the scheme by convincing the members that a fraudulent investment is
legitimate and worthwhile (See g02 5/22 p. 29 under the heading Theft in the Name of God; also g97 9/22 pp. 9-10).
Sadly, an affinity fraud scam manifested during my congregation’s engagement with Regional Building Committee #7 (2009 – 2011).
Having observed this firsthand as a participant in
the RBC engagement and as an officer for the congregation’s non-profit
religious corporation, I am shedding light on this situation since the
wrongdoers, including overseers within the English - Menlo Park Congregation,
Regional Building Committee and Circuit 13*, continue to cover up their
misconduct. They have done so to avoid scrutiny from persons in the
organization with greater responsibility, unsuspecting congregation
members as well as the secular authorities.
Understandably, the following information may be
difficult for some to believe. As a lifelong servant of Jehovah, I find
this situation hard to believe myself. Nevertheless, it has occurred.
In Matthew Chapter 13, Jesus warned of false Christians when providing the illustration of the Wheat and the Weeds. At 2 Timothy 2:20, 21, Paul speaks of vessels “for an honorable purpose” and other vessels “for a purpose lacking honor” within the same house. At Acts 20:29 Paul spoke of “oppressive wolves” entering in among true Christians that would not treat the flock with tenderness.
This alert is intended to provide a general overview of the problem. Further details will be provided in subsequent postings.
In the spirit of Leviticus 5:1,
the goal is to overcome the current cover-up of this situation so that
upright brothers in positions of organizational oversight can become
aware of this problem and take the appropriate action.
It appears that participants in this scam occupy
strategic positions of responsibility at varying levels of the
organization, which may explain why all requests to the Service Department for a special committee to be formed to investigate and resolve this situation have gone unanswered.
Jehovah’s organization itself is not perpetrating this scam,
rather a group of deviant, self-willed individuals therein are doing
so. Such persons insidiously exploit the arrangements, procedures and
infrastructure of the organization to execute their schemes - to their
own benefit.
The Scam: Phase 1
The scam often targets Kingdom Hall properties that
are fully paid for. A “trigger man” is required to set the plan in
motion. This may be the circuit overseer, an RBC representative and/or
members of a local body of elders. The trigger man may be
complicit in the scam or may simply be directed by complicit persons
above him to unknowingly set the stage for the scheme.
The trigger man then initiates a discussion of
maintenance needs invariably steering the flow of the conversation
toward completely remodeling the Kingdom Hall and/or selling it to
purchase new land and build a new one.
If the existing body of elders agree, all is well. If
they do not then the non-conformists are arbitrarily deleted as elders
and/or diluted by new elders predisposed to proceed with the desired
building project that are directed to move into the congregation. This
dilution can also occur under the guise of merging congregations.
The newer elders typically become the officers in the
congregation’s non-profit religious corporation. In doing so, they
amend the articles of incorporation changing the name of the corporation
and the by-laws ensuring that the local branch office is named as the
recipient of all assets, including the Kingdom Hall property and
proceeds from the sale of such, upon dissolution of the corporation.
This enables the schemers to acquire operational control of the
corporation and thereby assume effective ownership of the Kingdom Hall
property.
The Scam: Phase 2a
Next, complicit RBC representatives provide a
proposal for a complete remodel of the Hall when, in reality, a more
modest project would suffice in-line with organizational directives
(Policy Letters dated 4/6/2009 & 12/11/2009).
This proposal is approved by the body of elders as a matter of course,
per the scheme, regardless of the undue financial burden that is placed
on congregation members.
The costs of the building project are inflated with
specific intent to exceed the congregation’s available funds thus
manufacturing the need for the congregation to obtain an interest free
loan from the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Inc.
For example, the actual costs of a modest remodeling
project for Kingdom Hall “A” is $35,000. However, complicit RBC members
unnecessarily recommend a complete remodel that, in actuality, should
cost no more than $100,000. Yet, the RBC representatives specify a
project cost of $250,000. This amount exceeds the congregation’s
available funds and so they are then directed to obtain an interest free
loan from the local branch.
The project proceeds and the work is done for the
actual cost of $100,000 – or less. However, the congregation is now
responsible for a loan of $250,000 due to the misrepresented project
costs.
By inflating construction costs for a project that
the congregation doesn’t actually need and then finalizing a loan that
will be paid monthly for the next 10 – 25 years, the scam fraudulently
creates a revenue stream that constitutes a surreptitious form of tithing, something that Jehovah God and his organization do not approve of.
Based on what occurred during the English - Menlo Park Congregation's RBC engagement, sham building projects have also been used as a means to reposition liquid assets
specifically to obscure their source and/or final destination. Such
transactions can enable tax evasion especially when performed under the
guise of religious non-profit activity, something else that Jehovah God
and his organization do not approve of. (See w11 9/1 pp. 21-23)
The Scam: Phase 2b
Alternatively, once the perpetrators of the scam
acquire operational control of a congregation’s corporation, thus
assuming effective ownership of the Kingdom Hall property, they direct
the congregation to finance upgrades to the Kingdom Hall and then sell
the property for a substantial profit, anywhere from 200 – 300%. With
the original congregation and corporation dissolved at the direction of
complicit branch personnel, the publishers are then merged with a
neighboring congregation and the perpetrators move on to the next
“building” project.
Conclusion
My efforts to expose this problem have been met with
stiff opposition. My family has been insidiously undermined and attacked
by the perpetrators of this scam. These attacks have included false
accusations intended to destroy my reputation and credibility (See
g90 5/22 p. 12 - Fallacy Number 1). Nevertheless, the importance of James 1: 2, 3 remains.
While others in Circuit 13 have the basis to do so,
at present, a total of seven persons can and will bear witness to the
authenticity of this problem. (John 8:17)
All that is required now is someone in a position of responsibility
within Jehovah’s organization, whose fear of God exceeds his fear of
men, who will listen and take the appropriate action to investigate
matters. (Matthew 10:28; w01 12/1 p. 23 pars. 17-18)
If such corruption can manifest in this one cited area, there may be cause for concern in other regards. A special committee under the direction of the Governing Body,
would be able to investigate these matters and determine the actual
extent of the problem to the end of fully resolving this situation. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
An old saying states that “Sunshine is the best
disinfectant” - which is to say that a good way to impede underhanded
activity is to shed light on it.
If anyone has knowledge of this situation, or others,
please notify your congregation elders, circuit overseer, district
overseer, local branch, and anyone else who may be positioned to help. If
you have the basis to communicate directly with any member of the
Governing Body, PLEASE do so as their involvement will be needed to
solve this problem. (Leviticus 5:1)
Individuals are also encouraged to participate in a brief survey
intended to assess whether or not the scam described herein or other
forms of fraud have occurred outside of Circuit 13*. Personal contact
information is not requested or gathered therefore survey participants will enjoy complete anonymity.
Friends - In being created in Jehovah God’s image,
each person has the fundamental basis and inherent potential to be a
force for good.
Jehovah God sees what is taking place and he will soon act for the sake of his own name. (Ecclesiastes 12:14) Take care to be standing on the side of truth when he does.
* Circuit 13 is located on the San Francisco Peninsula
and consists of English congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses in
Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Redwood City, San Mateo
and Burlingame.
