While I see what you all do, I also see more, from a legal standpoint (peace to you, all!). I don't think this is about money, per se. Bottom line, yes, it is about money. But I think it's more about things like the WTBTS either preparing for, responding to, or trying to circumvent a settlement agreement.... OR, more likely, compliance with some court order/settlement agreement.
What is happening is that the specific and direct solicitation for funds to build more halls, etc., is being eliminated. Now, congreationg are going to be asked if they WANT to make such donations out of their surplus funds... which surplus most like will be the result of such new, confidential pledges. The pledges MUST be confidential now, but I don't think that's a WTBTS move. Indeed, I'm sure they don't like THAT... because NOW they can't hold anyone LEGALLY (let alone morally) accounting FOR such pledges. Written pledges are normally legally binding; however, imagine the Kangaroo Court for "Brother So and So" who didn't fulfill his written pledge. I believe that could be grounds for DF'ing, if not marking, because they will say it reneges on one's yes BEING yes, etc.
Why I believe this is occurring is because, for one, these are supposed to be charitable donations. Unlike other religions that ALSO use their funds to feed their members/the poor, run hospitals/orphanages, etc., the WTBTS uses its funds for one major purpose: purchase and development of real estate. That is actually a deceitful purpose: it makes the corporation rich... but helps NO ONE in a practical way.
Second, however, and more importantly, over the years, some have personally "donated" large amounts of money for the very purpose of building a KH or assembly hall, only to be told later that the project was killed. When they asked for their money BACK, however... because it was donated SOLELY for that purpose in the first place, the request was denied. When the person made a demand, they were labelled as an oppose/troublemaker... and trouble was then made for them.
I can think of one actual case... and I would not be surprised if this was the impetus for this change. About 20 years ago, those in the SF Bay and Greater Sacramento area were asked to make written pledges to cover the cost of a new Assembly hall in the American Canyon area. One "brother" made a sizeable donation; however, about 5 years later, we all learned that the project would never go through. A (very believable) rumor went around that upon learning the hall would not be built, the "brother" asked for his money back but was told that wouldn't happen, that once he have it to the fund it belonged to the WTBTS. Well, he wasn't happy with that and threatened to sue... for which he was "marked." Apparently, he ultimately DID file a suit... and was DF'd.
I know of another issue, through dear hubby, where a "sister" donated her deceased husband's insurance proceeds to them. Then, when having become destitute a few years later, she asked for some of it back in order to live, she was denied - they told her that once she gave it, it was no longer hers but theirs to do with what they wished. When she took issue with that... she was DF'd. Absolutely NO surprise there, though, as our dear Lord TOLD us this would occur.
Matthew 23:14; Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47I am thinking that the first issue (the assembly hall donation fiasco)... and perhaps others like it... are the impetus for this change. NOW, there will be no
direct solicitation but rather, the "elders" are to use subtle coercion (well, sorta subtle - some have absolutely NO idea what subtle IS) to "lead" congregation members into (1) making secret pledges (which I promise they will use guilt to garner and have fulfilled), and (2) passing resolutions to send "surplus" money directly to the WTBTS for this purpose. In this way, the WTBTS is no longer
directly culpable for such coercion but the decision will be upon the members themselves ("What?! They WANTED to give the money to us!" We didn't MAKE them! We don't even have a BOX for that kind of thing!"). And so NOW the donations won't be specifically FOR anything... but for whatever purpose the WTBTS
chooses. Unlike the previous arrangement.
What is MOST UNFORTUNATE... is that this NEW arrangement is even worse than the first, IMHO. At least, with the first, folks kinds knew what their donations were SUPPOSED to be for, even if that's not how they were ultimately used. And so maybe COULD sue for return of (some of) it. NOW... they will be able to use whatever funds are "donated" in WHATEVER manner and for WHATEVER purpose they CHOOSE... and no one will be able to take issue. Well, not easily. It will take a very sympathetic judge/jury to do so after this.
Because NOW they won't be literally DESIGNATED funds... but just GENERAL funds.
Quote:
My wife said to me the other night when we were discussing this: "It's not YOUR organization". I didn't say it, but I thought to myself: "But it IS MY money!"
Pray tell, WHY, though, dear, dear LQ (peace to you, luv!)... are you GIVING your money to a FALSE prophet... and its FALSE christs?? If you indeed are, and you comment suggests so. IF so, perhaps you don't see the correlation between doing so... and the Israelites bringing all of their gold to Aaron in order to build a "golden calf" in the wilderness... and calling IT "JAHVEH"... even though they KNEW it wasn't... because they had grown "tired" of waiting for Moses to come BACK (down the mountain)?
If you are not, then praise JAH. If you are... I MUST ask: please... please, dear, dear brother... consider what you are "contributing" to.
Peace to you ALL... and I hope this helps, truly!
YSSFS of Christ,
Shellamar
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"I am proud to say that I will not lift one finger ( except my middle finger) for the WTBTS." 
...OUTLAW
